Wedding, The Outcome Remains Uncertain

Ever since the Qingming Festival, it had been raining non-stop. Spring rain was supposed to be as precious as oil, but with rain every day, even clothes couldn't dry—honestly, it was enough to drive anyone mad.

Since Tomb-Sweeping Day, Serena hadn't left the house again. It wasn't until April 12, when the sky finally cleared for Princess Yara and Prince Chase's wedding, that she stepped out of Feng Manor.

Of course, given Serena's status, she wasn't qualified to attend the wedding of Prince Chase and Princess Yara, nor did she intend to. She left home to see off the Crown Prince and Prince Colin.

The nobles of the Capital were both hypocritical and pragmatic. The Crown Prince and Prince Colin had already fallen out of imperial favor; without a special edict, they were forbidden to enter the Capital and likely had no hope of inheriting the throne. So, on the day the Crown Prince left, not a single high official or brother came to see him off—only a handful of loyal retainers.

Everyone else rushed to curry favor with Prince Chase. Compared to the Crown Prince, Prince Chase might never ascend the throne, but the Emperor's favor toward him was something the Crown Prince could never match.

There weren't many people to see them off. Once Serena identified herself, she was able to approach the Crown Prince without hindrance.

"I didn't expect the little impe—cough, Serena, to come see me off." The Crown Prince had meant to say 'little imperial aunt,' but seeing Serena's displeasure, he quickly changed his words.

"Serena and Your Highness have known each other for some time, and Your Highness has often looked after me. With you leaving the Capital, who knows when we'll meet again? How could I not come to see you off?"

No matter what the Crown Prince's motives were, the fact remained that he'd helped Serena many times. She was genuinely grateful.

The Crown Prince's smile froze, and he said awkwardly, "Serena, don't tease me. I've always had my reasons for helping you, and it was never any trouble. Anything truly difficult, I never helped with—not even once. Just don't hold it against me, and that's enough."

"It might be nothing to Your Highness, but to me, it was a lifesaving favor. As for what you didn't help with, please don't bring it up—hearing that just makes me feel ashamed. You have no obligation to help me at all, so how could I possibly resent you for not doing more?" Serena spoke with complete sincerity. Seeing this, the Crown Prince stopped protesting and accepted her thanks with a smile.

Everyone knows you should be grateful when others help you, and not resentful when they don't—helping is a kindness, not helping is no fault. But how many people truly live by that?

"Your Highness, this is a small parting gift from me to you both. Please don't think it too humble." Serena knew the Crown Prince was in a hurry to leave the city, so she didn't waste his time. She signaled for the servants to bring forward two boxes, presenting them to the Crown Prince and Prince Colin.

"Your Highness, this box is locked with a code. Each box has a different code, and I'll show you how to open yours." Password-locked cases are a necessity here—even if an enemy could smash one open by force, no one close to the Crown Prince could secretly open his box and swap out his medicine without his knowledge.

Serena walked to the Crown Prince's side, teaching him how to align the code and open the box, and also explained how to reset the password. It was a simple lock—easy for him to change whenever he wished.

"Serena, you really put thought into this. I'm truly grateful." When the Crown Prince opened the box and saw the neatly arranged medicine bottles, each with its own little label, his nose stung and his eyes turned red.

Other than his late mother, no one ever thought about these things for him. Prince Colin was loyal, yes, but as a man, there were some details he simply wouldn't consider.

His young 'imperial aunt' might be younger in age, but she showed the care of a true elder.

"As long as Your Highness can use it, that's all that matters. There are some simple instruments underneath—I wrote instructions for them, so you can read them when you have time." It wasn't just that Serena cared for the Crown Prince; it was that he was too important to Prince Nolan.

If the Crown Prince lived longer, the Jiangnan operation would be more stable, and the Ninth Prince's army would have guaranteed funding.

Everyone knows: war is about soldiers, grain, and weapons—and every one of those costs silver.

After teaching the Crown Prince, Serena went to instruct Prince Colin. It wasn't that she refused to teach them together; rather, Prince Colin had stepped back on his own while she worked with the Crown Prince, showing gentlemanly restraint.

Serena repeated the same instructions. When the box was opened, it was also filled with medicine—but different from the Crown Prince's. Serena had prepared mostly heart and cold remedies for the Crown Prince, while Prince Colin's kit was stocked mainly with trauma medicine.

Prince Colin nodded silently, not saying a word or looking at Serena. Serena didn't know what was wrong, but since they weren't close, she didn't press. Once the gifts were delivered, she took her leave.

"We'll meet again soon." The Crown Prince watched her carriage fade into the distance and spoke softly.

Prince Colin stood beside the Crown Prince, and only when Serena's carriage was out of sight did he remind, "Brother, it's time for us to go."

"Let's go." The Crown Prince cast one last look at the Capital, then turned away without a trace of nostalgia.

A nation's Crown Prince, leaving alone with no officials to see him off. Who knew when he would set foot on this land again...

Though it was the Crown Prince himself who requested to go to Jiangnan for his health, such a cold farewell was a heavy blow to his dignity. But this was his choice—whatever happened, he would have to bear it.

Prince Nolan stood in the teahouse, watching the Crown Prince's party leave in desolation. He pressed his lips together, and only after they disappeared beyond the city did he turn and head toward Prince Chase's manor.

Prince Chase's parents were both gone. The Emperor had wanted to officiate the wedding himself, but the entire court objected, so he asked Prince Samuel Zhai to stand in as the sponsor.

Prince Samuel Zhai did not refuse. Dominic Zhai had just gotten into trouble, and at a time like this, Prince Samuel would never risk defying the Emperor.

Unlike the somber scene at the city gate, Prince Chase's manor was filled with joy and excitement. Red decorations were everywhere, and carriages crowded the street outside. Nearly all the city's nobles had come, eager to curry favor with Prince Chase or Prince Samuel.

Everyone smiled and exchanged auspicious words, tacitly avoiding mention of the Crown Prince's departure. The festive mood lasted until a ceremonial announcement broke the buzz.

"His Highness the Ninth Prince has arrived!"

The wedding was already halfway through, with the couple preparing to bow to Heaven and Earth. For Prince Nolan to appear at this moment—no one could guess his intentions.

No one dared utter a word of complaint. Prince Samuel could only instruct the master of ceremonies to pause and welcome Prince Nolan inside.

Prince Nolan radiated a chilling aura. Wherever he went, people stepped aside, clearing a path for him through the crowded manor.

Expressionless, Prince Nolan strode down the red carpet at a measured pace. No one dared speak, watching in silence as he made his way toward the main hall. Only after he passed did people dare to whisper: Was Prince Nolan here to attend the wedding, or to cause trouble?

"Uncle Nolan, I thought you weren't coming." The groom, Prince Chase, was completely unfazed by Prince Nolan's icy demeanor. As soon as Nolan entered the hall, Adrian greeted him with a bright smile.

Foolish boy, why rush up like that? Can't you see the shadow on Prince Nolan's face? Prince Samuel glared from behind, signaling Adrian to be cautious, but the young man didn't notice at all.

Prince Nolan leaned slightly to the left, dodging Adrian's hand. "Adrian, I've come at this moment because I have a few words for Princess Yaohua."

"Ah, Uncle Nolan, what is it you want to say?" Adrian might have been simple, but he wasn't stupid. He knew whatever Prince Nolan had to say would surely embarrass Princess Yaohua. But since he was marrying her unwillingly, he wasn't about to stop him—in fact, he'd help if he could...