Sabotage, I Would Not Marry Him Even If All Men Died

Seeing that Serena Feng was willing to help, Ethan Hsieh's smile grew even brighter.

"Serena, if you're willing to speak up, the Hsieh clan will be deeply grateful. Don't worry, we won't make things difficult for you. All you need to do is tell Imperial Physician Sun that our matriarch is unwell and we've asked you to invite him to treat her. After that, the Hsieh clan will handle everything else."

Serena Feng's agreement—did it mean she didn't see the Hsieh clan as an enemy? As Ethan realized this, his smile widened further; he truly did not wish to be at odds with Serena.

"I'll handle this matter. Also, if Third Young Master happens to see Noble Consort Helena, could you please ask her what she thinks of His Highness Prince Rowan?" There was no need to spell it out; Serena trusted Helena Hsieh would understand her meaning.

"You mean...?" Ethan grasped her intent immediately. Serena's sudden mention of Prince Rowan and her inquiry about Noble Consort Helena's opinion could only mean that those above wanted to orchestrate a match between Serena and Adrian Dongling.

If Serena Feng entered Rowan Manor, regardless of her status, she would become the Empress's daughter-in-law and inevitably stand with the Empress.

By saying this, Serena hoped Noble Consort Helena would sabotage the marriage—and she was also telling Helena that she herself did not wish to enter Rowan Manor or stand with the Empress.

Serena nodded, confirming that Ethan's guess was exactly right.

"I understand. Don't worry, I'll be sure to pass this on to Noble Consort Helena. Wait for good news from me." Ethan did not linger and immediately returned to Hsieh Manor.

The Hsieh clan wanted to use Serena Feng to connect with Sun Zhengdao, but if Serena entered Rowan Manor, she could no longer help Helena Hsieh. Serena herself might not matter much, but Sun Zhengdao was a different story.

As head of the Imperial Medical Directorate, Sun Zhengdao could easily ensure that Helena Hsieh's child would be safely born.

Until Helena Hsieh secured Sun Zhengdao's support, she would never let Serena Feng side with the Empress. Even after the child was born, the child's future would still depend on the imperial physicians, so Helena would never pass up the chance to win Sun Zhengdao's favor.

For her own sake, Helena Hsieh would do everything possible to sabotage Serena Feng's entry into Rowan Manor.

No matter what the future held, a marriage between Serena Feng and Adrian Dongling was impossible in the short term. With this potential trouble resolved, Serena felt much better. As for Adrian's attitude? He could go to hell for all she cared.

Even if every man in the world died out, Serena Feng would never marry Adrian Dongling. Even if she had to be someone's concubine, she would never become Adrian Dongling's legitimate wife.

When Serena Feng returned to her room, she found it spotless—fresh sheets and bedding, not a single trace of Lance Quinn remained.

"Definitely not an ordinary person. To walk away with such serious wounds—he's a real master." Serena was impressed. After triple-checking for bloodstains and finding none, she headed toward Madam Sun's guest room.

What Serena didn't know was that while she was inspecting her room, others had quietly slipped into both her original and newly built operating rooms—but found nothing at all.

Thanks to Simon Sun's attentive care, Madam Sun's wounds were healing day by day. Ideally, she should have stayed a few more days, but Feng Manor had been far too chaotic lately—hardly a place for quiet recovery. Serena decided not to keep Madam Sun any longer.

"Simon, take good care of your mother after you get home. No need to come by for the next few days." Serena personally escorted them to the carriage, reminding him several times.

Sending Madam Sun home early was also because the Sun family had plenty of doctors. With Sun Zhengdao and Simon Sun looking after her, there was no need to worry about Madam Sun's health.

"Don't worry, Master. I'll take good care of my mother, and if anything happens, I'll come to you right away." Simon Sun nodded earnestly. He vaguely sensed something unusual had happened at Feng Manor, but didn't ask further.

"All right. Remember to keep what I gave you safe—don't let outsiders see it." Serena considered Simon Sun her greatest stroke of luck in this life.

Although Simon Sun was older than her, in Serena's eyes he was truly just a child—a good-hearted, honest child.

"I understand, Master." Simon Sun wasn't stupid; he simply devoted himself to medicine. Even though Serena's gifts were strange, he never thought too deeply about them, treating them as secret master-level techniques. That kind of pure-mindedness was exactly what Serena wanted.

Dealing with smart people was exhausting—like Ninth Royal Uncle, William Wang Jinling, or Lance Quinn.

"Serena, if you have free time, come visit the Sun Estate. I'll have lotus-seed soup made for you." Madam Sun opened the carriage window and warmly invited her after seeing the master and disciple had finished talking.

Madam Sun's once plump, blessed face had thinned in recent days, but her complexion was much improved.

"Of course, I'll definitely come." Serena truly meant it. She needed to bring Sun Zhengdao to Hsieh Manor sooner or later.

She believed that with Hsieh Manor's abilities, Sun Zhengdao would protect Helena Hsieh's child. Besides, with Simon Sun's close ties to her, the Empress was unlikely to favor Sun Zhengdao. Helena Hsieh was a promising ally.

Women—especially those in the harem—only stay out of trouble if they keep busy.

After seeing Madam Sun off, Serena Feng was thinking about catching up on sleep. For a doctor, being up at all hours was normal, and she seized every chance to rest. As for sleeping too much during the day and not being able to sleep at night? That would never happen to her.

But just as she turned around, hoofbeats sounded in her ears.

"Huh? Galloping through the city in broad daylight—did something happen? Could it be that Lance Quinn was arrested?"

Concerned, Serena stood at the gate of Feng Manor, wanting to see what was going on—only to find the entire group stopping right at her doorstep.

"Greetings, Miss Feng." The leading fifth-rank guard dismounted and knelt on one knee.

Such was the allure of power. A fifth-rank guard had no need to kneel to the daughter of General Feng, nor, in fact, to the young lady of House Feng of Loyalty.

Serena guessed this guard was showing her such respect because of the likes of Ninth Royal Uncle, the Crown Prince, and William Wang Jinling. Since he was already kneeling, she accepted it without fuss.

"Please rise. May I ask your name, sir?"

"Thank you, Miss Feng. I am Walter Wang." The guard cupped his fists, fully displaying his strength—proof he wasn't one of those officers promoted by family connections in the inner city.

"Are you a member of the Wang clan, Sir Wang?" Serena finally understood why he was so respectful—it was all for the sake of William Wang Jinling.

A barely noticeable excitement flashed across Walter Wang's face as he nodded vigorously. "I'm from a collateral branch of the Wang clan." Maybe his name would reach the Grand Heir—this was truly an opportunity. Walter's heart was pounding.

Serena nodded and smiled. "The Grand Heir always says Wang men are both scholarly and martial. I've always thought he was just flattering me, since he himself is so refined. But today I've finally seen the martial side of a Wang man. Next time I see the Grand Heir, I'll tell him I believe him now." Walter Wang was giving her respect for William Wang Jinling's sake, so of course she had to return the favor.

Walter Wang tried to suppress his excitement, but his voice still trembled. "Thank you, Miss Feng, for your kindness."

The Wang clan's collateral branches were many and full of talent. If he could catch the Grand Heir's eye, his career would be much smoother. This trip had definitely been worthwhile—Walter's dark, shining face flushed with excitement, and he was at a loss for words.