This method, though brutal and cruel, was the most straightforward and effective. Feng Miaojun said softly: “Even if I killed him, though the Jiao people would not rise for some time, they would still resist New Xia. They are already my subjects, yet they harbor disloyalty—this is something that killing Miao Hansheng cannot solve.”

“That requires time.” Yun Ya did not argue. After Wei Kingdom invaded West Jiao, they too were troubled by the successive uprisings here, suppressing regional resistance several times in less than half a year.

It would take the efforts of several generations to gradually dissolve such regional barriers.

But time was what New Xia lacked most. The war between Yan and Wei was imminent, and though her nation had just been established with promising momentum, she knew in her heart that this newborn country had not completely shed its weakness and still had a multitude of problems to solve.

Under these circumstances, the disobedience and defiance of the Jiao people was a major trouble. Not to mention, if New Xia were to send troops against Yan, would the Jiao people be willing?

New Xia might very well have to fight alongside the Wei people this time, who were the Jiao people’s mortal enemies! They might consider outward compliance with inward resistance to be courteous; the worst situation would be betrayal.

This was also why Yun Ya was eager to break the fighting spirit of the Jiao people. The Wei Kingdom certainly didn’t want such an unstable factor in the east suddenly erupting while they faced the Yan Kingdom in battle.

At this moment, Wei and Xia shared common demands and goals.

Feng Miaojun firmly squeezed his hand and said seriously: “Do not touch Miao Hansheng, I have my plans.”

Womanly mercy. Yun Ya smiled and changed the subject: “The support for the Lu family was twelve million taels a year—the Prince of Yan is as generous as ever.”

“Having dealt with Grand Tutor Lu, our grievance with him can be considered settled for now.” Feng Miaojun remained clear-headed. “But if he wants to take revenge on us, he certainly won’t stop here.”

At this point, she glanced at him: “Shouldn’t you return to Wei? With Yan Kingdom annexing Xi Kingdom—such a major event—don’t you need to go back to discuss countermeasures with Xiao Yan?”

“Xi Kingdom’s fate was not unexpected; Xiao Yan and I have discussed it countless times already.” Yun Ya lifted her small hand and kissed it. “But you’re right, I should go back.”

After the battle at Yinggong City, he had wandered outside for nearly two months; it was time to return and have an audience with the emperor, otherwise, it would be too disrespectful to the ruler of Wei. Besides, the situation between major powers was constantly changing, and he needed to be at the center to coordinate.

His voice was filled with reluctance, and Feng Miaojun felt a lump in her throat. During this past month, the two had been inseparable, both growing accustomed to each other’s presence.

She lowered her eyes and bit her red lips.

Yun Ya tilted her chin up and said softly: “You heartless one, will you think of me when you return to Wuser City?”

“Where would I find the time?” She remained stubborn. “I’ve been away for so long, state affairs must have piled up like mountains. Won’t I have to bury myself in work when I return?”

His punishment was to hold the back of her head and kiss her fiercely for a full twenty breaths before releasing her.

Both their faces were somewhat flushed.

“Remember the oath you made to me.” Yun Ya’s voice was husky. “If you dare to look at another man, I’ll gouge out his eyes!”

Her eyes were like silk threads as she smiled at him: “Remember the same oath you made to me if you dare to show favor to another man…”

Before she could finish, she let out a sharp cry—Yun Ya was tickling her waist, making her struggle uncontrollably, her straight white legs nearly dazzling his eyes.

But she needed to return to the palace. Yun Ya’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down before he reluctantly released her.

“Oh right, I have something for you.” He took out a piece of parchment from his storage ring and placed it in her hand. “It took over half a month, but it’s finally done.”

Feng Miaojun unfolded it and looked, her phoenix eyes immediately widening: “The Ao Fish Mark!”

This was the Ao Fish Mark engraved in her dantian, which Yun Ya had enlarged to the size of a millstone. Yet the finest lines within it were more delicate than spider silk, showing the immense difficulty of the drawing.

He had completely replicated it without the slightest error; one can imagine the effort that went into it.

“I drew two copies, leaving one with you to compare with Yu Haizhen’s bracelet pattern.” After more than a month of arduous “effort” between them, he had finally seen and memorized the mark clearly, allowing him to draw it in its original form.

Feng Miaojun gently stroked the lines on the paper, unable to put it down: “Have you gained any insights?” Since Yun Ya had thoroughly examined this mark inside and out, could he identify any useful information?

“I’ve confirmed it’s neither a curse nor a seal.” Yun Ya rested his chin on the top of her head. “But the lines are too complex and the references too few to interpret its meaning. I need more time.”

Feng Miaojun sighed, not without disappointment: “Yu Haizhen said the same thing.”

“This is not a script common to the mortal world; there’s no ready experience to apply.” Yun Ya comforted her. “If it is divine language, it must follow the principles of heaven and earth. With years of accumulation, perhaps one day it can be comprehended.”

Feng Miaojun nodded. With her current cultivation and knowledge, she understood that what Yun Ya and Yu Haizhen said made sense. In her original world, language experts studying an ancient language lost for thousands of years would also need to place it in its original context to deduce and judge, looking for clues and making fuzzy comparisons.

Yet now she had only the Ao Fish Mark without any references. This multiplied the difficulty of translation countless times.

“Yu Haizhen mentioned that this is a contract. If it’s a contract, there must be a way to break it.” Feng Miaojun pondered deeply. “The prerequisite for establishing the contract was that we both ate the Ao Fish’s pearls.” The only difference was that he swallowed the internal dan, while she ate the primal pearl.

That should be the condition for establishing the contract. With a pained expression, she said: “How can this be broken? The primal pearl has long been digested; I can’t spit it out.”

“So this contract uses the Ao Fish’s flesh and blood as a catalyst, using the connection between the internal dan and primal pearl as a bond.” Yun Ya said slowly. “What if we find a way to sever this connection?”

Feng Miaojun’s eyes suddenly brightened: “Is there a way?”

“I’m still thinking about it, aren’t I?” Yun Ya flicked her upturned nose. “Besides, we haven’t understood the content of the mark. What if it stipulates that those who forcibly break the contract will be punished?”

“Are there such stipulations?”

“Yes.” Yun Ya spoke softly. “Many ancient contracts have them. My suggestion is to understand the terms clearly before taking action, lest we make things worse.”

She let out a long sigh and simply collapsed against him.

Yun Ya pinched her slender waist, complaining: “Not even giving me a good look. Who am I working so hard for, hmm?”

For the past half-month, he had been busy with this. Now that he presented it to claim credit, shouldn’t she reward him according to his merits?

Feng Miaojun knew the consequences of offending him, so after calming herself, she said: “I have a private residence in Wuser City, even smaller than this place, hidden among the common neighborhoods. None of the nearby residents know my true identity…”