Playing Nice, How Am I Supposed to Choose

The medical profession is unique: when you save a good person, you're actually saving many more; but if you heal a villain, then you're no different from an executioner.

The doctor is not at fault—the fault lies with the patient. All a doctor can do is treat illness; whether the patient is good or bad is not for the doctor to decide.

Serena Feng has always understood this. Even in modern times, she would avoid contact with politicians whenever possible, and tried not to treat those whose slightest move could sway the political landscape.

Of course, with Serena's medical skills, she was never qualified to be a doctor for major politicians—so this issue never really arose for her.

She just never expected that, after coming to this world, everyone she saved would turn out to be a political figure. Aside from volunteering during the snow disaster, she hardly ever treated ordinary people.

"As a doctor, I've undoubtedly failed; but as a politician, I've been quite successful." This was what Serena said to Ninth Royal Uncle as she sat in the carriage the next day.

"And what will you choose?" Before, Serena chose to be a doctor, but an ordinary physician could never bear the burden of the Feng clan, or of the Phoenixfield line.

Serena gave a bitter laugh. "Do I even have a choice? With my medical skills, I could become an outstanding politician." If she chose the former, she wouldn't even have the ability to protect herself.

She'd said before that she wanted real power. But as a doctor, she'd never achieve it in this lifetime. If being a doctor isn't enough, then she'll switch careers—after all, survival is what matters, and she doesn't have to cling to being a physician.

No matter the world, the structure of power is always fixed. If she wants to snatch territory from others, to seize ground from their hands, she can't afford to be soft-hearted.

"Silly." Ninth Royal Uncle couldn't help but pull Serena into his arms when he saw how serious she was. "You're overthinking things. Whether you're a doctor or a politician, just remember what you truly want. This world may look prosperous, but commoners are suffering. The tensions between the Four Kingdoms and Nine Cities are only growing, and it's the ordinary people who pay the price. As a doctor, it's not wrong to save lives, but how many can you save alone in a lifetime? If you can help save the country, then you'll be saving all its people."

"Save the country? You think medicine can save a nation?" Serena knew that a brilliant doctor would always be sought after by powerful people, but she couldn't believe a physician could actually determine a country's fate.

"Of course you can. Isn't that exactly what you're doing now? Take William Wang Jinling, for example—because you cured his blindness, his talents could finally shine. William's abilities are recognized by all, and by healing his eyes, you let him pursue his ambitions. You didn't just save the Wang clan; you helped countless ordinary people across the land." Every story has two, even multiple sides; look from another angle, and you'll see a different result.

"Even without me, William's talents wouldn't have gone unnoticed. He's William Wang Jinling—the most famous young lord in the land." Serena shifted in Ninth Royal Uncle's arms, searching for a comfortable position.

Either way, she'd finally untangled her heart. She couldn't keep holding herself to a doctor's standards alone—she wasn't just a physician anymore.

Even if she were just an ordinary doctor, so what? She treated illness and saved lives—what her patients did afterwards was none of her business.

After wrestling with her thoughts all night, Serena hadn't slept well. But now, lying in Ninth Royal Uncle's arms, she drifted off almost immediately.

"Really—of all the things to learn, she picks up Dorian Owen's thick-skinned habits. As soon as her worries are gone, she just falls asleep." Despite his words, Ninth Royal Uncle gently pulled out a blanket and covered Serena with it.

When traveling, it's common to miss the chance for an inn. Today, they hadn't reached one and had to camp outdoors.

Their luck was decent—the campsite was wide open, hard to ambush, and there were no signs of wild animals.

After sleeping all day, Serena was bursting with energy—pitching tents, cooking, bustling around nonstop, with none of the earlier gloom or indecision in sight.

"Women really are strange," Dorian Owen muttered, shaking his head before wandering off.

"Huh? Where's Dorian?" Only after dinner was ready did Serena realize Dorian Owen was missing.

Dorian was just so quick to make himself at home. Even if Serena wanted to keep him at arm's length, she never found the chance. Before she knew it, she'd started treating him as one of her own.

"He went down to the creek," Ninth Royal Uncle pointed in the right direction.

"I'll go check on him." Serena got up to leave, but Ninth Royal Uncle stopped her: "Take the medicine chest with you."

"Huh?" Serena wondered if she'd misheard him.

It was honestly surprising to see Ninth Royal Uncle show concern for Dorian's injuries.

"We've finally tracked Zed's trail. Can't let Dorian loaf around. Once his wounds heal, he can pull his weight." Ninth Royal Uncle was openly scheming against Dorian.

Serena was at a loss for words at how sly Ninth Royal Uncle could be. She just gave him a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

Dorian thought he could match wits with Ninth Royal Uncle, but it was a hollow victory—Nolan was far too petty to ever let Dorian off easy.

Serena carried the medicine chest, strolling leisurely for about a hundred meters before spotting Dorian crouched by the creek, cleaning his wounds with a cloth. The way he gritted his teeth against the pain was almost heartbreaking.

"You troublesome brat," Serena muttered, quickening her pace. Hearing footsteps, Dorian immediately dropped his shirt and spun around, eyes blazing. "What—" He broke off when he saw Serena, switching to a cheeky grin. "Serena, what are you doing here?"

Serena shook the medicine chest. "I'm here to treat your wounds."

"No way." At the mention of treatment, Dorian instantly remembered the last time and refused without a second thought.

"Your wounds are festering. If I don't treat you, you might as well prepare to die." Even though Serena hadn't interacted much with Dorian lately, she could tell his injuries were getting worse—he'd even had a fever earlier that day.

It was only thanks to Dorian's tough constitution—anyone else would've collapsed by now.

"Lord Bean isn't that easy to kill. Dream on if you think I'll die so soon," Dorian huffed proudly.

Serena stopped ten paces away, not insisting like last time. She said calmly, "Ninth Royal Uncle has tracked Zed's movements. If all goes well, we'll find him within three days. But your wounds are getting worse—if you don't get proper treatment, you won't last even a day, let alone three."

"You found that brat? Where is he? Lord Bean's going to tear him limb from limb." Dorian always missed the point.

Serena could only sweat in exasperation. She knew she couldn't beat around the bush with Dorian, so she said directly, "Dorian, in your current state, if you run into Zed, forget about getting revenge—just surviving would be a miracle."

"No way," Dorian retorted angrily, but Serena ignored him and continued: "I'm not going to argue. Your wounds are too severe for you to heal on your own, and the medicine you brought isn't much help. I'll give you the time it takes for one incense stick to burn to decide—do you want me to clean your wounds or not? If yes, strip down; if not, I'll leave right now and never ask again, even if you end up dying from it."

"Uh..." Dorian looked torn as he stared at Serena.

How was he supposed to choose?