Feng Jiu’er finally understood the Empress’s intention.

Yet at the very moment she understood, the guards had already burst in.

These people required no actual preparation. Immediately after she had left that side chamber where she met the Empress, they had begun readying themselves.

They had not anticipated she would be dragged by Xiao Yingtao to the Juefeng Garden. However, since the Juefeng Garden housed only men, this only cemented the charges the Empress had laid upon her.

That nonsense about her luring the Ninth Imperial Uncle to a designated place, drugging him—it was all a ruse.

The Ninth Imperial Uncle must have left urgently today. From this perspective, the Ninth Imperial Uncle had likely already departed the city.

The Empress merely wished to use his absence to eliminate her! How venomous a woman!

The guards surrounded Mu Mu and Feng Jiu’er heavily. Among them were three female guards.

“Search Feng Jiu’er. See what she is carrying!” School Captain Zheng commanded loudly.

“Yes!” Two female guards responded, immediately approaching Feng Jiu’er.

Mu Mu’s palm gathered true qi. Yet Feng Jiu’er tugged at his garment, shaking her head: “Do not act rashly.”

“What? You still wish to resist?” School Captain Zheng roared. “Resist, and you will be killed on the spot!”

“You are not guards of the Longqi Army. You are clearly from the Imperial Guard Academy next door. Why do Imperial Guard Academy personnel come to the Longqi Academy? What are your intentions?”

Mu Mu saw through their uniforms at a glance. He had thoroughly familiarized himself with the various academies here before arriving.

School Captain Zheng sneered: “Why should the Longqi Army manage this? Fine, we have already sent word to notify your school captain. Huo Yan will be here shortly. There is no need to rush!”

Indeed, speak of Huo Yan, and Huo Yan came rushing urgently.

“What has transpired? School Captain Zheng, why are you here?” Huo Yan’s face showed surprise. His eyes swept across the dozen-plus guards encircling Mu Mu and Feng Jiu’er.

“Guards from our Imperial Guard Academy spotted prohibited items on Feng Jiu’er’s person. Knowing her intentions were improper, I came to apprehend her,” School Captain Zheng declared loudly.

Huo Yan’s expression darkened: “Even if we were to apprehend someone, the Longqi Army would handle it ourselves. Why need the Imperial Guard Academy to act?”

“I feared the Longqi Army might cover for the offender. Of course, I still trust you, School Captain Huo. Then might I trouble your people to conduct a search and see what exactly Feng Jiu’er carries on her person.”

Everyone’s gaze suddenly fell upon Jiu’er.

Mu Mu looked down at her: “Jiu’er…”

Feng Jiu’er said nothing. Huo Yan immediately said: “Let several female trainees come over.”

“That will not be necessary,” Feng Jiu’er stepped forward, standing before everyone.

That packet of potion the Empress had given her was nearly the size of a woman’s fist. A body search could not fail to find it.

Since that was the case, why bother having others conduct the search?

She withdrew that packet of potion from her satchel and handed it over: “Is this not what you are seeking?”

Huo Yan personally approached and took the packet from Feng Jiu’er’s hand. He smelled it, yet could detect nothing amiss.

“School Captain Huo, regarding pharmaceuticals, neither you nor I are expert. Why not send this to a medicine shop and have the physician examine what exactly it is? Would that be acceptable?”

Huo Yan looked at Feng Jiu’er, then at the packet in his hand. Finally, he turned around, saying gravely: “Take it away!” “Wait a moment!” Mu Mu stepped forward. Looking at Huo Yan, who had turned back, he said calmly: “This packet of potion is not Jiu’er’s. It was I who placed it in her satchel without her knowledge.”