In the main hall of the Princess’s palace, Zhan Qingcheng did not return until a long while after Feng Jiu’er had left.

The Emperor had ordered a thorough investigation into the harm done to the Second Imperial Prince, and the guards would not overlook a single corner.

When Zhan Qingcheng returned, men had entered the hall, and even outside the palace, the west wing and east wing of the Princess’s palace had gained a considerable number of people.

“Young Master Zhan.” A palace maid approached him timidly.

Zhan Qingcheng paid her no heed. He stepped into the main hall, as though everything happening there had nothing whatsoever to do with him.

A moment later, a guard came out carrying a small bundle.

He approached Zhan Qingcheng, intending to draw his sword, but after taking one look at Zhan Qingcheng, the sword remained undrawn. He simply fixed his gaze on him.

“Young Master Zhan, this is your bundle, is it not? And what exactly is this?” The guard produced a wrapped parcel and held it out before everyone.

Several guards stepped forward together. The sound of blades rang out, one after another, as long swords were drawn.

“Young Master Zhan, you had better give a clear explanation — what is inside this?” The lead guard looked at Zhan Qingcheng and said in a low, firm voice.

Zhan Qingcheng, however, paid no attention to the people before him, and did not even spare them a glance.

“An imperial physician — bring an imperial physician in to have a look.”

The guard had barely finished speaking before an imperial physician came rushing in.

Several people crowded around the small bundle and discussed it for a moment, then the imperial physician cried out in alarm: “It is this poison — this is the very substance used to poison the Second Imperial Prince.”

The physician’s voice had barely faded before the guards stationed outside came flooding in.

“Zhan Qingcheng, you dare to poison an Imperial Prince of our Feng clan — pay with your life!” The commander of the guards looked at the figure seated on the couch and said.

Zhan Qingcheng’s tall figure was settled upon the couch, browsing through a military strategy text.

More than ten guards in the hall were pointing long swords at him, yet he remained utterly composed, wholly unmoved.

Looking at this man of extraordinary bearing — a man who exuded an imperial presence even greater than that of their three Imperial Princes — the guards exchanged uncertain glances with one another, and not one dared to step forward.

The guard commander looked back, exchanged a few quiet words with another guard, and then one of the guards turned and left.

Not long after, the First Imperial Prince arrived with a company of soldiers and had the entire Princess’s palace surrounded.

Feng Jiu’er rode back on horseback to find several palace maids standing outside the Princess’s palace with panicked expressions.

“Your Highness, you are finally back. The First Imperial Prince has brought men and horses…”

“Where are they now?” Before the palace maid could finish, Feng Jiu’er cut her off.

“In the rear courtyard. The First Imperial Prince…”

“Hyah!” Without waiting for the palace maid to finish, Feng Jiu’er tugged at the reins and rode toward the rear courtyard.

In the rear courtyard of the Princess’s palace — blades and swords flashed.

“Stop!” Feng Jiu’er drove her horse into the crowd, completely disregarding the danger she was placing herself in.

Yet no one stopped for the sake of her words.

Everyone was acting under the Emperor’s order to apprehend the suspects — the Princess’s companion was no exception.

Jian Yi stood amid the crowd, continuously driving back the advancing guards.

Not far away, the winds from sword strikes and palm blows tore through the air without pause, and the shattered plants and swirling dust made it impossible to see what was happening within.

“Stop! Cease fighting, stop!” Feng Jiu’er dismounted and pressed forward without a care toward the heart of the fighting.

The guards, fearing they might harm the Princess, could only clear a path for her.

Suddenly, a man stepped into Feng Jiu’er’s path.

“Your Highness, you must not approach! It is dangerous within.” The First Imperial Prince’s personal guard, Lei Lixing, spread his arms wide and blocked Feng Jiu’er’s way.

“What do you think you are doing? Why are you attacking my people?” Feng Jiu’er took two steps forward and shoved Lei Lixing’s arm with force.

Looking ahead from a distance, she could still easily make out a certain silhouette not far away.

He stood alone within the ring of battle. Even with the distance between them, Feng Jiu’er could still feel his fury.

He who had always been supremely above others, who had never known defeat — to be reduced now to the point of needing protection. It was entirely natural that Ninth Imperial Uncle would look displeased.

It was fortunate that Jian Yi was there to guard him!

Yet Feng Jiu’er was still deeply worried that Ninth Imperial Uncle would take action himself once more.

He was not yet recovered from his serious wounds. If he were to forcibly activate the turbulent inner energy within his body, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Lei Lixing did not budge a single inch from Feng Jiu’er’s shove, standing firmly in her path.

“To answer Your Highness — the poison used to harm the Second Imperial Prince was found in Zhan Qingcheng’s bundle. He is the culprit who poisoned the Second Imperial Prince.”

“The First Imperial Prince has no wish to harm anyone, but these three have been completely uncooperative, leaving the First Imperial Prince no choice but to use force.”

Feng Jiu’er found herself with quite a headache over the three of them — each one more sparing with words than the last. Who among them would explain anything?

“Let me go and speak with them about the situation. I believe that the one who poisoned Second Imperial Brother was certainly not one of my people. Stand aside — let me go and ask them myself.”

Feng Jiu’er shoved at Lei Lixing once more.

Unfortunately, a person with no fighting strength whatsoever like herself — how could she possibly push aside a warrior of Lei Lixing’s caliber?

“Stand aside! I will give Father Emperor an account of this.” Feng Jiu’er stared coldly at Lei Lixing.

“Your Highness, the First Imperial Prince has given orders that you are not to be permitted to involve yourself in this matter.” Lei Lixing said.

“These three people from Bei Mu are of unknown background and identity. The First Imperial Prince is concerned that Your Highness may have been blinded by their appearance and placed trust in the wrong people. Your Highness, you should—”

“First Imperial Brother!” Before Lei Lixing could finish, Feng Jiu’er turned and moved in another direction.

In the moment that the man before her was caught off guard, her slender figure darted nimbly to one side and vanished from Lei Lixing’s sight.

Free of him, Feng Jiu’er ran forward with all her strength.

More and more guards were closing in. No matter how exceptional Jian Yi’s swordsmanship was, there would come a moment where he faltered.

Who exactly wanted to eliminate them was something Feng Jiu’er still could not determine, but she was certain — the poisoning had not been carried out by them.

“Your Highness, you must not!” Lei Lixing’s voice rang out through the fray. “Everyone, move aside! The Princess must not be harmed!”

“The Princess cannot be allowed in — Your Highness, you cannot go in!”

There were too many people; for Lei Lixing to part the crowd and stop her was no easy matter.

On the other side of the fighting ring, the white-robed man with flowing silver-white hair caught sight of that small figure pressing forward through the crowd without regard for the danger. His brow could not help but furrow.

He struck his opponent with a powerful palm blow and vaulted toward the girl in a single leap.

Feng Jiu’er was not unaware of what the situation was. But she had to get through and stop Ninth Imperial Uncle before he made his move.

He must not act! Absolutely must not!

Before Zhan Qingcheng could strike, the white-robed man easily reached through the crowd and lifted Feng Jiu’er off the ground.

Feng Jiu’er felt only a lightness in her body — and in an instant, the handsome face she had been so preoccupied with was laid completely bare before her.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, do not act! Whatever you do, do not!” Having delivered her warning, Feng Jiu’er turned to face the others, positioning herself as a shield.

Jian Yi stepped back several paces and stood guard before the group.

Seeing the Princess placed in the hands of someone from Bei Mu, every last guard halted their attack.

Not far away, the First Imperial Prince, Feng Jin, leaped forward and landed before Jian Yi.

“Release my Imperial Sister!”

Having taken several palm blows from Mu Mu, Feng Jin’s face was somewhat pale.

Yet he stood before the crowd, steady as a great mountain, showing no sign of weakness whatsoever.