Despite Chen Dachang’s current depth of character, he couldn’t help but gasp in surprise. For the Wei State Preceptor, with his level of cultivation, to suffer such serious injuries showed how brutal the Battle of Red Demon Mountain had been. “Is his life in danger?”

“I don’t know.” Before him, Feng Miaojun needn’t conceal anything. She grabbed a chess piece from the table and tossed it into the water with a “plunk.” “Go back and prepare. We leave tomorrow.”

She and Yun Ya had been separated for too long. Her daily longing compounded by her current worry made her wish she could sprout wings and fly to his side.

Chen Dachang didn’t agree as readily as usual, instead asking, “And the destination?”

“The Wei capital,” she said quickly and urgently. “We’ll infiltrate the Wei capital and find Lu Ming.”

“And after we find him?” Chen Dachang said gravely. “Since the State Preceptor is in a coma, Lu Ming must now obey the Wei King. Forgive my directness, but rushing to Wei at this moment cannot be considered a wise move.”

Feng Miaojun stared at the ripples on the water’s surface, knowing her heart was already in chaos.

Chen Dachang immediately continued, “The Wei King has repeatedly urged you to dispatch troops to aid Wei, yet New Xia has remained motionless. If you rush to the Wei capital now, you’ll be walking straight into a trap.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Fire almost shot from her phoenix eyes. “Then you tell me, what should be done?”

How could Feng Miaojun not know what Chen Dachang was saying? Xiao Yan was the sovereign of Wei; with Yun Ya in a coma, many cultivators including Lu Ming would first obey him. But what did it matter if she knew it was a trap? With Yun Ya in his hands, Xiao Yan need not worry about her not jumping into the pit.

Why did he have Lu Ming only report the injury without making demands? This was Xiao Yan’s brilliance.

There was no need to ask; she would deliver herself to his doorstep. Once Xiao Yan captured the Queen, he could naturally coerce New Xia to immediately send troops to aid Wei. However, this would disrupt her plans and place New Xia in peril.

Directly confronting a behemoth like Yan was not her original plan.

Taking a further step back, even if she could evade Xiao Yan’s control, what about Yun Ya? She had no confidence in her ability to heal him. Yun Ya would still need to remain in Wei; she couldn’t take a severely injured, comatose patient flying over thousands of miles back to New Xia, especially someone who was the Wei State Preceptor.

National interests would not allow it.

So, regarding Yun Ya’s situation, Xiao Yan now held the initiative.

“The State Preceptor is too important to Wei, and the news of his severe injury and coma cannot be leaked. The Wei King must have hidden him deep in the palace under heavy guard,” Chen Dachang analyzed calmly. “If you wish to sneak in, you’d need Lu Ming’s help, but he is no longer trustworthy.”

Feng Miaojun crossed her arms, still unable to suppress her anger, “Then according to your opinion?”

Chen Dachang lowered his head, “I do not know, Your Majesty.”

Feng Miaojun slammed the table, her voice uncharacteristically sharp, “You want to stop me yet offer no practical solution?”

When the sovereign’s anger flared, her majestic presence was overwhelming. The water’s surface rippled, and even the flowers and grass on the shore were affected by the invisible force, swaying continuously.

The palace attendants and guards standing on the shore all knelt toward the lake pavilion.

Chen Dachang knelt on one knee but raised his head to look at her, his gaze clear, “Your Majesty, your safety is paramount, and New Xia’s overall situation is of utmost importance. As for State Preceptor Yun, with his powerful cultivation and strong life force, having already endured for forty or fifty days, it’s unlikely that in a day or two he would—”

Some words were too ominous to speak. Chen Dachang quickly continued, “If you calm your mind, you will surely find a good strategy. All these years, this is how you have overcome challenges.”

Since Feng Miaojun left that small town in Wei until now, she has weathered countless storms. If not for her foresight and always staying one step ahead, the grass on their graves would already be taller than a person.

But wise decisions could only come from a calm mind. He knew the bond between the Queen and the Wei State Preceptor was too deep; this time, her concern was clouding her judgment.

But she was the helmsman of all New Xia, of millions of subjects. She could not falter.

Chen Dachang’s words were sincere, and Feng Miaojun saw the trust for her written in the depths of his eyes.

This loyal subordinate believed she could make the wisest decision at any time.

Feng Miaojun stared at him for a long while before slowly retracting her anger.

She closed her eyes, gradually regulating her breath, forcing her chaotic thoughts to temporarily cease.

Finally, a morning breeze blew past, and a faint floral fragrance drifted across the water, filling her chest.

What Xiao Yan wanted was for her to lose her composure, but she refused to give him that satisfaction.

So, what should she do?

After a long while, Feng Miaojun waved her hand, “You may withdraw. I need to think quietly.”

Her voice was calm and majestic. Chen Dachang knew she would soon reach a decision, so he said nothing more, bowed and left the lake pavilion.

In his final glance before leaving, he saw the Queen leaning against the backrest, resting her chin on her hand, facing the lake water. Soft light gilded her with a beautiful pale gold.

No one could see her expression, but the setting sun stretched her shadow long and thin on the ground as if it would break if lightly folded.

She was the Queen standing at the pinnacle of power, commanding the wind and rain, with a beautiful appearance, a shrewd mind, and ruthless tactics.

But Chen Dachang understood that many times, she was just a solitary girl with no one to confide in. Facing any danger or trouble, she could only rely on herself.

That night, Feng Miaojun lingered in the lake pavilion until dawn broke in the east.

The subsequent court session proceeded as usual. Senior officials like Fu Lingchuan and Wang Yuan could keenly detect the change in the Queen. Compared to her impatience and severity of recent days, she seemed much calmer, as wise and composed as before.

After the morning court session, Chen Dachang deliberately followed behind Feng Miaojun.

She walked in silence for most of the way before asking him, “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Very—very well.” In truth, he had an embarrassing dream about the past.

Feng Miaojun snorted, “Every one of you, so heartless.”

Chen Dachang lowered his voice, “I have already prepared the travel provisions.” Was she still going?

Feng Miaojun suddenly stopped, turning to glance at him before saying, “Put them away for now. The original plan is postponed.”

Chen Dachang responded with a resounding, “Yes.”

Since the Queen had regained her composure, he need not worry about what followed.

“Just postponed.”

Chen Dachang looked at her profile and finally couldn’t resist asking, “What—what do you plan to do next?”

“Nothing. We remain still,” Feng Miaojun said slowly. “I need a turning point.”

No one else in the world knew how difficult this decision was for her. Abandoning the journey to the Wei capital wasn’t just about Yun Ya’s life; it also placed her in great danger.

After all, their lives were linked together.

But she had to make Xiao Yan understand that the initiative wasn’t solely in his hands, and she didn’t have just one path to follow.

Leverage—this was the prerequisite for all negotiations.

For this, she must wait.