“What kind of expression is that?” Feng Jiu’er looked at him and was immediately displeased. “Was it not you yourself who said last night that you would care for me for the rest of your life?”

“I…” Had he said such a thing?

Jian Yi thought back quite earnestly and could not seem to recall any such memory.

But since Jiu’er said he had, he did not doubt it.

After all, back when he had nearly gotten her killed, he had already told himself that from that day forward, his life was hers.

So caring for her for the rest of his life — that was hardly unreasonable.

“You see — now you are denying it!” Feng Jiu’er’s expression darkened, her anger growing.

“I am not denying it.” If she said so, then so it was — on matters like this, Jian Yi would never argue with her.

He had never been someone who liked to quarrel. “I will care for you for the rest of your life.”

“Exactly! Then how are you to care for me for the rest of your life if you do not enter the consort selection?”

“That…” Caring for her for the rest of his life — that was perfectly fine. But the problem was that entering the consort selection meant competing against other men for the right to be her husband.

Even the thought of such a thing was too much to contemplate.

Husband… simply thinking of those two words, Jian Yi felt heat rise unbidden to his face, his ears going red at the tips.

“Jiu’er, I… I never thought about becoming your husband.”

This fellow — blunt and guileless even without regard for the setting.

Feng Jiu’er nearly wanted to slap herself — no, slap him on the forehead.

Could his mind not turn things around? Could he not look around and see who was in this side hall with them?

But unexpectedly, Feng Qiongcang curved his lips upward and laughed: “A hero’s origins need never be questioned. As long as your feelings for this treasured daughter of mine are sincere, you will not be blocked in the selection on account of your background.”

Jiu’er’s eyes lit up. She had not expected Feng Qiongcang to interpret Jian Yi’s honest and simple manner as stemming from worry that his background would not pass the selection.

But then again — looking at Jian Yi’s blank and guileless expression, what sort of schemes could he possibly be hatching in the palace?

Adding a formidable fighter to the Princess’s side who had no capacity for scheming yet could keep the Princess safe — why would one not welcome such a thing?

“Are you not going to thank the Emperor?” Jiu’er tugged at Jian Yi’s sleeve once more. “And remember — he is the Emperor, do not address him incorrectly again.”

Jian Yi still felt that something about the situation was a little off — had he somehow agreed without realizing it to participate in the selection?

But the selection would determine Jiu’er’s husband, and his relationship with Jiu’er was not that kind.

Even so, with Jiu’er now asking him to thank the Feng clan’s Emperor, Jian Yi had no other option, and could only cup his fists toward Feng Qiongcang: “This one thanks Your Majesty.”

“Imperial Father, then… may I take Jian Yi to walk around a bit?”

Jiu’er was clearly eager to leave and had no desire to linger here any longer.

A picture-perfect image of a young girl wanting to slip away with the one she had her heart set on.

But Feng Qiongcang said: “Wait.”

“Imperial Father, is there something else?” Though Jiu’er was in a hurry, she still observed the proper courtesies.

Feng Qiongcang fixed his gaze on Jian Yi, the smile at the corners of his mouth retreating. He asked: “Does this young hero still have a number of companions with him?”

At this, Jian Yi’s expression shifted, his eyes immediately filling with wariness.

He refused to answer.

An’bao, seeing this, immediately chided: “His Majesty is asking you a question — will you not answer honestly?”

“Imperial Father, he does indeed have a few companions. But I have already asked him, and he said for the time being he cannot tell me where they are.”

“Why not?” Feng Qiongcang raised an eyebrow.

Jiu’er bit the tip of her finger and stared at him, a trace of unease in her manner: “Imperial Father… have you perhaps sent people to pursue and kill them? But Jian Yi is not a bad person — he only said that he once knew me from before and wished to find me, nothing more.”

“And you — do you recognize him?” A flash of something deep and shadowed passed through Feng Qiongcang’s eyes.

Feng Jiu’er considered for a moment, then shook her head: “Although I feel as though Jian Yi and I seem to share a sense of familiarity, as though we have met before — I cannot recall when or how we came to know each other.”

“Perhaps it is simply that people can resemble one another, and this young hero has mistaken me for someone else?”

“She is Jiu’er!” Jian Yi pulled Jiu’er behind him in one motion, and in that moment his wariness of Feng Qiongcang intensified greatly.

Jiu’er nearly laughed out loud. This man truly was thick-headed and guileless — he had absolutely no idea what it meant to read the situation and act accordingly.

But the very reason she had dared bring him here tonight to meet her Imperial Father was precisely because of this inexplicable sense she had that she understood his foolish and straightforward nature.

“You have truly mistaken the person.” Jiu’er tugged at the hem of his robe and smiled brightly: “I am not the young lady you know. But from last night onward, have we not already become acquainted?”

“You said you would care for me for the rest of your life — and words spoken are a promise. You must keep it.”

“Jiu’er, I never said I would not keep my promise.” Although precisely when this promise had been made, even Jian Yi himself did not know.

But if she said so, then so it was!

Still — she was clearly Jiu’er. She had simply forgotten them, that was all.

“Forget it. Let us not discuss this matter. In any case, you agreed — wherever I am, you will be there too. Is that not right?”

“I…” When had he ever said such a thing?

Feng Jiu’er’s expression darkened, and she was displeased again!

“Jian Yi, are you going back on your word again? Did you not say last night that from now on you would stay at my side and watch over me?”

Her tone was indignant, and she stamped her foot, her voice carrying a note of displeasure: “I never imagined you could be this kind of Jian Yi!”

“Jiu’er, I… do not be angry, I only… only forgot…”

“You can even forget a promise you yourself made? You are too much!”

Feng Jiu’er’s eyes reddened, and anyone watching could see plainly that she liked this young man before her very much.

When the girl’s temper flared up, it seemed as though nothing could rein it in.

She turned and bowed to Feng Qiongcang, her voice carrying a note of grievance: “Imperial Father, I feel unwell. I wish to return now!”

“This…” There were still some things Feng Qiongcang had not resolved.

But once Jiu’er’s temper was up, she would give no thought to anything else. After giving her bow, she actually left Jian Yi right where he stood and turned to walk away.

Jian Yi immediately rushed after her: “Jiu’er, I… I did say it! I said so, very well! Do not be angry — I simply forgot for a moment.”

Having only just found Feng Jiu’er again after so long, if she left in anger, where would he ever find her again?

Besides — wherever she was, he would follow; he would stay by her side forever, watching over her. All these so-called promises — if she wanted them, then they were hers.

He did not even know where he wanted to go himself — where he went hardly mattered at all.

“Jiu’er, Jiu’er… I will listen to everything you say, just do not leave! Jiu’er…”

The two of them, one ahead and one behind, walked out just like that — not even giving the Emperor so much as a second glance.

An’bao stood watching, utterly stunned. But the young couple was having a quarrel, and even the Emperor had not said a word — what could he possibly say?

“Your Majesty, this…”

Feng Qiongcang waved his hand: “Go and see whether Young Hero Jian Yi is lacking in anything, and send it over to him.”

An’bao understood — the Emperor was sending him to keep an eye on things — and inclined his head in acknowledgment: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

Then he too quickened his pace and followed them out.

No sooner had An’bao departed than a figure emerged from behind the folding screen, bowing toward Feng Qiongcang: “Your Majesty, shall I go and probe this young man a little?”