Ninth Royal Uncle declared that Serena Feng could not refuse him. And true enough, Serena did not refuse—but she also gave no sign of agreement, letting Ninth Royal Uncle talk to himself, utterly unmoved.
Anyone else would have been annoyed, but Ninth Royal Uncle was different. He felt perfectly content—as long as Serena Feng listened to him, he was satisfied.
All afternoon, Ninth Royal Uncle stayed by Serena Feng’s side, telling her about Eastlyn’s current situation: Liancastle destroyed, the Taishang Emperor now a prisoner.
Victor Phoenixfield is leading the attack on Southlyn, aiming to capture Prince Damien alive and force out Ghost Hall’s location. As for Lady Min’s whereabouts, Nolan already knows, but he hasn’t acted yet—he wants to catch Lady Min and the rest all at once.
After describing everything that’s happened, Ninth Royal Uncle went on to talk about his plans for the future. Northlyn is restless, already mobilizing troops to take advantage of Eastlyn’s attack on Southlyn.
Peace City and Reed City are also considering joining forces—not to conquer Eastlyn, but because they fear Eastlyn’s ambitions and worry they’ll become the next Liancastle.
Four of the Nine Cities have already fallen to Eastlyn. The Nine Cities Alliance is nearly defunct—if they don’t unite, they’ll be wiped out next.
Ninth Royal Uncle spoke at length but never explained the Lance Quinn situation, nor the Destiny Cliff incident. As he said: what’s past is past and need not be mentioned. What’s done can’t be changed; from now on, everything will be fine.
Unfortunately, this was always just Ninth Royal Uncle’s wish. He talked and talked, but still got no response from Serena Feng. When he pressed her about what it would take for her to forgive him, Serena replied calmly: 'I don’t hate you, so there’s no question of forgiveness. I’m fine as I am.'
After speaking, she gently pushed Ninth Royal Uncle away and went out for a walk, leaving him alone in the room.
Outside, the crowd watching for drama had expected Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng to fight—or at least argue. But not a sound came from inside.
They waited for ages, hearing nothing at all. The Valley Master, being bold, risked getting caught by Ninth Royal Uncle and wandered outside Serena Feng’s room, hoping for firsthand gossip—only to come up empty.
“Boring,” Zuo An yawned, dragging Logan Ling up to nap on the roof all afternoon. Before Ninth Royal Uncle could lose his temper, Zuo shamelessly roped Simon Sun into joining him—and took the Snow Wolves for a walk.
The poor Snow Wolves were once again innocent casualties.
When Serena Feng came out, she caught the Valley Master trying to sneak off and called out, “Where are Feng Jin and Ethan Su Wenhang?”
The Valley Master shot a resentful look at the retreating backs of Dr. Redwater and Dr. Marcus Guile, fuming inside.
Young people these days, he thought, have no respect for their elders. Just because they know martial arts, they think they’re so great—they can run faster than him, that’s all.
“Ethan…” Serena Feng stepped forward, patted Feng Jin, ignored his outstretched little hand, and gathered Ethan into her arms.
Like a drowning child clutching driftwood, Ethan buried his face in Serena Feng’s chest, choking out, “Qingchen Sister,” before breaking down in sobs.
“No need. I can find it myself. Prince Nolan is injured—he’s waiting for you in the room.” Serena made sure the Valley Master didn’t get away with his nosiness.
The Valley Master’s eyes lit up. “Oh, so you do care about him?” He suddenly felt things weren’t as bad as they seemed—Serena still cared about Prince Nolan, didn’t she?
But Serena only replied coolly, “I’m a doctor.”
Since Vincent Su’s burial, Ethan hasn’t cried in public again. He’s faced everything bravely. But Serena Feng is different—in Ethan’s eyes, she’s second only to his brother, someone he trusts and relies on, almost like a goddess.
What happened at Destiny Cliff was a wound none of them could erase. Vincent Su’s death is a pain that will always bind her and Prince Nolan. So no matter how much it hurts, Serena refuses to resent Nolan or scream at him—because…
Serena Feng understood perfectly. She didn’t try to comfort him with words—she simply held him and let him cry.
Taking a breath and blinking away tears, Serena walked toward Forsythia Court. Inside, Feng Jin and Ethan Su Wenhang were resting on the bed, with Jada Tang watching over them. The moment Serena entered, Jada rushed up, calling out, “Miss!”
"Elder Sister!" Feng Jin had just woken up, cheerful and energetic. Ethan, far more reserved, sat up on the bed, his eyes reddening as he whispered, “Qingchen Sister…”
“Ethan…” Serena stepped forward, patted Feng Jin, ignored his outstretched little hand, and gathered Ethan into her arms.
Like a drowning child clutching driftwood, Ethan buried his face in Serena’s chest, choking out, “Qingchen Sister,” before breaking down in sobs.
“Qingchen Sister, I’m so scared. I’m really scared. Steward, the guards—they’re all dead. Even my big brother is gone. Qingchen Sister, my big brother is dead. He’s gone…”
When Ethan finally cried himself to sleep against Serena Feng, the room fell silent. Only then did Serena Feng’s empty eyes regain a spark of life.
Ethan knows now that all his family, his big brother, are gone. From now on, no one will protect him—he can only rely on himself. If he’s weak, not only will the Su family lose face, but he’ll be bullied too.
Since Vincent’s burial, Ethan hasn’t cried in public again. He’s faced everything bravely. But Serena is different—in Ethan’s eyes, she’s second only to his brother, someone he trusts and relies on, almost like a goddess.
All the grief and fear he’d bottled up poured out the moment he saw Serena. He didn’t want to pretend anymore—he just wanted to cry, to let out all his sadness and helplessness.
Serena understood perfectly. She didn’t try to comfort him with words—she simply held him and let him cry.
The dead can’t come back, and the living have to go on. Sometimes, you just need to cry out all the pain in your heart.
Feng Jin didn’t really understand what had happened, but seeing his usual playmate sob so hard, he didn’t mind sharing Serena’s embrace.
Obediently, Feng Jin leaned against Serena’s side and mimicked her, patting Ethan’s back with his little hands. Soon he got tired, so he slyly kicked off his shoes and started thumping Ethan’s back with his feet instead.
The two lost in grief didn’t even notice. Luckily, Feng Jin was so small he couldn’t hurt Ethan—a grown woman and two sleepy boys, oddly harmonious.
One adult, two children—they sat quietly on the bed, the only sound Ethan’s sobs. Anyone passing by slowed their steps, unwilling to disturb them.
When Ethan finally cried himself to sleep against Serena, the room fell silent. Only then did Serena’s empty eyes regain a spark of life.
Jada gently lifted Ethan and Feng Jin onto the bed, then massaged Serena’s numb hands. Serena didn’t refuse—she just stared blankly at the boys’ sleeping faces. No one knew what she was thinking…