The military authority in General Warren Yu's hands has always been a concern for Ninth Royal Uncle. It's not that he doesn't trust Warren Yu, but the general commands so many troops—far more than Nolan can personally control.
To Nolan, Warren Yu—who holds half of Eastlyn’s forces—is just like the former Phoenixfield King. But Warren Yu is nowhere near as trustworthy as the Phoenixfield King was.
Even the Phoenixfield King could betray the Former Dynasty—let alone Warren Yu. For Nolan, it’s absolutely impossible not to guard against Warren Yu and curb his military power.
Now that Warren Yu has been defeated and Nolan is personally leading the campaign, he can seize military authority without losing a single soldier or harming the bond between ruler and subject—it’s an opportunity Nolan would never miss. Serena understands this perfectly, so she doesn’t bother to advise him. She simply says, “I’ll return to the Imperial City by myself.”
"Going back to Night City—are you sulking with me?" Nolan raised an eyebrow, clearly unable to understand Serena’s actions.
"Of course not." Even if she were upset, she’d never let it affect serious business.
"Are you sure you’re not sulking?" Nolan pressed again, clearly doubting Serena’s words.
"I’m really not sulking with you—I honestly just want to return to the Imperial City." Sulking with Nolan is pointless; even if she got angry, he’d never understand why.
"Since you’re not sulking with me, then come with me to Night City." Nolan spoke with an air of command. This time it was Serena’s turn to frown: "Can’t I not go? It’s almost New Year’s—Simon Sun and Feng Jin are in the Imperial City, everyone at home is waiting for me, and Phoenixfield Clan affairs need me back."
"I’m out here too." Nolan’s tone was stiff, but realizing he’d gone too far, he added, "The situation at the front is uncertain—if you come, casualties will be lower."
"Any competent doctor could handle this. If you really need someone, just summon Divine Doctor Redwater or Divine Doctor Guile." Doctors are never irreplaceable, and Serena doesn’t believe she’s the only one who can do the job.
"Those two are busy. You’re coming with me to Night City." Nolan wasn’t about to let Serena return to the Imperial City alone—he’d only be inviting trouble for himself.
He would never admit that he was worried Serena might run into Bella Qin. Nor would he admit his jealousy of Simon Sun and Feng Jin. Serena was actually leaving him behind for their sake, choosing to return to the Imperial City alone.
"I don’t have time either—a mountain of things in the Imperial City are waiting for me." Serena realized Nolan had started arranging her life as if it were only natural, but she had her own path to follow.
"If you truly need a physician, you can order the imperial doctors to go, or have the Valley Master send disciples. Either way, I don’t have time to join the army." Serena reiterated her stance, just as firmly as Nolan.
Nolan thought for a moment, then softened his tone: "Is it really not negotiable? Not even if I want you to go?"
"If there’s something so important that only I can do it, I would never refuse. But if you just need a doctor to accompany the army, then it’s unnecessary—there are plenty of doctors in this world besides me." Serena wanted to spend New Year’s in the Imperial City, and she also needed time to cool off.
Nolan stared at Serena for a long while. Seeing she had no intention of backing down, his face darkened, and he swept out of the room.
Serena watched Nolan’s retreating figure, her nose stinging with emotion. She stood alone for nearly half an hour, let out a long sigh, and turned to her desk.
Nolan had his own duties, and Serena had hers. She couldn’t stay with him outside forever, abandoning her own responsibilities or leaving everything to her subordinates.
With year’s end approaching and another long winter ahead, Serena had to secure grain for the Phoenixfield Clan. Unlike Nolan, who controlled all of Eastlyn and could openly command his private troops, she had to consider both her own forces and the needs of her clan.
Serena knew Nolan would never send anyone to escort her back to the Capital. She could make it on her own, but these were dangerous times—the Cui clan’s succession was still undecided, and Third Young Master Cui’s faction probably hated her guts. If they saw her alone, they’d never pass up the chance to strike. For safety’s sake, Serena decided to have the Eighteen Riders come pick her up.
Serena and her subordinates had their own way of staying in touch. That night, she got the word out. During the next leg of the journey, Nolan never once mentioned sending her back, and Serena didn’t bring it up either.
After all these years, Serena understood perfectly well: as a woman, she could rely on others and act spoiled, but she had to be independent—never let her survival hinge on a man.
Take this situation, for example—she wasn’t returning to the Capital out of spite or because she couldn’t stand the hardship of war. She had her own business to attend to, but Nolan could still try to stop her for his own reasons.
If she didn’t have her own people, she’d have no choice but to submit to Nolan’s authority—leave her affairs in the Capital behind and follow him to Night City, no matter how unwilling she was. She’d have to do as Nolan said.
And in the future? Maybe Nolan thought a few sweet words would fix everything. After all, once things were done and over, it was too late for Serena to keep dwelling on it.
The journey went smoothly. After passing the next town, they’d reach the main road to Night City. Nolan assumed Serena had given up on returning to the Capital alone and secretly relaxed. He was already thinking of how to comfort her once they arrived in Night City—but before they even got there, trouble struck.
"Your Highness, there are people blocking the road ahead. They call themselves the Eighteen Riders of Feng Manor—here to escort Miss Feng back to the city." The bodyguard knelt on one knee, head bowed deeply.
"Is that so?" Nolan replied coolly. Even through the carriage curtain, the bodyguard could feel the chilling air radiating from him.
"Did you call them?" Nolan’s face was dark as he stared at Serena across from him. For a moment, he felt a murderous urge.
He wanted to kill the Eighteen Riders, wipe out everyone around Serena, and see if she could still escape his control.
"Yes." Serena didn’t flinch. Facing Nolan’s fury, she remained perfectly calm.
That only made Nolan angrier. "Tell me—why?"
"There’s no need for me in Night City. What would I do there—play doctor? Anyone could do that. If there weren’t so much waiting for me in the Capital, I’d go with you. But I have a whole house and clan to care for before the New Year. How could I abandon Feng Manor and the Phoenixfield Clan just for my own feelings?"
"Not even for me?" Serena was clever, and Nolan didn’t dare try to fool her. "Serena, I remember you once said you’d betray the whole world for me, give up everything. Now I’m asking just this one small thing—can’t you do it? How are you any different from Li Xuanyue?"
He didn’t say the last part aloud, but the reproach and disappointment in his eyes were clear to Serena. Because she understood, she didn’t know how to answer…
She had never let Nolan down, nor had she ever betrayed him for the sake of the Phoenixfield Clan. She hadn’t!