Marriage Plans and the Emperor’s Intentions

Serena Feng's act was flawless—she feigned illness far better than Liam Li ever could. After drinking the calming soup, she slept deeply and sweetly, even more soundly than at home.

As dawn approached, Prince Rowan Dongling came by to check on her, but Serena was completely unaware, her sleep peaceful and defenseless. Just looking at her made people feel at ease.

Rowan had been busy all day, but seeing Serena Feng sleeping so soundly, he couldn't help but smile faintly. "Sleeping so deeply in the palace—are you clever or just naïve? Either way, you're truly blessed."

Rowan instructed the palace maids to take good care of Serena Feng, then left to report to the Emperor.

"Father Emperor, Serena Feng is sleeping very deeply. I went in and she didn't wake up at all. She must be exhausted today." Rowan reported truthfully. Even if he tried to hide it, the palace was full of the Emperor's eyes—every move Serena made here was known the moment the Emperor wanted to know.

The Emperor nodded. "It's late. Go rest. Tomorrow, you will escort Serena Feng out of the palace for me."

"Father Emperor?" Rowan was puzzled. Did the Emperor mean to match him with Serena Feng? How could that be possible?

Hmm...

The Emperor gave a cold laugh. "Rowan, I've always had high hopes for you. If you like Serena Feng, I’ll permit you to take her as a side-consort. As for Princess Yara Valen—forget her. I will never allow you to marry that woman, not even as a concubine."

Rowan wants to use Princess Yara, and of course Princess Yara plans to use him. Both have their own schemes. If they truly married, their feelings would be worn away bit by bit, leaving only a contest of who’s more ruthless.

Only the ruthless can laugh last, but the Emperor doesn’t believe Rowan’s heart is colder than Princess Yara’s. Rowan is not like the other princes—his power is second only to the Crown Prince. If Princess Yara ever manipulates him, Eastlyn itself could be at risk.

If Rowan were as cold and detached as Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, the Emperor wouldn’t hesitate to nod in approval. But unfortunately, Rowan is far too sentimental.

"Father Emperor, I truly care for Yara," Rowan said, his voice trembling, eyes pleading.

At least right now, he liked Princess Yara—if not for her status, he wouldn’t have watched coldly as she trapped Serena Feng in the first place.

"Who you like is none of my concern," the Emperor said flatly. "But you and Princess Yara will never happen. I will never agree—give up that hope. Rowan, don’t think I’m ignorant of what happened on Serena Feng’s wedding day, or whose hand orchestrated that disgrace."

Seeing Rowan still stubborn, the Emperor added, "It’s not that I’m biased against Princess Yara. She’s simply too clever—and too foolish—for her own good."

Afterward, the Emperor watched as Rowan and the Empress forced Serena Feng to the brink of death, then saw Serena survive and walk away. He never interfered, never showed his hand, but he never forgot how this farce stained royal dignity.

Whether Serena Feng lived or died never truly mattered to him. What he cared about was the reputation of the Eastlyn imperial house. Serena’s repeated disruptions in the capital reminded everyone she was once Rowan’s fiancée. The Emperor had considered killing her outright, just to erase the shame.

But as Serena Feng’s talents gradually came to light, the Emperor decided to let her go, curious to see her battle Princess Yara Valen—who would emerge victorious? He wanted Rowan to see just how deep and dangerous a woman’s schemes could run, though he doubted Rowan would ever understand.

The Emperor left his last words unsaid, only looking at Rowan with deeper disappointment. "Rowan, a real man’s ambitions should reach far beyond palace intrigue. Let women fight their own battles—just watch from the sidelines. If things ever get out of hand, simply erase them."

Just like with his own harem—so long as it doesn't affect the bigger picture, he doesn't care whether the women live or die. If one batch dies, another takes their place. For men, power is everything.

"I understand, Father Emperor. Thank you for your guidance." Rowan knelt, head lowered in apology.

He might say he understood, but that was just lip service.

The Emperor sighed. It was rare for him to lecture his son, but it seemed to have little effect. After a long night of talking, he was exhausted too. "Go now."

...

"Brother, that man named Liam Li didn’t die." Princess Yara Valen rushed to Prince Terrence Valen’s quarters the moment she received the report.

Prince Terrence Valen had been bedridden with his leg injury for some time now. His once radiant face looked pale and grim. "Lucky bastard. Send word—if we can’t spirit him away, kill him. I won’t let such a weapon fall into another kingdom’s hands."

Liam Li was a weapon. If Lyndaria couldn’t claim him, Terrence would make sure no one else could either.

"Yes." Princess Yara was even more cautious now. Last time, her argument with Terrence over marriage nearly split his wound open and almost ruined everything.

Whether it was his leg injury or the threat of sending Yara to Eastlyn, Terrence was growing more and more dissatisfied with his sister. He always felt her ambitions were too big, but until his legs healed, he still needed her. Not that he’d ever show it. "Have you figured out who leaked the news?"

When Lyndaria received word, Serene Hall had already exploded. Terrence was frustrated—someone in Eastlyn was getting information even faster than his own network.

"No." Yara looked guilty. Seeing Terrence’s displeasure, she hurried to explain: "Brother, the news to Southlyn and Northlyn was leaked by our own people."

Terrence had built sprawling intelligence networks across every kingdom under the guise of bride-selection tours.

Originally, Southlyn’s agents in Eastlyn were the fastest and most complete, but after the Chancellor Zhu purge and the destruction of the Second Prince’s underground palace by Ninth Royal Uncle, most of their spies were dug out, leaving Su Wan with almost no one left in Eastlyn.

As for Northlyn... Before this, they were just busy feeding themselves. None of their people could really be used abroad.

Of the three kingdoms, Lyndaria’s network was the biggest and most complete, yet someone was always a step ahead. That fact gnawed at Terrence like a bone stuck in his throat.

"Who is it that keeps beating us to the punch?" Terrence cared about this more than anything. Yara lowered her head, silent.

She had no answer for that question.

Prince Terrence Valen didn’t press further. "Go check all the major medical halls for blast-injured patients—especially Feng Manor."

"Don’t worry, brother. I’ll handle it." For Princess Yara Valen, investigating Feng Manor was the happiest task—if she found anything, Serena Feng would be finished. The Emperor of Eastlyn would never let her go.

Unfortunately, Terrence’s next words doused her excitement: "Yara, don’t get any ideas you shouldn’t. This is Eastlyn’s turf. We may walk openly here, but don’t think you can play tricks behind the scenes. Do you really think Eastlyn’s Emperor is blind?"

Some things are understood without being said. Exposing them would only embarrass everyone, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ve outsmarted the other side.

"I wouldn’t dare." Princess Yara lowered her head, hiding her dissatisfaction and anger.

She truly regretted not killing Serena Feng outright. Leaving such a troublemaker alive had caused her endless setbacks in Eastlyn—even her previously arranged marriage was now in doubt.

"Remember who you are." Terrence knew exactly what Yara was thinking. As long as she didn’t cause a major incident, he didn’t mind her using a few tricks—if she had the time and energy.

"Yara, stop obsessing over Serena Feng. Have you handled the Bloodsweat Charger Eastlyn won from us?" He was clearly telling her to deal with it personally.

"Yes, brother. I’ll take care of it right away." Yara bit her lip—how was she supposed to find time to deal with Serena Feng now?

Seeing Yara’s low spirits and worried she’d mess things up, Terrence tried to reassure her: "Yara, Serena Feng is just a chess piece. Don’t waste too much effort on a single pawn."

"You’re right, brother. I was thinking too much. I know my priorities—I won’t mess things up." A chess piece, a pawn—she was one too, just a slightly more exalted one than Serena Feng.

"Go."

Terrence’s eyes fell on his own legs, his gaze growing colder and darker.

"Lance Quinn, don’t let me run into you!"

...

The next morning, after breakfast, Serena Feng was just finishing up when Rowan Dongling arrived—he looked like he hadn’t slept all night.

"Serena Feng, I’ll escort you out of the palace." His tone was cold and distant, just like when they first met.

Serena Feng blinked, confused. He’d spoken up for her yesterday, but now he was back to his icy self. Then again, this was Rowan’s normal—she didn’t take it to heart. After bowing, she followed him out.

The carriage was already waiting—luxurious inside and out, marked with a single ‘Luo’ character. It was clearly Rowan’s personal carriage.

Just as they reached the carriage, a burly eunuch hurried over, knelt beside it, and waited for Rowan and Serena Feng to step onto his back to board.

Rowan didn’t even look back, stepping onto the eunuch’s back without hesitation. Serena Feng followed, but the moment her foot touched him, she felt a sharp discomfort and boarded the carriage much faster than usual.

"In such a hurry?" Rowan, having been lectured by the Emperor all night, had spent hours stewing in the study. In the end, he’d decided Serena Feng was the root of all his troubles.

If not for Serena Feng—if they’d never been engaged—Yara wouldn’t have gone to such extremes, and his father wouldn’t hate her so much.

Serena Feng had no idea what was going on. Seeing Rowan’s cold expression, she gave a safe answer: "Your Highness, I’m rushing back to check on Madam Sun. If there are no complications, she can go home today."

"Hmph..."

Rowan ignored Serena Feng, turning away to stare out the window...