Hostage, Filial Piety Displayed Before the World

The envoy from Southlyn was none other than Prince Nathan of Southlyn—the very person Serena Feng had been worrying about. As for why Southlyn sent a royal prince, no one could say for sure.

After entering the city, Prince Nathan did not hurry to the palace but came to Feng Manor first.

"Nathan, why are you here?" Serena Feng received the news and rushed out. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Prince Nathan helping a veiled noblewoman down from the carriage; looking closer, she realized it was his fiancée, Yana Zhan.

"Why did you bring Yana with you?" Serena frowned in disapproval—Yana was still in mourning at this time.

"Miss Feng." Yana Zhan, dressed in plain mourning attire, her eyes full of sorrow, gave Serena a formal bow and stood quietly behind Prince Nathan.

"Sister, didn't I say I came to seek refuge with you? You're not going to turn me away, are you?" Prince Nathan spoke cheerfully and openly, without a hint of resentment or gloom. If not for the seriousness in his tone, Serena would have thought he was joking.

Bringing Yana to Eastlyn—was he truly planning never to return to Southlyn? Was he giving up his identity as a prince and everything he had in Southlyn?

"It's not convenient to talk here. Let's go inside." Serena's instincts told her that Nathan must have run into serious trouble.

Nathan apologized, "Sister, not yet—I have to hurry to the palace. I came especially to bring Yana here, so please look after her for me. I'll come back after I've handled things at court."

Nathan's casual, familiar tone made Serena feel no distance between them—almost as if they were back in those days in Eastlyn, relying on each other to survive.

Serena couldn't refuse Nathan's request. She reassured him and promised to take good care of Yana, so he could go about his business without worry.

Perhaps it was Master Wenyuan's death—Yana Zhan was surrounded by a persistent grief and despair. Serena tried to ask a few questions, but seeing Yana unwilling to talk, she didn't press further and simply told her to rest.

Nathan did arrive late. By the time he reached the palace, Grand Heir William Wang Jinling had already spoken, requesting Ninth Royal Uncle to hand Prince Damien over to Southlyn for judgment, promising Southlyn would give the Four Kingdoms and Nine Cities a satisfactory explanation.

With the Grand Heir taking the lead, Jade City, Chu City, and Liancastle all gained confidence, and several other cities, more or less, gave William some face.

Ninth Royal Uncle watched William Wang Jinling with a half-smile. Only after William finished speaking did he slowly ask, "In what capacity does the Grand Heir make this request of me?"

Eastlyn's Imperial Preceptor? Head of the Wang Clan? The Grand Heir among the famous gentry?

"As Head of the Wang Clan." Of all his titles, only this one could make Ninth Royal Uncle yield.

"So, the Wang Clan acknowledges the Southlyn royal family's identity?" Ninth Royal Uncle's words were clearly loaded, but William had no choice but to answer: "They are Southlyn descendants; their names do not appear in the Wang clan genealogy."

"Oh..." Ninth Royal Uncle's tone shifted, tinged with mockery: "So the Grand Heir takes such interest despite them not being Wang blood? Truly, your kindness is remarkable—a paragon of virtue and uprightness."

The praise was thick with sarcasm and left a bitter taste. If not for the occasion, William would have retorted—he certainly wasn't afraid of Ninth Royal Uncle.

But now?

William Wang Jinling could only display his best manners, continuing his verbal sparring with Ninth Royal Uncle to preserve a bit of Southlyn's dignity. He also made sure the Wang clan's branches understood that the main line valued every member and would offer protection when needed.

This is the difference between having a family and not. When trouble comes, even if only for the sake of the family's reputation, the clan will do its utmost to protect its own.

William's eloquence was exceptional. Facing Ninth Royal Uncle's cold arrogance and force, he remained composed and firm, analyzing the pros and cons with clear logic. By the end, everyone except Ninth Royal Uncle was nearly convinced by him.

"Why not hand Prince Damien over to Southlyn for judgment? I believe Southlyn will not shield him."

"The Grand Heir is fair and upright. With him as guarantor, I trust Southlyn won't let Prince Damien escape justice."

......

In a short time, the situation was reversed—Ninth Royal Uncle had to admit William Wang Jinling's skillful maneuvering.

With the Grand Heir adopting a humble posture, the world believed he had suffered injustice—many were willing to die for him.

Such is the Grand Heir's charm.

Ninth Royal Uncle curled his lips in a mocking smile. William Wang Jinling also smiled, gentle as ever, but his eyes flashed with a fierce light, silently warning Ninth Royal Uncle: If you keep pushing, it won't benefit anyone. If Prince Damien dies in Eastlyn, you'll be the one with the biggest headache.

You think I would be afraid? Ninth Royal Uncle raised an eyebrow—getting William Wang Jinling to lower his stance and plead was no small feat.

Of course, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn't really push William too far. Judging the time was right, he finally spoke: "The Grand Heir speaks with reason. Prince Damien is a Southlyn royal; his crimes should be judged by the Southlyn Emperor. I have no wish to discipline another man's son in his stead."

But the Southlyn Emperor seems to indulge this son. Can the Grand Heir guarantee that, once Prince Damien returns to Southlyn, the Emperor will keep him in check and not let him run wild again? If you can guarantee that, and that Southlyn will compensate the kingdoms and cities for their losses, I would gladly send him back."

Ninth Royal Uncle was playing the classic game of feigning innocence while reaping benefits: he smeared Southlyn's reputation, united everyone through shared interests, and dragged the Wang clan into the mess, forcing William Wang Jinling to vouch for Southlyn.

Of course, William would never agree to such a guarantee. If he did, and Prince Damien escaped, the Wang clan would be held responsible.

Just as William was about to find a tactful reason to refuse, a eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out from outside: "Southlyn Envoy arrives..."

What? The Southlyn Envoy arrived at this moment?

Though late, he was still just in time. William breathed a quiet sigh of relief and turned to look—there, dressed in a silver-blue robe, Nathan of Southlyn entered the hall with steady, composed steps.

After more than a year apart, Nathan seemed even more mature and steady. The youthful softness in his features had been replaced by a touch of hardship and resolve.

Upon entering, Nathan of Southlyn first nodded apologetically to William Wang Jinling, then greeted Ninth Royal Uncle and the assembled envoys. He subtly explained his late arrival, offered a few words of apology, and made clear Southlyn's stance.

Prince Damien is guilty, but only Southlyn can judge him. No nation or individual may punish a Southlyn prince; if necessary, Southlyn will fight rather than let its dignity be trampled.

Nathan's stance was firm and left no room for negotiation, which earned him considerable respect from the crowd.

At least Southlyn had backbone. If a nation lets its son be executed without protest, it truly has lost all dignity.

"No nation or individual may punish a Southlyn prince?" Ninth Royal Uncle repeated slowly and deeply. Nathan nodded: "That's right. Only Southlyn may judge its princes, and Southlyn will provide a satisfactory explanation to all."

"Is that so?" Ninth Royal Uncle made his disbelief clear: "And what guarantee do you offer that Southlyn's judgment of Prince Damien will satisfy me?"

"Me!"

With that single word, Nathan's voice rang out, clear and resolute. Seeing the crowd's confusion, he added, "I guarantee it with myself!"