Accusation, Ninth Royal Uncle in Trouble

The two of them shared a single horse, moving steadily along the original path out of the woods under the moonlight and the emergency lamp.

Though a backpack separated them, it was still the first time Serena Feng and Nolan Eastlyn had ever been this close. Serena felt a rush of excitement—and a bit of regret for carrying such a cumbersome bag.

Of course, it was just a small thrill—after all, Ninth Royal Uncle was very weak right now, and she was genuinely worried about him.

Nolan Eastlyn was allergic to strong fragrances. Under Su Wan and Reid Yale’s repeated schemes, he was not only exhausted but had also broken out in a rash.

When Serena Feng discovered this, she was startled and secretly regretted being so petty. But if she offered medicine now, Nolan would definitely overthink it. Serena decided to play dumb—unless Ninth Royal Uncle asked, she wouldn’t bring it up herself.

Illness should not be hidden from a doctor, yet Ninth Royal Uncle insisted on toughing it out. Any advice would only annoy him.

They traveled in silence, but it wasn’t the warmth they’d felt in the woods before—both had their own worries.

This silence seemed to widen the gap between them. Serena Feng understood: Nolan Eastlyn felt she knew too much. But...

She truly hadn’t expected so much to happen tonight—now she knew both Ninth Royal Uncle’s martial prowess and his secret allergy to fragrances.

Serena knew full well that knowing too much was not a good thing. As Ninth Royal Uncle said, only the dead keep secrets.

All the way, Serena was on edge, afraid that Ninth Royal Uncle might want to kill her.

She admired Ninth Royal Uncle, but to him, she was nothing. Killing her would be as easy as lifting a finger.

Thinking this, Serena was both worried and annoyed.

Handsome men are trouble. If she hadn’t come, none of this would’ve happened. Now that she was here, Ninth Royal Uncle wasn’t happy anyway and just saw her as a burden.

Sigh... sigh... sigh!

Just as Serena was sighing, a commotion came from the woods, and she could faintly see torches flickering.

"Someone’s coming?" Serena asked Ninth Royal Uncle behind her.

"They’re looking for us." Nolan Eastlyn kept his eyes closed. When Serena turned to look, she saw his neck was covered in rashes.

Bright red, swollen, and obviously uncomfortable—even without looking, she knew it must itch terribly. Yet even now, this man remained expressionless, as calm as if a mountain were collapsing in front of him.

It was as if the rash wasn’t even on his own body.

Serena Feng didn’t know whether she felt admiration or pity.

......

"General, there are hoofprints here. Ninth Royal Uncle and his group must have gone this way."

"Go, let’s catch up."

"It’s General Warren Yu." Realizing who it was, Serena breathed a huge sigh of relief.

She was safe!

But then she glanced worriedly at Nolan Eastlyn. Now that reinforcements had arrived, would he decide she was expendable and kill her to silence her?

Thump-thump, thump-thump—Serena’s heart was pounding with fear.

Even with his eyes closed, Nolan Eastlyn could tell what Serena was thinking. He was both exasperated and amused.

He’d told her to leave before, specifically so she wouldn’t get involved in all this mess. But this silly girl insisted on interfering—now she was finally scared. Honestly...

So foolish!

"What are you thinking? Sit up straight!" Nolan Eastlyn suddenly opened his eyes. Those dark pupils were like black crystals—deep, mysterious, and utterly captivating.

Serena was completely unprepared. Just one look from him, and her mind was caught—she couldn’t pull herself away.

Her dazed expression amused Nolan Eastlyn, who reached out and tapped Serena’s forehead.

"Ow, that hurt..." Serena quickly covered her forehead.

Honestly, Ninth Royal Uncle had no sense of moderation—he hit her way too hard.

Serena looked at Nolan Eastlyn with a resentful gaze.

This was murder!

Seeing Serena’s reddened, swollen forehead, Nolan looked a little embarrassed. He quickly turned away and said seriously, "Sit up straight. When you see General Warren Yu, just say we ran into the Young Lord of Night City and those people died at his hands."

Serena’s face lit up—she realized Ninth Royal Uncle wasn’t going to kill her after all, and she finally relaxed.

"Got it..." Serena’s reply dragged out, with a hint of playful teasing.

Nolan Eastlyn didn’t call her out—he pretended not to hear. With one arm around Serena and the other holding the reins, he rode toward General Warren Yu’s group.

Ah...

Serena stiffened. She glanced down at the large hand wrapped around her waist and forgot to breathe—her whole waist felt hot, and her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

Ninth Royal Uncle was holding her—he, who never liked being close to anyone, was actually holding her!

What a surprise!

Serena grinned foolishly, staring at the hand on her waist, unable to look away.

It all felt like a dream!

Nolan Eastlyn’s lips curled into a faint smile, and he slowed the horse’s pace.

Let this silly girl enjoy herself a bit longer.

She was so easily satisfied!

......

After that, Serena had no memory of how they met up with General Warren Yu or returned to Feng Manor. She just felt like she was walking on clouds, grinning the whole way.

She didn’t even remember how, when Nolan helped her off the horse, she saw General Warren Yu and cheerfully blurted out, "General Warren Yu, Ninth Royal Uncle held me! Haha, I’m not washing or changing clothes for three days!"

Pfft... The crowd burst out laughing, but under Nolan Eastlyn’s warning, icy stare, they all forced themselves to stop.

It was hard work holding back!

Running up the mountain at night had its perks—this wasn’t bad at all.

The soldiers all perked up, giving Serena mischievous looks.

General Warren Yu could only slap his forehead, looking utterly regretful.

Oh heavens, why did he have to know a woman like Serena? He hurried to shove her into a carriage before she embarrassed herself further, and issued a strict order: no one was allowed to speak of tonight’s events.

How embarrassing, how utterly embarrassing.

In all his years, he’d never met a woman so shameless. If you’re happy about something like this, just keep it to yourself—why announce it to everyone?

Worst of all, afterward she refused to admit it, insisting he was making it up.

What a headache... And he couldn’t even confront Ninth Royal Uncle about it.

While General Warren Yu escorted Nolan Eastlyn and Serena back to the city, the Wang, Xie, Li, Yang, Cui, Zheng, Lu, and Wen families were busy discussing a joint petition to accuse the Eastlyn royal family.

The Xie family proposed blaming the wolf attack at the Herb Garden on Ninth Royal Uncle, claiming he lured the wolves, let them descend the mountain, and caused countless noble sons and daughters to be killed.

Everyone agreed—except the Wang family.

They didn’t care who set the wolves loose in the Herb Garden. All that mattered was pinning the blame on the royal family, so the royals would have to appease the noble families with compensation.

The noble families had been suppressed for years—they needed an opportunity, and this was it.

Wang Jinling disagreed. If someone had to take the blame for the wolves, he’d rather pin it on Prince Chunyu.

Ninth Royal Uncle might seem aloof, but he was not someone to be trifled with. Wang Jinling had no desire to go up against Nolan Eastlyn unless absolutely necessary.

But the others rejected Wang Jinling’s suggestion. Their reasoning: the emperor favored Prince Chunyu and feared Ninth Royal Uncle—only by targeting Ninth Royal Uncle would they get what they wanted.

Wang Jinling was outnumbered. The Xie and Li families quickly drafted their memorial and submitted it to the emperor.

In fact, their prediction was correct. When the emperor saw the joint memorial from the noble families, he sneered...

A pillow delivered when you’re dozing off...

Storms or blessings, it’s all the emperor’s will. As soon as Ninth Royal Uncle returned to the capital, he would face the emperor’s wrath...

Note to readers: The Wang and Xie families are famous noble houses. The Wang family is renowned for its handsome sons—“a dazzling array” refers to the many talented and beautiful men of the Langya Wang clan. The top ten noble families are: Longxi Li, Zhao Jun Li, Hongnong Yang, Taiyuan Wang, Langya Wang, Chen Jun Xie, Qinghe Cui, Xingyang Zheng, Fanyang Lu, and Taiyuan Wen.