Feng Jiu’er had absolutely no words to describe how she felt in this moment.

She had actually been pinned against a wall in broad daylight by the noble, captivating Ninth Prince, and the most infuriating part was that her good friend was standing not far away, watching them with eager anticipation.

Not only did Qiao Mu show no intention of rescuing her, she even seemed to be waiting for something to happen between them.

So awkward, so embarrassing, so utterly helpless.

She raised her head, unsure whether she should even meet the Ninth Prince’s gaze directly — those two eyes, both cold and burning at once, made her heart pound uncomfortably in her chest.

“Your Highness…”

“Mm?”

“Why don’t you just tell me directly what you’d like me to call you.” The moment those words left her mouth, Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed slightly.

Why did it feel like she’d asked this exact question before, at some point? Under just as helpless circumstances?

When exactly had that been? How could she be so forgetful at such a young age?

She really had asked this before!

“What do you like to call this prince?” Zhan Qingcheng answered her question with another, and his tone was, admittedly, not at all pleasant.

She wanted to say “Your Highness, of course” — after all, he truly was a prince of the highest standing.

But instinct told her that answer would surely set him off, or worse, might even earn her a slap that sent her flying.

So she bit her lip, eyes darting, then suddenly blinked and called out softly: “Ninth… Imperial Uncle.”

Zhan Qingcheng still said nothing, but the moment she uttered “Ninth Imperial Uncle,” the millennia-old frost beneath his cold gaze finally melted, just the tiniest bit.

Feng Jiu’er let out a deep breath of relief — so this was what he liked being called, “Ninth Imperial Uncle”!

But now that he wasn’t angry anymore… well, not as angry, anyway — could she please leave this place now?

Being caged within his arm like this felt strange and uncomfortable.

“So, Ninth… Ninth Imperial Uncle!” Feng Jiu’er narrowed her eyes into a sweet smile. “Ninth Imperial Uncle, it’s getting late, I should be heading back.”

“Back where?” He felt a bit like taking her back to the Ninth Prince’s manor. It had been a long time since he’d brought this girl back to his own place — he missed those days of sleeping beside her.

“Back to the academy, of course!” Did that even need asking? There was still the BBQ gathering tonight, and time was running short.

Though if it were possible, she actually wanted to go back to the Feng Manor to check on Yanu.

She’d been gone for so long — she had no idea how Yanu was doing back home. It had been over a month since she’d last seen him.

Fortunately, during this period Feng Qingyin had mostly been away from the Feng family, so at least there was no one constantly scheming against Yanu.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, look how late it’s getting — shouldn’t you be heading back to the manor too?”

“Mm.” He finally withdrew the hand propped beside her head and turned to walk out of the ravine.

Feng Jiu’er had just let out a breath of relief when she heard his deep, magnetic voice suddenly speak up: “Jiu’er, come back to the manor with this prince.”

What? Had her ears malfunctioned? Come back to the manor with him? What did that mean?

Feng Jiu’er glanced sideways at Qiao Mu, who simply shrugged, looking entirely uninvolved.

Feng Jiu’er looked back at Zhan Qingcheng’s retreating figure, still as cold and forbidding as ever — she was certain she hadn’t misheard.

“But, Ninth Imperial Uncle, that…” She hurried to catch up to him, not wanting to defy him, but tonight truly wasn’t possible!

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, we won our sparring match against the students of the Fourth Imperial Guard today, and we made plans to eat together at the academy’s back hill tonight. I… I want to go back to the academy.”

Was it disrespectful of her to say this? But a person couldn’t go back on their word, could they?

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, if there’s something you need me to do, can I… handle it tomorrow instead?”

Before, when the Ninth Prince wanted her to come to the manor, it had been to drink her blood. But now that the poison in his body should already be cleared, there seemed to be no real reason to bring her there anymore.

Could there really be some secret mission he needed to assign her?

Walking behind them, Qiao Mu couldn’t help glancing at Feng Jiu’er.

This girl — blessed with good fortune and not even realizing it. To actually want to refuse an invitation from the Ninth Prince — did she not want to live anymore?

Then again, staying by the Ninth Prince’s side really was incredibly stressful. Thinking about it, he was the kind of person best admired from a distance — better not get too close.

If you stayed with him every day, and your heart wasn’t strong enough, you’d end up dying young.

Zhan Qingcheng said nothing, which clearly meant he’d rejected Feng Jiu’er’s request.

Having power and status really did make a difference — wherever he told you to go, you had to go, without even the right to object!

But Feng Jiu’er wasn’t one to easily compromise either — she cared about keeping her word!

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I really did promise everyone — tonight we’re having a BBQ together. A person shouldn’t break their promises. Ninth Imperial Uncle, in everything, there should be some order of priority. Could I possibly…”

Zhan Qingcheng suddenly stopped walking, the motion so abrupt that the two women behind him instantly jumped back, retreating several steps at once.

He turned around, his displeased gaze landing on Feng Jiu’er. Looking at the distance between them — only seven or eight steps apart — it somehow felt impossibly far.

“Why are you afraid of this prince?” His eyes narrowed.

Just that small motion, the narrowing of his eyes, and Feng Jiu’er’s forehead was already beading with sweat again.

Did he not realize how terrifying his gaze was right now? Like a leopard prowling through the night, fixed on its prey, ready to open its jaws and swallow it whole at any moment.

Feng Jiu’er was no coward by nature — there weren’t many people she truly feared. And yet, of all people, Ninth Imperial Uncle was the one she feared the most.

As for exactly why she feared him so much — who could say!

“You… you’re the noble, esteemed Ninth Prince — how could anyone not be afraid? Heh!” She forced a stretch of her lips into a faint smile.

Something flickered across Zhan Qingcheng’s expression, and he suddenly turned and walked back toward her.

Here he came again!

Qiao Mu dodged away in an instant, sensing the approaching danger — but Feng Jiu’er was standing right in front of Ninth Imperial Uncle. Where could she possibly run to?

Heavens, could it not spare her just this once? Her heart had only just managed to ease some of its pressure, and now it had to start tensing up all over again!

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I’m not trying to disobey your instructions on purpose, but in everything, there should be some order of priority — I really did promise them first.”

Though she was still afraid, she managed to steady herself somewhat.

It wasn’t that she was being stubborn — it was simply that she truly hated breaking promises more than anything.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, if there’s something urgent, something truly concerning the safety of the nation, I’ll go handle it immediately.”

“But…” She hesitated, then continued: “If it isn’t anything urgent, could I… go to the manor a little later instead?”

Why was it that, in her impression, whenever Ninth Imperial Uncle wanted her to come to the manor, it was rarely ever for anything proper?

Ugh, what kind of thoughts was she having about her noble, dignified Ninth Imperial Uncle? Was someone as powerful and respected as the Ninth Prince really that bored? But watching the Ninth Prince walk toward her now, that overwhelming pressure was, little by little, finally beginning to crush Feng Jiu’er’s courage to pieces…