The Wind Rises, Someone Grows Impatient

Ninth Royal Uncle's guess was spot on—Third Prince was already suspicious by nature, and when the watchers reported in, his doubts only deepened.

"Could it really be a coincidence?" If it wasn't, then these two were truly terrifying—their every word and action appeared so natural that no one could suspect a thing.

"Perhaps it really is just coincidence, Your Highness." The Blue-robed Scholar agreed: "Ninth Royal Uncle is deep and calculating; he may leave no trace, but as for Serena Feng, no matter how capable she is, she's still just a sixteen-year-old girl. Faced with something like this, even the most skilled wouldn't be able to mask every sign. In my opinion, Your Highness is overthinking it."

Still, Third Prince couldn't put his mind at ease. Given the current situation, he couldn't act rashly either. With a sigh, he said, "I hope I'm just overthinking. Tell Abbess Serenity to withdraw everyone—don't let Ninth Royal Uncle notice we're watching him."

"As you command, Your Highness." The Blue-robed Scholar gave a relieved smile.

He truly feared that Ninth Royal Uncle might have been unaware at first, but these watchers could slip up and make him suspicious.

One had to remember, Ninth Royal Uncle was no ordinary man. He could leap into the flower fields without disturbing a single leaf—proof of his formidable martial skill. Ordinary people couldn't possibly keep him under surveillance.

Once Third Prince and his subordinate had settled on a plan, Nolan Dongling and Serena Feng returned to their room. The servants, perceptive as ever, came forward to offer water for washing their hands and brought them fresh clothing.

Just as they'd finished tidying up, Abbess Serenity—whom Serena had previously looked down on—arrived, lowering her gaze respectfully: "Ninth Royal Uncle, Miss Feng, the vegetarian dishes are ready. Would you prefer to dine in your room or at the flower-viewing terrace?"

To accommodate the noble ladies and young misses who came to admire the flowers, Moonwatch Nunnery had built a pavilion outside. Dining there offered a view of the rose-covered slopes and the drifting fragrance on the air.

"Let's go to the flower-viewing terrace," Nolan said, speaking up before Serena could answer.

Serena shot Nolan a surprised look, then quickly hid it. Abbess Serenity didn't notice and simply bowed, saying, "I will make arrangements right away."

After Serenity left, Nolan stepped forward, turning his back to the door. He pointed to the copper tube hidden in the corner, and Serena's eyes lit up in sudden understanding.

Moonwatch Nunnery really was full of secrets.

Knowing they were being listened to, Serena didn't dare say anything risky. She chatted about trivial things, but Nolan refused to engage, steering the conversation toward the rose field instead.

"Serena, do you really think there's something wrong with that rose field?" Nolan asked, though it was unclear who the question was truly for. Serena wasn't sure of his intent, but she went along with it.

"I've seen plenty of roses before, but never any that bloomed so vividly. It feels odd. I'll take a bit of soil with me when we leave—I want to study it, see if there's something special about the land here. Otherwise, how could the flowers be so striking?" Serena made a point of voicing her doubts, deliberately avoiding any mention of blood irrigation.

Nolan gave Serena an approving smile and continued, "I only brought you here because I heard the field was special. Turns out you're fussier than I expected."

"How am I being fussy? If I'm suspicious, of course I want to check. Who knows, maybe I can grow flowers just as beautiful myself." Serena retorted, playing the part of a spoiled girl—anyone could tell she was used to being indulged.

"If you want to grow flowers, just tell the gardener. There's no need for you to get your hands dirty. If you really like these, I'll have a few transplanted for you." Nolan spoke so seriously that Serena couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but...

"Forget it. My house isn't big enough to carve out a garden for flowers. If I had spare land, I'd rather plant medicinal herbs." Serena remembered how Simon Sun had spoken longingly of Mystic Healer Valley's herb fields; if she had space, she'd love to grow her own.

"You—three sentences and you're back to medicine. You really have no sense of romance." Nolan shook his head with a sigh, but Serena wasn't ashamed at all. She was proud: "I'm a doctor, after all. Medicine is my calling. By the way, didn't you get pricked by a rose thorn? Let me put some medicine on it."

She immediately sent someone to fetch the medicine chest, but Nolan was quicker. He grabbed Serena's hand: "Don't bother. It's just a tiny scratch—no need to make a fuss and embarrass me."

"An injury should be treated. There's nothing embarrassing about that."

...

Nolan and Serena played their happy parts, fully immersed in the act. But it was agony for Third Prince and the Blue-robed Scholar, who had been listening in. After hearing nothing useful for ages, the scholar gave a wry smile: "I can't sense any icy coldness or depth from Ninth Royal Uncle at all. He seems nothing like his reputation, and even Serena Feng isn't as ruthless or decisive as the rumors say."

Honestly, they just seemed like a pair of ordinary lovers—talkative and annoyingly affectionate, exactly as they appeared.

"Nolan Dongling only acts like this around Serena Feng. If you ever cross him, you'll understand. That man... even I can't see through him." Third Prince couldn't hide the note of melancholy in his voice.

No matter what, it couldn't change the fact that he'd lost to Ninth Royal Uncle—and now, with Nolan standing above on his own turf, he was powerless to do anything.

"Ninth Royal Uncle cares so deeply for Serena Feng—doesn't that mean he's exposed his weakness? If we capture her, it wouldn't be hard to force him to surrender. Your Highness, should we make a move?" The Blue-robed Scholar, Third Prince's trusted aide and mastermind behind Moonwatch Nunnery, was a true talent. But he'd always operated from the shadows and had never confronted Nolan or Serena directly before.

The Blue-robed Scholar's understanding of Serena Feng and Nolan Dongling came only from intelligence reports. This was his first time interacting with them up close, and he found they were nothing like the rumors, which made him eager to take action.

"That's a good idea," Third Prince was tempted.

Capturing both Nolan and Serena at once was unrealistic and risky, but seizing Serena as leverage against Nolan was a promising strategy.

"If Your Highness trusts me, I'll make the arrangements right away." The Blue-robed Scholar saw his chance to earn merit and couldn't wait to act.

Third Prince gave the scholar a careful look. Seeing his confidence, he nodded and let him proceed, but reminded, "It's fine if you can't catch her, but do not expose yourself. I don't want a direct confrontation with Nolan Dongling."

This wasn't Shandong—here in the imperial capital, Third Prince was a man who had to stay in the shadows. He always prioritized caution; otherwise, he wouldn't have schemed for over twenty years without leaving a trace.

"Understood." The Blue-robed Scholar nodded firmly. He knew they couldn't afford to lose—this move had to succeed, no matter what...