Politeness Is Good Manners Not Weakness

The news Serena heard today was truly shocking. Other than nodding, she had no idea how to respond.

She was once again certain: Prince Nolan’s ambitions were far beyond this. A small kingdom like Eastlyn could never hold him, nor did he care for it.

Thinking of the civil strife in Southlyn, and the impending chaos in Eastlyn and Lyndaria, Serena suddenly felt that the man before her wasn’t just strong—he was terrifyingly powerful.

Without anyone noticing, he had already stirred up the politics of every kingdom, throwing the peaceful Nine Provinces Continent into turmoil. A man like this was truly frightening.

How much strength, patience, and intricate planning did it take to create today’s situation—to hold the entire chessboard in his own hands so precisely?

Serena could hardly believe how meticulous this man’s mind was. What if he ever used that sharpness against her?

Ugh... Just imagining it made Serena shudder.

She shook her head, forcing that thought away, then suddenly remembered something crucial. “Prince Nolan, who did the Empress’s father and brother sell all that grain and raw iron to?”

Serena suspected it was Northlyn, but she wasn’t Prince Nolan—her guess didn’t match his.

“Ahem, Southlyn’s Prince Damien.” Prince Nolan knew Serena cared about Evan Zhou, but politics was politics, and feelings were feelings.

"Ah..." Serena never expected it to be Prince Damien of Southlyn. "Aren't you at odds with him?"

"Business is business; grudges are grudges. He offered the highest price," Prince Nolan replied, sounding a bit guilty.

Serena shot Prince Nolan a glare. "Sure, keep making excuses. I see you just think Southlyn isn't chaotic enough and want to add more fuel to the fire."

Fine, Serena was indeed worried about Evan Zhou. But she trusted that Prince Nolan had his own plans, and besides, he and Evan weren’t relatives or close friends—why should he help him?

Politics doesn’t care about feelings. Besides, Prince Nolan’s ambitions were for the whole realm; anyone in his way was his enemy. If he could plot against his own nephews, what was Evan Zhou to him?

A woman ruled by sentiment can never achieve great things.

"Well, it's getting late. Let's rest. Tomorrow will be busy." Prince Nolan's eyes darted around, never quite meeting Serena's gaze.

He knew Serena hated Prince Damien too, but some things couldn’t be handled emotionally. In Southlyn, only Prince Damien could rival Prince Nathan for the throne, so Damien couldn’t fall yet—or at least not too soon. Southlyn’s civil strife had only just begun; how could it end so quickly?

"Fine, I’ll head back to my room." Serena wasn’t angry with Prince Nolan; she understood he disliked Prince Damien as well, but now wasn’t the time for him to die.

A person’s greatest worth lies in whether they’re useful. When someone’s time is up, it means they have no value left.

"Wait, hold on. Let's talk a bit more," Prince Nolan quickly stopped her.

He’d forgotten this was the Imperial Palace; even if it was bedtime, Serena couldn’t possibly share a room with him. After thinking it over, the study was the most convenient option.

Tonight, he’d enjoy a taste of that old ideal the ancients spoke of—a beauty accompanying a scholar.

"What else do you want to talk about?" Serena didn’t mind spending extra time with Prince Nolan. Hearing his words, she snuggled into his arms, idly playing with the strands of hair near his ear.

After everything that had happened, she and Prince Nolan would surely be unable to meet for quite a while. The Empress’s father and brother falling from power was no small matter.

"Hmm... Let's talk about Reid Yale and Su Wan. How do you want to punish them?" After thinking it over, this topic seemed safest—and could last quite a while.

......

The Crown Prince, Prince Rowan, Crown Prince Terrence of Lyndaria, Reid Yale, and Su Wan spent half a day and night shut in a room piled with snake corpses, hungry and sleepless. Luckily it was late autumn and cool; if it were summer, the stench would have suffocated them.

Except for Su Wan, the other four didn’t sleep all night. Reid Yale, already frail, forced himself to stay awake to look after Su Wan.

When Prince Nolan and Serena finished breakfast and arrived full of energy, they saw four men with dark circles under their eyes, stubbly chins, and utterly drained spirits.

These four—each born of noble blood—had never suffered like this before. Prince Nolan’s method wasn’t just physical torment, but psychological as well, trampling their pride and snapping their arrogance in two.

"Royal Uncle..." The Crown Prince’s voice was full of grievance, hoping for a bit of kindness from Prince Nolan.

"Prince Nolan." Prince Rowan of Eastlyn greeted him properly, while Crown Prince Terrence of Lyndaria and Reid Yale just snorted coldly, their eyes hostile. Clearly, Prince Nolan had truly offended them this time.

"I’ve had breakfast and hot water prepared. If the Crown Prince and Prince Rowan are uninjured, go bathe and change—don’t embarrass the royal family." Only Prince Nolan would dare lock up the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s favorite son for a day, then scold them afterwards.

"Thank you, Prince Nolan." Only Prince Nolan could lock someone up and still have them thank him for it.

"And you, Crown Prince Terrence? Will you stay with Young City Lord Reid, or bathe and change first?" Prince Nolan was clearly about to discuss yesterday’s incident with Reid. He was testing whether Terrence would get involved or stand aside.

It’s human nature to seek benefit and avoid harm. If Prince Nolan dared lock them up, he must be confident of winning. Crown Prince Terrence unceremoniously chose the latter.

"Attendants, serve Crown Prince Terrence for his bath." Prince Nolan didn’t make things difficult for him, giving Terrence plenty of face. At last, Terrence regained a bit of confidence.

Yesterday, Prince Nolan had crushed him thoroughly. Rank-wise, Terrence was even higher than Prince Nolan, yet he’d been utterly powerless before him.

In the end, Terrence could only comfort himself: 'When you’re under someone’s roof, you have to bow your head.'

After Crown Prince Terrence left, Prince Nolan dismissed the guards as well. "Young City Lord Reid, shall we talk here, or move somewhere else?"

Waking to see Serena made Prince Nolan’s mood soar, so his tone was inevitably more polite. But Reid Yale mistook his courtesy for weakness.

"Talk? What’s there left to discuss, Prince Nolan? Weren’t you arrogant yesterday? Why do you want to negotiate now—are you sure it’s not too late?" Reid assumed Prince Nolan hadn’t found any evidence and was here to make peace out of desperation.

He’d swallowed a bellyful of anger—no way would he let it go so easily.

Prince Nolan could only laugh.

Only someone with powerful parents like City Lord Yale could raise a son as oblivious as Reid.

"Young City Lord Reid, do you think this is Yale City or Southlyn? In Yale City, you’re like the Crown Prince; in Southlyn, with the Su family as your maternal kin, no one would dare cross you. You’ve been spoiled for too long and don’t know your limits. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have humiliated Bu Jingyun so terribly back then."

"What do you mean, Prince Nolan?" Reid wasn’t stupid; his freshly gathered courage began to fade...

[Recently, many have asked about the meaning of 'Jiuzhou.' To clarify: both 'Jiuzhou' and 'Shenzhou' are ancient names for China. In ancient times, China was divided into nine regions—hence 'Jiuzhou.' 'Shenzhou' was later used as another name for the country.]