Heart Knot and Little Dumpling’s Formal Name

Prince Nolan felt that today was truly his lucky day. Southlyn had surrendered, his first child was born, and most importantly, Serena had finally opened her heart—there were no more barriers between them.

On New Year's Day, the Emperor could normally rest and not hold court until the eighth, but Prince Nolan couldn't wait that long. Although Serena said they'd wait for the full month to name the child, as soon as she fell asleep, Prince Nolan returned to the palace and began searching through the classics for a name for Little Dumpling.

After much deliberation, Prince Nolan finally decided to name Little Dumpling 'Rory Dongling.' The name means 'dissolving, merging, wisdom.' Little Dumpling's birth dissolved the misunderstandings between him and Serena, and his arrival coincided with Southlyn's surrender and the trend toward unifying the Four Kingdoms and Nine Cities.

You could say Little Dumpling was born at the perfect time. No matter how many children come after, none will ever replace Little Dumpling’s place in Prince Nolan’s heart.

As for 'Rui'—wisdom—Prince Nolan hoped his son would grow up to be a wise and brilliant emperor. This single character would shape Little Dumpling’s future path.

No matter how many younger brothers Little Dumpling might have in the future, his position as heir would never be shaken. Prince Nolan was full of anticipation and valued him deeply. If Serena weren’t in confinement and unable to move, Prince Nolan would have brought them to the palace long ago.

After settling on Little Dumpling’s name, Prince Nolan didn’t immediately tell Serena. Instead, he personally drafted two imperial edicts, but didn’t announce them right away—he sealed them away to wait for the right moment.

He was waiting—for the day Little Dumpling turned one month old, when he would bestow the highest honors upon Serena and their son.

Little Dumpling was born on New Year’s Eve, an auspicious day. On New Year's morning, everyone who heard the news rushed to Feng Manor under the pretext of New Year greetings, hoping to impress Serena and leave a good impression on the future empress and heir.

None of these officials or noblewomen considered that Serena was still recovering from childbirth, and their future master was a newborn who hadn’t even opened his eyes. No matter how attentive they were, the little prince couldn’t see them.

The crowd at Feng Manor grew larger and larger, seriously disturbing Serena and Little Dumpling’s rest. Prince Nolan, face cold as ice, ordered everyone to be thrown out.

Of course, after Prince Nolan’s forceful cleanup, William Wang Jinling stepped out to handle the aftermath. Straightening his rumpled clothes—thanks to Feng Jin—he announced with a smile that it was too cold for the traditional third-day bath, so the Eldest Prince’s full-month celebration would be held in the palace in a month, with only third-rank officials and above invited.

There are countless officials in the capital, and even those above third rank are numerous. As for the lower-ranked officials—sorry, even if you want to curry favor or send gifts, you’re not qualified.

Holding the full-month ceremony in the palace is a clear message: Little Dumpling’s status as imperial heir is officially recognized. On that day, Serena, as his mother, will appear, and her elevation to empress is now only a matter of formality.

Those who still harbored fantasies about the throne, who thought Prince Nolan would never bring Serena into the palace, will have to face disappointment.

Neither Serena nor Prince Nolan are ones for needless drama. After resolving their heart knot, aside from a little awkwardness in the first two days, they quickly returned to a natural rapport.

Serena put away her coldness and distance, listening seriously as Prince Nolan explained the situation with Bella Qin. Learning that Lady Min orchestrated their engagement, Serena couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Nolan.

Though Serena lost her parents early, at least they never hurt her. Unlike Prince Nolan’s mother, who always schemed against him—knowing his limitless prospects, yet deliberately tying him to a sickly beauty to drag him down.

Prince Nolan also told Serena how Storm Cloud Bu and Bella Qin became entangled. Serena was stunned—she couldn’t understand how someone as wise and clever as Nolan could make such a blunder in emotional matters.

Prince Nolan’s ears reddened as he admitted, dejectedly, “I’m not good at handling these things. That’s why… Vincent Su got hurt.” If he’d been better at it, things wouldn’t have gotten so messy.

“It’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up again. Vincent Su, if he’s watching from above, wouldn’t want us to keep suffering. Since Storm Cloud Bu left with Bella Qin, let’s just let it go.” Serena couldn’t blame Prince Nolan; if not for her, he wouldn’t have tried to push Storm Cloud Bu and Bella Qin together.

If Storm Cloud Bu hadn’t fallen for Bella Qin, none of this would have happened—Vincent Su would still be here. In the end, Serena knew she was partly to blame.

Prince Nolan gently stroked Serena’s head, his gaze distant. “You’re right. Vincent wouldn’t want to see us fighting, and he definitely wouldn’t want me to kill Storm Cloud Bu and Bella Qin.”

“Let’s let them go. Vincent’s death is our fault—our failure to save him.” As Serena spoke, tears streamed down her face…

After what happened at Destiny Cliff, because of Vincent Su’s death, Serena couldn’t blame Prince Nolan. She could only slowly work through her resentment and disappointment, waiting until she could face him again.

As for Bella Qin, she was the knot Serena couldn’t untangle. When Serena learned Bella Qin was Prince Nolan’s fiancée, she nearly broke down—never imagining she’d end up in this situation.

Her own mother had once become a ‘third party’ and gave birth to her. All her childhood suffering, all the discrimination and bullying she faced as an adult, were caused by that woman. Serena hated those who claimed ‘true love’ while destroying others’ happiness—and the happiness of the next generation.

When Serena realized she’d become the third party between Prince Nolan and Bella Qin, she couldn’t accept it—she was walking the same path as her mother.

She blamed Prince Nolan, but hated herself even more—feeling filthy, despicable, shameless. So she shut out Nolan’s explanations, hurt him with her coldness, and nursed her wounds alone.

Now, hearing Prince Nolan’s explanation, Serena still felt a knot inside, still thought herself base—but her heart was much lighter.

Without her, Prince Nolan and Bella Qin could never have happened. She never used the banner of ‘true love’ to shamelessly interfere between them—it wasn’t her who ruined Bella Qin’s life and happiness.

They were both women toyed with by fate.

Serena cried harder and harder, an uncontrollable sadness rising inside her—for herself, and for Bella Qin…

Prince Nolan had no idea what Serena was thinking, and even if he did, he couldn’t understand her pain. By the rules of this world, it didn’t matter—he hadn’t married Bella Qin, and even if he had, he could cast her aside at any time. None of this was Serena’s fault, nor had she destroyed Bella Qin’s life by interfering.

He was the one who made the decisions. If there was any fault, it was his alone, not Serena’s.

But even if Prince Nolan didn’t understand, he didn’t say anything. He simply held Serena and comforted her, “Don’t cry. It’s all over now. Stop thinking about these things—just focus on your recovery. Leave everything else to me.”

“Mm…” Serena buried her face in Prince Nolan’s arms, nodding through her tears.

Having overcome this hurdle, Serena was once again the bright, unruly woman who could shoulder the sky for herself—and for the Phoenixfield Clan!