Marriage Threat, Stripped Naked and Hung at the City Gate

Only a handful remained in the Imperial Garden: Wendy Summers, Serena Feng, Master Marcus Wynn, and a few others. Marcus, as usual, was all unruly freedom—when the Emperor said to leave, he just left, as if hurrying home to arrange his marriage proposal. But those who knew the truth understood: Master Marcus Wynn disliked the palace and hated its endless rules.

“Marcus Wynn, please wait.” Serena Feng hurried forward, blocking Marcus’s path. “I haven’t agreed to marry you, and I never will.”

All that mysterious, icy glamour and noble airs—Serena tossed it aside. Right now, all she cared about was dealing with this disaster of a man.

She didn’t realize: true nobility is etched into your bones, shining through every gesture whether you want it or not. The kind you fake—cold, glamorous, aloof—would always collapse in front of the Emperor and his court.

Standing before Marcus now, she radiated a haughty chill that was bone-deep. To turn down Marcus Wynn was as rare—and as bold—as rejecting Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan himself. In the entire Nine Provinces, only a handful of women would dare such a thing.

“Parents’ command, matchmakers’ words—do you really think your opinion makes a difference?” Marcus replied with airy confidence, his eyes glinting with smug wisdom.

He was certain—Serena was hooked, and he was ready to reel her in. The fish was on the line, and Marcus’s confidence was absolute.

“Marcus Wynn, you know perfectly well I don’t want to marry you. Why force me? I’m not worthy of your exalted status.” Serena thought it was absurd—a man his age willing to stoop to anything for a single song. Pathetic.

Serena knew he only wanted her for the music. If she handed over the score, he’d drop the marriage talk in a heartbeat. But that was the one thing she absolutely could not do...

Her anger was clear, but she kept her cool, making her seem even more formidable. Marcus considered it—if he had to marry, a woman like this would do. “No problem. I’m willing to lower myself.”

Pfft... Why did that sound so familiar? Honestly, these men all act like they're the grand prize. Serena rolled her eyes internally.

If it weren’t for the fact that Nolan and Marcus Wynn were nothing alike, Serena would’ve suspected they were brothers—same lines, same stubborn streak, both completely immune to rejection.

You want to lower yourself, but did you ever ask if I want to climb up? Please. Some matches are just a joke.

“Yuanxi Yuansheng, is one song really worth risking your entire future happiness?” Serena pressed, her voice edged with sharp urgency.

“Relax, I’m not risking my happiness at all. My family could support one of you, or a hundred—only your happiness is on the line, not mine.”

Seriously? Is there any limit to this man's shamelessness? Serena was almost impressed—almost.

“Marcus Wynn, what will it take for you to let me go? Name it—I’ll do anything, except give you the score.” Fine. She’d compromise, but one thing was certain: she wanted nothing to do with the legendary Marcus Wynn. Getting tangled up with him would mean infamy far beyond Eastlyn.

“Aside from the score for 'Boundless Azure Sea and Sky,' do you think there’s anything about you that could possibly move me?” Marcus countered, eyes teasing but not mocking—he was just stating facts, blunt and unapologetic.

Wendy Summers had lost utterly and was still brooding. Hearing Marcus’s words, she stepped forward, unable to stay quiet: “Miss Serena, 'Boundless Azure Sea and Sky' is truly celestial music. May I be fortunate enough to hear it once more?”

Once Wendy Summers recovered her composure, she was certain Serena had tampered with the Ice-String Zither. She’d wanted someone to check the instrument, but now it was broken and in the Emperor’s hands—there was no point asking for an inspection.

She wasn’t about to ask Serena for the score, and she didn’t believe Serena could play it again anyway.

Marcus didn’t interrupt, just smiled and waited for Serena’s answer. Serena had just suffered a big loss arguing with Marcus, so she was in a foul mood. Seeing Wendy Summers jump in, she let her temper fly.

“Miss Wendy Summers, if you want to hear 'Boundless Azure Sea and Sky,' you can keep dreaming. You don’t have the status to order me around, and you never will.”

Of course, if the Summers clan still has a daughter brave enough to challenge me at the qin, maybe you’ll get to hear 'Boundless Azure Sea and Sky' again. But don’t get your hopes up.

Her phoenix eyes flashed, her beauty and arrogance sharpening—after utterly crushing Wendy Summers, Serena turned and fired a warning at Marcus: “Marcus Wynn, I’m only being polite because I respect you. Don’t push me. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, and I’m no rabbit. If you dare send matchmakers to my door, I’ll strip you naked and hang you on the city gate for all to see.”

Wendy Summers was so furious she could kill. But when Serena dropped that last line, Wendy flushed crimson, shot her a mortified look, and retreated—pretending she was far too refined to stand anywhere near Serena.

Pfft... This time, it wasn’t just Marcus who was stunned—even the three grand mentor-officials nearly jumped out of their skins. Serena was savage! What kind of proper lady would dare say something like that in public?

“Are you threatening me?” Marcus didn’t look angry at all; his smile stayed gentle and indulgent, like he was humoring a willful child. No matter what Serena did, he’d just nod and forgive her. He really was her elder, after all.

“No, I don’t threaten—I just state facts. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try. You propose, I retaliate. Simple as that.” Serena’s eyes were sharp as steel. Marcus could tell she meant every word.

Marcus was floored. He gaped at Serena, speechless—caught between outrage and laughter at being so thoroughly outplayed. He almost wanted to applaud her nerve.

Serena couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on Marcus Wynn—he was the kind who only responded to force, not kindness. “Master Marcus, I’m taking my leave.” She bowed, hands raised, and strode off, not sparing him a single glance.

Marcus pointed helplessly after Serena’s retreating back, mouth opening and closing, but nothing came out. He’d never imagined he’d suffer such a humiliating defeat at her hands.

Well...

He had to admit—Serena’s threat worked. It wasn’t her he was afraid of, but Nolan. If Ninth Royal Uncle really stripped him naked and hung him on the city gate, he’d never live it down. The shame would haunt him for life.

“Master Marcus, don’t be upset. It’s reasonable for Miss Serena to be angry—girls are delicate, and you’re proposing marriage just for a music score. Of course she’d be angry.” The Grand Tutor, seeing Marcus so flustered, tried kindly to comfort him.

“Me, upset? Not at all, Grand Tutor. I truly want to marry Serena. Would you act as my matchmaker when the time comes?” If Marcus gave up easily, he wouldn’t be Marcus Wynn.

What was there to worry about? Worst case, he’d just write home and have his family handle everything.

“Ah, well... urgent state business, Master Marcus! Another day, yes?” The Grand Tutor stroked his beard, shivered, and bolted—he’d rather lose his dignity than risk Nolan yanking out his beard.

The Grand Tutor didn’t even finish his sentence—he spun on his heel and vanished in a flash.

“Grand Tutor...” Marcus tried to call him back, but no luck. He turned to the Grand Preceptor and Grand Protector—only to watch them scuttle away even faster, babbling about urgent affairs and promising to discuss things next time.

“At their age, sprinting like that? They’re not worried about throwing their backs out?” Marcus shook his head, feigning concern for the trio as if he were their kindly doctor.

“Ow, my back!” Marcus’s words came true instantly—the Grand Protector yelped in pain, clutching his waist just as Marcus finished speaking.

“See? I called it.” Marcus shook his head and strolled off, moving through the inner palace as casually as if he were out in the countryside. Wendy Summers watched his departing figure, lost in thought...

Watching Marcus Wynn’s carefree exit, Wendy Summers’s eyes narrowed. All the rumors suddenly made sense—he had to be a true heir of the legendary Cui clan.