Flirting, Blocking Carriages in the Street

So it was just for safekeeping—Ninth Royal Uncle nodded, accepting the explanation.

"In that case, leave the outfit here. I’ll keep it for you," Ninth Royal Uncle emphasized again, making clear that Serena Feng was the true owner of the Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort formal regalia.

It was better for the outfit to be kept at Ninth Prince Manor. If Serena Feng lost it, the Emperor would surely vent his anger on her. Either way, his goal was achieved.

Whether the rumors said he was obsessed with beauty or incapable, at least for now, no one would target him—or Serena Feng.

"Thank you, Ninth Royal Uncle." Whatever the reason, as long as she could hand off this hot potato, Serena Feng was satisfied. Even her cold features softened a bit.

"There’s no need for thanks between us," Ninth Royal Uncle replied, his tone half ambiguous, half probing.

"Heh." Serena Feng gave a dry laugh, clearly unwilling to say more. But then she reconsidered—Ninth Royal Uncle was so proud, he could easily pretend nothing happened after their night together. But if she, Serena Feng, turned cold the next day, it might wound his pride as a man.

After some thought, Serena Feng decided she couldn’t draw too clear a line between herself and Ninth Royal Uncle. So she cautiously probed, "Ninth Royal Uncle, I have a favor to ask... I wonder if—"

"Speak." Ninth Royal Uncle’s face lit up, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

"I’d like to ask Ninth Royal Uncle to investigate the patient I treated—his name is Haoting." It wasn’t that she wanted to pry into his privacy, but Haoting’s illness was complicated, and she needed to prepare in advance.

"Of course. In three days, his records will be delivered to you." Ninth Royal Uncle was a bit displeased at being asked to investigate another man, but seeing Serena Feng treat him without formality made him feel better.

Serena Feng wanted to thank him, but since Ninth Royal Uncle had already said there was no need, saying it again would be excessive. So she simply kept quiet.

The room was silent. With a screen between them, the whole setup was honestly a bit ridiculous.

After standing for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Serena Feng saw that Ninth Royal Uncle had nothing else to say, so she took the initiative to bid farewell: "I won’t disturb your rest any longer, Ninth Royal Uncle. I’ll take my leave."

Ninth Royal Uncle wanted to keep Serena Feng a little longer, but...

With the screen between them, he could hear but not see her. And even though things were cordial today, there was still a hint of awkwardness between them, so Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t insist.

After all, there’s plenty of time ahead...

Serena Feng felt no nostalgia at all—she turned and left. Before going, she privately noted to remind Ninth Royal Uncle next time: the bamboo incense, while elegant, was so strong it was nauseating.

Today, the bamboo scent in this room was unbelievably thick—she was nearly suffocated.

......

Serena Feng left the Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort formal regalia at Ninth Prince Manor, feeling relieved—until that feeling lasted only a second, because...

The steward of Ninth Prince Manor ordered the servants to pile gift after gift onto her carriage—and onto the carriages behind, filling up five whole wagons.

What a spectacle!

"What’s going on?" Serena Feng was stunned—was Ninth Royal Uncle trying to move house or something?

The steward quickly turned around and respectfully explained, "Miss, these are supplements from His Highness. He says you’ve been working too hard lately and need to take care of yourself." Of course, there were also jewelry and clothes—but the steward didn’t mention those, afraid Serena Feng might refuse them.

Pfft...

Serena Feng was glad she hadn’t been drinking water—otherwise, she’d have spat it out right in front of Ninth Royal Uncle. Was he trying to compensate her with material goods, or just stoking the rumors even further?

Whatever... She’d accept it. Since she was already on this thief ship, and anything Ninth Royal Uncle gave was bound to be valuable, if he wanted to use money to send her off, she’d take it.

Serena Feng nodded like an ostrich and got into the carriage with Mira Tang and Winter.

Thinking of all the wagons full of gifts behind her, Serena Feng accepted them, but still felt a bit annoyed inside.

"Mira, Winter, what do you think Ninth Royal Uncle means by all this?" She was looking for some comfort.

"Miss, if you ask me, His Highness must care about you. Mira and I checked—all those gifts are top-grade tonics and beauty herbs, some even the palace consorts can’t get." Winter’s loyalty was to Serena Feng, but as long as it didn’t hurt her, she naturally sided with Ninth Royal Uncle.

"Care about me? If he really cared, he wouldn’t drag me into this." Serena Feng gave a mocking laugh, convinced once again that Ninth Royal Uncle was just trying to buy her off.

Today, Xiling Tianlei, Nanling Jinfan, and Dongling Ziluo blocked her way to escort her out of the palace—all because of the rumors Ninth Royal Uncle spread, and the outfit she wore.

She’d always wanted an ordinary life, but Ninth Royal Uncle kept dragging her into the center of imperial power struggles. How was that caring?

Mira and Winter weren’t clueless—they couldn’t find any words to defend Ninth Royal Uncle. By doing this, he’d pushed Serena Feng into the eye of the storm. No amount of tonics or jewelry could make up for the risks and trouble he’d brought her.

Serena Feng stayed silent, sulking, not wanting to talk. The whole way was quiet, until the carriage suddenly stopped on Chang’an Street: "Miss, someone’s blocking the road."

"Go check it out," Serena Feng instructed Mira to get off the carriage.

Mira was sharper and more resourceful than Winter. In unexpected situations like this, Mira was better; Winter was suited for handling household affairs.

Mira was back soon with news: "Miss, it’s Master Marcus Wynn. He’s hosting a musical gathering at the Windchaser Inn, and seeing your carriage, he sent a servant to invite you upstairs."

"Windchaser Inn? The place where you have to match couplets to enter?" Serena Feng was no stranger to the Windchaser Inn. Back when she needed William Wang Jinling’s help, she’d invited him to eat here.

That day, the eldest young master’s literary talent had left a deep impression on her. William Wang Jinling, with his aristocratic grace, was dazzling—like the sun itself.

With so many people and so much drama in the capital, she sometimes envied William Wang Jinling out in Clearwater Town, far from all the glitz and chaos. His mood must be much better.

"Yes, Miss, it’s the Windchaser Inn." Mira sounded a little excited.

Master Marcus Wynn’s reputation was legendary. Getting an invitation from him was an enormous honor. If their young lady could make connections with these famous scholars, it would help her reputation too.

"Tell Master Marcus Wynn that I’m too shallow in learning to enter the Windchaser Inn." Serena Feng signaled for Winter to lower the carriage curtain, clearly unwilling to get out.

Mira felt it was a shame, but knew she couldn’t decide for her mistress, so she went to deliver the message.

Soon, Mira was back, her expression unchanged, still looking loyally devoted. Serena Feng nodded in approval.

A maid can have opinions, but if she ever tries to make decisions for her mistress, that’s a death sentence.

"Let’s go!"

The carriage had just started moving, but hadn’t gone five meters before it stopped again. Serena Feng frowned...

"Mi—Mi—Miss, Master Marcus Wynn has come downstairs to invite you himself." The driver was trembling, completely overwhelmed by the honor.

Master Marcus Wynn! The number of people personally invited by the world’s number-one guqin master could be counted on one hand. In Eastlyn, Serena Feng was the first.

Master Marcus Wynn was no ordinary person. If he wasn’t pleased, he’d ignore even the Emperor—and the Emperor would still praise him for his scholarly style, his free spirit, his true character...

So, Master Marcus Wynn’s reputation was already resounding. For him to come down and invite Serena Feng in front of so many people—

Trouble!