The Wei Kingdom was busy reorganizing and preparing for war. If frequent incidents in Yao territory affected them, they would surely pressure New Xia to resolve the situation quickly.
Of course, this was all speculation, but if the situation continued to ferment, who could guarantee the story wouldn’t eventually reach this point?
Chen Dachang looked at her without speaking.
Yu Haizhen thought he was contemplating, but after a while, he unexpectedly asked: “If the Queen ultimately resolves this matter properly, would Madam Yu become our New Xia’s State Preceptor?” Feng Miaojun had invited Yu Haizhen to New Xia not only to appreciate the local customs and relax but also to allow her to observe New Xia up close.
Whether she would become New Xia’s State Preceptor would be decided after this journey ended.
The sudden change of topic startled Yu Haizhen: “This…” This was a major matter that shouldn’t be brought up by a mere Grand Judicial Inspector. But seeing his intense gaze, Yu Haizhen couldn’t bring herself to say so.
This man usually maintained a stony expression and had never revealed such eager anticipation before. Yu Haizhen, fixed by his stare, unconsciously shrank back: “I’ve finally gained some leisure time.”
“With Madam Yu’s abilities, it would be a shame to let them lie idle in the jianghu,” Chen Dachang certainly wouldn’t give up. “My Queen thirsts for talented individuals.”
“You’re quite bold,” Yu Haizhen glanced at him sideways. “You’ve offended me before. Aren’t you afraid that after I become State Preceptor, I’ll gouge out your eyes first?” These words were meant as a jest, but after speaking them, she froze, wishing she could slap herself.
Damn it, why bring up the worst possible topic!
Chen Dachang immediately recalled the scenes in the mountain cave, where he had changed her bandages daily, those curves that made his blood surge… His expression gradually grew strange, and he could only lightly cough to disguise it: “Even without becoming State Preceptor, Madam Yu could gouge out my eyes.”
Yu Haizhen quickly seized the opportunity to retreat: “As long as you know!”
“So then?”
Yu Haizhen had no choice but to say: “As long as the New Xia Queen truly can govern, I am willing to be this State Preceptor.”
Chen Dachang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: “It’s a deal.” In his mind, Feng Miaojun undoubtedly had this ability, so Yu Haizhen would soon be one of their own.
Oh, this fellow’s teeth were quite even and white. Perhaps it was because of his dark complexion. Yu Haizhen had never seen him smile so heartily. Just as she was about to speak again, a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, suddenly walked up from downstairs and stood at the top of the stairs, looking around.
Chen Dachang immediately stood up and apologetically said: “Please enjoy your meal, Madam Yu. The person I’m waiting for has arrived.”
So he had come here to wait for someone today?
Yu Haizhen watched as he quickly walked toward the girl. After exchanging a few whispered words, they both took their seats—apparently, Chen Dachang had also reserved a table on the second floor, just two tables away from hers.
With her exceptional hearing, she effortlessly heard Chen Dachang address the young girl as “Miss Xie.” From their conversation, she learned that the girl was the daughter of a certain New Xia court official, sent to Yinzi City on her father’s orders.
The young girl had apricot eyes and a small mouth, looking delicate and pretty. At the flower-like age, her skin was fair with a rosy tint, like a newly bloomed camellia. Her gaze was shy—precisely the type young men favored.
In these times, what kind of father would send his delicate teenage daughter thousands of li away to an unstable town on business? Especially as a New Xia official who knew Yao territory wasn’t peaceful lately.
Yu Haizhen’s lips twisted slightly, revealing a faint trace of mockery.
“Please sit.”
Xie Shuangling remembered her father’s instructions. Keeping her head lowered, she softly said “thank you” before gathering her skirt and sitting down, her manners befitting a young lady from a noble family. She secretly glanced at Chen Dachang several times—his figure tall and straight, features proper, with bright and spirited eyes that seemed able to see into one’s heart with a single glance.
Her father had said that he was originally from the Wei Kingdom and had risen to prominence after helping the Queen conquer the realm. He was highly favored by the Queen and had become the Grand Judicial Inspector at such a young age—a position not particularly high in rank, but one that commanded the palace guards, indicating the Queen’s complete trust in him.
This man’s prospects were limitless. Many officials in Wuse’er City wanted to marry their daughters to him. Her father had decided to take the initiative, sending her to this obscure small town hundreds of li away to win Chen Dachang’s favor.
If not for pressing state affairs, Minister Xie would have personally accompanied his daughter on this trip. Unable to obtain approval from the regent ministers, he could only send trusted guards to escort her.
Xie Shuangling’s first impression of Chen Dachang was favorable, but his skin was a wheat color, like the farmhands on her family’s country estate. People of his background were either from the military or commoners—in the past, she wouldn’t have spared him a second glance.
Moreover, the Shun Dongfeng Restaurant served ancient-style stew, where two people meeting for the first time would take food from the same pot. Although public chopsticks were provided, she still felt uncomfortable.
This man was too rough around the edges, definitely not from a noble family. But her father had ordered her to perform well. If Chen Dachang truly had the limitless prospects her father claimed, then she would need to work to capture his heart.
Xie Shuangling’s upbringing was undoubtedly refined. Every smile she gave was perfectly appropriate—smiling without showing her teeth, speaking to Chen Dachang in gentle, soft tones.
Sitting nearby, Yu Haizhen felt tired just watching her, but Chen Dachang seemed quite pleased, even smiling more.
Heh, men. Yu Haizhen raised her cup and took a sip.
Xie Shuangling inadvertently glanced in her direction, her gaze fixing on her and not moving:
What a beautiful woman!
She had seen countless beauties in Wuse’er City, yet none could match this woman’s charm. Did Yao territory have so many beauties that one could encounter them in any restaurant?
Chen Dachang followed her gaze and saw Yu Haizhen tilting her head back to finish a glass of grape juice. Her fingers were tender and white, her jade neck slender, yet she exuded a carefree and relaxed aura, completely different from the properly seated young woman before him.
“Grand Judicial Inspector!” Xie Shuangling was quite sensitive and didn’t want him looking at that beautiful woman.
Chen Dachang had seen Yu Haizhen countless times. Even cultivators from Xi Kingdom hadn’t seen State Preceptor Yu from as many angles as he had, so he immediately refocused his attention.
“…in April, Shuangling will have her coming-of-age ceremony. Would you honor us with your presence?” Her face is full of maiden shyness, even her ears turning slightly red, like a bud about to bloom—most endearing.
Yu Haizhen’s chopsticks paused momentarily. So the young girl wasn’t yet fifteen. She looked delicate and fragile, yet her skin wasn’t thin at all. Skipping past hints, was she directly making her intentions clear to Chen Dachang?
Chen Dachang made some calculations. The New Year had just passed, and there were four months until her coming-of-age ceremony. Could the Queen resolve the troubles in Yinzi City and return to Wuse’er City by then? So he replied seriously: “If not occupied with official duties, I will attend.”
Xie Shuangling was delighted, her smile as bright as spring sunshine: “Then I will respectfully await the Grand Judicial Inspector’s arrival!”
For the remainder of the meal, Xie Shuangling knew she had completed her initial mission, so her mood greatly improved, and her smiles became much more animated.