She pouted. “By that logic, anyone around us could be a Celestial Demon.”

“Exactly.”

After speaking, Yun Ya noticed her staring blankly into space and couldn’t help stroking her silky hair. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” Her eyes flickered, seeming somewhat dejected. If someone as powerful as the Yan King faced such difficulties with “body snatching,” then the confusion that had lingered in her heart for so long—

At that moment, a court attendant gently knocked on the palace door, respectfully announcing, “The Prime Minister requests an audience.”

Feng Miaojun tapped the miniature bottle twice and waved it at Yun Ya. “Won’t you come in?”

These two conducted their marriage so secretively, even less open than commoners. Yun Ya jumped into the miniature bottle with a stern expression.

Feng Miaojun pretended not to notice his expression.

On the second day after Yun Ya left, Feng Miaojun received unexpected news—Yang City and three surrounding county towns had experienced an “earth dragon turning over” (earthquake).

Although its name included “city,” this was a small town in the southwestern part of New Xia’s mainland, famous for producing various spices. It was prosperous due to its proximity to the Golden Trade Route, with a population exceeding that of ordinary towns, nearly ten thousand residents.

The earthquake occurred at dusk, literally tearing Yang City in half. More than three hundred people were killed or injured, over a hundred buildings completely collapsed, and more than six hundred were damaged to varying degrees.

The situation in the other county towns was only slightly better than in Yang City.

Worst of all, the major quake was followed by a series of aftershocks of varying intensity. Just three hours later, another dozen buildings collapsed in Yang City.

The location wasn’t far from Wuser, but fortunately, the capital remained unaffected. Feng Miaojun immediately authorized disaster relief measures. Before she could set down her brush, Yu Haizhen hurriedly arrived.

Her face was somewhat pale. “Earth dragon turning over?”

Feng Miaojun nodded. “It happened in Yang City. The aftershocks haven’t subsided, and reports continue to come in.”

Yu Haizhen bowed. “I’m at fault for my negligent supervision. I request punishment from Your Majesty.”

Feng Miaojun waved her hand. “The State Preceptor is responsible for allocating elemental power, but cannot completely prevent natural disasters. Without you, the earthquake might have split Wuser’s main street in two.”

No matter how strong a nation’s fortunes are, natural disasters can never be eliminated—at most, major disasters could be reduced to minor ones, and minor disasters averted entirely. The power of nature was absolutely beyond human ability to fully resist. Having served as State Preceptor herself, how could Feng Miaojun not know that Yu Haizhen was normally conscientious and responsible?

Moreover, there was no quantifiable standard for allocating a nation’s fortunes.

Despite her understanding, Feng Miaojun still imposed a minor punishment to silence the other ministers. “Those county towns are no longer habitable; we must find shelters for the residents.” Then she asked, “Is the State Preceptor feeling unwell?”

Yu Haizhen’s cultivation was profound, difficult for evil toxins to invade, yet her complexion looked somewhat poor at the moment.

“A little.”

Feng Miaojun showed concern. “What’s wrong? Have you been fighting with someone recently?”

Yu Haizhen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Your Majesty jests. I haven’t left Wuser recently—who could I possibly fight with?”

“Then what’s the matter?” Indeed, since her marriage, Yu Haizhen had honestly stayed in Wuser City, living a life so blissful that even immortals would envy her.

Yu Haizhen’s face rarely showed such bashfulness. She glanced around, then bit her lip and said, “I… I seem to be with child.”

Feng Miaojun was startled, her gaze immediately dropping to her belly. “How many months? Why hasn’t Chen Dachang mentioned it?”

Yu Haizhen instinctively covered her still-flat abdomen and lightly coughed. “Just over a month. I only just confirmed it myself. He left the city two days ago; I haven’t had a chance to tell him.” Her cheeks flushed and her gaze softened—where was the usually spirited State Preceptor now? Feng Miaojun had never seen her like this and was genuinely delighted, repeatedly offering congratulations.

For someone of Yu Haizhen’s power, understanding the energy flows within her own body was second nature; she wouldn’t misjudge.

So, Chen Dachang was going to have an heir…

Feng Miaojun chatted with the State Preceptor for a few more moments before asking her to return home and rest.

The next morning, just as Chen Dachang returned to Wuser City, he received two pieces of news—one bad, one good: the Yang City earthquake and his wife’s pregnancy.

Feng Miaojun saw him standing dumbfounded, unable even to move his eyeballs, and couldn’t help but smile. “Hurry back home. I’m granting you a one-day leave.”

Chen Dachang finally came to his senses, his face blooming with joy. “Yes, yes!”

He was so delighted that he turned and left, forgetting even to request formal dismissal.

Feng Miaojun shook her head, not holding it against him.

That day’s court session focused on discussing disaster relief methods. Fortunately, the affected area was not large and had not occurred in a densely populated major city, making relief efforts relatively straightforward.

After the meeting, Fu Lingchuan sought a private audience with Feng Miaojun.

“In the war between Wei and Yan, Wei Kingdom now holds the upper hand. Yesterday’s front-line report revealed they’ve captured two more Yan cities,” Fu Lingchuan said in a low voice. “At this rate, Wei Kingdom’s advance seems unstoppable.”

Feng Miaojun nodded.

In the war between two countries, there was a crucial, mysterious factor called “momentum.” Once momentum built up, the battlefield became unstoppable. To use an imperfect analogy, it was like a large iron ball rolling down a slope—once it gained speed, stopping it would require tremendous effort and might exact a terrible price.

It was the same with the Wei Kingdom. Since crossing the border, they had barely suffered any defeats and had now seized vast territories, pushing into Yan’s homeland.

“I believe New Xia should also suspend its trade with the Wei Kingdom now.”

Feng Miaojun raised an eyebrow. “Trading with the Wei Kingdom is currently New Xia’s most profitable business.”

What business in this world was more profitable than arms dealing? After Wei’s army invaded Yan territory, though they no longer needed New Xia to transport grain, their demand for armor, weapons, medicinal pills, and other strategic resources had never ceased.

The Wei-Yan war had already continued for more than four years; even the wealthiest nation couldn’t withstand such depletion. Therefore, the Wei Kingdom needed New Xia’s military supplies, willing to pay a premium.

Wealth flowed from the Wei Kingdom to New Xia.

Feng Miaojun pondered, her ten fingers interlaced atop the table.

“Xiao Yan’s ambition is no less than his father’s.” Seeing her silence, Fu Lingchuan continued persuasively, “I know Your Majesty has some…”

Feng Miaojun’s gaze swept over, making Fu Lingchuan feel a chill throughout his body.

“Has somewhat, hmm?”

“Some closeness.” Though surprised by her further advancement in cultivation, Fu Lingchuan maintained a straight face. “But now is not the time to nurture a tiger that may later cause harm.”

He was certainly aware of the long-standing connection between Feng Miaojun and Yun Ya. The Queen had remained unmarried all these years—the reason was obvious. So far, the Wei Kingdom’s “handsome man strategy” toward New Xia had been quite effective, indirectly pulling New Xia into their camp, and combining the strength of both nations against the Yan Kingdom.

Yan Kingdom’s consecutive defeats were not undeserved.

Of course, Fu Lingchuan also understood that a woman trapped in love was often blinded by a single leaf, beyond all reason.