People today do not use the soul infusion method for three reasons: first, they do not understand its principles; second, they cannot find strong souls; and third, it damages one’s karmic virtue.

Princess Hanyue listened until her hands and feet felt ice-cold, but Miao Fengxian responded cheerfully: “Compared to others’ ten percent chance of successful soul infusion, this is already much better. Fine, then I’ll trouble you with this task.”

Princess Hanyue was greatly alarmed: “I don’t allow it!”

Miao Fengxian calmly said: “Without my protection, life will be very difficult for you and our son.”

Princess Hanyue turned to Feng Miaojun: “Performing such a divine technique will harm you too, won’t it?”

“As for that, you need not consider it.” Having gained the enormous benefit of Jiao territory, how could she make no sacrifice in return? Feng Miaojun said softly, “You still have half an hour to discuss this between yourselves. Just let me know your decision.” With that, she walked out of the ancestral temple, leaving time and space for this couple with their tumultuous fate.

The sound of Princess Hanyue’s sobbing came from behind. Feng Miaojun shook her head slightly and directed her attention elsewhere, no longer listening to their conversation.

It was right to give this couple some time to speak intimately.

She walked to the middle of the mountain and suddenly heard voices ahead, quite a large number of people. Walking further, she saw a dense crowd outside the secondary hall. Judging by their attire, most were officials of the Jiao court. They were gathered together, discussing in hushed voices; some looked downcast, others full of passionate indignation.

Feng Miaojun was momentarily surprised, then remembered that the change of sovereignty for Jiao had been announced by the Heavenly Way, and everyone had heard it. These officials had originally thought they would face certain death when the city fell, but unexpectedly the heavens had changed, and while they kept their lives, they had a new ruler.

The feeling in their hearts was truly indescribable.

She stood firm and instructed the commander beside her: “Go inform them that there will be a court assembly this afternoon.” She still had urgent matters at hand and no time to deal with these officials.

The commander accepted the order and left.

Just then, Zhao Rushan arrived, followed by someone who was staring at her with bright eyes.

Feng Miaojun also saw him and turned her head with a smile: “State Preceptor Mo, how have you been?”

This person was none other than Mo Tizhun. His expression was serious as he said in a deep voice: “Feng Miaojun, you’re really something!”

He and Zhao Rushan had been fighting the enemy at the mountain gate, also knowing that defeat was imminent. They were thinking of escaping with Princess Hanyue and her son when suddenly they received the heavenly decree that Jiao had surrendered to New Xia!

Then the Wei forces withdrew.

He knew the contents of the Jiao-Xia agreement clearly and understood that Shah Yan had no choice but to withdraw his troops back to Wei. Jiao had finally overcome its crisis. Now facing Feng Miaojun, he couldn’t help but feel deeply emotional. “When did you arrive in Yinzi City?”

They had been fighting desperately here, unable to reverse Jiao’s declining situation; meanwhile, Feng Miaojun didn’t even need to engage in combat to end the war. Most terrifying of all, she had also casually taken the Jiao Kingdom into her possession!

What the Wei Kingdom and Jin Kingdom had expended enormous effort to accomplish and failed, she had achieved effortlessly. This ability to reap benefits without effort—Mo Tizhun had to admit defeat.

When he had taken her from that small countryside town in Wei to the Jin capital years ago, he never could have imagined that this girl living under others’ roofs would one day become a queen commanding the winds and clouds.

The only thing that hadn’t changed was her perpetually deep scheming.

This was a good question. Feng Miaojun also adopted a solemn expression: “I’ve been here for quite some time. State Preceptor Mo, I admire your efforts for the million lives in Yinzi City.”

This implied that she had witnessed all his actions. Now that Jiao belonged to her, these words seemed somewhat appropriate, but to Mo Tizhun’s ears, they carried a sense of frustration—like having made wedding clothes for others. His gaze grew cold: “Being able to take the Jiao Kingdom shows your capability. I don’t know where Princess Hanyue and her son are. Let me see them.”

“Hanyue was severely frightened and is now resting in the temple,” Feng Miaojun’s expression softened as she said gently, “Once she recovers, I will ask her to see you herself.”

As a princess of Jin, it was quite proper for Mo Tizhun to request to see Hanyue. Feng Miaojun didn’t outright refuse but used words like “once she recovers” to appease him. The time limit was short, with no intention to stall or obstruct, so Mo Tizhun’s expression also eased somewhat. Then he heard Feng Miaojun say: “Please inform the Prince of Jin that he need no longer worry about Wei’s aggression.”

The Wei Kingdom had never concealed its predatory ambitions. Its large-scale invasion of Jiao had made Jin feel threatened, which was why Jin had sent troops to support Jiao. However, now that Jiao had been taken by New Xia, and there was a non-aggression pact between New Xia and Wei, it meant that Wei could no longer march east—at least not within the agreement’s timeframe. This way, the Jin Kingdom, located east of Jiao territory, was now separated from Wei by the entire New Xia and would not have to face Wei’s threat directly for decades.

As long as New Xia didn’t turn against them, the Jin Kingdom would have virtually no border troubles.

Of course, for the Prince of Jin and Mo Tizhun, New Xia had been established not long ago and was still weak in national power, posing no immediate threat to Jin, unlike Wei. On the surface, New Xia’s intervention seemed to have prevented Jin from gaining any advantage, but in reality, Jiao territory becoming part of New Xia also benefited Jin, resolving their problems once and for all.

Feng Miaojun’s words were meant to remind Mo Tizhun of this point.

Being shrewd, he understood without much thought and nodded: “I’ll wait for Princess Hanyue.” With that, he turned and left.

Zhao Rushan was somewhat stunned, not expecting Feng Miaojun to dismiss Mo Tizhun with just a few words. But thinking about it, now that Jiao territory belonged to her—a fait accompli—what could Mo Tizhun do even if he was angry or displeased?

Similarly, what could the former officials of Jiao do, no matter how heartbroken or resentful they felt?

Feng Miaojun observed his expression and softly snorted: “General Zhao is quite proactive.”

Seeing her phoenix eyes filled with authority and evident sarcasm, Zhao Rushan felt a slight chill in his heart and lowered his head: “Your subject dares not.”

He had brought Mo Tizhun before the queen without prior notification, which was against protocol. As a high general of the royal court, he couldn’t possibly have made such an unintentional mistake. Feng Miaojun immediately understood his intention: he hoped Mo Tizhun could take Princess Hanyue and her son back to the Jin Kingdom, thus removing the Jiao royal bloodline from Feng Miaojun’s control, making it convenient for them to support this lineage in the future.

Thanks to the Queen of New Xia, the Jiao Kingdom had just escaped the disaster of annihilation, yet the court’s great general was already harboring such thoughts. Even with Feng Miaojun’s good temperament, she felt some anger. However, now that Jiao had turned the crisis into safety, officials like Zhao Rushan had many calculations to make.

This also served as a reminder to Feng Miaojun that the ministers of the Jiao royal court were too “enthusiastic” and had a tradition of making decisions for their sovereign. It was not surprising that they would bring Mo Tizhun for an audience without notification, but for a ruler like her who controlled the overall situation, this was unacceptable.

She had already made her decision, and now she left him standing there as she turned and returned to the ancestral temple.

In less than half an hour, Miao Fengxian and his wife had reached a decision. When Feng Miaojun walked back into the hall, Princess Hanyue’s eyes were swollen red like peaches, but she handed over the soul-nurturing wood and a golden seal together, her expression complex: “Please protect him safely.”