When Jian Yi went out, he came face to face with Feng Jiang, who was walking toward him with some urgency — even glancing back over his shoulder now and then, as if something dangerous lurked behind him.
Catching sight of Jian Yi, Feng Jiang let out a quiet breath of relief.
“Jian Yi, where is Jiu’er? I need to see her — there is something very important I must tell her.”
Jian Yi had spent the longest time of anyone living in the Princess’s residence, and within the imperial palace, he had essentially always stayed by Feng Jiu’er’s side. He and Feng Jiang had crossed paths a handful of times.
“My Imperial Father’s men will be here soon. Are you going to let me see Jiu’er or not?” Feng Jiang pressed on.
These people — men and women alike — all carried about them an air that kept others at a thousand paces’ distance. It was genuinely unsettling.
“Come with me.” With just those three words, Jian Yi turned and walked back the way he had come.
“Jian Yi.” The approaching Qiao Mu called out softly, her voice entirely flat.
Standing beside Jian Yi, she swept her gaze over Feng Jiang, her expression openly unfavorable.
“It’s fine — he is Jiu’er’s Third Imperial Brother.” Jian Yi offered a casual explanation and did not slow his steps.
Feng Jiang looked at Qiao Mu, one handsome brow lifting slightly, before he chose to ignore her.
The three of them had barely stepped inside when they encountered Xue Gu, who happened to be returning.
The group of them passed through the main hall and made their way into the inner bedchamber.
“Third Imperial Brother — why have you come?” Jiu’er looked at Feng Jiang and stepped forward to meet him.
“Jiu’er, you really are here — and Fourth Imperial Uncle too.” Feng Jiang frowned, his brow unable to smooth. “Jiu’er, what happened to Fourth Imperial Uncle? Why does he look so terrible?”
“He is alright. What did you come to find me for?” With no time for lengthy explanations, Feng Jiu’er kept it brief.
“Imperial Father has ordered people to seize all citizens of Bei Mu. Not only have I brought troops here — First Imperial Brother and other Imperial Guards have come as well.” Feng Jiang’s lowered voice spread through the bedchamber.
“Second Imperial Brother has been poisoned within the palace. Imperial Father is furious and is determined to bring Lord Zhan back for questioning. What do you think we should do?”
“It’s impossible that Ninth Imperial Uncle is the one who poisoned him — he has been framed.” Feng Jiu’er had not yet worked out who was trying to frame Ninth Imperial Uncle.
But none of that mattered for now. She was not Feng Qiongcang’s daughter, and Feng Qiongcang would not let her go regardless.
“My believing that makes no difference.” Feng Jiang could only be resigned. “Imperial Father does not believe it, and it will not be easy for Lord Zhan to leave.”
Xue Gu stepped forward and studied Feng Jiang carefully for a moment.
“Xue Gu, this is my Third Imperial Brother.” Feng Jiu’er understood Xue Gu’s unspoken question.
Xue Gu gave a nod, signaling that she understood.
“Jiu’er, the Third Prince is not wrong. Right now, almost the entire capital is blanketed with Imperial Guards — it appears they are here specifically to find the Ninth Prince.”
“I have made contact with Zhao Yusheng. He will have boats ready for departure, but whether we can break through and get out is also a matter of concern.”
“Jiu’er, are you truly going to leave with them? You are a Princess of the Feng Clan — how can you simply leave?” Feng Jiang asked, his brow furrowed.
Looking at Feng Jiang’s earnest face, Feng Jiu’er felt a genuine pang of reluctance.
“Third Imperial Brother, I grew up in Bei Mu from a young age — not in the secluded residence that Imperial Father spoke of.”
“They are all dear friends to me. They made the journey all the way from Bei Mu just to escort me.”
“There is a great deal I have no time to explain right now — but at a time like this, I certainly cannot abandon them.”
“You should go. If Imperial Father learns you came here to warn us, he will not deal lightly with you.”
“Jiu’er.”
Feng Jiang stepped closer — and was stopped by Mu Mu.
“Rest assured — we will keep her safe.”
Feng Jiang looked at the white-haired man and let out a quiet sigh.
“And Fourth Imperial Uncle — is he leaving as well?”
“Yes.” Feng Li gave a slight nod in reply.
Feng Jiang asked nothing more. He had always felt that Fourth Imperial Uncle did not belong to the imperial palace — that he deserved to have a life of his own.
He pressed his lips together. Then, abruptly, Feng Jiang took a few steps back and drew a short blade.
“What are you doing?” Qiao Mu’s eyes went wide as she raised her silver spear and moved forward.
“Don’t!” Feng Jiu’er let out a sharp cry.
By the time she realized what was happening and tried to stop him, it was already too late.
Feng Jiang seized the short blade and drove it forcefully into his own right shoulder.
“Jiu’er, go… quickly.”
He threw the blade to the ground, pressing his hand over his shoulder where blood flowed freely, and looked at the young woman before him.
“Third Imperial Brother.” Feng Jiu’er moved to go to him — but Jian Yi seized her arm. “Someone is coming.”
Feng Jiu’er was not unaware of the situation outside. But she truly had not imagined that her own affairs would cause yet another person who cared for her to be hurt.
“Jiu’er, go.” Feng Jiang said in a low, firm voice.
“Third Imperial Brother, come with us — leave together.” Jiu’er looked at Feng Jiang, her voice slightly hoarse.
This foolish imperial brother of hers — once she left, could he truly walk away from this unscathed?
He knew Feng Qiongcang’s methods better than she did.
“Jiu’er, Third Imperial Brother cannot follow them and stay by your side forever. My life was given to me by Imperial Father. You go — but you must live and come back.”
Feng Jiang’s gaze shifted to Feng Li.
“Fourth Imperial Uncle, watch over Jiu’er. As for Old Ya — I will see to it that he gets out safely.”
“Mm.” Feng Li gave the same unhurried nod as always.
The footsteps outside drew closer and closer. Feng Jiang glanced at Feng Jiu’er once more, then turned and walked out.
Qiao Mu watched the departing figure, a complicated light passing through the depths of her eyes.
She truly had not expected that a man so utterly shameless could, in the end, also be someone with deep feeling.
“Let’s go.” She drew back her silver spear and looked back at Feng Jiu’er.
Feng Jiu’er drew a slow, steadying breath, looked at everyone, and gave a nod.
After more than ten hours of flight, as night fell on the following day, the group settled at the foot of a mountain.
“Jiu’er.” Outside the cave, Qiao Mu brought Feng Jiu’er a water skin.
Feng Jiu’er took it, twisted it open, and drank a mouthful.
“This place is Fenglai City. Beyond it is Yue City, which sits at the edge of Black Pool. Zhao Yusheng has said he will have boats ready to take everyone away.”
“As long as we pass through Yue City, things should not be too difficult.”
“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er gazed with a thoughtful expression at the forest shrouded in the night.
Qiao Mu looked at her, brow furrowing slightly. “Jiu’er, are you truly alright? Have all your memories returned?”
“The one you’re worried about isn’t me, is it?” Feng Jiu’er turned her head to look at the person beside her.
“He… how is he?” Qiao Mu composed her expression, a trace of loss flickering in the depths of her eyes.
She had wanted to ask many times along the way, but never found the right moment.
“I don’t know either.” Feng Jiu’er let out a quiet sigh and raised her eyes to the bright moon hanging in the night sky.
In that moon, she seemed still to see that face of breathtaking beauty.
His every expression, his every smile — she might never forget them for the rest of her life. But in the end, they were never meant to walk the same road.
“He is my Imperial Father’s man. He has been watching over me since more than ten years ago.” The girl gazing at the moonlight curved her lips just slightly.
“Do you hate him? Perhaps he also had reasons that left him no other choice.” In contrast to Feng Jiu’er’s calm, Qiao Mu’s voice held a trace of urgency.
“Let’s say he did have his reasons.” Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze and met Qiao Mu’s eyes. “There’s nothing to hate.”
She did not hate him. On the contrary — she was still somewhat worried about how Wuyou was faring within the palace.