Letting Go and Pushing the Fledgling Off the Cliff

News of William Wang Jinling's departure reached Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan immediately. He glanced at it, then tossed it aside without a hint of displeasure, which left Serena Feng quite puzzled...

"Did you know he would leave all along? Or did you deliberately force William to go?"

No matter how Serena thought about it, she felt the latter was more likely.

Nolan always acted in ways that left people guessing. The way he taught Little Dumpling was far too ruthless; it was obvious Rory would never do things that way.

"Yes," Nolan nodded. "It's time for him to go."

"I thought you would keep him tied down in the Capital." Wasn't that your original plan?

"Times have changed. If Rory isn't ascending the throne yet, he doesn't need William's support." Since he was waiting, Nolan would wait until Rory could stand on his own before abdicating, so that the court would know the new emperor, not just William.

"He... has been very good to Rory." Serena understood Nolan's intention, but she couldn't help feeling heartache for her son.

Her son was the future emperor; he couldn't be overly influenced by those around him. William was excellent, but...

He was too good. William shielded Rory from all danger, even pre-assembled a future team of ministers for him. Rory didn't have to do anything—he could just sit on the throne and enjoy universal obeisance...

But that's not the kind of emperor the empire needs!

"Rory can't rely too much on others, including you and me." They would grow old and leave this world before Rory; they had to let go and give him room to grow first.

"To raise a true eagle, you need the resolve to push the fledgling off a cliff—only then can it grow into a king of the skies." Nolan's method of teaching Rory was the opposite of William's: he let Rory face challenges alone, even if it meant crashing and bleeding, suffering defeat again and again...

Before age ten, Nolan was satisfied to leave Rory in William's care, but now it was no longer necessary. Rory was older now; he needed to learn to judge for himself!

As parents, whether strong or gentle, everything they did was for their child's sake.

Rory was a clever child. When William left without a word, Rory immediately understood his intention—and, of course, Nolan's tough love.

Although his father devoted most of his time to his mother and state affairs, his concern for Rory was second to none.

"From now on, you're a man. Learn to shoulder responsibilities yourself." Sean Xuan patted Rory's shoulder.

Though he felt for Rory, who had to face the adult world at such a young age, both he and William had walked the same path...

Flowers raised in a greenhouse will never be as strong as wildflowers.

"Uncle Sean, don't worry about me. I can handle it." Facing life on my own isn't a big deal—why do my adoptive father and Uncle Sean act like it's some tragic farewell? I'm not that fragile, okay?

Little Dumpling has no idea—no matter how smart or grown-up he gets, in William and Sean's eyes, he'll always be their soft, sticky kid who needs protecting. They'd love nothing more than to shield him from every storm and make his world safe. But...

Reality just won't allow it. If Little Dumpling were any ordinary official's son, they could protect him forever. But he's the future emperor. They can't shelter him for life.

Sean withdraws his help. Now, if Little Dumpling wants to outsmart those six boys at the foot of the mountain, he's on his own—one against six.

But before Little Dumpling can make a move, Spring comes running with bad news: Sweet Dumpling's here!

"Why'd Sweet Dumpling have to show up and mess things up? At a time like this, she's just asking for trouble!"

Sean just smiles and stays silent...

Little Dumpling usually stays cool under pressure, so it's kind of funny to see him lose his composure. Give it two more years and you won't see it again, because...

Even though Little Dumpling's temperament is getting softer thanks to William, deep down he's as cold and detached as Prince Nolan.

Sweet Dumpling didn't just come—she dragged Tyler Cui and a few others up the mountain with her.

"You guys are way too timid. My brother would never dare take your lives! As long as you charge straight up, he'll have to compromise." Sweet Dumpling arrives, hears Tyler Cui and the others are stuck, and immediately thumps her little chest, promising to lead everyone up the mountain.

"It's only because of you that the Crown Prince goes easy. Look at us—we're all banged up." Max Zhai grits his teeth, showing off his injured leg.

If they weren't all nursing wounds and unable to climb, they'd never have called in this little troublemaker. It's easy to invite a god, but sending her away is another story.

None of them want to babysit a spoiled little girl.

So really...

Prince Nolan seriously overestimates these boys. Tyler Cui and the others are still just kids—romance means nothing to them. No matter how cute Sweet Dumpling is, they just see a fussy crybaby.

Girls are always delicate and love to cry—at least, that's what these six boys believe.

That's how all six feel about it. And their parents drilled it into them early: our family doesn't need a princess. Don't you dare marry one—it's bad enough kneeling to the emperor, but at home, kneeling to a princess wife? No thanks.

So, except for Tyler Cui, Shane Wang, and Liam Fuller, who treat Sweet Dumpling with a little respect, Max Zhai, Evan Yu, and Leo Si just want to stay far away from her.

They're all handsome, stylish young lords—if a princess took a liking to them, it'd be a disaster!

The six boys plus Sweet Dumpling—seven kids huddle up to discuss when to set off...

Sweet Dumpling says she doesn't care when they go, as long as she gets enough sleep first. But she has one condition: "If my brother punishes me, you all have to help me out."

She hasn't forgotten ditching Little Dumpling in Jiangnan and sneaking off on her own. If he comes to settle the score, she's doomed...

"Don't worry, if the Crown Prince punishes you, the six of us will share the blame." Max Zhai jumps in, loyal as ever, before anyone else can say a word.

Tyler Cui and Shane Wang swallow their protests, silently praying the Crown Prince won't go too hard on them. They're not as tough as Max—if they can't take it, they're doomed.

The seven little rascals quickly make up their minds—they'll take the most dangerous route up to Skyvault Palace Sect. The riskier the road, the faster the Crown Prince will have to compromise...

Even if not for their sake, for Sweet Dumpling's, the Crown Prince wouldn't dare take the risk.

"Those boys are getting sharper by the day." Serena Feng reads Spring's battle report and can't help but praise them.

An emperor's weakness is always what enemies target first. The fact that these kids are already using Little Dumpling's soft spot for Sweet Dumpling as leverage—no wonder they're future pillars of the realm.

"With them around, Little Dumpling will grow up even faster." Prince Nolan is more than satisfied, because...

With those six boys around, Serena Feng won't insist on running to Skyvault Palace to check on Little Dumpling and Sweet Dumpling herself.