That question from Lady Jing Consort left Zhan Luori with no answer — so she simply chose not to respond at all.

Lady Jing Consort of course knew her daughter’s temperament — and it was precisely because of that temperament that her heart ached all the more.

“Ri’er, can you not find even a little more patience, even when facing your own mother?” The pain in her voice was real. How had she raised a child who was so cold even toward her?

Zhan Luori did not seem to find anything wrong with her own behavior. She never thought too deeply about questions like this.

But seeing that her mother’s mood was genuinely troubled, she offered gently: “Mother Consort’s lesson is taken to heart. Your daughter will strive to be more patient.”

“…” Lady Jing Consort had the feeling of crying out to the heavens in speechless exasperation. This child’s greatest virtue was that she never liked to dwell on grievances.

Yet that same dislike for dwelling on things was also her greatest flaw — because her indifference, her breezy disregard, could so often drive one to utter exasperation!

She drew a deep breath, forced herself once again to calm down, and said firmly: “Regardless of anything else, come back to the palace with your mother now.”

The Seventh Princess had never been one to refuse Lady Jing Consort’s requests — yet no one could have anticipated that this time, she truly did refuse.

“Mother Consort, your daughter would like to stay at Mingyue Court for the next few days. Your daughter finds it quite comfortable here.”

“What? You intend to keep staying here? With a young woman? You know perfectly well that you…”

Lady Jing Consort stopped herself abruptly. Looking again at Zhan Luori, she became suddenly anxious: “Ri’er, tell your mother what you mean by this. Do you simply enjoy living here? Or is it that you have grown fond of the girl you are sharing quarters with — Feng Jiu’er?”

That name… “Surely she is not the young woman your Crown Prince elder brother had not yet formally wed?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has already withdrawn from the betrothal. Jiu’er carries no engagement at present.”

Zhan Luori’s gaze was as clear and still as spring water, her heart seemingly without a single trace of impurity.

Her voice remained as level as ever, no different from how it always was: “Jiu’er is a good girl, truly. Your daughter very much enjoys having her as a friend.”

The Seventh Princess had lived all these years accustomed to being entirely alone. She had never been particularly close with any of the princes or princesses at court, and the person she spent the most time with was her Ninth Imperial Uncle.

But the Ninth Imperial Uncle had been away at war for many years, and their time together was scarce. Apart from him, there was truly no one she was willing to draw near.

Even Lady Jing Consort, her own birth mother, received only the occasional morning greeting, the odd visit to talk for a while, or a walk through the garden to admire the flowers.

As for confiding in anyone — that was simply out of the question.

The Seventh Princess had not a single friend in the world. From the time she was small, Lady Jing Consort had taught her that the hearts of people in the palace were treacherous, and that careless words brought ruin. Over time, the Seventh Princess had grown to dislike the company of others entirely.

Throughout her entire childhood and beyond, only Hong Ying had been given the chance to be at her side — and even then, the Seventh Princess and Hong Ying did not talk much, let alone confide in each other.

And yet now, she had spoken with her own lips of a wish to befriend someone.

Lady Jing Consort could not quite say what she was feeling — should she be happy, or should she be anxious?

“Why do you find her good? A girl who has been jilted by your Crown Prince elder brother — being seen in her company will only invite gossip.”

But Zhan Luori said: “Jiu’er’s character is not bad. She can be a little playful and willful at times, but she is naturally gifted and bright — she is a good girl.”

“Naturally gifted and bright?” The more exceptional the mind, the deeper the schemes might run!

Lady Jing Consort was still not in agreement: “You are, after all, not an ordinary person. How can you simply share quarters with a young woman? Furthermore, you are part of the Forbidden Army Academy — what are you doing in the Dragon Martial Academy’s territory?”

“Your daughter is also just an ordinary person. Why should ordinary people not live together with others? Besides, your daughter has no more desire to remain in the Forbidden Army Academy. The Dragon Martial Academy suits me well.”

“Absolutely not!” On every other matter, Lady Jing Consort had not a single objection — but this one.

“Mother Consort, why must your daughter stay in the Forbidden Army Academy?” Zhan Luori’s brow furrowed, in genuine puzzlement, or perhaps in disagreement.

“That is none of your concern. The point is, you must remain in the Forbidden Army Academy — this is the only request your mother has ever made of you.”

On this point, Lady Jing Consort was unusually firm. She was, by nature, a gentle and accommodating person — never before had she held to anything with this kind of unyielding resolve.

Zhan Luori only looked at her in silence. Lady Jing Consort knew this child’s stubbornness was bone-deep — but on this matter, she could not, no matter what, let her have her way.

“Listen to your mother. You must not leave the Forbidden Army Academy. As for everything else…”

She turned it over carefully, and finally let out a quiet sigh: “If you wish to stay here, your mother will not force you back to the palace. As for this Feng Jiu’er…”

She still felt the difficulty keenly. A girl who had been jilted by the Crown Prince — sharing quarters with her would surely invite talk.

All she wanted was for Zhan Luori to live out her days in peace and quiet, away from all the storm and strife. As long as she could live her days in calm — that would be enough.

“Jiu’er is a very good girl.” Zhan Luori seemed not to understand her mother’s thoughts at all, holding firmly to her own wishes: “Your daughter and she live together very well.”

“You… you know full well what you are… you…”

Lady Jing Consort grew a little flustered. There were things that simply could not, no matter what, be spoken aloud — but what on earth did Ri’er mean by all this?

That girl Feng Jiu’er — just what was so remarkable about her? Could it be that the tales circulating out there were false, and she was not in fact an irredeemably ugly, witless, foolish madwoman?

The truth was that very few people had seen Feng Jiu’er’s real face. The rumors that continued to circulate out in the world still painted Feng Jiu’er as that homely, slow-witted Ninth Miss.

Lady Jing Consort truly could not understand — what kind of young woman was she, that her Ri’er could find her likable?

“Ri’er, you may stay here — but allow your mother to arrange things differently, would you?”

“Is it because Hong Ying was injured these past couple of days and cannot attend to you, and you are looking for another young woman to fill her place? If that is the case, your mother can ask Xun Yu to remain at your side. Would that be acceptable?”

Xun Yu was the small palace maid who had followed Lady Jing Consort for years — one of the very few people Lady Jing Consort truly trusted. To have anyone else attend to Zhan Luori was simply something she could not be at ease with.

But Zhan Luori said: “Mother Consort need not trouble herself. Your daughter can take care of herself. Your daughter lives with Feng Jiu’er perfectly well as things are — your daughter does not care for anyone else.”

Lady Jing Consort felt her heart give a sudden lurch, and her expression turned peculiar at once.

But seeing how stubborn her child was about this, even with so many words pressing at the back of her throat, none of them could find their way out.

Seeing that Lady Jing Consort had nothing more to say, Zhan Luori spoke: “Mother Consort, whether it is the Forbidden Army Academy or the Dragon Martial Academy, daily training is still ongoing. If Mother Consort has no special instructions, your daughter will take her leave first.”

Lady Jing Consort had no choice but to relent: “You are not to leave the Dragon Martial Academy.”

Zhan Luori’s expression remained unchanged. She replied evenly: “Since Mother Consort is not pleased, your daughter will continue to stay in the Forbidden Army Academy as before.”

A small nod served as her bow in departure, and Zhan Luori turned and walked away.

Lady Jing Consort stepped outside. Her small palace maid, Xun Yu, immediately came to her side and murmured a few words in her ear.

Lady Jing Consort’s expression grew even worse. This Feng Jiu’er — not only were her ties with the Crown Prince still uncut, she was also apparently on terms of great familiarity with the Ninth Prince? What manner of young woman was this, exactly?