When Serena Is Idle and When Aunt Serena Is Needed

"It's you?" Serena saw Clara Phoenixfield, forced down and kneeling on the ground. After a moment of shock, she let out a mocking laugh.

So this is true love—love that goes so far as to betray Jason Lan!

"I... Serena, Aunt Serena." Clara Phoenixfield lifted her head, revealing a dirty little face. Her cold eyes were now full of fear and helplessness, her whole body curled up on the ground in an awkward posture.

Originally she was someone who had done a good deed, but with the coffin shop raided, her identity was exposed. As the woman behind the shop, Clara Phoenixfield was also tortured by the Capital Prefecture's officers.

The clothes Clara wore were specially changed for meeting Serena, but underneath, her body was nothing but a mass of bloody flesh—barely any part left uninjured.

Serena could tell at a glance how much Clara had suffered, but what did that have to do with her? Faced with Clara's attempt to get close by calling her 'Aunt,' Serena replied indifferently, "Miss Clara, you should just call me Serena. I can't accept being your aunt."

"Aunt..." Clara choked up. "Aunt Serena, I was wrong before. Please, save me..."

Even a proud spirit can't withstand the torment of reality. Faced with those simple yet brutal punishments, no matter how strong Clara tried to be, she couldn't bear it. Especially after Jason Lan's training, her body became even more sensitive—pain was now unbearable.

Serena tapped the table absentmindedly. "No wonder you're calling me 'Aunt' so sweetly—it's because you want me to save you. Only now do you remember I'm your aunt. Don't you think it's a little late?"

"You are my aunt," Clara mumbled, lowering her head, not daring to meet Serena's eyes.

Even now, she still didn't see Serena as true Phoenixfield family. But she needed Serena to save her—she wanted to return to the clan and reclaim the noble life she thought she deserved.

"Aunt?" Serena smiled, a bitter smile. "When have you ever treated me as family? You only remember I'm your aunt when you're in trouble. Clara, after spending time with Mr. Jingyang, you've definitely gotten smarter."

At the mention of Jason Lan, Clara involuntarily shuddered, her thin body curling up even tighter. Knowing that appealing to Serena's feelings wouldn't work, she asked bluntly, "Aunt Serena, what do you want in exchange for saving me?"

"Tell me, what do you have that's worth saving?" Serena shot back. "Do you even have the right to bargain with me now?"

"I..." Clara looked up, but in the end, she couldn't say a word.

Serena sighed softly, shook her head, and looked away from Clara. After a moment's thought, she said, "For the sake of you saving Feng Jin, I'll repay that debt."

Before Clara could react, Serena called for the servants to take her away. "Hand her over to Young Master Adrian."

"Brother?" Clara called out in a daze, but Serena ignored her. After the servants left, Serena summoned the Eighteen Riders: "Once her wounds heal, send the siblings back to the Phoenixfield Clan."

As for Ezra Phoenixfield? Serena didn't have the energy to deal with him right now. Rather than invite trouble, it was better to send him far away and let Jada and Mira Tang handle him.

"Yes." The Eighteen Riders accepted the order and immediately went to arrange it.

Serena finally finished her work, rubbed her brow in exhaustion, and returned to her room. She didn’t bother to wash—just collapsed into bed and slept. But because she was still worried about Feng Jin, her sleep was restless. She woke up in the middle of the night, took a lantern, and went to check on him.

Several imperial physicians stood vigil over Feng Jin. When Serena arrived, they quickly reported his condition. Confirming that Feng Jin was stable, Serena felt relieved and prepared to return to sleep—only to be stopped by the doctors.

"Miss Feng, um, do you have anything else to do next?" One imperial physician asked awkwardly. Over the years, the Imperial Medical Directorate had often schemed against Serena, so now, asking her for guidance was truly embarrassing.

"Hmm?" Serena blinked, then quickly understood. "No, if you gentlemen have things to do, I can keep watch here myself."

Ninth Royal Uncle had assigned three imperial physicians to take turns on duty. It was only midnight—these three would not be worn out.

"No, no, no!" The imperial physicians shook their heads. "Miss Feng, you've misunderstood. That's not what we meant." Fearing Serena would overthink, the three doctors hurried to explain: "Miss Feng, after our diagnosis, it seems Young Master Feng Jin was woken from a death-like state by an extremely strong stimulus. Is that true?"

"That's correct." Serena did not deny it, but her gaze toward the doctors grew more guarded. Quietly, she blamed herself for not personally watching over Feng Jin.

The three imperial physicians were overjoyed and quickly asked, "What method did you use? Please, Miss Feng, teach us." They were used to Serena's open, generous style and didn't hold back—except...

Serena refused without hesitation: "It's a secret technique. I cannot share it with outsiders."

"Saving a life is more important than building a seven-story pagoda! Miss Feng, you're not such a short-sighted person—how could you deceive us like this?" The three imperial physicians became angry, immediately accusing Serena, their eyes full of blame as if she had done something terrible.

Serena sighed inwardly, but her face stayed calm and indifferent. "I'm sorry, but this technique is extremely dangerous. If even a little mistake is made, it won't save but will harm. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't use it—so I can't tell you."

Serena apologized and asked the three imperial physicians to leave: "You've worked hard all night. I can watch over things myself now—no need to trouble you further."

After speaking, she ignored how angry the three imperial physicians became and had them sent out. Furious, the doctors cursed loudly, and soon rumors spread in Eastlyn that Serena was arrogant and spoiled—but no one dared say it to her face. Serena ignored the gossip and didn't bother to argue.

The next morning, Adrian Phoenixfield, who hadn't slept all night, came early to ask to see Serena. When she refused, he knelt outside her door and wouldn't leave, saying he wanted to plead for his sister.

Serena didn't particularly like or dislike Adrian Phoenixfield—she simply thought he was a decent young man. Seeing his stubbornness, she agreed to meet him.

"No need to kneel. Your sister hasn't wronged me." Even after learning that Clara Phoenixfield had abandoned Feng Jin, Serena wasn't angry. She was just glad Clara managed to carry Feng Jin out—otherwise, who knows when she would have found him.

"Aunt..." Adrian Phoenixfield looked bitter. Thinking of what he'd heard from his sister, tears welled up in his eyes. "Aunt Serena, Clara was bewitched. Please, save her."

Such a good girl, ending up like this—Clara Phoenixfield truly had poor judgment, falling for a scoundrel. But Serena felt no sympathy for her.

Everyone chooses their own path and must accept the consequences: "I won't do anything to her. Once she's recovered, you and your sister will return to the clan. How the clan deals with her is up to them—I won't interfere."

"Aunt Serena, Clara was deceived. Please, save her." Adrian Phoenixfield's heart chilled. Could a woman who lost her chastity ever survive after returning to the clan?

Not everyone is like Serena. Not every woman who loses her chastity can go on to live boldly and brilliantly...

"Heaven's misfortune can be survived; self-inflicted misfortune cannot." Serena said nothing. Behind Adrian, a familiar male voice rang out...