He smiled slightly: “Beautiful.”

His smile could drown people. Feng Miaojun didn’t know if she was blushing, and could only glare at him: “If you don’t sleep, I’ll drive you out.”

“Sleep, I’ll sleep.” He pulled the blanket higher, “How dare I disobey?” With these words, he closed his eyes.

As his eyes shut, the faint fragrance around him became clearer, the bedding soft, as if her gentleness surrounded him.

He secretly took a deep breath, and his entire being finally relaxed.

Feng Miaojun also felt somewhat relieved. When she entered earlier, she had quietly activated the barriers arranged around the room. These certainly couldn’t stop Yun Ya, but if he tried to leave, she would know.

Yun Ya was true to his word—he fell asleep less than a minute after closing his eyes.

Feng Miaojun had always known this “Master of Sleep” possessed remarkable skills, so she wasn’t particularly surprised. But hearing his still-labored breathing, she knew his illness remained unhealed and he truly needed proper rest.

The room was completely silent; even the insect sounds from outside seemed to have disappeared. Soon, Feng Miaojun also entered meditation, beginning her nightly practice.

Before dawn broke in the east, a resounding horn suddenly blared from the west. Just one sound made blood surge, almost compelling one to rise with a long howl.

This was made from the horn of a great beast. Most crucially, Feng Miaojun was very familiar with this sound—

This was the Wei army’s charge signal!

The auxiliary city had failed to stop their advance. In just one night, Xiao Yan’s forces had reached Yinzi City!

However, only after three signals would the army attack. Currently, only one had sounded, indicating that the Wei forces were merely showing their strength, making a grand entrance by declaring “I’ve arrived.”

There were still several hours before the ultimatum’s final deadline. They were waiting for the Xiao royal court’s final decision.

As soon as the horn ceased, neighbors immediately became restless. Feng Miaojun even heard someone crying. Yet not four steps away, Yun Ya still slept soundly on the bed; the long blast had only made him change position.

How sleep-deprived was this man?

Nevertheless, he hadn’t snuck out, which was good.

Feng Miaojun wanted to touch his forehead to check his temperature but ultimately didn’t want to wake him.

She quietly left the room and said to Chen Dachang, who was pushing open the courtyard door: “Bring food, make it plentiful. We won’t have peaceful meals after this.”

Chen Dachang and the others stayed in the adjacent courtyard, convenient for attending to matters.

“Yes.” Chen Dachang hesitated before asking, “Your Majesty, when do we leave?” Bloodshed was imminent here.

Feng Miaojun thought very seriously: “Soon.”

Half an hour later, Chen Dachang entered the hall carrying a food box.

Yun Ya happened to push open the door at that moment, and the two came face to face. The former was greatly startled, while Yun Ya stretched lazily, sat down at the table, and asked casually: “What good food do we have?”

He truly didn’t consider himself an outsider.

Chen Dachang placed the food box on the table, glanced at the door, then at him, and couldn’t help but look toward Feng Miaojun, his expression indescribable.

Dawn had barely broken, yet this man emerged from the Queen’s room, his clothing disheveled!

Could it be? Was it possible?

This scene was enough to spark ten thousand words of imagination in Chen Dachang’s mind.

Seeing her subordinate’s gaze, Feng Miaojun inexplicably blushed and waved her hand: “Go have your meal and keep an eye on the situation outside.”

There was nothing worth explaining; explanation would only seem like concealment.

Chen Dachang had been by her side long enough to be accustomed to palace affairs. He immediately put aside his peculiar expression, answered “Yes,” and turned to leave.

He left in quite a hurry.

Feng Miaojun shot Yun Ya a murderous glance—this scoundrel was doing this deliberately.

He seemed oblivious as he opened the food box, looked inside, and then frowned.

“What’s wrong?” She leaned over to look but saw nothing unusual, and casually set the dishes on the table. It was an ordinary breakfast: scallion-flavored crackling pancakes, milky porridge, a steamer full of dumplings, and six meat buns larger than her fist.

The portion was large because she had a hearty appetite. What was wrong with this breakfast?

Yun Ya pointed at the crackling pancakes: “The oil is too inferior, with a rank smell.” Then he pointed at the porridge, “The porridge hasn’t formed a skin, not even one layer.”

Couldn’t he be less picky considering the time and circumstances? She rolled her eyes: “Are you going to eat or not?”

“I will.” He sat down unceremoniously and grabbed a bun to bite into.

After just one bite, he commented again: “This filling…” The filling was too sparse, poorly seasoned, and the skin thick enough to beat a dog.

Feng Miaojun glared at him.

Yun Ya smoothly changed his tone: “It’s passable.” He continued eating with a wronged expression, though at least the bun’s skin was soft.

“Sorry you have to make do, Great State Preceptor Yun.” She picked up a crackling pancake. “At this time, getting anything to eat is already quite difficult.” With catastrophe looming, the city was filled with suffering; who still had the heart to fuss over food? That Chen Dachang could obtain this breakfast already proved his capability.

He shrugged and changed the subject: “After the Xiao war ends, what are your plans?”

“Return to my country and govern.” Feng Miaojun didn’t even look up. “Why?”

“I received information that Zhao Yun visited the ruins of the Haoli Kingdom capital again a few days ago. This time he brought more people, up to several thousand. Would you like to go see what’s happening?”

She was slightly startled: “Zhao Yun brought thousands of people to my territory?” The ruined capital referred to Yingshui City, which was within New Xia, close to the southwestern region.

“Yes.” He answered affirmatively, “The intelligence is reliable. Those people are all stationed in the ruins. However, they’re not Yan nationals but New Xia people recruited from nearby.”

With Yan making frequent visits to Yingshui City over the past two years and sending a capable prince no less, Feng Miaojun couldn’t help but be curious. “Bringing so many people there, is this fellow planning a sacrifice?”

He shrugged, indicating he didn’t know.

“Do you know what he’s looking for?”

“How would I know if he doesn’t say?” His gaze lingered on her face. “I don’t want to be the worm in his stomach.”

Whose worm did he want to be then? She frowned repeatedly and quickly changed the subject: “We’re eating; don’t mention such disgusting things.”

“Will you go?” He circled back to his initial question.

“I’ll go see.” Those thousands were her subjects! If Zhao Yun dared to harbor sacrificial intentions, he would learn the meaning of ruthlessness.

Besides, Yingshui City concealed many secrets. As the ruler of New Xia, she had a responsibility to unravel the mysteries there.

Well, she admitted she was curious. After staying in the palace for so long, things became dull; a grand adventure would be refreshing.

After breakfast, Feng Miaojun cleaned and washed the dishes. Away from home, she was no longer a ruler who never touched spring water with her fingers. Just as she was about to send the patient back to rest, Yun Ya asked her: “Have you still not deciphered the mark in your dantian?”

“No.” Her spirits lifted at his words. “Do you have any clues?”

“Draw it out.” Yun Ya handed her paper and brush.

Feng Miaojun wiped the water droplets from her hands and began to draw.

As her brush moved, Yun Ya’s eyebrows rose higher and higher.

His expression, like Chen Dachang’s earlier, was indescribable. Feng Miaojun looked up, saw it, and said irritably: “What? I’m not skilled in this!”