The timing was merciless. Just as Serena Feng noticed her outfit was nearly identical to Nolan’s—in both color and cut—and tried to change, it was already too late. Nolan’s invited guests had arrived...
A personal invitation from Nolan is an honor beyond measure—so rare it might not happen even once a year, and only a tiny handful ever receive one.
To be summoned by Nolan is a badge of glory. Whatever anyone feels or thinks, no one dares to arrive late.
Normally, the most powerful and high-ranking guests always arrive last—only then can they display their prestige and bask in the vanity of being revered. But this time, the first to arrive was the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince’s health was as frail as ever. Spotting Nolan from afar, he quickened his steps, and even that short walk left his cheeks flushed and his breath uneven.
No wonder Rowan Dongling isn’t rushing to topple the Crown Prince. With a body this fragile, it’s impossible to treat him as a true rival—how could he ever bear the weight of ruling a nation?
Standing at the corner, Serena Feng was clad in sumptuous, eye-catching attire. The Crown Prince visibly froze—caught between awe and bewilderment.
Nolan was the host—Serena Feng was clearly not the main guest. Why was she dressed so dazzlingly, as if trying to upstage the host? If Nolan had a mistress, Serena would surely be hated for this.
"Serena Feng greets Your Highness the Crown Prince." Serena bent her knee in a curtsey—not out of defiance, but because kneeling would ruin this dress.
"You may rise." The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered, giving Serena a gentle smile before moving on toward Nolan. As he drew near and saw Nolan’s outfit, he froze again—then a knowing smile crept onto his face.
Serena Feng really never misses a chance to show her feelings. She actually found out what Ninth Royal Uncle was wearing and dressed to match him. Is she trying to make Su Wan back off?
Women are always obsessed with these outward things, never realizing that Ninth Royal Uncle doesn't care about any of it. The Crown Prince bowed to Prince Rowan Dongling: "Royal Uncle."
By dropping the 'Ninth,' the Crown Prince is deliberately trying to close the distance between them.
"The Crown Prince is here. Sit." After Nolan took the main seat, the Crown Prince followed and sat in the first seat to his lower left. Serena stood at the corner, unsure if she should step forward—and where she was supposed to sit.
Normally, men and women would sit separately, but here at Nolan's, there's only one table. Clearly, he means for everyone to sit together.
Nolan seemed to notice Serena's discomfort and lifted his hand: "Sit."
Separate seating for men and women is tradition, but among the royals, the rules get bent a little. Who dares criticize the imperial family?
"Yes." Serena answered softly and walked forward. Only then did she notice the hem of her dress was embroidered with golden lotuses. She hadn't noticed before—well, she hadn't looked down at her skirt until now.
As Serena walked, the front of her skirt fluttered, and the lotuses seemed to bloom with every step. When the skirt settled, the flowers closed again, probably hidden in the folds. If not for the movement and the dim light at the corner, she never would have noticed.
After all, under bright light, the gold thread isn't very obvious.
"Such exquisite embroidery." Even the Crown Prince was surprised, and Serena herself was stunned, watching the blooming lotuses as she walked.
She'd only heard of 'lotus blooming at every step' before; now, seeing it for herself, Serena was truly amazed. If the occasion were less formal, she would have taken a few extra steps or spun in place just to admire the beautiful effect.
Serena gasped in delight, Nolan nodded in satisfaction, while the Crown Prince looked puzzled—how could Serena not know about her own dress? Was she just trying to catch Nolan's attention?
The Crown Prince glanced sideways, catching Nolan watching Serena with a smile in his eyes. Secretly, he was impressed by how much effort Serena had put in. These days, all the women seemed obsessed with attracting men.
The women in the inner palace were like this, and so were the ones in his own residence—always scheming for his attention.
But compared to Serena, those women were a whole level below. Serena's tricks were truly unique. Even Nolan, who avoided women, and the Crown Prince himself, who'd seen countless beauties, were drawn in by her.
No woman can resist the lure of fine clothes and jewelry. Faced with such a gorgeous dress, even Serena's little bit of resentment faded away. For the sake of this outfit, she'd let Nolan use her as decoration just this once.
Knowing her own status, Serena chose the last seat without waiting for anyone to invite her—only to find herself directly opposite Nolan.
Once seated, Serena realized she couldn't get up and change seats, and she didn't have the rank to sit elsewhere. All she could do was smile and thank Nolan at the head of the table.
Nolan replied indifferently, and the atmosphere grew awkward. The Crown Prince tried to warm things up with small talk, but Nolan only responded with curt grunts.
Nolan and the Crown Prince were about the same age, but one played the elder while the other acted the junior. The whole scene felt off to Serena.
Just as the Crown Prince was about to run out of things to say, Prince Rowan Dongling, Princess Serenity, Prince Adrian Dongling, Caleb Wang, Ethan Hsieh, William Wang Jinling, and Dominic Zhai finally arrived.
Nolan and the Crown Prince didn't have to get up, but Serena was different. Normally, she would have to greet these people formally. Even if she didn't kneel, she still had to rise and welcome them.
This made Serena look like the female host, helping to receive the guests. The Crown Prince sensed something was off, but since Nolan said nothing, he kept quiet.
Everyone was visibly stunned to see Serena there. Clearly, they hadn't expected Nolan to invite her. And when they saw her outfit, several faces darkened.
Prince Rowan Dongling was his usual cold, mocking self. Prince Adrian Dongling was friendly, but under Nolan's gaze, he didn't dare speak—he just smiled at Serena and quietly stepped forward.
Princess Serenity didn't dare stir up trouble in front of Nolan, so she ignored Serena's radiant beauty, occasionally tossing her a contemptuous smile to show her disdain.
William Wang Jinling kept his usual polite smile, while Ethan Hsieh and Caleb Wang, like the Crown Prince, glanced back and forth between Nolan and Serena, but said nothing.
Serena knew this outfit would cause trouble, but she had no choice—this was Nolan's turf, and she'd already accepted his favor.
"Sit wherever you like," Nolan finally said, but no one dared to be casual. The seating had its own rules: Prince Rowan Dongling sat below the Crown Prince, then Princess Serenity, Prince Adrian Dongling, and Dominic Zhai.
With no division by gender, everyone sat by rank. There was an empty seat between Dominic Zhai and Serena, meant for Ethan Hsieh or Caleb Wang. Since Serena was at the lowest position, those two would sit beside her. But...