Greed and Ninth Royal Uncle’s Confusion

They were tricked by Jason Lan!

Prince Nolan's guess was spot on—not only Linden Ling, but even Ghost Hall were duped by Jason Lan.

They say a dying man's words are kind, but Jason Lan, though near death, speaks anything but kindness. He's spent much of this time unconscious, but whenever he's awake, his mind is as sharp as ever.

After news of the Former Dynasty Imperial Hoard broke, Jason Lan was put under tight surveillance by all sides, losing all freedom. The emperors of each kingdom knew he was seriously ill, yet refused to let him seek real treatment—instead, they ordered court physicians to keep him alive with rare medicines.

Jason Lan isn't stupid. He knows full well that no matter what he says, he's doomed in the end. Since that's the case, he doesn't mind dragging a few others down with him.

Jason Lan's original targets were Ghost Hall and the agents monitoring him from each kingdom, but he didn't expect... Linden Ling was just too greedy.

Once they got wind of the news, Linden Ling and Ghost Hall teamed up to block it from spreading. The agents from each kingdom failed to report in time, and Linden Ling and Ghost Hall used that window to sneak into the ruins of Xiao Sword Manor.

The ruins of Xiao Sword Manor had been bought by Moonvault Palace Sect, but with Moonvault busy fending off rumors about sheltering the Former Dynasty Princess Royal, it had no energy to watch the manor. Linden Ling and Ghost Hall slipped in easily.

"Hope they find the Myriad Blades Grove—and make it out alive," Serena Feng thought, silently praying for Linden Ling and Ghost Hall.

It's not that Serena Feng is too kind—it's just more interesting if they survive. If they die in there, no one will spread stories about how terrifying the Myriad Blades Grove is. With Linden Ling and Ghost Hall talking up the horrors, more and more people will flock to the grove, convinced the Former Dynasty Imperial Hoard is hidden there.

Prince Nolan had considered helping them, but realized any intervention would leave traces and draw suspicion back to him. Better to let them stir up trouble—as long as the chaos rages, no kingdom will have the strength to attack Eastlyn anytime soon.

Prince Nolan wanted to watch from the sidelines, but others refused to let him off the hook. Jason Lan sent a secret plea for help via special channels, hoping Nolan would persuade Serena Feng to come to Liancastle and save him. In exchange, he promised to reveal everything about the Former Dynasty Imperial Hoard.

The word 'everything' was written larger than the rest, as if silently telling Prince Nolan that what he knew was only the tip of the iceberg.

"Should we go?" Vincent Su handed the letter to Prince Nolan and waited for his answer, but Nolan stayed silent for a long time. Vincent finally had to ask again.

"Notify the Valley Master." With the Former Dynasty Imperial Hoard at stake, and only partial knowledge of the Nine Provinces Treasure Map, Prince Nolan refused to risk himself or Serena Feng.

"I'll take care of it right away." Every kingdom was openly and secretly investigating the hoard, but Eastlyn had stayed quiet. Sending the Valley Master now would allow negotiations with Jason Lan and reassure the other three kingdoms.

Everyone knew the Valley Master and Prince Nolan were close. At a time like this, if the Valley Master went to Liancastle, it was surely at Prince Nolan's behest.

Serena Feng had no idea that Prince Nolan had shielded her from Jason Lan's trouble yet again. Of course, the problems Nolan blocked for Serena went far beyond just this one.

No one knew what Lady Min was thinking. She knew Prince Nolan had returned to the Capital City, yet never asked to see him, staying so low-key she was almost invisible. If not for the customary New Year's gift from the palace, Nolan might have forgotten all about her.

Still, Lady Min wouldn't stay quiet forever. On the Lantern Festival, she once again requested to see Serena Feng.

Her son was right there in the Capital, yet she didn't ask to see him—she only wanted to meet Serena Feng. It really left everyone puzzled.

This time, the palace attendants didn't bother asking Serena Feng. Prince Nolan intercepted the request himself and went to see Lady Min in person.

"You... you came." Lady Min's face lit up with joy when she saw Prince Nolan, her eyes instantly reddening. She was clearly thrilled, but forced herself to appear calm, not wanting Nolan to notice.

If Prince Nolan hadn't endured so much, and if he'd ever expected anything from his mother, he would have softened.

It was all too real.

Prince Nolan's hands, hidden behind his back, curled into a fist. He didn't look at Lady Min—instead, he scanned the room, making sure she lacked nothing materially. He nodded to himself in secret.

That's all he can offer her now.

"Quick, sit down! You must be tired after the journey. Here, let me pour you some tea." Lady Min was so excited that she spilled tea all over the table, her hands shaking uncontrollably, unable to calm down.

"No need," Prince Nolan replied coolly. Lady Min quickly set the teapot down, fumbling to tidy up the mess. Looking at the overturned cups, she blamed herself, saying, "I'm so clumsy, I can't do anything right—I only ever make trouble for you."

Prince Nolan glanced at Lady Min but didn't respond. Instead, he asked, "Did you want to see Serena?"

"No... no. Yes, yes—Mother does want to see her." Lady Min first shook her head, then nodded, too flustered to meet Prince Nolan's eyes.

That tiny detail revealed her as a woman of weak will, easily persuaded.

Unfortunately, Prince Nolan had zero interest in figuring out whether Lady Min was sincere or just putting on an act. He simply asked, "What do you want?"

"Mother..." Lady Min stammered, unable to get the words out. Prince Nolan, never one for patience, stood up at once. "If there's nothing, I'll be leaving."

"No... there is, there is! Wait!" Lady Min panicked at the thought of Nolan leaving. She rushed toward the inner room, knocking over a chair and gasping with pain, but ignored it and hobbled in and back out again.

She held a small peace amulet in her hand, hesitated, then finally offered it to Prince Nolan. "Mother has nothing else to give you. A few days ago, I prayed before the Buddha and stitched this peace amulet for your safety. If you don't like it, just throw it away."

Lady Min was wound tight, her dark eyes full of anxiety...

Almost against his will, Prince Nolan took it. Lady Min instantly relaxed, overjoyed and babbling, "You—you accepted it, that's good, that's good. I was afraid you wouldn't want it, so I wanted Serena to pass it on for me. I know you're busy, so go ahead—I'm fine here, you needn't worry about me."

Prince Nolan nodded lightly, turned and walked out, still holding the peace amulet. Lady Min stayed where she was, her gaze gentle and lingering, watching him leave with reluctant fondness.

Even after Prince Nolan's figure had vanished, Lady Min didn't move; her smile never faded. Even the shadow guards secretly watching her had to admit—Lady Min truly seemed like a good mother.

It was only in the carriage that Prince Nolan realized he still held the peace amulet from Lady Min. He meant to throw it away, but as he lifted his hand, the servants' words echoed in his mind: "Lady Min stitched it herself, kneeling before the Buddha for three days and nights without a drop to drink."

He gently tightened his grip, holding the peace amulet in his palm. Then Serena Feng's words surfaced: "Lady Min said you lied to me—asked if I wanted to know..."

But the attendants watching Lady Min said: that day, all she asked Serena Feng was whether she could send things to Prince Nolan, and whether she could be notified whenever news of him arrived—just so she could be at ease...