Nolan Dongling's anger was palpable. Imperial Physician Andrew Anson and the female medical aide knelt at his feet, trembling so much they could barely speak.
Serena Feng lifted her eyelids, her voice dripping with sarcasm: "How could there be so much blood if the wound wasn't deep? Do you think I'm made of spare blood?"
The wound had hurt twice now, both times because of Nolan Dongling. How could Serena not be annoyed?
Nolan's gaze darkened as he looked at Serena Feng, who sat as calm and still as autumn water under the lamplight. A pang of guilt stabbed his heart.
In the end, he was the one who hurt her!
Nolan Dongling stepped back, regaining his usual cold composure: "Rise, Imperial Physician Andrew. I know you're skilled at treating wounds—Miss Feng is in your hands. I want her restored as good as new."
Andrew Anson wore a bitter expression but could only agree, silently fretting: with such a deep wound, how could he possibly make her 'as good as new'? But Nolan didn't care, tossing out the order and striding out of the hall as if he'd suddenly remembered something important.
Watching Nolan's retreating figure, Serena Feng gave a faint, mocking smile and closed her eyes, hiding the bitterness within.
Concern after the fact is pointless.
When Nolan Dongling used her as a pawn at his villa, he should have expected this day would come. Wanting to walk away unscathed—things are never that simple.
Serena Feng took a deep breath, tamping down her anger and keeping a calm face: "Imperial Physician Andrew, don't take Nolan Dongling's words to heart. I understand this wound—just do what you need to do. Even if it leaves a scar, that's my problem."
As for the injury on her scalp, Serena wasn't too bothered. She could just cover it with her hair on normal days—better a scar on her head than on her face.
Once you're wounded, you're wounded—even if the skin heals perfectly, the mark remains. No matter how skilled the doctor, no one can erase a pain that's already been suffered.
Andrew Anson wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, someone who understands.
...
"So Old Nine rushed out just to find a physician for Serena Feng. Did he do anything else?" The Emperor looked thoughtful; even now, he couldn't believe Nolan Dongling had genuine feelings for Serena.
The gray-robed eunuch knelt in the center, thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Ninth Royal Uncle did nothing besides finding a physician for Miss Feng. In fact, he even let her bathe in his private bath."
That bath was one of Nolan Dongling's most prized places, fed by a natural hot spring. The water was excellent for the body. Even the Crown Prince had once asked to use it, but Nolan had politely refused.
"So it seems Old Nine really does care." Behind closed doors, the Emperor made no effort to hide his dislike for Nolan Dongling.
"It's hard to say, Your Majesty. Either Ninth Royal Uncle was truly anxious, or he was doing it deliberately." The eunuch was the Emperor's confidant and understood his mind, so he voiced the Emperor's suspicions aloud.
"My ninth brother has always been clever—real or fake, fake or real, even I can't see through him." Privately, the Emperor hoped Nolan Dongling truly cared for Serena Feng, but he couldn't believe any woman could make Ninth Royal Uncle lose control.
All these years, the Emperor had never found a weakness in Nolan Dongling. Serena Feng was the first—Nolan's first exposed vulnerability. But it was so obvious, the Emperor couldn't believe it.
The eunuch said nothing, only bowed his head lower. Nolan Dongling was a thorn in the Emperor's side—he'd wanted to get rid of him for years but never found the right chance.
Serena Feng was a tempting opportunity, but the Emperor still didn't believe Ninth Royal Uncle would lose his composure over a woman.
Today in the Hall of Deliberation, when the Emperor smashed the memorials, Nolan Dongling didn't react at all. That convinced the Emperor Serena Feng was just a decoy. But then Nolan personally intercepted her and summoned a physician, making the Emperor suspicious again.
"Ninth brother, oh Ninth brother, I understand you less and less." The Emperor had never underestimated Nolan Dongling—he never believed Nolan's actions were simply impulsive; every move had a deeper meaning.
Only later did the Emperor realize that underestimating your opponent is foolish, but overestimating is even worse. It was his overestimation of Nolan Dongling that cost him the advantage—and led to total defeat.
Just then, a eunuch reported that Ninth Royal Uncle had hurried out of the palace and gone straight to the residence of Prince Quentin Feng, the Northlyn envoy. The Emperor instantly guessed Nolan's intent, and sure enough, half an hour later, Nolan raced back to the palace.
The palace gates were already locked, but Nolan Dongling wasn't just anyone—he had the freedom to come and go as he pleased. The Emperor made no move to stop him.
But when Nolan Dongling arrived at the palace with the medicine he'd gotten from Prince Quentin Feng of Northlyn, he found Serena Feng already gone. Clutching the bottle, Nolan stared at the empty hall, his gaze settling on the chair where Serena had sat, and let out a bitter laugh.
What am I even doing?
Smack...
The bottle hit the floor, spilling ointment everywhere. The hall filled with the delicate fragrance of Everfrost Lily, lingering long after.
No wonder Nolan Dongling had handpicked Imperial Physician Andrew—Andrew really was a master at treating wounds. Serena Feng barely felt any pain as he bandaged her up. As the palace was about to lock up, she took the medicine Andrew handed her and hurried out.
At the gate, she saw a line of imperial guards waiting for her. They said they were ordered by the Emperor to escort her back to Feng Manor, and to stay there to protect—or rather, to monitor—her.
Starting tomorrow, she'd be confined to Feng Manor. By the Emperor's decree, not only was she forbidden to leave, but no one was allowed to visit her either.
Serena Feng didn't protest—she quietly accepted the Emperor's punishment.
No wonder Nolan Dongling had dragged her to see a physician in such a rush—the Emperor had another move planned behind the scenes. Who exactly was he guarding against?
She boarded the carriage and raced toward Feng Manor under the stars. As soon as the carriage stopped, she heard a noisy commotion outside the gate—faint voices calling for the House of Duke Ning, the Marchioness of Jinyang, and begging to see Miss Feng.
But the imperial guards clearly refused, and the others wouldn't back down either. The standoff dragged on. Serena Feng didn't want more trouble, but this was her home. After sitting in the carriage for ages with no one inviting her down, she finally opened the door and asked, "What's going on out here?"
"Forgive me, Miss Feng. I beg your pardon for disturbing you at midnight—I've come to request your medical help." As soon as Serena appeared, two well-dressed stewards dropped to their knees, and a young nobleman in fine clothes pushed past the guards to approach her.
"Step aside! I'm Gavin Ning, Heir to Duke Ning. How dare you block me?"
"Heir, I'm acting under the Emperor's orders to escort Miss Feng inside." The imperial guard was polite but firm, using a subtle move to push Gavin Ning aside.
But Gavin Ning wasn't some frail scholar—heir to one of the four great ducal houses, all ennobled for military merit. Most of their children were raised to value martial skill over books. Gavin only staggered back two steps before regaining his footing.
"I only want Miss Feng to save a life. There's no disrespect meant." Gavin Ning, unaware of the day's events, thought the Emperor's order to station guards at Feng Manor was a mark of favor. But his anxious tone betrayed his urgency.
The imperial guards stayed expressionless, refusing to yield an inch. The standoff threatened to turn physical...
Serena Feng's head was already injured, and the noise only made it throb worse.
Save a life? What kind of emergency could have them seeking her in the middle of the night? If the House of Duke Ning needed a doctor, they could easily summon an imperial physician. If they came to her specifically, it couldn't be anything simple...