She was not unaware of the distinguished person at her side. It was just that at this moment, she wasn’t quite sure how to handle the dynamic between the two of them.

So when Feng Jiu’er woke, she endured the pain and asked after others first.

Of course, she was well aware — the man beside her was displeased.

When she woke, shouldn’t the first words she spoke have been directed at him?

“They were rough with you — the Ninth Prince gave the order to drag them out for thirty strokes of the rod,” Xiao Yingtao explained.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, please spare this subordinate!” The group of female medical officers began pleading once more.

Only then did Feng Jiu’er’s gaze fall upon the Ninth Imperial Uncle.

If she called him “Your Highness,” this fellow would be displeased — he would feel that she was being distant. But if she called him “Ninth Imperial Uncle,” it would frighten everyone else around them.

Thinking it over, Feng Jiu’er deliberately skipped over the question of address and said in a hoarse voice, “About that — thirty strokes… isn’t the punishment a bit too heavy?”

The man’s two handsome, thick brows arched upward, a trace of displeasure crossing his face: “They made you hurt!”

They made you hurt — therefore, they deserved to suffer for it!

Oh, oh, oh! Those words — why did they sound so indulgent? So indulgent they could drown a person in affection!

Everyone present, without exception, wondered whether their ears were playing tricks on them.

Why did the Ninth Prince appear to dote on Feng Jiu’er so utterly? It was as though she were a precious treasure cradled in the palm of his hand.

Jiu’er only felt a faint, creeping numbness along her scalp. Her head ached!

The Ninth Imperial Uncle never cared what others thought, but she did. She was worried about her days ahead in the Longwu Academy being difficult.

“About that — I’m already fine, so thirty is still a little heavy, ha…”

“And so?” Zhan Qingcheng lowered his gaze to look at her, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.

Excessive sentimentality!

Feng Jiu’er let out a dry laugh. In truth, her throat was parched and dry — she desperately wanted water.

She said, “Since I’m already not in serious danger now, I humbly ask that Your Highness show mercy and give them…”

The two female medical officers at the front had eyes glimmering with gratitude as they stared at Feng Jiu’er’s face, feeling a pang of regret over their own rudeness toward her the previous night.

Some were genuinely grateful — after all, they had shown her such disrespect the night before, yet to their surprise she was still willing to speak up for them.

But some, though their expressions appeared grateful, had a faint, contemptuous smile flickering in the depths of their eyes.

They had heard she was a simpleton. Though she didn’t look like one, right now she seemed to be fitting the description after a fashion.

The night before, they had treated her body so carelessly, and the wounds had been dealt with haphazardly before the Ninth Prince arrived.

Yet now, Feng Jiu’er actually wanted to plead on their behalf? If anyone claimed she wasn’t a fool, who would believe it?

Feng Jiu’er swept them with a faint glance and moved her lips: “The first two were not quite as rough with me — I remember that clearly. Your Highness, how about five strokes of the rod for them — a minor punishment as a firm warning.”

“Your Highness! Your Highness, have mercy! This subordinate truly did her best to care for Miss Feng!” The two immediately kowtowed to Feng Jiu’er. “Miss Feng’s great kindness — we will engrave it in our hearts forever.”

No one paid them any heed. Then Jiu’er’s hoarse voice rang out once more: “Those three, however, were far too rough with me — they hurt me terribly. Your Highness, how about fifty strokes of the rod for them?”

Fifty!

The three female medical officers’ legs went weak, and they nearly fainted on the spot.

Wasn’t this fool supposed to be pleading for their release? Why had the number suddenly jumped from thirty all the way up to fifty?

“Feng Jiu’er, we gave everything to save you — how could you…”

“Drag them out. These three — eighty strokes of the rod.” Zhan Qingcheng flicked his sleeve. “These two — five strokes!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Without a moment’s hesitation, the female guards seized the five female medical officers and turned to march them out.

“Xiao Yingtao, I’m thirsty.” Only when the room was free of any extra presence did Jiu’er finally let out a groan: “Mm — it hurts so much, I’m dying of pain!”