In the sunset, Feng Miaojun reclined on a beautiful couch by the lake, reading a book to the sound of rippling water.

Clusters of flowers surrounded her, perfectly secluding her from the outside world, and creating a private paradise.

She had turned through half the pages of her book when a guard came to report, “Someone outside seeks an audience with the Queen, claiming to be a special envoy from Yan.”

So it’s begun. She popped a grape into her mouth. “Bring them in.”

Shortly after, the guard led a woman over. Feng Miaojun frowned slightly as she looked at her face.

It wasn’t the female jiangshi.

This woman was over forty, with yellow, puffy skin and somewhat vacant eyes.

There were still traces of dirt on her clothes.

The woman appeared to be a mere commoner. Feng Miaojun looked at her and asked, “Who are you?”

The woman flashed an eerie smile at her. “You know who I am. This is merely a puppet that can relay my words.”

“A corpse puppet.” So the female jiangshi hadn’t come in person but had sent a mouthpiece instead. “I thought you were braver than this, but you’re just this much.” This ancient jiangshi’s cultivation was higher than she had initially imagined, actually able to refine a corpse puppet as a proxy to conduct business, borrowing its lips to speak. However, this technique must have distance limitations. The ancient jiangshi’s true form was probably not far from White Horse Lake.

The corpse puppet tilted its head slightly but didn’t refute, seemingly unconcerned.

“You attacked the Judicial Commissioner’s residence just to see me, didn’t you?” Feng Miaojun returned to the main topic. “Speak, what’s the matter?”

The corpse puppet’s voice was flat. “Zhao Hui is looking for you.”

Zhao Hui was the King of Yan.

“I’m all ears.” Feng Miaojun personally had no grudge against the female jiangshi—at most, they had fought once in Xi Kingdom. Her coming to New Xia was certainly at the behest of the King of Yan.

The female jiangshi slowly scanned the surroundings. “This matter is confidential, to be heard only by you.” Her gaze suddenly fixed on a particular direction. “She must leave.”

There were only two lake stones, a clump of bamboo, and fine white sand in that direction.

“Oh?” Feng Miaojun said casually. “Who?”

“Your State Preceptor.”

Feng Miaojun smiled and said in that direction, “She’s discovered you.”

As soon as she spoke, a graceful silhouette gradually appeared beside the lake stones, looking at the female jiangshi with hostility.

Feng Miaojun said, “She’s sensitive to living souls. Even with the illusion array here, she can sense your presence.” In Xi Kingdom, she had suffered greatly from this when pursued by the female jiangshi, fortunately, Yun Ya had arrived to save her then.

Yu Haizhen crossed her arms. “Apprehend her!”

“I want to hear what the King of Yan has to say.” Feng Miaojun smiled. “It’s fine, I can handle it.”

This was merely a puppet, likely incapable of threatening Feng Miaojun’s safety. Yu Haizhen glared at it before walking away.

After walking several dozen paces, she stopped at the edge of a pavilion.

As per Feng Miaojun’s request, all servants had been dismissed from the area. The surroundings were quiet and empty, but a familiar figure walked along a forest path not far away, stopping in front of her, with intense eyes.

Yu Haizhen glanced at him before looking toward the lake. “The female jiangshi sent a puppet over and is currently talking with Her Majesty by the lake.”

Chen Dachang said in a low voice, “Thank you. If not for your timely arrival, it might have been my great-aunt standing there now.”

He stood very close, within an arm’s length of her. Yu Haizhen could almost feel the man’s body heat. She wasn’t accustomed to being close to others but didn’t step back this time, merely turning her head to look at him. “How is she?” Chen Dachang’s great-aunt was just an ordinary elderly woman. The fact that she hadn’t fainted on the spot after such a frightening encounter with the female jiangshi was already quite remarkable.

After all, she was getting on in years.

“For the past few days, she’s been startled awake at night, unable to sleep properly. I brewed some calming and soothing medicinal soup for her, and she finally slept soundly last night. This morning, she seemed much more spirited.” Chen Dachang scratched his head. “She keeps insisting that I come to thank you properly.” When he rushed back to Wusr City, the old lady hugged him and cried, saying it was thanks to State Preceptor Yu that Chen Dachang could still see her. Since then, she had mentioned State Preceptor Yu no fewer than thirty times, almost always ending with how he should show his gratitude.

Thinking about all this, Chen Dachang’s forehead throbbed with pain.

Yu Haizhen crossed her arms over her chest. “That was indeed a life-saving favor. How do you plan to thank me?”

This question had troubled Chen Dachang for several days.

Having long moved in official circles, he knew that talk of “light gifts but deep meaning” was just empty words. In this real world, grand gifts show deep feelings. But Yu Haizhen, as the esteemed State Preceptor, could have any rare treasure she desired. What gift should he present that wouldn’t seem shabby and would express his gratitude?

So he sincerely said, “Whatever State Preceptor Yu commands.” However, his gaze remained fixed on the lakeside, fearing something might go wrong there.

Yu Haizhen wasn’t so easily deceived. “You can’t think of anything?”

Chen Dachang smiled sheepishly, tacitly agreeing.

She tugged at a willow branch beside her, appearing to be thinking. “No need for gifts, I don’t want you to spend money. How about this: I’m tired of my cook’s food and want a change of taste. I witnessed your culinary skills back in Xi Kingdom. Why don’t you replace him for thirty days?”

She knew how to use people, making him cook at her residence! Chen Dachang finally looked back at her, frowning slightly. “I have official duties during the day.”

“Then, you can just prepare the evening meal.” At this point, Yu Haizhen’s smile faded, and she said coolly, “If it’s too much trouble, let’s forget about it. I thought Judicial Commissioner Chen was wholeheartedly thinking about repaying the debt of gratitude.”

Forget about it? Could she just let it go like that? Chen Dachang knew perfectly well that if he just said “yes,” Yu Haizhen would probably come up with a thousand ways to make his life difficult. Moreover, she had indeed saved his only relative. Knowing gratitude meant repaying it. “It’s not too much trouble. I’ll come over tomorrow afternoon.”

“Excellent.” Her smile was like a blossoming flower. “I want roasted lamb leg.” As if she would let him off easily!

“Fine.” She was demanding. Chen Dachang kept his gaze fixed on the lakeside, only breathing a sigh of relief when he saw the Queen’s silhouette slowly emerge from behind the flower cluster.

After Yu Haizhen left, only two people remained by the lake.

Feng Miaojun casually set up a barrier before turning to the puppet. “Speak.”

The puppet’s expression remained blank as it took out a small mirror, directly reflecting it toward the water.

“Water Moon Mirror.” Her explanation was also brief. “It can connect across vast distances.”

This was an ancient treasure, and Feng Miaojun already knew its wonders. The land was vast, and communication was inconvenient. Sending a message from New Xia to the Wei Kingdom would take several months round trip, and contacting the Yan Kingdom across the sea would take even longer. This was assuming the message didn’t get lost on the way.

The Water Moon Mirror, however, was an instant communication treasure. Its role in warfare need not be elaborated. Despite Feng Miaojun sending subordinates to various markets across the northern and southern continents, they couldn’t find one. The King of Yan was indeed wealthy and generous to possess such a treasure.