Riding the momentum of their great victory, the Wei army advanced vigorously over the next three months, forcing the Yan forces to retreat step by step.
In truth, the strength of these two powers wasn’t vastly different. As the defending party, the Yan army shouldn’t have been defeated so decisively.
“What’s the reason for this?”
By now, Miao Hansheng had turned thirteen, with red lips and white teeth, exuding vigor and spirit. The son born to this handsome couple, Miao Fengxian and Princess Hanyue, had indeed inherited their excellent genes. Walking down the street, he often attracted the attention of young girls. More impressively, he excelled in both literary and martial pursuits. Feng Miaojun specifically asked him this question while examining his studies in the study chamber.
He countered, “If I answer correctly, will there be a reward?”
“When you study with your tutor, do you also bargain like this?” Feng Miaojun had watched him grow up and was very fond of him. She chided him with a smile, “What reward do you want?”
“Peach blossom wine.” He smacked his lips. “I’ve heard it’s privately brewed by the royal chef, and I want to try it. Mother has some, but she won’t let me drink.”
“Children shouldn’t drink wine.” She stroked the top of his head.
“I’m not little anymore!” He straightened his neck. “Just yesterday, Mother was telling Father that they should find a match for me next year!”
Children grow up as rapidly as bamboo shoots after rain, unstoppable once they start. Feng Miaojun looked at him somewhat absent-mindedly, recalling that she was thirteen when she left the countryside of Wei with Mo Tizhun to travel to Star-Picking City in Jin, thus beginning one extraordinary adventure after another.
Fate loves to play tricks, repeatedly bringing before her the very person she most wanted to avoid.
“Your Majesty?”
Indeed, he wasn’t little anymore. She withdrew her hand and smiled, “Really? Has Hansheng taken a fancy to some young lady?”
“No, I haven’t. The world is too fascinating—I don’t want to get married yet!” Miao Hansheng tilted his head to look at her. “Besides, Your Majesty isn’t married either. Marriage isn’t that enjoyable!”
Feng Miaojun was at a loss for words.
Was her lack of marriage due to unwillingness? It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but that she couldn’t!
After a while, she instructed a nearby attendant: “Bring a small jar of peach blossom wine.”
Miao Hansheng was delighted: “Yan’s downfall lies in their lack of virtue and allies.”
Feng Miaojun smiled amusedly: “Does that mean Wei has gained ‘virtue’?”
“Not necessarily.” He replied seriously, “Yan declared war on Wei only three years after conquering the Kingdom of Xi, where they had extracted much wealth from the populace, making the Xi people despise them. Now that Wei has invaded, stepping first onto the former territory of Xi, the Xi people are helping them. I don’t know if Wei has gained ‘virtue,’ but Yan has certainly lost it.”
Feng Miaojun gently applauded: “Well said!”
Setting aside many complex factors in the war, the Wei army did indeed receive support from the Xi region’s populace and some cultivators. Miao Hansheng was not wrong. “What else?”
“Our New Xia has also sold many supplies to Wei. But Yan has already been impoverished by war.” After speaking, Miao Hansheng gazed at her with his clear black and white eyes, eager for approval.
Feng Miaojun didn’t spare her praise: “You’re much smarter than Hanyue.”
That goes without saying! Miao Hansheng pursed his lips—if he were as slow-witted as his mother, he’d be doomed.
“In your opinion, how long will this war last, and who will win in the end?”
This question was beyond the scope! Miao Hansheng’s face fell: “I don’t know!” Unless he was smarter than both the King of Wei and the King of Yan.
The peach blossom wine arrived, and Feng Miaojun stopped teasing him. With a smile, she pushed the jar toward him: “Hold it securely and hide it well. Don’t let your mother find out. If she comes to complain to me, I won’t take you to the estate to play this summer.”
Miao Hansheng blinked: “Your Majesty won’t tell, and neither will I.” Having said his thanks, he happily took the wine and departed.
Feng Miaojun returned to the side hall to rest.
She had just dismissed all her palace maids when someone approached from behind, helping to undo her hair bun: “I don’t like the way that boy looks at you.”
His technique was deft. Feng Miaojun closed her eyes to enjoy his service, casually asking, “Is there anyone’s gaze toward me that you’ve ever liked?”
Yun Ya snorted, removed her hair ornaments, then lifted her horizontally into his arms, placing her on the soft couch, eagerly asserting his dominance.
“While Wei’s army is locked in a fierce battle in the southern lands, the State Preceptor is here indulging in carnal pleasures.” Feng Miaojun curled up under his passionate advances. “Aren’t you ashamed?”
“The army’s momentum is overwhelming; my presence or absence makes no difference.” He peeled away her garments like husking bamboo shoots, revealing warm jade-like skin. As he covered her, it felt like being among the clouds, and he sighed in comfort. “It’s here where I’m more needed.”
Being together so rarely, every second they had was worth cherishing and utilizing perfectly.
In the heat of their passion, Feng Miaojun almost forgot where she was. In the heights of ecstasy, she lay on the couch and hazily opened her eyes to see him tightly grasping her hand, their fingers intertwined, both long and jade-like, a beautiful sight.
By dusk, the rain had stopped and the clouds had dispersed.
The Queen of New Xia donned a soft robe, loosely tied up her hair, the flush still lingering on her cheeks, and prodded his chest with her slender jade-like finger: “Does Xiao Yan want to swallow up Yan?”
“Mmm.” He furrowed his long brows in dissatisfaction; he hadn’t had enough tenderness yet. This girl started discussing serious matters as soon as she was satisfied—how unadorable.
“I fear he can’t consume it all and might break his teeth.” Feng Miaojun pouted. “The Yan army has retreated to the southern lands, and the King of Yan has lost face. Originally, internal strife was beginning to emerge, but with Wei’s attack, they’ve been united as one rope.”
“The King of Yan has ruled for over a hundred years and has plenty of tactics.” Yun Ya played with her small hand. “More than half the royal court consists of his people. Even if the court and country are dissatisfied with him, they’ll ultimately find it difficult to shake him. Haven’t you heard, ‘If you strike a snake and fail to kill it, you’ll suffer its vengeance’? If Wei wants peace, they’re giving the King of Yan time to reorganize and Yan country an interval to recover.”
He paused: “The King of Yan’s plan to annex Wei has failed, and it will be difficult for him to rise again in the short term. He has only two paths to longevity—since I’ve blocked one, he can only take the other.”
She gave him a questioning look.
Yun Ya enunciated each word: “Find the Celestial Demon.”
Feng Miaojun lowered her eyelids: “I once thought the King of Yan was the Celestial Demon.”
“During those years when he opposed me, I also considered him the Celestial Demon,” Yun Ya shook his head. “Judging from past methods, it seems unlikely. The Celestial Demon rarely confronts me directly.” The King of Yan, however, was his sworn enemy. “Moreover, if he were the Celestial Demon, he wouldn’t need to pursue immortality so persistently.”
The Celestial Demon’s specialty was transferring to a new body, and as long as the soul remained intact, there was never any need to worry about lifespan.
“Over these years, he must have tried every method, still without success.” His gaze shifted slightly. “In your view, is it truly impossible for him to live beyond two hundred years?”
Feng Miaojun’s heart skipped a beat, but her face showed irritation: “Why ask me?” Why would Yun Ya ask such a question?
“How many in this world can forge a dead soul into a spirit instrument?” Yun Ya smiled. “You’ve practiced the Celestial Demon’s secret techniques and studied them more deeply than I have. If I don’t ask you, who else can I ask?”