Edge of the Blade, With or Without Ninth Royal Uncle I Am Here

In an instant, Victor Yun seemed injected with pure adrenaline. His whole being brimmed with fighting spirit, eyes burning with fervor as he grabbed Serena, urging her to explain in detail the Medical Academy and her future plans for opening clinics.

Serena had only meant to rope Victor Yun into her plans, but now she herself was swept up by the passion of these two men, her own energy surging.

Serena quickly converted the concepts of medical insurance and hospital systems into terms William and Victor could grasp, laying out her expectations.

William Wang Jinling and Victor Yun were truly outstanding among their generation. At first, they could only listen, but soon they began contributing ideas, patching up flaws in Serena's plan.

At that moment, the three of them were like fired-up young founders at the start of a venture—huddled together, talking nonstop, and oblivious to time or place.

Their conversation grew more animated, time slipping away unnoticed. Servants quietly refilled tea and changed lamps, but the three remained lost in discussion, swapping ideas, pooling resources, and each taking responsibility for their own part.

William brought influence and connections; Victor understood medicine and excelled at management; Serena knew how to run a hospital. Together, they formed a formidable trio.

No one knew that the clinics which would one day spread across the Nine Provinces Realm and benefit countless commoners all began with a single sentence from Serena.

Care for the Sick, Support for the Elderly. Serena spoke the words, but William and Victor would spend their lives making them real.

They talked late into the night, mouths dry but spirits high. Victor finished his tea in one gulp and laughed: "Today I finally understand what it means to truly live. My old life was bland—this is what living should be, this is my purpose. Even if my name doesn’t make the history books, it’ll be remembered for generations."

Victor Yun wasn’t exaggerating. If they succeeded, they’d change the course of history—leaving a bold, unforgettable mark in its pages.

William was more reserved, but the shine in his eyes betrayed his excitement.

He didn’t care about fame—he just wanted his life to matter. If his efforts could help ordinary people live better, he’d keep going no matter how hard it got.

From Serena’s words, William realized that to truly achieve 'Care for the Sick, Support for the Elderly' for all, the realm must be unified; otherwise, their efforts would be mere tinkering at the margins.

William’s gaze was steady as he looked into the distance. In that moment, he resolved: even if it’s only for the people’s sake, he’ll give everything to help Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan seize the realm.

Only if Nolan Dongling—Ninth Royal Uncle—claimed the throne could Serena’s plan be fully realized. Until then, all they could do was prepare.

"Serena, I’ll have Caleb pack up and head to Jiangnan with Victor," William said eagerly. Victor added, "I’ll go home, hand over the Young Clan’s authority, and get to Jiangnan as soon as I can."

They wanted to go all out, to help the common people as soon as possible.

"Don’t be so hasty—it’s not something you can do in two or three days." Serena couldn’t help but laugh at their excitement. She knew both men were ambitious, just bound by family, but she hadn’t expected them to be so fired up.

"You have to be ready for the long haul—maybe ten years, maybe twenty, maybe even a hundred before we succeed." Building a complete medical and elder-care system was no easy task.

Especially the people of this land—they never had this concept. It never occurred to them that the nation should do these things for them.

The rulers have always enforced a policy of keeping the people ignorant. Even now, commoners don’t realize they have always supported the Emperor, the army, and the noble elite—they are the true masters of the nation.

Serena remembered the blizzard disaster: when the Emperor refused relief, the refugees were not angry; when he finally offered aid, they were overwhelmed with gratitude. The memory stung her heart.

The treasury's silver belonged to the people from the start. In times of disaster, state relief is only right; the people have no need to thank the Emperor—they’re only reclaiming their own money. Why should they be grateful?

William and Victor nodded. They were not impatient opportunists; they had long been prepared. "Don’t worry, Serena. We can wait, and we won’t rush things. I was already planning to let go of the Young Clan—just didn’t know what I’d do after leaving. Now I have a goal; there’s no need to stay anymore."

William nodded as well. "Honestly, I’d rather do more for the people than serve as head of the Wang Clan. But right now, I can’t set the clan aside."

With the Wang Clan in hand, he had the greatest resources. Without them, many things would be out of reach.

"You two are truly noble men." Serena praised them sincerely. Compared to William and Victor, she felt almost mercenary.

William and Victor exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Serena, are you just complimenting yourself?"

Serena was the one who proposed all this—if anyone deserved to be called noble, it should be her.

"Alright, let’s stop complimenting each other. Outsiders would think we’re shameless," Serena said, laughing in embarrassment.

She meant she was selfish, but the two men would only think she was being modest.

William smiled gently, but then his expression stiffened. Serena’s words reminded him of his original purpose for coming. He straightened and asked, "Serena, what really happened with Princess Yara’s death? How did you get involved again?"

He’d been out visiting friends, and upon returning heard Serena had been summoned to the palace for questioning. If he hadn’t known she’d come home safely, he would’ve barged straight into the palace.

Serena grew frustrated at the mention. "Don’t bring it up. The Lyndarian Envoys discovered Princess Yara was murdered, not a suicide. The Emperor shoved me forward as the culprit. The Ministry of Justice tried to frame me with ironclad evidence—if they’d had enough proof, I’d be in prison right now."

"Accusing you of killing Princess Yara—what is the Emperor trying to do, has he lost his mind?" William’s eyes flashed cold, his whole presence radiating lethal intent.

The Grand Heir’s dominance was on full display!

Serena had seen this before, but it still startled her. She patted her chest and said, "The Emperor probably thinks that with Ninth Royal Uncle gone, I’m easy to bully."

William snorted. "The Emperor is growing more muddleheaded with age. Ninth Royal Uncle may be gone, but I’m still here. If he thinks I’ll just stand by and watch you get bullied, he’s dreaming."

William’s eyes flashed with disdain. "Don’t worry, Serena. I’ll handle this—I won’t let the Emperor trouble you again."

Now that he was committed to supporting Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, William no longer cared much about the Emperor’s opinion.

Serena was startled, worried William might sacrifice the Wang Clan’s interests for her. She quickly said, "Don’t worry, William. I already have a plan—the Emperor has no solid evidence, he can’t force a confession."

Serena hurried to reassure William and explained her strategy.

Using public opinion to pressure the Emperor was a good move—but not enough yet...

"Serena, this time we need to make the Emperor truly feel pain. Otherwise, he’ll never learn whom not to provoke." William’s eyes were resolute, his voice leaving no room for doubt.

They couldn’t keep letting the Emperor push them around. It was time to apply some pressure and show him that even an Emperor couldn’t always have his way...