Those words from His Highness the Crown Prince were meant to protect Feng Jiu’er through the night.

Since it was the Emperor himself who had approved the arrest of Feng Jiu’er, even if the Crown Prince wished to shield her with all his might, it would be impossible to suppress the matter entirely.

But keeping her safe through the night — that was still achievable.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, please be at ease. Before the midnight hour tonight, no one will lay a single finger on Ninth Miss.”

Zhang Jianhong was essentially granting the Crown Prince this favor, though once the midnight hour passed, he would be powerless as well.

Zhan Yuheng glanced once more at Feng Jiu’er, hesitating briefly, but in the end led the carriage procession away in swift departure.

From within the carriage, the sound of Feng Qingyin’s frail coughing could still be heard, along with a maidservant’s voice offering comfort: “Young Miss, there is no need to worry. His Highness the Crown Prince will not allow anything to happen to you.”

“Once we are in the palace and the finest imperial physicians have been found, together with the Crown Prince’s devoted care, Young Miss will surely recover.”

How telling — as if afraid the world would not know that her Young Miss was headed into the palace to be looked after by the Crown Prince.

Once the group had moved far away, Feng Jiu’er was immediately seized by Zhang Jianhong’s men and escorted out of the manor.

Her father, Feng Junzhuo, did not spare a single extra glance. His primary concern was that even half a word too many might bring trouble upon himself.

Though even he did not believe this simpleton of a girl would truly be entangled with anyone from the Celestial Sovereign Sect, the matter had already alarmed the Emperor, and he naturally dared not act rashly.

The Feng family patriarch, Feng Zhenhai, immediately had a carriage brought around. A wrapped bundle of something was quietly pressed into Zhang Jianhong’s hand.

Feng Zhenhai said in a low voice: “The road from here to the Bureau of Heavenly Surveillance is no short distance. Jiu’er is a young girl — it would not be proper to have her paraded through the streets under escort for all to see.”

“I ask that Commander Zhang show some consideration and allow Jiu’er to ride in the carriage while accompanying your esteemed party.”

Zhang Jianhong had no wish to make too many enemies, and what was more, he had just witnessed the Crown Prince’s apparent affection for this Feng Jiu’er.

After weighing the matter, he finally accepted the bundle and allowed Feng Jiu’er to board the carriage, with riders posted on both sides to keep guard.

“Jiu’er, you need not worry. Your grandfather will personally go to seek an audience with the Emperor and petition His Majesty for a thorough and impartial investigation.”

In truth, the likelihood of the Emperor granting him an audience was slim, but if His Majesty were willing to see him, there would at least be a sliver of room to maneuver.

If the Emperor refused to even grant an audience, the situation would likely remain deeply thorny.

These words, Feng Zhenhai could not bring himself to say to Jiu’er, fearing it would frighten her. He could only offer a few words of comfort before watching the carriage procession depart.

Feng Jiu’er lifted the carriage curtain and looked back. Her father wore a look of indifferent detachment. Her grandfather, however, wore a face full of worry.

Grandfather — this kindness, she would carry in her heart.

And it was precisely because of this bond of affection that the thought of fleeing along the way, which had stirred within her, was firmly suppressed.

To escape might bring her a swift resolution, but Feng Manor would inevitably suffer the consequences.

If every person in Feng Manor had treated her without feeling or righteousness, their suffering would not have caused her a moment of grief.

But what of her grandfather?

Before long, Feng Jiu’er was brought to the Bureau of Heavenly Surveillance and thrown directly into the prison cells.

Because of the Crown Prince’s instructions, Zhang Jianhong had treated her with a reasonable degree of courtesy. But the warden on duty wore an expression of utter contempt.

“You had better cooperate and confess how you colluded with the people of the Celestial Sovereign Sect. Otherwise, once the midnight hour passes tonight, you will have plenty to suffer!”

With that, the prison door clanged shut with a resounding click.

Feng Jiu’er sat on the floor of the cell, inhaling the putrid, bloody stench of her surroundings. Though her expression remained as unreadable as ever on the surface, her heart had grown somewhat heavy.

The midnight hour — that was eleven o’clock tonight.

She was not certain whether Zhan Yuheng would truly come, but she could not leave her life in someone else’s hands. Before eleven o’clock, what options did she still have?