Token, I Will Shoulder It Even If You Beat Her to Death

Ninth Prince Manor may not have many staff, but every one of them is an elite—one person can do the work of several. The moment the Crown Prince and Prince Rowan’s rivalry began to spark, the butler of Ninth Prince Manor stepped forward and snuffed it out, respectfully ushering these two living gods—no, two walking disasters—into the estate.

Although Serena Feng arrived with the Crown Prince, it was obvious she had no intention of helping him. From the moment she stepped off the carriage, she acted like she was invisible, calmly standing off to the side. No matter how many hints the Crown Prince gave—overt or subtle—Serena had no intention of speaking up for him.

The Crown Prince was annoyed, but in Ninth Prince Manor, he couldn’t say much. Besides, Serena wasn’t his advisor or retainer—she had no obligation to help him.

The Crown Prince and Prince Rowan took seats on opposite sides, both wearing smiles that didn’t reach their eyes. Serena held her teacup, her gaze fixed on it, as if the green bamboo painted there might suddenly bloom.

The butler went in to announce their arrival. Soon, he came back to invite the Crown Prince and Prince Rowan inside—Ninth Royal Uncle had just woken up and wanted to see them. As for Serena, she wasn’t needed; Ninth Royal Uncle said he didn’t want to see her.

The Crown Prince’s smile froze. He hadn’t expected Ninth Royal Uncle to refuse to see Serena. Could it be that his illness really had something to do with her?

After all, Serena was the last person Ninth Royal Uncle saw before falling ill. The Crown Prince had insisted on bringing Serena along, partly to do her a favor—or perhaps to do Ninth Royal Uncle a favor.

If Serena had angered Ninth Royal Uncle yesterday, this would be a good chance to apologize. If not, then visiting the sick now might cheer him up.

Either way, the Crown Prince thought bringing Serena would please Ninth Royal Uncle. He never imagined that Nolan wouldn’t want to see her at all.

What exactly happened between Nolan and Serena? Had Serena fallen out of favor? If so, she’d soon be picked clean—down to the bone.

Serena Feng has made plenty of powerful enemies, and every one of them holds immense sway. The only people willing to protect her are William Wang Jinling and Ninth Royal Uncle.

Now William is away, and Ninth Royal Uncle refuses to shield her. Does Serena have any path left to survival?

Not to mention, Prince Rowan and Prince Terrence would be the first to go after Serena, along with the Su clan from Southlyn.

But if Serena really had lost Nolan’s favor, why would he repeatedly remind others to protect her?

The Crown Prince looked doubtful as he entered Nolan’s courtyard. Seeing Nolan in good spirits, he offered a few polite greetings. When Nolan didn’t seem displeased, the Crown Prince tried bringing up Serena’s recent duel.

Nolan just listened in silence. The Crown Prince, encouraged, mentioned what had happened to Serena in the palace, making it clear—between the lines—that she’d been bullied.

Prince Rowan sat off to the side, feeling deeply frustrated. The Crown Prince was acting more and more like a child, actually tattling right in front of everyone. Rowan felt utterly wronged—he wanted to explain, but feared he’d only make things worse and end up looking guilty.

Still, Rowan wasn’t the type to let others push him around. When the Crown Prince claimed Serena was bullied in the palace, Rowan snapped that it was the Crown Prince’s own incompetence—he couldn’t even protect her.

Nolan stayed silent, reclining on his couch and letting the Crown Prince and Rowan quarrel right in front of him. When they’d argued enough, Nolan finally lifted his eyelids and said, “I’m tired. Crown Prince, Rowan, you should both head back—no need to catch my illness.”

With that, Nolan closed his eyes, making it clear he didn’t want to hear another word.

The Crown Prince and Rowan exchanged glances. For once, the brothers were in sync—they knew Nolan was fed up and quietly withdrew.

On their way out, neither of them saw Serena. The Crown Prince asked about her, and the butler replied, "Ninth Prince Manor staff will escort Serena Feng home."

Only then did the Crown Prince smile. At least he’d done one thing right today—bringing Serena to Ninth Prince Manor.

It seemed that, even if Serena had angered Nolan, he still cared about her.

"Seventh Brother, as your elder, let me give you some advice: Serena is no longer the powerless orphan you used to mock. Before you try bullying her again, think about who stands behind her now." The Crown Prince left this warning and strode away, knowing full well it would reach Nolan’s ears soon enough.

"Thank you for the advice, Brother." Rowan replied respectfully, even though the Crown Prince couldn’t see it—he was really speaking for Nolan’s benefit.

Rowan cast a deep look back at Ninth Prince Manor before leaving, his fighting spirit undiminished.

No matter who stood behind Serena now, it didn’t change the fact that he and Serena were once engaged—or that she’d nearly become Nolan’s niece-in-law.

Even if Nolan killed every censor in the land, he couldn’t erase that history.

The Crown Prince was definitely overthinking it. As soon as he left, the butler invited Serena into the study. Nolan had already changed into fresh clothes and was waiting for her inside.

"Nolan." Serena looked at him standing in the shadows, imposing as ever. She wasn’t surprised at all—she’d known his illness was fishy from the start.

"I heard you were bullied in the palace?" Nolan turned, inspecting Serena from head to toe. Seeing she was unharmed, he finally nodded in satisfaction.

Serena stood in the light, where Nolan could see her every move—even her facial expressions. But she couldn’t see his face at all, much less the sickly pallor beneath.

Nolan really was sick!

"It wasn’t really bullying—just had to kneel a bit more than usual." Serena knew the Crown Prince would snitch, but she didn’t elaborate, especially about what happened alone with Rowan. She’d never breathe a word about that.

She didn’t know how deep Nolan’s feelings for her ran, but she understood he definitely cared—and treated her as his possession.

Most men are possessive, but Nolan was in a league of his own. If he ever found out she’d ended up tangled with Rowan, he might just chop her up in a rage.

"Kneel? Did you forget the authority token I gave you? With that token, no one but the Emperor can make you kneel." Nolan was displeased—extremely displeased that Serena always seemed to forget him whenever trouble came.

Uh... Serena froze. She really had forgotten. She reached up to touch the token hanging at her neck, and her fingers brushed the Soul-Jade Bead. Then she remembered—she still had another token from Lance Quinn hidden in her Smart Med-Pack.

She honestly had no idea how to use it.

This woman—sometimes so shrewd, sometimes hopelessly clueless. Just seeing Serena’s blank look, Nolan knew she’d forgotten.

Forget it. She’d suffered enough at the palace today; Nolan couldn’t bear to scold her further. He softened his tone: "Next time, remember—if you don’t want to kneel, just show the token. The authority token I gave you isn’t just a pendant."

"I’ll remember your advice, Nolan." Serena didn’t argue—she simply accepted it.

"Good. Just don’t make the same mistake again. If Princess Serenity bullies you again, hit her back. If you kill her, I’ll take the blame." Nolan’s voice was soft, but the threat beneath it sent a chill through Serena.

Uh... Princess Serenity was Nolan’s niece.

Right. She’d forgotten how ruthless the imperial clan could be. Serena made a mental note: if Nolan ever got tired of her, she’d end up worse off than Serenity—she didn’t even have a drop of royal blood.

For now, all she could do was accept Nolan’s protection. "I’ll remember."

With Nolan’s guarantee, if Princess Serenity came looking for trouble again, Serena would definitely fight back—but she wouldn’t go so far as to kill.

Killing a princess would be way too much trouble...