After returning from the Walker estate, Prince Nolan did not send Serena back to Feng Manor, but instead brought her to Ninth Prince Manor.
Serena lounged in the carriage all the way, chatting idly with Prince Nolan and playing with his hair, so bored she didn’t notice the wrong direction. By the time she got out, it was too late—the driver had already entered the manor.
"I want to go back to Feng Manor." Serena turned and confronted Prince Nolan as soon as he stepped out of the carriage.
Prince Nolan, used to soothing her, calmed Serena before she could get angry: "Stay here and spend New Year’s with me. I’ll send you back at dawn—you won’t miss your ancestral rites."
"Back and forth—you’re trying to wear me out." If it weren’t New Year’s, Serena really wanted to kick Prince Nolan hard.
Did this man think everyone was as tough as he was? She often stayed up all night, but it was New Year’s—she was busy as head of the family.
"You won’t get tired, don’t worry." Prince Nolan coaxed and half-tricked Serena into his room.
Just as Prince Nolan said, he didn’t do anything to Serena—he just wanted them to spend New Year’s together. After all, this was their first New Year as a couple.
The next morning, Serena woke up in Feng Manor. If not for the big red envelope by her pillow, she’d have doubted she ever went to Ninth Prince Manor last night.
Serena got up and opened the envelope. Inside was a slip of paper, written in a hand she knew well.
Three wishes for my lady: First, may you live a thousand years; second, may I stay healthy; third, may we be like swallows on the beam, meeting every year.
“Meeting every year.” Serena pressed the note to her heart and couldn’t help laughing—her joy grew until she rolled twice across her bed.
She wondered what Prince Nolan’s expression was when he wrote those words—he must have looked so adorable. The original poem was written from a woman’s perspective; Nolan changed two words and made it his own. He really put thought into it.
After soaking in the sweetness, Serena carefully put the note away and took out the other gifts from the envelope: a deed to a villa outside the city, a plum-blossom ankle chain, and a plum-blossom hairpin—all from Prince Nolan.
The ankle chain was very unique—each plum blossom was carved from jade and rimmed with gold, exquisitely crafted. From a distance, it looked almost real.
Prince Nolan clearly knew she didn’t like wearing jewelry—especially on her hands. Even when going out, she avoided hand ornaments so they wouldn’t interfere with her work. That’s why he specially chose an ankle chain.
Serena tried it on—it fit perfectly and didn’t bother her at all. She couldn’t bear to take it off. If she knew Prince Nolan gave her an ankle chain because he wanted to see her wearing only that, she’d probably kick him off the bed.
As for the plum-blossom hairpin—though it was beautiful and made from the finest materials, it was obviously a beginner’s work. From afar it looked fine, but up close, you could see little scratches.
Serena remembered how, on the road to Lyndaria, Prince Nolan often picked flowers for her. She guessed he must have carved this hairpin himself.
“New Year’s gifts, huh…” Serena grinned at the things in her hands, her curved brows refusing to relax.
No matter what happened before, on the first day of the New Year, Serena was just as Prince Nolan hoped—smiling from ear to ear.
Serena stared at the gifts for a long time, especially the plum-blossom hairpin, turning it over and over. Only when Spring and Autumn reminded her again and again that she’d be late did Serena finally let them in to help her get ready.
Her New Year’s outfit couldn’t be too simple, so the plum-blossom hairpin wasn’t suitable. Serena felt a little regret, but put it away for later.
For those of Chinese culture, New Year is a big deal—every detail matters. Though the steward was absent, all preparations and instructions had been completed in advance; Serena only needed to follow tradition.
She was busy, but Serena was happily busy. To her, this was the real feeling of New Year. Throughout Feng Manor, she could hear the servants exchanging holiday greetings.
Though she was still alone, the lively, festive Feng Manor kept loneliness at bay. Besides, Prince Titus of Lyndaria was staying as her companion.
After breakfast, Serena finally had a break. As a young woman whose parents were recently buried, she didn’t need to go out and offer New Year’s greetings—staying quietly at home was proper.
Serena enjoyed the peace. After visiting Jinling Han and leaving a bodyguard maid to protect her, Serena went to find Prince Titus.
As hostess, she still needed to ask Prince Titus if he required anything. She had just sat down when a servant announced: Prince Nathan of Southlyn had arrived.
"At this hour? Shouldn’t he be at the palace?" Serena asked Prince Titus—he knew more about this than she did.
“Not everyone likes palace banquets. I’d guess Yara didn’t go to the palace, so Prince Nathan used the chance to skip it too.” Prince Titus smiled; even in his wheelchair, he couldn’t hide his good mood.
If Yara and Terrence weren’t happy, then Titus was.
“Perfect—dining together with two princes from different countries makes my New Year unusually special.” Serena laughed heartily, ignoring news about Yara.
Serena asked a servant to invite Prince Nathan inside, but was surprised to see someone she’d rather avoid.
“Happy New Year, Sister. I’ve come to pay my respects.” Prince Nathan used to hesitate calling Serena “Sister”—after all, she was younger than him, and it took courage. But now he said it easily, and it brought them closer.
Serena ignored Prince Nathan and looked at the woman behind him. “Miss Rose Su?”
She knew Rose Su and Prince Nathan were working together—he’d helped her enter the palace. But Serena hadn’t expected Nathan to bring Rose to Feng Manor on New Year’s Day.
The purpose was obvious.
“Lady Serena, forgive my sudden visit.” Rose Su read Serena’s coolness and bowed at once, her manner gentle and humble—nothing like a proud Su daughter.
“You’re a guest, Miss Rose—no need to be so formal.” Serena smiled, but her smile was distant. Prince Nathan sensed trouble and hurried forward: “Don’t be mad, Sister. I brought Rose with me—I thought more people would make it livelier.”
“True, it’s livelier with more people. Prince Titus is here too—but Miss Rose shouldn’t meet unfamiliar men, so I won’t introduce her.” Serena glanced thoughtfully at Prince Nathan.
Bringing Rose served two purposes: first, so she could apologize—everyone in the capital knew Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh was close to Serena, and an introduction could help Rose gain a foothold in the harem. Second, it was surely for Prince Titus…