Feng Jiu’er felt a dull ache behind her eyes. There was less than one incense stick’s worth of time before the Grandmaster was to assemble everyone.

How was it that visitors kept coming to this courtyard one after another, with no end in sight?

“The Ninth Imperial Uncle left in such haste for the border city — what exactly has happened? Why have none of my people been able to intercept any intelligence about his departure from the city? What route did the Ninth Imperial Uncle actually take?”

Zhan Yuheng had arrived covered in dust, clearly having made a hurried journey back from somewhere.

Feng Jiu’er met his gaze, her manner composed. “Do you honestly think I would know where the Ninth Prince is?”

“Jiu’er, now is not the time for tantrums. The people of Tianzun Sect and Night Underworld Palace have been active in the imperial city lately. If they intend to strike at the imperial family, the Ninth Imperial Uncle would be their primary target.”

Zhan Yuheng’s expression was grave. “Jiu’er, the Ninth Imperial Uncle did not bring a large army with him. I am afraid he may be in danger.”

“The Ninth Prince is exceptionally skilled in martial arts — how could he be in danger?” Feng Jiu’er replied with calm composure.

From her small, resolute face, not a trace of anxiety could be detected.

Tianzun Sect’s people would not dare touch the Ninth Imperial Uncle — of that she was certain. But what kind of existence was Night Underworld Palace?

Could it be that the ones who had destroyed her meridians and attacked the Ninth Imperial Uncle that day were people from Night Underworld Palace?

With martial arts of such terrifying caliber, even if it was not the Palace Master, it was likely at least the Vice Palace Master or a Young Palace Master of some rank.

If they were set on targeting the Ninth Imperial Uncle along the way, then he was indeed in very real danger.

Even so, Feng Jiu’er had never once entertained the possibility that the Ninth Imperial Uncle might already be gone. It was simply impossible.

Even without a single piece of news, Jiu’er remained firmly convinced that the Ninth Imperial Uncle was still alive.

As long as he was alive, Yu Jingfeng would certainly bring him to the Southern Wilderness — and what she needed to do now was ensure his safe passage.

Zhan Yuheng clearly realized that he would get nothing further out of Feng Jiu’er.

This girl was simply that stubborn. If she did not wish to say something, even holding a blade to her throat would not draw another word from her.

And if she did speak, it would only be the sort of nonsense that left one unable to tell whether she was playing the fool.

Since that was the case, what was the point in pressing further? He had no desire to hear insincere words from her lips again.

His gaze drifted to her appearance today — a form-fitting black ensemble that gleamed. One could not deny that the silhouette was breathtaking beyond measure.

Were it not for the scar across her face, a Jiu’er like this would have been utterly and completely captivating.

Sensing that she was about to take her leave, he spoke first. “Jiu’er, I will handle the matter of your betrothal to Nanmen Xu. Do not worry about it.”

He had only learned of this not long ago, and he knew perfectly well who was behind it.

“I have never given it a second thought,” Jiu’er said — and she meant it. “Crown Prince, I have something very important I must attend to right now. Whatever you wish to say, perhaps it can wait for another time.”

She was calling him Crown Prince again. That night in the Golden Chrysanthemum Garden, she had called him Elder Brother Heng.

“Jiu’er…”

“Your Highness, I take my leave!” Jiu’er cupped her hands in a brief salute, stepped around him, and walked away.

What was she in such a hurry for? What could possibly be so important?

Moreover, her complexion was visibly pale — aside from the scar, the other half of her face had barely any color at all.

This girl looked as though she had only just recovered from a serious illness. With the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s whereabouts unknown, what on earth had happened to the two of them after they left the Yuyang Hall that day?

Zhan Yuheng hesitated only a moment before striding after Feng Jiu’er.

In the courtyard of the Dragon Martial Academy’s training tower ahead, fifty students had already been assembled.

When Feng Jiu’er stepped onto the raised platform, the people below fell into complete bewilderment. What nerve did this plain-faced, homely little girl have to set foot on that platform?