Although Zhan Qingcheng did not finish his sentence, both Di Ji and Ye Luocha understood what he meant.

The Crown Prince of the Di family had grown into someone so outstanding—it was truly gratifying to see how he had turned out. The pity was that the great vengeance remained unavenged, and now they did not even know who their enemy was.

“Under the current circumstances, even with the imperial edict, without a powerful army, I’m afraid the throne cannot be reclaimed.” Feng Jiu’er was simply speaking the truth. As for whether the Ninth Imperial Uncle actually wanted to be emperor, that was another matter entirely.

The realm was no trifling thing, nor was it simply some priceless treasure. It concerned the honor of an entire family and the lives of an entire nation’s people. To speak of handing it over with open hands was, in practice, no easy thing at all.

The realm had originally belonged to the Di clan. If they did not reclaim it, the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu might find it hard to face their ancestors in the afterlife. But if they did try to reclaim it, they feared subjecting the common people to the suffering of war once again.

What was more, the one currently holding power was no longer Zhan Bufan, but one of his sons—Emperor Qiwen. With the realm already in hand, who would willingly give it up?

“The matter of the edict absolutely cannot be made public right now. Otherwise, I’m worried Empress Dowager Ning could be in danger within the palace.”

A lone, defenseless woman, left in such a den of wolves and jackals—if she posed no threat to anyone, she might still manage to live in relative peace. But the moment Emperor Qiwen or Nanmeng Ye learned she held something so important in her hands, the two of them would certainly find a way to destroy the edict, and would try to silence everyone who knew of its existence.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the Ninth Imperial Uncle. “The Empress Dowager’s health isn’t good. If we bring her out of the palace now and have her follow you around everywhere, I’m afraid she won’t be able to bear it.”

“Emperor Qiwen has always cultivated an image of filial piety in public. I don’t think he’d go so far as to use the Empress Dowager to threaten you.”

Di Ji looked at Zhan Qingcheng as well, nodding. “Wuya, he probably wouldn’t go so far as to use the Empress Dowager against you—but if, in the future, you return to the army and the two sides face each other on the battlefield, it isn’t impossible.”

“The Seventh Prince is still in the palace. He’ll know what to do.” Jiu’er turned back to glance at Mu Mu. “Given Mu Mu’s current condition, many things will have to wait for now.”

She looked again at Zhan Qingcheng and squeezed his hand in return. “The Seventh Prince will protect the Empress Dowager. When it’s necessary, we’ll have him bring her out.”

Zhan Qingcheng said nothing, but his expression made it clear he silently agreed.

It was already past midnight, with not much time left before dawn. Seeing that the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s complexion still looked rather pale, Feng Jiu’er said, “Since things have come to this point, the two of you should go back and think carefully over what road to take from here.”

The purpose of clearing the air tonight was so that they could let go of their past grievances—so that the Tianzun Sect and the Night Netherworld Palace would no longer fight each other to the death. As for what road to take going forward, as Jiu’er had said, that was something they would have to decide for themselves.

At the very least, now everyone understood clearly: they were friends, not enemies. As long as they did not turn on each other, whatever they chose to do in the future, the path ahead could gradually smooth itself out.

If Ye Luocha had known earlier about the relationship between the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu, could this battle have ever been allowed to happen? Jiu’er, too, felt deep regret. If only she had paid a little more attention to the gift Mu Mu had once given her, perhaps she would have noticed the connection between the two chains. If she had, this battle would never have taken place—Mu Mu would not have been gravely wounded, and the Ninth Imperial Uncle would not have ended up being hunted by the imperial family as he was now.

Was it heaven’s will that the two brothers endure so much hardship, or had she simply not done enough?

Ye Luocha and Di Ji could certainly tell that Feng Jiu’er was politely asking them to leave, but both of their gazes fell, without either intending it, on Mu Mu—and suddenly their hearts grew heavier still.

Mu Mu and the Ninth Prince were blood brothers, yet now it seemed both brothers were utterly infatuated with Feng Jiu’er. What would become of this in the future?

“It’s getting late.” Di Ji pushed his own wheelchair forward slightly. “We don’t know what news will come in tomorrow morning. We should head back to rest early.”

Wuya’s complexion was not good. Having channeled his energy into Mu Mu day after day, he looked exhausted as well. Fortunately he had not given up—otherwise, both he and Wuya himself would likely have carried regret for the rest of their lives.

“All right.” Ye Luocha nodded. This time she walked behind Di Ji to push his wheelchair, without the slightest hesitation, as though she had already grown used to it.

She turned to look at Zhan Qingcheng, her lips trembling slightly from a touch of emotion before she managed, with effort, to calm herself again.

“Wuya, I… I’ll see your second uncle back to rest first.”

Di Ji was the younger brother of Di Dingtian, the father of Di Wuya and his brothers in their generation, making him their Second Imperial Uncle. Yet over the years, he had remained by the Ninth Prince’s side in the role of adoptive father and master.

As for Ye Luocha, whose true name was Zhan Lengxing, she was the younger sister of the mother of Di Wuya and his two brothers—by rank, Zhan Qingcheng ought to call her aunt. But after so many years of growing accustomed to having no family around him, Zhan Qingcheng’s coldness had become almost innate; it was simply not realistic to expect him to suddenly grow close to someone who was practically a stranger to him.

Zhan Qingcheng gave a small nod, and Ye Luocha withdrew her gaze, pushing Di Ji’s wheelchair as they left.

Feng Jiu’er walked over and closed the door.

Tonight, she would likely have to stay here keeping watch over the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu. There was a long bench on one side where the Ninth Imperial Uncle could make do for the night, or he could go next door to sleep. But she had to remain—to watch over Mu Mu.

After all, with no one left to channel energy into him to sustain his life, although his condition currently seemed stable, should anything unexpected happen, she would be the one who needed to handle it.

Jiu’er returned to stand before Zhan Qingcheng, calling out softly, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, why don’t you—mm—”

Her back struck the wall with a thud, her lips completely sealed by his. Feng Jiu’er was so startled she didn’t know what to do.

Mu Mu was still right there. Although he was unconscious and unaware of anything, the room still somehow felt as though there were a third person present. And now the Ninth Imperial Uncle was actually doing this to her here… mm, mm! That wasn’t what she meant—it wasn’t that she thought it was fine to act recklessly just because no one else was conscious, it was just…

Her heart was in complete disarray, thrown into total chaos by the lips pressing down upon her.

Feng Jiu’er had no idea what she was thinking anymore, nor what she should be thinking.

“Ninth—mm—don’t…”

His breathing had grown ragged, and the place where his large hands landed grew even more disorderly.

Feng Jiu’er gasped for breath and pushed hard against him—only for him to suddenly tear open the front of her robe, his hand reaching deeper…

“Ninth Imperial Uncle!” Jiu’er was utterly frightened. How could he do this to her—here, of all places!

“Why?” The man’s breath struck her face again and again, scorching, until she felt almost intoxicated by it.

“Why is it that after provoking this king, you go on to provoke this king’s own younger brother as well? Girl, tell me—what exactly is it that you want?”