After dressing neatly, Serena Feng sat in the Ninth Prince Manor's carriage and swaggered out through the main gate, making sure many people saw her leave.
She needed witnesses to prove she was at Ninth Prince Manor last night. Whether it was true or not didn’t matter—what she needed were witnesses and evidence that could convince the authorities she spent the night there.
Most people believe what they see with their own eyes. Seeing Serena Feng walk out of Ninth Prince Manor in the morning, combined with the rumors about her and Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, would make them believe she spent the night there. As for her reputation, Serena didn’t care—this wasn’t the first time, and she knew it wouldn’t be the last.
The High Court officers, unable to find anyone at Feng Manor, returned to the court with sly grins and loudly reported in front of everyone: "My lord, we didn’t find Miss Feng at Feng Manor—she wasn’t there at all. And many of the servants and guards were also missing."
The first part of that statement wasn’t much, but the second part was a clear insinuation—officials covering for each other as usual. A flash of worry crossed Master Advocate Song’s eyes; his chances of winning the case had dropped from seventy percent to fifty after the Bloodcloak Guard’s countersuit, and now, with the High Court officers failing to find Serena Feng, his odds were down to just twenty percent.
Master Song was still grateful they hadn’t found Simon Sun at Feng Manor—if they had, the case would have been lost for sure. Not only would Simon have died, but the entire Feng Manor would be implicated. Breaking into a prison to snatch a prisoner was a capital crime.
"Heh heh..." The director of the Bloodcloak Guard’s Criminal Division cackled when he heard this. "My lord, Serena Feng led people to break into the prison last night. They’ve either run off or are hiding somewhere. Please issue an empire-wide wanted order to arrest Serena Feng and bring her to justice."
The High Court Chief Justice nodded. If they couldn’t find Serena Feng, pinning the crime on her wasn’t a big deal. He was just about to make a ruling when Master Advocate Song, anxious, quickly nudged Mira Tang to stall for time.
Catching the hint, Mira immediately burst into loud sobs, leaving the Chief Justice no chance to speak: "My lord, we’re being wronged, we’re being wronged! My lady didn’t break into the prison. The Bloodcloak Guard’s dungeon is heavily guarded—how could a houseful of weak women like us possibly snatch someone from them?"
She had a point—breaking someone out of the Bloodcloak Guard’s prison wasn’t something that could be done so easily.
Women, after all, have their ways—crying, making a scene, even threatening suicide. Mira’s public cries of injustice in the courtroom weren’t wrong, and her words did make the Chief Justice hesitate for a moment. Just then, people from Shunning Marquis Manor arrived.
Shunning Marquis Manor sent their legal adviser, who immediately handed a lawsuit to the Chief Justice, accusing Serena Feng of damaging Shunning’s reputation, sheltering Simon Sun, and insulting their deceased young lady.
One accusation after another, painting Serena Feng and Simon Sun as unforgivable villains. They claimed Simon lusted after Shunning’s heiress, Serena drugged him to help, and together they caused her death. Then Serena turned around and falsely accused them—truly unpardonable crimes.
Just like that, Serena Feng went from plaintiff to defendant in an instant—the accuser became the accused. Master Advocate Song had expected this, but he hadn’t foreseen Serena’s disappearance, which could be seen as either something happened to her or her fleeing in guilt.
The worst part was that Serena Feng was the backbone of Feng Manor. Without her, how could they fight this case? Master Song felt defeated before the real battle began, unable to withstand the combined attacks from the Bloodcloak Guard’s director and Shunning’s legal adviser.
Mira watched anxiously from the side, but now her crying and shouting were useless. These people could condemn Serena Feng with just a few words.
"Serena Feng, as the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty, knew..." The Chief Justice saw Master Song’s pale, speechless face and raised his voice to announce Serena’s crimes. But Mira interrupted, shouting, "We’re being wronged, my lord! My lady didn’t break into the prison, and Young Master Sun didn’t violate that marquis heiress. Young Master Sun is like a celestial being—he could marry noble daughters from the Wang and Hsieh families, so why would he be interested in Shunning’s girl?
My lady has been ill at home all along, her health poor. Young Master Sun’s disappearance made her even sicker—how could she possibly go break into a prison? My lord, you have no evidence, so how can you so wrongly accuse my lady and Young Master Sun?"
Mira ignored decorum, shouting in court with her face covered in tears and eyes full of terror. She was gambling—if her mistress didn’t appear soon, they were all finished.
Mira’s outburst forced the Chief Justice to swallow his words, and Serena Feng’s guilt wasn’t established. Furious, the Chief Justice slammed the table: "Insolent commoner, how dare you shout in court! Guards, beat..."
"Yes, sir." At the command, the officers stepped forward and pinned Mira down. Mira resisted, struggling desperately and crying out her innocence. Seeing Mira risking everything for Serena Feng, Master Advocate Song slowly regained his composure, but by then the officers had already subdued Mira and were preparing to beat her.
"Stop..." Master Song was about to call for the officers to halt, but someone beat him to it.
"Stop!" A clear female voice, sharp with anger and authority, rang out, freezing the officer’s raised plank in mid-air.
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Serena Feng, dressed in sky-blue brocade, standing cold and proud at the back of the crowd—like a plum blossom blooming alone on a cliff’s edge.
It was as if the crowd had agreed in advance; as soon as Serena called out, they all stepped back, leaving her a clear path to walk into the courtroom.
"Miss, Miss, you’re finally here! The Bloodcloak Guard accused you of breaking into prison, Shunning Marquis Manor claims you helped Young Master Sun commit a crime, and they say you’ve ruined their reputation. They went to our manor and couldn’t find you, so now they say you fled in guilt. I don’t believe it! When I protested your innocence, they tried to beat me. Miss, if you hadn’t come, I would’ve been beaten to death!"
Mira immediately broke free from the officers, crying and rushing toward Serena Feng, kneeling at her feet and loudly airing her grievances—in truth, quickly briefing Serena on the situation.
This maid was no ordinary girl; she spoke openly in front of everyone, and no one dared criticize her. Every eye in the courtroom turned to Serena Feng—today’s case was full of twists and turns.
Master Advocate Song stepped forward and gave Serena Feng a respectful bow. "Miss Feng." Though he was well-known for his talent, he didn’t dare act arrogant before her.
"Mm." Serena replied, then nodded to Mira, her face cold as she walked inside. Standing on the chilly stone floor, Serena met the eyes of the three judges opposite her, her deep gaze radiating icy determination. In that instant, she flipped the situation, making everyone focus on her. From now on, everything in this courtroom would unfold under her control...
Author’s Note: Don’t worry—the ending will be good. Nini (Nolan) swinging his sword to cut off Serena’s path absolutely isn’t about forgetting her. The same plot point won’t be reused.