“Don’t be upset, don’t be upset. This matter is quite simple for you,” the King of Yan waved his hand. “I heard that Yangshan City was recently struck by an earthquake, leaving the people homeless. Why not temporarily settle them in Yingshui City?”

Feng Miaojun was speechless.

She scrutinized the King of Yan for a long while before coldly saying, “What concern is that of yours?”

The King of Yan grinned, “This is my condition—relocate them to Yingshui City. I’m not making any unreasonable demands, am I?”

Feng Miaojun had to admit that she had been considering this idea recently. The most severely affected Yangshan City was too close to Yingshui City, less than thirty li away, with flat and easily traversable roads between them. Yingshui City had also been affected by the earthquake, yet suffered almost no damage, demonstrating the superior quality of its construction. Even after three hundred years of weathering, its disaster resistance remained first-class.

Although dilapidated, the city’s infrastructure remained intact. By clearing and cleaning just a small residential area, disaster victims from places like Yangshan could move in. During her last visit to Yingshui City, Feng Miaojun had discovered that many buildings were still in good condition, and the ancient wells throughout the streets and alleys still held clear water.

From another perspective, Yingshui City’s earthquake resistance was a hundred times stronger than hastily built shacks. With aftershocks continuing in the area, the best choice for disaster victims was indeed to temporarily reside in Yingshui City.

The King of Yan’s condition further convinced Feng Miaojun that he was near the abandoned capital. She didn’t believe in such coincidences as “great minds think alike.” This man had another scheme. “My subjects are naturally under my care. What business is it of yours? What are you planning?”

The King of Yan rubbed his hands together. “I’ll be going to Yingshui City alone to make the exchange, so I need to secure a way out, don’t I? With them there, I can safely withdraw.”

Yingshui City was Feng Miaojun’s territory. He didn’t want to walk into the tiger’s mouth willingly. With Yangshan’s civilians present, he could slip away unnoticed in the crowd.

Feng Miaojun stared at him silently for a while before slowly nodding, “Fine, this request is simple.”

The King of Yan smiled and dispelled the Water Moon Mirror’s magic.

Yangshan City had long been uninhabitable, and the disaster victims had already been evacuated. Their temporary settlement was closer to Yingshui City, less than fifteen li away. Judging from the deadline the King of Yan had given, he had made careful assessments in advance. Three days was indeed enough time for civilians with families to relocate to Yingshui City.

“Mistress, this old fox is up to no good,” Bai Ban was full of concern. “In three days, Lord Yun Ya won’t be able to reach Yingshui City.”

“Am I so helpless without him?” Feng Miaojun scoffed lightly. This final condition was certainly not a spur-of-the-moment idea from the King of Yan; he must have been planning it for a long time. This was likely the main point of this transaction. “Whatever the King of Yan has in his gourd, all will be revealed in three days.”

Two days later, in Yingshui City.

With the coordination of local officials, over seven thousand earthquake victims had moved into the southwestern residential area of the abandoned capital, with more than three thousand still on their way, arriving in succession. What excited the commoners, even more, was that the supreme Queen herself had arrived—a sovereign was not someone just anyone could see, especially with four thousand Imperial Guards deployed from the outskirts of the royal city, positioned at every few steps, protecting the area like an iron fortress.

The weather was fine, and both soldiers and civilians in the city could look up and see the remnant sun-like blood.

Since the earthquake, cumulus clouds often gathered overhead in this area. At sunrise and sunset, crimson clouds filled the sky, as if the entire heavens were ablaze.

A mansion nearest to Yingshui City’s south-central gate had been cleared out to serve as the Queen’s temporary palace. Chen Dachang, standing by Feng Miaojun’s side, looked at the sky and said, “We still have one day.”

Tomorrow at this time would be the moment the King of Yan would make the exchange.

Feng Miaojun remained silent in contemplation.

Over the past two days, she had become taciturn. Chen Dachang knew that the Queen was repeatedly analyzing her opponent’s intentions.

Shortly after nightfall, Feng Miaojun summoned Chen Dachang to her side. The palace attendants had already withdrawn, and he saw the Queen set up two barriers before telling him, “This meeting with the King of Yan may bring unexpected developments.”

Chen Dachang was slightly startled. “We have thousands of troops; surely we can handle one King of Yan?” After saying this, he realized his tone was somewhat disrespectful and quickly corrected himself, “I, I mean—”

Having been by Feng Miaojun’s side for ten years, he had developed a habit of never questioning her.

Feng Miaojun waved her hand, not taking offense. “We cannot be led by the nose. He says the exchange will happen tomorrow, but must we wait obediently until then? That would put us at a disadvantage at every turn.”

Chen Dachang asked curiously, “Can you find the King of Yan in advance?” In the wilderness, hiding places were abundant. Not to mention outside, even within Yingshui City there were vast wastelands. It would take no effort for the King of Yan to find a place to hide.

“Yes,” Feng Miaojun’s answer came without hesitation, “if he’s in Yingshui City.”

Chen Dachang immediately became alert. “I’ll make preparations right away.”

But Feng Miaojun smiled and said, “Dachang, this time you will stay behind.”

Chen Dachang was stunned, taking several breaths before reacting, “You absolutely cannot risk yourself alone!” He knew the Queen was prescient and her spiritual perception was keen. If she sensed variables, then the danger of this meeting must be very real.

“The place I need to go, you cannot follow,” Feng Miaojun held up a shining object in her hand.

Chen Dachang recognized it as the Water Moon Mirror used for communication between the Queen and the King of Yan.

He didn’t understand what purpose the mirror served beyond communication. Could it track the King of Yan’s whereabouts? And what did she mean by saying he couldn’t go where she was going? But Feng Miaojun offered no further explanation, only looking up at the sky outside the window, “This is an order. Additionally, I have an important task for you.” Her tone brooked no argument.

“In the palace, you are the only one I truly trust. Therefore, I want you to safeguard this.” She took a small box from her storage ring and handed it to Chen Dachang. “If I don’t return, hide it well, and never let anyone know its whereabouts.”

Chen Dachang anxiously said, “Your Majesty, this—” Her words made him even more concerned.

Feng Miaojun put on a stern face, “Do you think I’m asking for your opinion?”

Her phoenix eyes contained authority, her beautiful face frosted with severity, embodying the supreme dignity of a queen. Chen Dachang never disobeyed her; after a moment’s hesitation, he bowed his head and said, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Feng Miaojun sighed again, “I’ve changed my mind.” Just as Chen Dachang’s face showed a glimmer of relief, she continued, “If I don’t return, give the box to Yun Ya. She knows how to handle this item.”

She didn’t give Chen Dachang time to interject, gazing at the night sky outside the window, she said, “It’s late. You may withdraw.”

The moon had risen in the east.

When Chen Dachang returned to his quarters, Yu Haizhen noticed his troubled expression and inquired about it.

After learning the reason, she smiled and said, “Rest assured, the Queen will certainly be safe. With her level of cultivation, there are few in this world who can threaten her. Besides, she is a hundred times more astute than you. If even she is at risk, what use would you be if you went?”