Clean Freak, The Shadow Guards’ Bitter Busy Life

Ninth Royal Uncle is not Serena. He would never lose his reason or composure over General Feng and Madame Feng’s deaths, nor make any rash, foolish decisions.

With just a thin sheet of paper, Serena could see thirty percent of the truth, while he could see over seventy percent. He refused to let his judgment be clouded by emotion.

Besides, only those directly involved lose themselves in matters like this. He would only worry for Serena and mourn for General Feng and Madame Feng—nothing more...

Forgive him for being cold-hearted.

Even when his own parents died, he didn’t see the point in grieving. Who in this world can escape death? Once it comes, it’s over—no amount of sorrow or rage can bring the dead back.

Ninth Royal Uncle rushed here overnight precisely because he feared Serena would act on impulse, lose control, and fall into someone else’s trap. Every child raised in the palace harbors twisted motives—what looks like kindness is always hiding a knife.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust Serena, but right now she’s at her weakest—and easiest to exploit. Once he saw Serena calm down, Ninth Royal Uncle checked the time and said, “Serena, let’s plan what to do next.”

He’d already reached his limit tonight, coaxing Serena beyond anything he thought possible. He couldn’t say another word dripping with jealousy—he was too thin-skinned for that.

Ninth Royal Uncle unfastened his cloak, ready to sit down and have a proper talk with Serena. They had serious business to discuss, and it wasn’t easy for him to get out tonight—he couldn’t waste any time.

But could someone please tell him what was up with his clothes?

“Serena, care to explain?” Ninth Royal Uncle stared at the stain across his chest, his handsome face twisting uncontrollably.

Snot and tears... smeared all over him.

So dirty!

Ninth Royal Uncle felt his scalp crawl.

He truly hated this feeling—so dirty, so filthy!

Ninth Royal Uncle froze on the spot, staring at his chest with utter disgust...

Serena looked just like someone caught red-handed, guilt all over her face as she kept backing away. Not long after, a shrill scream echoed from inside the room.

The shadow guard dug at his ear and kept crouching in place.

...

Serena wasn’t stupid. After Ninth Royal Uncle laid out his suspicions and discoveries, she understood right away and promised she’d behave—she wouldn’t act rashly, and definitely wouldn’t go running off to take revenge on the Emperor and Empress.

Once the weather cleared, she would pick an auspicious spot and a good day to bury her parents. After that... she’d go to Skyvault Palace Sect. She wanted to know who her mother really was—rumor had it her mother was branded 'lowborn' too.

Once Serena had her plans set, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t say another word. But before leaving, he dropped a final line: “I’ve already had all the explosives taken away. You don’t need to worry about them anymore.”

Dangerous weapons like these were better kept in his own hands. If Serena ever snapped and bombed the palace, things would get ugly fast.

Whatever belonged to Serena was his too—Ninth Royal Uncle took them without a second thought.

How could he just do that!

Serena glared, indignant, but before she could say a word, Ninth Royal Uncle shot her a cold look.

Spoiled behavior wouldn’t be tolerated. Serena shouldn’t think he was all patience and no temper!

Uh...

Sure enough, Serena didn’t dare say another word. She just stood there in silence, watching as Ninth Royal Uncle left, his figure disappearing into the snowy night...

This man had done everything for her. If she still wasn’t satisfied, she’d truly be too greedy.

Serena gently wiped the tears from her face.

Dad, did you see? You didn’t get a chance to choose the best man in the world for me, but I found him myself. He may not be perfect, but he’s the one who suits me best.

Serena closed the study door, walked back, and burned those yellowed papers.

Ninth Royal Uncle was right—truth isn’t something a few sheets of paper can capture. Some things are best kept in your heart; leaving these papers behind would only bring disaster.

With her mind unburdened, and thanks to Ninth Royal Uncle’s arrival, much of Serena’s grief and anger faded away. She went to the mourning hall, stood before her parents’ coffins, and stared in silence for a long time before finally speaking: “Dad, you gave your life to protect this country and its people. I know you wouldn’t want me to destroy everything just to avenge you, or to leave the people homeless and adrift.

Dad, Mom, rest assured—I won’t let your deaths be in vain. I’ll make everyone who wronged you pay their debt. That’s the only thing I, as your daughter, can still do for you.”

After saying this, Serena headed back to her own room.

Tomorrow would be a new day—and this time, the gloom in Serena’s heart had truly lifted.

...

As soon as Ninth Royal Uncle stepped out of Feng Manor, he saw a shadow guard waiting at the gate with a clean coat. Ninth Royal Uncle nodded, changed into the fresh clothes.

The shadow guard was secretly delighted—he’d finally done something to please his master. Maybe now, his master wouldn’t drag them back for retraining.

But Ninth Royal Uncle’s next words made the shadow guard feel like he’d fallen straight into hell.

"Leaving your post without regard for your master’s safety—double training. Knowing and not reporting, failing to share your master’s burden—double again. Go back and accept your punishment."

With that, Ninth Royal Uncle vanished into the snowy night, hurrying toward the Imperial Clan Prison. No doubt, another fierce battle awaited him there...

The shadow guard stood silently, watching Ninth Royal Uncle leave. Snowflakes piled on his shoulders, but he didn’t feel a thing.

Being Serena’s shadow guard was truly tough!

Standing guard meant failing to share your master’s burden; leaving meant neglecting your master’s safety.

Wuwuwu... What were they supposed to do to get it right?

If they could, the shadow guards would’ve grabbed Ninth Royal Uncle’s arm and shaken it: “Tell us, tell us—what do we have to do to satisfy you?”

The other shadow guards, worried when their leader didn’t return, exchanged glances. Two stayed to protect Serena, while the other two went searching.

They hadn’t gone far when they saw their leader, nearly buried in snow. The sight startled them—had he run into some master who killed him but left him standing?

But... when they were ten paces away, the 'snowman' moved.

Plop, plop... The snowman shook off the snow, turned around, and fixed his icy gaze on the two shadow guards. Ignoring their fear, he coldly ordered: "Leaving your post without regard for your master’s safety—double training!"

What?

The two shadow guards nearly fainted.

Now they understood why their leader had turned into a snowman.

They’d tried to flatter the wrong way—and hadn’t learned their lesson.

The two shadow guards stood there, not even noticing the snow piling on them.

It was no easy job, being Serena’s shadow guard!

Years later, this batch of shadow guards would pat the new recruits on the shoulder and say, meaningfully: "Serving as the little princess’s shadow guard is the greatest luck of your life! And also the greatest misfortune!"

Of course, they’d never say that last part out loud...

For a shadow guard, do well and you’d become your master’s trusted aide; do poorly, and you’d be sent back to the furnace for reforging.

But enough about the shadow guards’ hardships—Ninth Royal Uncle braved the cold, took a beating from Serena, and headed out into the wind again. As soon as he stepped into the Imperial Clan Prison, he sensed something was wrong.

Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t mind. His lips curled slightly, his movements unhurried as he walked into the prison. To an outsider, it looked like he was just heading home...