Serena Feng sat there, perfectly still. Her eyes, wide open, were aching and dry, but she didn’t dare blink. The space between them was so close it felt like a single sheet of paper could fit; she was terrified that if she blinked, their eyelashes might brush—and then she wouldn’t be able to explain what happened.
Just when Serena was convinced that time had frozen and Nolan Dongling—Ninth Royal Uncle—would keep staring at her until the end of days, he finally spoke: "Close your eyes."
His slow, deliberate tone had a hypnotic force that made people want to obey without even thinking.
"C-close my eyes?" Serena stammered, her palms slick with sweat, soaking the sachet she held. Her long lashes trembled like butterfly wings, making her look all the more fragile and pitiful.
Nolan Dongling didn’t reply, just kept gazing at Serena with unwavering determination in his eyes—brooking no refusal. Somehow, under his stare, Serena closed her eyes, heart pounding wildly.
Nolan Dongling, what are you trying to do? Is he about to kiss her? If he really tries, should she fight him off or play along?
Ugh, what a dilemma! If she rejects him, will Nolan get angry? But if she plays along, will he think she’s too easy?
Serena’s mind was a battlefield of struggle. The sachet in her hand was twisted completely out of shape—she was more nervous now than the first time she stepped onto an operating table. She... she... she just wanted to run away!
Sure, Nolan had kissed her before—but that was only on her hair, and it was at night. It was never this awkward.
Serena’s lashes trembled even harder, but Nolan still didn’t move.
With her eyes closed, all her other senses sharpened. Besides the pleasant bamboo fragrance on Nolan Dongling, Serena could also smell the masculine scent unique to men—and, faintly, a hint of medicine.
Medicine? Was Nolan injured? Serena jolted, suddenly wide awake. But just then, she felt something cool and icy touch her eyelids, making her jump.
Serena startled and snapped her eyes open, just in time to see Nolan withdrawing his hand. "Nolan, what are you doing?"
Maybe she was overthinking, or maybe the carriage was just too warm, but Serena’s cheeks were flushed red like autumn apples. If Sun Zhengdao saw her now, he’d never call her frail.
"There was something dirty on your lashes. I took it off for you. Why? Were you hoping I’d do something more?" Nolan Dongling moved away, putting proper distance between them, but his teasing words were completely serious. Serena looked into his eyes and saw her own reflection—her cheeks blazing, nervous and expectant all at once.
Aaargh... Serena howled inside.
What kind of situation was this? Clearly, Nolan started it, so why was she the one suffering? Was it just because she didn’t know how to flirt?
Serena was so angry she wanted to bite Nolan Dongling. Her eyes went wide, her cheeks puffed out, ready to glare fiercely at him and show him that even a little lady wasn’t to be messed with. But then she realized...
Nolan had already sat back down, leaning against the low couch, a book in hand, looking as calm and unruffled as if nothing had happened.
With nowhere to vent her frustration, Serena could only pound on the carriage wall, making a loud, angry thumping noise.
She refused to believe Nolan could stay focused on his book with all this racket.
Turns out, Serena didn’t understand Nolan at all. It wouldn’t matter if she made ten times more noise—even if someone committed murder right in front of him, he’d still keep reading if he wanted to.
Serena fussed for ages, but nothing worked. Feeling defeated, she eyed the steaming tea on the table, grabbed the pot, poured herself a cup, and downed it in one gulp—then poured another.
Only two or three jin of Pre-Rain Snow Mist Tea exist each year, right? Fine, I’ll drink it all and see what happens.
With no one to vent her anger on, Serena took it out on the tea—gulping it down furiously, never noticing the slight smile tugging at Nolan’s lips and the amusement in his eyes.
"How can she be so cute!"
Nolan lowered his head and turned another page, but he didn’t actually read a single word. Every character on the page seemed to look just like Serena, puffed up and drinking tea in a huff.
How much tea could a little pot hold? Serena finished it in just a few gulps. By then, Nolan’s smile had faded. Serena knew she wasn’t on his level—no matter how much she fussed, it was pointless. So she turned to look outside, hoping that out of sight would mean out of mind.
But Nolan’s aura was overwhelming. Even staring out the window, all Serena could picture was his magnified, handsome face. Finally, they reached Feng Manor and the carriage stopped. Serena couldn’t wait to thank him and jumped out.
"Serena Feng, wait!" She’d barely taken a step when Nolan’s voice called from behind. Serena turned quickly to see him leaning halfway out of the carriage: "Serena, don’t forget my request. I’ll come for it in three days!"
After he spoke, his usually reserved face broke into a smile as bright and clear as spring sunlight. Unfortunately, Serena was left stunned again.
Nolan Dongling smiled? And so openly, so warmly? Serena realized, mortified, that she was blushing again.
Nolan’s smile grew even brighter. "Did you hear me?"
Serena hadn’t heard a word he’d said. She just instinctively nodded, not wanting to disappoint this man in front of her.
Nolan nodded in satisfaction. Instantly, his smile vanished. He sat back in the carriage and slammed the door shut. "Go."
Only after the carriage had left did Serena come back to herself. She looked down at the utterly ruined sachet in her hand and wished she could just bash her head into a wall.
How did she end up accepting this so absentmindedly? How could she forget to refuse, forget to tell Nolan she couldn’t sew?
A sachet—a stupid, ruined little sachet. Why bother mending it at all?
Without thinking, Serena tossed the sachet aside. "I'm no embroidery girl! Seriously—a beauty trap, using a sachet just to lure me in. So shameless. This is the second time, too."
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Serena was nearly in tears. Last time, William Wang Jinling used the same beauty trap and she’d dazedly handed over her sachet to him.
God knows what came over her that day—she’d already let go of the sachet, but at the last moment, she’d snatched it back and kept it.
She’d even thought she was saving money, but in the end William Wang still tricked her out of it. And this time?
Now she’d been coaxed by Nolan Dongling into taking a ruined sachet. Furious, Serena stomped toward Feng Manor—but after a few steps, she regretted it, paused, and doubled back to pick up the sachet. "Forget it, I’ll return it to Nolan when I get the chance. Losing this would be even more trouble; with someone like him..."
Serena shuddered all over.
The sachet had already been soaked with sweat and was wrinkled beyond recognition. Now, after being tossed on the ground and picking up dust, it looked even worse.
Serena was meticulous when it came to medicine, but in matters like this she was hopelessly careless. Without even glancing at the pattern, she stuffed the sachet into her pocket.
If Nolan Dongling found out, he’d probably cough up blood from rage. Was it easy for him to pick a sachet? Even more so, he’d randomly chosen one with a dragon-and-phoenix motif.
Back at Feng Manor, the maids brought water for Serena to wash up and served iced tea and fruit. As she ate the cold snacks, she felt her mood lighten.
After giving a few instructions about household matters, Serena figured she had nothing pressing today and thought about heading to the Bloodcloak Guard to find Commander Lucan Lu.
She’d wanted to find Commander Lucan Lu for ages, but last time Dominic Zhai ruined her plans. Now she finally had some free time—perfect for a visit.
Going to see Commander Lucan Lu at this moment wasn’t about seeking protection. To be blunt, even if she was cautious behind the scenes, on the surface Serena was riding high. The fact she still remembered Lucan Lu showed she was someone who valued old friendships.
Serena told the stable hands to prepare a carriage, then went to her room to change. She was about to head to the Bloodcloak Guard when Steward Wang hurried after her: "Miss, with your current status, it’s not appropriate to visit such a place—or to associate with Commander Lu."
Being the Marquis of Loyalty’s daughter was both a shield and a shackle. Serena was no longer a wild girl with no supervision—now she had to act according to her station. Barging into the Bloodcloak Guard to visit its commander would only invite gossip.
Serena wasn’t foolish. Hearing Steward Wang’s advice, she immediately understood: "Send my calling card to the Lu residence. Tell them I’ll pay my respects to Madam Lu this afternoon."
The steward smiled in approval. "That’s an excellent idea, Miss." Though Serena hadn’t had elders to teach her growing up, she always grasped things quickly.
It was true—women shouldn’t make friends with outside officials, but they could socialize with their wives and daughters. The women of the inner courtyards weren’t just experts in music, chess, books, and household management; their insight rivaled that of most men.
Since this was a formal visit, bringing only a few boxes of blue pills wouldn’t do. Serena returned to House Feng of Loyalty and asked the steward to prepare proper gifts.
In the past, House Feng had been poor, but after the Emperor’s decree, most of the capital’s elite sent gifts. The storerooms were now overflowing, so picking a respectable present was no trouble at all.
After lunch, Serena took a half-hour nap. When she woke, she saw the maids entering with piles of dresses and hairpins. "Miss, Steward Wang told us to dress you up properly."
Serena nodded with difficulty—she understood. This was the first time the eldest young lady of House Feng of Loyalty was formally representing her family. She couldn’t just go out in a plain dress like she did for peace talks.
She didn’t like wearing piles of jingling ornaments, but for the sake of propriety, Serena accepted it. Reputation was something others gave you—but you had to earn it yourself, too.
"Don’t worry, Miss—we won’t dress you up like a tree!" The maid, a member of the Wang family, was less formal with Serena, having gotten used to her easygoing nature.
"Before we came, the young master already told us your preferences. He said you have the air of a noblewoman from the previous dynasty, so we’ll make sure you look your best." Another maid held up a bright red gauze dress, beaming with joy. Serena suddenly felt like she was about to get married—and her groom would be...