Deeply Entangled, Liking and Marriage Are Two Different Things

"Not great, but it's not what we need to worry about right now." Serena Feng took a sip of tea, moistening her lips.

She said this without trying to distance herself from William Wang Jinling. He could already guess some of her thoughts, and she didn't want to come off as the kind of fool who'd do anything for Ninth Royal Uncle just because of her feelings.

If she acted like that, she wouldn't be Serena Feng anymore.

"Trust Ninth Royal Uncle. He won't be stuck there for long." William Wang Jinling had always believed in Ninth Royal Uncle. Precisely because he thought so highly of him, he understood how broad Nolan's ambitions were—being the kind of woman who could truly catch his eye was no easy feat.

"True enough. That place doesn't suit Ninth Royal Uncle at all." Someone like him deserved golden halls, jade horses, and soft beds—only that would match his status.

William Wang Jinling shook his head and chuckled. Serena was just too partial. Who in this world could possibly be suited to staying in the Sky Prison? But he didn't intend to argue about that. Instead, he changed the subject directly: "Serena, do you think there's still room to maneuver with the Hundred-Herb Garden wolf attack?"

William was being extremely blunt, but he trusted Serena Feng would understand.

The Emperor and the Hsieh clan don't actually care about the real truth. They can both use this incident to make a big deal out of it.

It's a contest of strength—Emperor versus Ninth Royal Uncle, Hsieh clan versus Wang clan. The truth doesn't matter to them; whoever wins gets to define what 'truth' is.

Serena Feng looked up, meeting William Wang Jinling's restrained yet piercing gaze. She asked in puzzlement, "Jinling, what are you trying to do? And why would you even think of helping Ninth Royal Uncle?"

Shouldn't William Wang Jinling just stay out of it at this point?

I'm not trying to do anything, and it's not really about helping Ninth Royal Uncle. I'm thinking of the Wang family. If Nolan falls because of this, the Emperor will lose his strongest rival and have more time to target us aristocratic clans—the Wang family will be first in line.

Who in Eastlyn fears the power of our clans most? The Emperor. And who is most affected by our strength? Also the Emperor.

If our clans weren't so deeply rooted, and if the Emperor didn't need us to get things done, he would have already acted against us, given his usual way of doing things.

The great clans and imperial authority are always locked in a power struggle—it's a war without smoke. Yet the Hayes clan insists on clinging to the Emperor. Hmph... If you become the Emperor's pawn, are you still a true clan? And do you really think the Emperor dares to trust people from the great clans? He doesn't. He's afraid our influence will grow so much it threatens his rule.

Noble Consort Helena Hayes has been in the palace for years—why hasn't she had any children? Is it really just a physical problem? Serena, don't get involved in this Hayes clan matter. The palace is full of trouble. If Helena ever gets pregnant, no matter what she carries, the child will end up being a son. The Hayes clan will join forces with the other great houses to put that child on the throne.

As soon as Second Madam Hayes entered Feng Manor, William Wang Jinling knew what the Hayes clan was plotting. Unfortunately, Yuwen Yuanhua was a step faster and took Serena Feng away.

William Wang Jinling leaned back on the soft couch, eyes filled with helplessness and fatigue. The calm leisure he'd had in the little wooden house was gone, and Serena Feng felt a pang in her heart.

"Jinling, did I do something wrong? If not for me, you wouldn't be caught up in all this mess." If William's eyes hadn't been cured, he'd always be the gentleman guarding his wooden house, living a peaceful rural life, not the one shouldering the rise and fall of the Wang clan.

"Silly Serena, you're overthinking it. This has always been my responsibility, and I'm grateful I met you." His crystal-clear eyes glimmered with a smile, full of deep, unspoken affection.

Serena Feng didn't dare meet William Wang Jinling's eyes, using her tea as an excuse to avoid his gaze. William didn't mind and simply continued speaking.

"Serena, from the moment I was born, I was destined to be the Wang family's Grand Heir. Even when I had my eye disease, I still received the education meant for the Grand Heir."

Because of my eye disease, my seventh brother took on my responsibilities for a while, but I can't just abandon my own duties because of it. Serena, I've always known you're a perceptive person, so you should understand—people like us, born into privilege, also have to bear the responsibilities that come with it.

So I understand why you rejected me—being the Wang family's daughter-in-law isn't easy, and being a royal consort is even harder. Especially since you were once engaged to Prince Rowan, and after what happened at the wedding, no matter how much Ninth Royal Uncle likes you, he can't marry you as his principal wife.

William sighed. He finally said what needed to be said. He wasn't one to talk behind people's backs; that would go against his usual conduct.

He was just afraid Serena Feng would get in too deep. The princes' struggle was now out in the open, and William didn't want Serena dragged into it.

Besides, liking someone is one thing—marriage is about matching status. For Serena, even marrying into a high family is tough, but Nolan's rank is just too high.

Serena thought she'd feel sad, but hearing William's words, she realized she felt the same way. She'd never really thought about marrying Ninth Royal Uncle—she just wanted to like him in her own way and to have a place in his eyes.

Serena smiled calmly and said, "Jinling, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing. I've never thought about marrying Ninth Royal Uncle."

"Then I'm relieved." Since Serena had no such intention, he wasn't worried she wouldn't be able to walk away.

"Serena, I want to ask you to see someone."

"Who?" Serena Feng straightened up. She knew William Wang Jinling would never seek her out just for idle chat.

The Wang family's Grand Heir was also someone with the world in his heart, a man who could shape the fate of nations.

"Prince Samuel Zhai." William's tone held a hint of respect.

Serena Feng looked completely lost.

"You don't know Prince Samuel Zhai?" William Wang Jinling was even more surprised—he couldn't believe anyone in Eastlyn didn't know of Prince Samuel Zhai.

Serena Feng felt a little embarrassed. "You know what my situation was like before."

Maybe the body she now inhabited remembered, but after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't recall.

William Wang Jinling shook his head helplessly. "Prince Samuel Zhai is the late Emperor's sworn younger brother—a hereditary prince whose title passes down unchanged through generations. In the Eastlyn Dynasty, there's only one such title. As long as the dynasty stands, Prince Samuel Zhai's line remains. It's not like the Duke's estate, which will disappear in a few years."

"This Prince Samuel Zhai is no ordinary man. He was deeply trusted by the late Emperor." Serena Feng finally understood just how important this person was.

"That's right. Prince Samuel Zhai spent his life on the battlefield and was the late Emperor's most trusted confidant. Even the current Emperor still calls him Uncle Zhai. But Prince Samuel Zhai isn't greedy for power—once the Emperor's reign was secure, he gave up all official posts except his title. Now he's free of all responsibilities, much like Ninth Royal Uncle." William Wang Jinling clearly admired him.

To reach such heights and then step away from it all—few could manage that.

He held no official position, but his words carried great weight. Serena Feng understood William's meaning.

"What illness does Prince Samuel Zhai have?" Serena asked directly.

If William insisted she go, it could only mean one thing...

It was just that the prince was unwell, and healing was all she could offer. Otherwise, with her status, seeing Prince Samuel Zhai would be impossible.

"They say it's a toothache—one that's lasted twenty years." William Wang Jinling sounded sympathetic.

For a man like Prince Samuel Zhai to be brought to tears by a toothache showed just how agonizing it must be.

Not only that, but to treat the pain, nearly all his teeth had been pulled out...

"A toothache?" Serena Feng blinked, looking helplessly at William Wang Jinling.

"I'm not a dentist."