If the Price Is High Enough Anyone Will Betray You

Prince Nolan couldn't understand Serena's unease, but he knew she never acted without reason. If she insisted on this, she must have her own purpose...

It wasn't until three years later, when Sweet Dumpling was taken away by the AI medical kit, that Prince Nolan finally realized what had caused Serena's unease back then...

In that unfamiliar world, Sweet Dumpling had no imperial princess status—she was just an ordinary girl. If Serena hadn't been so strict with her, with Sweet Dumpling's fearless nature, she surely would have landed herself in disaster.

But for now, it's far too early to talk about any of that!

After Serena forced Sweet Dumpling to the Imperial Mausoleum to reflect, Prince Nolan and Serena lost all interest in traveling. They stopped delaying and headed straight back to the Capital.

Rory felt a mix of relief and anxiety when he got the news. He was glad his father had returned—someone to help him out of trouble—but worried about Sweet Dumpling.

What could Sweet Dumpling have possibly done to make Mother so angry she sent her off to the Imperial Mausoleum for punishment?

Rory admitted, Sweet Dumpling was a bit daring, but she always had a sense of boundaries and never caused any real trouble. Besides...

With Sweet Dumpling's position, even if she made a colossal mess, they could handle it. Was it really necessary to send her to the Imperial Mausoleum just to reflect?

Rory wanted to plead for Sweet Dumpling, but when he saw Prince Nolan and Serena, he couldn't get a single word out...

Rory could tell his parents were deeply troubled. Sending Sweet Dumpling to reflect in the Mausoleum probably pained them most of all. Serena must have had no choice—so...

So Rory kept quiet, pretended nothing was wrong, and didn't mention the hardships he'd endured. He dutifully reported his recent activities, greeted his parents, and deliberately avoided bringing up Sweet Dumpling.

After more than ten days, Nolan and Serena finally regained their composure, but their son's thoughtfulness still made them proud.

That night, after sending off the civil and military ministers and tidying up, Nolan and Serena summoned Rory to see them.

Nolan reviewed Rory's recent handling of state affairs and asked Felix Fuller and Holden Cui for their opinions. Both praised Rory highly, which pleased Nolan greatly—he even gave Rory a rare compliment:

"You've done very well."

"I don't deserve Father's praise. This is just what I'm supposed to do as your son." Rory was happy, of course, but the atmosphere was so tense he didn't dare show it.

Serena smiled, "No need to be so cautious. Your father and I aren't old enough to take our anger out on you. Sweet Dumpling is only staying in the Mausoleum for three months—she'll be back soon."

"Mother..." Since Serena brought it up, Rory finally dared to ask, "What did Sweet Dumpling actually do, for you to punish her by sending her to the Mausoleum?"

What was even stranger was that Father agreed to it too.

Hadn't Father always said that he would shoulder responsibility, and Sweet Dumpling only needed to enjoy happiness? How could he bear to let her suffer so much this time? Rory just couldn't understand it.

"It's the same as her usual mistakes." Serena casually listed two examples, but the more Rory listened, the less he understood. "Sweet Dumpling's made mistakes like this before, Mother, and you never said anything."

When has Sweet Dumpling not caused trouble? The elders at Mystic Healer Valley are used to it—including me...

I've been tricked by Sweet Dumpling plenty of times myself.

"The past is the past. Now is now... Sweet Dumpling is older now; things can't stay the same." Serena's smile froze.

Clearly, she'd indulged Sweet Dumpling too much before, letting her run wild and think her mistakes were harmless little jokes...

"Mother, aren't you being too harsh? Grandpa Valley Master and the others don't mind—they know Sweet Dumpling means no harm." Rory still felt Serena was overreacting; the punishment was too severe.

Before, even when I gave Sweet Dumpling a small scolding, Father thought it was too much. But now...

"Your Grandpa Valley Master and the others may not mind, but what about outsiders? Will they let her do whatever she wants? People who don't know her identity won't spoil her for no reason." Serena's face darkened, and her authority showed. Rory fell silent, glancing at Nolan for help.

Nolan had originally thought Serena's punishment was too harsh, but after hearing her worries on the road, he sided with her and supported her decision.

"Rory, it's a small matter. We have our own plans, so don't worry. Three months of reflection in the Mausoleum won't kill her." Nolan added, "A little hardship is good for her. I'm not one to spare my children from hardship—remember how much you suffered growing up?"

Talent matters, but if you don't work hard, even the best talent will go to waste.

For ten years, Rory trained in both civil and martial arts—up before dawn, to bed after dark, practicing calligraphy until his wrists swelled, holding stances until his legs trembled...

Compared to Rory, Sweet Dumpling grew up in a world of honey.

"Father, Sweet Dumpling is still so young. You don't have to be so strict. Besides, a little girl in that eerie Mausoleum will be terrified. Couldn't you pick somewhere else for her to reflect?" Rory really felt it was unlucky to send her to the tomb.

"She dared to sneak into the Mausoleum before, didn't she? She pitied Miles Lan—now let her stay there and see if anyone pities her." Serena's reply was cold.

Serena's words were icy. Rory realized he couldn't argue—his mother was still angry.

Rory quickly changed the subject: "Mother, I found a lot of good things in the Former Dynasty Mausoleum this time. When you have time, could you help me look them over? There are some books I think will be very useful."

"Is that so? Let your father pick out what's useful first, and as for the gold and silver—that goes in your private treasury." Serena already knew from the Eighteen Riders what Rory had brought back.

Serena never considered confiscating any of it.

State is state, family is family. For years, all four of their living expenses have come from Serena's own properties, never from the national treasury. In other words...

Serena has always supported the family. As for Nolan... it's not that he's living off her, but all his money goes to state affairs.

Rory knew this from childhood. Watching and listening, he understood the difference between state and family long ago. He's the empire's heir, yes, and its main pillar, but that doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants...

Rory chatted with Serena about his adventures in the Mausoleum, only mentioning the fun parts. Even being so hungry he nearly fainted, he described as just a small thing.

Serena knew Rory was trying not to worry them, so she played along. She trusted him completely—Nolan had taught him well.

"Mother, you don't know how funny Max Zhai is. Every time someone mentions Aunt Zhai, Max looks like he's about to cry. I've never seen him so timid, but when he got stabbed in the Mausoleum, he didn't even flinch."

"Father, Max Zhai and Shane Wang may not be strong in martial arts, but they're smart. Evan Yu and Max are impulsive, but they listen. The four of them work together seamlessly—I think highly of them."

"Shane Si has incredible strength. He'll definitely inherit his uncle's legacy and become a legendary archer. I want him to help me form a Divine Arrow Battalion."

Rory talked about all his companions and his plans for them, except for Liam Fuller and Miles Lan—he didn't mention them at all.

"What about Felix Fuller's son?" Nolan wouldn't let him dodge the topic and brought it up himself.

"Father..." Rory sighed softly. "I don't really like Liam Fuller. He's too clever, too slippery. I can't see his loyalty."

But...

But... "He's also very capable, has real skill... While he's not the absolute best, his overall ability is the strongest." Even if Rory doesn't like Liam, he admits he's a talent he can't bear to waste.

"Loyalty? Rory, remember—no one is born loyal to you. The Wang, Cui, Fuller, Si, Yu, even the Zhai families—they're all complicated. Their children may seem simple, but they're not fools. If you want some of them truly loyal, you'll need to use your own methods to win them over."

"Father, except for Liam, I trust everyone else. Liam's stance is just too unstable." So even if he's useful, Rory can't feel at ease using him.

"Your Uncle Felix Fuller was the same kind of person, but I still dared to use him." Nolan called Rory over and explained in detail how Felix Fuller changed masters again and again, climbing step by step...

Rory listened in shock. He'd never known Uncle Felix had such a storied past.

"Father, you'd use someone like that? If it were me, I'd have killed him long ago."

"Of course I'd use him. Don't you think your Uncle Felix is very useful? Things others can't handle, he solves easily. For the dirty, sensitive jobs, only Felix can step up..."

"He's very useful, but aren't you afraid he'll betray you? Uncle Felix has no real loyalty." Rory decided he'd better watch out for Felix in the future—he was too dangerous...

"Rory, there's no such thing as eternal loyalty in this world—only whether the price of betrayal is high enough. If betraying you brings greater gain, anyone close to you could turn against you."

At this, Nolan couldn't help thinking of Storm Cloud Bu, but he didn't say more to Rory—just told him...

"Think about it—who did Uncle Cui serve first?"

The Cui family first served the Lan clan, then Westlyn, and finally ended up working for Nolan...

Rory's jaw dropped, then he quickly closed his mouth...

He understood now—everyone is ultimately loyal only to themselves!