Kneeling Punishment and the Annoying Siblings

Imperial Physician Sun?

Serena Feng frowned. She'd been so caught up in miscellaneous affairs lately that she hadn't paid much attention to the Sun family, and honestly, she hadn't seen Imperial Physician Sun in ages.

"Your Grace, I haven't seen Imperial Physician Sun in a long time either." Serena answered truthfully—there was no use hiding it; if the Hsieh clan investigated, they'd know right away.

"It seems Imperial Physician Sun has been busy lately. If you see him, Serena, let him know that I wish to meet." Seeing Serena's confused expression, Imperial Noble Consort Helena finally suppressed her suspicion. She knew neither Sun Zhengdao nor Serena Feng would dare betray the Hsieh clan.

"Rest assured, Your Grace. If I see Imperial Physician Sun, I’ll be sure to tell him." Some people burn bridges after crossing them; Imperial Noble Consort Helena dismantled the bridge before even crossing the river. Serena had just agreed to help safeguard her pregnancy, and Helena was already acting haughty again.

"Mm." Helena nodded and waved her hand. "I’m tired—Serena, you may leave."

"Yes, Your Grace." Serena left calmly; it really wasn’t worth getting angry with Imperial Noble Consort Helena.

As soon as Serena left, one of Helena’s maids stepped forward to help her up. "Your Grace, can we trust Serena Feng?"

"Trustworthy or not, we have to test her. My child must not come to harm. If anything happens to the baby, I’ll make Serena Feng pay with her life." A ruthless glint flashed in Helena’s eyes.

"Your Grace, blessings are surely with you. The little prince is protected by the true dragon's spirit—he’ll be healthy for sure. Please don’t worry. Serena Feng said a firm diagnosis will come at six or seven months; it’s only three months away, so try not to dwell on it." The maid hurried to comfort her.

Helena sighed, gently stroking her barely rounded belly. Her gaze grew distant and ruthless: "Yes, just three months more. By six months, the child will be fully formed. If anything goes wrong, even the Empress won’t be able to cover it up."

If Serena Feng had seen that look in Helena’s eyes, she’d know Helena had already made up her mind. If there was any problem with the child, Helena would rather risk permanent infertility than let the baby be born.

Using this child to send the Empress to the cold palace for the rest of her life—totally worth it.

The Hsieh clan wasn’t short on daughters; if Helena couldn’t bear children, they’d just send another girl into the palace.

......

Serena Feng felt she was cursed when it came to the palace. She’d barely left Radiant Hall when she ran into Princess Serenity. Like it or not, when she saw Serenity, Serena had to kneel.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Long life and prosperity." Serena knelt with the palace maids. She wore only a plain crimson blouse today, hoping not to stand out, but...

But to Princess Serenity, Serena was an enemy. Even if Serena turned to ashes, Serenity would recognize her. Even with Serena kneeling among a crowd of maids, Serenity spotted her instantly.

Surrounded by maids and nannies, Serenity swaggered up to Serena. Her black boots stopped just five centimeters from Serena’s face—one kick and she could hit Serena right in the face.

This time, Serenity had finally learned: if you’re going to hit someone, aim for the face.

"Well, look who it is—Eastlyn’s infamous eldest daughter." Serenity laughed flamboyantly; she didn’t need to do anything else—just seeing Serena kneeling at her feet was enough to make her happy.

No matter how proud and famous Serena Feng was, in front of Serenity she still had to kneel obediently. No amount of talent could change Serena’s lowly birth.

Serena kept silent, not intending to respond at all. As long as Serenity wasn’t completely stupid, she wouldn’t make Serena her enemy. After all, if Serena got even a little injured now, she could refuse to compete and pin all the blame on Serenity.

"Serena Feng, are you mute? Didn’t you hear me asking you a question?" Serenity moved her foot, ready to kick Serena, but her nanny quickly stepped forward and grabbed her sleeve. "Princess, now’s not the time to lay hands on her."

"I know, I don’t need a servant to remind me." Serenity arrogantly waved the nanny away and kept firing at Serena: "Serena Feng, didn’t you hear me? Answer me!"

"Princess, what exactly do you want me to answer?" Serena thought to herself: even about to get married, Serenity was still so childish. She truly pitied Rowan Dongling; the two most important women in his life were both holding him back.

"Of course I want you to answer..." Serenity started, then stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing she hadn’t actually asked Serena anything.

Serenity’s face flushed red. If only she had a whip in hand, she’d surely lash Serena hard.

With nowhere to vent her anger, Serenity glared fiercely at Serena. Suddenly, remembering the recent rumors in the capital, she rolled her eyes and ordered, "Serena Feng, I heard you played a piece on a stringless zither the other day. Come with me to my palace—I want to hear you play it today."

"Sure, Princess—just bring out a second Ice-String Zither and I’ll play for you." Serena silently prayed for someone—anyone—to come and drag this crazy princess away. She was at her wit’s end.

Dealing with clever schemers like Helena was exhausting, but dealing with a brainless woman like Serenity was even worse. Serena honestly didn’t want to bother with this spoiled princess.

It was as if heaven heard Serena’s prayer. Just as Serenity ordered her maids to drag Serena off to her palace, His Highness Prince Rowan appeared.

"Serenity, what are you doing?" Rowan Dongling had been under pressure lately—less flamboyant, more steady.

"Brother!" Serenity jumped in fright, her haughty attitude instantly turning into a pitiful act. "Brother, why are you so fierce? What could I possibly do? I was only inviting Serena Feng to my palace to discuss qin music together."

Rowan clearly didn’t believe her. Looking at Serena, still kneeling, he asked suspiciously, "Serena Feng, is that true?"

Wait—Rowan didn’t just handle things himself, he was actually asking her? Serena was puzzled and about to answer when Serenity coughed pointedly, a clear warning.

Serena had no interest in squabbling with a child. Besides, she wasn’t about to complain about Serenity in front of Rowan. So she played along: "Your Highness, Princess Serenity did invite me to her palace, but I have urgent matters today and couldn’t go. I was just discussing with her whether we could reschedule."

Serenity was delighted by Serena’s compliance, thinking she’d finally scared her into submission. She clung to Rowan’s sleeve and acted cute: "See, Brother? I wasn’t lying."

Rowan knew something was off, but since Serena had said so, he didn’t press further. Serenity was his sister, after all. "If Serena’s busy, then another day. Serenity, go back for now."

"Brother..." Serenity protested unhappily.

It wasn’t easy for her to see Serena these days. After hearing Serena was at Helena’s place, she’d rushed over to intercept her. If she let Serena go now, who knew when she’d get another chance.

"Serenity, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to." Rowan shot her a cold look, making Serenity release his sleeve in fright. Reluctant as she was, she bowed and withdrew.

Before leaving, she glared at Serena—her look said, ‘You got lucky this time.’

But Serena just hung her head, still kneeling, drained of energy.

Lucky? Not at all. She’d just gotten rid of a pig, only to welcome a wolf. Rowan Dongling was even harder to deal with than Serenity.