Looking to Heaven, Ninth Royal Uncle Versus the Princes

The princes, seeing that Serena Feng's looks were ruined, lost all interest in currying favor with her. To them, this Serena Feng was now useless; even if Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) saw her like this, he would be disgusted, let alone listen to her.

Prince Evan and his companions looked at Serena Feng with playful, contemptuous eyes, their chins raised slightly, no longer even interested in speaking to her. (Evan is one of Ninth Royal Uncle's royal nephews.)

Serena Feng vaguely guessed what the princes were thinking. She lowered her eyelids, hiding the cold smile in her eyes.

No matter what, these princes’ clever schemes would all fail. Serena Feng would never let a few words from them turn her into their pawn. Likewise... (She is determined not to be anyone's tool, no matter the pressure.)

If these princes hoped to bully her or laugh at her, they were bound to be disappointed. Serena Feng had never thought of relying on men. Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) gave her much protection, but even greater danger. (The Wang Clan, one of the major power families, is another reason for their interest.)

Both sides fell silent. No one intended to speak, but the princes also had no intention of leaving. They were waiting—for people from Ninth Prince Manor to arrive...

Felix Dongling let out a faint sigh and spoke his first words since entering today: "Miss Feng, what are your plans for the future?"

"Plans? What does Prince Qing mean by that?" Serena Feng looked up in confusion, scrutinizing this prince whose presence was usually so low. (Prince Qing is one of Nolan Dongling's royal nephews, a younger relative.)

Felix Dongling, a supporter of the Crown Prince and a seasoned frontier prince, was stationed at the borders. Serena hadn’t expected that, now that her looks were ruined, he would be the one to speak to her with genuine concern.

Felix Dongling simply assumed Serena Feng was playing dumb. Ignoring the cold stares of his royal brothers, he said, "If you wish, Miss Feng, I can send someone to escort you to North Gate Pass."

North Gate Pass—General Warren Yu’s post. Felix Dongling was doing Warren Yu a favor, while also reminding Evan and the others: Serena Feng is not so easy to bully.

Uh... The faces of Evan and the others changed instantly. How could they forget about Warren Yu? Everyone in the Capital knew Warren Yu was close to Serena Feng. Last time Serena offended the Emperor, Warren Yu traveled thousands of miles to help smooth things over for her. (Warren Yu is a key general stationed at North Gate Pass and an ally of Serena Feng.)

Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) always protected Serena Feng—maybe he was trying to win over General Warren Yu.

The princes felt uneasy. Luckily, each was a master of changing face; in a blink, the contempt and disdain vanished. They all amiably shared their own scar-removal remedies. Only Victor Dongling stayed silent, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Felix Dongling had ruined his plan again. Today’s conversation would reach the Emperor’s ears for sure. If he tried to propose to Serena Feng now, it would look suspicious. Still, he did want to marry Serena—to win over the Wang Clan and General Warren Yu.

Serena Feng was impatient—her wound still hadn’t healed, and she didn’t want to talk much. Even saying a single sentence took ages. After half an hour, she was visibly exhausted, swaying slightly, her smile more and more forced.

The princes also knew it was time to leave. On the surface, nothing seemed wrong, but everyone understood—today’s meeting had not gone well. Led by Evan, the princes prepared to return to their residences. But as soon as they stood, a servant rushed in to report: "Ninth Royal Uncle is here!"

Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) actually came in person?

Serena Feng remained calm, as if she’d known all along. She stood up with the princes to greet Ninth Royal Uncle. On the table, the ankle-length face veil lay untouched—she didn’t even glance at it. It was clear she didn’t intend to wear it.

"Miss Feng, do you want to bring your ankle-length face veil?" Felix Dongling’s thoughts were sharper than the others’.

A woman’s appearance meant everything. No matter what Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) felt about Serena Feng, letting him see her like this was never good.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but there’s no need." Serena Feng gave Felix Dongling a faint smile, less distant and cold than before.

Serena Feng understood—Prince Qing was helping her for his own reasons. But she appreciated his intelligence. At least he could see that her support didn’t come from Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling).

Felix Dongling returned her look with a smile of approval. Their eyes met—each saw a kindred spirit, someone just like themselves. Neither was overly ambitious; it was only their circumstances that set them apart.

In just half a month, Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) had grown much thinner. He looked sickly, his lips pale, his clothes hanging loosely on his frame. But his aura remained undiminished.

He walked in without glancing sideways, completely ignoring everyone. But when he passed Felix Dongling, he paused, giving him a thoughtful look. Before Felix could catch his gaze, Nolan Dongling swept past him, his eyes landing on Serena Feng—more precisely, on the wound on her neck.

This was the first time Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) saw Serena Feng’s injury. He suppressed the urge to reach out and touch it, then stepped into the hall: "Come in, all of you."

As soon as he sat in the main seat, he started coughing nonstop. The eunuch immediately offered him a cup of hot tea—his own cup.

The illness was real.

Serena Feng was the last to enter, quietly taking her place in the corner.

With so many princes and royal descendants, there was nowhere for her to sit.

Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling) coughed for a long time, his face reddening, before he finally stopped. He pointed to the seat beside him: "Qingchen, sit."

The only empty seat in the hall was next to Ninth Royal Uncle (Nolan Dongling)—the place of honor. "Thank you, Ninth Royal Uncle, but I’ll stand."

"I said, sit." Nolan Dongling looked at Serena Feng, but she had already lowered her head, missing his gaze.

This time, Serena Feng didn’t refuse. She sat beside Nolan Dongling, ignoring the wound on her neck. Together, they made a striking pair—he, imposing; she, graceful.

With Nolan Dongling present, none of the princes dared look down on Serena. Nolan was gravely ill—they’d tried to visit, but were always turned away. Seeing him today was a rare chance. The princes expressed their concern, then shifted the conversation to the lockdown in the Capital and the hunt for assassins. Their words made it clear: they wanted to return to their fiefs, and hoped Nolan would help.

Nolan Dongling just listened, saying nothing. Only after the princes finished did he speak: "I understand. If there’s nothing else, you may go."

He rarely found such an opportunity to visit openly. Of course, he couldn’t just stay with these royal nephews forever.

Though it was thanks to these princes that he had a reason to visit, now that he’d used them, what was the point in staying?

"Ninth Royal Uncle, we came to see Qingchen. Seeing her wounds pains us. For a woman, appearance is everything. That assassin was truly vile. Who knows when Qingchen’s neck will heal? We’re discussing remedies—perhaps there’s medicine that can help her recover." Victor Dongling knew Nolan Dongling’s intentions, but refused to leave. After speaking, he picked up his tea and drank slowly, clearly planning to linger in Feng Manor.

The other princes, having received no clear answer from Nolan Dongling, didn’t want to leave either. With Victor stirring things up, they were happy to watch the show in Feng Manor.

Ignoring Nolan Dongling’s murderous glare, Victor Dongling focused on his tea. He frowned as he drank—no wonder Nolan brought his own; the Feng Manor’s tea was awful.

Serena Feng stared silently at the sky. Her wound throbbed—she couldn’t say much...