After the meal, Chen Dachang rose to pay the bill. Out of courtesy, he wanted to escort Xie Shuangling back to her inn.

Before heading downstairs, he instinctively glanced in Yu Haizhen’s direction. The woman was dipping a piece of lamb into the sauce and placing it in her small mouth, chewing slowly, seemingly enjoying herself, completely oblivious to his presence.

That night, Chen Dachang was summoned to the Kingdom Lord’s study.

Seeing him enter, Feng Miaojun tossed aside the memorial in her hand and said with a smile, “Well? Could Master Chen of the Court find the daughter of the Xie family to his liking?”

Chen Dachang lowered his head slightly: “Quite good.”

Just “quite good”? She knew her subordinate too well: “What dissatisfies you?”

“No, nothing.”

“No dissatisfaction means no satisfaction either.” Feng Miaojun twirled her wolf-hair brush, “Tell me, what’s not good about the Xie family’s daughter?”

Chen Dachang indeed pondered carefully, and after a long while shook his head: “This subject does not know.”

Xie Shuangling appeared to embody beauty and gentleness, spoke with measure, and knew propriety, a well-educated young lady from an official family, suitable to bring home as the mistress of the household. But Chen Dachang always felt something was missing from her.

Yet when Feng Miaojun pressed him, he couldn’t articulate what.

Feng Miaojun sighed: “If that’s the case, spend more time together. Isn’t it said that affection grows with time?”

Chen Dachang responded with a “Yes.” His lunch appointment with Xie Shuangling today was also at the special behest of the Kingdom Lord; otherwise, he should have been busy with city affairs—how would he have had the leisure?

“Any other news to report?”

Chen Dachang thought for a moment before saying: “Lady Yu also dined at Shun Dongfeng at noon.”

Feng Miaojun had just picked up a lotus paste pastry and was about to eat it, but her hand paused at his words: “What a coincidence. She went too? Did she order the lamb hotpot?”

“Yes.”

Chen Dachang’s eyes clearly said, “How did you know?” Feng Miaojun shrugged: “Today is the third day of the month; the Xi people have a tradition of eating lamb on this day.”

So, Her Majesty knew Yu Haizhen would go to Shun Dongfeng today? This thought flashed through Chen Dachang’s mind only briefly, as Feng Miaojun immediately asked: “Did you speak with Lady Yu?”

“Yes,” Chen Dachang answered promptly. “She clearly stated that as long as you can properly resolve the recent turmoil in Yinzi City, she’s willing to serve as the State Preceptor of New Xia.”

Feng Miaojun rose abruptly and paced the study a couple of times before turning back to Chen Dachang, clapping him heavily on the shoulder: “Well done! I certainly didn’t misjudge you!”

Didn’t misjudge him?

Feng Miaojun continued with a smile: “You’ve earned another merit, but let’s note it for now and reward you all at once later.”

He’d earned merit already? Chen Dachang thanked her, utterly bewildered.

“Oh, one more thing.” Feng Miaojun casually picked up her brush and began writing with swift strokes. “Go, I shall proclaim this to the realm!”

Chen Dachang stood at her side, and as he read the contents character by character, his eyes grew increasingly bright.

When the people of Yinzi City awoke the next day, they received momentous news:

The son of the former Yao Kingdom Prince, Miao Hansheng, had been found safe and sound, and had been sent to reunite with Princess Hanyue and her child!

The commoners of Yinzi City were both shocked and delighted. Since this proclamation was personally written by the Queen of New Xia, its credibility was absolute, and whatever doubts the common people might have had should be dispelled.

The words of the Kingdom Lord were as precious as gold and jade—surely she wouldn’t lie.

After hearing this news, Yu Haizhen went to seek confirmation from Chen Dachang: “Has the child truly been rescued?”

“Safe and sound.”

Though this man was taciturn, he was quite responsible for his words. Yu Haizhen had no reason to doubt him, but was curious: “Who were the kidnappers, and how were they dealt with?”

“Still classified.” Chen Dachang asked her earnestly, “The child has been rescued, and public resentment is no longer boiling. Does this count as properly resolving the matter?”

Yu Haizhen knew he was referring to her obligation to fulfill her promise. Was this man’s only concern serving his Queen faithfully?

She snorted: “Not yet. The truth hasn’t fully come to light.” In her view, there was more to come in this affair.

Chen Dachang was full of confidence: “Soon.”

Yu Haizhen looked at him for a moment, then suddenly asked: “How is the Xie family’s daughter?”

This “how is” question was too vague. Chen Dachang didn’t know what specifically she meant, so he could only answer ambiguously: “Fine.” The Xie family’s daughter wasn’t particularly likable, but she wasn’t annoying either, just somewhat clingy. If not for the Queen’s request, he would rather be busy with official duties than pursue such romantic entanglements.

Yu Haizhen smiled slightly: “Congratulations.” After speaking, she raised her chin and turned to leave.

In the northwest corner of Yinzi City, there was a small alley called Water-Carrying Lane. The alley was originally unremarkable and had been damaged during the Wei invasion. More than half of the residents had died or been injured, and those who had survived had moved away, unwilling to live in a place of sorrow. So after just a few months, the place had lost its vitality, with only insects, foxes, badgers, and occasionally mischievous children visiting.

However, the large locust tree in the middle section of Water-Carrying Lane had survived and remained lush with branches and leaves.

It was afternoon when a servant dressed in coarse cloth walked in and sat under the tree, taking out a white meat bun before looking up.

On the trunk were carved marks, one after another, all of equal length, half an inch each, arranged very neatly from top to bottom, unlike the handiwork of children.

The white meat bun in his hand was famous in the area. The fatty meat was crisp but not raw, the lean meat was tender but not mushy. It had to be simmered in old marinade for an hour before it could be served. Though it was an inexpensive bun, it was said that many wealthy households craved it and often sent servants to buy some.

He counted the marks while eating his bun: one, two, three, four, five…

He counted to the forty-eighth mark, and there were no more.

He froze, the fatty meat stuck in his mouth unswallowed, and hurriedly counted again from the beginning.

Still forty-eight marks.

The servant’s expression suddenly became grave. He tossed the bun aside and ran his hand over the marks to ensure he wasn’t seeing wrong, then carefully counted a third time.

Forty-eight, not forty-nine.

He turned and ran out of the alley.

While the city was in an uproar, Feng Miaojun stayed at Thousand Stars Cottage in the southern suburbs of Yinzi City, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

This place was originally a small building on a low hill built by a Yao Kingdom dignitary. Including the garden, it occupied just one mu (about 660 square meters), far from human habitation. On clear nights, one could gaze up at the beautiful starry sky, but after the Wei invasion, it became ownerless and was put up for sale. Feng Miaojun, following the example of the Prince of Yan, bought it under an alias as her private property and refurbished it. Except for Chen Dachang, almost no one knew that the owner of this small building was the Queen of New Xia.

After spending too long in the public eye, sometimes she wanted to live a few days of private life, especially now that she had an illicit relationship with an enemy kingdom’s State Preceptor, making it more necessary to find a golden house to hide her lover.

Thousand Stars Cottage had a greenhouse; outside might be wind and snow, but inside was a riot of colorful blooms. Feng Miaojun bent down and saw that two carefully tended orchids seemed about to blossom.

From the distance came several bang-bang sounds.

The first month of the year hadn’t ended yet, and many households still had fireworks, which they now set off in celebration. She was using a trowel to remove weeds when a pair of hands reached from behind and encircled her slender waist.