"Master, most of the arrangements are done. Let's head back now—you’re still injured." Simon Sun watched as Serena Feng wolfed down the last of the steamed buns and urged her to leave.
Serena Feng nodded. There was nothing left for her to do here; all the critical patients had been bandaged and sent to the medical hall. The Crown Prince had spoken—he would take full responsibility for today’s incident, and all medical expenses would be covered by the Crown Prince’s residence.
William Wang Jinling also promised: if any household lost its breadwinner in this disaster, the Wang clan would handle the burial, and the bereaved families could come to the Wang estate for work—the Wang clan would arrange jobs so no one starved.
The Crown Prince was clever—he knew exactly how to use this opportunity to win the people’s hearts. For him, the cost of medical bills and resettlement was just the price of a single pearl, but for ordinary folk, it was a lifetime’s savings. Besides, it was the commoners who suffered most today.
Amid the chorus of praise from the people, the Crown Prince and William Wang Jinling returned to the palace at noon.
The sudden explosion left the Emperor deeply uneasy; he couldn’t sit still in the palace. When he heard things had calmed down, he immediately summoned the Crown Prince and William Wang Jinling back, along with all the civil and military officials. Only Dominic Zhai stayed behind to direct the scene.
Just as master and disciple finished packing up, ready to say a word to Dominic Zhai, they saw a palace eunuch galloping over on horseback, clutching an imperial edict. From afar, he pulled on the reins and shouted in his trademark duck-like voice: "Imperial edict arriving! Serena Feng, receive the decree!"
Serena Feng froze, her heart skipping a beat. She glanced at the now-cleared street, caught a faint whiff of gunpowder lingering in the air, and felt a growing sense of foreboding.
She was doomed. She’d overdone it today and caught the Emperor’s attention.
"Master, what’s wrong? Kneel, quickly!" Simon Sun hurriedly pulled Serena Feng down. Serena, dazed, replayed the day in her mind—aside from William Wang Jinling, had she revealed anything in front of anyone else?