Weakness, You Still Wouldn’t Find It If I Told You

Ever since Little Dumpling left the palace, his every move has been under the control of Prince Nolan and Serena. Nolan made it clear he would let him go, not drag him back...

No matter who helped him, the fact that Little Dumpling managed to escape the palace proves he truly has ability. As a father, having such an outstanding son gives Nolan more pride than headache.

Little Dumpling slipped away right under his nose, which is proof enough that his skills surpass his father's. Losing to his own son is nothing to be ashamed of. As the loser, Nolan doesn't mind giving Little Dumpling a reward—he'll stay on the throne for two more years. Anyway, with Serena by his side, he won't be lonely.

Of course, Nolan kept this decision to himself. Not even Serena knows. She's still worried that Nolan might drag Little Dumpling back for a lesson, so she's been sticking close to him these days—determined to get first-hand news and warn Little Dumpling to run before Nolan acts.

Every day brings news of Little Dumpling and Sweet Dumpling, and the first report is always about their encounter with Storm Cloud Bu.

"Storm Cloud Bu... he dares show his face again." Nolan gritted out those three words, his voice full of anger—and a trace of lingering attachment.

Back then, the three of them supported each other all the way, but now only Nolan is left. If not for Serena, and not for Little Dumpling and Sweet Dumpling, what difference would there be between him and a lonely recluse?

"His son inherited the heart disease." Serena had also investigated Storm Cloud Bu and found out more than Nolan.

Bella Qin's heart condition was stabilized, but having a child was extremely dangerous. With proper care, maybe both mother and child could have survived, but...

No one knows whether Storm Cloud Bu was punishing himself or Bella Qin. He knew perfectly well her health was poor, yet let her get pregnant and didn't arrange for a doctor—so...

Bella Qin died in childbirth.

The child Bella Qin gave her life to deliver inherited her heart disease. Serena still can't perform heart surgery in this era—she can only manage it with medicine.

Storm Cloud Bu had always cared deeply for Bella Qin. He knew her medicines even better than she did, so mixing prescriptions for his own son should have been no problem—except...

Storm Cloud Bu isn't a doctor. However good his prescriptions, if they're not targeted to the illness, they won't help much—and could even cause side effects.

Ten years have passed. Even if Nolan and Serena can't forgive Storm Cloud Bu's betrayal, they can't bear to see his son suffer. Serena said, "He gave Lily that rare medicinal herb—let the Valley Master go treat his child. Then... we owe him nothing."

They need a reason to convince themselves.

"Mm." Nolan didn't refuse. "Tomorrow we'll go see Vincent."

Ten years on, every mention of Vincent Su still twists Nolan and Serena's hearts with pain.

They say time heals all wounds, but some scars can't be soothed by time...

Every year on Vincent Su's death anniversary, Nolan and Serena bring Little Dumpling and Sweet Dumpling to visit him. The children never met Vincent, but they know there's an uncle who was once their father's friend—and who sacrificed his life for him.

That night, Nolan wrote to the Valley Master, ordering him to seek out Storm Cloud Bu and treat his child. The next day, he and Serena changed into plain clothes and left the palace for Vincent Su's grave.

The flowers and fruit at the grave were still wet with dew. Nolan and Serena didn't need to investigate—they knew Storm Cloud Bu had placed them there.

After seeing Sweet Dumpling and Little Dumpling, Storm Cloud Bu brought his son into the Capital. Whenever he's in the city, he always visits Vincent Su's grave, bringing fresh offerings.

"Vincent, we're here to see you again." Serena sat down on the ground, leaning against Vincent Su's tombstone, chatting about recent events...

As always, Nolan never spoke. He just stood before the grave, waiting for Serena to finish before leaving together.

But this time, just before leaving, Nolan finally spoke: "Vincent, Storm Cloud Bu's son inherited Bella Qin's heart disease. I've sent the Valley Master to treat him. I haven't forgiven Storm Cloud Bu, but I don't want you to be sad. I know you couldn't bear to see his son suffer. Rest assured, I'll do everything I can to cure the boy."

After saying this, Nolan took Serena and left.

On the way back, Serena asked, "Is Storm Cloud Bu nearby?" Otherwise, Nolan wouldn't have said those things for no reason.

"Mm." Nolan nodded.

Storm Cloud Bu's ability to hide himself has grown so profound that even Nolan can barely sense him. But with a heart‑diseased child at his side, it's no wonder Nolan can detect them.

"This way, he won't refuse." Mentioning Vincent Su, Storm Cloud Bu could never say no.

"Exactly." Vincent Su is Storm Cloud Bu's weakness. All these years, Storm Cloud Bu has tormented himself—mostly blaming himself for Vincent's death.

These old wounds, Nolan would rather not remember—just like his buried past...

The past can't be changed. Dwelling on it brings nothing but anger and helplessness—there's no other choice.

"Write to Ethan and tell him to prepare for the Imperial Examinations." Nolan cut straight past the Vincent and Storm Cloud Bu business and brought up the new matter...

Originally, Ethan Su Wenhang was meant to serve as Little Dumpling's minister. But now, with Little Dumpling's succession uncertain and Ethan getting older, it's time for him to enter officialdom, marry, and have children.

Nolan doesn't care whether others marry or not, but Ethan Su Wenhang must marry and have children—to continue the Su family line.

"Good... With his talent, he'll surely take first place." As the disciple of a great scholar, his abilities are beyond question.

"Before he comes, have him visit Jiangnan." The point, of course, is to pay respects to William Wang Jinling.

Nolan may find William Wang Jinling insufferable in many ways, but he can't deny that, in scholarship, no one can match him. A single word of advice from William would benefit Ethan Su Wenhang immensely.

Not to mention William Wang Jinling's reputation among scholars. Meeting him before entering court would make the Wang family treat Ethan Su Wenhang as their own.

But...

"I've received word—the Grand Heir isn't in Jiangnan." Serena spoke quietly, because this news...

"How come I didn't know?" Nolan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Ahem... The Grand Heir sent me the message privately. No one else knows, not even Little Dumpling." So don't be angry—there's no need to get upset over this.

"Where did he go?" Calm down? Calm down my foot! No one knows except Serena—what's William Wang Jinling playing at?

Does he think, just because he hasn't killed anyone lately, that he's become a virtuous ruler?

"Well..." Serena hesitated. William did tell her, but...

"What? I can't know either?" Nolan's tone rose, clearly challenging her to say "no."

"You can... It's just, even if you know, it won't help. You couldn't find him anyway." Since William decided to disappear, he wouldn't be easy to track down.

"He went to sea?" In all the world, only out at sea would he be impossible to find.

Serena nodded silently...