Villain, Ninth Royal Uncle Is a Robber

By the time Emma Lu died, Ninth Royal Uncle was already no longer young. But as a prince, it was impossible for him to ever meet a general’s wife, let alone inquire about her affairs.

Ninth Royal Uncle had never met Emma Lu in person; he only learned a few things from others. From their accounts, he understood that Emma Lu was far from a simple woman.

A woman who could accompany her husband on campaigns could not possibly be so weak as to be bullied by another woman with no power to fight back. There was only one explanation for the matter of the Skyvault Palace Master’s wife: Emma Lu did it deliberately.

Ninth Royal Uncle wholeheartedly agreed with Serena’s words: “Serena, you’re absolutely right. Madame Feng simply used that woman to escape Skyvault Palace. After all, with Skyvault’s power, the Palace Master could have forced your mother to marry him a hundred times over. Your mother was truly wise—she solved the Skyvault problem once and for all.”

Of course, seeing a man she didn’t love pamper a substitute as if she were herself was a bit disgusting, but it was better than being unable to shake him off and getting endlessly entangled. Still…

What frustrated Ninth Royal Uncle was that Emma Lu managed to shake off the Palace Master, but left Serena with Sean Xuan—a whole new problem from Skyvault Palace Sect.

Both of them seemed to realize this at the same time. They looked up and met each other’s eyes, sharing a smile. Sean Xuan, sitting off to the side, saw it all and felt bitter inside.

So, the Skyvault Palace Sect that everyone else dreams of entering is, for Aunt Mo and Serena, just an inescapable burden.

Sean Xuan took a deep breath and forced down his bitterness. He didn’t want to hear any more about how Aunt Mo escaped Skyvault, so he got straight to the point: “Serena, when you go to Skyvault Palace Sect, I’ll go with you.”

That’s how Sean Xuan is—he always puts Serena first. He didn’t say she should come back to Skyvault with him, but that he would follow her there. Whatever happens at Skyvault, whatever decisions are made, it’s all up to Serena. He won’t interfere. He’ll just protect her and make things easier for her.

"Alright." Without caring whether Ninth Royal Uncle would be unhappy, Serena agreed immediately.

Without Sean Xuan accompanying her, with this face of hers, she probably wouldn’t even make it to Skyvault Palace alive—Madame Skyvault would never allow her to set foot in the sect.

Ninth Royal Uncle understood this too. Skyvault Palace Sect was full of experts, and with Sean Xuan there, Serena would be much safer. So, even if Ninth Royal Uncle felt a bit uncomfortable, he didn’t object.

With business and small talk finished, if they didn’t leave now it would soon be time for dinner. Serena definitely didn’t want to keep Ninth Royal Uncle for a meal at Feng Manor, so she shot him a look, asking if he had any other matters—if so, he should get on with it and not linger. If his whole entourage stayed for dinner, the cooks and servants at Feng Manor would probably cry.

Originally, he had nothing left to do. But… thinking of Serena and Sean Xuan traveling together to Skyvault Palace Sect, Ninth Royal Uncle suddenly felt he had more business. Since he was already at Feng Manor, he decided to extend a favor.

"I’ve heard that Young Master Holden is recovering at Feng Manor. I’d like to pay him a visit, if it’s convenient." Ninth Royal Uncle never needed to ask permission for anything—if he said he wanted to see Holden Cui, convenient or not, it would have to become convenient.

Serena didn’t know why Ninth Royal Uncle wanted to see Holden Cui, but she was smart enough not to ask. She simply stood up and led the way: "This way, Ninth Royal Uncle…"

Ninth Royal Uncle must have his reasons for wanting to see Holden Cui. All Serena needed to do was make it convenient for him.

The group headed once again toward the courtyard where Holden Cui was recuperating. This time, guards followed them. Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena walked in front, while Sean Xuan fell half a step behind, at Serena’s side. It was a strange trio—when Master Marcus Wynn got the news and came out, he saw this lineup of handsome men and beautiful women.

Honestly, it was pleasing to the eye, but… there were just a few too many handsome men.

"Welcome..." Master Marcus Wynn pulled himself out of his thoughts and hurried forward, about to kneel in greeting. But Ninth Royal Uncle stepped up first and supported him: "Master, there’s no need for such ceremony."

This support was not just for show—Ninth Royal Uncle genuinely kept Master Marcus Wynn from kneeling.

It wasn’t humility on Ninth Royal Uncle’s part. He had just pushed the Cui clan out as a shield; as compensation, he now showed Master Marcus Wynn extra respect.

"Thank you, Ninth Royal Uncle." Master Marcus Wynn didn’t stand on ceremony either—truthfully, he hadn’t knelt for anyone in years and was glad to avoid it.

"You’re too polite, Master Marcus Wynn." As Ninth Royal Uncle helped Marcus up, a new idea flashed through his mind, and he became even more courteous.

The Cui clan has connections and wealth but lacks opportunity. Now that he was delivering one right to their door, they would never refuse. At this thought, Ninth Royal Uncle’s cold expression softened a little. He still looked intimidating, but not as frightening as before.

No one else noticed; they just felt the temperature around them rise a few degrees, the air warmer. But Serena understood—this was all thanks to Ninth Royal Uncle. The ‘mobile refrigeration unit’ beside her had dialed down its power.

Whether this was a blessing or a complication, Serena braced herself and led Ninth Royal Uncle and Master Marcus Wynn toward the sickroom. Not wanting to disturb the patient, Ninth Royal Uncle again left his guards outside.

Simon Sun, that little blockhead, didn’t want to waste time and energy on Holden Cui, who was nearly recovered, so except for Holden, no one else was in the sickroom.

Ahem… There was a medically trained maid by Holden Cui’s side, who usually took care of him. But Holden was such an odd person—he didn’t like attendants getting too close, and if he didn’t need anything, he’d rather be alone.

The sickroom was spacious enough for over twenty people, but when the four of them walked in, it suddenly felt cramped. Serena thought even the air inside seemed to thin.

Being around powerful people is stressful!

Holden Cui was already sitting up. As soon as Ninth Royal Uncle entered, Holden greeted him, and for once, Ninth Royal Uncle responded gently. Instead of his usual curt “Mm,” he actually asked about Holden’s condition.

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His tone was still icy, not a trace of warmth, but for words resembling concern to come out of Ninth Royal Uncle’s mouth—well, it was enough to move people to tears.

Honestly, people are just born cheap. Seeing Holden Cui’s shocked face, Serena felt a little more balanced inside.

When someone lofty suddenly says something caring, you get touched, maybe even remember it for life—while forgetting those who care for you every day.

Both kinds of concern should matter equally, but people can’t help ranking them anyway. It’s like when Ninth Royal Uncle knelt before her parents’ coffins—it felt totally different from anyone else kneeling, and no matter how irrational, Serena couldn’t control the feeling in her heart.

She suspected that Ninth Royal Uncle’s cold, aloof persona was all just a setup—so that when he occasionally showed warmth, it would move people and make them feel special. It was a simple trick, but it worked.

Not just her—even Holden Cui and Master Marcus Wynn had fallen for it.

Serena sighed, quietly retreated to a corner, and curled up to watch Ninth Royal Uncle, Holden Cui, and Master Marcus Wynn converse in cryptic, layered language she couldn’t decipher.

Serena was just about to yawn from boredom when she suddenly heard Ninth Royal Uncle say something she understood: "Once the snow stops, I’ll be heading to Skyvault Palace Sect."

"Skyvault Palace Sect? What’s there that’s worth you going in person, Ninth Royal Uncle?" Holden Cui half-joked, half-probed, glancing at Sean Xuan, who stood beside Serena.

He had to admit, he admired Ninth Royal Uncle—only someone truly powerful and confident would announce, right in front of Skyvault’s Young Palace Lord, that he was coming to make trouble for Skyvault, and do it so matter-of-factly.

"Everfrost Lily." Of course, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t reveal his true purpose, but this reason was legitimate enough.

Still, everyone present was confused—what did the Everfrost Lily have to do with Skyvault Palace Sect?

Sean Xuan spoke up, voicing his doubt: "Skyvault Palace Sect doesn’t have any Everfrost Lilies."

If Skyvault did have such a rare treasure, Sean would certainly know about it.

"Just because they didn’t have it before doesn’t mean they don’t have it now. Without the Everfrost Lily, not even the Master of Mystic Healer Valley could heal Sienna’s face." The Everfrost Lily at Skyvault Palace Sect was a gift from the Emperor. Without it, Sienna’s recovery would have been impossible.

"If that’s the case, then the Everfrost Lily’s already been used." Sean Xuan thought Ninth Royal Uncle, like Marcus Wynn, just wanted to get rid of the Sienna problem, but this twist surprised him. If that was true...

That meant he had to be careful. He wanted to clear out the rats in Skyvault Palace Sect, but he didn’t want to invite wolves in. Without Skyvault as his backing, how could he compete with Ninth Royal Uncle and Marcus Wynn?

"They used my Everfrost Lily—shouldn’t Skyvault Palace Sect pay the price?" Ninth Royal Uncle spoke with Sean Xuan openly, not hiding anything.

It was all too cryptic—Sean Xuan didn’t understand. Martial world people didn’t play so many games, and Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t want Sean to misunderstand.

"Your Everfrost Lily? That flower couldn’t have been yours, could it, Ninth Royal Uncle? And if it was, how did it end up in Skyvault’s hands?" Sean Xuan’s calm eyes flashed with a hidden sharpness, like a sheathed sword—restrained, but deadly.

He might not be as scheming as the others, but from Ninth Royal Uncle’s words, he could tell that Skyvault Palace Sect was about to pay dearly.

"You may not know, Young Palace Lord, but I once went to the palace and asked the Emperor to give me the Everfrost Lily. The Emperor said he’d already given it to Skyvault Palace Sect. So, tell me—wasn’t that flower supposed to be mine?"

That flower wasn’t really his, but it was the one he wanted. So…

If he said Skyvault Palace Sect stole his Everfrost Lily, then they stole it. Who would dare say otherwise?