Seeking Reward, Royal Uncle Claims Credit

Clara Phoenixfield's injuries were serious, but mostly external—not life-threatening. Traveling now would just mean a bit more pain, but it wouldn't leave any hidden complications.

Once Ezra Phoenixfield learned about Clara's condition, he didn’t wait at all—didn’t even let Adrian pack. He took both siblings out of Feng Manor immediately, with guards escorting them straight to Shandong Circuit. Serena Phoenixfield didn’t see them off; she simply acknowledged their departure.

Adrian always lived in a remote corner of Feng Manor and rarely crossed paths with Serena, but somehow, after he left, the estate felt strangely empty. In this huge manor, it was just her and Feng Jin now—a kind of indescribable loneliness settled in.

“There I go, getting sentimental again.” Serena laughed at herself. Before checking on Feng Jin, she detoured to Ling Mo’s courtyard and found him practicing calligraphy with a serious face—and her mood instantly lifted.

Turns out, happiness really is relative. Compared to Ling Mo, she was lucky—so she shouldn’t get greedy.

From a distance, she watched Ling Mo fill a whole sheet with just one big character, drip ink everywhere, and smear his own face black. Serena couldn’t help but laugh.

Really, everyone deserves new hopes. If you just wallow in sadness, you’ll only make yourself miserable.

Serena’s lips curled into a smile and her steps felt lighter than before. Ling Mo finally finished his giant character, looked up in confusion as Serena left, not understanding at all.

But he knew Serena was a good person—she’d treated his illness and taught him to write. Other than Zuo An and Sean, no one treated him better than Serena, so he resolved to treat all three of them well in return.

Feng Jin woke up briefly that afternoon, and his condition was stable. Spring, Autumn, and Winter—the three season-maids—were more careful than ever, tending to him so nervously they barely dared to blink, terrified that if they looked away for a second, something terrible might happen or he might vanish again.

This time, Serena didn’t punish them, but she gave the harshest warning yet: “If Feng Jin wakes up safely, I’ll let this go and won’t pursue it. But if there’s a next time, none of you will live. If Feng Jin dies, you’ll all be buried with him.”

There was zero room for negotiation—her words decided their fate. Spring and her sisters didn’t flinch; they answered, “No need to say more, Miss Serena. If Young Master Feng Jin suffers any serious mishap, the four of us will not try to live alone.”

“Good, as long as you understand.” Serena knew she was being severe, but she really couldn’t handle another incident.

This time, Feng Jin survived because Clara Phoenixfield showed up. But what about next time? Will there be another Clara to carry him out?

Zuo An entrusted Feng Jin to her because he trusted her. After living with this dumpling-like little brother for so long, Serena truly loved him. She couldn’t accept anything happening to Feng Jin—not even the smallest risk.

...

When the authorities really get moving, their efficiency is scary. In just a day and night, they turned the entire Capital inside out. But Jason Lan seemed to have sprouted wings—he vanished, leaving no trace.

Serena was so furious she smashed a cup, pacing her study over and over, unable to figure out where Jason was hiding.

Did he get out of the city? How could he slip through all those layers of inspection? Who helped him?

Is he still inside? If so, where? Who’s hiding him?

Serena refused to believe Jason Jingyang could pull this off alone. He must have a helper inside the Capital—unless she dug that person out, Jason would always be able to run wild here.

“Damn it, who the hell is helping him?” Serena cursed furiously. Nolan Dongling had just arrived outside her door and heard her outburst; raising an eyebrow, he walked in. “What’s going on?”

Who made Serena so angry this time? Was it William Wang Jinling or someone else?

“Isn’t it your useless subordinates?” Serena couldn’t help but complain as soon as she saw Nolan, pouting in frustration. “It’s been so long and they still haven’t found Jason’s trail—what are they even doing?”

“If Jason Lan were that easy to catch, he wouldn’t still be alive.” Nolan looked completely unruffled, not surprised at all.

“But I can’t stand it until he’s caught. He nearly killed Feng Jin—and almost killed me, too.” Serena half-complained, half-‘reported’ to Uncle.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Nolan just wasn’t invested enough in catching Jason. Maybe it was just her imagination.

“We’ll find him sooner or later—no need to rush.” Nolan didn’t make any promises, just offered a vague comfort. Seeing Serena still fuming, he changed the subject: “Didn’t Ezra show up? Isn’t that enough to ease your anger?”

“How do you know?” Ezra had slipped past the Eighteen Riders to come in and leave, so in theory Nolan shouldn’t know. Did Nolan have people in her house too?

Serena shot him a suspicious look. Nolan, dissatisfied, pinched her cheek: “What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?”

“Am I?” Serena rubbed her face and shot Nolan a playful glare. Nolan, unfazed, replied righteously, “Of course not. I’m not that kind of person. I knew because Ezra was brought in by my own arrangements.”

After speaking, Nolan stood with his hands behind his back, chin lifted, looking all mysterious. But to Serena, he just looked adorably proud—like he was radiating a ‘praise me!’ vibe, ready to hold up a sign saying, ‘See how powerful I am? Hurry up and compliment me!’

Thinking of this, Serena couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Nolan’s face darkened, “What, you don’t believe me?”

He changed expressions so fast it was amazing. Serena quickly shook her head, “No, no! Of course I believe you. I was just thinking how impressive you are, making Ezra walk right into your net.”

“Hmph... just look at who I am.” Nolan snorted, full of pride. Serena couldn’t hold it in anymore—she leaned in and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. “Well done! Here’s a kiss for your reward.”

The kiss landed with a loud ‘pop.’ Nolan’s body went stiff, his ears instantly flushing red, but inside he was secretly delighted. He quietly turned his head so the other cheek faced Serena.

“Uh?” Serena stared at Nolan in surprise, her eyes wide and blinking. Was she imagining it, or was Nolan really asking for more praise?

After waiting and not getting the second kiss, Nolan coughed in dissatisfaction and growled, “Reward!”

Since it was a reward, how could she only kiss his left cheek? What about the right cheek’s dignity? And it wasn’t just his left cheek that ‘contributed’—lots of parts had helped. Serena needed to reward them all!

Absolutely!

“Hahaha, is this you asking for a reward?” Serena froze, then burst out laughing, clutching her stomach...

Nolan was just too cute!