"Something's happened."
With a sharp swish, the guards simultaneously drew the swords at their waists. Their expressions were grave but not panicked, and they moved with swift precision to shield Serena Feng in the center.
Their sole mission today was to protect Serena Feng. As long as Serena was safe, their duty was fulfilled.
Serena Feng wore a faint smile and glanced toward the commotion. In that direction... she was certain the snake had successfully slipped into Su Wan's sector.
Clearly, Su Wan's luck wasn't great—the snake had found her so quickly.
With a loud bang, a column of black smoke shot into the sky, followed by the sound of footsteps—neat and synchronized.
"It's Miss Su Wan—something's happened to her!" The guards felt a secret relief.
If something happened to Su Wan, that was much better than if it happened to the Emperor or Crown Prince.
"Let's go take a look." Serena had come out of the hunting zone precisely to watch the drama—how could she miss this chance?
"Uh..." The guard hesitated. Rushing forward at a time like this would be foolish.
Serena Feng understood perfectly well that charging into the front lines for no reason would only make things harder for her guards. She explained, "Something's happened in Su Wan's area, which means this place isn't necessarily safe either. We only have ten people—if real danger hits, we won't last long. It'd be better to join up with the Crown Prince and Prince Rowan. If we're all together, at least we can watch each other's backs."
"Miss Feng is right. Let's go immediately." The guards nodded secretly. No wonder Ninth Royal Uncle is so taken with her—the rumors aren't all false. At the very least, Miss Feng has real courage and keeps her cool in a crisis.
As soon as Serena Feng and her group appeared, the Crown Prince spotted them and called out happily, "Qingchen, thank goodness you're safe!"
The Crown Prince, Prince Rowan, Master Marcus Wynn, and Prince Terrence Valen stood surrounded by guards brandishing gleaming blades, all on high alert. When they saw Serena Feng approach, their swords immediately pointed at her, blocking her path forward.
"I just came out of the hunting zone. I heard the commotion over there and rushed over, worried it might be dangerous." Serena Feng gestured toward Su Wan's sector, noting that Reid Yale was absent—and her eyes grew even more mocking.
She was certain Reid Yale knew exactly what had happened. Those who set traps for others always end up suffering themselves. She wondered what kind of face Reid would make when he saw that python.
"As long as you're safe, let her through." The Crown Prince waved his hand, slumping back in his chair and gasping for breath, his face pale as a sheet and chest heaving. This string of events had really worn him out.
His men had reported that Serena Feng's signal flare was faulty, yet Serena was unharmed while something happened in Su Wan's area. None of them were making things easy—the Crown Prince truly had a headache.
With a body like his, how could he ever be Emperor? Serena Feng looked away with sympathy, but when she turned her head, she caught Prince Terrence Valen, Prince Rowan, and Master Marcus Wynn all giving her searching looks. Their eyes seemed to ask: Serena Feng, what did you do in Su Wan's sector?
Prince Terrence Valen was even more direct: "Serena Feng, do you know what happened in Su Wan's area?"
"Prince Terrence, that's a really strange question." Serena Feng replied bluntly, shooting a look at Prince Rowan and Master Marcus Wynn as well.
"Strange? I don't think so. I'm just asking, Miss Feng—why are you so defensive? Is it guilt?" Prince Terrence tapped the table, trying to ease his own anxiety.
Reid Yale had gone in a long time ago and still hadn't come out. It looked like there was serious trouble in Su Wan's sector.
"Guilty? Prince Terrence, that's amusing. Even if someone should feel guilty, it wouldn't be me. Don't forget—I only learned an hour ago that today's competition had been moved to the Imperial Menagerie Grounds. I didn't know the rules until the Crown Prince announced them. I came completely unprepared and used only the equipment provided by the palace. Oh, right—my spear's still here, and it didn't even get a drop of blood on it." Serena Feng subtly hinted that Su Wan had come fully prepared—clearly, she knew the rules in advance. Only someone who knew the rules could exploit them.
"Is that so? Then where were you last night, Miss Feng?" Serena Feng's West District courtyard had been heavily guarded since the last assassination attempt—impenetrable and tightly secured.
"Prince Terrence, are you interrogating a criminal? Let's not forget—I'm not a criminal, and even if I were, you have no authority to interrogate me. You're Lyndaria's crown prince, and I'm an Eastlyn noblewoman." Serena Feng's gaze turned cold, her tone shifting sharply.
The Crown Prince and Prince Rowan both shot Prince Terrence a reproachful look. Prince Terrence forced a sheepish smile. "You misunderstood, Qingchen. I was just asking—if it's difficult for you, you don't have to answer."
He was laying a trap, waiting for Serena Feng to fall in.
"Prince Terrence, we're not close. You'd better call me Miss Feng. As for where I was last night—it's not that I can't answer, it's just a bit embarrassing." By the end, Serena Feng's cheeks flushed red, as if she were shy.
Well, she didn't even have to say it—everyone present understood what was going on. No one here was stupid.
Prince Rowan's face darkened instantly, while the Crown Prince and Master Marcus Wynn looked intrigued. Marcus even teased, "Qingchen, did you spend the whole night with Ninth Royal Uncle?"
They'd already heard the news that Ninth Royal Uncle had recovered and moved back to his own palace this morning.
"Master Marcus, you already know the answer." Serena Feng lifted her head, frank and unashamed—the shy act gone. This left Prince Rowan and Prince Terrence Valen completely confused.
What was really going on between Serena Feng and Ninth Royal Uncle? Serena's attitude left them utterly baffled—they just couldn't figure out what Nolan Dongling was up to.
"Report—!" A guard in light armor sprinted over, shouting from afar.
"Speak." The matter was urgent; everyone immediately focused on the guard.
With a thud, the guard rushed forward and dropped to one knee. "Your Highness, Miss Su Wan encountered a giant python in the hunting zone, and..."
Before the guard could finish, Prince Terrence Valen urgently asked, "Is Miss Su Wan injured?"
"No... uh, no. Miss Su Wan is unharmed." The guard had meant to say "Your Highness," but remembering Terrence was Lyndaria's prince, he hesitated.
A flash of annoyance crossed Prince Terrence Valen's eyes. "What about Young Lord Reid?"
"Young Lord Reid was bitten by the snake and poisoned. Several guards were also injured and poisoned by the python. Your Highness, please summon the imperial physicians." Although the guard answered Prince Terrence Valen, his plea was directed at the Crown Prince.
"Quickly, saving lives comes first—summon the physicians!" Prince Rowan spoke faster than the Crown Prince, acting as if he were in charge and clearly trying to outdo the Crown Prince.
"Yes, sir." The eunuch immediately accepted the order and hurried off.
A flash of ruthlessness passed through the Crown Prince's eyes, but he nodded as if nothing had happened. "Indeed, saving lives is the priority. Do you know how Young Lord Reid is doing now?"
In the palace, even as Crown Prince, he couldn't outpace Prince Rowan. But that's just how it was—he had no choice but to accept it.
"Young Lord Reid's left hand was bitten by the venomous snake. His left arm has turned black and he's fallen into a coma. We've managed to protect his heart meridian, so for now his life isn't in immediate danger," the guard quickly replied.
The Crown Prince immediately stood up. Reid Yale was Night City's only heir—if he died in Eastlyn, Night City would never let it go. The Crown Prince could not allow Reid to die here...
If Reid died here, it would be his responsibility.