Comfort and a Public Proposal to Marry Serena Feng

Master Marcus Wynn said nothing more, but his questions made his opinion clear. Everyone present now understood exactly who stood higher—Serena Feng or Wendy Summers—without needing it spelled out.

Some rejoiced, some worried. The Crown Prince and those who had never expected anything from Serena now genuinely felt happy for her.

Victory in the first round—Serena won beautifully, defeating Wendy in her strongest field: the zither.

Wendy’s face was deathly pale, her eyes bulging ever so slightly, looking as if she wanted to devour Serena alive.

Before, Wendy could claim Serena used underhanded tricks—but now? With Master Marcus Wynn declaring he wished to take Serena as his teacher, how could she criticize Serena’s zither skills anymore?

Only now did Wendy realize: Master Marcus Wynn had said her technique was good, but that was all—she had skill, but no feeling. Her playing simply couldn’t move him.

Sensing someone’s gaze, Wendy looked up—only to meet the icy eyes of Prince Damien of Southlyn. Terrified, she immediately lowered her head, her spine prickling with cold.

What was she supposed to do now?

Wendy’s distress was obvious, but everyone else just saw her as a sore loser and quickly looked away. All eyes were now on Serena, waiting to see if she would accept Master Marcus Wynn as her disciple.

A faint smile flickered in Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan’s eyes—he was proud of Serena. In zither, the only person who had ever made Master Marcus Wynn yield was the mysterious ‘first under heaven’ he often mentioned; now, Serena was the second.

Of course, what Nolan really wanted to know was how Serena would refuse Master Marcus Wynn. Others might not realize it, but Ninth Royal Uncle knew—Serena’s performance of “Boundless Azure Sea and Sky” was surely connected to that little device she always carried.

If Serena hadn’t been a complete novice at zither, she never would have removed the strings. After all, the most precious part of the Ice‑String Zither was those seven rare ice‑silk strings.

...Just as Nolan expected, Serena was covered in metaphorical black lines. She’d thought Master Marcus Wynn would question the water-like sounds that weren’t even proper zither notes, but she never saw this coming. It was honestly surprising.

All that talk about refined, noble qin masters—it was a lie. Look at the burning hunger in his eyes, like a stray dog staring at a meat bun. ...Of course, she was definitely not the bun.

“Master Marcus Wynn, are you joking?” Serena was glad she’d kept up her cold, mysterious, queenly persona today. It made refusing him easy—she could be proud and aloof.

“Miss Serena, I’m completely serious. I truly want to learn. The highest realm of music is delighting the heart and making self and world vanish; your playing has reached the sealed-peak stage.” Master Marcus Wynn looked earnest, his eyes full of hope.

Of course healing music delights the heart—that’s not even her doing, honestly. But she couldn’t say that. Serena just felt he was picking a fight for no reason; all her goodwill vanished. “Master Marcus Wynn, I’ll just treat that as a joke. I’ll only ever teach ‘Boundless Azure Sea and Sky’ to my daughter.” If you want it, try reincarnating as my kid.

“In that case, I’ll just marry you. Then you can teach our daughter, and she can teach me.” Without hesitation, Master Marcus Wynn proposed in front of everyone.

“Master Marcus Wynn, that’s not something to joke about.” This time, not only Serena—even the Emperor and the others thought he’d gone mad. The Grand Protector at his side immediately tried to talk him down.

Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan’s face darkened at Marcus Wynn’s words.

Just playing the zither could get you a marriage proposal—and even talk about future daughters. Serena really had some skill! How many was this now? Serena only had to deal with one Wendy and already found it a headache, but him?

William Wang Jinling, Prince Terrence Valen, Prince Damien of Southlyn, Prince Rowan, Prince Chase, General Warren Yu—and now Master Marcus Wynn. Did all these men think he had too much free time?

Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan was burning with rage. If he hadn’t known for sure that Serena wouldn’t accept, he’d have dragged her away long ago.

Nolan’s killing intent was so obvious, but Master Marcus Wynn seemed not to notice at all. With total seriousness, he said, “I’m not joking. I mean it. Serena Feng, will you marry me?”

“No. I won’t be anyone’s concubine or second wife.” Serena refused without hesitation. Admiring Uncle Marcus as a musician was one thing, but actually marrying an older man—forget it.

She wasn’t that young anymore, but she hadn’t even hit thirty. For her, Marcus was just too old. And yes, she’d grown up without much parental love—but she’d never planned to look for a father figure in her future husband.

Marrying a man old enough to be her father—she just didn’t have the guts. And if he only wanted her for one song, that was just too tragic.

“Don’t worry. I’d marry you as my legal wife, and I’ve never married before—so you wouldn’t be a second wife.” Master Marcus Wynn was offended. To think his proposal would be rejected! With his reputation, he was qualified to propose to a princess.

He might not be young, but he was still in his prime. An older man marrying a younger woman was nothing unusual—there were plenty of sixty-year-old men marrying fifteen-year-old girls.

The Emperor hadn’t planned to get involved, but now he was happy to watch the show. Master Marcus Wynn proposing to an Eastlyn woman and being refused—what a proud moment for Eastlyn!

Never married? This time it was Serena’s turn to be shocked. “Master Marcus Wynn, aren’t you a bit old for that?”

“Thirty-eight.” Marcus replied bitterly. He didn’t need Serena to remind him—he knew he wasn’t young. “Other than age, there’s nothing about me that isn’t good enough for you.”

On the contrary, it was Serena who wasn’t good enough for him.

Facing Nolan’s cold stare, Marcus glared right back, unafraid.

What are you glaring at? I’m not scared of you. You think I don’t know who you really are? Don’t force me to expose your identity.

A flash of killing intent passed through Nolan’s eyes—so fast that Marcus didn’t catch it. In fact, even if he had, Marcus wouldn’t be afraid. Once Nolan knew who he was, he’d never dare kill him.

“To propose marriage for a single song—Master Marcus Wynn, you’re really selling yourself short.” Serena snapped. Why did men these days always act like they were doing her a favor by proposing, as if she couldn’t find anyone else?

Can’t find anyone to marry? Then she just wouldn’t get married.

“As long as you know I’m the one being wronged. Serena, after your contest with Wendy Summers, I’ll send matchmakers to your door. Don’t worry, I know you won’t be anyone’s concubine—I’ll follow all the proper rites and marry you as my legal wife. Your status might be a bit lacking, but for the sake of ‘Boundless Azure Sea and Sky,’ I’ll make do.” Marcus finished speaking without giving Serena any chance to refuse, bowed to the Emperor, and said, “Your Majesty, I must return home to prepare for my marriage. Please allow me to take my leave.”

“Granted!” The Emperor waved his hand, also announcing the end of the first round. Everyone dispersed—no need to say who’d won.

The Emperor and Empress left first; Nolan, the Crown Prince, Prince Terrence, and Prince Damien also exited by another route. Before leaving, Nolan shot Serena a warning look.

Even though he knew Marcus wouldn’t really marry Serena—and Serena would never marry Marcus—Nolan was still unhappy. For Marcus to propose right in front of him was just too much. Nolan decided he’d find time to have a serious talk with Serena about marriage...