Deal, Your Refusal to Yield Is Truly Annoying

Huh?

Serena Feng was taken aback. Nolan was giving in this quickly? That’s not like him at all—he didn’t even set any conditions.

She looked up to see Nolan sitting with his eyes tightly shut, looking utterly exhausted. A flicker of sympathy flashed through Serena’s eyes, but she forced herself to ignore it.

She knew Nolan’s life wasn’t easy. He wasn’t the Emperor, yet he could stir up storms with a flick of his hand. He was just a prince who didn’t meddle in politics, but his power made even the Emperor wary. With the Emperor’s pride and suspicion, how could he possibly tolerate someone like Nolan?

On the surface, the Emperor and Nolan acted like respectful brothers, but Serena Feng knew the Emperor was always searching for Nolan’s mistakes—always looking for a chance to kill him.

Nolan looked glorious from afar, but in reality, he was walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss, surrounded by hungry enemies on all sides. Every step had to be cautious—one wrong move and he’d be doomed, never able to rise again. But...

No matter how hard Nolan’s life was, it had nothing to do with her. She and Nolan were people from different worlds, and she refused to be dragged into his imperial power struggles—that kind of life was not for her.

Serena Feng took a deep breath, pressed down that trace of misplaced sympathy, and smiled. “Thank you, Nolan. I’ll accept Feng Manor’s deed. If there’s anything you need me to do, just say the word—I’ll do my best.”

In the end, she couldn’t bear to see Nolan so worn out. She knew he’d used the house to threaten her, and she’d already thought of a way to counter him—he’d even compromised. Yet, somehow...

Her heart softened.

Fine, let’s help. If I’m useful, that’s a good thing. If Nolan is willing to scheme over me, it means I’m not worthless—at least I’m someone he keeps close.

Nolan frowned, his eyes snapping open to reveal a sudden murderous glint.

Dominic Zhai really did say things he shouldn’t have.

He’d only stumbled upon the matter of the deed by accident. Serena Feng should count herself lucky—it was only because he was the one who found Feng Manor’s deed at the authorities that she could get it back at all.

He admitted that at first, he planned to use the deed to force Serena Feng’s hand, making her deal with Su Wan and completely crush that woman’s spirit.

Serena Feng was too laid-back by nature—if he didn’t push her, she’d never act. Besides, it was a woman’s problem; it should be solved by women themselves. But later...

He’d already given up on that plan. He was just waiting for Serena Feng to come to him, and then he’d hand over the deed—maybe give her a little warning to learn to consult him when things came up.

It wasn’t out of kindness—he simply didn’t need to anymore. Su Wan had already picked a fight with Serena Feng, and he knew her character well enough to be sure she’d never let herself suffer quietly.

He’d thought Dominic Zhai would only mention that he’d taken the deed and had the authorities make things hard for Serena Feng. He never expected Dominic would spill everything.

Hmph... Nolan sneered. Dominic Zhai can just run himself ragged now!

Poor Dominic Zhai was already swamped—now the capital was packed with princes and crown princes. Security was like a sword hanging over his head, and he was terrified another assassination might happen. If even one or two princes died, he’d be finished.

This time, he was especially unlucky. He had no idea about the Feng Manor deed, let alone what Nolan planned to do with it.

Serena Feng saw that Nolan was just staring at her in silence, so she brought it up again. For her to offer help on her own was no small thing.

“What can you do for me?”

Nolan turned his anger toward Dominic Zhai, but found Serena Feng a bit easier to look at—after all, he really had planned to use the deed to make her yield.

A Serena Feng who didn’t know how to yield was truly annoying, Nolan thought.

“I’m a doctor—I only know how to save people.” She’d already made up her mind, but now that she was offering, Nolan wouldn’t take her up on it. So hypocritical, Serena Feng cursed inwardly, and then scolded herself for being too soft.

A man like Nolan really didn’t deserve any sympathy.

“Can you save people? The Second Prince of Westlyn came to the capital seeking treatment, but all the imperial physicians are helpless...” Nolan left the rest unsaid, just watching Serena Feng, waiting for her to respond.

So it was about that. Serena Feng sighed—she really didn’t get it. If it was just about treating the Second Prince of Westlyn, did Nolan have to make things so complicated? One command from him and she’d have no choice but to go treat the prince.

Unable to figure it out, Serena Feng simply stopped trying—Nolan’s mind was not something she could unravel. “I’ll do my best,” she said.

“In that case, be ready tonight. I’ll send someone to fetch you. The Second Prince of Westlyn came in secret—I don’t want too many people knowing about this.” Of course, ‘secret’ just meant it wasn’t publicly announced; all the right people already knew.

“Understood.”

“I’m very much looking forward to your performance tonight.” Nolan rose and strode out, not letting Serena Feng see the obvious look in his eyes—he was waiting for a good show.

As soon as Nolan left, Serena Feng sent someone to Su Manor to tell Vincent Su: they could start rebuilding Feng Manor now. With Nolan’s backing, no one would dare touch that land again.

Sure enough, with Nolan stirring things up, the reconstruction of Feng Manor went astonishingly smoothly. Only after the manor was rebuilt did the Emperor learn about the deed—and his face changed instantly: My ninth brother really is something. He can turn even a trivial matter into a huge spectacle. Now, no matter how unhappy I am, I can’t just take the manor back.

Feng Manor’s estate was state property. Even if the Emperor bestowed it on someone, he could always reclaim it later. But now it was Serena Feng’s personal property—would he really snatch a woman’s assets?

In modern times, that would be embezzling state property—a crime. Even in ancient times, it was still abuse of power. If the censors found out, there’d be an uproar and the manor would be seized all over again.

But since Nolan made the swap public, no one had anything to say. A prince trading his own private residence for a deed with the authorities—that was a fair deal. If he then gave it away, that was his business. And if you didn’t stop him at the time, what’s the point of complaining now?

After days of drama, the Feng Manor deed was finally settled. Serena Feng let out a huge sigh of relief. As for treating the Second Prince of Westlyn, she was already prepared—just waiting to see the patient.

Serena Feng had been full of confidence, but as soon as Nolan said, “I’m very much looking forward to your performance tonight,” she started to worry. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a hidden meaning behind his words.

When she finally saw Tianyu of Westlyn’s injuries, she understood exactly what he meant...

Nolan, you’re ruthless!