No matter how much the old butler pleaded, Serena Feng remained unmoved. She said she wasn’t going and meant it—if the butler had a beard, it would surely have bristled in anger at her.
The butler grabbed the teapot from the table and took a gulp, then drew a deep breath and said, "Miss Feng, what will it take for you to agree to go?"
"No matter what, I’m not going." Serena Feng was blunt, spreading her hands in a thoroughly shameless gesture.
This was Ninth Prince Manor’s social obligation—what did it have to do with her? Even if Prince Nolan agreed to let her represent the manor’s ladies, it still wouldn’t be proper in name or title.
"You won’t lose anything by going just once." The butler was so anxious he began pacing in circles; he had already prepared everything for Serena Feng’s outing. With rumors spreading outside, if Serena didn’t go now, where was he supposed to save face?
Serena Feng yawned. "I wouldn’t gain anything by going either, so why waste my time?"
"How can you call this a waste of time? You’re defending your own sovereignty here, so no one can steal the prince away." The butler realized this was a case of the eunuch being more anxious than the emperor.
Alright, he’d misspoken—he might be a eunuch, but Miss Feng was certainly no emperor.
"How boring. So-called sovereignty is up to Prince Nolan anyway. If he doesn’t agree, then no matter how much Charlotte Chu tries, she won’t get through the gates of Ninth Prince Manor; if he does agree, even if I go out and make a scene like a shrew, he’ll still marry her if he wants. The sky will rain, and a mother will marry. Butler, some things can’t be stopped just because I want to. If you’re really worried about this, you should plead with Prince Nolan, not with me—I’m not the one who makes the decisions." Serena Feng stood up and made a polite gesture to see him out.
The butler was left speechless by Serena Feng and retreated obediently, secretly thinking how strange she was.
These days, every woman played the same game—outwardly generous, letting her husband take concubines, but scheming behind the scenes to get rid of the favored ones. And the beautiful concubines? They did everything they could to win affection. But Serena Feng?
"Does Miss Feng even care about our prince at all?" the butler wondered aloud, then shook his head.
He couldn’t tell if Serena Feng cared about Prince Nolan. If she did, then why was she so unconcerned when everyone was saying Charlotte Chu was going to marry him? But if she didn’t care, how could she stand living at Prince Nolan’s side with no name or status?
There were plenty of men willing to marry Serena Feng. Never mind the Wang clan’s eldest son—the Young Clan had even sent matchmakers to her door. If she nodded, she could be the Young Clan’s matriarch, protected by Cloud City and respected by all. Yet—
Serena Feng chose Prince Nolan, and took on a mountain of gossip and scandal.
"Sigh... We servants can never understand our masters’ hearts." The old butler heaved a long sigh, tossing Lady Hua of the Realm’s invitation aside.
Honestly, it didn’t matter much to the staff who became the manor’s mistress—as long as she wasn’t sickly and demanding, they could accept anyone. But they absolutely couldn’t stand the idea of their prince marrying into Chu City as a son-in-law. Charlotte Chu must never take him away as her husband.
Serena Feng didn’t give Charlotte Chu a second thought. She ate, she slept, and let jealousy roll as far away as possible.
If a man’s heart doesn’t hold you, all the sovereignty-claiming in the world won’t matter. If he does, then such declarations are pointless.
Because Serena Feng didn’t attend Lady Hua of the Realm’s banquet, the rumors about Prince Nolan and Charlotte Chu grew even wilder. Some even claimed Serena was shamelessly clinging to Ninth Prince Manor, demanding Prince Nolan give her an official title so he couldn’t marry Charlotte Chu.
Serena Feng heard the gossip, called it ridiculous, and ignored it—her attention was on Zed’s re-education. After Prince Nolan’s first harsh lesson, Zed only grew more arrogant.
Prince Nolan didn’t waste anger on him. He had Serena Feng treat Zed’s wounds, confirmed he wouldn’t die, and then dumped him in the servants’ quarters. While healing, Zed had to chop wood, haul water, and complete daily chores; if he didn’t meet the quota, he went hungry.
At first, Zed didn’t care at all and turned Ninth Prince Manor’s servants’ yard upside down. But after a few rounds of starvation and some beatings from the staff, he finally started working.
Watching Zed’s pitiful yet infuriating state, Serena Feng felt both sympathy and heartache. Eventually, she stopped visiting during the day—she only went at night to heal him enough to keep him alive. Otherwise, she had nothing to do and was growing lazy from idling in Ninth Prince Manor.
One bright, peaceful day, Prince Nolan left early for morning court. Serena Feng, bored, was about to visit Feng Manor to check on its reconstruction when the butler announced a visitor: William Wang Jinling, the Wang clan’s Grand Heir, had come to call.
"To see Prince Nolan?" Serena Feng asked reflexively. The butler quickly shook his head, "The Grand Heir specifically asked to see you, Miss Feng."
"Please have the Grand Heir wait in the flower hall—I’ll be right there." Serena Feng glanced at her clothes, felt they weren’t suitable for receiving guests, and decided to change.
Back in her room, Serena Feng froze in front of rows of clothes. When had she become so pampered, fussing over her outfit just to see William?
She let out a self-mocking laugh, trailing her fingers over the garments. Her maid rushed up, ready to help her change into something new, but Serena Feng smiled and refused.
She didn’t have Zed’s power to change her surroundings, but she wanted to keep some of her true self—for example, refusing to follow the rule of always changing into fresh finery for every guest.
After smoothing out her clothes, Serena Feng headed straight to the flower hall to meet William Wang Jinling. William saw her coming from afar and rose to greet her, "Serena, long time no see."
"It really has been a while, William. You’re still as dazzling as ever." This was their first meeting since Serena returned from the Shandong Circuit.
It was always bad timing—last time William visited Feng Manor, Serena Feng was at Moonwatch Nunnery. When she returned, William had gone to his ancestral home on family business, and by the time he came back, Serena was already staying at Ninth Prince Manor.
"You—talking to me like that?" William Wang Jinling smiled and shook his head, his gentle, cultured demeanor shining through.
Serena Feng grinned playfully. "I know you hear compliments like this all the time, but I still have to say it. With your extraordinary grace, anyone who sees you can’t help but admire you."
Serena Feng wasn’t exaggerating—William Wang Jinling’s calm, refined aura was infectious. Anyone beside him couldn’t help but feel more at peace.
"I’ll shamelessly accept it, then." William Wang Jinling smiled, graciously accepting Serena Feng’s praise.
He’d heard plenty of praise before, but coming from Serena Feng, it sounded especially pleasant.
After their playful banter, they began chatting about recent events—like old friends, sharing updates and little things in their lives. As long as they knew the other was doing well, that was enough.
Once they’d finished sharing the good news, the conversation paused. William Wang Jinling lifted his tea and took a light sip; the curling steam shrouded the sadness flickering in his eyes.
The room fell quiet. Serena Feng blinked, set her own teacup down, and smiled gently at William Wang Jinling. "William, if you have something to say, just say it. What can’t we say between us?"