"You really do act spoiled sometimes." Dominic Zhai muttered with a trace of annoyance, but still draped his cloak over Serena Feng, shielding her from the wind.
"Thank you." Dominic Zhai might not be the warmest person, but he knew how to separate gratitude from resentment. He would never use his status to bully a woman.
Serena Feng understood: as long as she stayed on good terms with Dominic, he would always have her back when things got rough.
"If you want to thank me, do it with real action. The patient you're about to see is the Marchioness of Jinyang, my maternal cousin. Show me what you've got—if you cure her, there will be no shortage of rewards for you." Dominic said earnestly. If Serena didn't know better, she might think he was taking her to see a lover instead of a patient.
"Rest assured, Lord Dominic, I'll do my best." Serena felt something was off. Dominic couldn't possibly have invited her just for a simple medical case—if he truly cared about the patient, he would've come to her much sooner.
"Good. When we get to the inner courtyard of the Jinyang Marquisate, you'll meet a girl named Elaine Jiang. Help me take a closer look at her." Dominic said, sounding a bit awkward—this was clearly the real reason for the visit.
"Take a closer look? At what, exactly?" Serena teased, a playful smile in her eyes.
So that was it—Dominic had dragged her here on a whim. Turns out, there was a beautiful girl in the Jinyang Marquisate.
Dominic's face turned serious as he put on a stern act. "You're a noblewoman—why ask so many questions? Just do as you're told and take a look."
Elaine Jiang was the girl the family had prepared for his future wife. The Jinyang Marquisate wasn't the most prominent house, but they were close to the royal line and never married their daughters to families that flaunted their power—lest the Emperor get suspicious.
As you command, Lord Dominic. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for you.
Hahaha... So Dominic is really that innocent? Weren't ancient heirs supposed to take concubines at fourteen or fifteen? Wasn't marriage all about parental orders? Dominic is amusing—no wonder William Wayne likes him; he's genuine.
Serena's laughter was bright and bold, nothing like the usual reserved noblewomen, but Dominic found it refreshing. Though embarrassed, he didn't scold her...
Arriving at the gate of the Jinyang Marquisate, Dominic tugged the reins and brought Serena down with him.
Here we are. Come with me.
He didn't give Serena a chance to catch her breath, dragging her along in a hurry. Seeing how urgent he was, Serena let it slide—after all, saving lives can't wait.
They hadn't sent a calling card ahead, so when the Marquis of Jinyang heard Dominic was here, he rushed over. Serena used the chance to tidy her appearance.
They'd ridden all the way here, and even with protection, the wind had left Serena's hair a mess.
When the Marquis of Jinyang entered, Serena was startled. Are marquises always this young these days?
He wore bright blue robes, looked dignified and handsome, with fair skin and refined features—a real scholar, completely different from the burly Dominic. The only off-putting thing was his eyes, shifty and lacking any real integrity.
Serena didn't think much of the man. When Dominic introduced her, she simply stepped forward and greeted him politely.
"Serena Feng? Dominic, why did you bring a woman like her into my house?" The Marquis of Jinyang's eyes flashed with distaste.
He was a scholar and a noble, so naturally he looked down on women who showed themselves in public like Serena.
He was polite and friendly to Dominic, but toward Serena he was arrogantly dismissive. That was superiority, and Serena understood it well. Since the question wasn't directed at her, she didn't answer—just bowed quietly and retreated to Dominic's side.
"What do you mean, 'a woman like her'? Watch your words, Marquis! Serena Feng is the doctor I invited. My cousin isn't well, so I brought a physician for her—what's wrong with that?" Dominic snapped. Not giving Serena respect meant not giving him respect.
The Marquis could dislike Serena, but he couldn't show it so openly—otherwise, it would be a slap in Dominic's face. And Dominic, even as just an heir, outranked the Marquis by far.
The Marquis looked embarrassed, knowing Dominic was blunt and wouldn't let it go. He dropped the subject. "My wife isn't sick, just a bit weak and needs rest. No need to trouble Doctor Feng."
"Doctor Feng's skills are top-notch—she cured my father's long-standing illness. If there's a problem, she'll treat it; if not, she'll help strengthen your wife." Dominic had started out polite, but now he was being blunt.
He wasn't a scholar, so he saw no need to pretend to be one.
"My wife isn't sick. There's no reason to see a doctor." The Marquis still refused.
At this point, Serena understood: whatever illness the Marchioness had, it was definitely connected to the Marquis. And now, thanks to Dominic, she'd been dragged into a family feud.
Great, now whether she treated the illness or not, Serena was bound to offend the Marquis of Jinyang.
Just perfect...
Serena was speechless. She glanced at the ceiling and, while the two men argued, quietly activated her Med-Pack.
On one side was the Marquis, on the other Dominic; it was obvious Dominic would win, so Serena knew she had to take his side.
Sure enough, Dominic won in the end. No matter how much the Marquis objected, he couldn't afford to offend Dominic.
The inner courtyard belonged to the women, so neither Dominic nor the Marquis entered. Led by a maid, Serena walked through the covered corridors to the back courtyard.
Doctor Feng, please wait here.
Soon, a soft sedan chair arrived. Serena didn't hesitate to get in.
She knew noble estates were huge, usually with sedan chairs waiting at the side gates. Because of her low status, she'd never enjoyed this before—her first ride was here, at the Jinyang Marquisate. Clearly, the Marquis was good at keeping up appearances.
Serena was led into the Marchioness's compound. At the door, a stunning young woman greeted her, even wiping away tears at the sight.
Doctor Feng, it's wonderful that my cousin invited you.
She was so eager, it was as if her own mother were the patient. Serena stepped back, sizing up the girl with a matchmaker's eye.
She was beautiful, heartbreakingly so, but her beauty lacked backbone and had a touch of worldliness. Aside from her face, she fell far short of true noble ladies.
This cousin girl—could she be the one Dominic has his eye on?
Doctor Feng, this is the cousin of the house, Miss Jiang, the beloved daughter of the Jiang family, given name Yuxiu. The Marchioness is unwell, so Miss Jiang has been attending her." The speaker is the Marchioness's maid, and her tone toward Elaine Jiang is notably lukewarm.
Hearing this, Serena looked her over again—this time with the eye of a matchmaker for Dominic. The more she looked, the less satisfied she felt: Elaine Jiang wasn't worthy of Dominic.
Serena's gaze was very rude, even for a fellow woman.
Elaine Jiang's maid stepped forward, scowling. "Serena Feng, what are you looking at? My mistress isn't someone you can stare at."
The maid looked down on Serena, who wore plain clothes and no ornaments—she looked utterly shabby, nothing like a noble lady, just a commoner.
And to nobles, commoners were the least valuable of all.
"Don't be rude," Elaine Jiang gently rebuked, though her own eyes were displeased.
Miss Jiang, I apologize for my rudeness." Serena didn't mind and immediately apologized.
It's rare for me to meet someone as beautiful as Miss Jiang. I was briefly distracted—please forgive me.
Whether she meant it or not, complimenting the other side made them drop the issue—for now, anyway. After all, this was the Marquisate, and Elaine Jiang was just a cousin girl...