The group entered the room, and the moment Xiao Yingtao personally laid eyes on Mu Mu lying in the bed, all the giggles and easy smiles vanished in an instant.

Mu Mu’s face was very pale. He lay there still, his body wrapped in thick layers of bandages, his thin lips utterly drained of color.

The moment she saw Mu Mu like this, how could Xiao Yingtao think of anything or anyone else? Her heart and mind were wholly and entirely on him.

Seeing Mu Mu in this state, Xiao Yingtao felt a sharp stab of pain in her chest — so sharp she could barely breathe.

“He… how did he get injured this badly!” She walked over, yet dared not touch him. Not even a single touch.

Mu Mu did not like the closeness of young women — except for Jiu’er.

Except for Jiu’er… Xiao Yingtao turned to look at Feng Jiu’er walking over, and in that moment, a torrent of complicated feelings washed through her.

She had just witnessed with her own eyes the Ninth Prince speaking tender words to Jiu’er, had seen with her own eyes Jiu’er and the Ninth Prince together. But what about Mu Mu?

She had been teasing Jiu’er only moments ago, yet now her heart was already aching so badly she could scarcely breathe.

Mu Mu also cared deeply for Jiu’er! How had she managed to forget that?

Mu Mu cared so much for Jiu’er, yet Jiu’er was with the Ninth Prince — what was Mu Mu to do?

Mu Mu was already in such a terrible condition, already pitiful enough as it was. When he woke in the future and discovered the relationship between Jiu’er and the Ninth Prince, would he not be even more wretched?

“His condition is still not very promising at the moment, though it has improved somewhat. Help get things in order — we are departing shortly.”

“Jiu’er, it would be best to wait a little longer. I am still waiting for news from Nanmeng Rong.” Qiao Mu also walked over and said softly, “I trust him — there will be good news.”

“Nanmeng Rong?”

“Mm.”

Feng Jiu’er said nothing more. By now, she too was willing to trust Nanmeng Rong. If possible, before leaving the city, she also wished to see that stubborn and foolishly devoted man one last time.

Before long, Long Eleven’s people arrived, bringing word back — Nanmeng Rong had indeed made all the arrangements on his end.

Initially, Ye Luosha had been reluctant to accept Nanmeng Rong’s arrangements, as she had her own method of leaving the city. However, at this moment, the eyes of all parties were fixed squarely on the Ye Ming Palace and the Heavenly Venerate Sect. Their brothers outside were naturally the primary targets of close scrutiny by the Imperial Guards.

Under these circumstances, if there were civilian forces capable of helping them leave the city, that would naturally be preferable.

The forces Nanmeng Rong had mustered came from among ordinary civilians.

In the end, she deferred to Feng Jiu’er.

Jiu’er and Elder Shi together, with utmost care, transferred Mu Mu onto a carriage. In a moment, Ye Luosha, Elder Shi, Emperor Ji, and Qiao Mu would all jointly escort this carriage to the top of the cliff.

Yet as they set out, Xiao Yingtao looked at the carriage, her heart still heavy with distress.

She truly didn’t know how Mu Mu would come to terms with everything when he woke and discovered that Jiu’er and the Ninth Prince were together.

“What is it? Heartbroken?” Qiao Mu gave her a light nudge. “We need to travel now — even if you are heartbroken, you still have to get moving.”

“Heartbroken? Is that another one of Jiu’er’s new words?” Xiao Yingtao could not muster a single trace of cheer.

Qiao Mu did not answer. She only gazed toward the cliff face, and her expression gradually grew still and thoughtful.

She let out a quiet sigh. “I am heartbroken too. He is so perfect, so exceptional — only Jiu’er is worthy of him. But what does heartbreak matter? As long as he is well, then all is well.”

A Ninth Prince so perfect — he was truly not someone she could ever aspire to.

That sincere and faithful devotion he had for Jiu’er — how could it not move a person’s heart? Even knowing clearly that his affections belonged to another woman, a Ninth Prince like that truly moved her deeply, so very deeply.

But Qiao Mu had already let go of many things.

Since the Ninth Prince cared for Jiu’er, then all she could do was hope he and Jiu’er would be well together. When the Ninth Prince was happy, she too was happy.

When the Ninth Prince found happiness, she felt as though her own life was also complete.

What did it matter whether or not one attained what one desired? The most important thing was that the person truly deserved one’s affection, one’s devoted admiration.

And the Ninth Prince — he deserved it.

As long as he deserved it, then all was right.

“What is destined will come in time; what is not destined, do not seek by force.” Qiao Mu patted Xiao Yingtao on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Xiao Yingtao drew a deep breath, let it out slowly, and finally managed to gather herself and keep pace with everyone.

Let all things take their natural course. As for what lay in the future — why trouble oneself over it now?

Even if one had to worry, better to wait until something actually happened. At the very least, better to wait until Mu Mu woke, wasn’t it?

Only after a signal flare appeared atop the cliff did the group make their ascent from the base.

After that, several carriages, entirely identical in appearance, departed in different directions. Combined with everyone dressed in uniform attire, at a casual glance, it was simply impossible to tell which carriage Mu Mu was actually in.

After they cleared this stretch of hills, Nanmeng Rong had yet more carriages waiting. He employed the same method as before — identical carriages heading in different directions, racing away at full speed.

Though it was the most clumsy and primitive of methods, it was precisely this kind of method that was most effective at confusing an enemy’s eyes and attention.

Whether or not enemies were lurking in the shadows to spy, at least every measure of confusion was a measure well taken.

Before they had even left the city, Xing Zizhou came hurrying from the front.

“The Ninth Prince’s whereabouts have been spotted outside the city. As of now, the majority of forces have gone in pursuit of the Ninth Prince.”

“Was it the Ninth Imperial Uncle who deliberately let that information slip?” Jiu’er had actually anticipated this long ago — the Ninth Imperial Uncle would certainly do something like this.

Only in this way would everyone’s attention be drawn toward the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s side, diverting it away from their own party.

The Ninth Imperial Uncle had more than enough confidence in himself, and was untroubled by the forces keeping watch on him. As for their own group — with Mu Mu suffering such severe wounds, there was indeed a genuine need for a little more care and coverage.

“Let us go. Nanmeng Rong has arranged a waterway — it is far better than leaving through the city gates. I will lead you there.”

Xing Zizhou did not linger on elaboration. What the Ninth Prince intended, they all understood.

Even if some enemies also saw through the Ninth Prince’s strategy, so long as the Ninth Prince truly appeared, their objective was nothing more than the Ninth Prince himself.

As for what — or whom — the Ninth Prince was actually trying to protect, that was of no importance to them.

In the end, it all came down to one thing: what mattered most, and always had, was the Ninth Prince himself.

The group changed direction and headed along the river route.

Several boats had long been moored in a concealed location. Ye Luosha and Elder Shi kept watch over Mu Mu, who lay sleeping in the cabin. Jiu’er asked Qiao Mu to follow along; Xiao Yingtao and Long Eleven took another boat.

The river flowed gently, yet the boats, under the control of their helmsmen, shot toward the opposite bank like arrows loosed from a bow.

Jiu’er found herself paying attention to the person steering their boat. His movements were skilled enough, though he appeared to be in somewhat poor condition — he looked as though… he bore injuries on his body?

She tilted her head and observed the helmsman for quite a while, then suddenly strode forward briskly and reached up to pull the broad-brimmed black hat from his head…