Though Prince Nolan was also imprisoned, his situation was nothing like Serena Feng's. Even if he hadn't witnessed recent events with his own eyes, he was perfectly clear about everything happening outside—the world had unfolded exactly as he had planned.
Standing by the small window of his cell, Prince Nolan clasped his hands behind his back and murmured to the sky, "Serena Feng, by now you should be out. Rest assured—your suffering will not be in vain."
He hadn't moved against the National Duke’s Manor before because the price was too steep. But now—for Serena Feng—he was willing to pay it. As for those rumors about Heaven’s displeasure?
He scoffed—his imperial brother was too naïve. From beginning to end, he had never agreed to anything; he simply did what he himself wished. Besides, Serena Feng’s release was only possible because she was innocent to begin with.
Tap, tap, tap... Soft footsteps sounded nearby. Prince Nolan’s ears twitched ever so slightly, yet he kept his proud stance, feet apart, every inch of him radiating aloof indifference.
"Prince Nolan." Adrian Dongling stood outside the cell door, gazing at Nolan’s back with a puzzled expression.
His Royal Uncle was becoming more and more unfathomable—always looking like some immortal, yet able to flip clouds to rain at will. Even locked in a cell, he seemed to control everything happening outside.
The National Duke’s Manor was exposed over the thunder-blast grenade—Adrian would never believe Prince Nolan wasn’t behind it. But he truly couldn’t understand: with Nolan locked up in the Imperial Clan Court’s prison, how could he still direct things outside?
Just how much power and how many experts did he truly command, that even Adrian’s father, the Emperor, was so wary—and that so many things could happen so quickly?
Prince Nolan ignored Adrian Dongling, still standing with his back to him. The silent fall of his robe spoke volumes—its owner cared nothing for those around him.
Adrian Dongling wasn’t offended. He just kept talking: "Prince Nolan, you clearly care about Serena Feng—why won’t you admit it? You’ve done so much for her, sacrificed so much, but she doesn’t know a thing. Outsiders only see William and Victor Yun running around for Serena, working to clear her name. None of it seems to have anything to do with you."
"Prince Nolan, is it really worth it for a woman? She’s just a plaything—there’s no kind of woman in this world you couldn’t have. You yourself said she was just a woman, so why, when it came down to it, didn’t you act as you claimed you would? Prince Nolan, I truly don’t understand."
He was truly baffled. What Prince Nolan said that day, and the way he acted, were absolutely genuine. When Adrian thought Nolan saw Serena Feng as a mere plaything, Nolan’s actions afterward completely shocked him.
Prince Nolan, just how impossible are you to understand?
Adrian Dongling kept talking and talking—not really expecting an answer, just venting to his elder, sharing his own confusion and doubts like a junior seeking guidance.
Two days ago, Princess Yara came to him, saying she didn’t want to marry Zichun. That night was all Prince Nolan’s scheme, not her choice. She said she loved Adrian, was willing to follow him regardless of status, and if he truly loved her, he shouldn’t care about what happened that night.
Yara’s words moved him for an instant. She was his youthful crush—even if he didn’t truly love her, he still held onto that stubborn attachment. But...
Women were just playthings to him. How could he risk turning against Zichun over Yara? Zichun was heavily favored by the Emperor; if he slapped Zichun in the face, his father wouldn’t let him off easy.
So, he came to Prince Nolan, hoping to talk things over—maybe his Royal Uncle could give him an answer.
Adrian Dongling kept talking and talking, but Prince Nolan didn’t respond at all. Not until Adrian finally asked, "Prince Nolan, what makes a qualified prince? What makes a true member of the royal house?"
"A mind twisted and inscrutable, a nature that shifts and reverses, truth and lies indistinguishable—even able to deceive oneself." Prince Nolan turned around, his thin lips parting as he spoke his first words to Adrian Dongling that day.
Adrian Dongling froze, not expecting Prince Nolan to actually answer. Once he recovered, he carefully savored the words, then bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Prince Nolan."
"This prince has no leisure to instruct you. If you have nothing urgent, don’t come bother me; I have no patience for your presence. Pass this message to your father—the Emperor: he’s already taken plenty from me, and my patience has its limits. Don’t push me."
It was a warning—Prince Nolan’s warning to the Emperor. In Serena Feng’s case, he had given ground once, but that didn’t mean he would always yield.
He was warning the Emperor: stop using Serena Feng as a pawn. If it happened again, he wouldn’t mind mutual destruction.
"Royal Uncle..." Adrian Dongling’s face paled. He couldn’t believe such rebellious words had come from Prince Nolan’s mouth.
His father always said Prince Nolan was insubordinate and defiant—turns out he was right.
"What’s the matter? This prince dares to say it, but you don’t dare to repeat it? With that kind of cowardice, how could you ever call yourself a true prince? If you can’t even muster real courage, forget about vying for the throne." Prince Nolan sneered. "Ziluo, since you called me Royal Uncle, I’ll give you one more piece of advice: some things can’t be rushed. Your father is still young."
In other words, if Adrian Dongling wanted to become Emperor, he’d have to wait for his father’s death—maybe for decades. In all that time, anything could happen. Right now, the biggest threat was that the harem would soon produce a whole new crop of princes and princesses. Adrian had plenty to worry about.
Adrian Dongling’s eyes widened in shock and he stumbled back a few steps: "Royal Uncle, you’re overthinking things—I never had such ambitions." Having thoughts and voicing them were two different matters; and if he spoke them aloud, his father would never tolerate it.
"That would be best—otherwise, you’ll end up working for someone else’s benefit. The inner palace never lacks women, nor princes."
A new batch of women had just entered the harem, and there was Noble Consort Helena’s pregnancy to consider—the struggle had to begin now.
He was looking forward to seeing the Empress and Noble Consort Helena fight, and to the battles with all those women.
It was only fair—if the Emperor schemed against his woman, he would scheme against the Emperor’s women.
Thank you for your guidance, Royal Uncle. I understand. I still have duties to attend to, so I won’t disturb your peace any longer. I’ll come visit again another day.
Faced with Prince Nolan’s all-seeing gaze, Adrian Dongling fled in panic. Only when he reached the cell door did he stop, straighten his clothes, and restore his elegant prince’s composure before stepping outside.
At the door, four guards were waiting. As Adrian left, he pointed to the two on the left: 'You two stay here and keep watch over Prince Nolan for me.'
These two were top palace experts, personally sent by the Emperor through Adrian. After the National Duke’s affair, Prince Nolan’s reaction had been too quick—the Emperor suspected something was wrong with the Imperial Clan Court’s prison. But since the institution was run by imperial clan elders, he had no time to reorganize, so he sent his own men instead.
The prison warden, hearing the news, exchanged a look with his deputy and nodded. The deputy soon found an opportunity and walked straight toward Nolan’s cell.
'My good imperial brother, only now realizing this—couldn’t it be a bit too late?'
After all these days, everything he needed to do was already done; now he just had to wait...