Another important decision was to assign an official to each garrison commander, implementing a seal system. For military commanders to mobilize troops, in addition to their original seals, they would also need orders signed and sealed by the assigned officials. Unlike An Xia, the former Kingdom of Yao had more centralized power, with military funds reviewed and allocated annually by the royal court, and local officials and commanders having no fundraising authority. Feng Miao Jun didn’t need to worry about this aspect, but it was necessary to curb local officials and diminish their authority while the situation remained unstable.

At this time, countless officials turned their attention to Princess Han Yue and her son. However, the former Crown Prince’s consort and her son had taken residence in Yanhu Mountain Villa, with their quarters separated from the Queen’s by just a wall. The two women were even seen walking arm in arm through the streets, clearly showing an unusually deep friendship. Those interested in gossip investigated their past, and thus people learned that the Queen of New Xia and Princess Han Yue had been close friends since childhood and had never lost contact.

A few days later, Feng Miao Jun formally adopted the young prince as her godson in a grand ceremony.

This became a touching story among the common people but left the former Yao court officials scratching their heads. They naturally wished to support their former masters, but Princess Han Yue and her son were so close to the Queen of New Xia, and they pretended not to hear requests from audiences, avoiding them whenever possible. The officials were temporarily at a loss.

During the Yinzi incident, Princess Han Yue had been pressured by these people to the point of desperation. Now, why would she want to take on that burden again? She was satisfied just staying with her husband and child.

As for the former Crown Prince Miao Feng Xian, he had now become the spirit of the Golden City, which was in the hands of the Queen of New Xia. Thus, both the former Crown Prince and his wife stood on the same side as Feng Miao Jun, leaving others with no way to intervene.

Clever people sighed that this Queen’s scheming was truly profound.

Of the five royal armies that had rushed from outlying regions, three eventually surrendered their authority and were reorganized and reassigned, while two generals made various excuses to resist.

If this were in New Xia, Feng Miao Jun would have beheaded them without a second word. However, in Yao territory, she had not yet established her authority, and there were still too few of “her people” in the Yao capital. Although she held the Mandate of Heaven and had single-handedly rescued Yao territory from war, holding the moral high ground, the people of Yao still had deep feelings for their former country.

Generally, such sentiments of displaced loyalty take at least two generations to gradually fade. Currently, countless people still harbor loyalty to their former rulers. It was only because Princess Han Yue and her son firmly stood with Feng Miao Jun, and the Wei army had not yet gone far, that no one dared to rebel.

The political situation remained unstable.

Moonlight shimmered like water, illuminating the small courtyard in Yinzi City, and casting a soft glow over the moss on the stone tiles.

Feng Miao Jun took a light breath and tossed a small pebble into the pond: “Still not coming out?”

“Plop,” water splashed in all directions.

The pond was small, and the ripples quickly subsided. At that moment, in the still-moving water surface, the reflection of a person appeared from nowhere. The face wasn’t clear yet, but the silhouette had long been etched in her heart.

Yun Ya.

He was leaning against a large tree, arms crossed, looking at her. His face was as handsome as a sculpture, and remarkably, his expression was as hard as a sculpture too: “Xiao Yan is furious. Since Xiao Ping Zhang’s death, I haven’t seen him so angry.”

She pursed her lips: “Is it frightening?”

Surprisingly, he thought for a moment before saying: “It’s manageable.” There weren’t many people in this world who could face a sovereign’s rage so casually. “Congratulations, you’ve become a thorn in the side of all Wei people.”

Feng Miao Jun said softly: “If he hadn’t vowed to massacre the city, I wouldn’t have intervened.” Such an inhumane act as massacring a city should never occur in the world.

“If he hadn’t ordered the massacre, how would the Yao Kingdom have submitted to New Xia?” Yun Ya’s eyes revealed a playful look. “An’an, you’re truly capable. It seems I’ve underestimated you.”

Feng Miao Jun noticed his jaw remained tense, clearly suppressing a fury.

Indeed, he had gone to great lengths, even risking himself to enter Yinzi City to take Yao Kingdom, but after countless calculations, he never anticipated that she would be the one to reap the greatest benefit.

She had manipulated everyone.

All his efforts, in the end, had only paved the way for her success. If she were in Yun Ya’s position, she would be furious beyond words, unable to speak so calmly.

“Likewise,” she raised her head to look at him, the moonlight reflecting brilliantly in her eyes. “Those who scheme against others will be schemed against. Yun Ya, we’re even now.”

He had killed the Miao father and son, deceiving everyone including her; she had seized the prize coveted by Wei from under his nose, putting a decisive end to this war.

The efforts of Wei, the efforts of Yun Ya, had all become a joke.

She did not lower herself, nor did she speak softly. From the moment she decided to take over Yao Kingdom, she had anticipated this situation.

Between her and Yun Ya, their already complex relationship would inevitably become more intricate.

No one knew what the future would hold.

Yun Ya stepped out from the shadows one by one, standing before her, looking down: “And then?”

Feng Miao Jun raised an eyebrow: “Hmm?”

“Then, what do you plan to do?” Those peach blossom eyes were now clear and bright, with more contemplation than anger.

Given the circumstances, mere anger was useless; better to focus on the future.

He had always been good at making decisions and controlling his emotions.

“Nothing special,” Feng Miao Jun calmly returned his gaze. “I’ll abide by the Wei-Xia agreement and peacefully serve as the Queen of New Xia.”

This meant she would soon return to New Xia, disregarding the troubles on the Northern and Southern Continents. Indeed, New Xia’s wings were not yet fully developed, and it was unwise to become involved in more conflicts.

Yun Ya’s eyes, however, revealed a hint of mockery: “Peace? Today you take Yao Kingdom, and tomorrow you still expect peace?”

She smiled, revealing her standard eight small white teeth: “I don’t see any problem.”

Yun Ya’s lips also curved, though his eyes held no smile: “You helped the people of Yao escape disaster, but they may not appreciate your kindness. I’d wager that Zhao Ru Shan and his group are now harboring ulterior motives. You probably know what they’re thinking, don’t you?”

Feng Miao Jun certainly understood: “You’re concerned I can’t govern Yao territory well?”

“Right now, with the Wei army still near the border, they’ll behave. However—” Yun Ya dragged out his words, “in the long run, do you think your newly acquired Yao territory can remain peaceful?”

Feng Miao Jun became interested, wondering what trick he was going to pull: “Does the State Preceptor of Wei have a solution?”

“It’s quite simple.” Yun Ya looked at her intently. “I can station Wei troops along the Yao border, applying sufficient pressure on them.”

This way, the people of Yao would not dare seek independence, because once they separated from New Xia, the Wei army could immediately attack them. It was like placing a fierce tiger beside a chicken coop.

“After a few years like this, with your methods, the people of Yao will gradually be divided and submit. Once you’ve won their hearts, you’ll naturally not worry about these old ministers harboring ulterior motives.”