So this is what people mean when they say, "When you're dozing off, someone brings you a pillow." Serena Feng finally understood.
Just as Serena Feng was thinking about how to break the current deadlock, William Wang Jinling—the eldest son of the Wang clan—arrived at Feng Manor with lavish gifts, personally requesting Serena to treat his blindness.
Serena Feng looked at William Wang Jinling, dressed in ceremonial finery, noble and graceful. Her eyes shimmered with tears: "Jinling, such a great kindness needs no thanks. I, Serena Feng, will remember it always."
She knew very well that William Wang Jinling was strongly opposed to corneal transplant surgery. With his upright nature, he would have to think long and hard before making such a decision.
And even then, that decision might not be to agree to the transplant. Even if William agreed to the corneal transplant plan, he would never announce it so publicly before things were clear, nor bring the whole Wang clan into it.
William must have heard about how she was humiliated outside Feng Manor yesterday, so this morning he came in grand fashion to stand by her.
With the Wang clan backing her, who would dare insult her so easily now?
It was just a brief acquaintance, yet he did so much for her. Serena Feng decided she would count William Wang Jinling as a true friend.
"You helping me treat my blindness is a fact—why hide it?" William Wang Jinling's smile was like a spring breeze, gentle and refreshing, with no sign that he'd lost sleep over Serena's troubles.
Serena Feng shook her head. "Just based on my word, Jinling trusts me this much. Such trust is worth remembering."
She was well aware of how much pressure William Wang Jinling was under. He represented not just himself, but the entire Wang household.
William was staking the whole Wang clan's reputation on her. If she succeeded, all would be well; but if she failed, the Wang family's name would be ruined—and she herself would have no way to survive.
For aristocratic houses like the Wangs, reputation is everything.
William Wang Jinling must truly trust her to take such a risk.
"If our positions were reversed, would you trust me?" William "looked" toward Serena Feng. His sightless eyes were jet black and pure, holding a quiet power that inspired belief.
"I would," Serena replied without hesitation.
She trusted William Wang Jinling as a person.
"The same goes for me. I trust you—Serena Feng, the person. I'm handing my eyes over to you. Whatever you need from the Wang household, just say the word. We won't refuse." William didn't mention the sacrifices he'd made to win the clan's approval; those were his own choice, not debts to hang over her.
Serena Feng was the friend he'd chosen. When a friend was in trouble, he would never stand by and do nothing. As for what he'd done behind the scenes, there was no need for Serena to know.
He didn't need Serena Feng's gratitude. She hadn't forced him to do anything; everything was his own decision.
"All right, then I won't stand on ceremony. Jinling, I need a clean, dust-free room with excellent lighting, somewhere I won't be disturbed. The Wang Manor must guarantee that while I'm treating you, no outsiders are allowed near. Since you've chosen me, please trust me—hand yourself over, and I promise to give the Wang clan back a perfect William Wang Jinling." Serena Feng's requirements were simple.
An operating theater—or at least a room that could serve as one—and trust. She would handle the rest herself.
"That's all?" William Wang Jinling wasn't surprised, but the steward behind him looked up in disbelief.
All the doctors the Wang clan had hired over the years made endless demands—special food, drinks, lodgings, huge fees if they failed, and even more benefits if they succeeded.
Did Serena Feng really not know the Wang clan's wealth? As long as she could cure the eldest son's eyes, the Wang family would do even more for her.
"That's all. I just ask not to be disturbed, and for a room that meets my standards." Serena nodded to the steward behind William, confirming she had no other requests.
She's a doctor, not a merchant. She won't take advantage of someone's desperation, nor profit off their illness.
"What about the consultation fee?" the Wang steward asked quietly.
The eldest and seventh sons both said Miss Feng was easygoing and forthright—and now he saw it was true.
Such backbone, such pride—she was truly General Feng's daughter, never shaming her father's name.
Admiration flashed in the Wang steward's eyes.
Rumors really couldn't be trusted. Outsiders painted Miss Feng as worse than a courtesan, but in truth she was pure as spring snow—her eyes clear, her actions measured, and she always repaid kindness.
If she truly had the skill, the Wang clan would gladly invest even more in her—raise her even higher.
"Same as the Su clan—one thousand taels of gold," Serena Feng replied calmly.
She wasn't a saint; she had to eat and support herself. Besides, doctors charging for their work was only natural—she just charged a bit more than most.
She owed William Wang Jinling a debt that couldn't be repaid with money. If she refused payment, it would seem petty—like she was trying to pay back his support with a token gesture.
"That's just right." Serena's approach put the Wang steward at ease.
The Wang clan wasn't short on money; one thousand taels of gold was a fortune to others, but to them it was just a drop in the bucket.
William Wang Jinling had convinced the clan head to publicly support Serena Feng because he saw her future potential. The Wang family didn't want Serena to think she could repay their help with money alone.
William's smile grew even wider. He knew he hadn't misjudged her—Serena Feng was loyal, but also clever.
William Wang Jinling helped Serena Feng without asking anything in return, but the Wang clan itself could never be so selfless.
Once they'd settled the fee and the operating room, the most critical issue was the corneal donor.
Only William and Caleb Wang knew about the corneal extraction. Understanding its sensitivity, William kept the rest of the Wang clan out of it, letting Caleb coordinate with Serena Feng directly.
The two of them needed to select a suitable room for the surgery, pick the right date, and secure the donor cornea on that day.
So people started seeing Caleb Wang trailing after Serena Feng everywhere.
The best way to break a rumor is for the person at the center to step forward and smash it—or to create even bigger, hotter news. Serena Feng and the Wang clan managed to do both.
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^—click next page to keep reading!
News that Serena Feng could cure William Wang Jinling’s blindness swept the city. Suddenly, almost no one mentioned her disheveled appearance at the city gate or the punishment from Prince Rowan.
The Wang clan made a high-profile gamble, and in just one day, the whole capital was buzzing about it.
As soon as word spread that Serena Feng was confident she could cure William Wang Jinling, a respected physician scoffed: "William Wang Jinling? His eyes are hopeless. Serena Feng? What kind of nobody is she? If she can cure him, I'll kneel and call her my master!"
This physician was one of Eastlyn's three great doctors and had previously examined William himself.
A retired imperial physician chimed in: "The Wang clan is just grasping at straws. Serena Feng? What does a woman know? If she cures the eldest son's eyes, I'll never practice medicine again!"
A high official declared, "Serena Feng is a joke, and any family tied to that joke won't end well."
As both relatives and rivals, the Hsieh patriarch publicly commented, "The Wang clan is being foolish."
He didn’t specify what he meant, but everyone knew he was talking about Serena Feng.
Of course, some people expressed support, saying they wanted to witness the surgery—and that if Serena Feng really cured William Wang Jinling, it would be a blessing for blind people everywhere.
In short, everyone had an opinion, and the Wang clan and Serena Feng became the hottest topic in the capital.
The outsiders watched for drama; the insiders watched for skill. Most doubted Serena Feng, but none dared question the Wang clan's reputation.
Everyone knew that families like the Wangs and Hsiehs treasured their reputations—they’d never gamble with them lightly. Maybe Serena Feng really did have some true ability.
But no one knew whether Serena Feng's skills could overturn the 'death sentence' foreign experts had already pronounced on William Wang Jinling's eyes.
And so, the capital's biggest betting pool opened...