At the welcome banquet, Serena Feng posed a question that seemed simple but was actually complex, stumping the renowned Master Wenyuan.
Of course, since Master Wenyuan couldn't answer, no one else could either, so it didn't really embarrass him. Still, the incident brought the banquet to an early end.
As he was leaving, Master Wenyuan looked at Serena Feng with a complicated expression—part admiration, part regret.
Serena vaguely sensed something, but didn't dare think too deeply about it. She watched Master Wenyuan board his carriage before heading back together with Ninth Royal Uncle.
On the carriage ride, Serena asked softly, "Did I disrupt your plans?"
Her actions today had certainly managed to move Master Wenyuan, but she wasn't sure if Ninth Royal Uncle still wanted to stay in Southlyn.
"Not at all." Ninth Royal Uncle looked at Serena with clear approval. "You did very well."
"You mean stumping Master Wenyuan?"
"Of course." What else could make him so pleased?
Serena couldn't help but laugh and cry—just how dissatisfied was Ninth Royal Uncle with Master Wenyuan? Clearly, during their time in Southlyn, Master Wenyuan had given him plenty of trouble.
Facing Serena's teasing gaze, Ninth Royal Uncle was completely unbothered, openly enjoying his schadenfreude. Still, he was curious about the answer to Serena's question; after thinking for a long time without figuring it out, he finally asked, "So which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Huh? You're asking me?" Serena pointed at her own nose, looking puzzled.
Ninth Royal Uncle nodded. Serena simply shrugged. "Don't ask me. I already said I don't know. I really don't know."
"How could you not know the answer to your own question?" Ninth Royal Uncle was clearly skeptical. He didn't believe Serena could possibly not have an answer.
Back when Serena asked the question, everyone burst out laughing, thinking she was just trying to show off. But as soon as they tried to answer, they realized how tricky it was.
No matter what answer you gave, it was wrong.
Master Wenyuan spent a full half hour thinking, but in the end he gave up and asked Serena which came first, the chicken or the egg. Serena had just shrugged, "If I knew, why would I ask you?"
At the time, Ninth Royal Uncle only felt relieved—it was about time Master Wenyuan got a taste of defeat. Lately, Master Wenyuan hadn't bothered him much, but when Serena gave him the same answer, Ninth Royal Uncle realized just how frustrated he was.
How could Serena not know the answer to her own question?
This time, Ninth Royal Uncle was truly blaming Serena unfairly. Serena really couldn't explain: "I honestly don't know. If I knew the answer, why would I have asked Master Wenyuan?"
"Really?" Ninth Royal Uncle still didn't quite believe her, but seeing that Serena didn't look like she was lying, he let it go and didn't press further.
With Master Wenyuan's matter settled, Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena were both in high spirits and started discussing their return to Eastlyn. Meanwhile, Princess Mingwei was so furious that if not for her upbringing, she might have smashed something.
She had spent nearly a month preparing, just waiting for Ninth Royal Uncle to lose patience, so she could step in and help him invite Master Wenyuan to Eastlyn and show off her competence. But things didn't go as planned...
"Serena Feng, you're really my nemesis. As soon as you show up, you ruin everything for me." Princess Mingwei was so angry she was about to cry, but remembering her royal brother's warning not to cause Serena trouble, she could only grit her teeth and swallow her frustration.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the villa. As soon as Ninth Royal Uncle got out, he found the guards on high alert, as if facing a major threat. The Si Clan's Eighteen Riders had also silently assembled behind him.
This formation... was honestly intimidating.
Ninth Royal Uncle silently looked up at the sky, waiting for Serena to get out of the carriage.
He knew perfectly well what the guards meant by all this, but felt they were being overly cautious—jumping at shadows. Just because Serena had knocked him down once didn't mean she could do it again. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Serena was startled by the wall of guards when she got out of the carriage. Her mouth twitched, but she said nothing and hurried inside.
She'd embarrassed herself enough today. Even though the Southlyn officials were pointing fingers at Ninth Royal Uncle, it was as much about her as it was about him.
A shrew in the house. Clearly, she was the so-called shrew.
Ninth Royal Uncle kept walking at his usual unhurried pace, following behind Serena. He didn’t go back to their room with her, but headed for his study instead.
With Master Wenyuan’s matter settled and their return to Eastlyn imminent, there were things that needed to be arranged in advance. Serena, of course, understood the importance of business and would never pester Ninth Royal Uncle at a time like this.
Still, Ninth Royal Uncle wasn’t a man with only official matters on his mind. After giving instructions for urgent business, he returned to their room.
Serena had just finished bathing. The fresh, clean scent on her made Ninth Royal Uncle relax a little.
"I’m going to bathe. If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep first."
Serena knew he wasn’t just being polite. She yawned, nodded, and went straight to the big bed. By the time Ninth Royal Uncle came back, Serena was already half asleep. Hearing him return, she mumbled, "You’re back," then rolled over and kept sleeping.
She actually fell asleep. Now it was Ninth Royal Uncle’s turn to be dumbfounded. Wasn’t his suggestion supposed to mean Serena should wait for him in bed?
But she’d gone and fallen asleep—what was that supposed to mean?
Last night they’d just slept under the quilt, nothing more. Was he supposed to just sleep again tonight too?
Ninth Royal Uncle looked at Serena, sleeping soundly, and felt extremely unwilling.
He’d waited two whole months—not just to hold Serena and sleep, that was far too simple.
No, he couldn’t let tonight end like this!
Ninth Royal Uncle’s eyes flashed. After blowing out the candle, he lay down beside Serena. But tonight, he had no intention of just sleeping as he had the night before.
He carefully laid Serena flat and began to undress her. His movements were gentle, but Serena was always alert; halfway through, she woke up, still groggy, and asked, "Ninth Royal Uncle, what are you doing? I’m sleepy."
She’d slept well last night, but she honestly didn’t mind turning in early again.
"Serena, I’m hungry," Ninth Royal Uncle said pitifully, still undressing her.
Pfft... Serena woke up instantly.
Seriously? That pitiful tone—coming from Ninth Royal Uncle of all people! Serena forgot about protecting her clothes and reached out to touch his forehead. "Ninth Royal Uncle, are you running a fever?"
Serena was definitely a mood-killer. Ninth Royal Uncle’s hand paused on her clothes, nearly losing his nerve.
Hadn’t he made himself clear enough?
Forget it—there was no reasoning with Serena. He might as well act instead. Now that she was awake, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t bother being gentle. In just a few moves, he stripped Serena’s clothes, and as she cried out in surprise, he pulled off her pants too.
"You brute!" Feeling the chill, Serena hugged herself tightly and gritted her teeth.
Did he have to be so direct? Did he? They hadn’t seen each other in two months—shouldn’t he be a little more reserved, maybe flirt a bit, build some tension before doing this...
That was how they used to be, after all. But...
"Don’t overestimate a man’s self-control." With that, Ninth Royal Uncle pulled Serena into his arms, and the two became entwined...