“I’m traveling thousands of miles to marry into Yao, without even having someone to talk to. Having you to play with would be a thousand times better than those women around him!”

“…” Feng Miao Jun was stunned. Well, she had once again misjudged Princess Han Yue’s unique thought process.

She should say that she was once again at odds with this world. On the matter of marriage, Princess Han Yue instinctively thought clearly: Miao Feng Xian would inevitably have more than one woman by his side, and rather than facing those annoying orioles and swallows, Princess Han Yue would prefer him to marry her close friend. Feng Miao Jun had both skill and magnanimity, and Han Yue herself was a princess—together they would be as powerful as tigers. How could they not keep Miao Feng Xian’s other wives firmly under their control?

In the end, it was Feng Miao Jun who had never conformed to this world’s rules.

She couldn’t help but smile wryly. So this was Princess Han Yue’s plan. Feng Miao Jun shook her head: “Having finally gained the freedom to choose my marriage, I want to keep my eyes wide open and carefully select someone I truly like.” In truth, she was quite satisfied with her current situation. How many beautiful women in the world could avoid being coveted by the powerful and wealthy, or avoid being controlled by parental commands and matchmakers’ words?

Rare as her good fortune was, why should she rush to join a man who was destined to be surrounded by beauties?

This remark struck Princess Han Yue’s weak point, causing her face to immediately fall. Fortunately, Feng Miao Jun quickly added: “However, I would very much like to attend my good friend’s wedding.”

Princess Han Yue’s beautiful eyes immediately brightened. This time she was marrying by imperial decree, with the wedding ceremony to be held in the Yao State capital, which meant…

“You’ll accompany me?” Her voice raised an octave in delight, completely forgetting her dignified and noble princess demeanor.

After all, she had long since abandoned any pretense of formality with Feng Miao Jun.

Feng Miao Jun nodded willingly: “As long as His Majesty agrees, I’ll accompany you.” The bridal procession was strictly selected; not just anyone could join. She would need to go through official channels.

The journey would be long, and having a good friend as company would somewhat alleviate the pain of leaving home. Thinking of this, Princess Han Yue couldn’t wait any longer and jumped off the couch: “I’ll go to the palace right now to find Father.”

Feng Miao Jun calculated the time: “Wouldn’t the court session still be in session?” If the princess went straight from her home to find the Jin King, wouldn’t he know that she had instigated it?

Princess Han Yue realized this was true: “Father still has matters to attend to this afternoon… Very well, I’ll go tomorrow.” Having eaten two enormous peaches, her stomach was indeed satisfied, unable to accommodate any more delicacies. She had to get up and prepare to return to the palace.

Feng Miao Jun went to see her off, but after walking a few steps, the princess turned back, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized her: “Had you already thought of this idea? Why didn’t you let Miao Feng Xian invite you?” If the Second Prince of Yao wanted to invite the person who saved his life to witness his wedding ceremony, how could the Jin King refuse? Besides, Feng Miao Jun held no official position in Jin, being completely idle.

“I don’t want to be indebted to him, nor do I wish to give him the wrong impression.” Feng Miao Jun understood one point clearly: if she had no interest in a man, she shouldn’t give him false signals, lest she create future troubles for herself.

“So you don’t like him.” Princess Han Yue’s expression showed a hint of disappointment. Feng Miao Jun rubbed her forehead, thinking silently that when it came to matters between men and women, she and the princess would probably never see eye to eye. “The important thing is whether Your Highness likes him in the future.”

Otherwise, if Princess Han Yue were alone in a foreign land with a man she didn’t love, how would that life differ from imprisonment?

Princess Han Yue pursed her lips, recalling Feng Miao Jun’s words about “choosing one’s marriage,” feeling incredibly envious.

Seeing her lost in thought, Feng Miao Jun reminded her: “If you want me to come along, Princess, remember to say this was entirely your idea, that you had to bring me along.”

What audacity! Princess Han Yue puffed her cheeks, truly wanting to spit at her, but then realized that wasn’t she indeed planning to drag her along? Now even if Feng Miao Jun wanted to back out, she absolutely wouldn’t allow it!

The next day after the court session, the Jin King returned to his palace to change clothes, preparing to attend the wedding of a favored minister’s daughter, when he was intercepted by Princess Han Yue.

Among his daughters, Princess Han Yue had the most generous and straightforward personality, unlike the pettiness of ordinary women, quite reminiscent of the Queen in her younger years, thus earning her father’s special affection. Because of Princess Han Yue’s distant marriage, the Queen had cried countless times before the King. The ruler of a Kingdom was also distressed—that alliance treaty had been established long ago. How could he have known that the concubines in the rear palace would be so incompetent, with no other princesses of marriageable age besides Han Yue?

With Miao Feng Xian’s visit, the date of the marriage had been set. Calculating the time, his beloved daughter would remain by his side for less than two months. Looking at her, the Jin King’s tone became exceptionally gentle.

Princess Han Yue spoke with him for a while, finally requesting to bring Feng Miao Jun along to Yao to witness the ceremony. Then she watched as her father’s expression gradually darkened: “Is this Feng Miao Jun’s request?”

“This is my own idea, I haven’t even mentioned it to her yet.” Princess Han Yue pouted. “If I were to ask her, she would definitely refuse to go, so Father must take action.” Her father was indeed somewhat reluctant. How strange, how did her friend know?

“What do you mean?”

“Miao Feng Xian has feelings for her and wanted to marry her too, but she refused.”

“Marry?” Not taken as a concubine, but married, meaning Miao Feng Xian had offered Feng Miao Jun a significant position. The Jin King frowned. Could it be that Miao Feng Xian had discovered Feng Miao Jun’s true identity? No, that couldn’t be right. Since she had refused him, she wouldn’t have revealed her background to him.

The Jin King looked at his flower-like daughter before him, recalling that Feng Miao Jun’s beauty surpassed even his daughter’s, and she had also saved Miao Feng Xian’s life. Well, a young man falling for a beautiful woman was understandable. Miao Feng Xian was just a youngster after all. When the Jin King was the Second Prince of Yao’s age, he too had done foolish things out of a passion for beauty.

Fortunately, Feng Miao Jun had refused; otherwise, what grounds would the Jin King have to interfere? She was merely a commoner.

Having no official position, no power or fame, had become her best protection.

Thinking of this, the ruler of Great Jin felt some goodwill toward her. But allowing Feng Miao Jun to leave? He still hesitated.

Princess Han Yue tugged gently at his sleeve: “Your daughter is about to marry into Yao, to be alone in a foreign land, lonely and isolated. I finally have a friend to accompany me on my final journey, and Father won’t even allow this?”

She began with playfulness, but as she continued, her emotions were stirred. Her eyes reddened, her voice trembled, and tears welled up in her almond eyes, ready to fall.

This was his closest flesh and blood, and his most beloved one at that. The Jin King’s heart ached at her words, his breath catching slightly, and he couldn’t help but say: “Very well, let her accompany you.”