Even Hell’s Palace Can Be Torn Down for Doubt

The higher a man's rank and power, the deeper his suspicion and distrust. Prince Duan simply doesn't believe that Serena's rescue of his son was a coincidence.

"Keep watching her. I want a record of everything she does while in Lyndaria," Prince Duan ordered after hearing his subordinate's report, his expression dark.

Why was it Serena, of all people, who saved his son?

If it had been anyone else who rescued his son, he might not have thought much of it. But it just had to be Serena—Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan's woman—who did it.

This is not a favor that can be easily repaid.

Ninth Royal Uncle is an ambitious man—Prince Duan knows that well. Precisely because he knows, he can't believe this is all just coincidence. Sometimes, too many coincidences are suspicious in themselves.

Prince Duan didn't sleep all night, yet he looked perfectly fine the next day—except for a few bloodshot streaks in his eyes.

After breakfast, Prince Duan and Serena arrived at the flower hall at the same time. Prince Duan's eyes stayed glued to Little Dumpling, hoping for even the slightest response.

But Little Dumpling wouldn't even glance at him. Even when Serena patiently explained, "This is your father," the boy's face stayed blank and expressionless.

"Don't force him... I know he's blaming me." Being ignored by his own son made Prince Duan's heart bleed, but he couldn't bear to blame the boy—he knew he was the cause of it all. If only he hadn't been so careless, his son wouldn't have been kidnapped.

Early this morning, Prince Duan received word from his subordinates: if Serena hadn’t come to Lyndaria to save Evan and happened to encounter his son, the boy would now be a butchered corpse, scattered piece by piece in a mass grave.

Every time he thought of it, Prince Duan felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart. Even though he still doubted Serena’s motives, he couldn’t help but feel grateful to her.

Repeated investigation confirmed Serena’s rescue was pure coincidence. Prince Duan couldn’t confront her harshly, so he politely asked how she wished him to repay this life-debt.

A life-debt? It truly was a tremendous favor.

It had started simply as an act of saving someone, but now...

Serena glanced down at Little Dumpling in her arms, knowing that unless she named a condition, Prince Duan would remain uneasy. So she said directly, “Your Highness, yesterday you seized a hideously ugly person from Princess Royal Helena’s estate. Why not hand that person over to me?”

“What do you want that person for?” Prince Duan already knew the ugly one’s identity. He asked only to see if Serena would answer honestly.

“I’ve heard his medical skills are extraordinary. I’d like to consult with him.” Serena stopped there—saying too much would only invite suspicion. After spending so long at Nolan’s side, she knew exactly how much truth to reveal.

Prince Duan didn’t press further and instead offered, “I heard your guards were thrown in the Brocade Guard’s cells. Do you need me to intervene?” The debt he owed Serena was too great; handing over a Ghost Hall doctor wasn’t enough to repay it.

“No need. I feel more at ease with them in the Brocade Guard’s custody.” Prince Duan clearly wanted to settle the debt, but Serena refused to let him.

In Lyndaria, only the Emperor can command the Brocade Guard. Though it was Princess Royal Helena’s doing that her men were locked up, it had to be with imperial approval. Serena’s people were well-fed and cared for in the cells—why would she pull them out now? Doing so would only draw suspicion.

Dealing with clever people is never easy. After several rounds of probing, Prince Duan found himself repeatedly deflected by Serena, so he could only say, “In Lyndaria, anything I can help with, I won’t refuse.”

His promise to repay this debt was limited to Lyndaria and within his power. Serena wasn’t greedy; she accepted readily. “Rest assured, Your Highness—I won’t hold back.”

Before they could finish their conversation, a palace messenger arrived, summoning Prince Duan. Neither of them was surprised. As he prepared to leave, Serena smiled and reminded him, “Your Highness, Prince Duan’s manor is quite nice. Evan and I both like it very much.”

Prince Duan gave Serena a long, piercing look—his chiseled features sharp as a blade. He was about to speak when he noticed Little Dumpling trembling in her arms. Gritting his teeth, Prince Duan nodded, “In Lyndaria, if I choose to protect someone, no one will dare touch them.” Even if it was Princess Royal Helena’s son, he could keep him—though the price would be higher.

Serena smiled sweetly and nodded, infuriating Prince Duan even more.

“What does Nolan Dongling see in a woman like her? She’s not the least bit domestic.” After losing out to Serena several times, Prince Duan was fuming, but with his son in her hands, he couldn’t vent his anger at her. Instead, he stormed off to the palace, ready to unleash his fury on the Emperor.

“Your servant greets the Emperor—long live His Majesty.” Prince Duan knelt straight-backed, radiating cold murderous intent with no trace of respect. The Emperor frowned but still said, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Prince Duan stood up indifferently, keeping his head bowed and eyes averted, silent and disciplined—if you ignored the murderous aura.

The Emperor frowned and said, “Fifth Brother, last night Third Sister came to the palace and said you smashed up her estate. What happened?”

“Your Majesty, Princess Royal Helena is mistaken. I didn’t smash her estate—she kidnapped my son. I was only retrieving my child. My son…”

At the mention of Little Ray, Prince Duan’s nose stung. He didn’t care what the Emperor thought—he let his tears flow openly in front of the throne.

Princess Royal Helena could cry, and so could he… but her tears were worthless; his, on the other hand, were worth more than ten thousand troops.

Letting his tears blur his vision, Prince Duan looked up at the Emperor, face full of grief, choking out, “Your Majesty, Little Ray is my only son. I ask for nothing else—only that he grow up safe and sound. Even that small wish is now a luxury.”

“Fifth Brother…” The Emperor’s voice trembled. He’d never seen Prince Duan cry—not even when the late Emperor berated him. Seeing him in tears now, the Emperor was wracked with guilt, wanting to go down and help him up, but held back.

Prince Duan acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing, “Your Majesty, for so many years I’ve served loyally. No matter how Tianlei, Tianyu, or Princess Royal Helena fought, I never took sides—my loyalty was always to you alone. I never imagined my son would one day be dragged into the royal struggle, ruined by their ambition…”

“You haven’t seen what my son is like now—a once brilliant child, now a puppet doll: vacant, unable to speak, his eyes barely moving. If I get close, Little Ray trembles all over and screams. Your Majesty… he’s my only son.” Prince Duan broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

If earlier Prince Duan’s tears seemed performative, now they were genuine heartbreak. No matter what he did next, or how he avenged his son, Little Ray was already destroyed…