Going Home, There Are Always People Who Can’t Stand My Happiness

Serena knew her thoughts were too extreme. Ninth Royal Uncle had never mistreated her, and the servants at Ninth Prince Manor all respected her, treating her as their mistress. Yet she was truly in a foul mood—so foul that she was picking bones out of eggs, magnifying even the tiniest faults.

Serena stood up and took a deep breath, her mind already made up.

Back in her room, Serena ordered her maid to bring cold water. After washing her face, she changed into clean clothes and said to the maid beside her, "Prepare the carriage. I’m leaving the manor."

She was never one to hesitate. Once she decided, she acted. Ninth Royal Uncle was important, but as head of the Feng clan, the reputation and future of Feng Manor were just as important.

A person lives for their reputation, just as a tree lives for its bark. She didn’t care about gossip and wouldn’t be defeated by rumors, but that didn’t mean she didn’t care about her own name or the reputation of Feng Manor. She once had nothing, but now she had a home—and responsibility.

She could sacrifice herself for love, but she would not sacrifice the clan’s honor. She refused to let Feng Manor’s servants walk with their heads bowed, or let future generations carry the shame and be unable to stand tall before others.

"Um..." The maid hesitated, and Serena’s face immediately darkened. "What? My words don’t count anymore?"

"No, no, of course not! I’ll arrange it right away." The maid hurriedly bowed and lifted her skirt to run out.

Watching the maid’s cautious behavior, Serena couldn’t smile at all. Ninth Royal Uncle had given her the best of everything, but this wasn’t her home. She couldn’t find the feeling she had at Feng Manor.

Feng Manor was her home. She was responsible for the words "Feng Manor."

The manor ran like clockwork. Fifteen minutes later, the butler himself came to report: the carriage and guards were all set. Serena was free to go.

The butler almost asked where Serena was headed, but one look at her stern expression made him swallow the question.

A master is a master; a servant is a servant. No matter how high a servant climbs, he can't question the master's whereabouts. The butler had no idea what Serena had been through in the past hour, but years of serving told him her mood was foul—best not to provoke her.

The butler kept drilling the coachman and guards: protect Serena, obey her every word, no exceptions. Serena just leaned against the carriage and gave a faint, ironic smile.

She used to think these reminders meant the butler was just diligent. But today, they struck her as almost mocking.

If she really was mistress of Feng Manor, would the butler need to remind anyone? Of course not. The guards and coachman would follow her orders without a second thought.

Naturally, she’d never seen herself as mistress of Ninth Prince Manor, so there was no disappointment.

Once everything was squared away, Serena was about to set off when a burst of commotion erupted behind her. The butler dashed off to handle it. Serena closed her eyes, leaning back in the carriage, determined not to meddle in Ninth Prince Manor’s affairs.

She didn’t want to get involved, but trouble came straight for her. Behind the carriage, Zed’s desperate, gut-wrenching screams pierced the air: “Serena, I know your name! Take me with you, take me with you! I don’t want to stay here!”

“Serena, you said you’d treat me! Take me away, please—I don’t want to stay here, I don’t want…” His voice faded, probably as the guards tried to restrain him.

So young, yet he broke through Ninth Prince Manor’s defenses. Serena couldn’t help but be impressed.

Violent as Zed was, Serena genuinely admired his guts. For a kid, his willpower was stronger than most adults she’d met.

“What are you standing around for? Take him away!” The butler’s face was stormy—letting Zed escape was a black mark on his record.

“No, no! Serena, take me with you! If you leave, what’ll happen to my wounds? I don’t want to stay here!” When Zed wasn’t violent, his intelligence was scary—he talked like an adult and knew exactly how to tug at Serena’s heart.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Zed. Miss Feng is just stepping out—she’ll be back soon.” The butler tried soothing words, but Zed refused to listen.

Kids have sharp instincts—Zed was sure if Serena left, she’d never come back. He shouted again, splitting open wounds and dripping blood, but pain didn’t even register.

He had to get out—this place was terrifying. He knew he’d messed up, that killing and hitting people was wrong. Getting beaten hurt like hell.

“Serena, Serena, take me with you! I swear I’ll behave, I’ll never kill again. Serena… don’t abandon me, don’t leave me alone.” Zed’s cries were heartbreaking, and Serena was mesmerized.

Don’t leave me.

As a child, she’d cling to the orphanage’s iron fence, staring out at the world, hoping one of those passing strangers was her mother or father come to take her home—so she could be like other kids, with parents and a full belly.

Don’t leave me, don’t leave me alone.

Growing up, she’d wake from nightmares where her parents abandoned her, heart pounding with terror.

Her senior sister always said Serena seemed caring but was really detached. But deep down, she had a soft spot for suffering. Even Nolan called her soft-hearted. So…

She let herself soften.

“Bring Young Master Zed into the carriage.” Serena ordered through the curtain. The guards hesitated, then scrambled into action.

The butler hurried after them. “Miss Feng, Young Master Zed will be fine. You don’t have to worry, we’ll watch him closely.”

“No, no! I want to go with you!” Zed was hauled along like a chick. In just a few days, the once-chubby Young Master Zed now looked like a half-starved refugee. Nolan’s methods were brutal, no question.

It’s fine. Zed is my patient—he should be with me. Bring him up.” Serena thought to herself, Zed really did have the instincts of a wild animal.

The butler still hadn’t twigged—she wasn’t just going out, she was going home. Maybe in his eyes, no woman who entered Ninth Prince Manor would ever want to leave.

To outsiders, she was just another vain woman scheming to marry into the imperial clan.

“Young Master Zed is covered in blood, Miss Feng. Maybe you should wait and let someone clean him up first.” Zed wasn’t just bloody—he was smeared with dirt and sweat.

Everyone at Ninth Prince Manor was used to Nolan’s obsessive need for cleanliness—nobody could stand Zed looking like this.

“No need, just bring him here. I’m not going anywhere.” Serena’s words were clever—the butler thought she meant she wouldn’t leave the carriage, but actually, she was headed straight home.

Seeing Serena’s mind was set, the butler figured she’d be back soon and let it go. Zed was carried into the carriage, picking a spot in the corner, eyes wary as a little beast, shivering like a puppy that’s been left behind.

“Come here.” Serena beckoned Zed over.

Serena kept warning herself not to treat Zed like a normal kid—he might bite. But she was feeling down, and having anyone beside her, even a violent child, made her feel less alone.