Torture?
Which idiot had the guts to lay a hand on Ninth Royal Uncle—do they have a death wish or something?
Forget torture—if Ninth Royal Uncle so much as loses a bit of flesh, the censors will be all over the Imperial Clan Office for disrespecting the royal family.
Serena Feng carried the Emperor’s handwritten order and made her way unimpeded to the place where Ninth Royal Uncle was held, only to find...
She didn’t see a bloodied, battered prisoner—Nolan Dongling—but instead found Nolan Dongling, Ninth Royal Uncle, impeccably dressed, rosy-cheeked, and utterly at ease.
A man who shines no matter where he is.
"Ninth Royal Uncle?" Serena called out tentatively, watching his fluid, graceful movements as he made tea.
Is this prison? Is this really prison? Nolan Dongling looks more like he’s in seclusion—the place has top-quality furnishings, the cell is a suite, with a reception area outside and a bedroom inside, all designed to protect the prisoner’s privacy.
This is prison? More like a luxury suite!
"Come in." Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t seem surprised by Serena’s arrival; he didn’t even look up, just replied coldly.
Splash...
Serena felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, extinguishing all her excitement and anticipation, leaving her chilled to the core.
Ninth Royal Uncle showed not a trace of joy or excitement at her arrival. Had it really been so long apart, only for her to be the one longing and missing him?
Whoever falls first, loses; the deeper you love, the harder you lose. From the very first day they met, she’d been destined to be the loser.
Serena gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. She was just about to call the warden to open the door, when she suddenly realized...
Seriously? Is this prison or a wellness retreat? The cell door wasn’t even locked.
Who gets to enjoy prison this much? No wonder Ninth Royal Uncle doesn’t want to leave. Should she go tell Cui Haoting that the Cui family doesn’t need the Wang family’s help to rescue him after all?
Serena pouted unhappily as she walked in, refusing to sit down. She stood right in front of Ninth Royal Uncle, close enough to make it clear she was trying to crowd him.
Standing there, a living person right in front of him—anyone else would have told her to move, or at least glanced up and given a cold warning. But Ninth Royal Uncle ignored Serena completely, focusing on his tea as if his teaware was more interesting than she was.
"Ninth Royal Uncle, I came to see you!" Serena was so frustrated, she bent down and loudly announced it right in his ear.
Ninth Royal Uncle’s hand paused. He looked up, meeting Serena’s eyes directly, and said bluntly, “Serena Feng, this prince isn’t deaf. I heard you. If you came to see me, then just see me. What, you want me to praise you for it...?”
One glance down, one glance up, and the two of them just stared at each other like that, neither feeling tired.
"You..." The warmth of his breath brushed her face, but Serena wasn’t tempted by his handsome features—because what she saw in Ninth Royal Uncle’s eyes was pure coldness.
Her body stiffened, her smile froze instantly. Serena suddenly felt that all her effort to come see him was pointless.
"What about me?" Serena was angry, but Ninth Royal Uncle was even angrier. The two of them were like stubborn bulls, neither willing to back down. Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t care if his neck got sore—he just kept his head raised, stubborn as ever.
Heh. Serena gave herself a bitter little smile, stopped staring him down, and stepped back. "You’re fine—it’s me who’s not. I’ve seen you now, Ninth Royal Uncle, so I’ll take my leave." With that, she turned and walked away without a second thought.
"Leave? Did this prince say you could?" Ninth Royal Uncle reached out, grabbed Serena’s hand, and pulled her into his arms. "Ah—!" Serena cried out as she spun around, landing in a warm embrace. When she looked up, she saw the fury blazing in his eyes.
"So what? You’ve got time to have lunch with William in the Glass Rooftop Room, but you’re in such a hurry to leave when it’s me—what, is the food and tea in that place really so delicious? Do I disgust you that much?" Ninth Royal Uncle held Serena tightly, refusing to let her move.
Heaven knows, when he heard that Serena and William were having lunch together in the Glass Rooftop Room, he was absolutely furious.
There are so many tea houses and restaurants in the Capital—why pick the Glass Rooftop Room, famous for its dreamy, romantic atmosphere? It’s infuriating!
Worst of all, the Glass Rooftop Room was designed by Serena herself, and he can’t even go in. He suspects she did it on purpose—knowing he’s allergic to pollen, yet building that ridiculous Glass Rooftop Room anyway.
Serena’s eyes widened. When she finally understood what Ninth Royal Uncle was getting at, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha..."
"Don’t laugh." Ninth Royal Uncle’s face was expressionless, his chin lifted arrogantly, but the faint blush at the tips of his ears gave him away.
"Alright, I won’t laugh." Serena had already seen right through him. All the earlier bitterness from being ignored was swept away, replaced by a sweetness that was almost overflowing. Without needing any more words from him, she obediently snuggled into his arms, giggling, "Ninth Royal Uncle, are you jealous?"
Faced with Serena’s closeness, Ninth Royal Uncle clearly enjoyed it, but his tone stayed the same: "Jealous? This prince can eat sweet, bitter, and spicy, but absolutely not sour. Don’t flatter yourself, Serena Feng." The last line was especially forceful.
"Alright, alright, I’m the one flattering myself. You’re not jealous—I am, okay?" Serena was in a great mood, and generously let it go without arguing.
Hehe, if she had a lemon right now, she’d gladly stuff a slice into Ninth Royal Uncle’s mouth—just to make him taste how sour he really is.
"Ahem." Ninth Royal Uncle coughed awkwardly. "As long as you understand."
"Mm-hmm, I understand." Serena did her best to hold back her laughter, afraid that if she burst out, Ninth Royal Uncle would get truly upset.
Hahaha... Ninth Royal Uncle is just too adorable.
Under Serena’s teasing gaze, the blush on his ears deepened. Without thinking, he glanced down at Serena’s delicate ear—and bit it.
That’ll teach you to misbehave.
"Ow... that hurts." Serena’s whole body tensed up, her face scrunched up like a steamed bun.
Wuwuwu, Ninth Royal Uncle bit down way too hard.
"If you know it hurts, then remember not to mess around. Don’t think that just because this prince is locked up in the Imperial Clan Prison, I can’t control you—this place can’t keep me in." Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t dare bite too hard and quickly let go, but he never missed a chance for a verbal threat.
"Yes sir, Royal Uncle." Serena wasn’t about to walk into trouble—whatever Ninth Royal Uncle said, she agreed. To cheer him up, she quickly reported, "Ninth Royal Uncle, the Cui and Wang families have decided to join forces and pressure the Emperor. You’ll be out soon."
Serena didn’t mention what she’d done to push the Cui and Wang families to cooperate, but how could Ninth Royal Uncle not know? Without someone to force things, those two families would never work together.
This foolish woman!