Sighing, The Young Lady Must Be Missing His Highness

However, these matters had nothing to do with Serena Feng. What Serena cared about was the Emperor’s massive material aid to Night City, and the commercial assistance.

Serena knew the Emperor saw an opportunity in Night City’s decline and planned to sanction it economically. Eventually, Reid Yale would have to keep compromising with Eastlyn, perhaps even forced to give up control over Night City.

Now that the Emperor had intervened, they could no longer act. Serena rubbed her brow and instructed: “Commercial attacks won’t work anymore. Mira Tang, let the Su Clan know to withdraw.”

Night City is now a vassal of Eastlyn, no longer an isolated city without allies. If she kept using such tactics, she’d look downright foolish.

Night City... It’s best left for Ninth Royal Uncle to handle. When the Emperor and Reid Yale finally clash, that evidence will be the last straw that breaks Night City.

Though she hadn’t managed to destroy Night City in one blow, Serena still felt frustrated. But thinking of Night City’s future, her mood brightened.

For Reid Yale, the worst fate wasn’t death—it was watching Night City crumble in his hands and then lose it altogether.

To take revenge, killing your enemy is the lowest move. The best way is to strike at what they care about—just like when Reid Yale desecrated her parents’ remains and came to her door to taunt her.

Reid Yale might be miserable now, but Serena wasn’t a saint. She’d stand by and watch him suffer, and if she got the chance, she’d stomp him down even more.

With Night City’s conflict now shifting from economics to military force, Serena—just a civilian forbidden to raise private troops—had zero military power. So she decisively withdrew.

How’s the Shandong Lu Clan situation? If Night City can’t be handled, maybe she could turn to Shandong.

Now that the contest with Su Rou was over, she had nothing else on her plate—she could go to Shandong at ease. As for the reason, Ninth Royal Uncle could handle it.

When it came to the Shandong Lu Clan, Jada Tang and Mira Tang looked awkward. Urged by Serena, Jada braced herself and said, “Miss, there’s been no progress at all. It’s just like when we first arrived in Shandong. The Lu Clan is the richest family there; we’ve only ever managed to linger at the edges. They seem to have a powerful backer in the capital, and even the regional governor has to show respect to the Lu patriarch.”

In Shandong, the Lu Clan is like a local emperor. Our people didn’t notice at first, but the longer they stayed, the clearer it became. The Lu Clan keeps a low profile; if we hadn’t spent half a year there, we’d never have realized just how much power they wield in Shandong.

The more Jada spoke, the more it sounded like she was making excuses for her own incompetence.

Serena didn’t mind and just answered, “Keep watching the Lu Clan. Since their power in Shandong is so great, tell our people to be cautious. What about that illegitimate Lu son you contacted last time?”

He’s dead. The Lu Clan found out.

They’d startled the snake; now the Lu Clan would be even more on guard.

Dead? Really dead? The Lu Clan reacts fast—and clean. No wonder they killed her father; if they were weak, it wouldn’t be worth it. Serena was angry, but since the Lu Clan had already disposed of her best pawn, there was no point in being upset. In Shandong, the Lu Clan is a local emperor—far from imperial oversight, nobody can touch them.

Jada, Mira, notify our people to go to ground. Don’t probe for more news about the Lu Clan. The Lu Clan was now aware someone was targeting them; Serena didn’t dare take further risks. If they found out she was behind it, she’d be in real danger.

Too many people wanted her dead. Until she reached Shandong, she couldn’t expose herself or openly oppose the Lu Clan—otherwise, they might decide to kill her.

Don’t worry, Miss—I’ve already told our people to lie low. I’ll notify everyone again to keep quiet. Planting spies wasn’t easy; Jada Tang and Mira Tang hated to lose them.

Good, you both look tired—go rest. She knew all she needed for now; the rest required careful thought about her next steps and what resources she could use.

After thinking for ages, Serena still couldn’t come up with a good plan. The Capital was a thousand li from Shandong; she could only analyze the Lu Clan’s situation from scraps. In such high-status, rule-bound houses, her people could learn very little.

Her Shandong mission was urgent, but the Lu Clan already sensed trouble. If they followed the trail, they’d soon trace it back to her—and if the Lu Clan struck first, she’d be finished. Compared to them, she was still too weak. Serena tapped her fingers on the desk.

She didn’t know when it started, but now she had the same habit as Ninth Royal Uncle—tapping her fingers on the desk. Serena awkwardly pulled her hand back, giving a bitter little smile.

She’d seen Ninth Royal Uncle just that day, but it felt like ages since she’d last seen him. Ever since the Walker Clan incident, he’d vanished into his own affairs, never showing up at night.

Serena sighed, blew out the lamp in her study, and went to bed.

Tomorrow, the Emperor definitely wouldn’t let her rest at home—he’d send her to watch over Felix Fuller, waiting to see whether he lived or died…