"What on earth happened here? Serena Feng, how did you end up like this? Say something!" Vincent Su could hardly believe his own eyes.
Was this wretched woman before him really the same proud, confident figure he’d seen in the mortuary that day?
"Sis..." Evan Zhou’s eyes reddened and tears slid down his cheeks.
Even during his days as a branded lowborn, he’d never suffered humiliation like this.
Serena Feng—his sister by choice—had saved him without hesitation the first time they met, not even asking why. How could anyone be so cruel, treating such a good woman this way?
With Serena refusing to answer and the soldiers blocking their way, Vincent Su and Evan Zhou turned to Caleb Wang for answers.
Caleb Wang looked defeated, his voice weary as he uttered just two words: "Prince Rowan."
Prince Rowan?
Vincent Su and Evan Zhou fell silent at once, looking at each other in helpless disbelief.
Prince Rowan. Prince Rowan.
Serena Feng’s former fiancé—and the infamous engagement annulment that caused a huge scandal.
Now that Serena Feng has fallen into his hands, even pleading for mercy is impossible. And as for finding someone more powerful than him, there’s only…
The Crown Prince, or Ninth Royal Uncle.
But right now, the Crown Prince can barely protect himself—there’s no way he’d risk offending Adrian Eastlyn for Serena Feng.
As for Ninth Royal Uncle?
Asking him for help would be less effective than appealing directly to the Emperor—there’s probably a better chance that way.
Ninth Royal Uncle has always hated dealing with women. There’s no way he’d ask Adrian Eastlyn for a favor just for a woman.
Everyone in the capital knows about the feud between Adrian Eastlyn and Serena Feng. In this situation, no one would dare speak up for her.
What should we do?
The three men had rushed over, but now they were at a complete loss.
Serena Feng knelt where she was, her weakened body swaying uncontrollably.
She heard every word from Vincent Su and Evan Zhou, but she couldn’t muster the strength to reply.
Serena knew she was sick—burning with fever, overwhelmed by fatigue, and utterly spent.
But knowing changed nothing. Even if she had the strength, she couldn’t treat herself now.
A healer cannot heal herself!
Hearing the anxious voices of Vincent, Evan, and Caleb Wang, learning that it was Adrian Eastlyn who forced her to kneel here, Serena’s heart twisted with helpless pain.
A tear slid from the corner of Serena’s eye.
She’d held herself together all day, refusing to show weakness. But seeing the three men—knowing she’d offended Adrian Eastlyn, yet they stayed by her side—she finally couldn’t hold on any longer and let the tears fall.
Adrian Eastlyn, congratulations. You’ve succeeded in planting a seed of hatred in my heart.
Adrian Eastlyn, do you know? I, Serena Feng, am a simple person. I only ever wanted a simple life. I hate hatred—I don’t like keeping grudges, don’t want to hate, don’t want to resent.
Even after what happened on my wedding day, I never thought of blaming or hating anyone. At most, I wanted to find out who was behind it, to prevent it from happening again.
Adrian Eastlyn, I know very well—on that day, when I woke up outside the city, even if you weren’t the one who acted, you were involved. But even so, I never wanted to hate you, never wanted revenge. I just wanted to survive. That’s all.
But today, Adrian Eastlyn, I hate you.
You made me realize just how low and powerless I am in this world. With a wave of your hand, you can destroy everything I’ve worked for.
Adrian Eastlyn, pray—pray that Heaven never gives me a chance. Because if I ever get one, I will never let you go.
……
Time ticked by. Evan, Vincent, and Caleb Wang simply stood aside, watching and waiting.
Just as Serena thought she might collapse at any moment, Adrian Eastlyn appeared…
After inspecting the capital’s defenses, Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, Adrian Eastlyn, and General Warren Yu returned to the city gate, preparing to head back to the palace.
Just as they came down from the wall, Warren Yu spotted Serena kneeling there. He looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded in understanding.
So it was Prince Rowan’s handiwork. No wonder he’d been so thorough inspecting the gate’s defenses today—he was punishing Serena Feng and wanted to humiliate her.
As Warren Yu drew closer, he saw how wretched Serena looked and was startled, pausing to distance himself from Adrian Eastlyn. He glanced silently at Adrian, then lowered his head and said nothing.
Inwardly, he thought: ‘From now on, I must keep my distance from Prince Rowan. He’s far too petty—publicly humiliating a woman like this is hardly the act of a gentleman. If I ever make a mistake and fall into his hands, I’ll die a miserable death.’
Adrian Eastlyn never imagined that the general he thought he could easily win over would form a bad impression of him because of Serena Feng. Later, when the struggle for the throne began, Warren Yu would choose neutrality, costing Adrian a powerful ally.
Of course, if Warren Yu had known that Serena Feng once threatened Adrian Eastlyn’s very lifeblood, he’d never have thought this way. But Prince Rowan would never reveal such a humiliating secret.
As soon as Adrian Eastlyn and his group appeared, Evan Zhou, Vincent Su, and Caleb Wang rushed forward. The guards, seeing the Su and Wang heirs, didn’t dare block them, and with a look from Warren Yu, let them pass.
Thud…
Ten paces away, the three men knelt respectfully: ‘Greetings to Ninth Royal Uncle, Prince Rowan, long life to Your Highness. Greetings to General Warren Yu.’
The line between commoner and official was clear—even Caleb Wang, born to a noble family, had to kneel before royalty.
Of course, officials below third rank wouldn’t dare accept Caleb Wang’s salute.
‘Rise,’ Ninth Royal Uncle said. Of the three, he was the most exalted, so the words were his to speak.
But Evan, Vincent, and Caleb Wang didn’t stand. After bowing to Adrian Eastlyn, they again kowtowed: ‘Serena Feng was young and ignorant and offended Your Highness. Please, for the sake of the late General Feng and Madam Feng, show mercy and spare her.’
Vincent Su spoke first. He knew that Madam Feng had once saved Adrian Eastlyn’s mother—the Empress. He hoped to appeal to his emotions and persuade him to let Serena go.
But the words only darkened Adrian Eastlyn’s face. He glared coldly at Vincent—wasn’t Vincent accusing him of repaying kindness with cruelty?
When Adrian didn’t answer, Caleb Wang also pleaded, taking all the blame upon Serena—she was the one who’d offended Adrian, and he begged him not to hold it against a clueless girl.
This way, at least, Adrian’s reputation was preserved, and he wouldn’t lose face. But it also made clear that the Seventh Prince was tormenting a helpless orphaned girl.
Evan Zhou, of humble birth, could only knock his head on the ground and plead in silence.
Seeing Serena’s pitiful condition, Adrian Eastlyn’s anger had already faded. He’d never truly wanted her dead. Now, with Vincent and Caleb pleading, he relented:
‘Since Serena Feng herself offended me, what use is your apology on her behalf? Let her come forward herself.’
The three men brightened and hurriedly kowtowed, then rushed toward Serena…
Adrian’s meaning was clear—if Serena kowtowed and apologized, he’d let her go. But would she agree?
Warren Yu watched the filthy yet proud woman…