For Jason Lan, is there anywhere in the Imperial City safer than the West Side Courtyard?
Of course there is!
A cunning rabbit always has three burrows. In Prince Nolan’s territory, how could Jason Lan only have one den? But Jason isn’t in a hurry to leave—at least, his group isn’t.
"I figure Prince Nolan’s men will keep searching the city for a while. In the next few days, find a chance to get me out." Jason Lan spoke to Linden Ling with no courtesy at all. Linden was unhappy, but having already been dragged into this mess by Jason, he could only put up with it for now.
After a night of indulgence—though Prince Nolan and Serena are both rational people, some things simply can’t be controlled by reason. The two had planned to go to the West Side Courtyard early in the morning, but...
Serena was utterly exhausted last night. Not only did she fail to get up early, she actually woke half an hour later than usual. After changing Feng Jin’s dressings and rechecking his condition, by the time Serena left the house, the sun was already high in the sky.
"It’s all your fault." Before getting into the carriage, Serena couldn’t help but glare at Prince Nolan. Prince Nolan just rubbed his nose and said nothing, simply helping Serena into the carriage before following her up himself.
Once inside the carriage, with no outsiders present, Prince Nolan finally coaxed her: "Don’t worry. If he really is in the West Side Courtyard, there’s no way he’ll get out."
"Let’s hope so." Serena didn’t press the issue, but as she leaned against the carriage, her thoughts drifted to Night City.
She wondered whether Beanie had joined up with General Warren Yu’s army, and when Warren Yu would reach Night City. Judging by the timeline, it would take at least two months at the fastest. In that case...
Thinking of the weather at that time, Serena couldn't help but frown: "Prince Nolan, winter isn't suitable for war."
When General Warren Yu’s army arrives at Night City, the continent will already be in winter. Winter is always a time for rest; the weather then is not suitable for war, and casualties on the battlefield would be very high.
"Then we won’t fight," Prince Nolan said.
"No fight? The army’s deployment costs hundreds of thousands in silver, and you won’t fight?" Did she mishear, or did Prince Nolan misspeak?
Neither was wrong; Prince Nolan never intended a head-on clash: "Many evil-sect people are hiding in Night City. Most of them use sinister, poisonous methods; even if we win, it would be a pyrrhic victory."
Every soldier under his command is important; he can’t afford to waste them, and he’s even less willing to ruin years of hard work for a mere Night City.
"You want to starve them out?" With little grain in winter and Night City’s economic lifeline controlled by her and Vincent Su, they could choke the city’s supplies. Night City’s stores alone couldn’t last a whole winter.
Prince Nolan nodded: "I’m richer than him. He can’t hold out."
How can a small city compete with the strength of an entire nation?
"Won’t Night City attack first? Given time, Night Ye will surely understand; even if he doesn’t, Prince Damien of Southlyn will."
"Then we’ll fight. I have men and grain—why should I fear him?" Prince Nolan will certainly fight for Night City, but the method will be his to decide.
Serena saw Prince Nolan had a plan and stopped asking. Besides, the West Side Courtyard was almost there...
The carriage moved steadily forward. Prince Nolan and Serena kept a low profile, bringing only the driver and no one else. Linden Ling, of course, hadn’t received any word.
When Greenshine rushed in to announce Prince Nolan and Serena’s arrival, Linden Ling was talking with Jason Lan in the backyard. Hearing the news, Jason Lan panicked and knocked over his cup.
Linden Ling lowered his head, hiding the contempt in his eyes. Ruby Redsleeve quickly stepped forward to clean up, discreetly covering for Jason Lan.
Jason Lan regained his composure, smiled gratefully at Ruby Redsleeve, then stood up unhurriedly: "Young Master Linden has guests; I’ll excuse myself."
Jason Lan turned away, his steps steady, though a bit too large...
This time, Linden Ling didn’t laugh at him; his mind was full of the coming encounter with Nolan and Serena. He knew how difficult they could be and doubted their visit was just to see him.
Thinking of Jason Lan’s guess yesterday, Linden Ling worried that Nolan had discovered something. He grew uneasy, losing his usual composure. Greenshine, sensing trouble, quickened her pace and called out, "Young Master."
Linden Ling paused, took a deep breath, and checked that he appeared perfectly normal before moving forward with composure.
After recovering, Linden Ling chased after them, but couldn’t find Prince Nolan or Serena—Greenshine was gone too.
Prince Nolan neither spoke nor stood. Serena rose and replied, "Little uncle, how have you been? Sorry I haven’t been a good host."
"I’m fine. You handle your business; don’t worry about me. I’ll treat this place as my own home." In fact, it’s more convenient than his own home.
"That’s good." Serena smiled gently, then got to the point: "Little uncle, I stayed at the villa for a while before and left some things here. I’m here today to retrieve them."
"Things? Where are they? I’ll have Greenshine fetch them for you." Linden Ling raised his hand to call Greenshine, but Serena interrupted: "Although I haven’t lived here for a while, I’m still familiar with the place. Besides, I don’t know exactly where I left my things, so I won’t trouble Miss Greenshine. I’ll find them myself."
Linden Ling really treats the villa as his own. Even though she’s the owner, he acts like a host—truly amusing.
Linden Ling’s smile froze, but he quickly recovered and said cheerfully, "Go ahead, Serena. I’ll chat with Prince Nolan here."
"No need." Prince Nolan finally spoke and stood up, heading toward the inner courtyard: "Let’s go together."
The two went straight into the courtyard in front of Linden Ling, leaving him stunned, his face pale and green. Watching them disappear, he could only pray Jason Lan would be clever enough to escape, or he’d be in trouble.
"Problem." Prince Nolan and Serena exchanged a glance and naturally parted ways.
After recovering, Linden Ling chased after them, but couldn’t find Nolan or Serena—Greenshine was gone too.
"They’re suspicious, just as I thought." Linden Ling grew uneasy, a trace of regret in his eyes. But what’s done is done; it’s too late to regret now.
"Greenshine, don’t let me down. Everything depends on you now." Linden Ling let out a heavy breath, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, hesitated, then decided to return to the main hall—lest Nolan and Serena suspect anything.
Greenshine didn’t disappoint Linden Ling; she found Jason Lan before Nolan and Serena did. "Sir, hurry—Nolan and Serena are coming to the backyard. Hide, quickly!"
"What? Why are they coming to the backyard?" Ruby Redsleeve screamed. Jason Lan frowned and stood up in a flash: "Ruby, tidy up the room. I’m going out to hide."
"Hide? This villa is tiny, sir—where can you hide?" Ruby Redsleeve was anxious, her eyes darting around. She hated Serena even more...