Tacit Understanding, These Two Match So Well

After Prince Rowan’s personal guards were driven out of the city, they didn’t leave immediately but instead rested by the city gates. Prince Nolan didn’t pursue further trouble and allowed them to return to the city to resupply with grain and provisions for the journey.

'His Highness is just too kind,' the advisers whispered privately, earning unanimous agreement from Prince Nolan's guards. William Wang Jinling overheard and could only laugh and shake his head in disbelief.

Prince Rowan’s guards were just resting at the relay station and resupplying in the city, which was perfectly normal. Prince Nolan had already been rather harsh by driving them out. Now, as they sneak back in to buy food for the journey, somehow Prince Nolan ends up being called kind.

If Prince Nolan were truly kind, he wouldn’t have driven them out in the first place.

'That’s bandit logic. Normal people just can’t understand it.' William Wang Jinling decided it was best to keep his distance from Prince Nolan’s guards—they only believe in fists, not reason.

Apparently, Prince Rowan’s guards really were scared by the beating. After resting outside the city for two days, they set off again—coincidentally on the same day House Zhan departed. Rumor had it Princess Vivian got off her carriage halfway, knelt, and bowed in the direction House Zhan had gone.

Prince Rowan’s guards all praised Princess Vivian for her noble gesture. William Wang Jinling just sneered, 'What a hypocrite.' The man is dead—no matter how much she kneels and bows, Master Adrian Wren won’t come back.

'Don’t let it get to you. It’s not worth ruining your composure over someone so irrelevant,' Serena Feng comforted him.

'I’m not angry. I just think it’s unfair to Master Adrian. If he hadn’t taken pity on her and accepted her as a half-disciple, she’d have spent her whole life trapped in the harem, timid and barely surviving, just another pawn for Prince Damien of Southlyn to win over the court. She’d never have had today’s status. And how did she repay him? She stepped over his corpse to rise up.' William Wang Jinling watched the receding coffin, grief written all over his face.

Because of Prince Damien of Southlyn and Princess Vivian’s selfishness, Master Adrian Wren lost his life, and Yana Zhan’s future was destroyed.

"Princess Vivian won’t have a good end. The Empress and Prince Rowan won’t treat her kindly, and Prince Nathan of Southlyn won’t let her off either," Serena Feng could only say.

Master Wenyuan is dead—even if Princess Vivian were killed right now, it wouldn’t change that fact.

The day after House Zhan and Yana Zhan left, Prince Nolan and Serena Feng prepared to return to Eastlyn. William Wang Jinling needed to stay two more days to wait for his classmates, then head to Southlyn for Master Wenyuan’s funeral.

"I’ll leave the rest to you. When I return to Eastlyn, I don’t want to be greeted by a storm of condemnation from those scholars." Before leaving, Prince Nolan subtly reminded William Wang Jinling to handle the aftermath of Master Wenyuan’s death.

"Don’t worry. As soon as everything’s settled, I’ll have someone race to Eastlyn with the news." Even if William Wang Jinling was reluctant, he never went back on his word—if he promised, he’d do it.

Prince Nolan nodded. "I trust you."

How could he not trust him?

William Wang Jinling raised his eyebrow, silently asking in return.

Serena Feng stood to the side, watching the way these two men looked at each other—neither could tear their eyes away. She sighed, stepped forward, and interrupted, "You two need to rein it in. If you can’t bear to part, we can always leave a day later."

Who can’t bear to leave him?

Who’d miss him?

Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling spoke at the same time, then simultaneously took a step back. Realizing they’d moved in perfect sync, they both glared at each other—again, in perfect unison.

The moment their eyes met, they both turned away, as if they’d rehearsed this scene dozens of times. Serena Feng stared, almost in disbelief at their uncanny coordination.

You two really are in sync," Serena Feng murmured, quietly stepping away. She realized standing between them was not the wisest choice.

Those two are a perfect match!" Dorian Owen propped his chin in his hands, eyes blazing with gossip.

Left Bank gave Dorian Owen a sympathetic look and quietly stepped three paces away for his own safety.

Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling were both annoyed. Hearing Dorian Owen’s comment, they spoke in perfect unison again: 'Dorian Owen, what are you talking about?'

Both men frowned at once. This time, William Wang Jinling sped up his words: 'Prince Nolan, why are you copying me?'

Prince Nolan, speaking slower, was cut off by William Wang Jinling and swallowed his own words, letting out a cold snort. 'Copy you? Why would I need to copy you?'

Oh really? Then why do you keep saying the same things as me? William Wang Jinling’s smile was as warm and refined as jade—a true gentleman, as long as you ignored the teasing glint in his eyes.

Prince Nolan seriously wanted to punch the smile off William Wang Jinling’s face. He’d never disliked William’s smile as much as he did right now.

But he really had said the same thing as William Wang Jinling. Even if he hadn’t meant to copy him, he couldn’t deny it.

"Young Master, where’s your gentlemanly grace?" Prince Nolan couldn’t help but remind William Wang Jinling that his aggressive behavior wasn’t very gentlemanly.

"Gentlemanly praise is just what people say. I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman." So don’t keep expecting me to act like one—I never said I was. That reputation was forced on me by others.

"Young Master, you’ve gone bad!" Dorian Owen pointed at William Wang Jinling, putting on a mock-serious scholar’s face, which made everyone burst out laughing.

William Wang Jinling really had changed. In the past, he’d never have traded barbs with Prince Nolan—he’d always been the one to let things go and keep the peace.

Faced with everyone’s teasing, William Wang Jinling just smiled and said nothing. The sadness of parting faded, and they skipped any formal goodbyes, simply agreeing to meet again in the imperial city of Eastlyn.

"Safe travels!" William Wang Jinling waved to Prince Nolan and Serena Feng. The harsh sunlight fell across his face, making it impossible to read his expression.

"See you at the imperial city!" Serena Feng swung up onto her horse, didn’t look back, and simply waved behind her.

At the city gate, City Defense General Dominic Zane had already gathered border officials, waiting to see Prince Nolan off. When Prince Nolan appeared, the officials approached in order of rank, each presenting gifts and expressing their respect and reluctance to see him go. Their words all hinted at hoping Prince Nolan would stay longer, since border security had improved under his watch.

Prince Nolan watched this crowd of smooth-talking officials with cold eyes. Only after they finished did he respond blandly, accepting all their gifts without a fuss.

The border officials’ smiles bloomed like chrysanthemums, undeterred by Prince Nolan’s coldness. They bowed all the way, escorting him out of the city. As soon as his carriage vanished from sight, the officials finally breathed a collective sigh of relief: Thank goodness, the disaster star is gone. If he’d stayed any longer, the border folk wouldn’t survive.

With Master Wenyuan gone and no set return date, Prince Nolan wasn’t in a hurry to get back to Eastlyn. He refused to travel at night and avoided camping outdoors whenever possible, making sure to look after Dorian Owen, who was still recovering.

But Dorian Owen didn’t appreciate it. He was the only one riding in the carriage while everyone else rode horses, and he was bored out of his mind. He begged Serena Feng for company, but she just smiled and shook her head—no way she was riding in the carriage with him.

Several times, Dorian Owen opened the carriage window, hoping for someone to chat with, but no one paid him any attention. Prince Nolan’s guards acted as if Dorian Owen didn’t even exist—he could stand right in front of them, and they’d ignore him completely.

It wasn’t really the guards’ fault. Dorian Owen had brought it on himself by mouthing off and annoying Prince Nolan.

Prince Nolan hadn’t said anything, but as his woman and his guards, they’d already picked up on his mood. Unless absolutely necessary, none of them would say a single word to Dorian Owen—they were determined to make him suffer in silence!