There’s no doubt—Little Dumpling is both clever and bold. If he weren’t smart, he wouldn’t know how to exploit the tension between his father, the emperor, and his adoptive father. If he weren’t daring, he wouldn’t have turned around and sold out his own father. But that’s still not enough, because...
“Rory, you are the Crown Prince of the empire—the future emperor. In this country, everyone except your father and mother must obey you.” For the first time, William Wang Jinling speaks to Little Dumpling with such solemnity.
“You should listen to others’ advice, but when there’s something you truly don’t want to do, no one can force you. You must learn to say no—even to me.” Maybe it’s time to send Rory back to the palace; staying by William’s side has made him less outwardly domineering, and less decisively ruthless.
He isn’t an emperor himself—he can teach Rory the mindset of a ruler, but he can’t teach him how to be a truly iron-willed, decisive sovereign.
“Why? You’re my adoptive father!” Rory grows serious too, though his seriousness is different from William’s.
“An adoptive father is not a real father.” For the first time, William Wang Jinling makes his own status clear to Rory: “Rory, from ancient times, no Crown Prince has ever recognized an adoptive father—unless he’s weak and needs that man’s help to claim the throne. Otherwise, he would never allow anyone to stand above his own authority.”
Obviously, Rory doesn’t need one. Having an adoptive father is of little use to him; more often, it actually restricts his actions.
“You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?” Rory instinctively sits up straight, body tense like a diligent student in class.
William Wang Jinling smiles lightly: “Rory, don’t ask such naïve questions. To an emperor, everyone around him falls into two categories: those who want to curry favor and gain benefits from him, and those who want to overthrow him and take his place.”
Rory understands this well, but he still wants to know: “Which kind are you, adoptive father?”
William Wang Jinling doesn’t hesitate: “It’s obvious, Rory—I’m the first kind.”
Only William could say such things so frankly. Rory’s face twitches: “What do you want, adoptive father?” Besides the throne, is there anything his adoptive father needs? Does he really need to curry favor with Rory?
“I want a lot—freedom and ease in my later years, and for the Wang Clan not to decline during your reign.” These benefits are obvious, but they’re often overlooked.
He’s a Wang clansman, forever tied to his family. Even if it’s just for William’s sake, once Rory ascends the throne, he’ll treat the Wang Clan well.
“You’d get all that even if you weren’t my adoptive father.” In fact, because of Rory, William has been held back—if not for him, William would have already traveled the world.
William shakes his head: “It’s not the same. You’ll understand once you sit on the throne.” For William, being Rory’s adoptive father makes little difference, but for the Wang Clan, it’s the difference between heaven and earth.
“Rory, from now on, start thinking from the perspective of a Crown Prince—a future emperor. If you’re unsure, ask your father.” With that, William relaxes and returns to his book, leaving Rory alone to ponder his words.
As dusk falls, Rory still doesn’t move. Finally, William can’t stand it: “If you want to think, do it back in your own quarters.” He’s not worried about Rory getting stiff from sitting too long.
Rory instinctively wants to answer, but the words ‘Crown Prince’ flash through his mind. Suddenly, he understands.
“I understand, adoptive father.” Rory stands up and walks out.
It was clearly William Wang Jinling who sent Rory away, but the way Rory carried himself made it seem like he simply didn’t want to stay—he comes and goes as he pleases...
He’s grown up!
William watches Rory leave, only turning away once his figure disappears from sight.
He’s influenced Rory far too much; Rory relies on him too heavily, and that’s not good for the boy.
It’s time to let go and let Rory grow on his own. With those six boys around, Rory won’t be in danger.
This time, he really has to set out.
Even if he didn’t want to leave, he has no choice—His Majesty and Qingchen have already left the palace. If he’s caught, he’ll be dragged off to be a laborer.
“Go pack up.” William stands and gives the order directly.
A voice answers from his side: “Yes, sir.”
A quarter of an hour later, a gray-clad servant reports: “Young Master Zed Bloom requests an audience.”
“Let him in.” William had guessed it was about time for Zed Bloom to come see him.
In just a few months, the boy seemed to have matured by decades—his aura was steadier, his eyes deeper and more inscrutable. He was wrapped in a mysterious air that made him impressive, but not in a way that grabbed attention.
Standing there, he seemed to blend into his surroundings—so much so that even looking straight at him, it was easy to overlook his presence...
“Why?” Zed’s first question was direct.
“Because you’re clever.” That’s why William chose Zed. There are plenty of clever people in the world, but not many boys like Zed—William refused to waste such talent.
“Then why did you give me a choice in the end?” Zed’s gaze was deep. After months of training, he could control both his emotions and his eyes, never letting his thoughts show.
“I told you—you’re clever. Rory pleaded for you, and I would never let Rory down. As for choice? I don’t think willingness and being unable to betray are contradictory.” That’s William’s confidence—he has plenty of ways to make Zed incapable of betraying Rory, but before making a move, he lays everything out and gives Zed the chance to choose.
If Zed refused, William wouldn’t force him; if Zed agreed, William wouldn’t hold back.
So far, the training’s worked well. If Zed truly didn’t want this, he wouldn’t have come today.
“I don’t understand.” Zed shakes his head, his eyes clear and cold, without a trace of confusion.
He doesn’t want to owe William Wang Jinling a favor, but now it seems he’ll have to, whether he likes it or not.
“You don’t need to understand—all you need to know is, are you satisfied with who you are now?” Even without Snow Wolf’s protection, Zed could now roam freely across Northlyn.
Zed nods...
He’d always had power, but in Northlyn he’d relied on Snow Wolf for protection—and that dependence was painful. Now, having regained the ability to protect himself, how could he not be satisfied?
Raised in the Demon Sect, he could never entrust his back to anyone—Snow Wolf was the only exception.
“If you’re satisfied, then nothing else matters. I’ll give you one year—come back and tell me your decision then.” William was confident about this...
Even knowing it’s a trap, Zed will still step into it.
“Alright.” Zed leaves these words behind and turns to go.
He needs to think it over...