The shadow guards, upon learning that Sweet Dumpling wanted to bring the little ghost out, instantly felt a headache coming on...
"What now?"
Should we report to Prince Nolan and Serena Feng?
Come on, sending a letter back and forth—even with fast horses—would take more than two months. Can Sweet Dumpling really stay here that long?
That's easy. Just break the Valley Master's disciple's leg. 'Injuries to the bones and tendons take a hundred days to heal'—three months is more than enough.
"Uh..."
That's a great idea. It's all because of him anyway. If he hadn't brought Sweet Dumpling to the imperial mausoleum, none of this would've happened.
Agreed!
Seconded!
No objections!
"Then it's settled!"
The shadow guards sprang into action—some sent messages to Prince Nolan and Serena Feng, some protected Sweet Dumpling, and those assigned to break the Valley Master's disciple's leg were already standing by, just waiting for the right moment...
Of course, before they did anything, they made sure to inform the mausoleum guards so those soldiers wouldn't interfere and mess up the plan.
The mausoleum guards had known about the shadow guards since day one, and they also knew Sweet Dumpling's identity. Although they followed the shadow guards' instructions and didn't act out of the ordinary, they still kept a close eye on Sweet Dumpling. But with the shadow guards present, they didn't dare approach her easily.
Now, with the shadow guards requesting their cooperation, how could they refuse? So...
With their cooperation, the Valley Master's disciple's leg was broken.
"Senior brother, how could you be so careless?" Sweet Dumpling used all her strength to help the Valley Master's disciple set the broken bone.
After wrapping the last layer of bandages, Sweet Dumpling sat down on the ground, panting heavily.
She was exhausted!
The Valley Master's disciple was also worn out, and he was in a lot of pain.
He had no idea how he got so unlucky. The path he walked every day, and yet he managed to step on a stone, slip, and break his leg—just his luck.
"Sweet Dumpling, this imperial mausoleum is really cursed. Be careful and don't run around." In the end, the Valley Master's disciple blamed everything on the mausoleum.
Sweet Dumpling nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, senior brother. You're hurt, so I have to take care of you. I won't run off."
"Little one, senior brother doesn't need you to take care of him. He can manage just fine. It's just a shame you have to stay here with me until I'm healed." The Valley Master's disciple felt a little embarrassed.
Sweet Dumpling was, after all, just a child. Making a kid stay in the imperial mausoleum for three months was basically torture.
"I'm fine, senior brother. Don't worry about me." Sweet Dumpling, though mischievous, was sensible and thoughtful, and knew how to weigh priorities.
Sweet Dumpling switched to comforting the Valley Master's disciple: "It's not like you wanted this, and three months isn't that long. I still haven't finished memorizing the Compendium of Materia Medica, so I'll use these three months to get it done."
Sweet Dumpling was always cheerful and accepting of fate. She quickly made plans for her next three months.
"Sweet Dumpling, you're so diligent. If Master finds out, he'll definitely be happy." The Valley Master's disciple looked genuinely pleased.
Don't be fooled by Sweet Dumpling's status as a princess—she wasn't spoiled at all, and was extremely considerate. If only she were his own daughter.
She hated memorizing books the most. The only one who liked it was her brother, Noah Dongling—Little Dumpling. He said he wanted to use the words in those books to slap ministers in the face, and to avoid being out-argued, he had to know more than any official...
If he has no ambition, they'll just feed him; if he does, it's up to Noah Dongling to handle him.
The Valley Master's disciple motioned for Sweet Dumpling to come closer, then whispered in her ear, "Sweet Dumpling, I'll let you in on a secret—just don't tell Master."
"You're giving him to Noah Dongling?"
"In that case, remind Noah Dongling to give the boy a name." Jason Lan's son was dangerous, and even if he was meant to temper Noah, he shouldn't be kept in the dark.
Prince Nolan nodded. "He'll make a great whetstone. Using him to temper Noah Dongling—Little Dumpling—is a good thing."
Plus, Master never really talked about the contents of those three books. If someone mentioned how many pages were in Compendium of Materia Medica, Master would awkwardly change the subject.
When Sweet Dumpling's attention fades, send Miles Lan to Skyvault Palace Sect." Prince Nolan had his own plans for bringing Jason Lan's son out.
Jason Lan was no match for Prince Nolan, and no matter how capable Jason Lan's son was, he couldn't possibly outshine Noah Dongling.
"Just keep it to yourself—don't tell anyone else." The Valley Master's disciple was just bored and decided to gossip with Sweet Dumpling about the Valley Master.
He was just a child—Serena Feng didn't think he could overturn the world, and since Prince Nolan agreed, she had no reason to interfere.
"Just keep it to yourself—don't tell anyone else." The Valley Master's disciple was just bored and decided to gossip with Sweet Dumpling about Master.
Sweet Dumpling nodded emphatically, but then thought something was off. "Senior brother, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Let's call him Miles Lan." Prince Nolan didn't hesitate to name him, using the character 'Mo' for 'last', marking him as the final heir of the Lan clan.
"Miles Lan—it's a good name."
Mo... meaning 'the end.'
Of course not, so he kept his mouth shut.
A month later, Serena Feng and Prince Nolan received news from the shadow guards. Serena Feng was exasperated by Sweet Dumpling's habit of wanting to rescue everyone she met.
Jason Lan's son was definitely trouble—not someone you could just pick up and take away.
"You decide." Serena Feng promptly left the problem to Prince Nolan.
Without even thinking, Prince Nolan replied, "If Sweet Dumpling wants to, let her bring him out."
"Fine." He was just a child—Serena Feng didn't think he could cause much trouble, and since Prince Nolan agreed, she didn't object.
He wouldn't harm a child, but he also wasn't merciful enough to forgive old grudges.
Letting Miles Lan live was already the greatest mercy. As for what would happen to him in the future, that would depend on his own fate.
The road you choose is your own. You must bear the consequences of your choices!
"What if that child has no ambition? Or maybe he's too afraid to have any?"
"He won't go hungry." If he has no ambition, they'll just feed him; if he does, it's up to Little Dumpling to handle him.
Jason Lan was no match for him, and no matter how capable Jason Lan's son was, he couldn't possibly outshine his own son.
"In that case, remind Little Dumpling to give the boy a name." Jason Lan's son was dangerous, and even if he was meant to temper Little Dumpling, he shouldn't be kept in the dark.
"Let's call him Miles Lan." Prince Nolan didn't hesitate to name him.
"Miles Lan—it's a good name."
Miles... meaning 'the last.'
This child was the last direct bloodline of the Lan clan. There would be no heirs after him.
"It is a good name." Prince Nolan wrapped his arm around Serena Feng and leaned his head against hers...
He wouldn't harm a child, but he wouldn't be so merciful as to forget old grudges either.
Letting the boy live was mercy enough. What happened to him in the future would depend on his own fate.
The path you choose—you have to take responsibility for it!