After Zhan Qingcheng took his seat, Feng Jiu’er naturally stood at his side.

Zhan Qingcheng also seemed to have already grown accustomed to this, and looked toward Emperor Qiwen, saying: “This girl was brought to the Bureau of Heavenly Scrutiny a few days ago, suspected of colluding with members of the Heavenly Venerable Sect. Therefore, your subject-brother has come today specifically to clear up this matter.”

Emperor Qiwen’s gaze finally settled on Feng Jiu’er: “This girl… is she the Ninth Miss Feng?”

Feng Jiu’er flashed him a smile — so sweet, so utterly carefree, as though she hadn’t a worry in the world.

Such flagrant impropriety, yet no one could find it in themselves to reproach her, for she truly looked like… a simpleton.

“The Bureau of Heavenly Scrutiny concluded that on the eighteenth night of this month, it was members of the Heavenly Venerable Sect who took this girl away. In truth, that night, it was people from your subject-brother’s household who brought her back to the Ninth Prince’s residence.”

“A’Jiu, such things must not be said carelessly. This girl was clearly taken away by the Heavenly Venerable Sect’s people.” The Empress’s expression darkened.

Yet Zhan Qingcheng didn’t even spare her a glance, keeping his gaze solely on Emperor Qiwen: “Imperial Brother, your subject-brother has come specifically to explain this matter to you.”

He had completely ignored her existence!

A pang of pain shot through the Empress’s heart. Never before had she suffered such great humiliation — yet he was A’Jiu, the one she loved most. What could she do?

“Your Majesty…”

“Empress.” At last, Zhan Qingcheng’s gaze shifted to her.

Joy surged through the Empress’s heart, and every grievance dissolved: “A’Jiu…”

“The Empress is one of the inner palace. What this Prince wishes to discuss with Imperial Brother concerns matters of the Bureau of Heavenly Scrutiny. Might the Empress withdraw for the time being?”

“A’Jiu…” From elation to despair — this, apparently, was what that feeling tasted like.

Before the Empress could say another word, Emperor Qiwen’s expression had already grown slightly stern, and he said with displeasure: “Empress, We have matters to discuss with A’Jiu. You may withdraw first.”

How could the Empress bear to simply leave like that? At least when not in Zhan Qingcheng’s presence, the Empress managed to maintain some semblance of composure.

“Your Majesty, your subject-consort ought not to meddle in such affairs. However, this matter concerns the safety and security of our imperial dynasty. Your subject-consort believes that whether one is of the inner palace or an ordinary commoner, one cannot simply stand by and do nothing.”

She pointed at Feng Jiu’er, her voice turning cold: “That night, this girl was abducted by scoundrels. It so happened that Yuheng’s men witnessed it — they had originally intended to rescue her, but midway, people from the Heavenly Venerable Sect burst forth and carried her away.”

The expression on Feng Jiu’er’s face remained a carefree, witless smile, but inwardly, she was quietly deliberating.

The men of Zhan Yuheng that the Empress spoke of — the ones who had supposedly meant to save her — had they been observing from the shadows all along? Or were they, in fact, the very men in black who had been receiving her and were ultimately wounded by Di Wu Ya?

With Di Wu Ya’s level of power, if someone had been watching from the shadows, he should have detected it.

That being the case, the men in black who had paid money that night with the intention of taking her away — they were Zhan Yuheng’s people.

What exactly did he intend to do?

Deep in thought, the sound of an eunuch’s voice carried in from outside: “Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience.”

Emperor Qiwen gave a nod, and the eunuch immediately called out in a loud, carrying voice: “His Highness the Crown Prince is summoned to enter.”

Shortly after, Zhan Yuheng strode in wearing robes of sky-blue embroidered with bamboo. He first paid his respects to Emperor Qiwen, then gave a bow toward the two below: “Ninth Imperial Uncle, Imperial Mother.”

By convention, the Crown Prince held an exalted rank — it should have been the Ninth Prince offering him the salute. Yet the Ninth Prince commanded immense authority and power, so Zhan Yuheng had grown accustomed to greeting him first.

Zhan Qingcheng gave a faint nod, and before Zhan Yuheng could open his mouth, he said: “On the eighteenth night of this month, it was this Prince’s people who took Feng Jiu’er away. Why, then, did the Crown Prince claim it was done by the Heavenly Venerable Sect?”

Zhan Yuheng startled. The words he had been about to speak lodged themselves in his throat at once, on account of his Ninth Imperial Uncle’s remark.

With this, all the preparations he had made today in coming to rescue Feng Jiu’er seemed to have been made in vain. Because — there was the Ninth Imperial Uncle!