“I—” Nanmen Jie was momentarily at a loss, unable to find a suitable response.

Zhan Lingtian’s expression immediately darkened. He said coldly: “If it was Feng Jiu’er who struck you, why did you just now claim with such certainty that it was Nanmen Xu?”

“Your Highness, I — I only — I—”

“Perhaps this student may answer on Your Highness’s behalf.” Feng Jiu’er walked forward. In the light breeze, the torn front of her collar drifted open slightly.

“Your clothing—” Zhan Lingtian averted his gaze.

Though the wind had only parted it the smallest amount and nothing was truly visible, the fact that a young lady’s collar had been torn was something a man should not look at.

Nanmen Xu only just remembered. He immediately removed his own outer robe and draped it around Feng Jiu’er’s shoulders.

In truth, Jiu’er genuinely thought these people were being rather… well, she wasn’t sure how to put it.

Her neckline was not the least bit revealing — you couldn’t even fully see her neck. Only people from this ancient era would fuss over such a thing and call it “immodest attire.”

But given the present situation, of course it was to her advantage to appear disheveled.

After all, that was precisely why she had not struck back immediately, but waited until Nanmen Jie had torn at her collar before making her move — hadn’t it all been for this very moment?

“Your Highness, Young Lord Jie made improper advances toward this student and tore this student’s clothing. To protect my honor, I had no choice but to fight back in self-defense.”

She lowered her head, and the keen, sharp light in her eyes was entirely concealed — leaving nothing behind but a pitiable, helpless expression.

“Though this student’s standing is far beneath that of Young Lord Jie, and the Feng Family holds far less influence in the Imperial City than the Nanmen Family — still, I—”

“Within the Imperial City, beneath the very feet of the Emperor — the same law applies to the Son of Heaven as to the common man! Does a great family’s wealth and power grant them the right to bully the weak as they please? This is utterly outrageous!”

Zhan Lingtian erupted in fury. The few companions who had followed Nanmen Jie felt their hearts seize with dread, and every one of them dropped to their knees: “Your Highness, we were wrong — this student’s eyes were momentarily confused, that is why we mistakenly saw it as—”

“Hmph!”

With a single cold snort from the Eighth Prince, Nanmen Jie didn’t dare utter another half syllable.

This prince, though perhaps not as renowned as the Ninth Imperial Uncle within the Imperial City, had not earned the title of Iron-Capped Prince for nothing.

Before him, mistakes were met with equal treatment — whether the offender held great rank and authority, or had none at all!

It was precisely because of this that Nanmen Jie feared him. Otherwise, given his standing as a young master of the Nanmen Clan, what would he have to fear?

But right now — he truly was afraid.

“Someone come!” At Zhan Lingtian’s command, several guards immediately stepped forward.

Zhan Lingtian’s cold gaze settled on Nanmen Jie: “Nanmen Jie has harassed a respectable woman within the confines of the Military Academy. The offense cannot be forgiven — fifty strikes of the rod, to be carried out immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The Military Academy, of all places — how could such a shameless brute be permitted to run amok here? The fact that the Prince had not immediately expelled him outright was already granting him enormous face.

Though in truth, the Prince likely had no concept of what “face” even was.

Nanmen Jie turned pale with fright and broke into a wailing clamor: “Your Highness, have mercy — this Young Lord — I, I was only having a bit of fun with her, I — Your Highness, please have mercy.”

He looked over at Nanmen Xu. Though he still couldn’t quite bring himself to swallow his pride fully, there was no room left for stubbornness now.

“Sixth Brother — quickly tell His Highness, your Fourth Brother was only teasing, he wasn’t really going to do anything to Feng Jiu’er. Sixth Brother!”

He blinked hard and pointedly — a signal Nanmen Xu could not possibly have missed.

If Nanmen Xu didn’t speak up for him now, he would make him suffer for it later. Surely this wretched little fool understood what was at stake?

But Nanmen Xu’s face remained utterly impassive. He showed not the slightest hint of any intention to help.

Nanmen Jie clenched his teeth, suppressing his rising fury, and was still trying to signal something more — when the two guards behind him seized him by the arms and marched him out toward the courtyard.

It was only at this moment that everyone truly and fully woke up — and realized that Young Lord Jie was actually going to be beaten.

He, Nanmen Jie — how many years had he lived, and when had he ever been treated this way? Fifty strikes of the rod — and military rod strikes, no less — wasn’t that tantamount to demanding his life?

When General Nanmen came to pursue the matter afterward, would they themselves also be dragged into it?

Several of them were unsettled with worry. One began quietly inching backward, hoping to slip away and bring the news to Young Lord Tuo — the one most favored by Noble Consort Rong — over at the Imperial Guard Compound.

But before the man had taken more than a few steps, the Eighth Prince’s low voice rolled out: “All those who lied alongside Nanmen Jie — twenty strikes of the rod apiece!”

“Your Highness! We will never dare do this again!” Several men’s legs buckled on the spot, and they dropped to their knees.

This was the Military Academy — a place no different in discipline from an actual army. Military rod strikes were a terrifying punishment. Sometimes even ten strikes could take the life of a young woman.

Even for these young men, twenty military strikes would almost certainly leave them bedridden for a good long while.

Zhan Lingtian didn’t spare them so much as a glance. They were dragged away just like that, and before long, the faint sound of anguished wails seemed to drift back faintly on the air.

Nanmen Xu stepped forward before Zhan Lingtian, inclined his head, and said: “This student thanks Your Highness for upholding justice.”

“Students of my Longcheng Compound who commit wrongs will naturally receive punishment.” Zhan Lingtian said nothing more, turned, and walked away — as though he had other matters to attend to.

Nanmen Xu stood in the breeze, watching as he departed.

Only once that corner of the courtyard was left with just the two of them did Feng Jiu’er walk over and pat his shoulder: “Hey — your robe, give it back. I need to go change and get to training.”

After all this commotion, she was nearly late. If Huo Yan decided to be strict about it later, she was going to be sentenced to the fold-knife stance for sure.

Seeing his outer robe being pushed back into his arms, Nanmen Xu immediately rushed after her and draped it over her shoulders again.

“Your collar is in that state — put it on properly. Don’t let anyone see.”

“What are you doing? What’s wrong with my clothing? Can you even see anything?” Jiu’er turned back to face him and tugged at her collar: “Look — what exactly can you see?”

You couldn’t even fully see her neck. What on earth was there to hide?

Ancient people truly were hopelessly old-fashioned.

But Nanmen Xu averted his face regardless, determined all the same to keep the robe draped over her shoulders.

Feng Jiu’er genuinely had no idea what to do with him. Had there ever been anyone this stubborn?

“All right, let’s head back.” Nanmen Xu gestured with his hand.

Jiu’er had no choice but to grab hold of his robe and turn to leave.

Honestly — stuffed into another man’s robe again. Who knew how many rumors this was going to stir up when she got back.

She had only taken a few steps when, behind her, Nanmen Xu suddenly came rushing after her again. He looked at her, clearly wanting to say something but holding back.

“I’m genuinely going to be late — if you have something to say, can you say it quickly? If not, I’m leaving!”

Nanmen Xu truly was hesitating. Seeing her so eager to go, he hesitated a moment longer, then finally said quietly: “I’m sorry. I failed to protect you properly. But please believe me — I will work hard to make myself stronger. In the future, I can protect you.”

“Without power or influence — how would you protect the people by your side?”

Feng Jiu’er didn’t intend to mock him. It was just that the words had suddenly brought her own circumstances to mind.

Without a measure of power and authority in one’s hands, in an era like this one, protecting others was nothing more than an empty promise.