Dazzling Beauty, As Long As I Like Her

Serena Feng saw the Crown Prince's disappointment and felt a pang of guilt, but that was all it was—guilt. She wasn't about to impulsively promise anything because of it.

All her years of medical experience, both in this life and the last, had taught her: treating the powerful requires extreme caution. Unless you're ninety percent certain, you must never casually claim you can cure them.

Imperial Physician Sun had warned her more than once: the palace doctors aren’t lacking in skill, but because of who they treat, they’re too afraid to use their full abilities. No matter the illness, they only dare use the most conservative methods—better safe than sorry. Otherwise, a single mistake doesn’t just cost your life—it could wipe out your entire clan.

Serena Feng didn’t want to lie to the Crown Prince, so she simply avoided the topic. From hope to disappointment, the Crown Prince’s mood swung wildly, his breathing grew rapid again, and his face turned even paler than before. He pressed his lips together, clearly enduring immense pain…

Not good—the Crown Prince’s condition just got worse!

Serena jumped to her feet. "Your Highness, calm down—please, you must stay calm. Your body can’t handle such intense emotions."

"I…" The Crown Prince’s mind told him to listen to Serena’s advice, but his ragged breathing made it impossible to control his body.

Serena grit her teeth. Now wasn’t the time to worry about propriety or the separation between men and women—she went straight to unbutton the Crown Prince’s collar to help him breathe easier. If he died in front of her, she’d be doomed for real; she hadn’t even dealt with that slap she gave Prince Damien of Southlyn yet.

Ancient buttons were hard to undo, and Serena wasn’t used to men’s robes. After finally getting one button open and just about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Prince Damien of Southlyn’s mocking voice behind her.

"Hahaha, Ninth Royal Uncle, the woman you went to such lengths to protect, risking the lives of two nations’ people, is right here seducing another man in public."

Following Prince Damien’s gesture, everyone in the hall fixed their eyes on Serena Feng and the Crown Prince—just in time to see Serena undoing the Crown Prince’s collar…

Undoing a man’s clothing in public?

Oh my god…

The old-school conservatives in the hall wished they were blind, desperate not to see anything at all.

Ruined—Eastlyn women’s reputation is completely ruined.

Serena Feng’s death would hardly be a loss.

Prince Damien, as if his earlier words weren’t nasty enough, added with even more arrogance, "Ninth Royal Uncle, is this really the woman you fancy? Her beauty is undeniable, but her behavior is nothing short of wanton."

He even shook his head, putting on a show of regret for Ninth Royal Uncle. But he didn’t realize how ridiculous he looked—there was nothing suave about him, just a spectacle for others to laugh at.

Saving a life came first. Serena couldn’t be bothered to look back—she’d never met a man as petty and graceless as Prince Damien. He wasn’t a person, he was a wolf, biting anyone he saw.

"Third Prince, watch your tongue. What Serena Feng does is none of your concern—as long as I like her, that’s enough." Ninth Royal Uncle turned and walked toward Serena and the Crown Prince, leaving Prince Damien alone in the hall.

Ninth Royal Uncle admitted that when he first saw Serena Feng and the Crown Prince pulling at each other, he was angry. But he knew Serena’s character well—once he calmed down, he understood what was really happening.

"How is the Crown Prince?" Ninth Royal Uncle’s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. Serena understood his intent and raised her own voice: "His Highness’s old illness flared up, but he’s fine now."

With Serena’s careful handling, the Crown Prince’s breathing calmed down a lot. He was tough by nature—never one to give up on life easily.

"If the Crown Prince is fine, summon the imperial physicians for a check, just in case." Ninth Royal Uncle’s meaning was clear—he didn’t want Serena involved any further.

The Crown Prince’s illness wasn’t like William Wang Jinling’s. If she failed to cure William’s blindness, he’d just stay blind. But if she failed to cure the Crown Prince, he’d die—and the person who treated him would be buried right along with him.

Ninth Royal Uncle had originally wanted Serena to treat the Crown Prince, but now that idea was fading—the risk was just too high.

The Crown Prince understood Ninth Royal Uncle was protecting Serena. He struggled to his feet and said, "Thank you, Royal Uncle. Miss Feng’s medical skills are excellent—I’m all right now."

He spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. His words explained away the seeming intimacy with Serena. Prince Damien’s face twisted with rage, but the Crown Prince ignored him. Turning to the Emperor and Empress, he said, "Father, Mother, my appearance is improper—please allow me to withdraw. Also, just now Miss Feng was treating me; I hope you won’t hold her breach of decorum against her."

If his earlier words were a subtle jab at Prince Damien, this was a direct defense of Serena. Ninth Royal Uncle gave the Crown Prince an approving smile.

The Crown Prince’s mood brightened, and his face looked better too.

Serena rolled her eyes. Every word spoken here seemed to have hidden meaning—it was exhausting. Honestly, compared to all these games, Prince Damien was almost cute; at least he was straightforward.

The Emperor and Empress didn’t make things difficult for the Crown Prince. They nodded along with his words. The Emperor might not like the Crown Prince, but he was still his son—sometimes he felt a bit of pity. As for the Empress? In her eyes, the Crown Prince was as good as dead and never a real rival.

After the Crown Prince left, the banquet returned to normal. Prince Damien had lost out to Serena, Ninth Royal Uncle, and the Crown Prince in quick succession. He stopped trying to argue and instead pointed to the injury on his own face, complaining to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, you let your subjects and Ninth Royal Uncle beat me in public. This won’t be the end of it—if you don’t give me a proper answer, I won’t let it go."

He repeated the same line to Ninth Royal Uncle, who replied bluntly, "If the Third Prince wants war, then let’s have war. The moment Southlyn’s troops march out, the Third Prince’s death date is set—I’ll use his life as a banner."

Prince Damien was so angry he nearly drew his sword to kill.

The Emperor overheard the exchange between Prince Damien and Ninth Royal Uncle. With Ninth Royal Uncle being so forceful, showing weakness would make the Emperor look incompetent. But starting a war over this wasn’t ideal—he had too many concerns. While he hesitated, the eunuch announced, "Grand Heir William Wang Jinling requests an audience!"

"William Wang Jinling? What’s he doing here?"

"It’s so late—why would William Wang Jinling come to the palace?"

Everyone whispered among themselves, and even the Emperor looked confused. Serena glanced at Ninth Royal Uncle, silently asking: Did you call him here?

Ninth Royal Uncle gave the slightest nod. Borrowing William Wang Jinling’s help to protect Serena might seem weak, but free labor shouldn’t be wasted. Besides, William Wang Jinling was destined to be the Wang clan’s head—he could never marry Serena. No matter how much he did for her, it wouldn’t change that.

Don’t make things hard for him.

Serena’s unspoken request—her cheek, though mostly healed, still looked frightening, with a hint of pitifulness.

How could he make things hard for William Wang Jinling? Ninth Royal Uncle was annoyed, but seeing Serena’s injured face, he softened. She’d been hit right under his nose; if she wanted to plead for William Wang Jinling, so be it…