“If I’m not mistaken after she returns to Wusei, she will find ways to deal with the Wei Kingdom. There are agreements between Wei and Xia, so she cannot openly send troops against Wei. She can only work on other fronts,” Yun Ya mused. “State Preceptor Yu cannot openly oppose her, but can do her best to delay.” Currently, the Wei Kingdom was deeply mired in the quagmire of war and could not withstand attacks from two sides. Moreover, through his and Feng Miaojun’s efforts over the years, the old grudges between New Xia and Wei Kingdom were nearly settled. This was not the time to add new grievances.

“Whether she is a Heavenly Demon can be determined from this matter,” he said with gravity. “When the time comes, please help me gain more time!”

Yu Haizhen pondered for a long while before nodding.

Zhao Hongyin returned with his troops, presenting a corpse-demon but failing to capture the State Preceptor of Wei.

Feng Miaojun had anticipated this result. Although displeased, she did not lose her temper. Yun Ya was crafty as a ghost—even if she took action, she might not be able to deal with him, let alone these soldiers and generals.

It took her several hours to expel the soul-retrieving needle stuck in her head. When she regained mobility, she asked Chen Dachang:

“The thing I gave you before we departed—where is it?”

Chen Dachang answered honestly: “I handed it over to State Preceptor Yun.”

Feng Miaojun narrowed her eyes, anger rising: “What?”

Chen Dachang lowered his head: “You were unconscious for three days. I thought that item might be useful, and you had originally intended to give it to State Preceptor Yun anyway…”

Before he could finish, Feng Miaojun exclaimed “Nonsense!” and seized his pulse point with lightning speed!

She moved like the wind. Chen Dachang shrank back but still couldn’t escape her control. He felt his wrist go numb, and he couldn’t summon any strength throughout his body.

Feng Miaojun’s next move was to press a finger against his temple!

Chen Dachang immediately felt as if his head would split open as if hundreds of steel needles were drilling into his brain. Moreover, her fingertip generated a powerful suction force, seemingly trying to extract something from his sea of consciousness!

Caught unprepared, despite his iron will, he couldn’t help but groan in pain.

At that moment, a figure flashed behind him, and another slender hand reached out to jab at Feng Miaojun’s tiger’s mouth acupoint. The latter noticed early and withdrew her hand first, smiling slightly: “State Preceptor Yu.”

Yu Haizhen’s face was pale, her form slightly hunched, but her beautiful eyes stared intently at her: “Your Majesty?” Chen Dachang saw sweat on her forehead and was greatly alarmed, reaching out to support her.

At this time, some commotion came from outside—it was Yu Haizhen’s demon subordinates returning together.

“Dachang seemed to have forgotten something, so I was helping him remember,” Feng Miaojun smiled very gently. “Since State Preceptor Yu is unwell, you should rest properly. Dachang, escort your wife downstairs.”

Chen Dachang retreated two steps, respectfully acknowledged, and indeed escorted Yu Haizhen away without hesitation.

“Are you in great discomfort?” When he heard the news, he was so frightened that his hands were covered in cold sweat.

Yu Haizhen smiled: “Don’t worry, I merely disturbed the fetus. With a couple of days of rest, I’ll be fine. There’s no danger.”

Chen Dachang finally relaxed.

The two left without looking back. Upon reaching their quarters, Yu Haizhen casually set up a barrier before asking him: “What was she doing to you just now?”

“Her Majesty excels in soul techniques.” Chen Dachang instinctively lowered his voice. “Perhaps she became suspicious of me and wanted to personally examine my memories to see if I was lying.”

“Did Yun Ya tell you about his plans?”

“No.”

“Excellent, that means she couldn’t discover anything.” Yu Haizhen breathed a sigh of relief. “Do you also believe what State Preceptor Yun said?”

Chen Dachang’s face was gloomy: “Her Majesty is not right.” He had been by Feng Miaojun’s side for over ten years; he could detect even the slightest change in her expression.

This Queen now seemed to have a different core. Although Yun Ya had no visible evidence, Chen Dachang still sided with him.

The group returned to Wusei.

The hunt in Water City had been tense and fierce from beginning to end. State Preceptor Yu Haizhen and other cultivators were injured to varying degrees. Worst of all, Yu Haizhen had disturbed her fetus and was sent back to the State Preceptor’s mansion to recuperate.

For women with children, even with the highest cultivation, safety could not be guaranteed. Less than two months pregnant, Yu Haizhen had led cultivators in searching the city, then fought with Lady Ba and the King of Yan. After such exhaustion, her health immediately deteriorated.

To protect the fetus, she would need to remain bedridden for a long period.

This matter alarmed the entire court. The Queen of New Xia personally visited to offer comfort, allowing her to rest at home. Other court officials, not wishing to disturb her rest, successively sent many gifts.

Apart from attending two court sessions, Chen Dachang had hardly left his wife’s side these past few days. With Yu Haizhen looking unwell, he could neither eat nor sleep in peace.

After retching a few times, she waved her hand: “I’m fine.” Chen Dachang took a hot towel to wipe her face, then carried her to the couch to rest. As soon as she moved, he immediately adjusted his position to allow her to comfortably lean against him.

In truth, the journey to Water City had indeed disturbed her fetus, though not as severely as it appeared. Even though Chen Dachang knew this, his concern did not diminish.

Seeing his mother-hen-protecting-chick demeanor, Yu Haizhen rolled her eyes: “Are you concerned about me or the child?”

“Naturally, it’s you,” Chen Dachang sighed. “In these troubled times, I only hope for your safety. The child is a secondary concern.”

Inwardly delighted, she nevertheless gave him a white-eyed look: “Have you spread honey on your lips lately? So sweet?”

She had always been the sweet one. Chen Dachang’s throat went dry, and he wanted to lower his head for a taste, but seeing her cherry lips pale, his heart ached too much. He only planted a kiss on her forehead.

He steadied himself and took out a red letter on gold-sprinkled paper: “Look at this.”

“A gift list?” The steward of the State Preceptor’s mansion had been receiving gift lists until his hands were sore these past few days. What was special about this one?

Chen Dachang instinctively set up a barrier and lowered his voice: “From the Grand Minister.”

Fu Lingchuan?

Yu Haizhen raised her delicate eyebrows slightly before looking down.

It turned out that a short message was enclosed within the gift list, specifically addressed to her and Chen Dachang.

The message stated that over the past few days, the Queen had convened multiple meetings with high officials and showed intentions to aid Yan Kingdom!

Even though Fu Lingchuan had previously advised the monarch to temporarily suspend aid to Wei, he was still astonished by her major shift. Compared to ordinary court officials, Fu Lingchuan had a deeper understanding of the emotional entanglements between the Queen and the State Preceptor of Wei. She had no reason to suddenly change sides.

Chen Dachang continued: “During these past few days in court, people have come forward to revive old grudges, demanding that Wei Kingdom be taught a lesson.”

Who among those standing in court wasn’t shrewd? The Queen had only hinted slightly, and officials immediately echoed her sentiments. At this time, New Xia had become prosperous and strong, far beyond comparison with ten years ago. After people were well-fed and clothed, what swelled along with their purses was not just confidence but also the hatred and humiliation that the Wei Kingdom had once inflicted upon An Xia.