Death, and a Proper Talk with Prince Rowan

Who says His Highness Prince Chase of Chun is simple-minded and uncalculating? Isn't he just as shrewd as the rest? Prince Nolan gave Dongling Zichun a single glance, sending Chase shrinking back in fear.

Prince Samuel Zhai knew that nothing good could come from Prince Nolan showing up at this moment. As the chief wedding sponsor, he couldn’t just stand by and watch Chase’s wedding get ruined. He stepped forward and said, "Your Highness Ninth Royal Uncle, today is the wedding of His Highness Prince Chase and Princess Yara. Whatever business you have, please settle it later."

This was a warning to Prince Nolan not to ruin the political marriage between two nations—no matter how high his rank, even he wouldn’t come out ahead if he crossed this line.

"Rest assured, Prince Samuel," Nolan replied, "I have no malicious intention to disrupt Chase’s wedding. I’m simply here on someone’s behalf to deliver a message to Princess Yara."

Nolan’s icy gaze swept toward Princess Yara. Even through her red bridal veil, she could feel the coldness and mockery in his eyes.

The moment Nolan entered, Yara had felt a vague sense of dread. Hearing his words, she stiffened completely. She knew he hadn’t come with good intentions—at this timing, he was clearly here to vent his anger for Serena.

But it was her wedding day. No matter how uneasy she felt, she had to endure it and play the role of a dignified, gracious bride—she couldn’t shame Westlyn.

Seeing that his advice had no effect, Prince Samuel shot a look at the only other prince present—Prince Jason of Zhou. But Jason just played dumb, whispering to those around him with a look of idle amusement, pretending to know nothing.

Left without options, Prince Samuel put on his elder’s airs and said, "Ninth Royal Uncle, there are three great joys in life, and the wedding night ranks first. Even if you don’t care for the sake of both nations, you should at least think of Chase—he is your nephew, after all."

Prince Samuel knew Nolan was there for Serena’s sake, so he deliberately reminded him not to forget family ties. No matter what, Prince Chase was still his kin; he couldn’t let a woman’s grievance make his nephew suffer.

Leaving those words behind, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t linger. He nodded to Prince Samuel Zhai and departed just as he came, utterly unconcerned with the crowd’s gossip.

It was simply payback. Years ago, Princess Yara ruined Serena Feng’s engagement—how could Nolan possibly let Yara have a glorious wedding now?

Westlyn’s news had arrived days ago; Nolan had deliberately delayed it so it would only reach Eastlyn today.

See? He was so considerate—he made sure Yara got two extra days of happiness.

With Nolan gone, all eyes turned to the newlyweds in the wedding hall, wondering how the ceremony could continue. Princess Yara’s mother was disgraced for palace adultery—a stain that taints her children. Yara’s reputation was already poor; now it was ruined.

“My mother is dead. My mother is dead.” Princess Yara stood frozen like a puppet, tears streaming down her face, mixing with rouge and smearing her cheeks.

It’s over. Everything is over. Her father awakened, her mother died, her brother was suspected by the Emperor and now further from the throne than ever…

Yara swayed, looking ready to collapse at any moment. Prince Chase, standing to the side, made no move to comfort her—instead, he glanced at Prince Samuel, hoping he’d call off the wedding. He had no desire to take a disgraced woman as his principal consort.

Samuel glared fiercely at Prince Chase, warning him to drop the idea. If Chase hadn’t switched sides at the last minute, Samuel might have managed to stop Nolan’s public revelations. Now it was too late—Yara had learned of her mother’s death at her own wedding. How could there be any joy left?

“Wedding—” Samuel hadn’t finished the word when Yara suddenly gathered her skirts and bolted outside.

“Nolan Dongling, come back! Come back! Tell me you lied—my mother isn’t dead, my brother isn’t in trouble. Nolan Dongling, don’t leave, don’t leave! Tell me it’s not true…”

Yara was at least rational enough not to blurt out that her brother was about to ascend the throne—otherwise, Westlyn would accuse her of treason. Still, she didn’t realize that her hysterics today would make the Westlyn Emperor dislike her even more.

After all, what emperor would tolerate a daughter who hears of his recovery and reacts with anger instead of joy? Unless Terrence truly becomes emperor, Westlyn’s support for Yara will never be strong.

“What are you all waiting for? Stop Princess Yara!” No matter how unwilling Prince Chase was, the wedding had gone too far to back out. Samuel quickly ordered the servants to restrain Yara.

No matter what, the wedding had to continue. Prince Chase wasn’t marrying just Yara—he was marrying the Princess of Westlyn.

The ceremony went on, but all joy was gone. Yara knew returning to Westlyn would do no good, so once she calmed down, she let the attendants fix her veil and mechanically completed the wedding rites.

The bride’s face was streaked with tears and grief; the groom was openly reluctant. Seeing this, the guests realized there was no favor to curry today and made excuses to slip away early. Prince Jason of Zhou was the first to leave—not for home, but for Rowan Manor.

After all, Yara had once been Prince Rowan’s beloved. Of course Jason had to tell his precious younger brother everything that happened at the wedding.

If not for Ninth Royal Uncle, Yara’s wedding wouldn’t have ended like this…

"Wedding—" Samuel hadn’t finished the word when Yara suddenly gathered her skirts and bolted outside.

"Nolan Dongling, come back! Come back! Tell me you lied—my mother isn’t dead, my brother isn’t in trouble. Nolan Dongling, don’t leave, don’t leave! Tell me it’s not true…"

Yara was at least rational enough not to blurt out that her brother was about to ascend the throne—otherwise, Westlyn would accuse her of treason. Still, she didn’t realize that her hysterics today would make the Westlyn Emperor dislike her even more.

After all, what emperor would tolerate a daughter who hears of his recovery and reacts with anger instead of joy? Unless Terrence truly becomes emperor, Westlyn’s support for Yara will never be strong.

"What are you all waiting for? Stop Princess Yara!" No matter how unwilling Prince Chase was, the wedding had gone too far to back out. Samuel quickly ordered the servants to restrain Yara.

No matter what, the wedding had to continue. Prince Chase wasn’t marrying just Yara—he was marrying the Princess of Westlyn.

The ceremony went on, but all joy was gone. Yara knew returning to Westlyn would do no good, so once she calmed down, she let the attendants fix her veil and mechanically completed the wedding rites.

The bride’s face was streaked with tears and grief; the groom was openly reluctant. Seeing this, the guests realized there was no favor to curry today and made excuses to slip away early. Prince Jason of Zhou was the first to leave—not for home, but for Rowan Manor.

After all, Yara had once been Prince Rowan’s beloved. Of course Jason had to tell his precious younger brother everything that happened at the wedding.

If not for Ninth Royal Uncle, Yara’s wedding wouldn’t have ended like this…