Counterattack at the High Court of Justice

Reality never changes just because people wish it so. Reality is always full of helplessness, always cold and cruel. As Jada Tang and Summer anxiously tried to verify Zane Shore’s words, hoping he’d admit he was just lying, the carriage rolled to a stop—Feng Manor had arrived.

“Zane, help me carry him down.” Serena Feng’s voice cut through Jada, Summer, and Zane’s conversation. Already frightened, Jada and Summer jumped aside like startled rabbits when they heard Serena’s command.

“Commission!” Zane jumped off the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked at Serena, who was still holding Simon Sun. His attitude was strictly business.

Serena, in a foul mood, shot Zane a glare. "Zane, we're friends. Must you talk about money every time? You're just helping me carry Simon—does that really need payment?

"Why not? I only work for money—never for friendship. We're not friends, and we never will be. You pay, I work." Zane was unmoved.

In an assassin’s world, there’s no such thing as friends—friends are just people to betray.

Serena was furious, but at least money worked: "Fine. Help me carry Simon down, then do one more thing for me—I'll pay you a thousand taels of gold."

Serena’s eyes flashed. She’d figured out how to strike back. No matter who’s right or wrong about Simon, she’d broken the law by storming the prison. If the Emperor really wanted her dead, that alone would be enough to wipe out her whole clan. But dawn hadn’t come yet—there was still a chance to turn things around.

“What do you want me to do?” Zane wasn’t stupid—a thousand taels of gold was a fortune. He couldn’t earn that much killing ten people. The higher the commission, the more dangerous the job.

"Zane, it's not hard. Before sunrise, spread some things—rumors, information—across the city, and make sure no one knows it was you. Only you can do this, quietly and invisibly."

"That simple?" Zane clearly didn’t believe it. Who would be dumb enough to pay so much for something so easy?

"What else? You think I'd send you to kill or burn something? Relax, I won't have you kill anyone. I told you, I see us as friends—even if you don't, I still do." Serena meant it, at least partly.

After all this time together, Serena felt she understood Zane a little. He was an assassin, sure, but not totally heartless.

To Zane, killing was just a job—nothing to do with his life, nothing to do with his morals.

In some ways, Zane was a lot like her. Both had been forced to kill, but neither pretended to be pure or innocent.

They didn’t seek out killing, but when they had to do it, they didn’t hesitate or feel guilty. They did what needed to be done, never hiding their darkness.

Serena’s words made Zane pause, but after a moment, he was cold again: "Don’t think that means I’ll cut you a deal. I don’t have friends, and I don’t need them. Not a single silver less than a thousand taels of gold."

After finishing, Zane reached out and took Simon Sun from Serena. As an assassin, he knew exactly where the vital points were; his seemingly casual hold carefully avoided them.

Looking down at Simon’s face, even Zane had to admit—the boy was clean and gentle. Even covered in wounds, that purity couldn’t be hidden.

It was enough to make anyone jealous.

He thought maybe he understood why Serena cared so much about this boy. A truly pure soul like Simon Sun was rare; he could only hope what happened wouldn’t destroy that purity.

Zane looked skinny, but his grip was steady. Holding Simon Sun, he walked into Feng Manor without a hitch. Serena silently approved—the thousand taels of gold were worth it.

Jada and Summer hurried up to guide Zane toward the operating room in the rear courtyard. Zane was cold by nature, but for some reason, neither maid felt afraid of him anymore—maybe it was what he’d said in the carriage.

"Summer, you stay." Serena didn’t follow Zane to the operating room. She remained in the front hall.

She wanted to check Simon’s injuries and treat him herself, but right now she couldn’t. She had to manage the aftermath of the prison-break—otherwise, not only would Simon be doomed, but everyone at Feng Manor would be in danger.

“Miss.” Summer stood before Serena, trembling. After hearing Zane’s words, she realized Simon’s injuries were far worse than they’d appeared.

Summer knew it was their failure that Simon was hurt. Serena had warned them over and over not to let anything happen to him. Now, Summer had no idea what punishment awaited. Worry flickered in her eyes.

Serena saw it but offered no comfort. Simon’s injuries were Jada and Mira’s responsibility, and she was cold as ice: “Go to the Wang clan and find the Grand Heir. Have him hire a top litigation master to draft a formal accusation: Shunning Marquis Manor framed and slandered an innocent man, the Bloodcloak Guard abused its power, took bribes, and tortured Simon into a false confession. Let the litigation master handle the details—the fiercer, the better. Once it’s ready, you and the master will go to the High Court of Justice at first light and formally accuse both the Bloodcloak Guard and Shunning Marquis Manor.”

Serena was striking first, taking the initiative.

Ninth Royal Uncle had been summoned to the palace overnight. No one knew why, but even if nothing happened, he wouldn’t be able to leave for a while.

Ever since the Emperor got Felix Fuller’s help, everything had gone his way. But this time, after the fiasco at Skyvault Palace, he’d suffered a major blow—he’d probably be furious enough to cough up blood. Even if he couldn’t do anything to Ninth Royal Uncle, he wouldn’t give him freedom anytime soon.

Ninth Royal Uncle could protect her, but not necessarily Feng Manor or Simon Sun. Serena couldn’t rely on him for everything—she’d handle things herself if she could, and only ask for his help if she had no other choice.

Summer didn’t understand what Serena was planning, but didn’t dare ask. She just nodded and hurried out.

Tonight, no one at Feng Manor would be getting any sleep.

After Summer left, Serena summoned Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter: “You four, boil water and prepare clean bandages. Some of you go to the operating room and take care of Young Master Simon.”

“Yes.” The task might not be important, but looking after Young Master Simon was second only to serving Serena herself. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter had no complaints.

Once the four were gone, Serena called out to the hidden dark-guards, ordering one to step forward.

“Miss.” Dressed head-to-toe in black, the guard was even less noticeable than Zane Shore, gliding out from a shadowy corner and kneeling before Serena.

Normally, Serena might have been startled, but tonight her mind was on Simon Sun. As soon as the dark-guard appeared, she began issuing orders…