Grand Ceremony, This Is the Path She Chose

Succession by birthright and seniority—Little Dumpling is the legitimate eldest son. It’s only natural for him to be chosen as heir. As long as he’s not reckless or foolish, and starts his imperial education early, even if he doesn’t become a wise monarch, he’ll at least be a competent emperor.

Besides, Prince Nolan’s early selection of an heir prevents fratricidal conflict among princes and helps the ministers unite and choose sides.

After days of heated debate, the entire court finally compromised with His Majesty. In truth, they had no choice but to convince themselves, because Prince Nolan never yields.

With Little Dumpling’s enfeoffment as King now settled, the next step is the joint coronation and Empress Investiture Ceremony seven days from now. Previously, although Prince Nolan inherited the throne, he never held a formal coronation, nor did he change the regnal year. In some ways, his perfectionism is unfathomable.

The Empress Investiture is essentially the imperial wedding. Tradition says bride and groom shouldn’t meet for three days beforehand, but Prince Nolan still climbs into Serena Feng’s palace. Even if he does nothing but hold her while sleeping, he’s content.

“You’re terrifying when you get stubborn.” Serena Feng is trapped in Prince Nolan’s arms, unable to move at all.

“Mm.” Prince Nolan admits readily. If he weren’t stubborn and resolute, he wouldn’t have made it this far, nor would he have Serena Feng.

“Can you loosen up a little? I can’t breathe.” He’s holding her so tightly that Serena Feng’s limbs go stiff. Prince Nolan frowns, sees her face turning red, and finally relaxes his grip a bit.

Ah... the air is so fresh. Serena Feng takes a couple deep breaths, then turns to face Prince Nolan. “Let’s talk business. The Phoenixfield Clan sent word: Ezra Phoenixfield, Lady Min, and Clara Phoenixfield have entered the capital. What’s your plan?”

“No plan needed.” With the targets right in front of him, Prince Nolan isn’t about to sit idle. He lowers his head and kisses Serena Feng’s forehead. Seeing she doesn’t resist, he continues, kissing her bit by bit down to her lips. Serena finally blocks him, hand over his mouth. “We’re talking business!”

"We are talking business." Prince Nolan sticks out his tongue and gently licks Serena Feng's palm. Her heart skips a beat, as if a jolt of electricity runs from her hand to her toes, making her tremble uncontrollably.

Prince Nolan smiles in satisfaction. While Serena Feng is still dazed, he seals her lips with his, swallowing up everything she was about to say.

In bed, there’s no need for so much talking. They’ll have plenty of time to talk in the future—no need to rush now.

"Mmm..." Serena Feng presses her hands between them, trying to push some distance, but she’s no match for Prince Nolan. In just a few moves, he’s conquered her defenses, leaving her limp and helpless on the bed, free for him to claim.

This is not the time to go soft!

Serena Feng pinches herself, trying to snap out of Prince Nolan’s spell. But the difference in strength is obvious—just as she moves, a large hand lands squarely on her chest.

"Bigger." Prince Nolan comments with mock seriousness. Serena Feng is still keeping her cool, but when he takes her in his mouth and sucks hard, she completely loses it, her face flushing bright red.

Can this man stop competing with his own son for attention?

"It’s fishy. Tastes awful." Having finally stolen his son’s milk, Prince Nolan sucks a few mouthfuls, then grimaces and complains.

He complains about the taste, but his actions are anything but slow. As Serena Feng blushes in shame, he pins her hands down and keeps fighting Little Dumpling for his share...

Serena Feng twists and struggles, only to earn another playful nibble from Prince Nolan. Her strength fails her, and she can only beg, “No, don’t... Not now. Please.”

The last shreds of reason keep Serena from losing control like Prince Nolan. Of course, even when he’s wild, he’s not entirely irrational—after tasting a bit of sweetness, he stops, lying on top of her to calm his excitement.

Right now, Serena Feng doesn’t dare move at all—she’s afraid any wrong move will set him off.

"You’re getting stingier." After a while, Prince Nolan rolls onto his side, complaining.

"You’ve got some nerve saying that." Serena Feng pokes his face. "Look what you’ve done—tomorrow your son’s going to go hungry."

"One day without food won’t make him thin. That kid’s too chubby." Prince Nolan takes Serena’s hand, rubbing her palm. After nearly a year of restraint, even the smallest gesture from her drives him wild. But with the wedding coming up, he’s determined to follow at least this one tradition.

Serena Feng shoots him a playful glare and pulls her hand away. "Who talks about their own son like that?"

"It’s true—he’s too fat!" Prince Nolan emphasizes the last words. "His appetite keeps growing; your milk alone isn’t enough. Let the wet nurse feed him." He keeps trying to convince Serena to wean Little Dumpling.

He’s deeply jealous of his own son.

Among royal children, almost none are raised on their mother’s milk. Only Little Dumpling has that honor. As a prince, his luck is so good even Prince Nolan envies him.

“We already agreed on this—no need to discuss it further. Let’s talk about the ceremony in two days. What’s your plan?” Serena Feng decisively changes the subject. Prince Nolan isn’t happy, but he answers, “Lock them all up. Didn’t she claim to love my imperial father? When I built the mausoleum, I added an underground prison. She can go guard the tomb.”

Prince Nolan looks completely calm, as if he’s talking about someone irrelevant.

Serena Feng doesn’t comment on Lady Min’s fate—it’s not hers to decide. But since Prince Nolan won’t kill Lady Min, she has to ask, “What about Clara Phoenixfield and that child?”

That child is Lady Min’s motivation. As long as the child exists, Lady Min will never stop. Serena doesn’t want another tragedy like the Su Wenqing incident.

“Let her raise it. Whether the child becomes a dragon or a rat is up to her.” Prince Nolan’s eyes flash cold. “Don’t worry—they’ll never get out.”

From what he knows of Lady Min, after she’s ruined Lan Jingyang, she’ll pour all her effort into teaching that child—making them clever, capable, and ambitious. But for a youth with ambition and no freedom, nothing is more painful than having talent but no way to use it.

He’s never been one to forgive and forget. The pain Lady Min inflicted on him—he’ll make sure she and her beloved child feel it twice over.

The chill in Prince Nolan’s aura startles Serena Feng. She quickly turns and hugs him. “Don’t grieve for someone who never cared about you.”

“I don’t care. The only person I care about is you!” Prince Nolan pulls Serena Feng close, his gaze coldly fixed beyond her, staring out the window...

He waits—waits for that woman to walk right into his trap, to think she’s won, only to fall from heaven straight into hell.