Secrets and Being Pitted by Ninth Royal Uncle Again

Moonwatch Nunnery was a fair distance from the Imperial Capital. Although Prince Nolan and Serena left early, Nolan deliberately kept the pace slow so Serena could sleep comfortably. As a result, they only arrived at Moonwatch Nunnery near noon.

Moonwatch Nunnery wasn’t a famous temple, nor did it draw many worshippers. Only in this season did a few ladies and young misses come to enjoy vegetarian dishes and admire the flowers.

The moment Prince Nolan and Serena arrived, the abbess herself came out to greet them, her tone humble and respectful—nothing like a true religious renunciant. Even though Prince Nolan was a man, the abbess still permitted him into the inner courtyard.

Serena’s brows knit slightly. The abbess, quick to read expressions, noticed Serena’s displeasure and immediately explained: “Miss Feng, there are no outsiders in the nunnery today. I’ve sent all disciples away. Only Prince Nolan and Miss Feng’s party are in the rear courtyard.”

In other words, it wasn’t that Moonwatch Nunnery ignored the rules—it was simply that Prince Nolan’s status was so unusual that no one dared enforce them with him.

“Sorry to trouble you, Abbess.” Serena nodded in thanks, her face expressionless and unreadable. Prince Nolan, however, could tell she was displeased.

Once they reached the rear courtyard, Prince Nolan dismissed the abbess and asked gently, “What’s wrong? Don’t like it here?”

Though they’d come on official business, Prince Nolan still hoped Serena would be happy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered to keep things from her—of course, he’d hidden the truth to avoid giving himself away, since the Third Prince was far more cautious and unpredictable than most.

“That abbess feels off.” With no outsiders present, Serena didn’t bother to hide her feelings.

“What’s so strange about her?” Prince Nolan silently admired Serena’s sharp instincts.

She wasn’t a true renunciant at all, of course she seemed odd—yet after all these years, no one had ever noticed.

“That abbess looks about thirty, lovely and curvy, walks with a lively sway—completely lacking a nun’s composure. I’ve seen plenty of fake monks and nuns in my past life, and even the fakes act the part. But this abbess, supposedly a real nun, doesn’t have a trace of the proper bearing.” Serena had traveled widely in her previous life, so she knew the difference.

Prince Nolan nodded inwardly, but outwardly covered for her: “Moonwatch Nunnery is just a small temple. It’s only natural if their abbess isn’t deeply cultivated. Besides, this place is famous for its rose fields and vegetarian dishes—no one cares about the abbess’s spiritual practice.”

“You’re right. We didn’t come here seeking enlightenment, just to eat and see the flowers. The abbess doesn’t concern us. Since we arrived suddenly and she said the vegetarian meal will take a while, why don’t we go check out the rose field first?” Serena’s mind was already on the flowers Prince Nolan had mentioned.

“I just don’t get it—what’s so special about those roses that you’re so obsessed with seeing them? And you insist I pick one for you myself.” Prince Nolan said helplessly, his voice full of indulgence.

He’d been worrying about finding an excuse to wander outside, and Serena had just handed him one. Anyone watching might think they’d planned it in advance.

“Doesn’t matter. You promised me—you have to pick one yourself, and it has to be the biggest and most beautiful.” Serena clung to Prince Nolan, playfully dragging him outside.

“Do I really have to pick it myself? You know I’m allergic to flowers.” Prince Nolan was making a desperate last stand—just picturing himself wading into the rose field for a single bloom sent chills down his spine.

“I brought anti-allergy medicine for you. Now we can test if it works. If you don’t pick it yourself, it’s meaningless.”

“Can’t we do it next time? Just this once, let someone else pick it for you?” Prince Nolan tried to coax her.

“No way, no way—we agreed in the carriage, you have to pick it yourself. Come on, let’s go!”

“Alright, alright…”

Prince Nolan shook his head with a wry smile, indulging Serena as always. Before leaving, his eyes swept toward the copper tube beneath the table, and he flashed a meaningful smile.

Third Prince, we meet again!

As soon as the two left, the man at the other end of the copper tube couldn’t sit still. Dressed in scholarly blue robes, he looked uneasy: “Third Prince, Prince Nolan and Serena suddenly came to Moonwatch Nunnery—are they really just here to see the flowers? It feels suspicious. They just arrived in the capital, they should be busy. Who has time for sightseeing?”

Never mind anything else—even with the Third Prince escaping from the villa, Prince Nolan should be searching for him. How could he possibly have time to dawdle here with a woman?

“Whether he’s got time or not, I don’t care. All I know is, if they’re at Moonwatch Nunnery, all they can do is eat and look at flowers.” The Third Prince sat in the secret chamber, his face dark and menacing.

“I’m just worried Prince Nolan will discover something.” The blue-robed man was deeply anxious. Their main base was in Shandong, and while there were experts here, they weren’t enough to take on the Emperor or Prince Nolan’s forces.

“If he really has discovered something, and still dares to come alone, I have to respect him.” The Third Prince wanted to believe Prince Nolan’s visit was just a coincidence, but…

Back in Shandong, even with fifty thousand men, he hadn’t fooled Prince Nolan. He’d barely escaped, and after just two days of peace, Prince Nolan was already at his door. Was this really a coincidence?

But if it wasn’t a coincidence, what else could it be?

Could it be that man, Lance Quinn, betrayed him? But if Prince Nolan really knew where he was hiding, why hadn’t he sent troops to surround Moonwatch Nunnery—instead, why risk coming here himself?

The Third Prince realized he truly couldn’t figure out Prince Nolan’s thinking. His ninth brother’s actions were always so unpredictable, making him impossible to pin down. And without knowing for sure what Prince Nolan suspected, he didn’t dare act rashly, lest he expose himself and let the Emperor reap all the benefits.

With a creak, the secret chamber’s door opened. In came the abbess, freshly criticized by Serena, looking utterly defeated.

“Third Prince.”

“What’s the situation?” At Moonwatch Nunnery, the Third Prince and his men couldn’t show their faces—they relied on copper tubes installed everywhere to receive news from outside.

“Reporting to Third Prince: Prince Nolan and Serena brought only twelve guards—the rest are just maids and matrons. Prince Nolan’s face gives nothing away, and that Miss Feng is only fifteen or sixteen; whatever she’s thinking shows on her face. In my opinion, they’re most likely just here to see the flowers.” The abbess recounted Serena’s behavior in detail, with a hint of disdain in her tone.

The Third Prince didn’t agree. Remembering how Serena had blocked his escape, he warned, “Don’t underestimate Serena. That woman is no simple character—don’t let her fool you.”

If Serena were here, she’d cry injustice—she truly knew nothing today, just playing her part. She honestly thought she was just here to eat and look at flowers. As for what Prince Nolan was up to, how could she know?

“Don’t worry, Third Prince. I’ve already assigned people to watch them. Prince Nolan’s men are being monitored too. If they make any move, we’ll take them down immediately.”

The abbess promised again and again, finally putting the Third Prince at ease. “Be careful—don’t alert them. If they don’t make a move, do nothing. Just see them off quietly. Whatever happens, don’t expose us.”

Prince Nolan had walked right into their lair—the Third Prince would love to capture him. But Prince Nolan was a royal, and if anything happened to him or Serena here, their hideout would be exposed. For one prince, it wasn’t worth losing their last refuge…