Over the past three days, the selection work for the Longqi Army had not slackened in the least despite the Ninth Prince’s departure.

The Ninth Prince’s urgent journey to the border city had come suddenly, but since word of it had already been circulating beforehand, no one found it particularly strange.

What was strange, however, was that despite the Ninth Prince having set out for the border city, not a single person knew which route his party had taken.

After Jiu’er finished her meal, her strength had visibly returned in considerable measure, and after bathing and changing her clothes, she felt altogether more alert.

During the meal she had taken a moment to look over the roster of newly selected Longqi recruits, and to her surprise, Xiao Yingtao, Shan Yi Dao, and Xing Zizhou were all on it.

Now that Jiu’er held the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s command token, she had free rein within the Dragon Martial Academy — whatever she wished to do, even the Academy’s Grandmaster would have to defer to her.

After leaving the Grandmaster with a few instructions, Feng Jiu’er returned to her quarters to gather her belongings. By chance, while rummaging through the cabinet, she turned up the family heirloom Mu Mu had given her.

A small golden key, wrought with exquisite, matchless craftsmanship — yet something about it felt strangely familiar. No, not merely familiar; it was a feeling she could not quite put into words.

As though from the very first time she laid eyes on it, that feeling had already been there.

She had no mind to dwell on it now, though. Since she had tried to return it to Mu Mu and he had refused to take it back, she would keep it for him in the meantime.

She looped the chain twice around her wrist and fastened it there. With no time to spare for such personal trifles, Jiu’er hurried outside.

The moment she stepped through the door, a figure came toward her head-on.

The sight of him gave Feng Jiu’er an immediate headache. “Stay away from me.”

This fellow was nothing short of a curse upon her!

Nanmen Xu abruptly pulled back the foot he had stepped forward with. Being rebuked so sharply was admittedly a little embarrassing — yet at this moment, weighed down by guilt, he felt no resentment whatsoever.

“I know you have no liking for me as a future husband. Rest assured — if you do not wish to marry, I will explain the matter to His Majesty myself. The blame will not fall on you.”

“Do you truly think a man of your standing could even get an audience with His Majesty?”

She was not trying to mock him; she simply wanted him to see things as they were.

Nanmen Xu’s expression shifted through several shades of discomfort — not from displeasure, but from a quiet dejection. “I know. You despise my lowly birth as well.”

“Nanmen Xu, what did you come to find me for?” She had other matters to attend to and had no wish to waste time standing here with him.

“To apologize. I failed to protect you properly. You may strike me or berate me as you see fit — I will not raise a hand in return.” His tone was earnest.

Feng Jiu’er felt a helpless twinge of exasperation. She had not expected this blundering oaf to have such a strong sense of responsibility.

Still, it was plain to see that he genuinely had no feelings for her — that much Jiu’er could tell clearly.

After the whole affair with Feng Qingyin, he had likely concluded that she was the sort of person who bullied others from a position of strength.

His willingness to protect her stemmed from nothing more than that imperial decree — he simply saw her as his duty.

In this day and age, a person this earnestly guileless still existed. It was rather remarkable.

“Very well. Since you feel you failed to protect me adequately, there is something I need you to do for me.”

“What is it?” He was the one who had erred first; as long as it was within his power, he would see it done for her.

From her bag, Feng Jiu’er produced the promissory note that the Young Lord Yan had written for her.

“Go to the Young Lord Yan and collect these one thousand taels on my behalf — then help me take care of something in the imperial city.”

She gave him a brief explanation. After a moment’s hesitation, Nanmen Xu finally gave a nod and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Feng Jiu’er’s gaze was complicated.

She was not sure whether this blundering fellow could handle it — but he was, without question, a man of responsibility.

For now, she would give him a chance and trust him once.

She was just about to leave the courtyard when yet another figure came walking toward her head-on…