If you offend anyone, never offend a doctor. If a doctor wants to kill, they can do it without shedding blood.
Serena Feng stepped out of the palace gates, looked up at the blue sky, and murmured: "Teacher, this doesn't count as killing with medicine. I'm helping patients. I warned them not to overuse this stuff. If they won't listen, it's not my fault."
Serena spread her hands, showing she'd done her best. Of course, she knew that even if the concubines listened to her warning, it wouldn't help. One dose per month per person was enough for the Emperor to suffer...
Giving herself a reason, flimsy as it was, Serena felt no more guilt about using medical skills to kill. She walked briskly toward Feng Manor, just as Nolan's men brought Simon Sun back. Master and apprentice met at the gate and entered together.
The servants of Feng Manor saw Serena and Simon Sun walk in, chatting and laughing. They rubbed their eyes—just moments ago, their mistress looked troubled, but seeing Young Master Simon instantly lifted her mood.
Young Master Simon is the most important person in Feng Manor—the servants were now certain of Simon Sun's status.
Whenever their mistress was down, seeing Young Master Simon would cheer her up. If they wanted to keep Serena happy, they had to take good care of Simon Sun!
Young Master Simon is the most important person in Feng Manor!
It was a wonderful misunderstanding—Serena and Simon Sun had no idea that, in that instant, their status in Feng Manor had been swapped.
Honestly, even if she knew, Serena would happily let it happen.
Just as master and apprentice arrived, the steward from Prince Samuel Manor came to see them, delivering a delicate box. He said Young Lord Dominic Zhai had ordered him to bring it and insisted it be handed to Serena herself.
Serena didn't need to look to know what it was. Smiling, she took the box and told the steward: "Tell your Young Lord I'll handle it soon."
The steward showed no curiosity, nodded mechanically, and left.
The box was ice cold. Dominic Zhai had followed Serena's instructions and kept it on ice. Serena took the box to her surgery, originally planning to call Simon Sun to help, but remembering his embarrassment last time, she changed her mind and examined Dominic's sample alone.
Serena's assessment was correct—Dominic Zhai's sperm had very low vitality, making it difficult for any woman to conceive.
Serena identified the cause, but... she had no idea how to treat it. She searched the Smart Med-Pack's library, but found no relevant literature. With no other option, she wrote to the Master of Mystic Healer Valley for help.
When Serena left the operating room, it was already evening. She walked to the highest pavilion in Feng Manor and stared in the direction of the city gate, lost in thought. Though she couldn't see anything, Serena couldn't bear to look away.
Nolan should have already left the city by now.
She stood there until night fell before coming down from the pavilion, her mood sinking again.
Serena's mood swings that day left everyone in Feng Manor on edge: "Miss, what's wrong? First you're happy, then sad—you're going to drive us crazy."
Luckily, even when Serena was down, she never took it out on her servants. She just brooded alone in her room. Jada Tang and Summer worried, but didn't dare disturb her.
Serena tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. When dawn was near, she finally dozed off, only to be jolted awake by a nightmare, drenched in sweat and staring blankly at the bedhead.
She had dreamed of the plane crash again.
The plane exploded, she was thrown from the cabin, the force hurled her into the sky, flames engulfed her body, and then—boom.
Even after all this time, Serena still remembered the pain down to her bones, and the deep helplessness.
Her whole body trembled. She hugged her knees, burying her face, and only calmed down after a long while, though her face was still frighteningly pale.
When Mira Tang and Winter came in to attend her, they were startled by Serena's haggard appearance, but dared not ask questions and simply did their work.
That dream had drained Serena's spirit. She was listless and dazed. Mira and Winter followed her closely, afraid something might happen to her.
She finally made it to the dining hall, where the servants were about to serve breakfast, when suddenly the Imperial Guards burst in. They carried the imperial warrant, and Feng Manor's guards could only follow, preventing harm to their people.
The Imperial Guards had suffered losses at Serena's hands before. Although they arrived aggressively, they didn't harm anyone in Feng Manor. The leader presented the arrest document: "Miss Feng, by imperial decree, we invite you to the palace."
This was anything but an "invitation."
"May I know why?" Serena asked calmly. Though she was still drained, her mind was clear.
No joking now—the Imperial Guards were at her door. Even if she was exhausted, she had to stay sharp.
The leader gave a sinister smile: "The authorities suspect you are involved in Princess Yara's death."
The Imperial Guards had suffered losses against Serena before. Now, with Nolan gone from the capital, they were ready to kick her while she was down.
"Princess Yara's death is my fault? Are you kidding me?" Serena shouted, furious.
Damn it, so shameless. Absolutely shameless.
First they send Nolan away, then they push her out to take the blame. So unfair. So unfair.
The leader's face darkened as he waved the document: "It's written in black and white, Miss Feng. I'm just following orders. Come with us, or things will get ugly."
This was a threat—a blatant threat.
Serena gritted her teeth in anger, but...
Ordinary people can't fight officials. Even if her people could drive off these Imperial Guards, more would come. Worse, if she fought them, she'd be guilty even if she wasn't before.
Weighing her options, Serena took a deep breath, forced down her anger, and nodded: "Fine, I'll go with you."
"Miss, you can't go."
"Master, you can't go."
Hearing Serena's decision, the servants and Simon Sun rushed over, shielding her. Simon Sun protested: "Master, you can't go. They're framing you. You won't come back if you go."
"How dare you question the Emperor's verdict!" The leader was ruthless, instantly accusing Simon Sun of disrespecting the throne.
Serena, furious, laughed coldly and pushed Simon Sun aside: "Don't try to scare me with that. You're just here to take me. I'll go, but if you touch anyone in my manor, I won't be polite."
"Serena Feng, how dare you! You actually threaten me." Even the Imperial Guards were angry—had anyone ever seen a suspect more arrogant than the officials?