Under ordinary circumstances, Yu Jingfeng could handle matters without the Ninth Prince needing to say a word.

But where Miss Jiu’er was concerned — a matter of particular delicacy — Yu Jingfeng did not dare act on his own initiative.

His Highness was a man of pride and restraint; naturally, he would not reverse his own decree refusing Miss Jiu’er, and go back on his word to reclaim her now.

And yet — watching Miss Jiu’er regard the Longqi Army with such complete indifference, could he truly just let things be?

It was also unclear what Miss Jiu’er was thinking. His Highness had already used his “hidden hand” to have her struck from the Imperial Guards Academy’s selection list. Now that such a fine opportunity was laid before her, why would she not seize it?

Could she truly have lost interest in their Longwu Academy entirely?

Did Miss Jiu’er’s feelings really need to shift this quickly?

“Your Highness…” Yu Jingfeng snuck a glance at him.

The Ninth Prince — who had always been cold and proud to an extreme — stared at that distant figure for a long moment, then pressed his lips together. “Bring her here.”

The moment Yu Jingfeng heard those words, the corner of his mouth twitched.

Good heavens — Ninth Prince, where has your dignity gone?

Feng Jiu’er had in fact been sensing something — a creeping chill at her back, as though a pair of cold, expressionless eyes had been fixed on her the entire time.

She turned to look, but saw no one following her.

Then again, she was already a discarded, ugly outcast who had failed the selection. Who would pay her any attention?

She was just about to go inquire how to enter the Imperial Guards Academy’s supplementary enrollment when a figure stepped into her line of sight not far away.

“Miss Feng Jiu, my Princess requests your presence.”

Jiu’er followed Hongying to the eastern wing of the Imperial Guards Academy. Zhan Luori was inside one of the chambers there, enjoying tea.

“I was not the one who acted against you.” The moment she saw Feng Jiu’er, Zhan Luori spoke in a measured, direct tone.

“I believe the Princess is not that sort of person.” Feng Jiu’er stepped inside. “Am I permitted to sit?”

The distinctions of rank were sharply observed in this era, and so — though she had already sensed the Seventh Princess’s goodwill — it was best to ask first.

The Imperial Academy operated under a royal edict declaring all students equal regardless of status, yet the Princess was, after all, of the highest noble blood. There remained a certain difference.

“Sit.” Zhan Luori glanced at Hongying, who immediately withdrew and closed the chamber door behind her.

“Feng Jiu’er, I prefer directness. So let us be brief.”

“I admire you, and I can help you enter the Imperial Guards Academy. But from this moment forward, you will be my person.”

To be favored by a Princess would ordinarily send anyone into rapturous joy — yet Feng Jiu’er’s expression remained as mild as ever.

She said: “I am deeply grateful for the Princess’s regard. However, Jiu’er is accustomed to a free and unrestrained way of life. Were I to stay by the Princess’s side, I fear I would only diminish the Princess’s standing.”

She had already crossed blades with Hongying on the training ground. There was no point in playing the fool before Zhan Luori now.

Besides, the other party had said plainly that she preferred directness.

Zhan Luori fixed her gaze on the half-ruined face before her, her lips pressed into a thin line. She said nothing, as though she were turning something over in her mind.

After a long silence, she finally spoke: “Very well. I admire your candor.”

A refusal — but delivered with absolute candor.

“Feng Jiu’er, should you encounter any difficulty in the future, you may come to me. I will help where I am able.”

“I thank the Princess.”

She had not expected that within the palace, there could still be a person of such straightforward character.

When Feng Jiu’er walked out of the eastern wing, her mood was rather pleasant.

But when she found herself surrounded by a troop of Longwu Army soldiers, her mood became rather less so.

“Feng Jiu’er has shown disrespect to His Highness! By order of the Academician, we are to place you under arrest!” Several Longwu Army soldiers stepped forward, seized her, and declared: “Take her away!”