Reverse Scale, What Lies Inside the Coffins

After William Wang Jinling explained, the Crown Prince, though clearly displeased, nodded and agreed to let Reid Yale bring the coffins inside. "I shall take this opportunity to see for myself, Young City Lord, this unique gift of yours."

It was obvious that, thanks to William Wang Jinling’s words, the Crown Prince pinned all blame on Reid Yale, paying no attention whatsoever to Serena Feng’s breach of etiquette. With the Crown Prince having spoken, no one else dared object. William quickly sent a servant to inform Serena.

The guests in the hall, as if by prior agreement, all echoed the Crown Prince’s words, saying they too wanted to see what unique gift Young City Lord Reid had brought. So... everyone lined up by rank, with the Crown Prince at the center, arranged in order of official status.

No one directed them, but these were all seasoned political players—no one stood out of place. The Crown Prince and Prince Terrence Valen stood at the very front; Prince Titus, Prince Damien, William Wang Jinling, Holden Cui, and Dominic Zhai stood half a step behind; the rest arranged themselves further back.

Serena Feng and Reid Yale walked at the front, followed by eight strong men carrying two black coffins. Before they even approached, the Crown Prince spoke: "Young City Lord, you must think highly of yourself—such a gift, and you make us all wait here for it."

His tone was cold and sarcastic, perfectly expressing his annoyance.

No matter how little favor he enjoyed, he was still the Crown Prince. For Reid Yale, a mere city lord’s son, to dare bring coffins to Feng Manor and cause trouble, knowing the Crown Prince was present, was outrageous.

Serena Feng immediately understood that, thanks to William Wang Jinling’s persuasion, the Crown Prince was holding Reid Yale responsible. She nodded lightly at William, expressing her thanks.

"Ahem..." Reid Yale stopped in his tracks. "Your Highness, you exaggerate. I meant no disrespect. It was Serena Feng who insisted the coffins be brought in." Reid shot William Wang Jinling a fierce glare.

What a treacherous little villain!

William Wang Jinling just smiled indifferently, as if to say: If you have the guts, expose me!

"Hmph..." The Crown Prince snorted coldly, still displeased. Thanks to William Wang Jinling’s words, he’d already made up his mind and didn’t believe Reid Yale at all. If Reid hadn’t forced it, why would Serena Feng have agreed to bring the coffins into Feng Manor?

"Since they’re inside, Young City Lord, open them up and let us see. I’m quite curious what this ‘grand gift’ is." William Wang Jinling had hinted earlier that there might be something inside the coffins, so the Crown Prince didn’t wait for Serena Feng, the host, to speak before asking.

Reid Yale froze, then raised his eyebrows in irritation, glancing at Prince Damien and Prince Terrence Valen, silently demanding: What’s going on with you two? How did things end up like this?

The Crown Prince had actually asked about the contents first, robbing him of the initiative. Now how was he supposed to use what was inside the coffins to vent his anger? He couldn’t possibly give what was inside to Serena Feng...

Prince Damien and Prince Terrence Valen shook their heads apologetically, indicating they were powerless to help. They hadn’t expected Serena Feng would actually let Reid Yale bring the coffins inside, nor that William Wang Jinling would publicly discredit Reid.

Things had gone beyond their expectations. The result was the same, but now Reid Yale was the one in the wrong. They had no intention of getting involved and risking trouble.

No joke—since Reid Yale was the one facing the crowd, it meant they wanted nothing to do with this mess. Stirring the pot was fine, but taking the fall themselves? Dream on.

That’s right—Reid Yale had been used by Prince Damien and Prince Terrence Valen, and he didn’t even realize it.

With no allies, Reid Yale could only rely on himself. Ignoring the Crown Prince’s cold stare and the pressure from the crowd, he shamelessly declared, “Your Highness misunderstands. My gift is nothing but these two coffins—the contents are not included!”

What?

You’re not giving what’s inside the coffins?

Who gives a gift like that?

As soon as Reid Yale said this, everyone looked at him with contempt.

Young City Lord of Night City, what a disgrace! Dominic Zhai, taking advantage of his special status, openly mocked: “Young City Lord, you’re really generous—giving a gift but only leaving the box and taking back the present. Anyone would think these coffins are made of gold!”

“To answer Young Lord’s question, these coffins aren’t made of gold—they’re ordinary wood, worth at most ten taels of silver.” Jada Tang, on Serena Feng’s cue, stepped forward and replied respectfully.

Ten taels of silver? And you call that a gift? Oh... I forgot, Young City Lord, you have no shame—even refusing to pay Serena Feng’s medical fee. So giving a ten-tael gift is normal. Young City Lord, is Night City so poor? If you’re short, just say so. I can’t promise much, but Prince Samuel Manor can easily spare a few hundred or a thousand taels.

Dominic Zhai was like a cannon, firing nonstop. The more Reid Yale listened, the angrier he got, his eyes wide and several times trying to interrupt, but Dominic spoke so fast and loud he couldn’t get a word in.

“Turns out Young City Lord is strapped for cash. You should have said so! How else would we know Night City was so poor? William Wang Jinling can’t promise much, but if Young City Lord asks, ten or twenty thousand taels of silver—the Wang family can easily provide.” Dominic set up the stage, and William Wang Jinling didn’t hesitate to join in.

Normally, he wouldn’t kick someone when they’re down, but who told Reid Yale to cause trouble for Serena Feng on such an important day?

“Thanks for your kindness, but Night City isn’t short on silver!” Reid Yale, irritated by Dominic Zhai and William Wang Jinling’s back-and-forth, growled through gritted teeth.

“If you’re not short, then you’re not short. Why shout so loudly, Young City Lord? Afraid we can’t hear you? Since you’re not short on silver, then please pay your medical fee—not much, just a thousand taels of gold. I’m sure you won’t miss it.” Serena Feng was even more convinced the coffins’ contents were important; otherwise, Reid wouldn’t have said such things.

“A thousand taels of gold? Fine, I’ll have someone deliver it later.” Reid Yale said grandly. He truly felt Serena Feng was gouging him, but having just made a boast, he couldn’t haggle.

Later?

If I really wanted money, would I have waited until now?

Hmph... Serena Feng sneered, “Young City Lord, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but… you’ve owed that medical fee for quite some time. Later? When exactly is ‘later’?”

Young City Lord, don’t call me stingy—I’m not as rich as you. Since you can’t pay, I won’t make things difficult. Just leave the gift you brought; I’ll count it as the fee.

Serena Feng’s words were vicious—not “won’t pay” but “can’t pay.” Wasn’t that saying Night City was poor?

Dominic Zhai even praised her sincerely: “Serena, so magnanimous. You’ve solved a big problem for Young City Lord. No need to thank us—a mere thousand taels of gold is nothing to us.”

“I said, Night City has money! I’ll send it soon. Not just a thousand, even ten thousand taels—I, Reid Yale, can pay!” He tried to defend himself, but everyone acted as if they hadn’t heard.

Don’t forget, this is Feng Manor—Serena Feng’s turf. Reid Yale wanted to play the villain and still look good? Dream on.