Refusal to Meet, Serena Feng You Are Going Too Far

The Crown Prince’s faction never truly expected to have Prince Adrian deposed over this incident; their call to abolish him was just a probe to test the Emperor’s attitude.

Clearly, although the Emperor is disappointed in Prince Adrian, he has no intention of deposing him. When Ninth Royal Uncle spoke up, the Crown Prince’s faction secretly rejoiced—they knew their chance had come.

So, the Crown Prince’s faction dropped the topic of deposing Prince Adrian and instead urged the Emperor to quickly appoint someone else to take charge of the Bloodcloak Guard—Prince Adrian must no longer hold that position.

This proposal fit perfectly with the Emperor’s wishes. After yesterday’s disaster, the Emperor had grown even more doubtful of Prince Adrian’s abilities. Although the Bloodcloak Guard was loyal in Prince Adrian’s hands, it couldn’t deliver the impact the Emperor wanted. After a brief consideration, the Emperor agreed, ordering Prince Adrian to relinquish all his duties and go home to reflect.

Once the Emperor had spoken, no one dared say more. Whether it was Prince Adrian or the Crown Prince, neither held the power of Ninth Royal Uncle—their fortunes depended entirely on the Emperor’s favor, and his attitude decided everything.

Prince Adrian’s faction saw that the tide had turned. With the Emperor stripping Prince Adrian of Bloodcloak Guard command, it was clear the previous day’s disaster wasn’t blamed on the Crown Prince. If they kept attacking the Crown Prince, it would only earn the Emperor’s disgust—but accepting it outright was still hard to swallow.

The Crown Prince had killed more than a hundred Bloodcloak Guards—he had to take responsibility. If they couldn’t have him deposed, at least he could be confined. Prince Adrian’s side kept pushing for the Emperor to punish the Crown Prince.

Of course, the Emperor couldn’t let the Crown Prince off the hook. If he punished only Prince Adrian and not the Crown Prince, it would fuel the Crown Prince’s arrogance and draw more supporters to his side—something the Emperor did not want. At Prince Adrian’s faction’s prompting, the Emperor immediately decreed that the Crown Prince would be confined for three months, starting after the New Year.

During the New Year, envoys from three kingdoms and nine cities would come to celebrate. If Prince Adrian couldn’t attend, that was one thing—but if the Crown Prince also didn’t show, it would raise suspicions. The ministers had no objections to the Emperor’s decision.

In the end, the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Adrian ended in mutual injury, with the Emperor as the true winner. He had knocked down the Crown Prince and warned Prince Adrian, making it clear to all the ministers that he alone held the highest authority in Eastlyn—wherever his sword pointed, the officials’ loyalties would follow.

Things turned out completely differently from what everyone expected. Ninth Royal Uncle arrived at Feng Manor, but didn’t see her at all.

"Where’s Serena Feng?" Ninth Royal Uncle asked the moment he stepped into Feng Manor.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Miss Feng is in the sick ward and has instructed me that no one is to disturb her." Facing Ninth Royal Uncle’s intimidating aura, Butler Wu found it nearly impossible to speak normally.

"No one allowed to disturb her?" Serena Feng was getting bolder and bolder, daring to openly refuse to see him. Ninth Royal Uncle snorted coldly. “I want to see her. Lead the way.”

He was making it clear—he would not accept rejection.

Serena Feng had refused to see him again and again—it was too much. He’d let it slide this morning, but now he’d entered through the main gate, and Serena Feng still dared to snub him. She was getting far too bold!

"Yes, yes, yes—this way, Your Highness." Butler Wu scrambled to his feet, moving with a speed that belied his age, leading Ninth Royal Uncle to Serena Feng while silently apologizing to her in his heart: he wasn’t betraying his mistress, it was just that Ninth Royal Uncle’s presence was too overwhelming for him to resist.

Just as Ninth Royal Uncle expected, Serena Feng was in the Small Cabin, tending to the comatose Caleb Walker. Caleb had survived the danger period, but hadn’t woken up yet. Serena was worried about him, spending most of her time watching over him, afraid any carelessness would cost his life.

The servants had already reported Ninth Royal Uncle’s visit, but this time it was truly a misunderstanding. No matter how much Serena Feng acted up, she would never publicly embarrass Ninth Royal Uncle—she was genuinely tied up and couldn’t get away. She’d meant to finish her current work before coming out, but Ninth Royal Uncle couldn’t wait and stormed in with his people.