Easy to Fool, the Cui Clan Plays the Friendship Card

When the students rioted, the Emperor immediately suspected William Wang Jinling was secretly inciting them. However, he did not punish William—not only because there was no direct evidence, but also because William had not been deeply involved. He had only said a few words; the main reason was that these students were easily provoked. To charge William with a crime over this would be extremely difficult!

Besides, rather than pushing Serena Feng out as the scapegoat, the Emperor preferred to pin the blame on Lyndaria. Making Serena take the fall was not the Emperor’s original intention—he simply didn’t object when his officials suggested it, tacitly allowing it to happen.

When William Wang Jinling came to bail out the students, the Emperor graciously obliged. After all, the Chancellor of Jixia Academy was about to lecture in Eastlyn, and several highly respected scholars had recently arrived. At such a time, imprisoning students would look bad. Using this as an excuse, the Emperor ordered the rioters to be caned ten times and then released.

Seeing that rioting wouldn’t cost them their heads, the students became even bolder—like they’d been injected with adrenaline. They dragged out all of Princess Yara’s deeds in Eastlyn, exposing everything one by one.

The students denounced Princess Yara as utterly worthless, focusing especially on how she bullied Serena Feng, an orphan with no parents. Now the Lyndarian Envoys were blindly accusing Serena of being Yara’s murderer—it was obviously a frame-up, just a way for them to vent Princess Yara’s personal grudges.

The Lyndarian Envoys cried out in protest, insisting they weren’t the ones accusing Serena Feng of murder. But the students of Eastlyn never gave them a chance to defend themselves.

Though impulsive, the students were certainly well-educated. Their insults weren’t crude street brawling—they spoke with scholarly elegance, the kind of words that could shame someone into suicide.

The situation grew hotter and more intense, and rumors among the common people spread even more fiercely. By the time the Emperor realized what was happening, it was already out of control. He immediately ordered a ban on gossip and repeatedly declared that Eastlyn would hold Lyndaria accountable, demanding that Lyndaria explain how Princess Yara had harmed the imperial bloodline.

When the students saw the Emperor take a tough stance and clearly shift the blame onto Lyndaria, they stopped rioting and began to praise the Emperor’s achievements.

Those Lyndarian Envoys, who had originally come with evidence demanding Eastlyn hand over Princess Yara’s killer, now found the Emperor—wanting to save face and protect Prince Chase—unwilling to let the truth about her death get out. He simply tacitly allowed the Lyndarian Envoys to act as they wished.

But with the students stirring up trouble, the Emperor of Eastlyn hardened his stance. Now the Lyndarian Envoys were anxious—if this kept up, even their lives might be at risk. What were they supposed to do?

Serena Feng had been well-behaved these past few days, quietly watching from the sidelines while staying on guard for the Emperor’s next move against her.

After Summer’s operation failed and her identity was exposed, the Emperor was sure to have another plan. But Serena Feng waited several days and still saw no new moves from the Emperor.

There’s no way the Emperor would give up trying to seize the Ninth Royal Uncle’s Command Medallion. Serena guessed he wanted to settle the Princess Yara affair first; once that was over, he’d have time to focus on her. Unfortunately for him... by then, he’d be far too busy.

As William Wang Jinling predicted, the Emperor needed a way out—a step that would let him shift responsibility onto Lyndaria. William provided it, and the Emperor naturally followed suit.

The conflict between Eastlyn and Lyndaria had grown more intense; at this point, neither side had time to keep an eye on Serena Feng. Thanks to the students’ protest, Eastlyn immediately reversed its stance, refusing to admit Princess Yara was murdered. Lyndaria called Eastlyn shameless, but honestly, they weren’t much better themselves.

Rumors in the streets gradually died down under the Emperor’s crackdown, and the whole affair shifted from public spectacle to behind-the-scenes maneuvering. The students, seeing their protest had made an impact, were elated. They flocked to restaurants and teahouses, boasting about their exploits and, in their excitement, even composing poems—acting like they’d accomplished something great.

“So this is what scholars and students are like. Youth really is wonderful—everything seems so simple.” Master Owen Yuan held his teacup, looking wistful and admiring, but Serena Feng caught a note of mockery in his eyes.

Serena Feng smiled without answering, quietly looking away. After a long pause, she said, “Did you invite me here just to see how adorable these students can be?”

Who hasn’t been young and reckless? Who hasn’t been full of spirit, thinking that a small achievement means they’ve made a huge contribution to the nation and have the vision to guide its fate?

These students weren’t wrong—they were just too young, with too little experience. A small success made them smug.

“Adorable? What a waste of a good word.” Master Owen Yuan smiled gently, but his words were razor-sharp. Serena just pretended not to understand.

These students really were a bit naïve, a bit easy to fool. But if they weren’t, William Wang Jinling couldn’t have stirred them up so easily. If they didn’t have that passion and idealism, how would they dare challenge the Emperor so recklessly?

Without these students charging ahead as cover, how could their secret plans have gone so smoothly?

Aren’t these students adorable?

Seeing Serena stay silent, Master Owen Yuan didn’t press the subject.

Though naïve, these students weren’t so easily swayed by just anyone. Only William Wang Jinling could inspire them to risk their lives for him with just a few words.

Of course, Master Owen Yuan hadn’t come just to talk about the students. Knowing Serena’s personality, he didn’t bother with small talk. He got straight to the point: “Serena, could the Cui Clan lend a hand with the next phase?”

In other words, could the Cui Clan get a share of the spoils?

This whole scheme started because of Serena, even if William Wang Jinling was the one carrying it out. Master Owen Yuan thought Serena would be easier to deal with, but he was about to find out she was just as tough.

Serena didn’t refuse. Instead, she put on her best scholar’s airs, shaking her head as she said, “When did you become so mercenary, Master? That’s not like you at all.”

High-minded, detached, above worldly affairs—that’s the image Master Owen Yuan shows the world. Serena was using that to block him now, just to see if he’d still dare get involved.

Sure enough, Master Owen Yuan was thin-skinned. After just a few words from Serena, he looked awkward and coughed twice before saying, “I overstepped.”

So, Serena was even harder to handle than William Wang Jinling.

“You’re taking it too seriously, Master. I was just making an offhand remark—don’t think too much of it.” Serena didn’t want to offend the Cui Clan just yet. Besides, she genuinely admired Master Owen Yuan’s talent and didn’t want to embarrass him.

Master Owen Yuan laughed at himself. “I admit defeat. Let’s just pretend I never brought it up—I was only asking on the Cui Clan’s behalf. Whether it works out or not is none of my concern.”

Really?

Serena’s lashes fluttered as she closed her eyes, hiding the mockery in her gaze.

Did he really think she didn’t know this was just a test from the Cui Clan? If she gave ground now, she’d have to keep retreating in future dealings. The Cui Clan had grown fast enough—she couldn’t give them any more chances to get a foothold in Eastlyn.

But since Master Owen Yuan had backed down, Serena didn’t press the issue. She made it clear, both in her words and between the lines, that the ones actually running things were Ninth Royal Uncle and William Wang Jinling. If the Cui Clan wanted in, they’d have to decide whether they dared go up against both of them—trying to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth.

Master Owen Yuan pretended not to understand, but inwardly, he sighed.

Serena had matured too quickly—she was no longer easy to fool. The Cui Clan’s hope of playing the friendship card and getting favors from her was probably finished…