The dream is beautiful, but reality is harsh. Just looking at the increasingly icy aura around Prince Nolan, it was clear that Serena and William Wang Jinling's "grand venture" was doomed from the start.
Prince Nolan was not a petty man. On any other day, if Serena and William openly discussed smuggling right in front of him, even though it harmed Eastlyn's interests, he'd just turn a blind eye—after all, such things can never be truly banned. Better to let his own people profit than outsiders. But this time...
No way, not this time!
This wasn't about profit—it was about a man's pride. This coal deal was supposed to be between him and Serena; what was William doing barging in?
Of course, the most important thing was, William was being generous with Prince Nolan's own Eastlyn resources. Stealing his benefits, showing off in front of him, acting attentive to Serena—William was dreaming!
If you don't court disaster, you won't get burned. Since William insisted on digging his own grave, Prince Nolan wasn't about to show mercy.
Prince Nolan interrupted William and Serena's conversation without a hint of politeness, his voice cold: "I will soon be leaving the Capital. The Imperial Preceptor will act as Regent. I doubt Lord Wang will have time to meddle in northwest affairs."
"What?" William was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Prince Nolan.
Did he hear that right?
Weren't they just talking about the northwest's black soil? How did it suddenly turn into a regency issue? Prince Nolan was being way too petty.
Prince Nolan's lips curled up slightly, and he kindly repeated, "I leave the Capital next month. Lord Wang, you'll have your hands full."
He didn't believe William would have any time left to meddle in northwest affairs. And even if he did, Nolan would make sure William was too busy to spare a moment.
"Officials across the realm are due for reassignment. You seem rather free lately, so I'll leave the task to you. Before year-end, I expect to see every post reappointed." The northwest officials could be from any faction—but never the Wang clan. Serena caught the implication instantly.
Biting her finger...
"Cutting off my money road—you're just plain mean." Serena looked at Prince Nolan with grievance. Not only was he refusing her a share of the profits, now he was blocking William from helping her. So cruel.
"The realm and its people come first," Prince Nolan declared righteously, his eyes sweeping over William. William shook his head and chuckled, "Ever since you became Regent, you've gotten stingier."
"I put the people above all else," Prince Nolan said again, holding himself up as a paragon while contrasting William's selfishness. "Most of this realm's people are poor. Competing with them for profit isn't what a true ruler does."
"You're only Regent now. If you really want to do good for the people, you should rebel first." William jabbed at Prince Nolan, his head aching at the thought of the regency. He pressed on: "Regent, Eastlyn may be stable but it's not settled yet. For the people's sake, you should focus on taking the throne first—then act when Eastlyn is truly secure."
Sure, Eastlyn was already in Prince Nolan's hands, but his rule wasn't truly legitimate yet. William hoped Nolan would take the throne first. But Nolan didn't even hesitate to refuse: "No need for that."
Becoming emperor would only mean more restrictions and less freedom—he wouldn't be able to do half the things he wanted. Besides, Eastlyn's throne wasn't enough for him.
"Take it slow. Some things can't be rushed," William Wang Jinling said, his smile unchanged but his eyes deepening with calm. The atmosphere in the room grew tense.
Serena glanced at Ninth Royal Uncle, then at William, keeping her head down and trying to make herself as invisible as possible.
William and Ninth Royal Uncle locked eyes, neither speaking. Time passed in silence. William's brows remained steady; Ninth Royal Uncle's gaze was unwavering as he slowly shook his head. "My life is both short and endless," he said.
He was born to conquer, not to merely keep the throne. He feared no danger—only a future he could not see.
"Take care of yourself," William said with a soft sigh, knowing persuasion was useless and pushing down his own worries.
"Don't worry. I can't bear to die," Ninth Royal Uncle replied. Even if only for Serena, he would keep living.
If he died, what would happen to Serena?
The northwest coal mine deal was dead in the water. With Ninth Royal Uncle's firm intervention, there was no way William could help Serena mine privately, and Serena knew she couldn't score a windfall without giving Ninth Royal Uncle his cut.
After parting with William, the coachman didn’t need instructions; he took Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle straight to Feng Manor. Once the servants were dismissed, Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle walked side by side into the courtyard.
"What exactly do those black soils do?" Ninth Royal Uncle asked. Serena didn’t hide anything and explained one by one.
At this point in history, coal was only good as fuel—industry hadn’t developed, and coal wasn’t all that important yet.
"Fuel?" Ninth Royal Uncle was skeptical. If it was just firewood, why would Serena care so much?
"Yes, once you process that black soil, it can replace wood." Calming down, Serena realized she’d overreacted—just like with those diamonds, valuable but nowhere near that level yet.
She should be glad William found coal and not oil. No matter how important oil was in her old world, right now it was basically useless.
"Just to replace wood, you put in all this effort?" Ninth Royal Uncle stopped and studied Serena. "I’m not that petty," he said seriously. So, no need to hide it from him—he wouldn’t fight Serena for it, even if it was valuable.
The Nine Provinces Realm was huge. If black soil was really that important, he could just send people to find more.
"I really didn’t trick you," Serena said, frustrated but knowing she had to explain or Ninth Royal Uncle would keep a barrier in his heart. She mumbled, "You know where I come from, that..." and gave a vague explanation for her overreaction.
She’d been too deeply influenced by coal barons—just seeing a coal mine made her think of piles and piles of silver.
Ninth Royal Uncle was stunned at first, then burst out laughing. "Is it just like those stones?" he teased. Clearly worthless, but Serena treated them like treasure.
"Can you not say it out loud? Some things are best kept in your heart," Serena blushed. This was truly embarrassing.
"Joy is better shared than kept to oneself." Realizing Serena hadn’t meant to hide anything, Ninth Royal Uncle brightened. Seeing her puffed-up cheeks, he couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her face. "Alright, don’t be angry. I’ll send people to help you mine it. We’ll split the profits fifty-fifty."
That black soil wasn’t worthless—at least with it, people wouldn’t have to worry about running out of firewood, and the wood used for forging iron could be saved. All in all, the value was real; it was good for both the country and the people.
"Hmph... letting you get a bargain," Serena grumbled, playing coy even as she got the better deal.
Coal might not be precious, but the sheer quantity mattered. If they really mined it, people across the Nine Provinces Realm wouldn’t have to worry about fuel for decades. Most importantly...
"Oh, I almost forgot—coal slag can be used to pave roads!" Serena’s eyes lit up.
If Ninth Royal Uncle could get the roads built early, then in future wars, troop movements would be several times faster. With Eastlyn as the hub, conquering the realm wouldn’t be a dream.
Just thinking about it made Serena’s whole body buzz with excitement. She grabbed Ninth Royal Uncle’s sleeve, unable to contain herself...