Huo Yan was now out of options. He could only have the two of them held in the dungeon for the time being and await the medical hall’s verdict on what the packet contained.
As for Mu Mu… though it pained him deeply, Mu Mu was set on his own course, and Huo Yan could do nothing about it.
The group departed from the courtyard and made their way toward the path leading to the back courtyard dungeon.
Along the way, Jiu’er glanced sideways at Mu Mu, a faint flicker passing through her eyes.
Mu Mu showed a trace of disagreement. Walking along like this, he feared there would be no way to clear their names afterward.
Jiu’er blinked — a silent message passed without words.
Mu Mu did not know the full truth, but Jiu’er did. The Empress was as ruthless as a wolf. Once they were confined to the dungeon, they would not even need to wait for the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s return — both of them would be dead without question.
Originally, when it had been just Jiu’er alone, she had worried she might not be able to get away. Now, with Mu Mu added to the equation, the odds were greatly improved.
She blinked again, lips pressing lightly together without sound: Mu Mu — do you trust me?
Mu Mu said nothing. But at the bend in the back courtyard path, he suddenly gathered his inner energy in his palm, and his tall figure lunged abruptly toward Aide-Officer Zheng.
“Aide-Officer, watch out!” The dozen or so guards accompanying them were instantly alarmed, and one after another they rushed toward Aide-Officer Zheng, each eager to demonstrate loyalty.
But unexpectedly, Mu Mu pivoted midway, extending one long arm to pull Feng Jiu’er close against him, and with a light tap of his foot launched them both swiftly up into the trees.
“Watch out for the poison powder!” Feng Jiu’er produced something from her hand — no one quite saw what — and flung it out with force.
Everyone below instantly scattered in every direction, each person scrambling to find cover, terrified of being hit by her poison powder.
But when the “poison powder” landed, everyone got a clear look — it was nothing but a packet of melon seeds, now scattered everywhere across the ground.
“Curse them! They’ve escaped!” Aide-Officer Zheng emerged from behind a flower bed, watching the two distant retreating figures, and stomped his foot in fury.
“We cannot let them get away! Otherwise, Her Highness—” He caught himself abruptly, fearing he had said too much and exposed something, and quickly changed course. “Chase them! Get the Imperial Guards Court soldiers to join the pursuit — we must bring them back!”
“If they dare resist — kill on sight!”
“Yes!” The guards swarmed out in a rush.
Huo Yan said urgently, “Aide-Officer Zheng, the matter has not yet been clarified — how can you issue a kill-on-sight order just like that?”
“Aide-Officer Huo, have you still not seen clearly? They openly resisted — they are nothing but rebels and traitors!”
Aide-Officer Zheng was now in even better spirits. Feng Jiu’er fleeing was all well and good — this way, it was as good as a confession. If the guards could deal with them on the spot, that would fulfill Her Highness the Empress’s wish, and would please Her Highness all the more!
“Move quickly!”
Aide-Officer Zheng himself turned back toward the Imperial Guards Court, setting off to gather men to capture Feng Jiu’er and Mu Mu.
Huo Yan felt a surge of anxiety rising in his chest. Looking at Aide-Officer Zheng’s manner, it seemed he would not rest until those two were dead.
What grudge — what grievance — could there possibly be, to make things so difficult for two newly arrived students?
Just now, Aide-Officer Zheng had said something about “Her Highness.” Could it be that Feng Jiu’er had offended someone within the palace?
Huo Yan did not dare think further into it. He went to rally the Longwu Army’s men and set off to search the rear mountain area.
He had to find them before the Imperial Guards Court did. Otherwise, given Aide-Officer Zheng’s methods, if those two fell into his people’s hands, there would be far more danger than hope of survival!
“Quickly — go search the rear mountain for them!”
“Yes!”
Huo Yan turned around and headed toward the martial arts building.
Now that things had escalated to this point, it was likely time to disturb the Academy Master.
Both Mu Mu and Feng Jiu’er — no matter how he looked at them — did not seem like the sort of people who would do something so disgraceful.
What was more, if it truly had been Mu Mu, with a physique like his, what need would there be for any sort of aphrodisiac? This was plainly a deliberate frame-up!