Sweeping Out the Old, Cruelty Beneath Gentle Jade

Their conversation flowed easily, and before Serena realized it, time had slipped away. She’d been so caught up in Prince Nolan’s company that she completely forgot to ask where they were headed—until the carriage finally halted and it hit her.

"So where are you taking me, really?"

"You’re only asking now? Isn’t it a bit late?" Prince Nolan gave her his usual teasing answer, not bothering to change it. He ruffled Serena’s hair and gestured for her to get out.

Serena played stubborn, sprawling across Prince Nolan’s lap. "If you don’t tell me, I’m not getting up."

"If you like lying there, go ahead. It’s safe—there are guards everywhere outside." Prince Nolan stretched out his legs, playing along, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

Late at night, a man and a woman tucked away in a carriage—even if they didn’t make a sound, it was enough to spark wild imaginations. Serena had always known Prince Nolan was clever with words, but tonight she finally saw just how wicked he could be.

This man was seriously dangerous.

Serena refused to admit defeat. She got up with a huff, "Fine, don’t tell me. We’re here now anyway."

With a twist, Serena thumped Prince Nolan’s calf, then hopped out of the carriage. She caught the guards’ eyes; one blushed furiously and ducked his head, too embarrassed to meet her gaze.

What’s their problem?

Serena looked dazed for a moment, then remembered to check her clothes. To her horror, her chest was all wrinkled from lying on Nolan’s lap—how humiliating!

Her cheeks turned bright red. Without a word, Serena spun around and hurriedly straightened her clothes, back to the crowd.

So embarrassing!

All the dignity of a noble lady—Prince Nolan had tossed it away for her.

"I meant to warn you, but you moved too fast," Prince Nolan said, stepping out of the carriage, his own clothes perfectly straight, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Even arguing with Nolan was fun. This year finally felt like it had some meaning.

"Too late now," Serena shot Nolan a glare.

If Prince Nolan hadn’t hogged most of the seat, she wouldn’t have sprawled across him and ruined her clothes.

"Your temperament is too much like the Crown Prince’s—you need to fix that," Nolan said, pulling Serena in front of him, smoothing her clothes and hair, then sweeping the guards with a cold glare that made them drop their heads in fear. Only then was he satisfied.

The coachman, closest to Prince Nolan, tried to shrink himself out of sight, but inside he was screaming: Heavens, what am I seeing? Is this really the aloof Ninth Royal Uncle? How did he turn into a doting, domestic man?

Prince Nolan finished straightening Serena’s clothes, then naturally took her hand, signaling the guards not to follow. He led her confidently through the dark, along a familiar route.

Serena knew Nolan wouldn’t say a word, and she didn’t bother to ask. She simply followed behind, trusting he’d never betray her.

"We’re here."

Nolan stopped in a pitch-black alley. Serena saw nothing exciting, and was about to speak when she suddenly felt his arm tighten around her waist—next thing she knew, she was airborne.

Thankfully, Serena was cautious enough to know not to make a sound at times like this. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, and her adorable caution moved Nolan—he bent down and kissed her cheek.

"Don’t be afraid. With me here, nothing will happen to you."

"That’s what scares me—if you’re here, it’s even more dangerous. You won’t let me get hurt, but if you get in trouble, you’ll drag me down with you." Serena whispered back, knowing things weren’t that serious if Nolan was joking.

"Then be smart. If anything happens to me, run as fast as you can. I’ll still chase you down." Nolan teased.

"Don’t worry, if you’re ever in trouble, I’ll be the first to run." Serena promised cheerfully.

...

Prince Nolan led Serena in light leaps across the rooftops, their footsteps silent, their voices swallowed by the wind.

After a few nimble jumps, they stopped atop a glazed-tile roof. Nolan signaled Serena to stay quiet and lie low beside him.

Serena nodded, taking a soldier’s stance on the roof—one hand braced, ready to spring into action at any sign of trouble.

Nolan noticed Serena’s poised, defensive posture and instinctively mirrored her, both of them crouched like leopards ready to pounce.

They moved so quietly that no one below noticed. After all, they were perched atop the Walker family’s main compound; even with William Walker Jinling’s advance arrangements, being discovered now would be a major headache.

Inside the Walker estate, the direct-line family members were gathered for the New Year’s Eve banquet. In past years, the clan head presided, making it both a celebration and a year-end review. There were always sparks, but the mood was lively—this year, everything was different.

Even now, the banquet hadn’t started. The tables were loaded with dishes, but no one had picked up their chopsticks. The hall was tense, filled with a powder-keg atmosphere; one spark would set it all off.

No one spoke. All eyes turned to the elders seated at the head table, waiting for them to speak.

Ren, Zhi, Shan—the three Grand Elders, once stripped of power by William Walker Jinling, now sat in the place of honor. If not for the pleas of old clan seniors, they’d have been expelled long ago, but tonight, with William missing, they were back in charge.

With no tiger in the mountain, the monkeys played king. William’s absence let the elders seize the moment, invited back by those with ambition.

The Walker clan’s upper ranks were all connected by blood, and no one dared act out. The three Grand Elders still held sway, and as long as their line didn’t die out, they could always claw back into the center of power.

Now, the three Grand Elders proposed deposing the clan head.

"The Grand Heir acts as clan head, but he has no sense of duty or family honor. He refused a political marriage for selfish reasons, disgracing our name. Now, on New Year’s Eve, he leaves us all waiting, showing no respect for his elders. If he cared about the Walker clan, he wouldn’t treat us like this."

"Shan Elder is right. Anyone who forgets their clan isn’t fit to bear the weight of the family headship," Zhi Elder added. Ren Elder chimed in, "Recently, he dragged us into a feud with Skyvault Palace for personal revenge, costing us dearly. A clan head who doesn’t put the family’s interests first isn’t what the Walkers need."

Their words drew many supporters, but not everyone wanted William gone. A small group remained loyal, believing only William was fit to lead—like his father.

"Jinling isn’t a naïve child—his talent is obvious to all. In the past half year, he’s stabilized the Walker clan after years of imperial and noble suppression. I’m sure he’s handling urgent family matters and will return before New Year. He’s a responsible, honorable son. He’ll be back in time," William’s father insisted.

"He’s right. The Grand Heir’s talent is clear. Only after Jinling took charge did our fortunes improve," agreed the younger generation power-holders and a few white-haired elders from his grandfather’s era.

An ancient elder rebuked the three Grand Elders: "You’re no longer qualified to judge the clan head. After everything you’ve done, you shouldn’t even set foot in the ancestral estate. William showed mercy by not expelling you, and this is how you repay him—with slander?"

Shan Elder snapped back, "Slander? If William hadn’t made mistakes, we’d have nothing to criticize. Everyone saw the Emperor suppressing us, yet William cozied up to Prince Nolan Dongling, dragging the clan toward ruin. I’ll never accept such a reckless youth as our head."

A loyalist countered, "If the Emperor wants to crush us, clinging to him would make us another Hsieh clan—losing even our ancestral home. William’s decision to align with Prince Nolan instead is brilliant."

The elders dismissed this as brainless. "That’s utter foolishness. William’s choices will drag down the whole clan. I won’t agree to it," one declared.

After William’s purge, his support in the clan was strong. Once the three elders were ousted, few dared defy him. But now, with William missing, the waverers drifted toward his uncle—the Walker with the highest court rank.

Most people sided with William’s uncle, leaving the loyalists at a disadvantage in this struggle.

Under the uncle’s aggressive attack, William’s father and the diehard loyalists were soon surrounded by Walker estate guards.

The uncle, now riding high, declared, "Jinling is too young to bear the clan’s weight. For the family’s sake, I’ll have to make the sacrifice myself. Guards, throw these troublemakers out."

He’d already arranged for brute force—the guards closed in, ready to expel William’s father and loyalists from the Walker family estate…