Seeking a Doctor, Why Not Send a Letter to the Capital

This time, Evan Zhou had no choice but to take Yana Zhan out alone. Ever since giving birth to Jamie Zhou, Yana’s health had steadily declined; in recent years she was often bedridden, her complexion growing worse by the day.

On the grasslands, finding a good doctor is no easy task. To get Yana treated, Evan had to take her to seek medical help, leaving their son in the care of the tribe’s herders.

Evan knew full well that other tribes coveted their camp. Before leaving, he made some arrangements, but he hadn’t expected word of his absence to spread. Several rival tribes took advantage of his departure and banded together to seize their territory.

Fortunately...

“Luckily, you came, Sister. Otherwise, when Yana and I returned, we wouldn’t even have found our home.” Evan Zhou’s voice reached the herders before he even entered, recounting the story as soon as he arrived.

His voice was hearty and bold, just like the grassland herders themselves.

Serena Feng looked up and saw Evan Zhou, weathered by the years and no longer the handsome youth he once was. For some reason, her nose stung with emotion...

Ten years had passed. Evan Zhou now considered this place his true home—this was where he belonged.

“What’s wrong, Sister? Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me anymore?” Evan knew exactly why Serena was surprised.

Ten years had changed him; he was no longer the pampered prince he once was. The hardships of his early years had made him adapt to this life, and all traces of his Southlyn nobility had faded. Now, he moved and spoke like any ordinary nomad.

Evan Zhou didn’t think there was anything wrong with this life. Maybe he was never meant to be a prince—born noble, but always drifting. Later on...

Even when he had a chance to return to the palace, he ended up with nothing.

He treated those days in Southlyn as nothing but a dream. From the moment he came to the grasslands, Evan told himself to forget his Southlyn past and live as an ordinary herder. Only then could he find happiness.

But some things... take time.

Serena Feng looked at Evan Zhou, noticing the white at his temples. She didn’t need to ask—she knew these ten years had been hard on him.

Serena took a deep breath, swallowing her bitterness. She complained, "Not anymore. Ten years... not a single word. Why should I recognize you at all?"

Evan had left so cleanly. Aside from a quick farewell in the Capital, he never sent any news back, not even after settling down. All along, it was Serena who kept track of him.

Evan gave a bitter smile. "Don’t blame me, Sister. These ten years... I’ve just been too busy." And truthfully, he didn’t dare.

On paper, he was already a dead man. If anyone found out he was alive, the diehard Southlyn loyalists would use him as a banner. Then...

Back then, he refused to go to war against Ninth Royal Uncle, and he still feels the same now.

"Too busy? You didn’t even have time to write a letter?" Serena shot him a glare, but deep down she understood Evan’s predicament. Once her anger passed, she let it drop.

"I’ve met Jamie—he’s such a sensible, well-behaved child." Serena took the initiative to change the subject to the boy. Evan, the doting father, instantly transformed into the model grassland dad, eagerly recounting Jamie’s stories from the past few years...

"Jamie’s been independent since he was little—he could take care of himself before he even turned three. As his father, I’m honestly ashamed." Evan couldn’t help but sigh.

He was proud of his son’s maturity, but it also made his heart ache.

What does it mean when such a young child is already so sensible?

It means the parents haven’t done their job, so the child had to fend for himself.

"What happened?" Serena asked, having guessed as much.

With only one child, Jamie, and no servants around, there was no reason for the boy to have to look after himself.

When Serena asked, Evan didn’t hide it: "Yana’s health has been poor ever since Jamie was born. She falls ill from time to time—this time, I brought her to seek a doctor."

"She’s not well? Why didn’t you write to me?" Serena’s expression turned stern, her dissatisfaction clear.

Does Evan Zhou really see her as an outsider now?

"Don’t be angry, Sister—I never meant that. It’s just, when Yana was giving birth, you were about to have your own child. I didn’t want to bother you." Truthfully, he’d already been thinking of pulling away from Serena.

Given his identity, it wasn’t easy to stay close to Serena. She might not care, but he had no choice.

Serena laughed in frustration. "Ten years apart, and even your lies have gotten worse. You could have sent a letter—if I couldn’t come, I could have sent an imperial physician."

"Sister, I didn’t want to make a fuss. You know, if anyone from the Capital came here, my whereabouts would be exposed. I really love it here—this is my home now. I don’t want to leave."

It made sense, but Serena still felt uneasy...

"Do you really have to treat me so formally?" Serena’s voice was tinged with sadness, her gaze at Evan Zhou revealing a hidden sense of loss.

Evan Zhou’s heart ached. He quickly replied, "Sister, you know I’m not like that."

Serena glanced at Evan Zhou and let out a heavy sigh. "Enough. Where’s Yana? Let me take a look at her."

As for what happened back then...

She had never wronged Evan Zhou.

Evan didn’t avoid conflict with Ninth Royal Uncle for her sake—it was simply that he lacked the means to fight him.

Back then, if Evan hadn’t faked his death, his fate would have been the same as other Southlyn royals—either dead or imprisoned in some desolate city.

His current life was his own choice. Serena had never exploited him, nor wronged him in any way.

Toward Evan Zhou, Serena felt no guilt. If she owed anyone...

It was only Vincent Su she truly wronged.

No matter what, Vincent Su lost his life because of her.

Serena pushed aside her disappointment and went out to find Yana, leaving Evan Zhou alone with Ninth Royal Uncle.

Evan Zhou looked awkward, stealing a glance at Ninth Royal Uncle. "Your Majesty, Serena misunderstood me. I really didn’t..."

"Whether you did or not, Serena knows, and so do you." Ninth Royal Uncle cut him off. For Serena’s sake, he added, "I know what you’re worried about. Relax... I hardly consider you worth my attention. There’s no need to force a break between us."

Ninth Royal Uncle’s words were so arrogant, all Evan Zhou could do was give a bitter smile—he had nothing else to say.

It was true: as emperor, Ninth Royal Uncle had no reason to care about a fallen prince like him. Not killing or imprisoning him was already a favor.

"I’ll go apologize to Serena." Evan sighed and quickly headed outside...

Serena was right—Ninth Royal Uncle really could kill a conversation. His aura was so strong, few dared be alone with him.

Especially in such a cramped room, with Ninth Royal Uncle present, even breathing felt difficult.

Evan Zhou dashed out, hoping to find Serena, but was stopped by her secret guards: "By Her Ladyship’s order, no one is to approach."

Hearing this, Evan’s face turned bitter: Serena was truly angry with him this time, otherwise...

She wouldn’t have acted like this!

Sighing, Evan Zhou gazed out at the endless grasslands, his eyes unfocused, lost like a solitary wolf...