That night, Zhan Yuheng had gone to the Yuxiao Hall, and to his surprise, the moment he opened his mouth, his father had already agreed to his request.
The whole matter went so smoothly it was as if someone had already pleaded the case beforehand.
But no matter the reason, as long as things went smoothly, that was all that mattered.
So, at first light the next day, at Feng Jiu’er’s insistence, the two of them arrived at the Imperial Academy.
So early in the morning, the academy’s students had only just begun to stir.
Yet a sensational piece of news suddenly spread through the Main Military Courtyard — it was said Feng Jiu’er had come to break off her engagement, and the Crown Prince himself had accompanied her there.
The engagement between Feng Jiu’er and Nanmeng Xu had been common knowledge before. Later, after word spread that Feng Jiu’er’s face had healed and she had become a peerless beauty, even the Crown Prince was said to be utterly smitten with her.
Though they attended the same academy, no one could say for certain whether these rumors were true or false — rumors, after all, always remained just rumors.
But this time, it seemed entirely real — she truly had come to break off the engagement! Otherwise, why would the Crown Prince personally accompany her so early in the morning to summon Nanmeng Xu to the front courtyard of the Main Military Courtyard?
When Nanmeng Xu arrived, his feelings were complicated. Seeing Jiu’er and Zhan Yuheng sitting together, he gave it no further thought, simply stepping forward quickly and bowing to Zhan Yuheng. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“No need for formalities.” Zhan Yuheng waved a hand.
Nanmeng Xu said nothing more. Since the Crown Prince hadn’t dismissed him, he had no choice but to stand before them, his gaze landing on Feng Jiu’er’s face.
Jiu’er looked at him with no expression at all, giving no hint of anything, though her gaze held something complicated.
No one dared get too close, but the Crown Prince seemed to have no intention of chasing off the onlookers who’d gathered to eavesdrop — otherwise he would have driven them off long ago.
Besides, if this matter was meant to take place in the front courtyard of the Main Military Courtyard, wasn’t that precisely so everyone could see?
Otherwise, why not go inside the main hall of the martial arts building and discuss things slowly there?
It seemed the Crown Prince intended to make some kind of announcement — or perhaps, Feng Jiu’er intended to break off the engagement in front of everyone.
To be publicly jilted — for a man, that was like a blade cutting straight into him, a truly humiliating thing.
“Still, Feng Jiu’er is such a flower of a beauty — marrying her off to young master Xu, the least prestigious member of the Nanmeng house, really was a waste.”
“True enough. I heard young master Xu offended young master Jie before and got a thorough beating from General Nanmeng. His injuries still haven’t healed.”
“Someone who gets beaten and scolded so casually within his own family — what future could there possibly be marrying him?”
“So naturally the engagement should be broken, especially now that she’s caught the Crown Prince’s eye. Compared to the two, even being just a concubine to His Highness would be better than marrying Nanmeng Xu.”
“If it were me, I’d break the engagement too!”
With Zhan Yuheng present, no one dared speak loudly, but those involved could still faintly catch some of the murmurs.
Nanmeng Xu’s expression remained blank. He simply watched Jiu’er quietly before turning his gaze to Zhan Yuheng. “Your Highness summoned me so urgently — may I ask what you require?”
Zhan Yuheng said nothing, only glancing toward Qingyun.
Qingyun stepped forward, unrolled the imperial decree he held, and announced loudly, “Nanmeng Xu, receive the decree.”
So it really was about breaking off the engagement! And this time, it was even the Crown Prince’s own personal guard delivering the decree — not even a senior eunuch was needed!
Wasn’t this clearly the Crown Prince stealing another man’s intended, snatching Nanmeng Xu’s woman right out from under him?
But on a matter like this, no one dared say too much.
Nanmeng Xu knelt, saying nothing at all.
It was indeed a decree dissolving the engagement. The Emperor’s words stated that Nanmeng Xu had repeatedly committed wrongdoings, even once harming his own brother, and was not a man fit to be entrusted with a lifetime — therefore, the engagement between him and the ninth young lady of the Feng family was rescinded.
From this point forward, the two parties were free to marry whomever they wished, with no further connection between them!
So it was being framed as a matter of Nanmeng Xu’s poor character that the engagement was being broken!
Though invisible, this slap landed on Nanmeng Xu’s face with crushing weight, as raw and bloody as if it were real.
A man treated this way — likely no noble family’s daughter would ever be willing to marry him in the future!
Even Feng Jiu’er hadn’t expected the decree Emperor Qiwen had ordered drafted would paint Nanmeng Xu in such an unflattering light. But now, she too found herself unable to back out, utterly powerless to change course.
What was remarkable was that after hearing the decree, Nanmeng Xu remained composed, accepting it with both hands.
Only his face — already somewhat pale from his recent travels and exhaustion under the sun, leaving his complexion a healthy tan — turned faintly paler still.
Feng Jiu’er felt a pang of reluctance. In truth, this engagement absolutely needed to end, but she had never intended for it to happen in such a cruel way, dragging him through the mud like this.
This breakup would surely spread at lightning speed; likely within half a day, the entire imperial city would know that young master Xu had been jilted by Feng Jiu’er in such a humiliating fashion.
Though spreading the news had been her intention, she truly hadn’t expected it to unfold quite like this.
But no matter what, today’s matter had to proceed.
Feng Jiu’er watched Nanmeng Xu rise to his feet, the decree held in both hands, his face pale, and said flatly, “Whatever happened between us in the past, consider it wiped clean. I’m doing well now, and you needn’t worry about me — I know how to walk my own path going forward.”
These words sounded rather strange, especially right after having dealt such a brutal blow to his pride.
Yet Feng Jiu’er didn’t seem to think anything was amiss, continuing, “Don’t worry about me. I have my own plans.”
Nanmeng Xu looked at her, still saying nothing.
A few people in the crowd, after watching the entire exchange, quietly slipped away.
But most of those present, looking at Feng Jiu’er now, still found her words rather unbelievable.
To initiate the breakup herself, then tell the person she’d jilted not to worry about her — was that really appropriate? Wasn’t that a bit presumptuous?
Having been wounded so deeply in his pride, Nanmeng Xu probably hated her enough to want to flay her skin and drink her blood — how could he possibly still worry about her?
Sure enough, Nanmeng Xu said flatly, “Very well. I won’t worry about you. Take care of yourself.”
He turned and walked away.
Jiu’er watched his retreating figure, not a ripple showing in her eyes.
Once he’d left, she finally turned to Zhan Yuheng. “Your Highness, may I now return to the academy and resume my peaceful life as before?”
Zhan Yuheng had originally wanted to suggest she follow him back to the palace, but she had said the night before that, having just broken off her engagement with Nanmeng Xu, being with him right away would drown her in gossip.
“Very well. I’ll come find you later.” He waved a hand, and a group of people immediately approached.
This group, at a glance, were clearly all highly trained experts.
Feng Jiu’er understood perfectly well that Zhan Yuheng wasn’t foolish — he still didn’t fully trust her.
Though he was letting her stay at the academy, he had no intention of leaving her unwatched. He must be worried she’d run off, wasn’t he?
“They’ll protect you at all times. Whatever you need, just ask them,” Zhan Yuheng said.
Jiu’er nodded. “All right.”