Want to See Ninth Royal Uncle? Fine, Become a Disciple
When Serena Feng appeared, Dongling Zichun was overjoyed. But as soon as she asked him for help—to let her visit Nolan Eastlyn, the Ninth Royal Uncle—he instantly wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, his face clouded with unease.
Though impulsive, Dongling Zichun was far from stupid. There was no way he could be unaware of the current political situation.
Serena Feng saw his hesitation and understood his difficulty, so she didn’t press further. Casually glancing around, she noticed Adrian Dongling’s wound had gotten wet, and her expression immediately darkened.
She stepped forward and, without a word, undid Dongling Zichun’s bandages. The wound had swelled from soaking in water, making Serena’s face even more severe. She scolded him thoroughly, but then remembered she’d forgotten to explain the precautions yesterday, so she fell silent and quietly re-treated and re-bandaged his injury.
At first, Dongling Zichun had envied how much Serena cared for Ninth Royal Uncle, but seeing her concern for him as well made him grin foolishly.
Still, he wasn’t foolish. At this moment, he absolutely couldn’t take Serena Feng to the Sky Prison. Seeing her anxiety, he knew that if he didn’t help, she’d just go find someone else.
Realizing that Serena Feng came to him first when trouble arose meant he held some importance in her eyes. Thinking of this, Dongling Zichun gritted his teeth and pointed her toward a possible path; whether it would work depended on Serena’s own abilities.
Serena Feng thanked Dongling Zichun and repeatedly reminded him of a few precautions, telling him she’d return in three days for a follow-up check.
Of course, Serena didn’t forget to return the soups prepared by his concubines.
“Miss Feng, those women—they were given by my royal father and others, not chosen by me, I swear…” For some reason, when Serena mentioned the concubines in his backyard, Dongling Zichun grew nervous and hurried to explain.
“I have to give it a shot, at least. Adrian Dongling vouched for him, so it’s not hopeless.” Serena Feng leaned against the carriage, recalling the way Adrian looked at her, feeling increasingly uneasy.
That look in his eyes—was it just my imagination, or did he mean something by it?
She shook her head, chiding herself for overthinking.
Adrian Dongling was born proud—why would someone like him ever look at me that way? My reputation’s already ruined, and most people wouldn’t bother with me, let alone a prince.
General Warren Yu watched Serena Feng’s worried look and her constant head-shaking, assuming she was just strategizing how to persuade Sun Zhengdao. He didn’t interrupt, and together they quietly approached Sun’s manor—again, by the side gate.
"Serena, you’ll have to go in alone this time. I can’t be seen at Sun’s manor." Warren Yu made no move to leave the carriage.
Serena Feng was running herself ragged for Nolan Dongling, but the Emperor wouldn’t care—she was just a powerless woman, no threat at all. The Emperor wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
But Warren Yu was different—he was a general with real military power.
Serena didn’t expect anything from Warren Yu. Seeing the side door, she teased, “You really have gotten used to sneaking in through side gates.”
“I’d love to use the main entrance, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t get in. Hurry up—I still have to stall Adrian Dongling’s spies, so news of your visit doesn’t reach the palace too soon.” Warren Yu grumbled.
Serena thought he was being leisurely, but Warren Yu was just as busy—he still had to chase down Reid Yale before the Emperor’s people did.
“Think you can really hold them off?” Serena shot Warren Yu a teasing smile as she stepped down from the carriage.
Warren Yu’s face flushed. He sighed, “Any delay is a win. Go on, quickly.”
With that, Warren Yu called for the driver and the carriage rolled away…
Serena had just reached the door, ready to pry it open with her surgical scalpel, when it suddenly swung open from the inside.
“Eh?”
"Eh what? Hurry up and come in." A man in his early forties stood just inside, his face cold as he looked at Serena.
He wore plain, dark scholar’s robes, tall and thin, with a strict air about him—he looked every inch the classic physician.
Serena immediately realized Adrian Dongling had tipped him off. Smelling the faint herbal scent on his clothes, she recognized Sun Zhengdao and strode inside, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Imperial Physician Sun."
"Drop the formalities. Adrian Dongling already asked me to help you. I can, but you’ll have to agree to one condition." Sun Zhengdao’s face remained icy as he looked Serena up and down, clearly unimpressed.
If not for Serena, Sun Zhengdao would never have gotten dragged into this mess. And yet…
He owed Adrian Dongling a favor, and now was the time to repay it—even if he could squeeze a little benefit for himself in the process.
"Please, Imperial Physician Sun, just tell me. As long as it’s something I can do, I won’t refuse." Serena hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly—she just hoped his request wouldn’t be too outrageous.
Sun Zhengdao looked Serena up and down, his gaze sharp and appraising. Serena stood calmly, letting him judge her. After a long moment, he finally nodded.
"You’ve got a bit of bearing—almost like a real physician."
...Serena nearly facepalmed. Can you really judge a doctor just by looking at them?
"I hear your medical skills are quite good?" Sun Zhengdao raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
"They’re alright." Medicine isn’t about being ‘the best’—if you can cure people, you’re good enough.
"Hypocrite. If you are, you are. If you’re not, then you’re not."
Serena knew he was deliberately provoking her, but she had no choice but to swallow her irritation and answer, “Fine. I think my medical skills are pretty good.”
That should satisfy him, right?
But Sun Zhengdao just snorted, “Arrogant.”
Serena understood he was making things difficult on purpose. Normally, she’d ignore someone like him, but right now...
She was still worried about Nolan Dongling, so she forced herself to ignore Sun Zhengdao’s attitude and asked, “So what exactly do you want me to do, Imperial Physician Sun?”
Compared to Nolan Dongling’s coldness, Sun Zhengdao’s was almost just as bad.
"Become my apprentice." Sun Zhengdao’s face grew even darker.
"What? Apprentice? Imperial Physician Sun, you must be joking—I’m hardly qualified to teach you anything! I only know a little Western medicine, I wouldn’t dare show off in front of you." Serena jumped in shock and hurriedly refused.
Teach him? She’d studied Western medicine—what could she possibly teach the director of the Imperial Medical Directorate?
But Sun Zhengdao’s demand wasn’t for her to teach him—he wanted her to become his disciple, tying her to the Imperial Medical Directorate and giving him credit for her skills.
She knew he was picking a fight on purpose, but she had no choice but to grit her teeth and say, "Alright, I think my medical skills are pretty good."
That should please him, right?
But Sun Zhengdao just snorted, "Arrogant."
Serena understood he was making things difficult on purpose. Normally, she’d ignore someone like him, but right now...
She was still worried about Nolan Dongling, so she forced herself to ignore Sun Zhengdao’s attitude and asked, “So what exactly do you want me to do, Imperial Physician Sun?”
Compared to Nolan Dongling’s coldness, Sun Zhengdao’s was almost just as bad.
"Become my apprentice." Sun Zhengdao’s face grew even darker.
"What? Apprentice? Imperial Physician Sun, you must be joking—I’m hardly qualified to teach you anything! I only know a little Western medicine, I wouldn’t dare show off in front of you." Serena jumped in shock and hurriedly refused.
Teach him? She’d studied Western medicine—what could she possibly teach the director of the Imperial Medical Directorate?