Last night, Serena Feng was with me the whole time!
What does that mean?
Serena Feng couldn’t understand why Ninth Royal Uncle had to say something so ambiguous—why he would say something that could ruin her reputation.
If he just wanted to clear her of suspicion, any excuse would have worked. Why did he have to say something that would be so easily misunderstood?
Serena wanted to explain, but Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t give her the chance. As soon as he finished speaking, he grabbed her hand and headed out.
"Move aside."
His icy, contemptuous authority made Terrence Eastlyn step aside involuntarily. The Crown Prince and the others froze where they stood, watching Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng leave. Images began to flash through everyone’s minds...
Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng!
Ahem, ahem...
Dominic Zhai and the Crown Prince seemed to have a tacit understanding. Both glanced at Adrian Dongling at the same time.
"Lost it." Serena opened the carriage door, ready to get out, but as soon as she stood up, Nolan grabbed her and pulled her back, making her fall into his arms. Instinctively, she jabbed her elbow toward Nolan’s abdomen.
Serena’s movements were swift, but Nolan noticed the moment she made her move. He could have dodged, but thinking of what would happen next, he let her elbow strike his abdomen.
Thud—Serena’s blow was forceful, slamming Nolan against the carriage door, yet he still kept her close in his arms.
The carriage rocked from side to side. The driver and guards outside kept stone-faced, as if nothing was happening, but Dominic Zhai, trailing behind on horseback, was stunned.
"Isn't Ninth Royal Uncle supposed to be abstinent? How come, once he opens up, he's this terrifying? This carriage is small... or maybe not so small after all."
"Tch—" Nolan let out a sharp cry of pain.
He’d always known Serena didn’t pull her punches, but he hadn’t expected her to hit so hard. The elbow didn’t cause internal injury, but the pain was intense.
"Let go of me." Half-reclining in Nolan’s arms, Serena’s anger flared even hotter. What did this man take her for—someone he could tease and touch whenever he pleased?
"Wait. Let me finish what I have to say." If he had to endure a blow, it should at least be worth it.
"If Ninth Royal Uncle has something to say, this humble woman will kneel and listen." With that, Serena struggled to rise.
Nolan wasn’t having it. He quickly locked her in his embrace, but Serena wasn’t one to back down. She flipped him beneath her, pressed her left leg against his abdomen, and braced her left elbow against his chest. If she had a gun in her right hand, this pose would be downright intimidating.
Serena’s fierce reaction made the carriage rock even harder. Dominic Zhai, separated by the guards outside, rubbed his eyes, uncertain whether to step forward and remind Nolan and Serena to be careful. There weren’t many people outside Feng Manor, but it was still a public road—being seen like this wouldn’t look good.
"Nolan, even a rabbit will bite when cornered. I, Serena Feng, am no gentle soul—if you push me, I don’t care if you’re a prince or a royal grandson, I’ll hit you all the same." Serena pinned Nolan’s hand with her right hand, leaving him immobilized beneath her.
To be pinned down by a woman was a novel experience for Nolan. Aside from a brief struggle at first, he simply stopped resisting and went along.
It was undeniable—Serena’s explosive strength and power were astonishing. When she struck, she was like a leopard: swift, efficient, with not a single wasted motion.
She’d only react this way to him—anyone else facing Serena wouldn’t stand a chance. But this position...
"Next time, don’t use this move on anyone else. If you get the chance, I’ll teach you a few tricks." If he couldn’t fight back, he might as well enjoy it. The carriage was cramped, so Nolan stretched his legs diagonally to make room.
"Teach me? Nolan, what are you to me—a master? Sorry, I’m not looking for a teacher. A father? My father died on the battlefield. A brother? Sorry again, my mother only had me. You’re no one to me, so why should I trouble you to teach me anything?" The more Serena spoke, the angrier she became. What right did Nolan have to say such things in public and then forbid her from explaining?
They had indeed spent the night together, but coming from Nolan, those words sounded entirely different.
"If I say I’ll teach you, then you’ll learn. Serena Feng, put away your claws—don’t force me to pull them out myself." Nolan was never one to speak gently. Serena’s resistance and stubborn words only made him angrier.
Only Serena could get away with this—anyone else would have been killed on the spot.
Serena let out a tearful laugh, but obediently released her grip on Nolan and retreated to a corner of the carriage. "If you strip me of my claws, what do I have left? You’ve already driven me to the edge. The moment you said those words, the label ‘Ninth Royal Uncle’s woman’ was branded on me. From that instant, I became nothing but a plaything."
This man clearly couldn’t marry her, yet gave her unfounded hope. He couldn’t marry her, yet blocked her from marrying anyone else. She truly hated him for it.
Seeing Serena like this, Nolan’s tone softened. He sat up and awkwardly wiped away her tears. "Is it so bad to be my woman?"
There were countless women who would gladly bear his mark—why was Serena the exception? Nolan truly couldn’t understand.
No matter how high-born or outstanding, every woman in this world needed a man to rely on. Wasn’t he good enough?
"No. No, it’s not good at all. Nolan’s woman can be one among thousands—why should I be just one of many? Serena Feng refuses to be one of them." She wanted to be the only one—the only wife, the only beloved.
But Nolan couldn’t give her that.
"You’re the first woman I’ve ever acknowledged."
"The first, but not the only one. Can you promise I’ll be your only?" Serena wiped her tears with her sleeve and met Nolan’s gaze. Her eyes, washed bright by tears, shone with resolve and stubbornness—there was no hope left in them.
Nolan pressed his lips together, silent. Everyone knew the answer—saying it aloud would only hurt more.
But Nolan’s silence didn’t mean Serena couldn’t speak. She said bitterly, "No, you can’t promise I’ll be the last woman you acknowledge, or the only one.
After you said, ‘Last night, Serena Feng was with me,’ you made it impossible to marry me—or maybe you never intended to. With my scandal of losing my chastity before marriage, and now your words proving my misconduct again, I have no right to be your wife."
"Is that really how you see me, Serena Feng? If I wanted to take you as a concubine, do you think you could refuse?" Nolan was so furious at Serena’s accusations that he nearly exploded, slamming his hand against the carriage wall.
He had his reservations, but a concubine was just a plaything—no need to be serious, and no one would object. If he wanted to bring Serena into the Ninth Prince’s estate as a concubine, no one would stop him or say a word.
Marrying Serena? Impossible for now. Not just because of her reputation, but also because she was once engaged to Rowan Dongling—his nephew.
No matter how defiant he was, some lines couldn’t be crossed. If he married her, the world would blame Serena, not him—the rules always came down harder on women. An uncle marrying his nephew’s former fiancée, even just a former one, was unacceptable.
Besides, now wasn’t the right time for him to take a wife—he had his own difficulties.
Serena froze.
Nolan wasn’t wrong—if he wanted her as a concubine, she couldn’t refuse. A concubine was just a plaything locked away in the rear courtyard; no one cared who Nolan took as a concubine.
But...
"Nolan, what did you mean by what you said at the villa?" Serena’s tone softened. She wasn't one to make unreasonable demands; she knew her place and never asked for what she couldn’t have.
"I spoke the truth. Last night, you really were with me—can you deny it? Serena Feng, forget what I said; just remember, no matter what happens, you must trust me." Nolan’s voice was heavy, his deep eyes veiled in mist, impossible to read.
—
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[End of Chapter 296]