The young soldiers guarding the city gate spotted Serena Feng from afar, curiosity written all over their faces. Bound by duty, they dared not act rashly, but now that she approached, they seized the opportunity.
Clang—two long spears blocked Serena Feng’s path. The gate soldiers feigned ignorance and asked, “Miss, are you entering the city? Where are you from? If you’re a local, please show your identity token; if you’re from elsewhere, please present your travel documents.”
The Dongling Dynasty maintained strict population control. At birth, everyone had to register with the authorities and receive an identity token. The token served as proof of identity, listing your residence and family—much like a modern ID card, but even more practical.
In the Dongling Dynasty—or rather, across the Nine Provinces continent—everyone received an identity token at birth. Without it, you were considered a vagrant, and vagrants were forbidden from entering cities and could be killed at will.
Locals had to register every time they entered or left the city. Outsiders needed official documents from their home prefecture to travel in or out.
It seemed tedious, but it greatly ensured public order and reduced crimes by vagrants. For population management, this continent had its own effective methods.
As for the branded lowborn, they had no proof of identity—the character 'base' burned onto their chest was their only credential.
Branded lowborn were usually kept penned in, under strict supervision. Not only did they lack freedom, but they were also forced to do heavy labor.
Evan Zhou had escaped from the branded camp; no one knew how he managed to sneak into the city.
Blocked from moving forward, Serena Feng did not get angry. She stood gracefully, her expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk, eyes flashing with a hint of mockery at the gate soldiers.
No matter the era, human nature is always so dark—many add flowers to brocade, few send charcoal in snow; many kick the fallen, few lend a hand.
So these people want to watch Serena Feng’s misfortune? Let them watch.
Serena Feng, resident of the capital. My identity token is at home; I didn’t bring it.
As soon as she spoke, the previously gossiping passersby immediately fell silent, all staring at Serena Feng in shock.
She admitted it so easily—was Miss Feng unafraid of rumors because her conscience was clear, or was she simply numb to the shame?
They remembered that last time, Serena Feng had not been so easygoing—she’d desperately tried to hide her identity.
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Serena Feng swept a cold gaze over the crowd, making them lower their heads before she calmly asked, “So, may I enter the city now?”
“Without an identity token, I’m afraid that’s impossible.” The gate soldier, seeing how little Serena Feng cared for her reputation, found all his prepared difficulties useless and could only reply awkwardly.
“Is that so? What if I insist on entering?” Serena Feng gently smoothed her bangs, her dark eyes meeting the soldier’s evasive gaze.
In truth, it wasn’t that Serena Feng didn’t care about her reputation. She knew today’s events would be dug up by those with an agenda sooner or later; rather than let others use it against her, she chose to set the tone herself.
Though Serena Feng’s clothes were disordered, she entered the city openly and upright—there was nothing about her she needed to hide.
The same event, seen or told from a different angle, produced completely different results.
Serena Feng understood this well—she’d seen plenty of journalists in the modern world ruin people with a single article.
The gate soldier, intimidated by Serena Feng’s glare, dared not make things difficult for her. He quickly said, “If Miss Feng insists on entering the city, she only needs someone from her household to bring her identity token, or a reputable city resident to vouch for her.”
He mentioned two ways, but in reality, only the second was possible.
Everyone in the capital knew the Feng clan had fallen; Serena Feng was its only member. Who could bring her identity token to prove her status?
And as for finding a guarantor, not just anyone would do—only someone with status and reputation could make the soldiers believe Serena Feng’s identity, and how could she possibly know such a person?
Of course, the gate soldier wasn’t deliberately making things difficult for Serena Feng—he was just following orders.
They thought the show was over, but as soon as the soldier spoke, the crowd got excited again.
“Hey, did you hear? They say the Wang family’s Seventh Young Master is involved with Miss Feng.”
“Really? I heard it was the eldest son of the Su family.”
“What Su family’s eldest son? It’s clearly the third young master of the Hsieh family.”
“So who is it, really?”
The crowd discussed loudly—so much so that even if Serena Feng wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard, it was impossible.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Serena Feng kindly satisfied their curiosity, raising her voice a bit: “If that’s the case, would the officer please go to the Wang residence and inform the Wang family’s Seventh Young Master that Serena Feng has returned.”
Su Wenqing and Hsieh San wouldn’t help her now; only Wang Qi, who needed her, would obediently come to fetch her.
So it’s the Seventh Young Master, huh? What a pity—he’s such a good man, how could he possibly be interested in Serena Feng?
What’s there to pity? The Seventh Young Master wouldn’t marry Miss Feng anyway—with her family’s situation, she could never marry into the Wang residence.
As long as it involved Serena Feng, the crowd always had something to say.
The gate soldier hesitated, unsure whether to go to the Wang residence.
The Wang residence was not a place they could afford to offend.
The gate soldiers gritted their teeth and exchanged opinions, preparing to send someone to the Wang residence to ask. But as they started heading that way, they realized…
The previously orderly city gate was now surrounded by crowds because of Serena Feng’s appearance. In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the crowd was packed several layers deep—there was no way out.
“We’re doomed.” The gate soldier’s legs went weak.
The city gate was a critical checkpoint in the capital—if the higher-ups discovered this chaos, he’d be finished.
“Clear out, clear out, everyone disperse! Line up—those entering and leaving the city, stand properly!” The gate soldier brandished his weapon, trying to restore order before his superiors arrived.
But the more urgent things became, the more chaotic the scene grew.
“Officer, wait! I’m trying to enter the city!”
“Don’t push me—I’m trying to leave!”
Move aside, move aside, you’re blocking my way.
One wanted in, the other wanted out—neither would give way, and the more urgent things got, the more chaotic it became.
When Dongling Jiu, Dongling Zi Luo, and the recently triumphant General Yuwen Yuanhua arrived to inspect the city gate, they witnessed the chaotic scene.
“General Yuwen, what’s going on here?” Dongling Jiu stopped in his tracks, his face darkening as he questioned.
Yuwen Yuanhua was a famed young general. Upon returning to the capital, the emperor entrusted him with the safety of the city and palace.
Such an honor was unprecedented—Yuwen Yuanhua was now the foremost military figure of the Dongling dynasty.
Yet this top general had barely taken charge of the city’s safety before trouble erupted.
“Please calm down, Ninth Prince. I’ll send someone to investigate right away.” Yuwen Yuanhua’s bronzed face flushed red.
He’d just returned to the capital, and now he’d lost face in front of the Ninth Prince and Seventh Prince.
“Go find out what’s happening. The city gate is a vital checkpoint—if a criminal slips in during this chaos, will you take responsibility?” Dongling Jiu’s tone was harsh.
He had no choice—the emperor had forced him to inspect the city today. He didn’t want to meddle in politics, but the emperor hoped Dongling Zi Luo would get close to him and support him in the succession struggle.
Clearly, the emperor wasn’t satisfied with the crown prince.
A sickly crown prince simply couldn’t bear such a heavy responsibility.
Yuwen Yuanhua’s personal guards immediately sprang into action, asking what had happened and mobilizing troops to restore order at the city gate.
It was easy to find out the cause of the chaos—within moments, Yuwen Yuanhua’s guards returned with a report.
The chaos at the city gate all stemmed from one person. That person was…