After no small amount of effort, Feng Jiu’er finally located the Military Academy at the part of the Academy closest to the rear mountain.

Looking around, the Military Academy was the largest of all the institutes, and also the most densely populated.

Being close to the rear mountain, most of the training exercises would likely take place there in the future.

The rear mountain’s peaks stretched on in an unbroken chain — truly the most ideal place for intensive training!

Feng Jiu’er’s heart leapt with delight, and she immediately made to walk inside.

A sharp clang rang out — two guards stationed at the entrance stepped forward, crossing their long spears to bar her path.

“What is the meaning of this?” Feng Jiu’er frowned, glaring at the two of them. “I’m also here to register.”

One of them said coldly: “Are you Ninth Miss Feng of the Feng Family?”

“Yes.”

“We apologize, but our institute has already reached capacity. Please go register at another institute.”

“Reached capacity?” She could clearly see that people had just walked in moments ago — and even right now… “Are they not also being allowed in?”

What did it mean to have reached capacity? Blocking only her while letting everyone else through — what was this supposed to mean?

“We are at capacity. Ninth Miss Feng, please leave.” Neither guard showed even the slightest intention of giving way — they simply would not let her in, no matter what.

Feng Jiu’er suddenly understood. This must have been Ninth Imperial Uncle’s doing.

That thoroughly wicked man — she had half-thought that his refusal to let her enter the Military Academy had been said offhandedly, and that he might well have forgotten about it by now.

She had not expected that he had actually issued an order: not a single step of hers was to cross the threshold of the Military Academy.

“I am here to register as well. Since the Military Academy has opened its doors to recruit, anyone has the right to participate in the selection process!”

Feng Jiu’er was stubborn by nature — the more people tried to stop her from doing something, the more she would insist on doing it.

Moreover, she was not being unreasonable right now — she genuinely wanted to join the Longwu Army and follow the troops onto the battlefield.

“This is the policy set by His Majesty himself. The Imperial Academy has always selected its students this way. Are you saying your authority outweighs that of His Majesty?”

“We would not dare!” The two guards’ expressions shifted the moment they heard “His Majesty.”

Yet still they barred her way, unwilling to yield: “Ninth Miss Feng, you are not suited for the Military Academy. The senior academic officers have already reviewed the matter — your name has been placed in the provisional queue. Please, Miss, look around at the other institutes.”

The two were not trying to make things difficult for her, nor was their manner in the least bit disrespectful — they were simply carrying out their orders.

Would Feng Jiu’er give up so easily? She said in a steady voice: “The Military Academy’s selection begins with a martial examination in the first round.”

“I have not yet participated in the martial examination, and yet you are telling me I have already been placed in the provisional queue. To dismiss the matter so perfunctorily, to act with such unfairness — this is the very definition of outward compliance with inward defiance.”

“Furthermore, the Imperial Academy is under royal authority — it was established by direct imperial edict, and His Majesty is its highest authority.”

“By deceiving His Majesty and barring someone who has not yet undergone any examination from entering — does that not count as deceiving the sovereign?”

“We would not dare!” Both guards’ expressions shifted dramatically once more. Deceiving the sovereign was a capital offense!

“If you would not dare, then stand aside.” Feng Jiu’er took a step forward.

Both men felt an involuntary pang of guilty conscience and retreated two steps — yet they still held their ground and blocked her.

The students entering the institute one after another turned to watch, eyeing Feng Jiu’er — barred at the gates, unable to enter — with varying degrees of mockery.

Someone this unsightly, and she actually wanted to blend in among the military ranks? Would she not damage their morale?

If the men caught sight of her and could not even finish their meals, where would they find the strength to go into battle?

The two guards grew increasingly flustered: “Ninth Miss, we are, in truth… also acting under orders. We ask that you… please do not make things difficult for us.” Just then, the sound of a horse approaching — someone rode forward, their voice low and authoritative: “Since she is also a student, she has the right to choose her institute. Stand aside!”