Feng Jiu’er had broken off the engagement in public, and on her own initiative, no less?
Although this marriage had always been meant to be called off — Zhan Qingcheng had his own plan to have the engagement annulled.
But Jiu’er had said before that she didn’t want him to use forceful methods to break it off; this matter, Jiu’er wanted to handle herself.
If it had been anyone else, the Ninth Prince naturally wouldn’t have listened to her opinion — whatever he wanted to do, under normal circumstances, he would simply go and handle it himself immediately.
But, precisely because it was Jiu’er, Zhan Qingcheng had still listened, not wanting to make things difficult for her.
Breaking off the engagement itself wasn’t surprising at all, but breaking it off under the current circumstances — that was indeed quite surprising.
Even Zhan Qingcheng furrowed his brow tightly, unable to make sense of it!
“Your Highness, today Miss Jiu’er came to the Imperial Academy together with His Highness the Crown Prince. This subordinate has already sent people to inquire about what happened last night, but there’s been no news back yet.”
He had gone to find Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao last night, but neither of them had said anything.
Long Shiyi knew clearly in his heart that Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao didn’t quite trust him either — whatever Jiu’er had told them not to say, the two of them hadn’t revealed a single word of it.
But Long Shiyi kept feeling that Jiu’er must have come back last night. Though he didn’t know why he was so certain of it, he just felt that Jiu’er had indeed come by.
As for why she appeared together with the Crown Prince today, the reason remained unknown. He was in a hurry to bring the news back to the Prince, so he hadn’t waited for word from the palace to come through either.
Looking back now, it was a good thing he’d come back in time — otherwise, the Prince might really have gone up there.
“Your Highness, no matter what, Miss Jiu’er is very safe for now. His Highness the Crown Prince has spoken with the academy’s dean, and has even sent people to protect Miss Jiu’er.”
Long Shiyi summarized the situation, picking out the key points: “Right now, Miss Jiu’er is absolutely safe. With the Crown Prince’s men protecting her, anyone with ill intentions shouldn’t be able to get close. It’s just that for Miss Jiu’er to come out now, I’m afraid… it won’t be easy.”
Everything has two sides — being protected also meant being watched. Even without Long Shiyi saying so, they all understood this point.
So for now, Feng Jiu’er couldn’t get away, and couldn’t come back for the time being. But, with Feng Jiu’er’s cleverness and wisdom, she would surely find a way.
“Your Highness, the situation up there really isn’t good right now. We’ve already coordinated with the brothers outside the city — the moment there’s an opportunity, we’ll leave the city immediately and return to Phoenix City.”
Without paying attention to the thoughtful looks on Elder Shi and Ye Luocha’s faces, Long Shiyi continued: “Your Highness, now even His Majesty has issued an edict to seal off the Ninth Prince’s residence. You shouldn’t stay in this imperial capital any longer.”
Zhan Qingcheng said nothing, only gazing up toward the top of the cliff.
Long Yi thought for a moment, then added: “When Miss Jiu’er broke off the engagement publicly, she also said some strange things.”
“What did she say?”
“Miss Jiu’er breaking off the engagement in public was, in effect, publicly humiliating Nanmeng Xu. And yet, after breaking it off, she told Nanmeng Xu not to worry about her — that she had her own plans.”
A man who’d just been jilted — why would he still worry about the woman who had humiliated him?
Long Shiyi felt this was truly suspicious. “This subordinate thought about it again and again, and suddenly felt that these words were probably meant to be said to you, Your Highness, on purpose.”
Feng Jiu’er had never been one to draw attention to herself — why would she make such a big scene out of breaking off the engagement today? Long Shiyi only worked it out afterward.
She was hoping there would be one of their own people in the crowd, who could bring her message back.
Zhan Qingcheng said nothing, his expression as calm as still water, impossible for anyone to read what he was thinking.
It was just that whether he was willing to stay or not, no one could yet say — after all, the Prince could sometimes truly be… wild and willful.
That line of Miss Jiu’er’s — not to worry about her, that she would have a plan — could the Prince understand it?
Long Yi also said: “Your Highness, Miss Jiu’er cares about the bond of friendship between her and Mu Mu. If you leave now, and something happens to Mu Mu, I’m afraid…”
Though these words were not pleasant to hear, based on Long Yi’s understanding of Feng Jiu’er, unpleasant as they were, they were still the truth.
“If something happens to Mu Mu, I fear Miss Jiu’er will carry the regret in her heart forever, and when she’s with you, Your Highness, there will also be… a thorn in her heart.”
Zhan Qingcheng’s large hand clenched tightly. Elder Shi and Ye Luocha exchanged glances — there was nothing more they could do now either.
“Your Highness, this subordinate will continue to look for news of Miss Jiu’er. Your Highness, please wait a while longer. This subordinate will surely help Miss Jiu’er break free from those people’s entanglement and return here.”
“One day!”
Zhan Qingcheng gave a snort, then turned and walked toward the stone chamber.
“By this time tomorrow, if that girl hasn’t come back, this prince will go fetch her himself.”
He walked away, his cold, solitary figure so proud and aloof!
One day! The Prince’s patience was truly limited — one day was already no small concession for him.
It was just that one day — that timeframe was indeed very tight.
“Your Highness, then, this subordinate will take leave now.” Long Shiyi bowed respectfully toward the Prince’s retreating figure.
Shiyi was the best in lightness skill among their Twelve Flying Dragon Riders, which was why he was the one who came up and down this cliff personally, delivering the message himself.
Most importantly, no one knew how many eyes were watching them — if he hadn’t come in person, he feared others might be followed by ill-intentioned watchers.
“Brother, please wait a moment!” Elder Shi was still a little worried — although this fellow’s lightness skill did look impressive, one still had to guard against any mishap.
“What is it?” Shiyi paused his steps and turned to look at him.
“Please wait just a moment, I have something to give you, it’ll be quick!” Elder Shi, not daring to delay even a second, immediately hurried off toward the stone chamber.
Before long, he came hurrying back holding something in his hand — at his age, walking this hastily wasn’t easy either, his breathing had even grown a little unsteady.
“Elder, this…”
“This is disguise cream. You might find it useful. The green bottle — just smear it on your face, and it can change the color and tone of your skin. The red bottle ointment can change the texture of your skin.”
“I understand, thank you, Elder.” This item was certainly useful given the current circumstances, so Long Shiyi accepted it without any false modesty.
Taking it with both hands, Shiyi cupped his fists toward everyone: “I’ll be on my way now!”
With a turn, he immediately leapt up the cliff wall, and in the blink of an eye vanished from sight.
With only one day’s time, it truly was too rushed, so no one tried to hold Long Shiyi back as he left.
It was just that now that Feng Jiu’er’s whereabouts had been exposed, with the Crown Prince’s men watching her and countless unseen forces behind them paying attention too — to shake off everyone within just one day and return here, how could that possibly be easy?
But, when it came to the Ninth Prince’s words, no one dared to question him.
If he said one day, then it was one day. By this time tomorrow, if Feng Jiu’er still hadn’t returned, the Ninth Prince would certainly go to the Imperial Academy himself to bring her away.
As for whether they would return here afterward, or leave the capital directly and head for Phoenix City, no one knew.
Ye Luocha was filled with worry. Elder Shi said: “Palace Mistress, this subordinate will go up there personally and see if there’s anything I can help with.”