No matter how Serena Feng refused, Lord Harold Chu and Charlotte Chu insisted that Simon Sun had ruined Charlotte's reputation and must take responsibility by marrying her.
Serena Feng firmly disagreed, stating outright that Simon Sun would never do such a thing to tarnish Charlotte Chu's name. Lord Harold Chu was so angry he nearly collapsed, and Serena dared not say more, fearing that if he fell ill, Simon would be forced to marry Charlotte regardless.
With neither side willing to budge, Nolan Dongling openly watched the drama unfold, refusing to intervene. In the end, Lord Harold Chu demanded that Serena Feng call Simon Sun to face the accusation directly.
Serena Feng immediately sent servants to look for him. Half an hour later, a servant reported, "Young Master Simon is out treating patients, and no one knows where he is right now."
Serena Feng heard this and smiled politely, though her eyes remained cold. "Simon is completely devoted to medicine. No one knows where he is at the moment—why not discuss this another day?"
Charlotte Chu's maneuver was brilliant; Serena needed time to investigate, and Simon's absence was actually a blessing.
"Three days, Miss Feng. I'll give you three days. You should know Chu City is not so easily bullied. If it weren't for Young Divine Doctor Simon, hmph..." Lord Harold Chu glared at Serena Feng, flicked his sleeve, and left.
"No need to see you out," Serena Feng remained seated, not intending to stand up at all. Nolan Dongling was even less concerned—he treated Lord Harold Chu and Charlotte Chu as if they were invisible, not sparing them a single glance from start to finish.
"Father, do you think Serena Feng will really compromise?" Once in the carriage, Charlotte Chu voiced her worries.
To be honest, Charlotte Chu was nearly livid today—she'd sacrificed her own reputation to attach herself to Simon Sun, yet Serena Feng still refused.
Serena Feng just doesn’t understand—there are so many men in the Nine Provinces Realm who want to marry her, she’s more than worthy of Simon Sun.
"Whether she compromises or not doesn’t matter. As long as we insist Simon Sun ruined your reputation, if he refuses to marry you, you simply won’t marry anyone for the rest of your life." Lord Harold Chu’s sickly face was full of calculation.
Charlotte Chu nodded, "Father, I understand. But will Simon Sun be in danger because of this?"
"What’s wrong? You can’t bear to let him go? Charlotte, you should know those men who want to marry you have ulterior motives—they want Chu City, not you." Lord Harold Chu’s heart skipped a beat at Charlotte’s reaction.
Could it be that Charlotte Chu really likes that foolish Simon Sun?
That would never do. As the true power-holder of Chu City, Charlotte mustn’t get emotionally attached to her future husband. Once a woman falls in love, her grip on power becomes precarious.
"Don’t worry, Father. I know what I should and shouldn’t do." Charlotte Chu met her father’s perceptive gaze, quickly composed herself, her eyes calm and utterly devoid of affection. Only then did Lord Harold Chu relax.
As soon as Lord Harold Chu and Charlotte Chu left, Serena Feng vented her anger on Nolan Dongling. She strode over and kicked him hard in the calf: "What was that supposed to mean? You stood there like an ice sculpture and didn’t say a word for me!"
Nolan Dongling instinctively wanted to retaliate, but when he realized it was Serena Feng, he held back, looking at her with eyes completely devoid of warmth.
Serena Feng wilted under Nolan Dongling’s gaze, her anger vanishing. She immediately softened and tried to appease him: "Um... I didn’t mean it, I just lost my temper. If I hurt you, you can kick me back, okay?"
Finishing her words, Serena Feng stood before Nolan Dongling with a sense of righteous sacrifice, as if daring him to retaliate.
"Heh..." Nolan Dongling couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out and pulled Serena Feng into his arms. "This prince isn’t that petty."
It was just a kick, after all. Serena Feng hadn’t used much force; how painful could it be?
Serena Feng struggled for a moment, but then remembered she needed a favor from Nolan Dongling. She obediently stopped and even wrapped her arms around his neck, cooperating fully: "Ninth Royal Uncle..."
Her soft, sweet tone was always Nolan Dongling’s weakness. As soon as he heard it, his heart melted and he sighed, "Go ahead, what do you want this prince to do?"
"Do whatever you want. As long as Simon Sun doesn’t marry Charlotte Chu and his reputation stays intact." Serena Feng said 'whatever,' but still listed out plenty of requirements.
If Simon Sun’s reputation wasn’t harmed, then it was Charlotte Chu’s reputation that would suffer.
Nolan Dongling didn’t agree right away. Instead, he asked, "Why don’t you want Simon Sun to marry Charlotte Chu?"
For people like them, marriage was always a transaction. For Simon Sun, marrying Charlotte Chu would bring only benefits—backed by Chu City, he would be respected wherever he went.
"Simon doesn’t like Charlotte Chu." That was all that mattered.