Yun Ya snorted: “He helps you find Yu Haizhen, and you’re overjoyed; but the one who saved your life doesn’t count for anything?”
Feng Miaojun reached out to caress his face, saying languidly: “Haven’t you heard that great gratitude needs no words?” She rose on tiptoe, taking the initiative to kiss the corner of his mouth.
With such a kiss offered, Yun Ya naturally responded passionately.
After the two nuzzled for quite some time, he finally cupped her chin and examined her carefully.
Those peach blossom eyes were practiced at sending sparks. After being gazed upon for more than ten breaths, her cheeks grew slightly warm, and she said uncomfortably: “What are you doing? Is this the first time you’ve seen me?”
“So docile these past two days—could someone be impersonating you?” He pinched her cheeks, which were soft and tender, feeling wonderful to touch. Hmm, it wasn’t his imagination—where had this little wildcat’s claws gone? Originally, no matter how intimate they were, there was always a faint sense of distance, not as snug as now.
Feng Miaojun swatted his hand away. This man’s corrosive power was so strong that once she slightly lowered her guard, she immediately felt unable to resist.
Damn that Lu Ming! She shouldn’t have listened to him pleading on behalf of his master!
Yun Ya was asking her: “How can you be sure Yu Haizhen won’t come to Wei Kingdom to be the Queen?”
Feng Miaojun gave a light snort: “A woman like her won’t confine herself to the inner palace. Besides, she’s probably tired of royal power.”
The different conditions offered by Wei and New Xia were like two life planning choices thrown to Yu Haizhen—either retire from public life to be a housewife, or become the CEO of a listed company, reaching the pinnacle of her life. She believed Yu Haizhen would choose the latter.
Yun Ya played with her small hand, offering no comment.
Feng Miaojun stared at him for several moments, then suddenly said: “You never actually wanted to bring Yu Haizhen back to your country, did you?”
“Oh?” he asked casually. “Why not?”
“Yu Haizhen was once a State Preceptor, with a vision several times broader than ordinary women. If she went to Wei Kingdom, she wouldn’t be content just managing the inner palace for Xiao Yan. But the position of State Preceptor is already occupied by you—what could she achieve? Besides, Xiao Yan has liked her since childhood, and Yu Haizhen’s influence on him might be greater than that of the court officials. If she were to whisper in his ear and instigate him against you, wouldn’t that be troublesome for you?” She tilted her head slightly. “Rather than causing trouble for you in the Wei Kingdom, wouldn’t it be better to let her be the State Preceptor of my New Xia? Isn’t that perfect for both sides?”
Yun Ya smiled without speaking.
Feng Miaojun continued: “Tomorrow when we part ways, you should…”
Before she could finish, Yun Ya interrupted her: “Who said we’re parting ways?”
Feng Miaojun asked curiously: “With so many newly recruited Xi Kingdom cultivators, don’t you plan to take them back to Wei?”
Yun Ya gave a cold laugh: “If I still need to handle such matters personally, what is Lu Ming for?”
Feng Miaojun had an ominous feeling: “If not returning to Wei, where else could you go?”
“For now, things are peaceful between Yan and Wei. The world is vast—where couldn’t I go?” He smiled. “For instance, following An’an back to New Xia wouldn’t be bad.”
Feng Miaojun was startled: “You want to go to New Xia with me!”
“Is that not allowed?” His expression darkened slightly. “If Yu Haizhen can go, why can’t I?”
Why did he always compare himself with Yu Haizhen? “Yu Haizhen is my guest, and possibly my future State Preceptor.” This man, however, was the mortal enemy of the New Xia people!
He bit her ear: “Am I not your guest? And in the future, your beloved!” He straightforwardly removed the word “possibly.”
It hurt! She covered her ear with her hand, nearly in tears: “Even if I agreed, in what capacity would you return with me?” This was utterly preposterous! Was this man so idle? Didn’t Wei Kingdom’s fortunes need his management? “I enter and exit the palace, watched by countless eyes! No matter what appearance you use to stay by my side, others will eventually say I’m fickle. Unless—” Her eyes darted about.
“Unless what?”
“Unless you can transform into a pet.” At this, she couldn’t help but giggle. “Look at Yu Haizhen with Hu Tian—it’s not out of place at all.”
“You want to keep me as a pet?” He lowered his head closer to her, his voice soft as a whisper, his eyes seemingly flowing with spring water, carrying a certain indescribable danger. “What do you want to do to me, hmm?”
Keeping him as a pet? Just thinking about it was so forbidden—could she make him do whatever she wanted? Feng Miaojun immediately extinguished the evil thoughts rising from the bottom of her heart and said with a straight face: “How could that be? I’m just suggesting a possibility.”
“Well, about that—” he pondered for a few breaths as if truly considering the possibility.
Feng Miaojun’s heart inexplicably tightened. This guy, surely couldn’t fulfill such a request.
Yun Ya shrugged: “—Unfortunately, I can’t transform like that.”
His voice carried regret, but Feng Miaojun secretly let out a long sigh of relief.
“Then let’s compromise.” Yun Ya settled for the next best thing. “We’ll travel together for a stretch. When we enter Wuse’er territory, I’ll return to the Wei Kingdom, and you’ll go to the royal city. How’s that?”
Feng Miaojun had private matters to discuss with Yu Haizhen and feared he might discover her secret. But she also understood that someone like Yun Ya couldn’t be refused, otherwise, he would act according to his methods, which would be even more impossible to guard against.
At this moment, she could only nod and obediently agree.
While the Queen and Wei Kingdom’s State Preceptor were having their intimate conversation, Chen Dachang found a windproof and dry spot halfway up the mountain to sit in meditation.
The fierce battle earlier, along with his injuries, had depleted him considerably.
This meditation took a full two hours.
When he opened his eyes again, he found someone sitting on a large rock in front of him, leaning against a tree trunk with bent knees, gazing absently at the scenery below the mountain.
Just as he finished his meditation, the person sensed it and shifted her gaze to meet his eyes.
It was Yu Haizhen.
Chen Dachang noticed she had changed into a new jacket and skirt, white on top and red below, with beautiful embroidery on the chest and a light gold belt at the waist, outlining her slender figure that seemed as if it could hardly be grasped.
Her hair was still arranged in a bun, fastened with a red coral tassel hairpin, adding to her beauty. Although she was just recovering from serious injuries, this new attire showed her in good colors, like a winter plum blossoming in the snow—resilient and gorgeous.
Yu Haizhen spoke first: “How is your wound?”
Chen Dachang instinctively looked at his arm: “It’s nothing.”
“I’m sorry,” Yu Haizhen said softly. “Hu Tian is mischievous by nature, and I failed to discipline it properly.”
“It was eager to protect its master, I don’t blame it,” Chen Dachang remembered that she had already apologized once in the cave earlier. “Besides, you’ve already made amends.”
If the Queen had been in danger, he too would have protected her at all costs.
Amends—did she mean her willingness to visit New Xia? Yu Haizhen saw that his gaze was extremely peaceful, truly without resentment. She unconsciously picked up a pine cone beside her and threw it down the cliff: “How long have you been by the New Xia Queen’s side?”