Bargain and the Past That Cannot Be Forgotten

Ninth Royal Uncle arranged for the Taishang Emperor to stay in the largest and most exquisite palace in the rear quarters—the one that used to belong to the former Empress. Now, it has been renamed the Hall of Renewed Splendor.

Standing at the entrance, Serena gazed at the palace before her—so familiar, yet so strange. Her eyes reddened instantly, and crystalline tears slid down her cheeks.

This palace was a thorn in her heart. She would never forget how miserable and terrified she had been the first time she entered the imperial compound.

Back then, she was half-dressed, shivering, kneeling outside the Empress’s palace—lower than an insect.

At that time, she fought desperately with Adrian Dongling just to survive, even smashing her head and bleeding, all for the sake of living another day.

She walked home barefoot, tears in her eyes, leaving a trail of bloody footprints with every step.

Back then, her life was unbearably harsh, unbearably humble—she lived without any sense of self.

She huddled cautiously in her own home, wishing only for safety, but the imperial family living in the palace refused to let her go.

The Empress, Princess Serenity, Prince Rowan—even the Emperor. Every one of them stood high above, toying with her life and death, treating her like a clown, finding pleasure in her pain and humiliation.

She could never forget how those people sat on lofty viewing platforms, treating her as a beast-fighting slave. Like a female servant, she had to fight crazed horses just to survive—while they watched her fall, watched her flesh torn and bloodied, watched her hover between life and death.

Once, she was filled with resentment and hatred, but there was nothing she could do. They were exalted royals, and she was just a lowly orphan. But now?

“Thirty years the river flows east, thirty years it flows west—never underestimate the poor and young. I, Serena, will not remain destitute forever.” Serena sobbed, wiped away her tears, and gazed at the gloomy sky. "Emperor, Empress, Prince Rowan, Crown Prince Terrence, Princess Yara—do you regret not killing me back then?"

The eunuch behind her was frightened; the Imperial Guards on both sides glanced at Serena furtively, but none dared approach or interrupt her. They only stole glances out of the corners of their eyes, secretly wondering: Why was Eastlyn’s most honored young woman crying?

Yes, Eastlyn’s most honored young woman—even the Empress Dowager had to yield to her.

No one answered Serena’s question, nor did she expect an answer. She understood the law of winner and loser—compared to Prince Rowan and the others, she was the victor. That’s why she had the right to stand here and say these things.

She withdrew her gaze, swept a glance over the guards pretending not to exist, and smiled quietly.

In Eastlyn—and even across the Nine Provinces Realm—no one dared spit at her or trample her anymore. She could walk tall and live with pride.

Serena took a deep breath, a faint, serene smile appearing on her face. She straightened her robes and said to the young eunuch behind her, "Go announce my arrival."

"Y-yes!" The young eunuch jumped in fright and dashed inside. Soon, a senior eunuch came out, bowed to Serena, and said, "Miss Serena, the Taishang Emperor is waiting for you."

Serena nodded and walked inside. Everywhere she went, the palace staff silently lowered their heads, not daring to meet her eyes.

This was the benefit of power—whether sincere or not, at least no one dared humiliate her anymore.

The furnishings inside were different from before—less feminine, more grand. The decor was rich yet dignified, rivaling the Emperor’s own chambers, and even more luxurious by several degrees.

Ninth Royal Uncle would never openly mistreat the Taishang Emperor or the reigning Emperor. He would give them the very best of everything—after all, he hardly lacked such things.

Thinking of Ninth Royal Uncle, Serena’s eyes curved in a smile, a trace of warmth flickering within. Her whole demeanor softened. By the time she collected herself, she realized the Taishang Emperor was lying on the bed, staring at her.

Those eyes had not grown cloudy or weak from being bedridden; they were still sharp and commanding, just as they had been when he was Emperor.

Seeing the Emperor like this, Serena unconsciously touched her forehead. Back then, whenever the Emperor was displeased, a casually thrown memorial could split her head open.

But now, he couldn’t do that anymore. The Taishang Emperor’s era was over. Serena wiped the silly smile from her face, composed herself, and bowed respectfully: "Your servant greets the Taishang Emperor."

The Taishang Emperor said nothing, still staring at Serena. She didn’t need prompting and stood upright on her own. "I forgot—the Taishang Emperor cannot speak anymore."

Her words stabbed like a sword into the Taishang Emperor’s heart. He pointed at Serena, his hand trembling, grunting and trying to speak, but no clear words came out. His mouth hung open, drool spilling uncontrollably and soaking his chest.

A flash of shame and anger crossed the Taishang Emperor’s eyes. He shut them, refusing to look at anyone.

Let alone a figure as powerful as the Taishang Emperor—even an ordinary person would struggle to accept such a state. Serena understood how the Taishang Emperor felt, but had no intention of treating him.

The Taishang Emperor was not her patient—he was her enemy.

The eunuch hurried forward, removed the soaked cloth from the Taishang Emperor’s chest, replaced it with a fresh one, and carefully wiped the drool from his lips.

Seeing the Taishang Emperor like this, a trace of pity flickered in Serena’s eyes.

No matter how noble or cunning you are, once you lose your health, you can only lie in bed and wait for death like anyone else.

Life is unfair, but also fair. No matter how powerful you are, you cannot escape birth, aging, sickness, and death; no matter your rank, once ill, you have to lie in bed and let others control you.

After drooling for a long time, the Emperor finally calmed down, grasped the eunuch’s hand, and moved his mouth. The eunuch leaned in to listen, then nodded and turned to Serena: "Miss Serena, the Taishang Emperor says if you want to know who ordered the assassin that day, you’ll have to show proper sincerity."

"Sincerity? What does the Taishang Emperor want me to offer in exchange?" Serena knew he was desperate, forced to show weakness before her.

The Taishang Emperor grunted twice; Serena couldn’t understand, but the eunuch did. He continued to relay the message: "Miss Serena, the Taishang Emperor wants you to cure his illness."

Cure him?

Serena glanced at the Taishang Emperor, meeting his gaze from all sides. She saw no expectation or urgency in his eyes, and realized this was not his true intention.

The Taishang Emperor was simply starting with an impossible demand to make things difficult for her, planning to lower his terms later so she'd think she was getting a bargain.

Serena had seen this kind of negotiation many times before. Unruffled, she replied, "This illness—I cannot cure."

Even if she could, she wouldn’t. She and Guo Baoji and the Valley Master had put in too much effort for today—there was no way she’d throw it all away.

Sure enough, Serena’s guess was spot on. The Taishang Emperor wasn’t disappointed by her answer, and simply had the eunuch continue relaying his message.

This time, it was the Taishang Emperor’s real intention. The eunuch listened and nodded, then turned to Serena with a solemn expression…