Let down?
If she really took him seriously, that would be the true betrayal of Ninth Royal Uncle’s good intentions. The only qualification Ninth Royal Uncle could give her at this moment was, at best: to be Ninth Royal Uncle’s woman!
Such a status could never be brought into the light, nor accepted by the world.
Don’t tell her that love alone is enough and titles don’t matter—Serena Feng is just an ordinary, worldly person, and ordinary people care about those worldly titles.
Without that status, Ninth Royal Uncle could marry at any time. She couldn’t live every day in unease, and she didn’t want her happiness to be as fragile as a bubble—ready to burst with a single poke.
Besides, whether Ninth Royal Uncle was serious or just joking still remains to be seen.
Serena Feng gave a self-deprecating smile. "It’s me, Serena, who failed to appreciate your kindness."
Sigh...
Ninth Royal Uncle let out a gentle sigh—whether of disappointment or relief, she couldn’t tell. He released the pressure he’d been exerting on Serena and walked past her, taking a few steps forward. "Since that’s the case, I won’t force you. You’ve let down my good intentions—how do you plan to compensate me?"
"Compensate? Ninth Royal Uncle, how do you wish me to compensate you? As long as it’s within my power, I won’t refuse." Hearing his words, Serena felt a trace of disappointment, but then sudden clarity—this must have been his real intention all along. So be it; at least now she understood her place in his heart.
"Since you're so earnest about making it up to me, I won't refuse. If you're going to compensate me, then it will be by my rules. Later, I'll tell you what you have to do to make it right."
"For now, come back with me. Once night falls in this villa, it's best not to wander. If anything happens tonight, just act as if you know nothing—understand?" Ninth Royal Uncle walked ahead, intentionally slowing his steps to match Serena Feng's pace.
"Yes." Serena Feng followed half a step behind Ninth Royal Uncle, never rushing, never falling behind. This distance was a constant reminder: the gap between them was real, and she still had a long way to go.
The importance of equal status between spouses—matching doors—had never changed. Even if true equality was impossible, at least they should be close. Serena Feng felt that, right now, this arrangement with Ninth Royal Uncle was ideal: he was unmarried, she was unmarried, they kept a measured distance, and everything else could follow fate.
A breeze scattered the lingering feelings in Serena Feng's heart. She began to ponder Ninth Royal Uncle's words, faintly sensing that tonight would be anything but peaceful. She just didn't know who would be unlucky enough to catch his attention.
As expected, there's no such thing as a simple banquet. Ninth Royal Uncle would never invite people for no reason, and now that he'd gathered so many at once, he definitely wasn't planning to let everyone off easy. Serena Feng could only hope he'd scheme a little less against her.
Looking up at the star-filled sky, Serena Feng smiled to reassure herself: No matter what happens tonight, tomorrow will be another sunny day. Everything will be fine.
Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng appeared together, instantly drawing everyone's attention. The Crown Prince, Prince Terrence, Dominic Zhai, Caleb Wang, and the others all fixed their gazes on the pair, sizing them up as if trying to read what had happened between them.
Prince Terrence even shot William Wang Jinling a malicious look, as if mocking him: The girl you cherish like a treasure just walked off with Ninth Royal Uncle.
With Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng walking together, everyone assumed Serena Feng must have clung to him. Would a man like Ninth Royal Uncle ever spend careful effort on a woman?