Injured, Ninth Royal Uncle Becomes Serious

With Left Chancellor Julius Zhu convicted of treason, every official who had dealings with him, apart from the Zhu clan itself, fell within the scope of the purge.

Although the Emperor lost face over this incident, he ultimately rooted out the kingdom’s parasites, sparing Eastlyn from another catastrophic disaster.

The Emperor recovered quickly. That very night, he summoned General Warren Yu to the palace, pinned all responsibility on Julius Zhu, and—ostensibly to show trust—granted Warren Yu full authority to oversee the Left Chancellor’s case.

During this period, Warren Yu barely touched the ground—he led troops through the imperial city day and night, always on the move.

It was the perfect chance to eliminate rivals. At this moment, if you were labeled a Zhu partisan, you could be executed and have your family’s assets seized, or—if lucky—just be stripped of your rank and exiled.

Warren Yu showed no mercy, unleashing the iron discipline of the military. He used this opportunity to clear out the Emperor’s spies embedded in the army, and swept away everyone Ninth Royal Uncle had once demanded be purged from the court.

Outside the Martial Gate, in just seven days, more than ten thousand heads rolled. The executioners’ arms grew numb, so tired they could barely hold their blades.

The state treasury overflowed with confiscated wealth, but the one who feasted most was Warren Yu.

Traitors had their families executed and fortunes seized. Eastlyn’s officials were so rich their coffers spilled oil. The Zhu clan’s assets alone outstripped the treasury’s annual revenue. Warren Yu took the lion’s share without the slightest hesitation; the rest went to the state.

With so much confiscation, the treasury was bursting at the seams. Warren Yu estimated he wouldn’t have to worry about funding his armies for at least five years.

A full quarter of Eastlyn’s civil and military establishment was wiped out. Warren Yu, not one to stand on ceremony, joined forces with the Crown Prince, taking advantage of the Emperor’s battered authority to install their own people in key positions.

It was the classic case of losing a horse but gaining a blessing. Warren Yu was busier than ever, but he was in high spirits. Privately, he even told Ninth Royal Uncle that he wished for more such events to come.

On the surface, the Emperor showered Warren Yu with honors, but in reality, his hatred ran bone-deep. No matter what the factions tried, Warren Yu’s arrogance only grew, and as long as Ninth Royal Uncle remained standing, the Emperor couldn’t touch him.

Warren Yu might have been pleased, but the entire capital was on edge. At the sound of soldiers’ boots, people’s legs turned to jelly, terrified they’d be accused of colluding with the Left Chancellor.

For a while, Warren Yu’s momentum was unstoppable. Even the wolf attack at Hundred-Herb Garden hadn’t been investigated yet, but no one dared mention it for fear of getting shot down. At times like this, even the noble houses kept their heads down, refusing to challenge him.

A pall of blood hung over the capital, and everyone looked out for themselves. Yet inside Feng Manor, Serena Feng and a few others remained untouched, no matter how chaotic things got outside.

Because of the Left Chancellor’s treason, General Victor Wei’s wife’s surgery was postponed again. Warren Yu hadn’t targeted the Wei family directly, but some of their officials still suffered, so the Wei clan kept their doors shut, wary of Warren Yu’s warning.

The storm outside had nothing to do with Serena Feng, but she still chose to stay inside Feng Manor for now. She wasn’t Warren Yu—she didn’t have that kind of wild confidence.

In the Emperor’s eyes, the only thing she’d done was invite Prince Samuel to intervene—she hadn’t gotten herself too deeply involved.

She stayed holed up in Feng Manor, working with Evan Zhou and Seth Shang to repair the estate and build new hospital wards.

Once the plans were set, Serena Feng was about to go out and buy supplies, but before she could step outside Feng Manor, General Victor Wei—who had previously come seeking treatment for his wife—arrived with a whole squad, delivering materials straight to her door.

“What’s all this?” Serena asked, staring in shock at the wagons loaded with supplies. What really stunned her, though, was the sight of ten fist-sized luminous pearls among the goods.

Who on earth could afford such extravagance?

Serena swallowed hard—she had to admit, she was tempted.

Luminous pearls like these couldn’t be bought, no matter how rich you were. If she installed them in the operating room and added a few copper mirrors to reflect the light, the result would be far better than palace lanterns.

“Miss Feng, by order of General Warren Yu, I’ve brought these supplies for you. The General also said, if you need anything else, just ask—he’ll do his best to find it for you. And if he can’t, someone else will.” General Wei was dressed in brand-new armor, looking proud and favored.

Serena’s smile froze. Someone else will?

Hmph... Serena sneered. So these gifts were from Ninth Royal Uncle.

What was the meaning of this? A thank-you gift?

Noticing Serena’s distraction, General Wei repeated himself.

Serena cut him off coldly: “No need. Tell General Warren Yu the gift is too much.”

She only did what she wanted to do, never expecting anything in return—just like when she pleaded for the imperial physicians at Prince Samuel’s manor.

But since Ninth Royal Uncle wanted to make things clear between them, she’d play along.

It hurt, but she could handle it.

General Wei saw Serena’s mood sour and didn’t dare say much. He just ordered his men to carry the goods inside, then hovered nearby, looking like he had something to say.

“General Wei, if you have something to say, just say it.” Serena really didn’t like his bashful attitude. He was a grown man—a soldier, no less. Couldn’t he be a little more straightforward? She wasn’t happy, but she didn’t take it out on others.

“Um, Miss Feng, I was wondering if you’re free now? My wife…” General Wei was sweating buckets. Despite being a seasoned general, he felt enormous pressure before Serena Feng and couldn’t help but show respect.

“Your wife is here? You should’ve said so sooner. Please, have Madam Wei come with me to the wooden hut.” Serena was eager for work to distract herself.

Serena had already prepared for Madam Wei’s cataract surgery—she’d just been waiting for her to arrive.

A doctor doesn’t get to pick patients or wait for auspicious days. If Madam Wei’s condition was good, Serena could take her into surgery right away.