Now that the informant was from the Imperial Guards Court, this matter could no longer be considered solely the affair of the Longwu Court.

“It was I who placed the medicine inside. This has nothing to do with her. You may take me into custody and question me.” Mu Mu said in a cool voice.

“Mu Mu!” Several voices called out at once, all eyes snapping toward him.

Xiao Yingtao, Xing Zizou, and the others naturally knew that just moments ago, Mu Mu had not touched Jiu’er’s bag at all.

But to say that Jiu’er was that kind of person — that they did not believe either!

Even if they had not spent long together, they trusted Jiu’er’s character!

This had to be a setup. Only — Jiu’er had only arrived a few days ago. Who would frame her?

“Very well then. Take them both to the dungeon. This aide-officer and Aide-Officer Huo will conduct the questioning personally!”

Aide-Officer Zheng was in excellent spirits. He did not even take to heart Feng Jiu’er’s earlier remark about his lack of manners.

“Aide-Officer Zheng, would it not be better to first report this matter to the Academy Master…”

“Such a trivial little matter — can an aide-officer not handle it himself? Are you not afraid the Academy Master would laugh at you?”

Aide-Officer Zheng gave a cold snort. “If Aide-Officer Huo feels he cannot handle it, then this aide-officer will handle it himself!”

He pointed at Mu Mu and Feng Jiu’er and said in a stern voice, “Take them away!”

“Hold on!” These people were from his Longwu Army — there was no way Huo Yan could allow Aide-Officer Zheng to drag them to the Imperial Guards Court dungeon.

He looked at Mu Mu, brow tightly furrowed, and asked once more, “Did you truly place that medicine inside? Think carefully. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

“Mu Mu, the medicine was placed inside by me. What has nothing to do with you — do not take it upon yourself.” Feng Jiu’er also looked at him, unwilling to drag him into this. “Rest assured. Nothing will happen to me.”

The Ninth Imperial Uncle was away right now. The Empress was likely eager to eliminate her as quickly as possible.

If Mu Mu were dragged into this as well, things would become far more difficult to manage. This truly could implicate him!

What if the Ninth Imperial Uncle could not return in time…

“The medicine was placed by me. A person should answer for their own actions — why make things difficult for a young girl?”

Mu Mu fixed Aide-Officer Zheng with a stare, the cold intensity in his eyes more than sufficient to freeze the blood in his veins.

“Within the Zhengwu Court, those who recklessly take lives — at the rank of aide-officer — shall, in the lighter punishment, be barred from military service for life and receive one hundred strokes of the rod. In the heavier punishment, those who deliberately scheme to take lives shall be sentenced to death by beheading!”

Aide-Officer Zheng was rattled by the righteous authority in his voice to the point that his breath became unsteady and his footing nearly gave way.

But he quickly forced himself to calm down, and snapped furiously, “This aide-officer is merely conducting a lawful investigation! Men — to the dungeon!”

Four guards surged forward at once. Feng Jiu’er said coldly, “I will walk on my own. Do not touch me!”

The two guards approaching her were actually stopped short by her demeanor, exchanging uncertain glances with each other.

“Fine — let her walk herself!” Aide-Officer Zheng laughed coldly. With so many of them present, she would not dare try anything.

Besides, if this girl dared to flee, her fate for the rest of her life would be sealed.

Feng Jiu’er glanced sideways at Xiao Yingtao, and in a moment when no one was watching, mouthed silently: Ninth Prince.

Xiao Yingtao froze. She had read the lip movement clearly enough — but the Ninth Prince?

Was Jiu’er asking her to go notify the Ninth Prince? But the Ninth Prince was lofty and high above — would he really concern himself with matters like these?

For something of this scale, two aide-officers were more than sufficient to handle it. They had not even been willing to disturb the Academy Master, let alone the Ninth Prince, who held supreme authority within the Zhengwu Court.

And yet — she was absolutely certain she had read it correctly. The shape of Jiu’er’s lips just now had unmistakably said: Ninth Prince!

So as not to arouse suspicion, Feng Jiu’er did not look at Xiao Yingtao again. She merely glanced at Mu Mu. Mu Mu gave a slight nod, and together with her, followed Aide-Officer Zheng and Huo Yan out of the room.