Borrowed-Knife Scheme of Ninth Royal Uncle

Inside the Imperial Clan Prison, the Emperor, dressed in bright yellow court robes, sits in Prince Nolan's usual spot, reading his books and drinking his tea, looking completely at ease.

Prince Nolan strolls in from outside, unhurried and unsurprised to see the Emperor. He walks in as if nothing is amiss; aside from a change in who is sitting inside the cell, the Imperial Clan Prison looks just the same. There are no guards by the Emperor’s side, and the atmosphere is as quiet as when Nolan is here alone.

Such a bizarre scene can only be found in the Imperial Clan Prison: the Emperor doesn’t look like an emperor, and the prisoner doesn’t look like a prisoner. The Emperor sits inside the cell, while the ‘prisoner’ walks in from outside.

"Royal Brother!" Prince Nolan stands calmly before the Emperor, neither arrogant nor impatient, showing not a trace of unease. He stands there quietly, completely unfazed by being caught after ‘breaking out’ of prison.

Compared to Prince Nolan’s composure, Serena Feng’s nerves are nothing. Just look at how calm he is.

"You’re back." The Emperor lifts his teacup and takes a light sip, his gaze gentle. His manner and tone are so mild he seems like a kindly elder—there’s not a hint of anger. But...

Both men know this is just the calm before the storm. If the Emperor truly felt no anger, he wouldn’t have left the palace in a snowstorm to wait here in the Imperial Clan Prison—alone—all night.

The Emperor is furious, and the consequences could be dire.

Prince Nolan stands there calmly, neither responding nor bowing his head. He meets the Emperor’s gaze with complete composure, showing none of the respect or deference expected when facing the Emperor.

The Emperor doesn’t get angry. If Prince Nolan were truly terrified and kneeling before him, the Emperor would suspect he was an imposter. The Emperor points to the seat opposite him: “Sit.”

Prince Nolan doesn’t stand on ceremony. He lifts his robe and sits down, picks up the teapot, and pours himself a cup—without waiting for the Emperor’s invitation.

He’d been rushing around all night and didn’t even get a sip of hot tea at Serena’s place. Clearly, Serena has no idea how to treat a guest.

Nolan is indeed thirsty, but his movements as he drinks are elegant and unhurried. He sips his tea slowly, not at all feeling it’s wrong to let the Emperor wait for him.

The Emperor isn’t impatient. He waits until Nolan has finished his tea, then says, "Ninth Brother, you still owe me an explanation."

Yes, an explanation—a reason for escaping the prison in the middle of the night, a reason for making the Emperor leave the palace, a reason that could keep Nolan from being punished.

The Emperor believes that if Nolan dared to leave, he must have a good reason. That’s why he came alone, waiting here for Nolan.

The two brothers have been at odds for years—this much, at least, they both know.

"Those men are still alive." Nolan sets down his teacup and says, giving the Emperor some face.

He means: the men you sent after me—I didn’t kill them. If I had, you wouldn’t have come here tonight. Without me sending word, you’d never have made it from the palace in time.

You want an explanation? I already told you—I was leaving the prison. Besides, wasn’t this your idea? You had someone send word to me, painting Serena’s situation as so desperate, just to get me out of the cell and over to Feng Manor.

Nolan’s gaze is calm as water, completely unconcerned by the anger and authority radiating from the Emperor.

He’s used to it. His royal brother rarely greets him with a truly peaceful heart.

"That’s your explanation?" The Emperor is clearly dissatisfied.

To cause such a stir, forcing the Emperor himself to leave the palace—he doesn’t believe Nolan has no hidden cards. Escaping prison is a serious crime; the Emperor could have Nolan Dongling executed and no one would dare object.

"What does Royal Brother wish to hear? I will speak openly and hold nothing back." The more you say, the more mistakes you make—Nolan has never liked talking much with the Emperor. If he’s talking now, it’s because it matters.

He’s always done this well—so well that whenever the Emperor sees him, he has nowhere to vent his anger.

"Hmph... Ninth Brother, don’t play games with me. I didn’t come out here in the middle of the night just to see how you’re doing in prison. Don’t push me, Nolan." He is the Emperor—if he truly wanted to, even at the risk of shaking the foundation of the state, he could kill Nolan and no one could stop him.

Keeping Nolan alive serves two purposes: one, for Eastlyn’s sake; two, to show the world he’s not a tyrant who wipes out the imperial bloodline. Otherwise, the scholars and moralists would accuse him of cruelty.

See? As long as Nolan is alive, who dares say the Emperor has killed all his brothers? If he had, there wouldn’t be a unique, unmatched Ninth Royal Uncle left.

Nolan isn’t afraid of angering the Emperor, but he hates when the Emperor makes trouble for Serena. While he’s locked up, news doesn’t reach him quickly; even if he does get word, by the time he’s out, it’s already too late.