The Power Minister Will Not Give the Wang Clan a Chance

To visit the Imperial Mausoleum, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t need to bring many people. Aside from a few trusted shadow guards, he left the rest behind to monitor Lady Min and assigned a portion of his manpower to William Wang Jinling.

“You may deploy these men as you see fit. If I don’t return in half a year, welcome the Prince of Jiangnan back to take charge.” These were the words Ninth Royal Uncle left William before departing, shocking William so much his face changed dramatically. He lost all composure and demanded, “Where exactly are you going?”

Everyone knows it’s easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. The Prince of Jiangnan is the former Crown Prince—if he returns, Eastlyn will be turned upside down.

“Just do as I say.” Ninth Royal Uncle replied coldly, refusing to answer William’s question. William ground his teeth in frustration, slammed the table, and shouted, “Do you even care about Eastlyn? Can’t you stop being so reckless? Changing emperors isn’t something you can just play around with!”

“Exactly because I care, I’m making arrangements ahead of time.” Even with every precaution in place, Ninth Royal Uncle couldn’t guarantee he’d survive and return. If something did happen to him, he had to make sure Eastlyn had a proper successor.

“If you know you need to make arrangements, why can’t you just not go? The other kingdoms are watching us like tigers. Changing emperors now is the perfect opportunity for them—I know you understand that.” William clenched his fists, his face dark as he stared at Ninth Royal Uncle, itching to punch that expressionless face flat. He found it utterly infuriating.

Ninth Royal Uncle replied indifferently, “Within a year, Northlyn and the other three kingdoms won’t have the capacity to wage war again.” If he truly didn’t return, he’d still have given the Prince of Jiangnan half a year—more than enough time.

“You make it sound so easy... Do you even realize how many enemies you’ve made for Eastlyn these past two years? If it weren’t for you holding things down, the others wouldn’t be nearly so well-behaved.” William was really starting to regret it—if he’d known how dangerous this trip was, he never would have agreed in the first place.

“It’s not me the other kingdoms fear—it’s Eastlyn’s army.” Ninth Royal Uncle was never arrogant enough to think he alone could intimidate three kingdoms.

“Eastlyn’s army may be strong, but it still needs a forceful leader. The Prince of Jiangnan is too gentle—if Eastlyn’s troops fall into his hands, even wolves would turn into sheep.” William knew the former Crown Prince’s character well; he had the skills to rule, but was only fit to be a caretaker emperor, not one who could expand the realm. Eastlyn, as it is now, can’t afford just to maintain the status quo.

“Things aren’t nearly that bad. I’ll be back.” He was making these arrangements purely as a precaution, just in case something happened and Eastlyn was thrown into chaos.

“If that’s true, why are you making these arrangements?” William’s expression softened a little, but he was still uneasy. “This is so dangerous, and you’re bringing Serena with you. Aren’t you afraid something might happen to her?”

“Do you really think I’d leave her here and go risk my life alone?” Ninth Royal Uncle sneered. William fired back sarcastically, “So even if you die, you’ll drag her along with you.”

“Exactly.” Ninth Royal Uncle answered without hesitation. “No one will ever snatch her away from me.”

“Hmph...” William snorted in disdain. “I’ll be waiting for the day you regret this.”

The rest of their conversation was tense and explosive. Ninth Royal Uncle gave William further instructions—not quite final arrangements, but far more detailed than ever before, showing just how risky this trip really was.

“Come back safe.” William, though unwilling, still said it for Serena’s sake.

“I won’t give the Wang Clan any chance to rise.” Ninth Royal Uncle showed no gratitude, coldly tossing out these words before turning and leaving.

“Still as infuriating as ever.” William stood where he was, gently shaking his head... but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

If something did happen to Ninth Royal Uncle and the Prince of Jiangnan ascended the throne, most of Eastlyn’s power would fall into William’s hands. Without Ninth Royal Uncle, Felix Fuller and General Warren Yu would stand no chance against the great aristocratic houses. William would replace Ninth Royal Uncle as the sole regent—second only to the emperor, above all others.

Neither Ninth Royal Uncle nor William wanted to see that outcome. Power ministers have never met a good end—but sometimes, they have no choice. If they don’t hold on to power, their fate will be even worse.

If Ninth Royal Uncle truly didn’t return, William might be forced to become a power minister. What would happen to him, neither he nor Ninth Royal Uncle could say for sure. The only certainty was that after William’s death, the Wang Clan would definitely meet a bad end.

Ninth Royal Uncle never told Serena about his conversation with William, nor did he let Serena and William say goodbye in person—just a single letter, informing William of his departure.

That night, after confirming with Sean Xuan that he was willing to join their risky journey, Ninth Royal Uncle arranged for the Eighteen Riders, Snow Wolf, Sean, and Serena to set out together.

To outsiders, it looked as if Serena was simply being escorted away by Sean Xuan, but only they knew the truth.

The next day, Ninth Royal Uncle took a procession second only to the emperor’s own, heading grandly for the Imperial Mausoleum. Passing through county towns, he would pause briefly to observe local conditions, never letting slip the slightest hint of his true purpose.

Yet, aside from those officials excluded from the core of power, everyone knew Ninth Royal Uncle wasn’t just there to supervise the mausoleum’s construction.

The mausoleum had been under construction for years. Back when the Taishang Emperor was still on the throne, he’d repeatedly asked Ninth Royal Uncle to oversee the project, hoping his own remains could be interred sooner.

Ninth Royal Uncle always appeared agreeable, but never actually took action. Anyone with half a brain could see this trip to the mausoleum had a deeper meaning...

The emperors of the other kingdoms wanted to investigate, but the number of people in the know was too small. They couldn’t uncover anything substantial, and with their own troubles to handle, they had no time to watch Ninth Royal Uncle’s every move—at most, they could only send spies to confirm his arrival at the mausoleum.

The spies could only follow as far as the mausoleum gates. Security inside was extremely tight; outsiders couldn’t get in at all. Once they confirmed Ninth Royal Uncle had entered and hadn’t come back out, all the watchers from the other kingdoms breathed a sigh of relief.

Northlyn and the other three kingdoms could now focus on internal affairs, no longer worried about Ninth Royal Uncle stirring up trouble. But for those restless souls in Eastlyn, this was an opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss...

That day, Lady Min didn’t copy scriptures as usual. Instead, she sat with a sutra in hand, reading devoutly. As she turned the pages, her presence grew ever more gentle; sunlight poured in, making her seem bathed in holy light...

When she finished the sutra, she understood everything she needed to know.

Ninth Royal Uncle was heading for the mausoleum; Serena and Sean had left.

The three of them left the capital one after another. Others might not think much of it, but Lady Min saw things differently.

A Phoenixfield Heiress and a descendant who knew most of the Former Dynasty’s secrets—if those two joined forces, it would never be a trivial matter...

Her finger slid over the black-inked words. Lady Min’s eyes, so expressive, gleamed with a frosty chill...