Disfigurement, When Serena Becomes Ninth Royal Uncle’s Castoff

Serena Feng wore a dazzling long dress, her figure graceful and poised. As the wind swept by, her skirt fluttered elegantly behind her, and the ankle-length face veil—an archaic accessory—on her head swayed gently with her steps.

Yes, what shocked Rowan Dongling was that Serena Feng actually wore an ankle-length face veil when going out. The black gauze veil trailed all the way down to her ankles, forming a stark contrast with her vibrant dress.

"Greetings to Your Highnesses. Long live the princes." Serena Feng strode into the main hall, greeting them boldly. Her voice was hoarse and grating, like a broken gong—harsh and unpleasant to the ear. Yet she stood calmly in the center, as if oblivious, ignoring the princes’ scrutinizing gazes and making no move to take off her veil.

"Ahem, you may rise." Second Prince Evan Dongling, as the eldest present, spoke up, asserting his authority.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Serena Feng gave a slight bow and was about to sit when Rowan Dongling blocked her way. "Serena Feng, are you all right?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am quite well." Serena Feng stepped back, opening up distance between them. Rowan Dongling's expression soured as he pointed at the ankle-length face veil on Serena's head. "If you're fine, then why wear the ankle-length face veil? What, now is the time for Lady Feng to suddenly care about propriety between men and women?"

The ankle-length face veil was once worn by noblewomen of the Former Dynasty to cover their features when out in public. These days, hardly any women still use it.

"Your Highness jests. I wear the ankle-length face veil to hide my ugliness." Though her voice grated, Serena spoke slowly and with an air of dignity, utterly unfazed by praise or humiliation.

"Hide your ugliness? Serena Feng, I’ve seen you at your worst. Why bother hiding now?" Rowan Dongling insisted that Serena remove the ankle-length face veil—he wanted to see the true extent of her injury.

Serena let out a quiet sigh. "Your Highness should know—I was wounded by an assassin. My looks are ruined. I truly dare not remove the ankle-length face veil, lest I offend your noble eyes."

"Lady Feng, there's no need to mind. We're only here to check on your health. Please, just take off the ankle-length face veil." Fifth Prince Jason Dongling arched his brows, a cold, mocking smile in his eyes.

Maybe Serena Feng was worthless now. Would Ninth Royal Uncle still keep a woman whose beauty was destroyed?

Serena kept her head bowed, looking troubled—though in truth, she was sneering coldly inside.

These princes and imperial grandsons had come unannounced, and it was never just to "visit the sick." If they truly cared, like the Crown Prince, they would have sent gifts and medicine right away. Coming now—what was this, just to watch Serena Feng’s misfortune?

Dream on!

"What’s wrong? Lady Feng, are you refusing to give me face?" Jason Dongling complained, dissatisfied.

"I wouldn’t dare." Serena quickly raised her head. Through the black gauze, the princes couldn’t see her expression—only a vague, indistinct outline.

"If you don’t dare, then take it off." Third Prince Victor Dongling echoed, the only one silent being Sixth Prince Felix Dongling, who already knew from the Crown Prince that Ninth Royal Uncle hadn’t abandoned Serena. Of course, that was because news of her ruined looks hadn’t spread yet.

"Yes." Serena removed the ankle-length face veil, head bowed, feigning anxiety and discomfort.

Except for Rowan Dongling and Felix Dongling, the other princes all wore gloating smiles. "Lift your head."

If Ninth Royal Uncle ever stopped openly claiming Serena Feng as his own, these princes would tear her apart.

Serena hesitated uneasily, then slowly lifted her head. Her vivid, beautiful face appeared before the princes—aside from being a bit thinner, there was nothing strange. The princes’ faces flashed with anger; inwardly, they cursed: Serena Feng, you’re just messing with us, hiding behind Royal Uncle’s protection.

But when Serena stood tall and straight, exposing her neck, all six princes were stunned.

"Serena Feng, your neck—?" Around her neck was a wound like a centipede, so grotesque it looked as if a giant centipede was coiled around her throat. The injury was horrifying.

Serena forced a smile, which to the princes looked like feigned strength. "To answer Third Prince Victor—yes, my injury is at the neck. I’m lucky to have survived at all."

Learning the princes were coming, Serena had removed her bandages on purpose to show her gruesome wound. After just ten days, it was red and swollen, with medicine applied—making it look even more revolting.

She didn’t know why the princes had come, but she was certain they only felt at ease when she was suffering. Because of her, the whole imperial city was tense, and these princes had gotten caught up in it too.

"How did you get hurt so badly? Does Ninth Royal Uncle know?" Third Prince Victor Dongling, Fourth Prince Henry Dongling, and Fifth Prince Jason Dongling suppressed their delight, pretending concern.

Let’s see how you like this, Serena Feng. With that ghastly look, there’s no way Royal Uncle will still be smitten with you.

Serena shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare tell Ninth Royal Uncle."

Damn, these princes really had too much time on their hands. So she’d tricked them once, made the Emperor suspicious of them—did they have to hold a grudge forever?

Good, she hadn’t told him. Jason Dongling was secretly delighted. Their visit to Serena today was meant to send a message to Ninth Royal Uncle, showing how much they "cared"—and now, it seemed, there was an unexpected bonus.

Jason’s smile grew wider. To him, Serena’s gruesome wound was a beautiful sight.

Rowan Dongling frowned in displeasure and shot Jason Dongling a glare, then turned to Serena with concern. "Serena, you’re a physician. Is there any way to remove the scar on your neck?"

That was the real issue. If Serena’s scar remained, she might never be able to show her face in public again—a neck wound was impossible to hide forever.

"Your Highness, did the scar on your foot ever go away?" Serena countered instead of answering. Rowan Dongling had hurt his foot before, and she’d stitched the wound herself.

"No, it just faded a little." Rowan Dongling answered truthfully, understanding Serena’s point and feeling even more sorry for her.

"Exactly. Even the palace medicine couldn’t restore the skin, so how could I?" This wasn’t self-pity—Serena truly didn’t have the ability.

Even today, such scars are hard to remove. With advanced cosmetic equipment, it takes years to fade them; complete removal is rare. In ancient times, it was impossible.

Her smart medical kit was for treatment only—it didn’t have any cosmetic devices to remove scars.

That centipede-like scar on her neck would have to stay with her until it faded on its own.

Rowan Dongling was silent, his eyes full of pity. He wanted to reassure Serena, to tell her he didn’t mind, but... Looking at Third Prince Victor and the others, Rowan swallowed his words.

Some things didn’t need to be said—just quietly done. After returning to the palace, Rowan Dongling would petition the Emperor for a marriage decree, to take Serena as his secondary consort. This time, she surely wouldn’t refuse...