Competing for Favor, The Allure of Uniform

As Serena Feng stepped into the hall, everyone felt as if a beam of light had entered with her. For a moment, the radiance from Serena's figure was so dazzling that it blinded their eyes.

It had to be said, the weather was truly perfect today. In this somber autumn, a bright, sunny day was a rare gift. Serena Feng had luck on her side—both with the weather and the setting.

Crown Prince Colin and Prince Terrence Valen sat facing the hall entrance. The instant Serena stepped in, the group instinctively leaned back, raising their right hands to shield their eyes. Once everyone had adjusted, Serena stood against the light, bowed respectfully, and said, "Forgive my discourtesy, Your Highness. I have kept you waiting. Please accept my apologies."

With the sunlight behind her, Serena's features were blurred, and her white coat seemed almost translucent in the glow. At this moment, there was no word more fitting than "dreamlike" to describe her ethereal beauty.

"No need for such formality," Crown Prince Colin replied instinctively, still not recovered from the shock of Serena's dazzling presence.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Serena had no idea what kind of impact her entrance had made. To her, she was simply wearing a doctor's coat. So, after the Crown Prince spoke, she went straight to her seat, sitting down opposite Su Wan.

Su Wan's expression was far from pleasant. Normally, white clothing gives a sense of frailty and aloofness, making people keep their distance. But on Serena, it carried none of that weakness—instead, it radiated a sharp professionalism, discipline, and an allure that no one else possessed. Serena herself was a luminous presence, drawing every gaze, including Su Wan's.

Just look—Prince Rowan’s eyes were completely transfixed, weren’t they? And Crown Prince Terrence’s eyes were shining? Even the Third Prince of Southlyn was squinting more and more, wasn’t he?

If Serena in the Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort regalia was a noblewoman, then Serena in her simple, crisp doctor’s coat was a queen—just sitting there, she exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Yet Serena was oblivious to it all. From the moment she entered, her face was expressionless, every emotion tucked away—cold as if she felt nothing. But it was precisely this icy demeanor that made people want to risk everything, just for a chance to see her smile.

At this moment, aside from Serena, almost no one cared about the ten patients or the imperial physicians from both nations examining them. Everyone’s attention was locked on Serena. Only after sitting for a while did Serena finally notice the burning stares, frowning as she asked, "Is something wrong with me? Otherwise, why is everyone staring at me?"

Her voice was icy, perfectly matching the cold, detached impression she gave. Everyone shivered at the chill.

"No, you’re perfectly fine just like this," Crown Prince Colin was the first to recover, nodding repeatedly as if to reassure himself.

Prince Damien of Southlyn quickly composed himself, hiding his amazement. His long, narrow phoenix eyes lifted slightly as he gave a wicked smile: "The little prince wasn’t wrong—Serena really doesn’t suit that other outfit. Now that you’ve changed, you’re truly a sight to behold." And he couldn’t help but fantasize about pinning her down, tearing her clothes apart, watching her struggle and cry.

This version of Serena could easily awaken the beast in any man. Prince Damien ran his pink tongue over his lips, seductive and shameless.

"It’s just a doctor’s white coat, Third Prince—you’re overthinking it." Serena turned away in disgust. She hated men with that kind of sly, effeminate charm.

After so many years in the military, she was used to men who were tough and masculine. The so-called "pretty boys" disgusted her—men who looked weaker than women hardly deserved the name.

"A doctor’s white coat? I’ve never seen that before. Isn’t it easier for a doctor’s white clothes to get dirty?" Prince Terrence finally found his voice.

"Exactly because it gets dirty easily, I wear it. It reminds me to stay clean at all times, and it reassures my patients. As a patient, would you want someone filthy touching your wounds? Would you want dirty hands rubbing against your injury?"

Whether it was habit or impatience, Serena's voice rose unconsciously, carrying the tone of a doctor lecturing a patient or their family on proper care.

Prince Terrence imagined the scene Serena described and nodded in agreement. "Definitely not." Truly, Serena’s spotless white coat gave her a faintly sacred glow, making people trust and relax around her.

White really did look good on Serena—especially this particular coat, which was a bit loose but didn’t hide her curves. The cinched waist made people want to reach out and wrap an arm around her slender figure.

"That’s enough about that." Serena had no interest in discussing her uniform with these men. She’d chosen the doctor’s coat partly because of her own medical OCD, and partly because it was the complete opposite of the Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort regalia.

The consort robes highlighted her feminine charm and dignity, while the doctor’s coat showcased her professionalism and confidence. The white color itself suggested cold pride and purity—she wanted everyone confused about whether the rumors were true.

"Ahem..." Prince Rowan cleared his throat, wanting to say something to ease the tension between himself and Serena. But Serena gave him no chance, cutting him off coldly: "Your Highness, we’re here to compete in medicine today, not to discuss my clothing. If there’s nothing else, may I and Miss Su Wan draw lots for our patients?"

Prince Rowan swallowed his words, and Crown Prince Colin nodded again. "Serena is right."

The Crown Prince realized he had spent the whole day following Serena’s lead. Had he really started treating her like his royal aunt, just because of Nolan?

He was thoroughly conflicted...

Prince Damien and Prince Terrence both nodded, agreeing that the contest was what mattered. With Serena’s icy queen-like demeanor, neither was about to provoke her. As nobles, they couldn’t afford to lose face—if Serena put them on the spot, it would be awkward. Punishing her would be wrong, but letting her off would be just as bad.

In any case, there was still plenty of time—their rivalry with Serena and Nolan was only just beginning.

Nolan had publicly claimed a true marital relationship with Serena, but they wouldn’t counter by saying he disliked women—those rumors were just a smokescreen. After all, Nolan had kept his distance from women for years, so their gossip seemed more believable.

Both Prince Damien and Prince Terrence, sly as foxes, fell silent. They waited quietly for the imperial physicians from both nations to announce their diagnoses.

The ten patients had been carefully selected—Eastlyn would never sabotage its own reputation. After examination by doctors from both nations, all ten cases met the contest’s requirements: no incurable diseases, no one at death’s door.

"Third Prince, do you have any objections?" the Crown Prince politely asked Prince Damien after hearing the results.

Prince Damien shook his head. "Nothing to say. It’s not like we’re choosing imperial physicians—no need to take it too seriously."

His words subtly belittled the contest, but Serena wasn’t offended. She did feel a vague unease, though—Su Wan was unusually calm today, acting very differently than usual...