Heavy Reward, There Is No Free Dinner Under Heaven

When will you begin treatment?

Of course, she hoped to wait until Ninth Royal Uncle was released before treating Holden Cui, but when he will be freed is a major uncertainty—it could be ten days, half a month, or even a year or more.

After all, the charges against Ninth Royal Uncle are severe; even with help from the Cui Clan and the Warren family, there is no guarantee. But Holden Cui’s illness cannot be delayed any longer—if it drags on, her odds of success will drop from seventy percent to less than thirty.

If Holden Cui dies because of this delay, not only would the Cui Clan never forgive her, but she herself could never accept it. Threatening Holden for Ninth Royal Uncle’s sake is one thing; letting him die for Nolan is something else entirely.

The sooner the surgery, the better. If possible, Serena truly wished she could operate tomorrow. “If you have no objections, Young Master Holden, I hope to proceed as soon as possible. Any further delay is dangerous for you. After I meet with the eldest Warren heir tomorrow, I’ll examine you and set a treatment date.”

Serena trusted Holden’s word—he was a man of honor. She wasn’t worried that he would refuse to help after his recovery, nor that the Cui Clan would fail to support Nolan during his convalescence.

She would cure Holden’s illness, and naturally, the Cui Clan would send someone to work with the Warren family. Holden himself was in no condition for strenuous activity.

Her words were entirely from Holden’s perspective, considering his best interests. Holden listened, feeling thoroughly reassured. “Miss Serena, you really are straightforward.”

Though being threatened by Serena was not exactly pleasant, her frankness and trust made Holden feel much better.

With the matter settled, Holden had no reason to stay. He took his leave, returned to his quarters, and immediately sent Evan Yuan to deliver the news to the Cui Clan, asking the matriarch to dispatch a capable representative and quietly mobilize their influence in Eastlyn.

The Cui Clan has spent decades in seclusion, quietly regaining its strength. Now, with the clan restored, it is finally time to step back into the world. Cooperating with House Warren to rescue Ninth Royal Uncle is the perfect opportunity—a chance to descend the mountain and re-enter politics. Otherwise, Holden Cui would never have agreed, even reluctantly.

Just as Holden Cui said, the Cui Clan is not so easily threatened. If they truly decided to fight, he would have a hundred ways to force Serena to save him. He has weaknesses, but so does Serena.

In this world, no one exerts themselves for nothing. Neither the Cui Clan nor Serena would act without benefit. Serena is using the Cui Clan’s power, and the Cui Clan is using this crisis to step back onto the political stage. If there’s no profit, no one will bother.

With Holden Cui’s issue settled, Serena finally breathes a sigh of relief. The Cui Clan and House Warren joining forces means even the Emperor will have to hesitate, and with Ninth Royal Uncle’s own power, Nolan should be released soon.

Everything must be done step by step, just like a meal eaten one bite at a time. Serena is anxious, but she doesn’t dare act rashly—everything must be carefully planned.

Serena exhales, rubbing her sore eyes. She hadn’t slept well in Sky Prison—not because of the cold, but because she didn’t dare let herself sleep.

On her first night in Sky Prison, someone snuck into her cell at midnight, searching for the Phoenix Empress Hairpin. Luckily, she’d already stashed it in the Smart Med-Pack. If she’d been accused of losing an imperial gift, she might have ended up back in Sky Prison.

When Su Rou asked about it in the carriage, Serena hadn’t really lied.

Serena yawned, picked up the strong tea on the table, and summoned Jada Tang and Mira Tang inside.

She’d spent ten days in Sky Prison, completely cut off from the outside world. She had to know what happened during those ten days—otherwise, how could she negotiate with William Warren tomorrow?

Jada Tang and Mira Tang were competent, but their ability to gather information was limited. Aside from the well-known news that the National Duke’s Manor had been raided, they’d only heard vague rumors about several mountains near the Capital mysteriously exploding.

The Emperor claimed Duke Zhen was responsible, and the two maids managed to pick up a few rumors about it. But the Emperor kept things tightly under wraps, and with both Nolan and William Warren pulling back a bit these ten days, the rumors hadn’t spread.

Still, no matter what, it was a hidden danger—one that could erupt at any time.

"The National Duke’s Manor has actually been wiped out. I suppose their whole family got lucky." Serena wasn’t pleased by their downfall.

She’d wanted to settle her own scores. Her grudge against the National Duke’s Manor ran deep, and seeing them destroyed so easily robbed her of much satisfaction. Still, with the house gone, what could she do?

It was still revenge, of a sort. She’d visit Xavier’s grave another day, light incense, and tell him the enemy was finished—so he could rest easy.

Jada Tang and Mira Tang exchanged a smile. Indeed, it was better that the National Duke’s Manor was destroyed than to fall into their young lady’s hands.

"Send someone to the villages and towns near those mountains—see if there’s any news or rumors." After sorting through all the events of the past ten days, Serena focused on this issue.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

Whenever an emperor takes the throne or rules, he loves to stage Auspicious Omens to prove Heaven favors him. But five mountains exploding at once? That’s no omen. Even if the Emperor insists Duke Zhen caused it, the common people won’t buy it. They’ll see it as Heaven’s displeasure—a sign the ruler has lost virtue.

If someone deliberately fans the flames, it could be spun as the Emperor losing virtue.

This is a real opportunity!

Jada Tang and Mira Tang weren’t fools. They caught Serena’s meaning and nodded eagerly, eyes shining. "Miss, should we stir up a little trouble ourselves?"

"Go ahead, what clever ideas do you have?" Serena teased, amused by their innocence. Did they really think chaos was so easy to create? Even if they had the manpower, even if they succeeded, in a world where information travels slowly, any disturbance can be quickly covered up.

Whitewashing peace is a skill reserved for emperors.

"Uh..." The two maids thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with anything. They drooped their heads, realizing they’d been too naive.

Serena didn’t want to make things hard for them. She chuckled and sent them off to rest. "Enough, you’ve been on edge these days. Go get some sleep. Tomorrow will be busy."

Jada Tang and Mira Tang were both exhausted. They bowed and left, finally able to relax a little.

Serena leaned against the window, staring out at the night sky, lost in thought.

She didn’t sleep all night. When dawn broke, she rose and washed up, her mind still racing.

After breakfast, she sent for Su Rou. "Have you prepared everything?"

"Everything is ready, Miss. The carriage is waiting. Lord Warren is expecting us at the manor."

Serena nodded, her gaze steady. "Let’s go."

The carriage rolled out. Serena sat inside, her face calm but her heart tense.

She was about to negotiate with William Warren. She couldn’t afford a single mistake.

The carriage rattled along, heading straight for House Warren.

Serena clenched her fists, determined to win today’s negotiation.