“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao nodded. “Keyan has been racked with guilt ever since. He kept saying he wanted to marry me. I didn’t know what to do, so I just went along with it.”

“Xiaoxiao, how can you be so foolish?” Qiao Mu frowned. “If you don’t have feelings for him, then of course you can’t marry him.”

“If a man truly loved you, would something like this even matter to him?”

“But Qiao Mu, my mother said…” Zhao Xiaoxiao looked at her and sighed softly.

“We’ll set that aside for now.” Feng Jiu’er looked Zhao Xiaoxiao steadily in the eyes. “Xiaoxiao, if I were to examine you, would you agree to it?”

Zhao Xiaoxiao’s gaze settled on Feng Jiu’er, her brow furrowing. “An ex-examination?”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “I want to confirm whether what happened that night actually took place.”

If it truly had not, she would be able to set her mind at ease. As for why Keyan had done what he did, she would find a way to get to the bottom of it.

Zhao Xiaoxiao looked visibly conflicted and could not find words for a moment.

Feng Jiu’er said gently, “Xiaoxiao, I didn’t know before, but now I’m certain — you are a very, very good person.”

“That’s precisely why my guilt toward you runs even deeper. I only want to understand exactly what happened.”

“Only you, I, and Qiao Mu will know. There will be no fourth person.”

“I am a physician. What I suspect, you yourself suspect as well. You understand what I mean, don’t you? I have even come to believe that what happened that night may not have occurred at all.”

“Really?” Zhao Xiaoxiao’s eyes went wide. She sat up and clutched Feng Jiu’er’s arm.

“That is what I believe.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “But the truth lies with you. Are you willing to let me examine you?”

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao steadied herself and nodded firmly.

Feng Jiu’er nodded and looked at Qiao Mu. “Go bring the folding screen over here.”

“Alright.” Qiao Mu nodded, set down the towel, and turned to go.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao, her voice very soft. “Don’t be afraid. It’ll only take a moment. Trust me.”

“Jiu’er, don’t worry — I’m not afraid. With both of you here, I’m truly not afraid at all.” Zhao Xiaoxiao said with a smile.

Qiao Mu brought the folding screen over and set it in front of the bed.

Behind it, only Feng Jiu’er and Zhao Xiaoxiao remained.

The room fell quiet. Qiao Mu, left on the other side of the screen, found herself even more anxious than the two within.

She didn’t leave. Instead, she simply paced back and forth, waiting.

She had only managed a few turns when Feng Jiu’er’s voice drifted out from inside. “All done. Move the screen away.”

Qiao Mu pushed it aside and strode over.

“Well? What’s the result?”

Qiao Mu was so eager she could barely contain herself, and Zhao Xiaoxiao even more so. She stared at Feng Jiu’er unblinkingly, unable to speak.

Feng Jiu’er drew the blanket over her and said softly, “Xiaoxiao is still an unmarried girl. There can be no mistake.”

“Truly?” Qiao Mu’s face lit up with delight.

Zhao Xiaoxiao’s misfortune had been caused by the two of them. Just as Feng Jiu’er had felt pained watching Zhao Xiaoxiao’s suffering, so too had Qiao Mu.

Feng Jiu’er glanced at the person leaning in and let the corner of her mouth curve faintly. “You’re doubting my ability to judge?”

“Wouldn’t dare. How could I?” Qiao Mu cut a look her way, then turned to the girl on the bed with evident delight. “Xiaoxiao, you don’t need to marry someone you don’t love anymore.”

“Still, you don’t know — but surely Keyan would, wouldn’t he? Something like this, how could he possibly not know? How strange.”

In everyone’s minds, Tuoba Keyan had always been a peculiar person.

He was a great prince of a kingdom, and yet for him to be ignorant of such matters between men and women — no one would believe it.

Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er again, her brow creasing slightly. “He lost his memory, so… he doesn’t know?”

“Perhaps he genuinely cares for Xiaoxiao and wants to marry her, but didn’t want to hurt her.” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

Until the very last moment, she was unwilling to suspect her own companion without cause.

“He likes me?” Zhao Xiaoxiao sat up on the bed. “How come I don’t feel anything from him at all?”

“Like I said just now — if this hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have paid any attention to his existence.”

“Xiaoxiao has a point.” Qiao Mu agreed. “That Keyan would fall for a girl he’s only met a handful of times — knowing his personality, I find that hard to believe too.”

“Then perhaps he has some other motive.” Feng Jiu’er said reluctantly.

Her gaze returned to Zhao Xiaoxiao, and the tension in her expression eased a little.

“Whatever the case, Xiaoxiao is still her own person, pure and untainted. You can still pursue your own happiness openly.”

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together, and when the face she loved came to mind, the corners of her mouth lifted of their own accord, and she smiled.

Qiao Mu rose to her feet and exchanged a glance with Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er gave her a look and shook her head.

Qiao Mu understood and asked nothing more.

“Xiaoxiao, how about you go and rest for a few days at the Madam’s place?” The room had been quiet for a moment when Feng Jiu’er made the suggestion softly.

Zhao Xiaoxiao met her gaze and blinked. “Why?”

“Since you don’t have feelings for Keyan, I don’t want you to be around him.” Feng Jiu’er said plainly.

“There are things I need to sort out. But I’m truly swamped these days and afraid of letting it drag.”

“Are you sure you don’t like him, and that you don’t want any further ties with him? Is that right?”

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao nodded.

“Then it’s settled. Go and rest at the Madam’s for a few days.” Feng Jiu’er continued.

“If Keyan comes looking for you, tell him you want some time alone and that you don’t wish to see anyone.”

“And even if he manages to make his way in, don’t breathe a word to him about what we’ve learned tonight. Do you understand?”

Qiao Mu could see that Zhao Xiaoxiao still looked puzzled, so she explained, “Xiaoxiao, trust Jiu’er. She’ll have the truth for you very soon.”

“Of course I trust Jiu’er.” Zhao Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together and nodded again.

“Alright then. For the next few days, I’ll ask no questions, concern myself with nothing, and simply wait for your news.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er smiled and nodded. “Will you make your way over there on your own, or shall we take you?”

“It’s fine. You two go on and be busy. I’ll head over now.” Zhao Xiaoxiao shook her head.

“Alright.” Feng Jiu’er walked over and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “You’ve been through so much. I promise I will give you justice.”

Zhao Xiaoxiao gave a faint smile and stood up.

“My affairs are small things. Yours are the real matters. But still, I am truly grateful you came to see me tonight.”

“Oh, Jiu’er — I wonder if Jian Yi has any misunderstandings about me. Could you…?”

“I’ve never said a word to anyone, but if you’re worried, that’s a small thing — I’ll definitely help.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao and smiled softly.

“And I believe the full truth will come to light before long. When it does, not only Jian Yi, but your older brother too will know what really happened.”

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao gave a cheerful wave of her hand. “You two go on. I’m going to my mother’s for some pastries. I’m hungry.”

“Don’t worry — inside Zhao Family Stronghold, no one is going to do anything to me.”