Charm and Ninth Royal Uncle’s Backup Plan

Westlyn’s political situation was truly chaotic. There was a Crown Prince, but he was neither loved by his father nor cherished by his mother. His title teetered on the edge, and if not for his own formidable power base, he would have been deposed long ago.

A chaotic Westlyn was good news for both Eastlyn and Serena, but since it involved Feng Jin, Serena secretly hoped the turmoil would settle soon—just so Feng Jin could escape these muddy waters.

If not for Feng Jin, Serena would never have come to Westlyn at this moment to wade into this mess.

“Looks like I’ll need to find an opportunity to meet with Master Ian Reed and figure out what he really means.” Serena mused silently, her gaze sliding discreetly toward Master Ian Reed. Seeing him withdraw his gaze and sit calmly, eyes lowered, Serena knew that even if he recognized Feng Jin’s true identity, he wouldn’t acknowledge it, much less help Feng Jin at a time like this.

In the end, she could only rely on herself.

Serena lowered her head to look at Feng Jin. With parents who didn’t care, if it weren’t for Zuo An as his older brother, little Feng Jin might have grown up twisted—maybe even become another Ninth Royal Uncle.

Serena’s mind wandered in the grand hall, so much so that she completely missed the Westlyn Emperor’s question. All she heard was, “Serena Feng, you’re bold indeed—daring to drift off in front of the Emperor! I ask you a question, and you don’t even answer.”

So arrogant—who else could it be but the Westlyn Princess Royal?

“Miss Feng, Father is asking you...” Titus spoke up, trying to smooth things over for Serena, only to be cut off by the Princess Royal: “Titus, where are your manners? When the Emperor speaks, it’s not your place to interrupt.”

“Aunt, when Father asks a question, it’s not your place to butt in.” Titus replied calmly, making the Princess Royal grind her teeth in anger. “Titus, is this how you speak to your elders?”

“Aunt, is this really how you speak to the heir apparent?” Titus had long since torn off all pretenses with the Princess Royal. With no outsiders present, he didn’t care about losing face—and besides, it might not even be his face on the line.

“Sharp-tongued, but a crown prince shouldn’t rely solely on his words.” The Princess Royal snorted and turned away.

“You’re quite right, Aunt. And a princess of the realm shouldn’t rely solely on men.” If Master Ian Reed weren’t here, Titus’s words would have been even more blunt and cutting.

Not that Master Ian Reed cared. All of Westlyn knew how chaotic the Princess Royal’s private life was, and everyone knew that Master Ian Reed, her consort, held only the title in name.

As the famously cuckolded husband known throughout the kingdom, Master Ian Reed’s composure was remarkable. At moments like this, he showed nothing but contempt and disdain.

“Enough. All of you, be quiet.” The Emperor, clearly displeased, shot a stern look at Titus, then glared at the Princess Royal. Seeing her defiance, he barked, “Behave yourself.”

“Yes.” The Princess Royal, though resentful, could only obey. Titus hadn’t been wrong—everything she had today was thanks to men: her father, her royal brother, and all her lovers...

Serena stood in the center of the hall and suddenly laughed. “So this is Westlyn’s way of hosting guests? I’ve really learned something new today.”

Ahem... Losing face in front of an outsider made the Emperor visibly awkward. “Someone, bring Miss Feng a chair.”

There hadn’t been a chair prepared for Serena; the Emperor had intended to give her a hard time and suppress her arrogance. But from the moment she entered, things had taken a strange turn, and his plan to put her in her place was no longer possible.

The Emperor sat in the center; to his left were Titus, Holden Cui, and the Cui family patriarch. On his right were the Princess Royal and Master Ian Reed. As the attendant brought in the chair, he started toward Master Ian Reed, but Serena stopped him.

“Leave it here. I’ll feel more at ease sitting here.” Serena insisted on sitting in the center of the hall, face-to-face with the Emperor, refusing to be next to the Princess Royal.

She and the Princess Royal were sworn enemies—she wouldn’t even bother with superficial politeness.

The Princess Royal was so furious she laughed, turning to the Emperor. After a moment’s hesitation, he approved Serena’s request.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Serena sat down with Feng Jin in her arms. The earlier commotion hadn’t woken Feng Jin, but as Serena moved, he stirred.

Feng Jin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar surroundings. But seeing Serena there, he sleepily murmured, “Sister.”

“Good boy, go back to sleep. Once I’m done, I’ll take you home.” Serena gently patted his back. She’d given him medicine to help him sleep, so he wouldn’t wake easily.

Feng Jin whimpered softly, turned his face toward Serena, and nestled into her arms to continue sleeping. Everyone in the hall had their own thoughts about the scene, but one thing was the same—they all glanced at the Princess Royal.

From the moment Serena entered, the Princess Royal hadn’t looked at Feng Jin even once, nor asked how he was.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, the Princess Royal grew uncomfortable and finally asked, “Serena Feng, how is Jin’er doing?”

“Thanks to the Princess Royal, Feng Jin’s condition is very poor. He just vomited right before I entered the palace.” Serena’s blunt words left the Princess Royal utterly humiliated. The Emperor shot her a glare and, seeing she wanted to retort, quickly moved on.

“Miss Feng, Prince Derrek has already told you what happened last night. I want to know—why did you release that hideous Ghost Doctor? What was your intention?” For Lu Yimo’s sake, the Emperor didn’t make things too hard for Serena, but he was still firm about the charges.

He was the Emperor of Westlyn, and the person before him was not his beloved Lu Yimo.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty. I did ask Prince Derrek if there were any skilled doctors, and he introduced me to that—uh, Ghost Doctor, right? But his medical skills were mediocre and couldn’t treat Feng Jin at all. Naturally, I had no reason to keep him around. As for anything else, I really don’t know; Feng Jin has been unwell these past few days, and I haven’t left his side.” Serena played dumb to the end. The Emperor’s displeasure showed again as he pressed, “Serena Feng, that Ghost Doctor belonged to the Princess Royal’s manor—how did you get him?”

“Oh? He was from the Princess Royal’s manor? I had no idea.” Serena feigned surprise and annoyance. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My guards were taken away by the Brocade Guard as soon as we entered the city, and I’m a stranger here in Westlyn. I really didn’t know that doctor was from the Princess Royal’s manor. If I’ve offended, I hope the Princess Royal will forgive me.”

Serena remained calm and composed. The assassination attempt at the city gate was completely brushed aside by Westlyn, but Serena’s casual mention of “I don’t know why” was enough to make the Emperor uneasy.

Titus and Holden Cui both watched in silence, amused, as the Emperor and Princess Royal were forced to back down.

From the moment the Emperor saw Serena, both men understood she would be fine—especially since Ninth Royal Uncle had already prepared a backup plan for her...