Internal Turmoil, William Loses Control and Serena Suffers

William Wang Jinling gripped the belt he was using as improvised reins with both hands, his long, jade-like fingers slick with blood. The black eyes that always wore a smile were now misted with tears.

More than once, he wanted to turn back—to run to Serena Feng and take her away. But reason screamed at him: No! If he turned back, both of them would die. He couldn’t afford that risk.

The only smart move was to get reinforcements from Prince Samuel Manor. Only then could he and Serena hope to survive this night.

Serena Feng had stayed behind, facing the assassins alone—just for him. He couldn’t let her down, couldn’t become her burden. If he turned back now, she’d have to shield him again. He couldn't stand the thought of dragging her into more danger.

“A scholar is good for nothing—I’m truly useless!” William hated his own helplessness, and hated even more that as a grown man, he needed Serena Feng, a ‘weak woman,’ to protect him.

“Serena, you have to hold on! I’ll bring help—I swear I will! Wait for me, wait!” Cold tears slid from the corner of William’s eyes. Behind him, the assassins shouted, but he didn’t hear them at all. The hands that usually held a brush or played the zither now slapped fiercely against the horse’s back.

“Faster, faster—Serena’s waiting for me to save her. She’s waiting.” William believed Serena Feng could hold out until he returned with reinforcements—because she was Serena, after all.

“Hurry! William Wang Jinling is about to escape—chase him! He doesn’t know martial arts—if we catch up, the mission’s done!” The assassins behind him grew anxious as the gap widened.

Unfortunately, no matter how anxious they were, it was useless. William’s horse was like a beast on fire, showing no sign of slowing down. If William weren’t a decent rider, he’d have been thrown off long ago.

Even so, the insides of William’s thighs were rubbed raw and bleeding by the saddle, staining the horse’s back with blood that streamed down its sides. But William felt no pain—he just raced desperately forward…

As Dominic Zhai rushed out, torch in hand, he was met by William Wang Jinling—and the vivid, bloody 'flowers' blooming beneath William's feet. Dominic didn't even have time to ask what had happened before William blurted out, desperate, "Dominic, lend me three hundred guards! I need to save Serena Feng!"

"Save Serena Feng? What happened to her?" Dominic was stunned, having thought William was the one who'd been hurt.

"We were ambushed—Serena covered my escape, she's holding off the assassins herself. Details can wait, just give me the men!" William charged straight into Prince Samuel Manor, all traces of the refined Grand Heir gone, urgency replacing composure.

"What's going on? The Wang boy's in trouble?" Prince Samuel strode out, taken aback by William's frantic, disheveled state.

Was this really the William Wang Jinling who could face the collapse of Mount Tai without flinching?

A flicker of displeasure crossed Prince Samuel's face. "Wang boy, your self-control is lacking. If the Wang clan saw you like this, you'd be in for it."

No matter what happens, you must keep your face calm and your bearing graceful. Even if you're gripped by fear or panic inside, you can't let it show—not even a hint. That's the first lesson for every noble heir.

But as the chosen heir, William Wang Jinling had to go even further—never let anyone glimpse your true emotions or thoughts. Not ever.

William had always excelled at this. It was the first time Prince Samuel had ever seen him let his real feelings slip.

It was like a bucket of ice water dumped over him—William froze, rooted to the spot.

He'd already broken too many rules for Serena Feng. If the Wang clan learned he'd lost control because of her, they'd never allow her to exist—the woman who made him show emotion.

William closed his eyes, quietly inhaled and exhaled, forcing his tense body and emotions to relax. Seconds later, he opened his eyes—calm, with the perfect smile on his lips. His blood-stained clothes no longer made him look desperate, but gave him a kind of striking elegance.

"Now that's the Grand Heir," Prince Samuel nodded, his gaze sharp as he swept over Dominic Zhai and the others in the courtyard. "Nothing just happened here."

It was a warning to everyone: never speak of William Wang Jinling's moment of lost composure. It was also a reassurance, letting William know he'd be protected.

"Thank you, Your Highness." William was frantic inside, but not a trace showed on his face. He bowed deeply to Prince Samuel, gratitude sincere.

He truly meant it—if not for Prince Samuel's reminder, he'd have made a disastrous mistake today.

"No need for thanks. Honestly, I can't stand that saintly act of yours, but the Wang clan likes it, the world likes it. At least with you, it's not fake—it's real, and somehow comforting to watch."

Prince Samuel had always looked down on the airs of noble heirs—the arrogance, the condescension, the way they flaunted their status and sneered at men like him. Yet somehow, William Wang Jinling was different.

The same noble bearing, but when William did it, Prince Samuel didn't just tolerate it—he liked it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to correct William tonight.

"Grandfather, William came to us because it's urgent. You can talk about all this later." Dominic Zhai knew just how important Serena Feng was to William—even if William tried to hide it, he couldn't fool Dominic. Besides, Dominic was worried about Serena too.

Prince Samuel rapped Dominic sharply on the forehead. "You've spent all these years with the Wang boy and still haven't learned a thing from him."

"Grandfather, saving a life is like fighting a fire! Serena Feng is just one woman—how can she stand against assassins as fierce as wolves? If you keep holding us up, she might already be doomed!" Now it was Dominic's turn to panic.

"You think you'll make it in time if you rush over?" Prince Samuel sneered.

Just from the blood on William's trousers, Prince Samuel could tell—the distance they'd covered wasn't short. Back and forth...

They'd already missed the best window to rescue her. And even if they went, rushing out half-dressed and in chaos wouldn't help anyone.

"Grandfather, you mean Serena Feng..." Dominic's face went white. He looked to William, but William's expression didn't change—he just shook his head, firm: "No. Serena Feng will hold out until I get to her."

"Exactly! Serena Feng is tougher than a cockroach—she survived falling into Damien of Southlyn's hands, so a few assassins are nothing!" Dominic quickly agreed, turning to order the guards to prepare for battle. But before he could speak, the sound of marching boots echoed—the guards were already assembling. Prince Samuel had given the order the moment he'd heard trouble.

"Grandfather?" Dominic looked at Prince Samuel, confused. In his panic, he'd forgotten to order the guards.

Prince Samuel's face was cold as he snorted, "Dominic, learn from the Wang boy—don't squawk and panic every time something happens."

How can I entrust the Zhai family's survival tools to you if you fall apart at every crisis? I'm getting old—I can't protect you forever.

He didn't say the last part aloud, but William saw the fleeting sadness on Prince Samuel's face. "Your Highness, don't worry—Dominic will be fine," William said softly.

It was a promise, and also the price William paid for borrowing Prince Samuel's guards. As for why he came here instead of the Wang compound...

He and Serena Feng both knew: of the three waves of assassins tonight, at least one was sent by the Wang clan. Outsiders couldn't have responded so quickly inside the capital...

The Wang clan was far from harmonious—wherever there are people, there is struggle.