The man looked dejected and yawned as soon as they met. “Not sleeping for a night, yet the Queen still appears so energetic—truly profound cultivation!”

With a boom, her face burned as if on fire, flushing hot. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan looked around. “Where is my State Preceptor?”

She barely managed to squeeze a few words through her teeth: “His vital energy isn’t fully recovered yet. He still needs to recuperate.” In short, he was still sleeping!

“Vital energy not recovered?” Xiao Yan murmured. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

Feng Miaojun decided to change this awkward topic. “How is the situation at the front line?”

Even while hiding here, Xiao Yan hadn’t forgotten his daily affairs. Besides the ruler of the Yuan Xi Kingdom, which monarch could rule without diligence?

Hearing her question, he indeed suppressed his mischievous smile. “There’s a bit of trouble. After the Yan people occupied the Huachao Plateau, they spread like locusts. Even if Yun Ya wakes up, pushing them south will require significant effort.” He snorted. “Now, shall we discuss our agreement?”

“Aiding Wei against Yan?” Feng Miaojun already had a plan. “Regarding this, I do have some thoughts.” She gestured toward the stone table under the tree. “Why not sit down and talk?”

They sat down, and attendants promptly brought wine, water, and fruit.

But after just a few exchanges, Xiao Yan flew into a rage, slamming the table. “What? You won’t deploy troops!” He had abandoned the battlefield and the royal court, personally escorting Yun Ya across mountains and rivers to this remote place to see her—for what? Besides reviving Yun Ya, he had hoped Feng Miaojun would fulfill their agreement and aid the Kingdom of Wei.

Now she was saying New Xia wouldn’t send troops! Fortunately, Xiao Yan had decent self-control and didn’t curse, though the veins on his forehead bulged with anger. “If not troops, then what will you provide—money?”

“Not money either.” Feng Miaojun smiled. “Only things that money can buy.”

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned. “What?”

“This is what we need to discuss.” Feng Miaojun said softly. “Now that Yun Ya is awake, the distribution of magical power is no longer an issue. The Wei army’s combat strength will greatly increase. Besides, does the Wei front line lack people?”

Xiao Yan was displeased. “Of course, we lack people!”

Feng Miaojun said in a low voice: “Currently, Wei has deployed seven legions to Huachao Plateau and surrounding areas, with no fewer than 470,000 troops, all Wei elites.” Since the Yan army had withdrawn from the northwestern front, the Wei had transferred most of their elite forces to the eastern battlefield. “According to intelligence, the Yan army totals less than 320,000. In terms of numbers, your side still holds an advantage. Moreover, it’s Wei territory—local adult males are both farmers and soldiers. Once they take up weapons, they become warriors defending their homeland.”

In this respect, the Wei people’s numbers indeed couldn’t be matched by the Yan army. Over the past thirty years, Wei has enjoyed favorable weather and bountiful harvests. The rulers, harboring ambitions to dominate the world, naturally encouraged people to have more children. From the information Feng Miaojun possessed, the number of young adult males in Wei far exceeded that in New Xia.

In a peaceful world, population growth would explode, but An Xia had experienced years of fragmentation and turmoil before re-establishing the nation. The period of stability hadn’t been long. No matter how prosperous it appeared on the surface, the problem of a small population persisted until East Yao joined.

Wei’s hidden advantage was fully demonstrated in a protracted war. Of course, Yan was the same. Both great nations had accumulated sufficient manpower and wealth for today’s conflict.

“Moreover, the Wei people are fighting on their soil. Even if I sent New Xia troops, how could they compare to the Wei army’s familiarity with the mountains and terrain, their ability to advance and retreat at will?”

She seized the opportunity to flatter him, which softened Xiao Yan’s expression somewhat.

This New Xia Queen was indeed silver-tongued; no wonder Yun Ya was so captivated by her. Xiao Yan silently sounded several warning bells to himself before asking solemnly: “What’s your opinion, then?”

Since he was willing to listen calmly, half the battle was won. Feng Miaojun smiled slightly, moistened her throat with a sip of tea, and then began to explain.

Xiao Yan’s expression changed as she spoke, and soon they entered into bargaining mode.

Time passed quickly. By the time they reached an agreement, the sun was already setting in the west.

Sitting for so long had stiffened her bones, but the negotiation was like a game of strategy—not an inch could be conceded. Feng Miaojun stood up, holding her waist. “Let’s proceed as agreed. I will issue orders to begin tomorrow.”

Xiao Yan snorted, no longer planning to join her for dinner. Negotiating with this woman not only yielded no advantage but resulted in great losses. He harbored a burning anger, but Yun Ya was already awake, so he had lost his leverage over Feng Miaojun.

Never mind, her ability to revive the State Preceptor already constituted a great help to Wei. Thinking this way made him feel somewhat better.

Feng Miaojun covered her mouth and yawned, turning to walk back to her room.

Xiao Yan glanced at the dwelling and twisted his mouth—that wooden door hadn’t opened all day.

He silently cursed: “Traitor!”

Feng Miaojun strolled back to her room, closed the door, and saw Yun Ya sitting by the window basking in the sun. He squinted, his collar slightly open, his black hair spread like satin—the picture of languid ease.

Hearing the door open, he turned slightly. “Did you reach an agreement?”

Feng Miaojun walked to his side and gave a soft “mm” of assent, knowing he didn’t want to appear and influence the negotiations between the two countries.

He perked up. “Then let’s discuss our matter.”

“Ah?” Her phoenix eyes blinked, pretending not to understand. “What matter?”

Yun Ya stood up, his tall figure blocking the slanting sunlight from the window, enveloping her in his shadow. “In the mindscape, you agreed to marry me. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Knowing she would play dumb, he didn’t beat around the bush and addressed it directly.

“Uh.” That was an expedient measure—couldn’t he see how desperate the situation had been? But she couldn’t say these words aloud, or Yun Ya would devour her on the spot.

“How could I forget? Of course, I remember.” At this point, Feng Miaojun changed the subject. “But how should we arrange this? We still… can’t be public.”

If she dared to announce that she had married the State Preceptor of Wei, New Xia would certainly be in uproar. This was wartime, and she didn’t want any destabilizing factors in New Xia.

Yun Ya’s expression soured. “Still hiding?” Was he that unworthy of acknowledgment?

“I only said it to save your life.” She poked his chest firmly. “You should at least show some gratitude!”

He twisted his mouth. “Then let’s marry first and announce it to the public later.”

Feng Miaojun said reluctantly: “What about the betrothal gifts?”

Yun Ya placed a round bottle in her hand.

“A Fangcun Bottle?” She raised her fine eyebrows. “You’re willing to part with it?”

“This is just a token.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “Over the years, I’ve accumulated quite a fortune. If you like, it’s all yours.”

Feng Miaojun giggled softly. From her time as Yun Ya’s maid, she knew this man had an endless supply of treasures, giving them away one after another without blinking an eye. He was certainly wealthy.