Open the City Gates, This Prince Is Entering

What is true presence? True presence needs no words—just a single rider advancing, and the crowd waiting in line will part automatically...

In no time, Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng reached the city gate. Serena was still thinking about how to clean up the aftermath when she heard Ninth Royal Uncle command with absolute authority: "Open the city gates. This prince is entering."

Boom...

Ninth Royal Uncle’s words hit like thunder out of a clear sky, leaving everyone stunned and disoriented.

‘This prince’? Is he a royal prince?

The commoners waiting outside the gate furtively glanced up at the rider, their eyes filled with fear as they retreated. Someone started it, and soon people were kneeling in twos and threes, loudly hailing him as ‘Your Highness.’

The young gate guard seemed utterly shocked, mouth agape and legs trembling, his face stricken as if he’d seen a ghost. It took ages for him to find his voice: “Wh-which prince are you?”

His face flushed, sweat pouring down—every sign that the poor guard was on the verge of collapse. If Dominic Zhai were here, he’d be cursing, ‘Another one bewitched!’

Serena Feng shook her head, thinking to herself that Ninth Royal Uncle was really too much. Didn’t he know that scaring people could be fatal? These young guards might serve in the imperial city, but most had never spoken to a prince in their lives.

Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t answer. He simply drew a token from his sleeve—a badge emblazoned with a flamboyant ‘Nine’ in dragon script. Serena Feng found it familiar and recalled that Ninth Royal Uncle had gifted her a similar jade token.

Honestly, if she hadn’t seen this token, she’d have forgotten all about the jade badge that marked her as his. She’d never used it, wasting Ninth Royal Uncle’s thoughtful gesture. If only she hadn’t provoked him earlier—she had the badge, so why worry about getting inside the city? She was such an idiot.

The guard didn’t recognize the man, but he knew the token—symbolizing one below the Emperor and above ten thousand. Instantly, he dropped to his knees. “I didn’t know it was Ninth Royal Uncle. Please forgive me!”

That line came out fast—he was probably scared senseless, just reacting on instinct.

Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t spare the guard a glance. He ordered coldly, “Go. Fetch your superior.”

True power never stoops to bully a mere guard, nor loses dignity by quibbling with one. That’s the pride of those at the top.

Usually, these things are handled by servants—Ninth Royal Uncle never bothers with such trivialities.

“Yes, sir.” The guard practically crawled toward the side door, stumbling twice from fear or nerves. He looked utterly pathetic, but no one dared laugh—if they were in his shoes, they wouldn’t fare any better.

That’s the power of true authority—only Ninth Royal Uncle could command the city gates to open like this.

Serena thought back to her old world, where officials traveled with police escorts, roads closed, and everyone nervously catered to their every whim. If one of those bigwigs suddenly appeared in front of a rookie cop, the cop’s reaction would be just like this guard facing Ninth Royal Uncle.

No matter the era, there are always a few who enjoy absolute privilege. She didn’t envy them—but she was jealous.

Soon Dominic Zhai came running over with his men, panting for breath. He didn’t dare look Ninth Royal Uncle in the eye—just bowed and greeted him: “Greetings, Ninth Royal Uncle. Long live Your Highness.”

No one doubted Ninth Royal Uncle’s identity—this was the imperial city, and no one would dare impersonate royalty here.

Dominic Zhai, as a military officer, didn’t need to kneel—just a half-bow would suffice.

“Rise.” Ninth Royal Uncle was cold and aloof, not even dismounting his horse. His bearing was flawless, and no one dared criticize it—such is the privilege of royalty. Besides, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t need to put on displays of virtue like Prince Luo and the others, always trying to seem benevolent.

Locked tightly in Ninth Royal Uncle’s arms, Serena Feng ended up receiving Dominic Zhai and his men’s respectful salutes by default.

Dominic Zhai breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Ninth Royal Uncle, about to order the gates opened—when he suddenly saw a woman in front of him. He was stunned. But when he got a clear look at her face, his jaw dropped even further, more shocked than when the guard told him Ninth Royal Uncle was outside the gate.

“Ser-Serena Feng?” Dominic Zhai forgot all about Ninth Royal Uncle, pointing at Serena and stammering in disbelief. Was he seeing things?

Serena gave a bitter smile. “General Zhai, long time no see.” She’d never imagined she’d enter the city so high-profile one day. The man behind her clearly didn’t know the meaning of ‘low profile’—or maybe he was doing it on purpose?

This city gate must have it out for her. Every time she entered, her reputation took another hit. Serena truly felt wronged. She’d finally had a chance to use the so-called auspicious omen to clear her name, only for it to be ruined by returning to the city in Ninth Royal Uncle’s arms.

Once inside, rumors would start again: after the Wang clan’s Grand Heir and General Warren Yu, now Ninth Royal Uncle had become Serena Feng’s latest supposed lover.

“You—you—how are you with Ninth Royal Uncle? When did you leave the city?” Dominic Zhai was thoroughly confused. He’d always known there was something between Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle, but never imagined Nolan would openly escort her in and out of the city, regardless of reputation.

What was Ninth Royal Uncle thinking? He seemed to care about Serena, but if he did, why disregard her reputation?

With Serena’s reputation sinking lower and lower, there was no way she could become Ninth Princess Consort.

Before Serena could answer, Ninth Royal Uncle cut in, annoyed: “Must I report my movements to you, General Zhai?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Dominic Zhai jumped in fright, bowing his head and replying meekly. Inwardly, he regretted forgetting just how fiercely protective Ninth Royal Uncle could be. Once, being under his protection was an honor. But now...

Ninth Royal Uncle’s anger wasn’t something most people could withstand. Dominic, for one, was afraid.

He just felt unlucky to be stuck in this mess. To make up for it, he didn’t wait for Ninth Royal Uncle’s order and immediately shouted, “Open the city gates!”

“Yes, sir!” Normally, opening the gate would be a guard’s job. But today, with Ninth Royal Uncle entering, all the adjutants behind Dominic Zhai rushed forward to grab the task, leaving the guards sulking in the back, biting their fingers: ‘Sir, that’s not fair. You want the spotlight, but so do we.’

Once the gate opened, those outside—knowing Ninth Royal Uncle’s identity—didn’t dare make a move. But those inside, unaware, started clamoring to leave. As soon as they began to complain, the adjutants barked them back into line, and the guards blocked their way forward.

“What’s all this noise? Line up! No one is leaving the city today.” The adjutants were used to acting like big shots, but as soon as they spoke, they realized the real big shot was Ninth Royal Uncle. Nervously, they glanced at him, but when they met his cold, emotionless gaze, they dropped their eyes in guilt.

Seeing this, Dominic Zhai could only step forward awkwardly. “Ninth Royal Uncle, something happened at the palace, so I ordered the city sealed.” Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng sat tall on horseback, while Dominic stood below—making him look even shorter. Even talking was exhausting. Poor guy!

“You sealed the city over a minor incident? Panicking like that is hardly becoming.” Ninth Royal Uncle hadn’t meant to say more, but thinking of Dominic’s grandfather, Prince Samuel Zhai, he offered a word of advice.

“Huh?” Dominic Zhai stared in confusion at Ninth Royal Uncle. Was he really wrong to do this?

Ninth Royal Uncle said nothing, just gave Dominic a cool glance and rode into the city. Serena Feng turned back, shook her head at Dominic, and mouthed, “It’s fine!”

Even now, Dominic still didn’t know what had happened. Serena could only sigh—his intelligence network was just too weak. Never mind not knowing; even after Nolan’s hint, he still didn’t get it. What a fool.

The Lyndarian Crown Prince, Northlyn’s prince, and a noble lady from Southern Lyn were all inside the city. If someone exploited the lockdown to stir up trouble, Eastlyn could end up facing the wrath of all three kingdoms at once.

Dominic was still confused, but thinking of Serena’s character and Nolan’s words, his eyes lit up. He finally understood and immediately ordered, “Open the city gates!”

With Dominic’s order, the city gate bustled again. Those entering knew the reason and silently thanked Ninth Royal Uncle—they didn’t have to keep waiting. Those leaving, though, were confused. Once outside, the nosier ones immediately asked around, and what they learned was shocking…

“A prince? Was that nobleman who just entered the city a prince?”

“What? The person who just entered was Ninth Royal Uncle?”

“Oh my gosh, it really was Ninth Royal Uncle? I just saw him myself? My ancestors must be smiling down on me!”

“Wait, isn’t it said that Ninth Royal Uncle doesn’t like being close to anyone? Why was there a woman in his arms?”

“Yeah, who was that woman? She looked kind of familiar.”

“Serena Feng. I heard one of the officials say her name was Serena Feng.”

“Serena Feng? No way—the Feng Manor heiress? The one who woke up outside the city gate in disarray on her wedding day?”

“That’s right, that’s her. I knew she looked familiar—she’s the Feng family’s young lady.”

“Miss Feng really has some skills! She actually managed to…”

No one dared finish that sentence, but it definitely wasn’t anything flattering. In this world, whenever a woman got involved with a man, right or wrong, she was always the one blamed.

Take adultery, for example. In the end, only the woman would be drowned in a pig cage. No one ever questioned the other culprit. With Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng appearing together, everyone assumed Serena had seduced him—no one would ever blame Nolan.

Even riding into the city, Serena could hear the gossip behind her. She closed her eyes and silently asked: Ninth Royal Uncle, are you satisfied now?