Smoothly, the Little Treasure Is Coming

The Westlyn royal family treated Master Ian Reed poorly. If Eastlyn’s Ninth Royal Uncle hadn’t intervened, Master Ian Reed would still be wasting his talent in brothels and pleasure boats, a prince consort with nothing to show for his gifts—just a public cuckold.

It’s fair to say that Eastlyn’s Ninth Royal Uncle changed Master Ian Reed’s fate—and his own as well.

The land that raised them—Westlyn—was never kind. It gave them nothing but endless wounds. If things had been different, they wouldn’t have knowingly betrayed their own country and leapt into the abyss without hesitation. And now?

Regret?

Titus asks himself and knows he doesn’t regret it. If he had to do it all over again, he’d make the same choice. Because when he was trapped in hell, the only hand that reached out to him was Eastlyn’s Ninth Royal Uncle.

It was Eastlyn’s Ninth Royal Uncle who pulled him from the depths of despair. Without him, Titus wouldn’t be who he is today. He can’t bear to abandon his homeland, but he also can’t bring himself to betray the Ninth Royal Uncle…

“Master, don’t say that again.” Titus understands that Master Ian Reed has no ambition—they just can’t let go of their homeland, can’t forget their old country…

With Titus and Master Ian Reed working together, Eastlyn’s plan to control Westlyn’s military, economy, and culture is going more and more smoothly. While the people of Westlyn are still celebrating their victory in war, Eastlyn has already quietly infiltrated every industry, weaving a massive web in the shadows…

No proper weapons, no steady supply of grain, skyrocketing prices, banknotes that can’t be exchanged… Any one of these could defeat Westlyn in war, let alone all of them combined.

If Eastlyn ever declares war on Westlyn, these people could bring every industry in Westlyn to a standstill in no time, collapsing this giant nation in an instant!

Eastlyn may have prepared for a full-scale assault on Westlyn, but if he can take this vast country at minimal cost, the Ninth Royal Uncle is more than happy to do so. He’s not a warmonger—attacking by force is a last resort, and benefits neither the nation nor its people.

Even though Eastlyn is wealthy and its people strong, it can’t withstand endless years of war—especially with Northlyn still looming as a tough adversary.

As long as Titus has no ambitions, the Ninth Royal Uncle is happy to swallow up Westlyn through gentle means.

The real situation in Westlyn—aside from Titus and Master Ian Reed, only Holden Cui can glimpse the truth from subtle details. The entire court is intoxicated by how quickly the nation has recovered, and even the Westlyn Emperor is plotting to seize power.

The Westlyn Emperor’s secret moves are known not just to the Ninth Royal Uncle and Titus—even Holden Cui is aware. Holden has even guessed that the Emperor’s success is entirely because Titus deliberately exposed weaknesses to make it easier for him to seize power.

“Westlyn is about to fall.” Holden Cui lets out a long sigh, and when he closes his eyes, he thinks of the young girl who once treated him.

Who would have thought that a girl in such dire straits would one day become the most honored woman on the continent—a woman even he can only look up to.

Thinking of the Lan-blooded woman at home, a flash of killing intent passes through Holden Cui’s eyes. He doesn’t understand talk of transmigration or soul possession, but he knows one thing: if such rumors spread from the Cui family, then the Cui family has no reason to exist.

“Soul possession and rebirth?” Holden Cui sneers, stands up, brushes dust off his sleeve, and walks toward the back courtyard.

It’s time to clean house. The Cui family never had such intentions, so there’s no need to keep unrelated people around. He won’t destroy the whole Cui clan for a single woman…

Whatever Westlyn and the Cui family are busy with lately, the Ninth Royal Uncle doesn’t have the time or energy to worry about it. All his attention is focused on Serena Feng, who’s about to give birth.

Watching Serena’s belly grow day by day, the Ninth Royal Uncle grows more anxious. The Valley Master says the child is large and might cause complications during delivery.

The Ninth Royal Uncle doesn’t need the Valley Master to tell him how dangerous a difficult labor can be—he already knows. More than once, he’s held Serena’s hand and said, “Serena, maybe we shouldn’t go through with this.” Compared to a daughter, he cares far more about Serena.

“Don’t be silly—the baby’s already so big, there’s no turning back now. Maybe you could give up, but I can’t.” Serena laughs and pokes the back of his hand. “I’m a doctor myself. I know exactly what’s going on. Sure, the baby’s a bit large, but I can deliver naturally. If it comes to it, I’ll do a C-section.”

The Ninth Royal Uncle’s face is tense as he gently strokes Serena’s belly, feeling the baby’s movements. Worry and ruthless determination flicker across his eyes.

If there’s real danger during the birth, he won’t hesitate to save Serena over anyone else.

Time slips by as the Ninth Royal Uncle worries. When Serena’s due date arrives, everyone in the palace is on high alert. Every day, dozens of eyes watch just Serena, ready for the midwives and imperial doctors to spring into action the moment labor begins.

As Serena’s belly grows, Little Dumpling gets more and more well-behaved. Even when the Ninth Royal Uncle punishes him, he doesn’t run to Serena to complain. He hides his injured hand so his mother won’t worry.

“Mom, when my little sister comes out, I’ll play with her.” Little Dumpling’s right hand is chafed from practicing calligraphy. To keep Serena from noticing, he always hides it behind his back and cheekily asks, “Mom, do I look cool like this? I saw the older boys do it.”

Serena knows exactly what Little Dumpling is up to. She pretends not to notice since he won’t say anything, and goes along with his story, praising him—but secretly arranges for the best medicine to be prepared for him.

Little Dumpling clings to Serena’s hand and stays by her side for ages. Serena sits perfectly still, listening intently to her son’s words, until…

Pain in her belly makes it impossible for Serena to stay calm. She finally says to Little Dumpling, “It’s getting late. Go greet your father, now.”

“Mom…” Little Dumpling pouts, looking at Serena with a wronged expression.

Serena’s whole body trembles with pain, but her smile doesn’t falter. Gentle yet firm, she says, “Calling me won’t help—your father is waiting for you.”

Little Dumpling knows his mom looks easygoing but is actually strict. What she says always goes. Reluctantly, he stands up and says, “Okay. I’ll go greet Father now.”

Little Dumpling looks up at Serena, his big eyes full of longing. It’s been ages since Mom last held him, but seeing her big belly, he hides his wish and obediently leaves with the palace maid.

Serena doesn’t get up, still sitting in her chair, smiling as she watches Little Dumpling leave. When he glances back, he sees her looking at him with gentle affection, making him so happy that he skips out the door…

Even with a little sister on the way, Mom still loves him best!