Short-Lived, Persuade the Ninth Royal Uncle

"If you keep going like this, how many more years do you think you can last?" William Wang walked into the imperial study and fixed his eyes on Prince Nolan.

William Wang seriously wondered if Prince Nolan had been out thieving lately.

Serena Feng has grown fair and plump during this period, but Prince Nolan has become noticeably thinner. The imperial physicians privately approached William, warning that if things continue this way, Prince Nolan may not live past forty.

Not living past forty means only a little over ten years left—definitely not good news.

"I know my own body," said Prince Nolan. Even without this latest incident, he wouldn't have lasted long. His body had been ruined by the relentless training his mother arranged for him in childhood; no amount of care could fix it now.

Having a child at all is already a miracle for Prince Nolan.

"Are you sure you know? I heard from your attendants that you coughed up blood yesterday." William Wang was dead serious, his smile fading.

"Who’s spreading rumors? Who said that?" A flash of killing intent passed through Ninth Royal Uncle’s eyes; he couldn’t tolerate anyone around him leaking his private affairs.

"So you really did cough up blood." William Wang shook his head. "Don’t worry, your attendants didn’t tell me—I guessed." In other words, he was bluffing.

William Wang is getting bolder, daring to meddle in his affairs. Prince Nolan shot him a cold glare: "Enough. Get out!"

"I take my leave," said William Wang, glancing at Prince Nolan before sighing and turning to go.

"Wait..." Just as William Wang stepped out, he heard Ninth Royal Uncle's voice and returned. "Is there something you wish to instruct, Your Majesty?"

"Don’t tell Serena. She can't handle any more stress." Prince Nolan buried himself in his documents again, as if nothing had happened.

"If you tell her, she’ll definitely soften." Prince Nolan has tried every trick to push Serena for half a year, but now, with such an effective card, he refuses to use it.

"It’s not necessary." Prince Nolan covered his mouth and coughed lightly twice. Even standing at the door, William Wang could hear him suppressing it.

If Serena had really gone into premature labor or something had happened that day, Prince Nolan would never have forgiven himself. The same went for Yu Wen Yuanhua...

William Wang shook his head and walked out of the palace. Outside the gates, his driver was already waiting. Seeing William emerge, the driver hurried forward to greet him: "Young Master."

"To Feng Manor." He should go check on Serena.

Knowing Serena nearly miscarried, William Wang had wanted to visit, but realizing she was bedridden and unable to host guests, he decided not to add to the chaos at Feng Manor. He sent people to inquire instead, and only relaxed once he confirmed Serena was fine.

The entrance to Feng Manor was jammed with carriages from every noble house. William Wang’s carriage arrived late and could only squeeze in at the outer edge.

Lifting the carriage curtain and seeing the scene ahead, William Wang couldn't help but frown: Hadn't Prince Nolan warned these people not to disturb Serena? In her current condition, she had no energy to entertain guests.

"Young Master?" The driver glanced hesitantly at William Wang. He was a skilled driver, but with no clear path ahead, he really couldn’t get through.

"Wait here for me." William Wang stepped out of the carriage, and his shadow guards immediately appeared, flanking him and clearing a path.

"Grand Heir. It’s the Grand Heir..."

"Lord Wang, Lord Wang is here."

...

Outside the gate, greetings and bows rang out in waves. William Wang smiled and nodded as he walked forward, saying nothing, yet somehow making people feel at ease. One by one, they made way for him.

The gatekeeper at Feng Manor received word and opened the door early to welcome William Wang in. As for the other gift-givers, someone else took care of them.

Serena didn’t have the energy to handle these matters herself, but she wouldn’t shut everyone out or drive guests away.

Still, thinking of Prince Nolan’s condition, William Wang couldn’t help but say, "Serena, if you can, try to persuade His Majesty to take care of his health."

If Prince Nolan really died young, it would be Serena and her child who suffered most in the end...

The difference was huge—Serena was visibly larger, especially her belly. After just one month, it was shockingly big.

"I hardly recognize myself either. That’s why I haven’t seen anyone lately," Serena said, supporting her waist as Tong Jue helped her to a chair.

"What brings you to visit me today?"

"I’ve wanted to come, but I was worried about your health. Are you alright?" William Wang asked with concern, not expecting Yu Wen Yuanhua’s words to have caused such serious consequences.

If Serena had really gone into premature labor or something had happened that day, Ninth Royal Uncle would never have forgiven himself. The same went for Yu Wen Yuanhua...

"I’m fine, just have to stay in bed. The imperial physicians won’t let me move. I can only walk a little before giving birth." This pregnancy was truly dangerous, so extra caution was justified.

"That’s good. There’s nothing urgent right now, so just focus on resting. Simon Sun is doing well at the front, Southern Lyn’s situation is under control, and Divine Doctor Guile and Divine Doctor Redwater wrote that the plague is contained. The medicine you provided works wonders—soldiers who take it rarely get infected, and in half a month, when the weather turns cold, the epidemic will stop spreading. With the medicine’s help, the outbreak can be resolved." Before coming, William Wang had been reminded by Ninth Royal Uncle to share only the good news.

The situation at the front had improved, but it wasn’t as easy as William Wang made it sound. The death toll was still terrifying, and now that Eastlyn had conquered Southern Lyn, it would take enormous effort to govern it.

"As long as the epidemic is under control, that benefits the people of both nations. Otherwise, years of war would keep shrinking the population, which is bad for the country." Too many people had died in the fighting, especially young adults. It would take decades for the Nine Provinces to recover from this chaos.

But this was also a relief—at least, for now, there would be no more war.

"Surrendered soldiers won’t be killed. Don’t worry, once Southern Lyn is taken, only a few tough battles remain. Capture the royal palace, accept the surrender, and the war will be over." Eastlyn didn’t need to conquer every city—just reach the capital and overthrow the Southern Lyn emperor.

Of course, that was easier said than done. Eastlyn would attack, and Southern Lyn, to avoid destruction, would fight with everything they had. It all depended on which nation was stronger.

"Let’s hope so." Ending the war didn’t mean Southern Lyn would be smoothly integrated. Absorbing their armies, officials, and people would be a major challenge.

It was a massive undertaking, but it wasn’t something Serena needed to worry about.

Seeing Serena in good spirits, William Wang brought up more about Southern Lyn, focusing on Prince Nanling Jin Xing.

The plan for Prince Nanling Jin Xing’s fake death and escape was ready—once Southern Lyn fell, he would "die" for his country and settle on the grasslands. As for Zhan Yan, William Wang intended to wait a year or so before reporting her death due to grief.

"Whatever you decide is fine." Serena had no opinion; the bigger her belly grew, the lazier she felt. With William Wang handling it, she was at ease.

William Wang shared all this not to worry Serena, but to put her mind at ease so she could focus on her pregnancy.

Still, thinking of Ninth Royal Uncle’s condition, William Wang couldn’t help but say, "Serena, if you can, try to persuade His Majesty to take care of his health."

If Ninth Royal Uncle really died young, it would be Serena and her child who suffered most in the end...