Since You Want It, I Will Reluctantly Give It

Serena Feng swallowed hard, trying to calm her pounding heart. Her eyes darted around the darkness, hoping that Nolan Dongling’s shadow guards would notice her predicament and come to her rescue. But after waiting a long time, not a single shadow guard appeared.

Damn it, Nolan, what kind of shadow guards do you keep? The one time I actually need them, not a single one shows up. Clearly, shadow guards and bodyguards are useless—when it comes down to it, you can only rely on yourself.

“Ninth Royal Uncle, did you bring me out here just to drink with you?” Serena Feng carefully gripped the roof beam, terrified she’d slip and tumble right off—this rooftop was sloped, after all.

Ninth Royal Uncle shook his head solemnly. "No." Just as Serena thought there was something serious, he added, "I brought you out to admire the moon with me. Serena, look, tonight the moon is perfectly round."

“Admire the moon?” Does Ninth Royal Uncle look like the type to have leisure for moon-gazing? No matter how Serena looked at him, he didn’t seem the type at all.

Crash—Serena, startled, kicked a roof tile loose. Ninth Royal Uncle glanced at her with a hint of amusement, as if he could see straight through her little schemes.

Serena guiltily lowered her head. No way would she admit she’d done it on purpose. Ugh… with all that noise, how come not a single person showed up?

Simon… your master has walked right into the tiger’s jaws. If you don’t come soon, I’m definitely in real trouble. Whenever a man and woman have rolled in the sheets, then go admire the moon and talk about life, it always ends up with them talking their way straight into bed…

Serena’s cheeks flushed red. Ninth Royal Uncle’s gaze was gentle: “Admire the moon of today, talk about the matters of the past. No one will disturb us tonight.”

Ninth Royal Uncle raised a jar of wine and drank boldly. Serena had never seen him like this before; the Ninth Royal Uncle she knew was always elegant, noble, and reserved.

After downing half a jar of wine, Ninth Royal Uncle pointed at the moon in the sky and said, “Serena, did you know? The Eastlyn Imperial Capital was also the capital of the Former Dynasty. On every full moon night back then, the city would fill with people strolling the streets.”

Even the noble daughters could go out and play without anyone criticizing them. On that day, many young ladies and gentlemen would choose to meet their future spouses.

The streets were packed with lanterns and crowds. Vendors shouted their wares, old and young wandered and bought treats, carriages and horses jammed the roads—pure, bustling prosperity.”

Standing on the rooftop, Ninth Royal Uncle pointed toward where the busiest avenue of the Former Dynasty once lay, describing the people and sights in vivid detail to Serena. He spoke as if he’d seen it with his own eyes, but given his age, that was impossible.

“I wouldn’t know—I never lived through the Former Dynasty. I can’t even imagine how prosperous it was.” From his tone, Serena could sense his longing and nostalgia for the past. And knowing his ambitions, she felt like she was stepping on a landmine.

Ninth Royal Uncle closed his eyes, unable to hide his sorrow. "Exactly. None of us experienced the Former Dynasty’s glory. All we know is hearsay. The Former Dynasty feels farther and farther away… Serena, do you know which surname was the most exalted back then?"

He spoke lightly, but Serena felt chills run down her spine—especially when his dark eyes fixed on her, making her even more uneasy.

Those eyes seemed to hold countless secrets, and now he was telling her that he wanted to share them. But Serena didn’t want to know, and she didn’t dare to know…

Serena grabbed the wine jar beside her, using drinking as an excuse to dodge the topic of the Former Dynasty.

Anything about the Former Dynasty was taboo—one careless word and you’d be branded a traitor. Serena still remembered how, just a few days ago, several people had been beheaded in the marketplace, supposedly for being remnants of the Former Dynasty. The evidence? Poems and writings praising the old regime found in their homes.

Gulp, gulp… After half a jar of wine, Serena finally managed to dodge the topic of the Former Dynasty.

“Hahaha… Who knew Serena could hold her liquor so well?” Ninth Royal Uncle, just as Serena wished, dropped the subject and focused on drinking with her.

He’d come here tonight just to drink with Serena. If she were sober, she’d be far too difficult to pin down.

Serena’s tolerance was decent, but tonight’s wine was even rarer than lotus brew. After a whole jar, she felt her mind growing fuzzy—she knew she was getting drunk and had to stop.

Her cheeks flushed, eyes glazed, Serena swayed atop the rooftop, clinging to her last bit of clarity. “Ninth Royal Uncle, I think I’m drunk… I can’t sit straight.”

No sooner had she spoken than she toppled forward—thud—landing squarely in Ninth Royal Uncle’s arms. Still aware she was on the roof, Serena clung to him, afraid of falling. “Ninth Royal Uncle, hold me tight, don’t let me drop… ouch…”

"Serena, you’re throwing yourself into my arms." Just as Serena wished, Ninth Royal Uncle held her close; even with his left hand, he could carry her down.

“Mmm…” Serena hiccuped, trying to push him away, but her whole body felt limp—she couldn’t budge him at all. “I did not! Ninth Royal Uncle, take me back to my room. I want to go back, I want to sleep.”

She was clearly drunk, yet still a little lucid—which only made her more frustrated. She truly was throwing herself at him; her mind wanted to push him away, but her hands wouldn’t obey.

“Alright, I’ll take you back.” Having achieved his goal, Ninth Royal Uncle had no intention of staying out on the windy rooftop. Holding Serena, he leapt down, landing steadily on the ground.

“Alright, alright, I can walk on my own. You can go now.” Serena pushed him away and staggered forward, but the wine’s aftereffects were strong. The night breeze hit her, the alcohol surged to her head, and after only a few steps, she collapsed…

Ninth Royal Uncle seemed to have expected this. As Serena fell, he caught her squarely in his arms. This time, she didn’t resist—her body was so limp she simply couldn’t.

“Eastlyn’s Ninth, you little villain, you’re taking advantage!” Serena muttered in drunken annoyance, her voice soft and petulant. Even drunk, she understood his intentions tonight.

Such a scheming villain!

Ninth Royal Uncle laid Serena gently on the bed, then came down beside her, propping himself up on his right elbow and brushing the stray hair from her face.

"Villain, villain, a scoundrel drunk on wine and lust." Serena flailed her arms, but Ninth Royal Uncle pinned her wrists and kissed her between the brows. "Serena, since you accuse me of taking advantage and acting on drunken lust, I’ll make your charges real. This is what you wanted, so I’ll ‘reluctantly’ give it to you!"

He lowered his head, silencing all her protests with a kiss. With a hook of his leg, the bed curtains fell, and the little bed became its own private world.

The night stretched on…