Stand-In, This Kind of Love Is Truly Madness

Ninth Royal Uncle has been so busy lately that he’s nowhere to be seen. Serena wants to investigate Princess Yara’s death, but for now there’s no way in—she’s anxious, it’s already been two days, and if she waits any longer, all leads will vanish.

If nothing else worked, Serena was planning to ask William Wang for information. But before she could even leave the house, the opportunity arrived on its own...

The side-consort in Prince Chase’s Manor who miscarried has been suffering from endless lochia and severe genital infection. The imperial physicians are all men—they can’t examine her directly and can’t prescribe the right treatment, so they pushed Serena forward.

When Prince Chase heard about it, he immediately had a carriage prepared and announced he would personally go to invite Serena.

Anyone who didn’t know better might think Prince Chase was terribly worried about his side-consort. But those in the know understood—he’d finally found an excuse to see Serena.

It’s always the unattainable that seems best. Prince Chase’s feelings for Serena have never faded, but because of the Emperor’s orders, he hasn’t dared approach her. Now that he finally has a legitimate excuse, there’s no way he’d let it slip by.

Serena had already wanted to investigate Princess Yara’s death, so when Prince Chase came to invite her—even knowing his intentions—she decided to go.

“Master, you really shouldn’t go. That Prince Chase is obviously bad news.” Simon Sun cautioned her, worried.

What kind of person walks in and ignores the patient, just staring at the doctor? That Prince Chase really isn’t a good man.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me—Prince Chase wouldn’t dare touch me.” Among the princes of Eastlyn, not a single one has had the nerve to lay a finger on her, not even Prince Rowan.

"But he..." Simon Sun still felt that Prince Chase was acting strangely.

Left Shore and Dorian Owen are both away. If anything happened to Master in Prince Chase’s Manor, what would he do?

"If you’re worried, then come with me."

"Okay." Simon Sun nodded quickly.

And so, master and apprentice boarded the carriage to Prince Chase’s Manor together. Prince Chase was clearly displeased by Simon Sun’s presence, because as soon as Serena got in, she ignored him and spoke only with Simon.

Whenever Prince Chase tried to talk to Serena, Simon Sun would interrupt. But Prince Chase didn’t dare do anything to Simon in front of Serena, so he could only stew in frustration by himself.

All he wanted was to see Serena, to talk to her—why was it so hard? Why did everyone keep getting in his way?

The Emperor claimed he favored him most, yet wouldn’t even let him look at Serena. The Emperor said he always indulged him, but kept forcing him to marry women he didn’t want.

Hatred!

For the first time, Prince Chase truly understood what it meant to hate—and for the first time, he realized the importance of power.

If... if he could be like Ninth Royal Uncle, not relying on the Emperor’s favor, would he finally be able to do what he wanted?

Prince Chase’s gaze was vacant, as if he’d been bewitched.

Serena and Simon Sun exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing not to speak and only becoming more guarded around Prince Chase.

Prince Chase really did seem different now.

Luckily, they reached Prince Chase’s Manor soon and didn’t have to squeeze into the carriage with him any longer.

Serena quietly breathed a sigh of relief and resolved that, unless absolutely necessary, she’d never deal with Prince Chase again. He was just a spoiled child ruined by the Emperor’s indulgence—and now, clearly, he was becoming extreme and obsessive.

Prince Chase personally led Serena to the rear courtyard. When Serena entered the inner chamber, she saw the side-consort lying on the bed, her face deathly pale.

When she saw Serena enter, the side-consort’s eyes shifted slightly. She gazed at Serena and said weakly, “So you’re Serena. Just as I thought...”

Just as she thought? Serena raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press further.

Her instincts told her—it couldn’t be anything good.

Serena went straight to examine the side-consort, checking her lower body. The smell was awful—even though she’d braced herself, Serena still frowned.

“Frightening, isn’t it? But this isn’t the worst of it. One of them left behind a fully formed child, and now she’s half-dead in bed.” The side-consort spoke in a ghostly, chilling voice.

Serena wanted to ignore her, but the woman’s gaze was so unnerving that she had to stop and ask seriously, “Madam, do we know each other?”

She was certain she didn’t know this woman.

The side-consort gave a sorrowful laugh. “You don’t know me, but I know you. Haven’t you noticed how much we look alike? Or rather, how much I resemble you?”

Serena hadn’t paid attention before, but now that the side-consort mentioned it, she realized they truly did look alike—especially their eyes.

"Now you see it, don’t you? Miss Feng... In Prince Chase’s rear courtyard, aside from Princess Yara and the consorts granted by the Emperor, all the other women more or less resemble you. I’m the one who looks most like you. That’s why, after my miscarriage and hemorrhage, Prince Chase had the imperial physicians do everything to save me." The side-consort kept smiling, but her smile made Serena uneasy.

Serena took a deep breath, suppressing her disgust. “Madam, this is Prince Chase’s Manor business—it has nothing to do with me.”

"Nothing to do with you? How could that be? Dr. Feng, do you know what Prince Chase calls me when he’s with me? He calls me..."

“Enough. That’s enough.” Serena was certain now—this woman, like Prince Chase, was only here to disgust her.

Absolutely disgusting.

“Even if I don’t say it, you already know, don’t you? Dr. Feng, why not go see the concubine who just miscarried? Her silhouette resembles yours most of all. Every time, Prince Chase only takes her from behind, never once looking at her face in bed.” The side-consort kept speaking, her voice growing weaker and more ghostlike.

“And what does any of this have to do with me?” Serena retorted coldly.

She admitted she was disgusted. She never imagined that, without her knowledge, Prince Chase could be so... depraved. But his twisted desires were none of her concern, and these women’s tragedies weren’t her fault.

"Not your concern? All of us live in your shadow. If we want Prince Chase’s heart, we have to work to become you—to turn ourselves into your copy. Because of you, none of us have our own identity. Why should you get to live well while we suffer so much?" If she weren’t so weak, the side-consort would have clawed Serena’s face.

It was this face that had bewitched Prince Chase, turning all these women into pitiful substitutes.

She’d once been a noblewoman herself, but in Prince Chase’s Manor, she’d become nothing more than Serena’s stand-in. How could she accept that?

“This is the path you chose, not mine.” Serena admitted she’d felt some sympathy for this woman at first, but now...

This woman had brought it on herself—what did it have to do with her? Prince Chase’s twisted love wasn’t something she could control; she was a victim too. The more Serena thought about the woman’s words, the colder she felt.

Damn it, she really wanted to punch Prince Chase senseless. She had no idea he “loved” her like this—and this kind of love made her skin crawl.

Serena had no desire to speak with this woman any longer. She left the medicine, instructed the maid, and picked up her medical kit to leave.

Prince Chase’s Manor was truly terrifying. She wanted nothing more than to leave—but...