Child, the Imperial Palace Is Dangerous

With three victories out of four in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Serena Feng was in high spirits. Her crisis was all but resolved—if she won just one more round, the worst outcome would be a draw.

Hahaha... She finally didn’t have to worry about losing face in this contest. Just thinking about it made Serena even happier—the air seemed fresher, and even Wendy Summers looked more lovable.

As for whatever terms the Emperor was negotiating with Prince Damien and Prince Terrence, Serena didn’t care at all. The moment she presented the anatomical chart, she knew she had no say in the matter.

Glancing at the hollow-eyed Wendy Summers, Serena Feng decided not to kick her while she was down. Betrayed by Prince Damien, Wendy was already hurting—there was no need to rub salt in her wounds.

Serena respected Wendy as a worthy opponent, so she wouldn’t offer her pity. In fact, pity was the last thing Wendy Summers needed.

Ignoring Wendy Summers, Serena Feng gave a polite bow to the eunuch who relayed the Emperor’s command, then walked out of the palace hall with elegant composure, ready to go home.

In the imperial palace, every second less spent meant an extra measure of safety. With Ninth Royal Uncle officially “ill” and absent, if anything happened to her here, no one would be able to save her.

This was the most crucial point in the competition; she was already attracting enough attention. There was no need to make herself even more of a topic—or invite more trouble.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Serena Feng had barely left the hall when she was blocked by envoys from Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh, who announced that Her Ladyship wished to see her.

Serena Feng knew she couldn’t refuse. No matter how unwilling she felt, she followed the palace maid with a smile, stepping into the opulent Radiant Hall.

Radiant Hall had gained even more treasures, now outshining even the Empress’s own palace by several degrees. Clearly, the Emperor placed extraordinary value on the heir growing in Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh’s womb.

“Serena Feng greets Your Ladyship. May you live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years.” Though Helena Hsieh’s belly was barely showing, she kept it pushed out as if afraid no one would notice she was pregnant.

“Serena, please rise.” Helena Hsieh spoke warmly but didn’t actually get up—she merely lifted her head and made a perfunctory gesture.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship. May I ask what you need from me?” Serena Feng actually disliked dealing with Helena Hsieh—especially after learning she could be ruthless enough to risk her own unborn child just for favor. Serena was now determined to keep her distance.

Women like Helena Hsieh were terrifying—if she could harm her own son, how could she ever be sincere with anyone else?

In Serena’s eyes, Helena Hsieh was on the same level as Wu Zetian—women who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. To ally with such people was like making a deal with a tiger; one misstep and you’d be devoured, bones and all.

“Serena, I’ve been feeling so tired lately, and a few days ago I even noticed some spotting. I’m very worried about this child.” Helena Hsieh touched her belly, her face full of concern.

Ever since Serena Feng warned her that the child might have issues, Helena Hsieh had grown cold toward the pregnancy. Yet she didn’t dare end it—if things turned out as Serena predicted and she could never have another child, it would be a disaster.

“Let me check Your Ladyship’s pulse for peace of mind.” Serena Feng had never been a mother herself, but she could understand Helena’s anxiety—her hopes for the child were so high that even hearing Serena’s words was hard to accept.

In truth, no mother could ever accept that the child she carried for ten months might be born unhealthy.

Just as Serena Feng predicted, Imperial Noble Consort Helena Hsieh was suffering from emotional stagnation—bad for both her health and the child’s. Serena even began to wonder if she’d made a mistake by revealing the diagnosis so directly.

“Your Ladyship, your body is not in serious trouble—it’s emotional stress. I hope you can relax, for your own sake and for the child’s. The little prince needs you.” As a physician, Serena had to encourage her patients to relax, especially expectant mothers—no matter how much she disliked them, she couldn’t let her feelings affect the unborn child.

Helena Hsieh lowered her head, her face clouded with worry. “Serena, I know—but this child… I truly fear for him. He’s the Emperor’s long-awaited son. If anything goes wrong, his father will despise him from birth.” And she herself would be despised, even dragging down the Hsieh clan. Helena couldn’t afford to lose.

“Please don’t worry, Your Ladyship. The little prince is healthy for now—just take good care of yourself, and he should be born strong.” The child was still too small; even an ultrasound would reveal nothing. Serena could only do her best to comfort Helena.

“Serena, are you telling the truth? Can I really give birth to a healthy prince?” Like a drowning woman clutching driftwood, Helena Hsieh grabbed Serena’s hand, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, looking heartbreakingly pitiful.

Serena shuddered and carefully pulled her hand away.

Though Serena was mentally as old as Helena, she was only fifteen now. Watching a woman in her twenties act so fragile in front of her made her skin crawl.

“Your Ladyship, please don’t get too emotional. Your health is most important. The little prince is still very young—my diagnosis is only a guess for now. When he’s six or seven months along, I’ll be able to make a definitive judgment. Until then, please take good care of yourself and the child.” Serena knew Helena was playing on her sympathy, but didn’t expose her.

Why bother exposing her? Helena Hsieh simply wanted a healthy prince, which Serena could understand. As a physician, no matter how much she disliked Helena, she would always act according to her professional principles.

“Serena, you’re not lying to me? You really can give a definite diagnosis?” Helena Hsieh’s eyes brightened, full of hope.

“Yes, Your Ladyship. Please relax and take care of yourself—don’t worry anymore.” After all this fuss, Serena’s good mood was gone.

Women in the palace were truly terrifying—dealing with them was exhausting.

Helena Hsieh nodded repeatedly, choking back tears as they finally spilled over. “Serena, without you, my child and I wouldn’t know what to do. We entrust ourselves to you—your great kindness will never be forgotten by the Hsieh clan.”

Helena Hsieh, looking truly grateful, carefully dabbed her tears. The emotion in her eyes was genuine.

She’d consulted the best gynecologists, but they told her the odds of a healthy prince were only sixty percent. She couldn’t risk it, but she couldn’t give up either.

If Serena Feng could make a definitive diagnosis and guarantee a healthy prince, the Hsieh clan would make sure she was well rewarded.

“Please rest assured, Your Ladyship. I will do my utmost.” Serena hastily promised, putting on a show of being impressed by the Hsieh family’s power—though only she knew how impatient she really felt.

Fortunately, Helena Hsieh was satisfied with Serena’s promise and had no interest in further small talk. She put away her handkerchief and returned to her usual dignified self.

“Serena, please don’t mind—I lost my composure just now.” With one phrase, she brushed aside her earlier breakdown, making it clear Serena shouldn’t bring it up again.

“I understand, Your Ladyship. If you have no further instructions, may I take my leave?” Serena looked troubled as she glanced at Helena Hsieh. Seeing Helena’s faint displeasure, she quickly added, “Your Ladyship, I have another contest tomorrow, and I’m a bit nervous.”

Serena lowered her head, looking uneasy.

Helena Hsieh finally smiled, teasing, “Serena, with your performance, what’s there to worry about? All right, since you’re eager to go, I won’t keep you. Oh, by the way, I haven’t seen Doctor Sun lately—do you know what he’s been busy with?”

Helena Hsieh asked the question as if it were casual, but she kept a close watch on Serena Feng’s expression…