If Feng Jiu’er had wanted to explain, she could have, more or less.

But in this moment, she suddenly found she had no desire to explain at all.

Feng Jiu’er and Zhan Yuheng were no longer bound by fate. Since that was the case, what was the point of explaining?

“Jiu’er… Jiu’er doesn’t know who he was. He said he wanted to play with Jiu’er…”

She smiled with eyes curved into crescents, the picture of guileless innocence.

Yet Zhan Yuheng’s expression darkened, and his anger rose: “I heard you defeated the opponent in a single move — that you beat Hong Ying, the one at Luo Ri’s side?”

He narrowed his eyes. He was truly furious.

Because — infuriatingly — he still could not tell, even now, whether she was genuinely slow-witted or simply playing the part.

Could a fool defeat even Hong Ying in under a single move?

Yet when had Feng Jiu’er ever begun martial training? How could she be this capable?

Could it be that she was no longer the same girl who had been mentally muddled for so many years?

Just how many more things was she concealing from him?

But Feng Jiu’er remained as she always was. Having decided to play the fool, she would play it to the end.

“Yes, yes! That Hong Ying was so entertaining — I shot her once, and she lost to me!”

“Brother Heng, don’t you think Jiu’er is incredibly impressive? Jiu’er is really so, so amazing!”

“Feng Jiu’er, stop playing the fool in front of this Royal Highness! Who — who exactly were you with just now?”

In the end, what truly gnawed at him was this one thing alone — that mark on her neck, left by the lips of some man — which man had left it?

“Did someone force you?” This was his last shred of hope.

But Feng Jiu’er had absolutely no desire to reconcile with him. The last remaining trace of goodwill she had harbored for him had already vanished completely — the day at Feng Manor, when he had withdrawn his hand, it had gone without a trace.

One shouldn’t fault her for being cold-hearted, but since their ending was destined to lead nowhere, why drag things out?

She smiled — a soft, gentle smile: “No one forced me. They were very entertaining!”

Abruptly, Zhan Yuheng released his grip. The look he gave her now was like looking at something filthy, filled with utter contempt.

His tall frame turned, and he walked away with long strides, leaving behind nothing but an endlessly cold, rigid back.

Feng Jiu’er let out a quiet breath — a touch of resignation in it.

If he had truly believed in her, why ask at all? And having asked, there was no more talk of trust.

Moreover, he was the Crown Prince of the Imperial Family. To be with him would inevitably mean an endless storm of intrigue and schemes, and countless plots against her.

If he could not bring himself to trust her wholeheartedly, following him would only lead her to certain death.

She was not yet ready to die.

She opened her satchel, took out the small jar inside, and Feng Jiu’er found a small stream, using the water’s reflection to get a clear look at the red mark on her neck.

She plucked fine-stemmed grass from the surrounding undergrowth, mixed it with the juice of lingzhi herb, and dabbed it onto her neck.

The red mark did not disappear — instead it turned a large, purplish bruise, looking just like a birthmark.

She curved her lips in a slight smirk, tucked the jar away, and then suddenly remembered something. She turned and rushed toward the back gate at full speed.

This time, it was the back gate of the Longqi Army camp!

……

“Miss, please halt.” The gate guard stopped her. “Do you have a student token?”

Feng Jiu’er froze, caught completely off guard.

There was even a student identification check!

“I only arrived today — I just took part in the selection trial, and I don’t even know yet if I’ll be accepted. They said there would be a posted announcement.”

She simply refused to believe that those who had arrived only today already had some sort of student token.

As it turned out, the guard thought it over and let her through anyway.

Though he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that he had no memory of ever seeing this young lady exit through the back gate of their Longqi Army camp…

Feng Jiu’er moved without pause, asking after the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s whereabouts along the way. At last, in a secluded corner of the rear courtyard, she spotted Yu Jingfeng standing guard outside a pavilion.