Cunning, Serena Feng Spends the Night at Ninth Prince Manor

When Serena Feng woke up, it was already afternoon. The guards said that Ninth Royal Uncle had returned to the city at dawn, and as for Serena, she could leave whenever she awoke.

Serena nodded without comment, ate lunch, checked on Prince Titus Valen’s condition, and then, escorted by covert guards, quietly returned to the city.

The ones escorting Serena were members of the Divine Tactics Corps. These people had their ways—they managed to sneak Serena back into the city without anyone noticing.

Serena had witnessed the skills of the Divine Tactics Corps before, and trusted them deeply. Only now did she realize that, without noticing, she had already come into contact with the forces behind Ninth Royal Uncle, and learned secrets she was never meant to know.

Thinking of Ninth Royal Uncle’s trust, and her own repeated doubts and hesitations, Serena wondered for the first time if her instinctive, reasonless urge to push him away might be a mistake.

Judging by how he acted yesterday, Serena was certain Ninth Royal Uncle cared about her. If he didn’t, why would he tolerate her outbursts, and why would he personally tend to her while she was sick, never leaving her side?

Should she trust Ninth Royal Uncle one more time?

Serena fell deep into thought...

Lost in thought the whole way, Serena was abruptly brought back when a Divine Tactics Corps member informed her, "Miss Feng, we’ve arrived."

"Arrived? Where is this?" Serena glanced at the unfamiliar buildings, a wary look flashing in her eyes. She shifted sideways, instinctively finding herself an escape route.

Such sharp vigilance, such quick reflexes—the Divine Tactics Corps members silently praised her.

"The rear courtyard of Ninth Prince Manor." Like Ninth Royal Uncle, the Divine Tactics Corps spoke with rigid formality, giving Serena no chance to ask questions. Before she could voice her doubts, they quickly added, "If you have questions, Miss Feng, you can ask Ninth Royal Uncle inside. We’re just following orders."

"Understood. Let’s go in." Serena was full of doubts but didn’t press further. Since it was Ninth Prince Manor, there’d be no danger—she secretly relaxed.

The moment Serena stepped into the rear courtyard, eighteen beautiful maids appeared and bowed respectfully to her. It was so abrupt, it was as if they’d materialized out of thin air.

Luckily, Serena was calm and used to big scenes. Although she was startled, she didn’t show it, and graciously accepted the maids’ bows.

"You may rise." Her voice was slightly low, proud and noble, carrying a natural air of arrogance.

"Thank you, Miss Feng. Miss Feng, hot water is prepared in the courtyard—please bathe and change clothes."

Serena was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Though they looked clean enough, they smelled unpleasant. Seeing Ninth Royal Uncle’s arrangements, Serena silently praised his attention to detail.

But soon Serena realized—damn, this kind of attention to detail, Ninth Royal Uncle was a fox, always finding a way to use every situation to his advantage.

After bathing, the maids brought out a set of golden palace attire and helped Serena put it on.

She was used to being waited on—Serena could now stand there calmly, letting the maids dress her.

The clothes were ridiculously elaborate, with over a dozen layers. Even though it was early autumn, Serena felt overheated.

"Change it!" Serena frowned as she saw another layer being brought over.

She wasn’t a Christmas tree—what was with all these layers? She felt like she was being strangled by the clothes.

Wait a minute, these clothes felt like the ones worn by the Empress and imperial consorts—so formal. Serena tugged at the outfit, uneasy. Something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

"Miss, His Highness only prepared this set." A maid bit her lip, speaking carefully. Ninth Royal Uncle had ordered that, no matter what, Serena must wear this outfit when she left.

"Fine, just keep it simple." Over a dozen layers was bad enough, but there was also a pile of hair ornaments and pendants—what was she, a walking vending machine?

"Miss, His Highness said you must wear the full set today—after that, you can do as you wish." Serena didn’t catch the deeper meaning in the maid’s words. Since it was just for today, she gritted her teeth and endured it.

Whatever the case, anything Ninth Royal Uncle prepared for her wouldn’t be cheap. If she ever ran out of money, she could sell a single piece and live comfortably for life.

Once she was dressed, Serena felt crushed by the weight of the clothes and ornaments. She had to straighten her back and, with the maids’ support, walk forward in tiny, careful steps.

Unbeknownst to Serena, in that moment she looked like a true ruler, refined and dignified, with an air of majesty and the grace of a woman fit to mother the empire.

She also had no idea that the outfit she wore was the formal principal consort gown—reserved for the future Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort to wear when entering the palace.

This gown had been prepared by the Eastlyn royal family twenty-five years ago, and only today was it finally worn.

The butler of Ninth Prince Manor had been waiting in the outer courtyard. When he saw Serena in that outfit, he was momentarily stunned, then quickly bowed his head and respectfully approached. "Miss Feng, His Highness is unwell and has ordered me to escort you out of the manor."

Serena nodded, saying nothing.

She was simply exhausted by the heavy clothes and didn’t want to speak, but to outsiders, her silence looked like royal arrogance and coldness.

The last trace of dissatisfaction vanished from the butler’s eyes; he became even more deferential and cautious. Serena didn’t understand, but didn’t ask—her status warranted such respect.

After all, she was the Emperor’s personally appointed daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty. She was the master; he was the servant. Nobles were expected to act with dignity—arrogance wasn’t rude, it was etiquette. If she humbled herself before servants, no one would call her kind; they’d say she was weak, pandering to underlings.

The boundary between master and servant was clear and should never be blurred. Serena had always handled this well—even Ninth Royal Uncle couldn’t fault her.

Outside Ninth Prince Manor, the place was packed. Bright armor and cold weapons reflected dazzling sunlight, making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open.

"What is all this?" Serena stopped in her tracks, stunned at the sight before her.

Outside Ninth Prince Manor was a full princely procession and official sedan chair—the kind used when a prince leaves his estate.

Ninth Royal Uncle was sending her home with a princely procession? Had he really lost his mind?

"Miss Feng, this is the master’s arrangement." The butler kept his head low, sweat beading on his forehead.

Ninth Royal Uncle had said Serena was clever but wouldn’t overthink things. Today, she probably wouldn’t ask much, but the butler still worried—if she did ask, what could he possibly say?

Deceiving the master was not something a good servant should ever do.

Serena’s elegant brows knitted in irritation. "What is Ninth Royal Uncle playing at?"

Leaving so ostentatiously—how was she supposed to keep a low profile now?

"I don’t know, Miss." The butler dropped to his knees. "I’m just following orders. Please forgive me, Miss Feng." Only by earning her forgiveness could he avoid trouble later.

When it came to possibly offending the future mistress, the butler wanted it clear—this wasn’t his idea, he was forced into it...

Author’s note to readers: You guessed right—Ninth Royal Uncle is definitely scheming against Serena Feng...