Of course, General Warren Yu refused. He’d have to be a fool to agree to Serena Feng’s request.
He’d already ridden out to the outskirts—giving the Wang Clan an enormous show of respect. If he personally escorted Serena Feng to the Royal Country Villa, it would be blatantly obvious he was backing her.
In this capital, anyone with half a brain knew Princess Serenity’s Peach Blossom Festival was aimed at Serena Feng. He wasn’t about to make himself a target.
He was a soldier—a general. He had zero interest in meddling with these political games.
General Warren Yu opened his mouth to refuse, but Serena Feng was ready. Before he could get a word out, she said, “I’d hoped to discuss the origins of that bandit with you on the road, General Yu. But it seems you’re too busy. What a shame…”
Those last three words—she dragged them out deliberately.
A trap. It was obviously a trap—and yet he wanted to walk right into it.
General Warren Yu glared at Serena Feng, annoyed. What kind of woman was she? She had none of the gentleness or softness women were supposed to have.
General Yu pretended not to hear her and refused to take the bait.
Serena Feng remained calm and unhurried. Of course she knew that wasn’t enough leverage. If she wanted General Yu to back her, she’d have to raise the stakes.
Serena Feng disdained using underhanded tricks. She preferred open strategy. She wanted General Yu to see the trap—and still be unable to refuse her.
Ah—! Serena Feng cried out, drawing everyone’s attention behind her. She called loudly, “Seventh Young Master, last time you mentioned ‘In the use of troops: if ten to one, surround them; if five to one, attack them; if double, divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, be able to evade…’ What comes next? I just remembered.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?” Caleb Wang looked confused. When had Serena Feng ever said that? It sounded like military strategy.
Serena Feng acted like she hadn’t noticed, smiling as she said, “Don’t worry, Seventh Young Master. This time I won’t forget. Once I’m back at Feng Manor, I’ll tell you the rest.”
She called Caleb Wang by name, but her gaze never left General Yu. Caleb’s confusion didn’t matter—what mattered was that General Yu understood.
She didn’t believe for a second that Sun Tzu’s Art of War wouldn’t tempt a general like Warren Yu.
“If ten to one, surround them; if five to one, attack them; if double, divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, be able to evade… What’s next? What comes after that? Serena Feng, hurry up and tell me!”
General Yu finally lost his composure, looking at Serena Feng with burning curiosity. If not for the difference between men and women, he’d probably have grabbed her by the arm.
Serena Feng laughed inwardly, but outwardly put on a troubled face: “Don’t be impatient, General Yu. I’d love to tell you, but I just don’t have time today—I have to hurry to the Peach Blossom Festival. If I’m late and Princess Serenity blames me, I won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
“Serena Feng, don’t push your luck.” General Yu finally understood why Adrian Eastlyn hated this woman so much. When she set herself against you, she could drive you mad.
"General Yu, you exaggerate. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off—the road to the Royal Country Villa isn’t easy." Serena Feng didn’t give General Yu any face.
Right now, it wasn’t Serena Feng begging General Yu—it was the other way around. He was giving her attitude like she was some timid little wife.
If you’re putting on a show, go all the way. Serena Feng turned and asked Caleb Wang to borrow his fine horse.
"You know how to ride?" Caleb Wang was stunned. If Serena Feng could ride, maybe the Peach Blossom Festival wouldn’t be such a disaster.
"What’s so hard about riding? I am a general’s daughter, after all." Serena didn’t answer directly—the body’s original owner couldn’t ride, but she could, and she was pretty good at it.
Back in her previous life, horseback riding was a popular sport—though expensive. Her income easily covered that hobby.
"But... Feng Manor—" Caleb Wang hesitated, unconvinced.
He knew perfectly well what Feng Manor was like—no money to keep horses, and nowhere to ride them.
General Yu didn’t buy it either. He thought Serena Feng was just playing hard to get. Even though he was eager for the rest of that military strategy, he wasn’t about to rush in.
Serena Feng, you need something from me—I bet you’ll have to ask.
General Yu waited, expecting Serena to beg him—then he could name his price.
Serena Feng knew exactly what General Yu was thinking—but he was doomed to disappointment. She understood: if you want people to respect you, you have to earn it.
"Don’t believe me? I’ll show you."
Serena Feng grabbed the reins, put her foot in the stirrup, and—with a smooth swing—mounted the horse. Caleb Wang stared, dumbfounded. She looked every inch the confident rider.
"You really can ride." Caleb Wang finally believed her.
Eastlyn people were skilled at riding and archery—even the women weren’t weak in these things. But usually, they needed help mounting—horses were tall and most women didn’t have the strength to get up using just the stirrup and reins.
Serena Feng not only managed it—she looked impressive doing it.
"I’m off. Don’t worry about me. Those scheming women want my life, but it won’t be that easy." Serena Feng tugged the reins, shifted her feet, and prepared to kick the horse into a gallop.
Fine." General Yu sighed. As Serena Feng pulled the reins, he stepped forward and blocked her horse, refusing to let her go.
"Riding will kick up dust everywhere, Miss Feng. I’ll escort you to the Royal Country Villa myself. Someone—go fix the carriage!"
He said it for everyone to hear, but what General Yu really wanted to say to Serena was: You win.
Thank you, General Yu. You serve the nation and the people with all your heart. I truly admire you. With you here, the people of Eastlyn have nothing to fear.
Of course, that was just for show. Serena’s sparkling eyes actually said: ‘It’s nothing, General Yu. You didn’t lose—you gained even more.’
Even in her own era, Sun Tzu’s Art of War was a legendary book. Whether in politics or business, everyone marveled at its brilliance.
Today, General Yu had the luck to gain it.
General Yu didn’t deny it. Without enough benefit, he wouldn’t get involved. But he was truly interested in Serena’s words. ‘Miss Feng, where did you see that passage?’
"My father was a general." Same answer as before—Serena Feng was getting better and better at dodging questions.
Caleb Wang stood aside, finally understanding the contest between Serena Feng and General Yu. He secretly decided to tell his big brother everything that happened today.
Few people in the world could make General Yu suffer a loss and leave him speechless.
If Serena Feng knew what Caleb Wang was thinking, she’d be so frustrated she’d cough up blood.
A loss? General Yu hadn’t suffered at all—and even if he had, he enjoyed it.
General Yu had tried hinting all day, but hadn’t gotten a single useful answer. He was so frustrated he finally noticed Serena Feng was still sitting on the horse—and his neck was sore from looking up at her.
"Miss Feng, the carriage is almost fixed—please dismount."
Seeing General Yu’s frustrated look, Serena Feng secretly laughed, her eyes flashing with mischief.
Of course, Serena Feng would never admit she was just teasing him. She was ‘teaching through amusement’—letting General Yu experience the wonders of military strategy…