Taking the Initiative, Harming Others Only Harms Oneself

The steward of Ninth Prince Manor had changed, but Serena's status in the manor remained the same.

The new steward was a quiet, middle-aged man. He didn't speak much, but treated Serena with great respect.

"What happened to the old steward?" Serena asked with concern. The middle-aged steward didn't hide anything and explained the old steward's current situation.

As long as there was no betrayal, Ninth Royal Uncle would never mistreat his people. The old steward was now enjoying his retirement at an estate outside the city, well cared for and free from worry in his old age.

Serena nodded, walking inside as she asked the new steward how many people in Ninth Prince Manor were still available for use.

"Do you mean the ones out in the open, or those working in secret?" This steward didn't say much, but he was a clever man—utterly loyal to Ninth Royal Uncle and completely honest with Serena.

"What about the ones working in secret?" The public forces weren't convenient to use right now.

"The covert forces could, within three days, subdue the Imperial Guards in the palace and seize the Imperial Palace itself."

Uh... Serena froze for a moment, nearly stepping on her own left foot.

Ninth Royal Uncle really was impressive, wasn't he!

She'd never realized before just how formidable Ninth Royal Uncle's private forces in the Capital truly were.

To purge the court, kill the Emperor, and take the throne—Ninth Royal Uncle could accomplish all of it in just three days.

Of course, if everything depended on brute force, even after seizing the throne, it wouldn't be easy to hold onto it. Serena had no intention of going that far.

Serena gestured for the steward to follow her into the study. He did so without hesitation, keeping in step behind her—not treating her as merely the lady of the house, but as an equal master to Ninth Royal Uncle.

Serena seemed to understand now why Ninth Royal Uncle had chosen this man as steward.

The old steward had treated her well, but there was always a certain distance—he hadn't truly regarded her as a master. This new steward, however, genuinely served her as his master, letting Serena feel just how much Ninth Royal Uncle valued her.

To say she wasn't pleased would be a lie, but Serena didn't let it show.

Once in the study, Serena laid out her plan openly.

Her plan was simple: have Ninth Royal Uncle's people spread rumors. Since the Minister of Justice claimed Princess Yara met Serena in secret and was poisoned, Serena would counter by saying Princess Yara was caught in an affair and killed herself out of shame. And Princess Yara's lover...

...was none other than the Emperor himself. The Emperor had forced himself on his nephew's wife, secretly carrying on with Princess Yara, and when their affair was discovered, Princess Yara killed herself in shame.

The steward hesitated, "Will anyone believe this?" He wasn't doubting Serena's orders, just worried that such a story lacked credibility—and that spreading rumors about the Emperor could easily get them killed.

Serena replied, "Of course people will believe it—the public loves royal gossip. But when you have our people spread the rumor, don't point directly at the Emperor. Just imply that Princess Yara was involved with an older man who could often see her."

Also, have our people spread stories about Princess Royal of Lyndaria—everyone knows she has affairs with older high-ranking officials, even the commoners are aware. Tie Princess Yara's scandal to her aunt's reputation.

Princess Royal has always liked older men. The Left Chancellor she chose years ago was old enough to be her father, and her current lovers are no spring chickens either. If Princess Yara, like her aunt, preferred older men, it wouldn't be surprising—they're aunt and niece, after all, sharing similar tastes is only natural, even if it's a bit unusual.

Serena admitted to herself that she was being ruthless—Princess Yara was dead, and Serena still wouldn't let her reputation rest. But if even in death Princess Yara's name was being used to ruin Serena, she couldn't be blamed for fighting back.

The steward thought it over and understood. "Understood, miss. I won't let you down."

The truth didn't matter—as long as the public believed the rumor and it grew, that was enough. Whether it was true or not was irrelevant.

Neither Eastlyn nor Lyndaria would ever reveal the real circumstances of Princess Yara's death, so they could spread whatever stories they wanted.

"I wonder if having you do this work is a waste of your talents?" Serena wasn't testing him—she really meant it.

Ninth Royal Uncle's men could really seize the Imperial Palace.

"Don't worry, miss. We have people specifically stationed in the markets to spread rumors and gather information." The steward answered every question Serena asked, and this pleased her greatly.

After giving these instructions, Serena felt a bit tired and said to the steward, "You can go now. I want to sit here a while longer."

After Serena left, a fierce argument erupted between Victor and his father.

"Dad, why did you tell Serena I wasn't home? What gives you the right to turn away my guest?" Victor was at home and didn't bother hiding his displeasure.

Victor's father sighed, "Victor, it's not that I don't want you to see her. You know her situation—our Young family can't help her right now."

"Why do you assume she came to me for help?" Victor retorted sarcastically, which only angered his father, who raised his voice: "Why else would she come now if not to ask for help?"

"So what if she needs help? What's wrong with our Young family helping her? Don't forget, when we were cornered by the Four Kingdoms, it was Serena who saved us. Without her, our family would have fallen long ago." Victor was so angry his veins bulged.

His father hadn't always been this way. When had he changed?

"That wasn't real help, Victor. Don't be fooled by Serena. Our Young family didn't gain that much from her—she took far more than we did. All we got was a reputation." It always came down to interests.

The prenatal medicine sold extremely well—even with the Young family limiting supply, silver poured in daily. But ninety percent of the profits went to Serena. Victor himself didn't care, but other members of the Young family did.

Lately, Young family members had been complaining to Victor's father every day, saying Serena wasn't truly helping them but just using their network as cheap labor.

If Serena was truly helping the Young family, why wasn't the profit split fifty-fifty? After all, the Young family provided the manpower and resources—what did Serena contribute to deserve the lion's share?

At first, Victor's father defended Serena, but after hearing the complaints day after day, his resolve began to waver.

That's how it was—hearing it so often, Victor's father began to believe Serena was taking advantage of the Young family, rather than the other way around.