Setting the Board and Shattering Her Mind

"A draw? Miss Summers, you must be joking." Serena Feng set down her teacup, feigning surprise on her face, though inside she was grinning ear to ear—she'd finally reached this moment, and she was exhausted.

Playing chess might be a mental exercise, but right now she felt more worn out than after a full day of surgery. From now on, nobody should ask her to play chess again—if they did, she'd fight them over it.

"What else is there, Miss Feng? Besides a draw, do you have another way out?" Wendy Summers glanced at the board, feeling a strange unease—maybe it was Serena's smile that was just too dazzling.

Serena Feng ignored Wendy and began collecting the chess pieces from the board, black and white alike, dropping them into the jar one by one, leaving only a third of the stones still on the board.

"That last round—if you say it's a draw, then it's a draw. But a draw is a bit dull, isn't it? Miss Summers, here's a new chess problem I'm setting. If you can break it before all the contests end, then I'll count this chess event as my loss. If you can't, then the draw stands."

On the surface, it looked like she was giving herself the worst of it, but with the draw and a sliver of hope for victory, Serena had hooked Wendy, scattering her focus. Now, until all the contests ended, Wendy would have to put her energy into solving this problem, leaving her no time to stir up trouble or plot against Serena. And in the upcoming rounds, it would mess with Wendy's mind, making it impossible for her to compete wholeheartedly.

A master of chess is a master of strategy. Maybe Serena Feng really was born with a talent for scheming, but it was all just petty squabbles between girls, she mocked herself inwardly.

Just as Serena expected, Wendy couldn't refuse the temptation—she needed to win too badly. And even if she failed to break the problem, it would only be a draw; she wouldn't lose anything.

"Then it's settled—the chess contest will be decided this way," Serena declared. Wendy agreed, and of course Old Master Yan and the others had no objections. The outcome of the chess round was thus postponed.

"Alright." Serena showed neither joy nor surprise. While Wendy was still considering, Serena had already set up the new problem, her calm confidence enough to make anyone fume.

Serena Feng placed the final chess piece, then stood up and bowed to Old Master Yan and the others. Just as she was about to take her leave, she noticed Prince Jason, Prince Colin, and several other princes were present.

What were these princes doing here? For a moment, Serena's mind went blank, and before she realized it, she instinctively knelt to salute the royal family.

As Serena performed the formal salute, she couldn't help marveling at how thoroughly she had adapted to this world. If she didn't say anything, even other transmigrators wouldn't suspect her origins now.

"Miss Feng, that's too courteous. Please, rise." Prince Jason, being the eldest, spoke for the group. To show his respect, he stepped forward and personally helped Serena to her feet.

Honestly, none of them dared accept Serena Feng's bow. Even if she didn't end up as their Ninth Aunt, she could still become Master Marcus Wynn's wife—either way, she was someone they needed to win over.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Serena accepted his help and rose. As soon as she stood, she met Prince Chase's burning gaze. Usually, she wouldn't care, but today...

She felt a headache coming on. Lately, her rotten peach blossoms had been blooming far too vigorously. Serena resolved to buy a sword and chop down the peach tree—rotten peach blossoms were nothing but trouble.

Serena ignored Marcus Wynn's teasing look and the open affection in Prince Chase's eyes, turning her face away, her long lashes lowering to hide her exhaustion.

Serena stood quietly, her slender hands poised, waiting for the princes to speak.

Wendy Summers was entirely focused on the chess problem; right now, she had no interest in making trouble for Serena. That was exactly what Serena wanted—she could afford to lose this round if it meant peace in the upcoming contests. It was a worthwhile trade.

Prince Jason and Prince Colin weren't close to Serena Feng, but Prince Chase had a decent relationship with her. Jason and Colin exchanged glances, signaling for Chase to chat with Serena, but the boy was so fixated on her that he missed their cues, just standing there staring.

Jason and Colin rubbed their foreheads—if they'd known, they'd have invited the Crown Prince instead; maybe it would have gone better. As things stood, they had no way to ask Serena to play 'Boundless Azure Sea and Sky' again.

Yes, Jason and Colin were both very interested in how Serena Feng managed to make the stringless Ice-String Zither produce sound. Colin, though famed for his martial prowess at the border, still appreciated music—and as a member of the Crown Prince's faction, he knew Serena had once used the Ice-String Zither to help the Crown Prince out of a crisis.

Their chosen helper was useless; Jason and Colin tried probing with a few questions, but Serena Feng politely deflected each one. Whenever they brought up playing music, she sidestepped the topic—no matter what, she wouldn't agree.

If it were anyone else, Jason and Colin could use their rank to pressure her—play, or else. But with Master Marcus Wynn by Serena's side, they truly didn't dare. All they could do was watch as Serena turned and left.

"You've got a good eye this time, Marcus," Old Master Yan said warmly, stroking his goatee as he watched Serena's retreating figure. If she turned back and saw him, she'd probably shiver—being watched like that was unsettling.

"When have I ever had bad taste?" Marcus Wynn replied, full of pride.

Jason and Colin wanted to build ties with Old Master Yan and Marcus Wynn, but they knew both men were tough to deal with. The princes were smart; after a few polite words, they took the still-dazed Prince Chase with them and left.

"Being favored by both Old Master Yan and Marcus Wynn—who knows if Serena Feng is lucky or unlucky?" Jason mused as they left.

"Of course she's lucky," Colin replied, though even he didn't believe it himself.

For anyone else, this would surely be good luck, but Serena Feng was certain this was nothing but trouble. She didn't have the ability or time to 'play' with Old Master Yan and Marcus Wynn.

As soon as Serena Feng left the academy, her way was blocked. News of her hard-fought draw with Wendy Summers had already spread, and crowds gathered outside to watch and gossip.

Just as Serena was frowning, Jada Tang and Mira Tang came forward. Having heard about the commotion, they went to Prince Samuel Zhai and reclaimed her former bodyguards.

With bodyguards clearing the way, Serena quickly boarded her sedan chair. Many tried to approach and chat, but the guards blocked them all. Inside the sedan, the constant buzz gave her a splitting headache—she wished she could just go home, shut the door, and find some peace.

"Who would have thought—the same Serena Feng who used to be cursed like a street rat is now basking in glory." Prince Terrence Valen and Prince Damien of Southlyn hadn't gone to the academy; instead, they were seated in a teahouse along Serena's route.

"Glory? It's just a bubble—one poke and it'll burst," Prince Damien scoffed. He was in a foul mood today.

Wendy's repeated losses had given him a bad feeling. Frustrated, he thought that if Serena Feng weren't so well protected, he'd send someone to cripple her—then see how she'd compete.

"With protectors, that bubble won't burst so easily. By the way, Third Prince—the heir of Night City, Reid Yale, disappeared the day before the duel." Prince Terrence dropped this tidbit and left.

The rest, Prince Damien would handle...