In just five days, she’d be squaring off against Su Wan. The Su clan might have sent the challenge to Serena Feng, but that was just the surface...
...the battle challenge wasn’t handed to Serena herself—it went straight to the Emperor, who accepted on Eastlyn’s behalf. Now it wasn’t just Su Wan versus Serena; it was Southern Lyn against Eastlyn, with national pride on the line.
The first round was only five days away. The Empress and Princess Serenity might have wanted to punish her, but they wouldn’t dare risk it—if Serena got hurt and couldn’t compete, they’d be the ones in deep trouble. Not that Serena felt sorry for them. Honestly, watching them squirm was its own kind of pleasure.
Serena finally got it: the Empress hadn’t cut her kneeling time out of mercy, but pure self-interest. She’d almost mistaken calculation for compassion. Typical palace women—terrifying, every last one.
But Serena had overlooked one thing: if they couldn’t use whips, they’d use words. Princess Serenity had been stewing for ages over Serena’s victories—there was no way she’d pass up a chance to get even.
The Imperial Menagerie disaster and her looming marriage to Northlyn—Princess Serenity pinned it all on Serena. Seeing Serena’s cool indifference only stoked her anger. She curled her lips in a mock smile, her words laced with venom: “Serena Feng, I’m dying to see your pathetic face-off with Su Wan in five days. If you want to win, you’d better grovel for something decent from my mother. Try not to disgrace yourself—or Eastlyn.”
Of course, it’s a golden opportunity too—the palace is crawling with treasures. Maybe you’ll finally see something worthwhile, so you don’t go to your grave as an ignorant country bumpkin.”
Princess Serenity’s dislike for Serena only deepened the longer she stared. Serena was a nobody, an orphan with nothing—and yet she seemed to live better than Serenity herself. A princess, about to be shipped off to Northlyn for a political marriage. The more Serenity thought about it, the more bitter she felt.
Why was it me being packed off to Northlyn for a marriage alliance, and not Serena Feng?
“How thoughtful of you, Princess. I’ll make sure to think extra hard—can’t have Eastlyn’s dignity dragged through the mud.” Serena couldn’t even be bothered to spar with Serenity today.
No matter how wild Princess Serenity acted, she wouldn’t be able to keep it up for long. Once she was married off to Northlyn, she’d have her own troubles. Never mind the fierce customs there—the perpetual snow alone would be enough to torment this pampered princess.
What did it matter if she was Eastlyn’s most honored princess? In the end, she was just another bargaining chip, pushed out by her own father. Before marriage, she might be noble, but once she married, everything would be dictated by her husband’s family.
Serena wasn’t some bleeding-heart. When she heard that Princess Serenity’s marriage to Prince Quentin of Northlyn was set, she didn’t feel sympathy—only a touch of schadenfreude. The fact that she hadn’t kicked Serenity while she was down was already a mercy...
Serena’s words went over Serenity’s head, but the Empress understood perfectly. When Serenity looked ready to retort, the Empress shot her a warning glance, instantly silencing her. Only then did she say, “Serena Feng, have you decided what you want?”
“In response to Her Majesty the Empress: just as Her Highness the Princess said, I’m just a clueless country bumpkin. I wouldn’t know what’s good. Since the Princess claims everything in the palace is a treasure, I beg Your Majesty to simply grant me any instrument or set that will let me face Su Wan.” Serenity was trying to bait her into speaking, but she was still a step too green—Serena kicked the ball right back.
Princess Serenity’s eyes widened—she hadn’t expected Serena to say that. Even the Empress was annoyed; this move had forced her hand.
If Serena picked her own zither or chess set, the quality—good or bad—would be her own responsibility. But if the Empress had to choose for her, could she really risk giving Serena something inferior?
Forget about Ninth Royal Uncle’s objections—even the Emperor wouldn’t let her off if she did.
Well, well, well—Serena Feng was truly something. She’d thought she was digging a pit for Serena, but ended up falling in herself.
“Serena—” The Empress had just begun to speak when a clear, elegant voice interrupted her.
“Elder Sister Empress, I heard Doctor Feng was here, so I rushed over especially to ask her to take my pulse for peace. Would that be allowed?” In the harem, women called each other ‘sister,’ but few dared address the Empress as ‘elder sister’—and even fewer were pregnant. Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh happened to be one of them.
A flicker of amusement flashed in Serena’s eyes. As expected—in a place like the harem, you had to have allies. And here was Helena, rushing in to bail her out.
Serena, together with the palace maids, bowed to Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh. But before she could finish, Helena waved her hand: “No need for formalities.”
“Consort Helena, what brings you here? Why didn’t I hear the eunuchs announce your arrival? These people are truly lacking in manners.” On the surface, she blamed the eunuchs, but the real jab was at Helena for breaking protocol.
A cold gleam flashed in the Empress’s eyes, quickly replaced by a smile. Her gaze at Helena was warm but still full of authority—she wore the mantle of the nation’s mother perfectly.
Helena inclined her head to the Empress, sitting herself in the first seat to the left before the Empress could say a word. “Don’t be angry, Elder Sister—it's my fault for telling the eunuchs not to announce me. With this pregnancy, it’s inconvenient to bow and pay respects. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Normally, a noble consort didn’t have to kneel to the Empress, and Helena’s pregnancy had come at a perfect time—the Emperor had long exempted her from daily formalities. Helena’s explanation was just a subtle way to needle the Empress.
Women in the palace were all master performers. Watching the Empress and Helena, Serena couldn’t help but admire their skill at putting on a show.
They might wish each other dead, but when they met, it was all smiles and pleasantries—most people couldn’t pull that off.
Since she had nothing better to do, Serena was happy to stand aside and watch the Empress and Helena spar. With Helena present, she’d probably be able to leave the palace unhindered.
“Why worry about forgiveness between sisters? You’re carrying the imperial heir, and the Emperor has already excused you from daily courtesies. He wants you to rest—wandering the palace isn’t wise.” The words sounded caring, but Serena heard a lethal undertone.
It was no easy feat to raise a child in the harem. No wonder Helena Hsieh went to such lengths to win over Imperial Physician Sun—having a court doctor in her corner made everything much safer.
“Don’t worry, Elder Sister. The Emperor said this child is protected by the True Dragon—I’ll give birth safely, I’m sure.” To be ‘protected by the True Dragon’ meant destined to be the future Emperor. Helena had said it just to infuriate the Empress.
Everyone knew that Prince Rowan, though born of the Empress, was blocked from the throne by the Crown Prince. Because of Helena’s words, the Empress twisted her handkerchief into a knot.
With Helena’s entrance, the Empress and her daughter turned their fire on her. Princess Serenity, seeing Helena use her unborn child to provoke the Empress, quickly chimed in: “Her Majesty is right—your child is protected by the True Dragon. In seven months, Her Majesty will surely give me another little sister.”
Serenity’s innocent words made it hard to get angry, but Serena could tell Helena was furious—she’d dreamed of having a son, and now that she was finally pregnant, she refused to accept the idea of another princess.
What use was a princess? Just like Serenity, she’d be married off for diplomacy. Hmph...
Helena was clearly a cut above Serenity. No matter what she thought inside, nothing showed on her face. She lifted her head at Serenity’s words, her long, phoenix-like eyes blinking lightly. “Ah, so it’s you, Serenity. When did you arrive? I didn’t even notice.”
Serenity was standing right there, yet Helena pretended not to see her. Serena could only admire her skills...
Helena had arrived at just the right moment—and now, in front of Serena, she was humiliating Serenity. Clearly, Helena had her own agenda. Serena realized she’d just escaped the tiger’s den, only to walk into the wolf’s lair.
Serena still couldn’t figure out what she had that made Helena intervene...