Sean Xuan came to see Serena, not just because of the rumors outside—he also brought a piece of intelligence that was both powerful and practical.
Serena's aunt—Irene Lu, who is also Sean Xuan's stepmother—had a half-mad episode and blurted out a huge secret: the greatest mystery of the Lu pirate clan.
The Lu pirate clan were actually retainers of the Former Dynasty, operating under the guise of pirates to gather intelligence at sea. One generation’s clan head was even buried alongside a Former Dynasty emperor in the imperial mausoleum.
The Lu clan possessed an imperial-bestowed wooden box, handed down only to the direct heir of each generation. After the clan was wiped out, the box ended up in the hands of Serena's mother, Emma Lu.
"She said that box hides the secret of the Former Dynasty Imperial Hoard." In the past, Sean Xuan would have dismissed his stepmother’s ravings, but with hoard rumors raging everywhere, he decided to come in person, just in case.
"I already opened that box," Serena said quietly.
Sean Xuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly. "So you already knew. If I’d known that, I wouldn’t have rushed over."
Noticing the disappointment in Sean Xuan’s words, Serena quickly said, "Sean, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep it from you, it’s just..."
Before Serena could finish, Sean Xuan interrupted her: "It’s fine. This kind of thing really shouldn’t be told to outsiders. An innocent man gets killed for carrying jade—just look at what happened to the new City Lord of Liancastle, and you’ll see how mad the three kingdoms are for the hoard. Not telling anyone is safest."
To say he didn’t mind at all would be a lie—Sean Xuan did feel a little uncomfortable, but he understood. When it comes to life and death, Serena really shouldn’t tell outsiders; after all, to her, he was still just an outsider.
"It's not that I don't trust you, and I never saw you as an outsider. It's just... knowing this secret won't do you any good. In fact, it could get you killed." Sometimes, knowing too many secrets is more curse than blessing.
"I get it. I came myself because I was worried the news might leak—and spell disaster for both of us. You don't need to worry about Skyvault Palace; I've shut everyone up, not a word will get out. Oh, and don't lose that wooden box. That woman said it's made of something special; only with it can you get through safely." Truthfully, he minded a little, but he couldn't share everything with Serena.
"So that wooden box really does have a special use." Serena's eyes lit up, and she said sincerely, "Sean, thank you for bringing me this crucial news." She truly meant it—she was grateful for Sean Xuan's understanding.
"No need to be so formal between us." Sean Xuan smiled, warmth in his eyes, his care for Serena plain as day.
He was open and natural, just as he said—treating Serena like his own little sister, doting and protective.
Serena's nose tingled, and she couldn't get a word out...
She'd really worried Sean might grow distant over this, but now she could see that wasn't going to happen.
Sean Xuan had come all this way, so of course he wouldn't just leave after a brief talk. Serena, lifted by such useful news, was in a great mood and called the housekeeper to arrange a room for him.
"Sean, I have something urgent to take care of. I'll come find you later." Seeing Sean gave Serena a great idea—but she wanted to hear Ninth Royal Uncle's opinion first.
Sean Xuan could guess that whatever Serena was rushing off for, it probably had to do with the wooden box. He nodded, telling her to go ahead and not worry about him.
Ninth Royal Uncle had said in the morning he'd be at the palace all day, so Serena told the coachman to take her straight there. But when she asked for him, the palace staff looked utterly baffled.
"The prince... His Highness didn't come to the palace today."
"He didn't come?" Serena's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Hadn't he just said this morning he'd be here to wrap up state affairs?
The palace staff realized they'd slipped up, cold sweat breaking out as they stammered, "He did come... but left again. He left really early."
"Did he say where he went?" Serena frowned. In the capital, Ninth Royal Uncle's whereabouts were never a mystery—he was either at the palace or at Ninth Prince Manor during the day. It was rare for him to just disappear.
"N-no, miss, I don't know." The palace staff trembled, and Serena couldn't bear to make things harder for him. She had the coachman turn the carriage toward Ninth Prince Manor, but found it empty too.
"You don't know where Ninth Royal Uncle went either?" Serena stared at the butler, searching his face for any clue.
The butler shook his head solemnly. "Miss, I truly don't know. His Highness has been swamped lately—he must've gone out with some important official."
That was possible, so Serena didn't push further. With Sean Xuan waiting back at her estate, she couldn't linger at Ninth Prince Manor. She asked the butler to let Ninth Royal Uncle know she had something important to discuss.
The butler agreed at once, but by the time Ninth Royal Uncle actually showed up to see Serena, it was already the middle of the night.
Serena was fast asleep when Ninth Royal Uncle woke her up. Still groggy and annoyed, she grumbled, "Where did you go? I spent all day looking for you."
Serena almost never asked about his whereabouts, so Ninth Royal Uncle's brows drew together and he shot back, "Are you checking up on me?"
His voice was cold, tinged with displeasure. Serena snapped fully awake, staring at him, incredulous. "What do you mean by that? Can't I even ask?"
What was up with Ninth Royal Uncle tonight?
"You can." Ninth Royal Uncle realized his tone was off, but couldn't bring himself to apologize. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Serena had only asked offhand, but seeing how much he cared, she grew genuinely curious. "Then can you tell me where you were all day?"
"The monastery." Ninth Royal Uncle didn't hide it, but the answer made Serena pause. "You went to see the Grand Empress Dowager?" A faint unease stirred in her chest.
"Mm." Ninth Royal Uncle looked at Serena, his eyes deep and unfathomable as a canyon.
Serena knew she couldn't show what she was feeling. Even unsettled, she just smiled and played it cool. "She's your mother; of course you'd go see her. By the way... Sean came by, brought us some big news."
"Don't you want to know what she said to me?" Ninth Royal Uncle ignored her last words, determined to ask Serena.
Serena frowned. "You don't need to tell me what you and your mother talked about—I don't want to know." Instinctively, she felt Lady Min couldn't have said anything good.
"Are you scared?" Ninth Royal Uncle reached for Serena's hand, but she dodged him. "That's right, I'm scared. I'm afraid of your mother, afraid she'll hurt me again, afraid of being her stepping stone."
"If you're scared, you don't have to see her."
"I never planned to see her anyway." Serena turned her face away, not wanting Ninth Royal Uncle to see how flustered she was—and so she missed the flash of confusion and surprise in his eyes...