The Empress could never have imagined, even in her dreams, that the son she had carried and borne would side with outsiders against her.

How could he be so unfilial? Did he not know that she had endured ten months of hardship and suffering to bring him into this world?

Why had her son become so unfilial — why?

A’Jiu disregarded her entirely, and now her own son was being so brazen toward her as well.

What was wrong with pursuing her own happiness? She only wanted A’Jiu — she had never once said she no longer wanted his Imperial Father. What right did he have to be angry?

The son she had given birth to was siding with others against her. Truly… she was at a loss for words.

The news of Feng Jiu’er leading the Longqi Army’s new recruits out of the city immediately drew attention from multiple quarters.

Earlier, word had spread that the Ninth Prince had left the city and was making his way to the frontier.

Now, though Feng Jiu’er’s procession had made no mention of any connection to the Ninth Prince’s departure, the question remained — who was inside her carriage?

It was an ordinary carriage, carrying none of the Ninth Prince’s insignia or markings whatsoever. And yet, why did everyone feel instinctively certain that the person inside was none other than the Ninth Prince himself?

Word had it that even when the Empress had come to the Dragon Martial Academy seeking to meet the person inside the carriage, she had been refused by whoever was within.

No one knew quite how this piece of news had gotten out, but now it seemed as though the entire imperial capital was aware of it.

That news from the Imperial Academy had spread so rapidly was truly unprecedented.

In the afternoon hours, the procession departed the city and proceeded steadily southward. With everyone riding on horseback, they moved at a considerably faster pace, and by dusk they had already covered a great distance.

As evening fell, they took lodging at an inn further ahead that their scouting brothers had reserved in advance.

The carriage came to a halt in the rear courtyard. The brothers formed ranks behind the vehicle, and from the front of the carriage, a tall, slender figure descended.

Feng Jiu’er walked inside alongside him, and those behind could make out only the Ninth Prince’s cool, imposing silhouette.

Though General Feng had never once declared who the person in the carriage was — not a word of it throughout the entire journey — she had addressed him as “Your Highness.” Did that not say everything?

Moreover, when the Prince stepped down from the carriage, everyone caught a glimpse of his profile and bearing.

Such unparalleled, breathtaking beauty — that bearing, that figure — if this was not the Prince, then who could it possibly be?

In truth, Jiu’er was simply taking a gamble. After all, the distance between her and the brothers was far too close.

This time, there was no curtain or screen between them — only a silhouette, and the nearest brother stood no more than ten or so paces away.

If anyone recognized him, she would have no choice but to move on to the next phase of her plan.

As it turned out, it was rather unexpected — not a single person raised any suspicion.

Everyone looked at Mu Mu’s white-clad silhouette and was about to pay their respects when Huo Yan raised his hand and stopped them.

That gesture from Huo Yan told everyone what they needed to know — the Prince, on this journey, had no wish for anyone to be aware of his movements.

The brothers of the procession were all fresh recruits of the new army and had never accompanied the Ninth Prince on a campaign before, so their understanding of the Ninth Prince’s temperament — and even of the man himself — was quite limited.

Perhaps because of this, Mu Mu’s silhouette perfectly embodied the Ninth Prince’s presence, and not one person harbored any doubt.

Back in the room, Feng Jiu’er had someone bring Huo Yan in.

Once Huo Yan entered, he immediately shut the door behind him. He cast a glance at Mu Mu, who was seated behind the writing desk reading a military text, then turned his gaze to Feng Jiu’er.

“General Feng, after we leave this town tomorrow, we will enter a stretch of three mountain ranges. Once we cross those three ranges, we will reach the Three Meeting Towns.”

“The further south we travel, the more barren the towns become, and the more rivers and mountains we will need to cross.” He spread open a piece of hide map on the writing desk. “Please take a look, General Feng — this is the map to Phoenix City.”