Attentive, Ninth Royal Uncle’s Bitterness

"You want to talk face-to-face with Ninth Royal Uncle?"

Serena Feng hadn’t expected Felix Fuller to make such a request. It really left her puzzled—Felix and Ninth Royal Uncle weren’t mortal enemies, so why make things so dramatic?

Besides, what could two foxes possibly accomplish in a face-to-face talk?

"Yes, I sincerely want to speak with Ninth Royal Uncle. I have no intention of being his enemy." Felix said earnestly. Anyone who knows what Ninth Royal Uncle is capable of—or has suffered at his hands—would never want to oppose him.

Ninth Royal Uncle is a madman. Just to put a shackle on himself, he’s willing to pay an enormous price. That kind of reckless gambling frightens people, and his grand gestures leave them speechless. Most people couldn’t even afford to make such a huge bet if they wanted to.

Oh... Serena nodded, not entirely convinced. If Felix truly didn’t want to be Ninth Royal Uncle’s enemy, he wouldn’t have sided with the Emperor at this moment. Serena replied perfunctorily, "If you want to talk to Ninth Royal Uncle, just go find him directly. There’s no need to go through me."

She didn’t want to be the middleman, much less make decisions on Ninth Royal Uncle’s behalf.

Felix gave a bitter smile. "I can’t get into Ninth Prince Manor."

The people at Ninth Prince Manor are far too united. He used to stay there for a while, coming and going freely, but after siding with the Emperor, they stopped acknowledging him. To them, he’s a traitor.

"If you want to see Ninth Royal Uncle, you don’t necessarily have to go to Ninth Prince Manor—he goes out sometimes." Is it really so hard to meet Ninth Royal Uncle? Serena tilted her head, thinking...

For most people, seeing Ninth Royal Uncle really isn’t easy. Before you even get close to him, his guards will send you away.

"Aside from attending morning court, Ninth Royal Uncle almost never goes out. And I can’t approach him during court." Felix didn’t tell Serena that Ninth Royal Uncle was obviously refusing to meet him.

"I’ll ask for you, but I can’t guarantee Ninth Royal Uncle will have time to see you." Serena knew the truth but didn’t say it outright, just hinted that Ninth Royal Uncle was busy.

No one really knew what kept Ninth Royal Uncle busy, but everyone was aware he’d been as elusive as a dragon lately. Ordinary people found it nearly impossible to reach him—take the Crown Prince, for example...

Ever since Ninth Royal Uncle got out of prison, the Crown Prince had visited Ninth Prince Manor three times. Each time, he’d just missed him—Ninth Prince Manor’s people would politely serve tea, then respectfully see him out.

The Crown Prince couldn’t tell if Ninth Royal Uncle was truly busy or simply avoiding him. On his fourth visit, still unable to meet him, he finally lost his temper and snapped, "You insolent servants! How dare you answer for your master? Hurry and announce me—I demand to see your lord!"

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but the prince truly isn’t home." The steward looked panicked, kneeling on the ground. The Crown Prince was about to kick him when Ninth Royal Uncle’s cool, slow voice drifted over: "What’s the matter, Crown Prince? Has my manor’s staff offended you?"

Ninth Royal Uncle’s question sounded casual, but the Crown Prince caught the hint of reproach. He quickly lowered his leg, feeling awkward, turned around, and forced a smile: "I knew you were here, Uncle Nolan, but this servant insisted you weren’t."

The Crown Prince could admit fault to Ninth Royal Uncle, but never over a mere servant—he had his own pride. Ninth Royal Uncle, though displeased with the Crown Prince’s arrogance in his manor, wouldn’t make things difficult over this and waved the steward away.

"You wrongly accused him. I really was out and just got back," Ninth Royal Uncle said as he walked toward the main seat, gesturing for the Crown Prince to sit.

"I was just being impatient, Uncle Nolan. Have you been busy lately?" the Crown Prince probed. Ninth Royal Uncle had barely been seen recently, and not just the Crown Prince—everyone was curious.

Ninth Royal Uncle had no intention of hiding anything. When the Crown Prince asked, he answered straightforwardly, "Yes, in five days, I’ll be going to Skyvault Palace Sect with William Warren."

Probably only Ninth Royal Uncle and William Warren would be so brazen—openly announcing they were going to stir up trouble, giving advance notice, and making it clear they didn’t take Skyvault Palace Sect seriously at all.

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered and he sighed, "I’d like to visit Skyvault Palace Sect too, but unfortunately my health won’t allow it." He was telling Ninth Royal Uncle that, while he couldn’t help openly, Nolan could use his men as needed.

The Crown Prince wanted to curry favor with Ninth Royal Uncle without taking any blame—trying to get all the benefits for himself.

"I appreciate Your Highness’s thoughtfulness," Ninth Royal Uncle declined, not accepting the Crown Prince’s offer.

Skyvault Palace Sect might be a big pie, but there were already plenty of people trying to get a piece. The Crown Prince wasn’t needed. Nolan wasn’t lacking in allies right now. Even the Cui Clan—who knew what got into them—had agreed to join in. Sean Xuan was really out of luck.

Southlyn, Lyndaria, Heaven’s First Consortium, the Cui Clan, the Warren family, and Nolan himself—if they all went all out, they could tear down not just one Skyvault Palace Sect, but ten.

"You didn’t come all this way just for that, did you, Your Highness?" After refusing, Ninth Royal Uncle started to usher him out. Since he’d chosen to avoid the Emperor’s spotlight and focus outward, he had no intention of meddling in Capital affairs—least of all the struggles among the princes.

"Of course not, Uncle Nolan. Prince Damien of Southlyn has relayed a message on behalf of the Su Clan: he demands that Serena Feng and Su Rou finish their postponed riding and archery duel tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Absolutely not!" Ninth Royal Uncle said, leaving no room for argument.

Serena Feng’s parents hadn’t even been buried yet. Prince Damien of Southlyn was audacious to demand she compete tomorrow. Did he think Serena was as easy to manipulate as Su Rou?

Of course, Ninth Royal Uncle understood why Prince Damien wanted the match tomorrow. The Emperor had sent a formal invitation to Prince Nathan of Southlyn to visit Eastlyn for Prince Chase and Princess Yara’s wedding—Nathan would arrive tomorrow.

Prince Damien knew all about Nathan’s history with Serena. By pushing for the riding and archery match tomorrow, he clearly wanted to humiliate Serena and give Nathan a slap in the face.

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At a time like this, slapping Serena’s face was the same as slapping Nathan’s. Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t care how Damien and Nathan fought, but he absolutely wouldn’t let Serena be used as a pawn.

"Uncle Nolan, Prince Damien says that if Serena refuses to compete tomorrow, she must treat Su Wan’s ruined face. He claims Su Wan’s disfigurement is Serena’s fault, so she has a duty to heal it." The Crown Prince awkwardly relayed Damien’s message.

Just thinking of how confident Damien looked saying that made the Crown Prince want to punch him. He really couldn’t understand where Damien’s confidence came from—did he actually think Serena would give in?

Did Damien really believe Ninth Royal Uncle’s recent low profile meant he was too wounded to intervene? That he’d just stand by and watch Serena get threatened?

How naive!

"What a big mouth. Tell Prince Damien that if he wants Serena to treat Su Wan, he can pay with Night City as the medical fee. And make sure he knows these words come from me—if he’s not satisfied, let him come to me." After saying this, Ninth Royal Uncle got up, clearly dismissing the Crown Prince. How the Crown Prince relayed this to Damien was none of his concern.

"Understood, Uncle Nolan. I’ll take my leave." The Crown Prince knew he’d have to ask Ninth Royal Uncle first—if Nolan didn’t agree, there was nothing more to say.

Prince Damien, you’re on your own. Don’t blame me for undermining you—blame yourself for getting too close to Princess Zelda.

As soon as the Crown Prince left, Serena Feng arrived. Her sudden visit to Ninth Prince Manor shocked everyone—including Ninth Royal Uncle. Serena was not the type to come without a serious reason; she would never drop by unless it was something major.

Unlike the respectful distance shown to the Crown Prince, the steward greeted Serena with warmth and reverence, treating her entirely as the future mistress of the manor.

Ever since Serena left Ninth Prince Manor wearing the Princess Consort’s regalia, everyone there had treated her as their lady. The steward personally and attentively escorted her straight to Ninth Royal Uncle’s study.

Not the reception hall, but the study—a space reserved for close confidants. That alone made their intimacy clear.

Whew... The steward finally left, and Serena breathed a sigh of relief. His eager eyes made her feel like a naive rabbit walking straight into a wolf’s den. That last ambiguous glance before leaving even gave her goosebumps.

Did the steward think she was here to play the role of a fragrant red sleeve at the lamplight? He was overthinking it... Before her parents were buried, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t dare.

"What’s wrong?" Ninth Royal Uncle looked up and saw Serena wiping sweat, assuming something was wrong. His eyes narrowed—a blade seemed to flash from his gaze.

Such strong presence, such piercing eyes—Serena hurriedly shook her head. "No, it’s nothing, really."

Ninth Prince Manor was getting weirder and weirder. She’d better come less often in the future.

"Nothing? If it’s nothing, would you come to Ninth Prince Manor? Would you come looking for me? Did I hear you wrong?" Ninth Royal Uncle raised his eyebrow, clearly not believing her.

Uh... Serena scratched her head, unable to find a retort.

Seriously, why would she come to Ninth Prince Manor for no reason?

Serena didn’t answer, and he didn’t press her. He slipped the slip of paper into a bamboo tube, then walked over and sat down beside her. "Go on, who’s been bothering you this time?"

Uh, why did that sound so strange? Was she a kid running to an adult to complain?

Serena’s head was full of black lines. She pouted in protest, "Is it only when I’m in trouble that I come to you?"

Was she really that kind of person? Obviously not! She usually handled her own problems and avoided bothering anyone—especially Ninth Royal Uncle.

"No, you almost never come to me even when you have trouble. But you definitely wouldn’t come if there wasn’t." When Ninth Royal Uncle said this, a hint of quiet grievance slipped out.

He liked Serena’s independence, but sometimes it really got on his nerves. As he said, even if she did have trouble, she usually wouldn’t come to him.

Serena had never regarded him as her lifelong support. This woman was always showing him, with her actions, that she could live just fine without him...