Independence, You Heartless Little Thing

Victor Yun had no idea Nolan Dongling was angry. When Nolan asked about the bottle, Victor pointed eagerly at it and said with excitement, "It's this one—Serena gave it to Noble Consort Helena before."

"Is that so?" Nolan picked up the bottle and turned it in his hand, a cold sneer on his lips. "It is good stuff, indeed."

"It really is good stuff. Lots of people have been asking about Serena's Prenatal Formula lately. If regular people could buy it, it would be a huge blessing for anyone pregnant." Victor never mentioned money in front of Nolan.

Talking about money is tacky—they're doing this for the good of the people, after all.

Nolan raised an eyebrow and responded with a noncommittal sound, saying nothing more. Victor took the hint, quietly sat down, and didn’t say another word.

Serena walked in carrying a large bag of medicine, all for Victor Yun’s mother. Victor was already twenty-six, so for his mother to be pregnant now, she had to be at least forty. Even in modern times, pregnancies at that age are risky—let alone in an ancient world with primitive medicine.

Serena’s Prenatal Formula supplements trace elements. It’s not as miraculous as rumors claim, but it’s definitely better than nothing—safe and beneficial for both mother and child.

As soon as Serena entered, she saw Nolan, who clearly wasn’t in a good mood. She didn’t dare say much, just greeted him quickly before finalizing the price with Victor Yun to send him off.

Pricing was simple: the glass-bottle edition—thirty vials per box, one month’s supply—cost one hundred taels of silver. The pouch edition—two pouches per box, also a month’s supply. Serena originally wanted a much cheaper price so ordinary people could afford it, but Victor pointed out that if it’s too cheap, people won’t trust it. She compromised on a price both could accept.

That’s just how consumers think—if they don’t understand, they believe the expensive option is better. Serena had no choice but to settle on a price she and Victor Yun could both accept: one tael of silver per box. Poor families couldn’t afford it, but ordinary households could just manage.

As for the luxury edition priced at one hundred taels of silver per box, ninety-nine taels were really for the glass bottle. Later, a craze for collecting these bottles swept the market—many people bought Serena’s Prenatal Formula just to gift the medicine and keep the empty bottle for themselves. But that’s a story for another time.

Once the prices were set, Serena added another condition: pregnant women from poor families could apply for a free supply at Young Family Pharmacies. After a doctor confirmed their need, the pharmacy would provide the medicine free of charge, with Serena personally covering the cost.

Verification and distribution of the free prenatal formula would be handled jointly by Serena and the Young Clan. Every applicant’s details would be carefully recorded for future checks.

Victor Yun had no objections—he’d gain a great reputation and wouldn’t lose out. Still, there was plenty of 'oil' to skim in charity schemes, so he said he’d go home and draft a detailed set of rules.

Serena knew just how much 'oil' could be skimmed from charity programs—she’d heard all about scandals like those with the Red Cross.

After everything was settled, Victor Yun couldn’t wait to rush home and announce the good news to the Young Clan. Serena glanced at Nolan, silently asking if Victor could leave.

Nolan nodded slightly. Even without words, Victor understood the need for secrecy. With the Young Clan now relying on Serena, they’d never do anything to harm her—or themselves.

Victor Yun left, and the servants, sensing the mood, quietly withdrew—leaving Serena and Nolan alone.

"Are you in a bad mood?" Serena poured a cup of tea herself and handed it to Nolan.

Nolan snorted and took a sip of tea. The edge of his anger faded a little.

Serena arched an eyebrow. "Who upset you? Prince Titus or me? I don’t think I did anything wrong."

Serena didn’t think Nolan was petty enough to argue with her about William Walker Jinling.

"When did you get so close to the Young Clan?" Nolan asked, his tone slightly accusatory. He knew Serena well—she’d never mention it unless he brought it up himself.

He figured Serena had long since forgotten about the Young Clan’s marriage proposal.

"Before I entered the palace, Victor Yun asked me to become the Young Clan’s patron doctor. I agreed." Serena didn’t see anything wrong with that. She wasn’t Nolan’s property—she had the right to make friends and didn’t need to report everything to him.

"Patron doctor for the Young Clan? They’re not what they used to be. They’re only keeping you around for profit." Nolan was clearly unhappy, but he didn’t insist Serena break off the contract.

"If there were no benefits, the Young Clan wouldn’t bother. This is mutual advantage—no one does anything without gain. They want profit from me, but I’m also using their name as leverage. Medicine and business go hand in hand; only through mutual benefit can you go far."

"Anything you get from the Young Clan, I can help you with. Instead of working with them, why not partner with Vincent Su? Sutton Manor’s pharmacies are just as good." Nolan was still unhappy—Serena needed help, and she hadn’t thought of him; when something good happened, she hadn’t thought of him.

Serena had considered working with Vincent Su, but compared to Sutton Manor, she still found the Young Clan more suitable. "The Young Clan focuses solely on medicinal materials. Vincent Su’s business is too scattered—working with him would only bring profit, nothing else. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse; I don’t see anything wrong with the Young Clan. For me, they’re the best fit. If they weren’t in decline, they wouldn’t even be interested in me."

"So you signed the contract with the Young Clan without breathing a word to me. If I hadn’t stumbled across it myself, were you ever going to tell me?" Nolan felt a knot in his chest—he was the last to know about Serena’s plans.

Truthfully, she hadn’t planned to tell Nolan. Serena didn’t think it was any of his business. She looked him straight in the eye, serious: "Nolan, do I have to tell you everything I do and get your permission before I act?"

"That would be best." Nolan knew Serena was being sarcastic, but he still wished she’d rely on him more—draw closer to him.

Serena let out a cold laugh. "Nolan, what right do you have to demand that of me? If I have to get your approval for everything, then what about you? Do you ever consult me before you act?"

She’d never meddled in Nolan’s life or private affairs, yet he wanted to interfere in hers—wanted her to cling to him like a dodder vine, unable to live without his support. It was too much.

Serena Feng was not Nolan Dongling’s wife or concubine. Their relationship was nothing more than that of lovers—unprotected by law, unsanctioned by the world. It was fragile, and Nolan had no right to make such demands.

"That’s different." Nolan admired Serena’s strength and independence, but deep down, he believed she should rely on him—should consult him about everything, at least let him know what she was doing and who she was dealing with.

Serena didn’t argue, nor did she bring up gender equality. She knew that true equality between men and women hadn’t been achieved in the past or present. She spoke seriously: "Nolan, I can’t do any of that. I’m not just Serena Feng—I’m also the mistress of Feng Manor, responsible for everyone in it."

As the head of the house, I need my own judgment, my own perspective and stance. I can’t follow your arrangements in everything, even if you mean well.

As mistress of Feng Manor, I have to grow up—even if it means banging my head and bleeding. That’s what it means to be in charge. As long as I’m the master of Feng Manor, the only person who gets to decide my life is me.

Seeing Nolan fall silent, Serena knew he was still stubborn, so she laid it out clearly: "Nolan, no matter what happens in the future, as long as I’m the mistress of Feng Manor, only I get to decide my life. I have the right to choose how I live and handle my own affairs."

Obey father at home, husband when married, son when widowed—but Serena had no father, no husband, no son. Even by the strictest doctrine, those rules didn’t apply to her. Serena Feng was never bound by tradition.

Besides, if she changed, would she still be Serena Feng? She loved Nolan, but not enough to throw away her nature and become the woman he wanted.

Nolan admitted that Serena made sense, but...

"Serena, I would never hurt you. Everything I do is for your own good."

Serena had never doubted his intentions, but she quietly replied, "Nolan, what you think is good isn’t always what I want. This is my life, my path."

Seeing Nolan’s face turn dark, Serena sighed and softened her tone. "Nolan, if I have to ask you about everything, report everything I do, and simply follow your instructions, then I’m not Serena Feng anymore—I’m just a puppet in your hands. Is that really the version of me you want?"

She sometimes wished Nolan were gentler, more attentive, always by her side, whispering sweet words, surprising her now and then, coaxing her when she was upset. But if Nolan changed, would he still be the man she loved?

No—so even if she wanted it, she’d never ask Nolan to change himself for her.

By the same logic, Nolan couldn’t force her to change either. Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself.

Serena looked at Nolan, waiting for his answer. Nolan was at a loss for words—he just stared at her, saying nothing.

Serena was right. If she had no opinions of her own and depended on him for everything, how would she be any different from Bella Qin? Would he still love her then?

Nolan realized he’d fallen into the trap of wanting Serena to rely on him, forgetting that he’d always loved her strength and independence.

He needed time to think it over. Serena was impossible to persuade, and she didn’t appreciate his efforts...

Nolan closed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the armrest—a sign he was deep in thought. Serena sat quietly by his side, keeping him company.

She believed Nolan would come to understand.