Feng Qiongcang gazed at the empty palace doorway and asked with a calm voice: “Test what?”

This young man named Jian Yi was indeed a formidable expert.

His inner energy was not at the absolute pinnacle, but the tendons in his right wrist were powerful and forceful — he was unquestionably a master swordsman.

What was more, his lightness technique was extraordinary. Every person he had dispatched after him had failed to keep up.

Even with Jiu’er at his side, he had shaken off all his men effortlessly, leaving them far behind.

Such a talent, and entirely without guile — if he remained at Jiu’er’s side, he could, in time, be brought under his employ.

Han Ying bowed his head and said: “Since Your Majesty does not see the need to test him, then I shall withdraw my excess words. However, Your Majesty, those people who accompanied him…”

“They harbor no ill will toward the Feng Clan. They came here solely for Jiu’er’s sake, nothing more.”

Anyone whom even the Fourth Imperial Prince could not kill was undoubtedly the finest among the finest.

Feng Qiongcang was at a point where he valued talent above all else. If these people could be brought under his employ, each one of them would be an enormous asset to him.

“Did Yanu not say that the most formidable among them is the Ninth Prince of Bei Mu?”

That particular person had yet to show himself.

“The men I dispatched have not located the hiding place of Bei Mu’s Ninth Prince.”

To conceal oneself so thoroughly — that too was a skill in its own right.

Feng Qiongcang was not angered. On the contrary, the corner of his lips curved: “No matter. Perhaps, before long, he will reveal himself of his own accord.”

“Then, as for this Jian Yi…”

“Keep him here.”

Han Ying gave a solemn nod: “Yes!”

Afterwards, he retreated behind the folding screen and vanished from sight in an instant.

Feng Qiongcang, as though nothing had transpired at all, calmly picked up the memorial again, took up his brush, and continued reading and annotating.

Along the long corridor outside the princess’s chambers, Jian Yi had been walking close beside Jiu’er the entire way.

“I already agreed — please don’t be angry, Jiu’er!” He did not even know what she was upset about.

Trying to use his simple mind to figure out Feng Jiu’er’s thoughts was practically the death of him.

Of course, he stayed close at her heels regardless. Even if Jiu’er was angry, he would not let her go off on her own.

His only fear was that she would refuse to return to the princess’s chambers — for in this vast imperial palace, finding her again would be no easy task.

Behind them, a eunuch followed at a distance, seeming to want to approach them.

However, since Princess Jiu’er was in a temper, An’bao did not dare draw too close. He intended to wait until the princess had calmed down before saying anything.

“Jiu’er…”

At last, Feng Jiu’er stopped and turned to look at Jian Yi: “Can you so casually disregard words you yourself have spoken?”

“I truly cannot remem—”

“You refuse to admit it?” Feng Jiu’er’s expression darkened, and she appeared on the verge of walking away again.

It was rare for her to be willing to talk to him. How could Jian Yi dare say anything reckless now?

He had no choice but to go along with what she wanted, and hurried to say: “I admit it! Whatever you say, I admit it. From now on, I will stay by your side.”

Jiu’er inwardly let out a quiet sigh. This fellow was truly so foolish that one couldn’t help but feel fond of him.

Still, given the circumstances, if he were not genuinely this guileless, he would never have been able to fool her Imperial Father.

“You truly admit it? You won’t break your promise again?” Jiu’er pursed her little lips.

“I will keep my promise!” No matter what he might have said in the past, in this moment, he had agreed.

The same thought as before — he had no particular destination in mind for the future anyway.

Their days spent together were not unpleasant. If she wanted him to stay by her side, then in the future, he would simply return to the Hall of Heavenly Secrets with her.

Life at the Hall of Heavenly Secrets was a happy one.

Jiu’er seemed reasonably satisfied with his answer, and the tautness in her expression finally eased.

“Very well, then. Come back with me to the princess’s chambers now, and from here on, you shall stay there.”

“Jiu’er…” What did she mean, stay in the princess’s chambers? Were they not supposed to go out tonight?

But now that they had crossed paths with the Feng Clan’s emperor, slipping away quietly with Jiu’er would no doubt prove difficult.

Furthermore, even if they managed to leave, it would easily expose where everyone else was hiding.

So spending tonight in the princess’s chambers was quite understandable.

Reading people’s intentions was not something Jian Yi was good at, but that did not mean he lacked his own capacity for judgment.

The one thing that still troubled him was — did Jiu’er truly mean for him to enter the selection and become her consort?

If the Ninth Prince were to find out about this, would he not fly into a rage?

He had no intention of competing against Zhan Qingcheng for a woman. And above all, Jiu’er had always been Zhan Qingcheng’s — that was a secret everyone knew.

While Jian Yi stood there in a daze, Feng Jiu’er’s gaze passed over him and landed on An’bao behind them.

She seemed to notice him only now, and asked in puzzlement: “An’bao, were you looking for me?”

“Greetings to the Princess.” An’bao immediately walked over and bowed to her. “His Majesty has sent this servant to ask whether the princess requires anything to be prepared for Swordsman Jian Yi.”

“May I have Jian Yi stay in the princess’s chambers? He will be joining the selection in a couple of days anyway.” Jiu’er blinked, her face full of expectation.

An’bao nodded: “As the princess wishes.”

For an ordinary princess, this would naturally not be permissible — it would not be proper. But she would be the Feng Clan’s heir apparent, the future Empress — her treatment was naturally different from others.

Hearing this, Jiu’er was immediately delighted and hurriedly said: “Then please trouble yourself, An’bao, to send some clothing for Jian Yi. Oh, and make sure they are practical ones.”

“This servant understands! This servant will go and prepare for the young swordsman at once.”

“Also — Jian Yi’s sword. Have someone return it to him.”

“Yes.”

After An’bao departed, Jiu’er took Jian Yi’s hand and walked with him toward the princess’s chambers.

Jian Yi was still somewhat unaccustomed to this, but behind him, that pair of eyes had never stopped watching. Those eyes were like a venomous serpent — radiating a dark and malevolent aura.

And so he only hesitated for a brief moment before letting Jiu’er take his hand, following along beside her toward the princess’s chambers.

This imperial palace was full of formidable figures at every turn. He did not know what lay ahead. For now, all he could do was take things one step at a time.

“Don’t worry, my princess’s chambers are very large — spacious and comfortable, with a wonderful view. You will definitely like it there.”

“Oh, right — do you miss your friends? If you do, should we have them brought inside to stay in the princess’s chambers as well? Though Father will probably not allow it — too many people, too complicated. Father will worry it puts me in danger…”

As the two of them gradually moved further away, Han Ying stood atop a distant tree branch. Once their voices could no longer be heard, she shifted her footing and slipped silently into the shadows of the trees below.

Jian Yi would not be walking out of here. The moment he took a step outside, someone would immediately report back to her.

Of course, if he did truly leave, she would not mind following him as well — to see for herself whether this young swordsman’s lightness technique was truly as extraordinary as everyone claimed.

All the way there, Jiu’er held Jian Yi’s hand and pulled him with her. It was not until they entered the princess’s chambers — and even stepped inside the room — that she finally released him.

She turned and closed the door. With both arms folded across her chest, she fixed her gaze on his tall and finely built figure and grinned: “Quickly now — go and bathe and change. Tonight, I want you.”