Beauty Is Precious but Life Is Priceless

Seeing that the Emperor was beside himself with anger, Ninth Royal Uncle knew when to stop and took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince was taken from my custody. I know I have failed in my duty. Please grant me a chance—I am determined to atone for my mistake."

Originally, it seemed impossible to pin the Third Prince's disappearance on Ninth Royal Uncle, but unexpectedly, he turned around and took responsibility upon himself. The Emperor immediately replied, "Granted."

To appear magnanimous, the Emperor added, "You may act as you see fit, but you have five days to find him."

He gave Ninth Royal Uncle sweeping authority; but if Nolan failed to find the Third Prince, the blame he'd bear would only grow heavier...

"As you command, Your Majesty." Ninth Royal Uncle lowered his head, hiding the sharp glint in his eyes.

Two stories unfolding at once: while Ninth Royal Uncle played mind games with the Emperor in the palace, Serena was showered with care and warmth at Feng Manor, finally experiencing what it felt like to come home.

The steward knew Serena would be returning today and had the kitchen prepare all her favorite dishes well in advance. Spring and Autumn kept hot water ready, waiting for Serena to come home. Even the cleaning women made sure the paving stones outside Serena's courtyard were scrubbed spotless—so clean you could use them as a mirror, even though they were meant for walking on.

This is what home should feel like: hot meals waiting, lively voices everywhere, not a trace of coldness or loneliness.

Compared to her previous life, things truly are much better now. Back in the modern world, no matter how hard she worked or how exhausted she was, home always meant a cold stove, dusty furniture, and only her own echo for company...

"It's a pity Simon isn't back yet," Serena said with some regret. But just as she finished speaking, the steward rushed in joyfully and announced, "Miss, Young Master Sun is here—he's back!"

"Simon is back?" Serena's face lit up with delight. Today really was going her way—whomever she thought of, would appear.

Simon Sun rushed in as soon as he got off his horse, peppering Serena with questions about her injuries. Only after learning she was mostly recovered did he relax. Master and apprentice chatted happily before heading back to their rooms.

Serena was in such a good mood that she had the steward arrange a banquet—including portions for the servants. The steward went off cheerfully to make preparations. That night, Feng Manor was bustling; masters and servants alike were all smiles, and both Serena and Simon Sun drank a few cups.

Simon Sun couldn't hold his liquor, and while Serena usually could, perhaps it was her good mood—after a few cups and a breath of night air, she felt tipsy and left the table early.

With her presence, no one else dared get rowdy.

Back in her room, Serena washed her face and headed to the study, sensing that Jada Tang and Mira Tang had something to report.

"Miss."

As soon as Serena entered the study, Jada Tang and Mira Tang followed her in.

"Sit," Serena said, propping her elbow on the desk. The alcohol was starting to hit, her cheeks flushed red, making her look unusually radiant. Her eyes seemed to shimmer, and a single glance was enough to leave anyone spellbound.

Jada Tang and Mira Tang had never seen Serena like this before. They were stunned, and only snapped out of it when they realized they'd been staring at her in a daze.

Jada Tang and Mira Tang lowered their heads in embarrassment. Serena, tipsy and oblivious to their reactions, took a sip of strong tea and asked, "Go ahead—what's been happening lately?"

Once business came up, Jada and Mira regained their composure. Jada spoke first: "Miss, Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh has been sending people every few days to ask when you'll return. Today she sent word again, asking you to prepare—she's summoning you to the palace tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? So soon? Isn't Imperial Noble Consort Helena about to give birth? Is there trouble with this child?" Serena actually admired Helena Hsieh. Though their relationship started off rocky, Serena appreciated Helena's rare intelligence and enjoyed dealing with her.

Leaving the Hsieh family aside, if Serena were to choose an ally in the palace, she'd want it to be Imperial Noble Consort Helena.

"Imperial Noble Consort Helena is due any day now. Word from the palace is that she's quite anxious and wants you to come keep her company and talk. She's got Zhaoyan Hall locked down tight—none of us can get any news from there," Jada reported.

"I'll go to the palace tomorrow and check in," Serena replied, nodding lazily.

Serena had always known that once she returned to the capital, she'd never get a moment's peace. But she hadn't expected to be so busy she couldn't rest for even a single day.

Jada and Mira felt sorry for Serena, but some things just had to be said. Jada continued, "Miss, Lord Harold Chase of Chu City arrived today. He happened to run into Ninth Royal Uncle and you at the city gates, but was a step too late. Word is, Chu City's heiress, Charlotte Chu, was quite displeased."

"Charlotte Chu? What is she doing in Eastlyn?" Serena frowned. She was a bit petty when it came to women who set their sights on Ninth Royal Uncle—she simply couldn't bring herself to like them.

"Word is, it's the Emperor's idea—probably for a marriage alliance. Night City is already in the Emperor's grasp, Tyre City has Lord Fuller present, Cloud City is too weak and must rely on Eastlyn. If Chu City falls as well, half of the Nine Cities will be under the Emperor's control." Thanks to their training, Jada and Mira now understood politics better than most men.

"The Emperor's appetite really is enormous," Serena remarked sarcastically.

On the surface, things looked great—everything seemed to favor the Emperor. But after spending so much time with Ninth Royal Uncle, Serena knew it wasn't nearly so simple.

The Emperor was nowhere close to controlling Night City yet. As for Tyre City, Serena knew that situation best: even if Tyre City was seriously weakened, Lord Fuller and his handful of men couldn't take it by force. Even if Lord Tai Shao agreed, Ninth Royal Uncle would never allow it.

Cloud City had Ninth Royal Uncle's secret support and the profits from prenatal medicine. It would soon recover. As for Chu City... If Charlotte Chu were so easy to marry off, she'd have been wed long ago.

Charlotte Chu was certainly no weakling to be bullied.

Jada and Mira then gave Serena a rundown of everything that had happened in the capital while she was away. The palace's rising star wasn't the soon-to-deliver Imperial Noble Consort Helena, nor any of the pregnant concubines, but rather Consort Su, who enjoyed the Emperor's deepest favor.

Outside the palace, the most powerful figure was Lord Fuller, deeply trusted by the Emperor and sent to Tyre City. The biggest event, of course, was the Minister of Revenue proving his innocence by dying in court.

Serena now had a good grasp of things, so she dismissed Jada and Mira. She sat in the study for a while before heading back to her room. Perhaps she really was drunk—her steps were unsteady, weaving this way and that, making her look especially endearing...

In the faint moonlight, the shadow guard watched Serena's slightly drunken, charming figure for a long time before finally looking away, secretly feeling regret...

Of course, it wasn't regret that Serena was already spoken for, but rather that Ninth Royal Uncle wasn't here to see her like this. If he had, he surely would've...