Inappropriate?
Of course Ninth Royal Uncle knows his actions are inappropriate. If they were proper, he wouldn't need to discuss them with William Wang Jinling—he could simply hand things over and leave.
"Snap." Ninth Royal Uncle set down his pen, looked up at William Wang Jinling, and said unhurriedly, "If I say it's appropriate, then it is. Grand Heir Wang, your only task is to carry out my orders."
"Your Highness, as Imperial Preceptor, I have a duty to remonstrate. Northlyn, Southlyn, and Westlyn are all major powers. Northlyn and Southlyn have sent ministers; if Your Highness personally goes to Westlyn, Northlyn and Southlyn will surely feel Eastlyn is slighting them. To avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, I ask that Your Highness reconsider." William Wang Jinling stood, cupped his fists, and bowed his head in earnest persuasion.
"Grand Heir Wang, who do you think is most suitable?" William Wang Jinling had reason on his side, so Ninth Royal Uncle didn't rebuke him, but he also wouldn't let William satisfy his own ambitions. Before William could answer, Ninth Royal Uncle added, "There's no need to recommend yourself. I know you're an excellent choice, but you're the backbone of Eastlyn—court affairs large and small all depend on you."
With that flattering praise, Ninth Royal Uncle dashed William Wang Jinling's hopes of going to Westlyn himself. William wasn't offended, just smiled mildly and replied, "Your Highness overstates it; I hardly deserve such praise. Since there's no suitable candidate, why not invite Westlyn to send an envoy instead? I've heard Prince Derrek is wise and formidable—he'd be the ideal negotiator."
Either way, no one is going anywhere—Ninth Royal Uncle blocked his path, so William Wang Jinling won't let Ninth Royal Uncle have his way.
After all, Ninth Royal Uncle isn't acting alone. Without a proper reason, if he puts aside state affairs and rashly heads to Westlyn, not just William Wang Jinling but the entire court would object. Trade negotiations between two nations don't strictly require Ninth Royal Uncle himself; his personal visit would be giving Westlyn far too much honor.
"Let me consider it further." William Wang Jinling's suggestion genuinely tempted Ninth Royal Uncle.
Prince Derrek may be a famed warlord, but he's clear about gratitude and grudges. With him escorting them, Serena and Feng Jin would surely return to Eastlyn safely. Still, Ninth Royal Uncle wanted to go to Westlyn himself. He knows Serena's background and is wary of that National Preceptor—he doesn't want Serena running into trouble in Westlyn.
Besides, times have changed, and there are matters he must discuss face-to-face with Titus. He needs to know whether Titus has changed. He can't risk being stabbed in the back by an ally at a critical moment.
These things, Ninth Royal Uncle had no need to tell William Wang Jinling—he calculated them silently in his own mind.
William Wang Jinling left with a smiling face, planning to seek out the prime minister and Grand Protector for a chat, to quietly reveal that Ninth Royal Uncle was about to set aside state affairs again. But just as he stepped out of the grand hall, he saw the eunuch beside Ninth Royal Uncle chasing after him.
"Please wait, Grand Heir." The eunuch, panting heavily, caught up to William Wang Jinling, barely managed a quick bow, and said hurriedly, "Ninth Royal Uncle ordered me to pass on a message: Grand Heir, His Highness does not wish a third person to know."
Is this a gag order?
William Wang Jinling raised an eyebrow and nodded lightly. "Understood."
From the look of things, Ninth Royal Uncle still intends to go personally—he's afraid he can't stop it.
Sure enough, within two days, Ninth Royal Uncle announced he would go to Westlyn, claiming it was at the invitation of the Westlyn Emperor to visit the Westlyn National Preceptor.
Westlyn National Preceptor—just who is this figure?
Aside from William Wang Jinling, very few people even knew Westlyn had a National Preceptor. But since Ninth Royal Uncle had chosen this as his excuse, he would surely have someone dig up the Preceptor's identity in private.
Though Ninth Royal Uncle now held Eastlyn's military and political power firmly, Eastlyn still faced threats both outside and within. To avoid being ambushed by Southlyn or Westlyn while at war with Northlyn and Chu City, securing an ally was crucial.
The Taishang Emperor's eyes flickered with unknown thoughts, but he didn't make things difficult for Ninth Royal Uncle and said nothing more about the trip to Westlyn.
This left some people confused—was the Taishang Emperor tacitly approving Ninth Royal Uncle's ascension?
Even Empress Dowager Xie grew deeply uneasy, afraid Ninth Royal Uncle would kill the young Emperor to legitimize his own rise. But she dared not act in secret, fearing he'd discover her and use it as an excuse to dispose of her and the child Emperor.
"If only Serena were here." Empress Dowager Xie frowned in worry, silently hoping Serena would return soon. With Serena in the Capital, she'd at least have someone to ask—unlike now, fumbling in the dark and waiting for disaster.
"Whenever something happens, she thinks of Serena, making her worry all the more." Ninth Royal Uncle knew full well how anxious Empress Dowager Xie was over this, but he didn't let slip a single reassuring word.
Once he'd handed over his affairs and entrusted state matters to the prime minister and William Wang Jinling, and redeployed his trusted troops outside the Capital, Ninth Royal Uncle donned the full regalia of the Regent Prince and set out for Westlyn in grand style.
"Ninth Royal Uncle is coming to Westlyn?" Serena could hardly believe what she'd heard. "He hasn't lost his mind, has he? With Eastlyn in this mess, can he really leave?"
"Eastlyn has a cabinet. The Emperor doesn't attend court, but someone else manages state affairs." Zuo An gazed quietly at the sky, mourning for Ninth Royal Uncle.
Anyone with sense could see it—Ninth Royal Uncle was coming to Westlyn to back up Serena. Otherwise, why would he arrive so openly and precisely when Serena was in Westlyn?
Of course, Serena knew Ninth Royal Uncle was coming for her—she just found it unbelievable. "I'm in Westlyn, but I haven't run into any trouble. As long as Ninth Royal Uncle holds power in Eastlyn, Westlyn wouldn't dare touch me."
She was certain that if she died in Westlyn, Ninth Royal Uncle would never let it rest. With Westlyn’s current state, another war with Eastlyn would bankrupt them.
Are you sure you haven’t run into trouble in Westlyn?
Zuo An watched Serena in silence, holding back the question—Serena understood...
Across continents, Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle continued to tighten a web of medicine, war, and politics.
Serena treated gu infestations, shielded damaged children like Little Dumpling, and challenged corrupt healers and diviners.
Ninth Royal Uncle moved armies, built alliances, and used even his proposed enthronement as a bargaining chip.
Around them orbited figures like Prince Derrek, Crown Prince Titus, Felix Fuller, William Wang Jinling, General Warren Yu, and Vincent Su.
At the center stood Serena’s anomalous fate, subtly twisting the destinies of rulers, princes, and empires—and provoking the question of whether human will can truly wrench fate onto a new path.
No one could change Ninth Royal Uncle’s decision.
Not the court, not the Empress Dowager, not William Wang Jinling, not even Serena herself.
Once he decided, the entire world would have to follow.
The fate of empires, the lives of princes, and the hopes of countless people—all would be swept along by that choice.
And so, the story moved forward, unstoppable.