Training Nolan into a Henpecked Husband

William Wang Jinling didn’t say these words aloud; he simply gave Prince Nolan a knowing smile. Without waiting for a response, William beckoned Serena over.

"Serena, come talk with me." Some things, if left unsaid, will never be known.

"Alright." Serena didn’t hesitate, quickly stepping forward, passing Prince Nolan, and coming to stand by William’s side.

The conversation between these two men hadn’t been hidden from her; she’d heard everything.

She’d heard Prince Nolan’s concern for her, and William’s protective words, and she could sense the careful restraint in William’s silence. For a moment, her heart wavered—was there something more between them, or was it just friendship? The ambiguity lingered, but she knew she had to talk things through with William and settle it once and for all...

Serena genuinely wanted to have an honest conversation with William, but before she could figure out how to begin, William spoke first: "Serena, you didn’t take it seriously, did you?"

William suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at Serena. His dark eyes held a gentle smile—no hint of romance or hidden passion, only the open, upright warmth of a gentleman.

"Huh? Take what seriously?" Serena didn’t catch his meaning at first, stopping in confusion to ask William.

"What I just said to Prince Nolan—did you take it seriously?" William knew that by saying this, he would lose something, but if he didn’t, he’d lose even more.

He’d sat in his room thinking all night, and after much consideration, he realized only this would make Serena truly happy.

"What you said to Prince Nolan? What do you mean?" Serena realized William might have confused her. Seeing William’s radiant, sincere smile, Serena couldn’t help but wonder if she was overthinking things.

Hahaha...

Serena’s dazed look amused William. He burst out laughing and flicked her forehead lightly: "Serena, don’t overthink it. What I said to Prince Nolan had no other meaning—I was just warning him to treat you better, to care more about you. Even if your uncle and aunt are gone, you still have me as a friend. If he ever bullies you, I’ll be the first one to step in."

As he spoke, William clenched his fist and punched the air twice. Though he was always the scholarly type, the gesture still carried plenty of force.

Uh... Serena rubbed her forehead and twitched her lips. It took her a while before she finally managed to say, "William, thank you."

Was she really overthinking it? Was William just trying to help her?

Serena stared intently at William, but he was completely open; she couldn’t see anything hidden. Serena told herself she really was overthinking things. Luckily, she hadn’t said anything embarrassing just now.

Seeing Serena still looking a bit lost, William couldn’t help reaching out and ruffling her hair. "What are you thanking me for? Don’t forget, we promised to be lifelong confidants. You’re my first and only female confidant—how could I let anyone bully you, even Prince Nolan?"

A female confidant! If nothing unexpected happened, maybe they really would just be confidants for life.

William felt his eyes sting, but his smile grew even more carefree. His dark eyes were clearer than ever, and his whole bearing radiated the charm and poise of a true gentleman.

Hearing William’s words, the last thread of romantic doubt in Serena’s heart quietly unraveled. He’d drawn a clear line, openly placing their bond in the realm of lifelong friendship. Serena felt a gentle wave of relief—no more guessing, no more tension. She could finally let go of those worries and reset her heart.

Serena laughed and brushed William’s hand away. "I’ll remember that. If anyone bullies me in the future, I’ll come find you—you’d better help me beat them up."

"No problem. But I’m not much for fighting—I’m no brawler. We’re scholars; let’s handle things the scholarly way, alright?" William swallowed his own sadness and joked playfully.

"Alright, alright, you’re the Grand Heir—you get the final say." At this moment, Serena wasn’t about to disagree; as long as William was happy, that was enough.

William was genuinely happy; his smile never faded. After a few steps walking side by side, William pointed at Prince Nolan up ahead, patted Serena’s shoulder, and said, “Serena, my mom used to say: women spend their whole lives fighting sisters at home, mothers-in-law and concubines after marriage—it’s always women against women. But don’t waste your energy fighting men. Men aren’t for fighting—they’re for training. Go on, go ‘train’ that man. I’m waiting for you to drag Prince Nolan down from his high horse and turn him into a proper henpecked husband.”

William himself wasn’t sure what he felt when he said those words; he only knew that if he didn’t send Serena away now, she’d see through his act.

"Alright, I’ll do my best to turn Prince Nolan into a wife-devoted husband." After a brief pause, Serena walked toward Prince Nolan.

Prince Nolan was fully aware of everything happening behind him. The moment Serena sped up, he slowed his steps to wait for her, and the two walked side by side.

"Seeing your carefree smile makes it all worthwhile." William slowed his pace, widening the distance between them. He still wore a smile, but it looked lonelier than ever. At a bend in the path, Prince Nolan turned to meet William’s gaze, and the two men exchanged a silent understanding that only they could grasp.

Prince Nolan admired William—he understood how deeply William cared for Serena. If their roles were reversed, he knew he could never do what William had done.

To step back, to retreat into the role of a friend—it seems simple, but it’s a choice a man may regret for the rest of his life.

......

Led by Skyvault Palace disciples, the three of them went to take their leave from Sean Xuan. Sean already knew they were leaving today and that he couldn’t stop them, so he asked, "Do you want me to send someone to escort you down the mountain, or will you go on your own?"

The first option meant taking Skyvault Palace’s secret descent path; the second meant fighting their own way down.

"We’ll go on our own." Prince Nolan reached out, and Sean Xuan, with a cold, almost theatrical flourish, handed back the command token for thirty thousand imperial troops. "A thousand dead. Three hundred wounded. The injured are being treated at Skyvault Palace—once they’re healed, I’ll send them back." The air crackled with tension; the price of this battle was written in blood, and neither side would forget it.

"How many men does the enemy have left?" Only then could he decide how to make sure those hundred thousand never left this place alive.

Last night, the three of them slept well, but Sean Xuan fought almost the whole night. In the latter half, the enemy kept attacking until he was finally enraged and launched a counterattack. After that battle, the enemy’s numbers shouldn’t be too high.

"About fifty thousand." That figure was basically accurate.

In just one day and night, they’d killed half the enemy force. Skyvault Palace was truly formidable—though they’d suffered close to seven thousand casualties themselves.

Why did Skyvault Palace suffer even more losses than Prince Nolan’s thirty thousand imperial soldiers?

It was simple: Sean Xuan was too proud, too stubborn. Even after Prince Nolan put the command of thirty thousand troops in his hands, he refused to treat them as cannon fodder. If all thirty thousand died, or suffered heavy losses, it would mean he was incompetent.

Sean Xuan cared about his reputation. He’d rather take the hit himself than let Prince Nolan or William Wang Jinling see the true price he paid in this battle.

"Skyvault Palace has impressive fighting strength," Prince Nolan remarked perfunctorily—in other words, he thought Sean Xuan was an idiot.

To have thirty thousand troops at your disposal and still sacrifice your own people—how foolish.