In This Life, No Happiness Meant for Women

After rebuking them, Serena Feng showed no hint of satisfaction or pride. Her beautiful face grew even more tense, her expression severe—she made no effort to hide her disdain for Prince Terrence Valen and Princess Yara.

She drew a deep breath, forcing down her anger, and prepared to suture the other leg. This time, Serena openly ordered Sun Zhengdao to wipe her sweat, pointedly rejecting Prince Terrence Valen's help and making her contempt unmistakable. Of course, Terrence was displeased—but he understood she was acting for his own good.

People are strange that way—Serena had acted for his benefit before, but Terrence never saw it. Now, at last, he understood, but some mistakes can't be undone. Serena Feng was not the sort of woman to lose herself just because a man admired her.

In that moment, Prince Terrence Valen finally realized why Nolan Dongling, William Wang, and General Warren Yu all saw Serena Feng in a new light, why they chose to ally with her and protect her.

Beyond her medical skill, it was Serena's relentless seriousness about saving lives. Even though she disliked Terrence, she never let her feelings interfere with treatment. In a world that only pretends at peace but is truly chaotic, her sincerity was rare and precious.

While Terrence was lost in thought, Serena finished bandaging his wound and stood up. "Your Highness, I've done all I can. The rest is up to the imperial physicians."

"Thank you, Doctor Feng." Prince Terrence Valen's gratitude was genuine.

Princess Yara was skeptical at first, but quickly reassured herself.

Her brother was the Lyndarian Crown Prince—Serena Feng wouldn't dare play any tricks. Even with his protection, if she crossed the line, her life would be forfeit.

Serena Feng shrugged, noncommittal, packed up her things, and prepared to bid farewell to Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan Dongling—the man who, despite seeming powerless, was the true authority in the room.

"Perfect timing. I'll walk you out," Nolan Dongling said, his words carrying an unmistakable warning. "It's not safe for a young woman to leave at this hour. If you run into anyone with ill intentions, things could go badly." Prince Terrence Valen and Princess Yara both felt a chill run down their spines.

Even the most secretive deeds can be uncovered. The truth behind that day—those who knew were silenced, but if someone like Lance Quinn can find clues, so can others. No secret is truly safe.

"Doctor Feng, your forehead injury needs medicine." Prince Terrence Valen tried to find an excuse to keep Serena Feng around, but couldn't come up with a real reason.

Serena only noticed the sting on her forehead when Terrence mentioned it. "Don't trouble yourself, Your Highness. It's just a scratch."

"A scar would be unfortunate. I have a few bottles of condensed cream—I'll have someone deliver it to you." Princess Yara offered the Lyndarian royal family's secret ointment, famous for its healing properties. Sun Zhengdao quickly signaled Serena to accept the gift.

Serena didn't notice Sun Zhengdao's signal. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I don't need the condensed cream. What's one more scar to me? Do you really think, given my situation, I could still hope to marry?"

Her sarcasm was palpable.

She had no evidence, only suspicions. Serena was still probing for answers about the accident on her wedding day—who was involved, and how many people helped orchestrate it?

"Why not? Doctor Feng, don't sell yourself short. You might have a good marriage soon." In Terrence's mind, even as his concubine, Serena would outrank most official wives. If he became emperor, even if she wasn't one of his principal consorts, she'd still rule her own palace, draped in finery and basking in imperial favor.

It was nearly impossible for Serena Feng to read Terrence's true thoughts—unless she'd studied micro-expressions and criminal psychology instead of medicine.

"I know my own limits, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern, but you should focus on your recovery—tendon and bone injuries take a hundred days to heal." Serena Feng strode out, not bothering to see the furious, shadowed look on Prince Terrence Valen's face behind her.

He couldn't believe it—Serena Feng had rejected his overtures again and again, trampling his pride as if it meant nothing.

Everywhere else, women would be overjoyed if he showed even a hint of favor. Serena Feng should know that following him was far better than staying trapped in Eastlyn's imperial capital.

The imperial physicians approached carefully, unwrapping Prince Terrence Valen's bandages, applying tendon-mending ointment, and discussing his prescription. Soon, the formula was ready.

Sun Zhengdao knew it was dangerous to step forward now, so he looked for someone else to deliver the prescription. An eager physician grabbed the formula, hoping to win Prince Terrence Valen's favor.

"Leave it," Prince Terrence Valen said, staring at his blood-soaked handkerchief, his expression growing darker by the second.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Doctor Feng has repaired your tendons—your legs will recover as good as new." If Serena Feng were here, she'd have rolled her eyes at such naive optimism.

Full recovery was a fantasy. With injuries this severe, running and jumping were out of the question—walking like a normal person was the best Terrence could hope for.

"Hm." Prince Terrence Valen replied, his tone flat and uninterested.

The physician, oblivious, kept trying to impress Prince Terrence Valen—hoping for praise before the emperor or other nobles—and offered with a careful smile, "Your Highness, let me treat your hand wound."

"Get lost. My wound is none of your business." Prince Terrence Valen snapped, his anger finally finding a target in the hapless physician.

Terrence's outburst startled all the imperial physicians. Sun Zhengdao, seeing the situation, immediately stepped forward to withdraw.

"You may go." Prince Terrence Valen, mindful that he was in Eastlyn, chose not to make further trouble for the doctors.

"Brother, your wound—" Princess Yara forced herself to speak, concern written on her face.

"Don't trouble yourself." Terrence's eyes flashed cold and cunning. "Yara, find some time to speak with the Empress and Princess Serenity. Tell them in detail how Serena Feng treated me with disrespect."

Serena Feng, I'll make sure you have no place in Eastlyn. When the time comes, you'll have no choice but me.

"Yes, brother." Princess Yara didn't understand Terrence's real plan, but she was delighted at the chance to suppress Serena Feng.

Terrence left his hand wound untreated. Days later, it became infected, his fever soared, and he nearly lost the use of his legs—forcing him to call Serena Feng back again.

After hearing the whole story, Serena Feng mentally labeled Prince Terrence Valen a complete idiot.

I didn't rush to treat my own wound because I'm a doctor. Who do you think you are, trying to copy me? Serena thought, her scorn for Terrence absolute.

You don't need a reason to hate someone.

Serena Feng despised Prince Terrence Valen—her loathing was absolute.

...

Nolan Dongling kept his word, escorting Serena Feng back to Feng Manor without saying a single word. Once, Serena would have obsessed over his intentions. Now?

She had lost the heart for it. Serena finally saw her situation for what it was: in this era, a woman like her could never expect love or happiness. No man would ever truly consider her as a legitimate wife.

The city-gate scandal had destroyed any hope of happiness. Unless she settled for being a concubine, marriage was out of reach—especially with someone powerful like Ninth Royal Uncle.

Since there was no hope, Serena refused to cling to illusions. Indecision only leads to chaos.