Feng Jiu’er looked in the direction the brother had pointed, then turned and followed the quiet path all the way outward.

Earlier, on the way here, she had been asleep in the carriage.

After arriving, everyone had gone straight inside, so Feng Jiu’er hadn’t realized that not far beyond lay the open sea.

If someone traveled by water, taking a person away wouldn’t be difficult at all — especially if the one who’d come was likely a skilled martial artist.

Watching Feng Jiu’er walk off, everyone glanced back at Di Wu Ya.

With a single look from Di Wu Ya, no words were needed — everyone followed after Feng Jiu’er.

Aside from Long Yi, who stayed to guard Di Wu Ya, everyone else followed along.

The whole way there, Feng Jiu’er kept observing her surroundings.

Unfortunately, with nearly ten days having passed, she still couldn’t find any clues.

A tall wall ahead blocked Feng Jiu’er’s path. She glanced back, her brow furrowing slightly.

The brother met her gaze and nodded.

Feng Jiu’er turned back around and leapt, jumping up onto the high wall.

Standing atop the wall, looking down at the scenery outside, she realized that the view out here was no less beautiful than within.

As far as the eye could see, lush green grass stretched out, ending in a beach, beyond which lay the sea.

In the blue sky drifted a few pure white clouds; the sea, the beach, and the grass were all spotlessly clean, without a speck of dirt.

This blending of water and sky looked just like a beautiful painting.

The black lake wasn’t appreciated by the people of Beimu Kingdom, but apparently, the people of Qiangu Prefecture, much like modern people, enjoyed living near the sea.

Being close to the sea had its advantages — one could fish for a living, and transportation was convenient.

Aside from the somewhat troubling custom of male superiority she’d heard about, everything else Feng Jiu’er had seen of Qiangu Prefecture was to her liking.

Facing the blue sky and sea, she felt a sudden urge to bring the person she loved here and live a reclusive, idyllic life together.

Father, where on earth are you?

In her mind’s eye appeared the face that could outshine even the most beautiful scenery, and Feng Jiu’er leapt down from the high wall.

Di Wu Ya extended a large hand and caught the falling woman; Feng Jiu’er landed steadily beside him.

The others, following after Yu Jingfeng, all landed on the grass outside the courtyard.

“Miss Jiu’er, we’ve already searched this area too. Unfortunately, we found nothing,” one brother said quietly.

With so many people watching over one man, and still failing to keep him safe, the brothers’ feelings could well be imagined.

Feng Jiu’er glanced at these dejected faces, then turned her gaze outward, toward the sea.

“Don’t worry. If they wanted to kill him, they would have done it already. The only thing is, we don’t yet know why this person took my father.”

“Miss Jiu’er, why are you so sure it was only one person who came? Have you noticed some sort of clue?” Yu Jingfeng stepped forward and asked.

“I can’t be completely certain yet, but if there had been many people, it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed. Did Ninth Imperial Uncle perhaps trust the wrong person?” Feng Jiu’er said flatly.

The moment Feng Jiu’er’s words fell, the brothers who had been guarding Feng Li immediately dropped to their knees.

“This subordinate failed in his duty. Please punish us, my lord, Miss Jiu’er!” everyone said in unison.

Feng Jiu’er kept looking out toward the sea, not turning back.

After a moment, she let out a soft sigh and waved a hand.

“Get up, all of you. No use saying useless things. These past days, where exactly have you all searched? Tell me in detail.” Before the brothers could respond, the captain hurried over with several other brothers.

Hearing the commotion, Feng Jiu’er turned to look at everyone.

The captain knelt down, and everyone followed, dropping to their knees.

“Greetings, my lord, Miss Jiu’er.” The captain knelt at the very front, raising his head to look at Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er.

“Have you found anything?” Di Wu Ya’s deep voice rang out.

“Reporting to my lord, there’s reason to suspect that someone from the Feng Clan took Prince Ye away,” the captain replied immediately.

“What’s your basis for that?” Yu Jingfeng asked, brow furrowed.

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er, this subordinate feels deeply guilty over Prince Ye’s disappearance, but I also know that saying so accomplishes nothing right now.”

“If my lord wishes to punish me, that can wait until Prince Ye is found. This subordinate’s life belongs to my lord — there’s nowhere to run even if I tried,” the captain said, taking a deep breath before standing up.

He pulled a small notebook from his sleeve and stepped forward.

“My lord.” The captain looked at Di Wu Ya and continued, “I only just discovered that ten days ago, a ship from the Feng Clan arrived.”

“It was apparently carrying officials who’d come to purchase spices. Since they didn’t deal directly with the local officials, I hadn’t been able to find this out earlier.”

“These past days, our brothers have all been dispatched to search for Prince Ye.”

“Many places in Qiangu Prefecture don’t even have city walls, and I worried Prince Ye might have been taken by water, so I focused most of my attention on a few key docks.”

“What I hadn’t expected was that beyond this country’s few major docks, there are also some unofficial, unnamed ones.”

“This is a dock called Dawan, privately built by the Wu Family.”

The captain handed the notebook to Yu Jingfeng.

“My lord, this is the Wu Family’s guest registry for this month. The Wu Family specializes in producing spices and is quite renowned throughout Qiangu Prefecture.”

“According to Master Wu of the Wu Family, three months ago he received a letter from the Feng Clan, saying they wished to come in person to purchase his spices.”

“To avoid taxation, Master Wu secretly received the Feng Clan envoys at his own private dock.”

“According to Master Wu, the Feng Clan’s ship stayed for a day and a night before leaving — and the night it departed happened to be the very night Prince Ye went missing.”

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er, Prince Ye was originally from the Feng Clan, and the timing lines up as well. This subordinate believes it’s highly likely Prince Ye was taken by someone from the Feng Clan.”

Yu Jingfeng read through the notebook carefully, then turned to look at Di Wu Ya.

“My lord, shouldn’t we go pay this Wu Family a visit?”

“Good.” Di Wu Ya nodded and waved a hand. “Go make the arrangements now.”

“Yes.” Yu Jingfeng cupped his hands in salute, then turned to look at everyone.

Those kneeling all stood up, and everyone followed Yu Jingfeng as he turned to leave.

Only Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er remained on the grass.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, in truth, the person I suspect too is Feng Qiongcang.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Di Wu Ya, her crescent brows tightly knit.

“He can’t catch me, so he’s taken my father to use against me instead.”

“Feng Qiongcang isn’t a true child of the Feng Clan. His claim to the throne is illegitimate — otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths back then to capture me.”

Di Wu Ya gazed at Feng Jiu’er with doting affection, saying nothing.

Feng Jiu’er, recalling what he’d said earlier, let her furrowed brow ease slightly.

“What I mean is, if it’s confirmed that my father was taken back to the Feng Clan, then I won’t be leaving that throne for Feng Qiongcang either.”

“Tell me — whatever decision I make, will you stay by my side no matter what? Will you go back on your word?”