Feng Miaojun returned to her chambers, first checking everywhere to ensure no supernatural abilities or creatures were eavesdropping. Only then did she set up a barrier and take out her small bottle to let Yun Ya emerge.
Yinzi City had recently experienced Wei’s bloody baptism, and the people hated Wei Kingdom and Yun Ya to the bone. His face was highly recognizable, so Feng Miaojun dared not let him appear openly.
Especially during such a sensitive period.
The Queen’s bedchamber was a place where no male creatures should openly enter, including Chen Dachang. Thus, Yun Ya didn’t even have the opportunity to disguise himself and could only be kept in her small bottle.
Now his face was full of resentment: “I have lived my life aboveboard. When have I ever needed to hide from sight like this?”
“You’ve been… aboveboard?” This man truly loved to jest. When he pursued her for a thousand li, when he blew up the Cliff Mountain passage when he plotted against the Yao King and his son—which of these used straightforward methods?
Yun Ya helped remove her intricate hair ornaments. As the last hairpin was released, her black hair cascaded down like clouds, and the imposing sovereign instantly transformed into an alluring woman.
Yun Ya’s breath caught slightly at the sight before picking up a comb to brush her hair, saying: “Do you have a name in mind for who stole that little brat?”
“Why?” His hand’s pressure was neither too heavy nor too light, perfectly measured. Feng Miaojun closed her eyes, enjoying his attentiveness without showing impatience.
“I can eliminate him for you, silently,” he said in a gentle voice as if what he offered to please his beloved wasn’t a human life but merely a bouquet. “If you’d like.”
“Unfortunately, I’m still not clear on who this person is,” Feng Miaojun sighed softly. “Or rather, I’m not clear on exactly who these people are.”
“Many people?”
“At least not a solo operation.” Feng Miaojun removed her outer robe and was about to put on a light, soft gauze garment when Yun Ya snatched it away.
“Why wear this? It’s unnecessary since it’ll be removed shortly anyway.” With that, he lifted her by the waist.
Feng Miaojun obediently allowed him to place her on the tall bed, appearing quite docile. But then he proceeded to remove her soft stockings, revealing a pair of delicate white feet with perfectly proportioned bones and flesh. Her toenails resembled shells, painted a light pink. She was so beautiful that even her hands and feet were flawless, as exquisite as works of art.
Yun Ya grabbed them and refused to let go.
With a few gentle squeezes, her body softened, yet she still focused her mind and said: “There are traitors in Yanhu Manor, otherwise how could the wet nurse leave the manor gates at midnight? There are also traitors throughout Yinzi City, otherwise, how could news of the missing child spread so widely when the prefecture expressly ordered information be sealed?” She defined it: “When there are too many traitors, they cease being traitors. That’s rebellion.”
Yun Ya gave a cold laugh: “I told you before, these Yao people love to return kindness with enmity. You spared their lives, and they quickly forgot.”
“Times change, and so do people’s hearts,” Feng Miaojun shook her head. “They identify more with their geographical ties and identity. Diluting this requires time.” In her original world, ethnic integration was also a major challenge.
“In these past two weeks, signs of unrest have already appeared in Yinzi City and nearby. The common people gossip endlessly, while the city garrison suppresses and forbids speech. Several towns have already begun resisting tax collection. The night before last, a New Xia merchant caravan passing through Mingyue Mountain, seventy li from here, was plundered. All goods were stolen, with seven or eight casualties.”
Yun Ya was quite curious: “What do you plan to do?” Her combat prowess was already high, but in matters of governing and pacifying a country, even great power could be useless.
Feng Miaojun’s answer was simple, just one word:
“Wait.”
Yun Ya raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t it better to resolve things quickly? “Aren’t you afraid of complications arising from delay?”
“I’m counting on them,” Feng Miaojun raised her finger to lift his chin, gazing at his handsome face and giggling. “Seems we still have some time.”
Yun Ya knew this meant she didn’t want to continue the topic. Very well, he would soon discover what tricks she had up her sleeve. “You dissolute ruler, actually indulging in passion during daylight.”
“Beautiful one, submit to your sovereign, and good things will come to you.” She casually pulled out a fox fur from her storage ring to spread on the bed, then forcefully pushed him down, eagerly announcing, “This time I’ll be on top.”
The solitary Queen had always kept herself pure, and couldn’t let servants discover any evidence on her bedding.
Yun Ya looked at the slender jade fingers pressing on his chest and could only agree.
She grinned as she lowered her head to bite his Adam’s apple, eliciting muffled moans from him. Her other hand deftly untied his belt while pulling open his trousers.
He usually did this to her, and today it was her turn to reciprocate. However, when her gaze moved downward, she couldn’t help but gasp.
She had never looked carefully before, but this was too… How had she endured it before?
Yun Ya’s handsome face was already flushed red, but he didn’t miss her apprehension. He chuckled deeply: “Afraid? Perhaps I should take over after all.” Her show of bravado was truly amusing.
“You just lie still!” She repeated several times in her heart that she was the embodiment of dominance, then gritted her teeth and sat on top of him.
This session of cloud and mist passed in the blink of two hours.
Yun Ya easily detected her differences from usual. This little minx was as fierce as a small leopard ready to pounce and devour at any moment. An ordinary man would likely surrender within a dozen breaths.
This also indicated that the Yao people had truly angered her.
In the blink of an eye, another month passed.
Every noble in Yao territory knew the New Xia Queen had returned to Yinzi City and wanted to see what she would do. Public opinion regarding the missing Yao Prince’s grandson didn’t settle with time but instead intensified as oil poured on the fire.
However, this New Xia Queen, known for her tactics, took no remarkable actions beyond continuing to search for Miao Hansheng’s whereabouts. Public resentment grew wildly as a result.
The Yao Prince’s grandson seemed to have vanished from the world without a trace.
Feng Miaojun remained in Yinzi City, easily sensing the Yao people’s anxiety, irritability, and rapidly growing dissatisfaction toward both New Xia and Wei Kingdom.
Yet she appeared to do nothing.
In this delicate political situation, the New Year arrived.
Every year at this time, the Yao Kingdom would hold grand sacrifices and celebrations. The New Xia Queen expressed her desire to respect local traditions, so this year’s heaven worship ceremony was personally overseen by the Queen, with even greater magnificence than before.
Under the watchful eyes of Yao territory officials, the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
This was the first New Year that Yinzi City welcomed after changing rulers—profound and unforgettable. But ordinary people’s lives weren’t greatly affected, and several celebrations became even more grand. The Queen hoped the New Year would bring new prospects, so temple fairs, garden parties, and firework displays were plentiful. Yinzi City celebrated the New Year quite boisterously, with smiles on everyone’s faces.