Keeping Her and Being Arrogant at This Moment

Serena Feng has no trouble in Lyndaria?

She’s in plenty of trouble. If Prince Derrek weren’t shielding her, and if she didn’t have Ninth Royal Uncle backing her, the Westlyn National Preceptor would’ve dragged her back and dissected her like an experimental specimen.

But Prince Derrek can’t shield Serena forever. Little Dumpling may still trust Serena most, but he’s no longer so dependent that he can’t live without her. Lately, Prince Derrek has personally taken Little Dumpling everywhere, and the boy has grown much closer to him. At this rate, Serena will soon be able to move out of Prince Duan’s Manor.

Serena doesn’t need Prince Derrek to hint or say anything—she takes the initiative to find him. Once the Ghost Doctor finally breaks, they’ll move out of Prince Duan’s Manor.

They have no family ties to Prince Derrek. Before, for Little Dumpling’s sake, Prince Derrek had no choice; now, he certainly won’t bear the Emperor’s and Princess Royal’s pressure just for them.

Before, with Little Dumpling as the reason, Prince Derrek could claim he was just a doting father and had to protect Serena for the boy’s sake. The Emperor, seeing Little Dumpling, could more or less understand Prince Derrek’s position.

But now, since Little Dumpling can live without Serena, Prince Derrek has no excuse left, and Serena certainly won’t make things difficult for him.

“Find us a small courtyard. Once the Ghost Doctor finally talks, we’ll move out.” Serena had worried that the Princess Royal might forcibly summon her back, but after hearing that Ninth Royal Uncle is personally coming to Lyndaria, she feels her courage swell again.

Having someone powerful backing you really is the best. If you can’t be arrogant and proud now, then when can you?

"He’s almost done for. He has no idea how long he’s been locked up—his spirit is completely crushed." Zuo An kept the Ghost Doctor sealed in a wooden barrel, never moved, never seeing light, surrounded by utter darkness and silence, forced to eat, drink, and relieve himself all in the same barrel.

To keep the Ghost Doctor from knowing how time is passing, Zuo An sometimes feeds him seven or eight times a day, sometimes more than ten, making sure he has no idea how long he’s been locked up.

“Let’s simmer him for two more days—break his will to resist completely.” When Serena decides to get ruthless, she makes it unforgettable; people would rather die than ever fall into her hands again.

"Mm." Zuo An has no mercy for anyone who hurt Serena’s brother. "By the way, Ghost Hall operatives are active again in Lyndaria—they’re searching for the two who died earlier. I’ve been watching them closely, and the people they’re meeting seem to be from the Cui Clan."

"The Cui Clan?" This time Serena was genuinely startled. "You’re saying the Cui Clan is meeting with Ghost Hall?"

Could Holden Cui really have been driven stupid by his uncles’ pressure?

No, just because the Cui Clan is meeting with Ghost Hall doesn’t mean it’s Holden Cui personally—it could be someone else.

"Are you sure it’s the Cui Clan?" Serena’s face grew serious, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

If it really is the Cui Clan... then Ninth Royal Uncle’s arrival couldn’t be better timed. Serena truly has no way to face both the Princess Royal and the Cui Clan at once in Lyndaria.

She can borrow Prince Derrek’s power against the Princess Royal, but against the Cui Clan... there’s no rival great house in Lyndaria strong enough to counter them. As for the Emperor? He’d probably be delighted to see the Cui Clan kill her, then sit back while Ninth Royal Uncle gets furious and uproots House Cui, letting the Emperor reap all the benefit.

If Zuo An hadn’t found clues, he wouldn’t have told Serena. After working with her for so long, he knows all about Serena’s past cooperation with Holden Cui.

"Serena... children of great houses always put family interests first. Holden Cui wasn’t the eldest son, so before he took power, he’d work with you. But once he became clan head, he’d oppose you without hesitation if it meant protecting the clan." Zuo An advised Serena as a friend.

Serena gave a bitter smile and nodded lightly. "I understand."

After Holden Cui became head of the Cui Clan, William Wang Jinling warned her to withdraw her people and funds against the Cui Clan as soon as possible. Otherwise, Holden’s first act as clan head would be to strike back at her to protect the family.

Serena wasn’t raised by her clan—she’ll never fully understand how much a noble son will sacrifice for his family’s interests.

"I just can’t believe Holden Cui would cooperate with Ghost Hall—it’s too unbelievable." The Cui Clan has always wanted to put a Lan heir on the throne, but they’d never back Ghost Hall’s candidate.

The Cui Clan wants a puppet emperor they can control—not a strong sovereign. The Ghost Hall candidate is also a Lan descendant, but if he takes the throne, he’ll never let the Cui Clan grow powerful.

"I need to see Holden Cui." Last time, Serena withdrew in time and didn’t give Holden a chance to retaliate. Outwardly, they’re still on good terms, and Serena believes Holden will agree to meet her.

"What’s your excuse?" Serena wants to meet Holden Cui, but she can’t hide it from the Lyndarian Emperor.

"Damn." Serena cursed under her breath. It really isn’t her territory—everything is inconvenient here.

Serena stood up and paced the room. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Go to the Crown Prince’s Manor and have Titus arrange for me to meet the Crown Princess."

Holden Cui’s sister is no fool.

Zuo An nodded and turned to carry out Serena’s instructions...

Ever since Serena arrived in Lyndaria, Zuo An hasn’t had a moment’s rest. He handles all outside affairs alone—he’d rarely dealt with such things before and was often at a loss. Luckily, Serena always gave detailed instructions, so he never had to guess her intentions.

That afternoon, the Crown Prince’s Manor sent someone to invite Serena, saying the Crown Princess had heard of Serena’s medical skill and wished to meet her.

The messenger was evasive and awkward, hinting at something that couldn’t be spoken aloud. The clever immediately guessed: the Crown Princess probably had a delicate illness, couldn’t summon the imperial physicians, and so asked for Serena, a woman doctor.

“Brother, I get it...” The world isn’t short of know-it-alls or gossipmongers.

Soon, even the Emperor heard that the Crown Princess had a woman’s illness and was asking Serena, the woman doctor, to treat her.

As for whether it was true, no one dared ask the Crown Princess, and she couldn’t explain. Afterwards, it was said the Emperor even mentioned it to Titus, telling him to pay attention to the Crown Princess’s health and to keep several female physicians in the palace just in case.

Clearly, the Crown Princess was stuck with this rumor—and had no chance to explain, since no one would mention it to her. If she tried to explain, wouldn’t that make her look guilty?

It caused quite a stir... Serena admits, this was her intention all along. Pity the Crown Princess.

On the road, Ninth Royal Uncle treated Lyndaria’s news as entertainment. When he saw Serena’s handiwork, he couldn’t help but laugh...

Truly, they’re of one mind!