With Imperial Physician Sun Zhengdao and his wife gone, only Simon Sun remained as master of the Sun Estate, leaving the entire manor unusually quiet and desolate. The sight of the thin, solitary Simon Sun inspired extra pity.
Serena Feng and Simon Sun looked at each other, worry reflected in both their eyes. The sudden disappearance of Imperial Physician Sun and his wife clearly meant something had happened, but aside from the one letter Sun Zhengdao left behind, they knew nothing—and that letter did nothing to calm their fears.
"Simon, I can’t rest easy with you living here alone. Come back to my West District courtyard with me. Once my duel with Su Wan is over, we’ll go find Lord Sun together." Serena didn’t know what had happened to Sun Zhengdao, but her instincts told her the Sun Estate was no longer safe.
Simon Sun shook his head. "This is my home."
"I know, but with Lord Sun and Madam Sun gone, staying here by yourself will only remind you of what you’ve lost." If Serena weren’t worried about Simon’s safety, she wouldn’t be urging him to leave.
It was just like how, even though Feng Manor was old and run-down, Serena had never thought of leaving—because it was her home. Children without parents only cling harder to the idea of home.
Simon Sun still shook his head. Serena had no choice but to take up her authority as his master: "Simon, a teacher’s command cannot be defied. Having you live with me is what your parents wanted—and what your master wants as well."
Once a teacher, always a father—the status of a master in ancient times was far higher than in the modern era.
As expected, Simon Sun said no more. Even if he was unwilling, he could not defy the wishes of his parents and his master. After a brief bit of packing, Simon followed Serena Feng to the West District courtyard.
News that Simon Sun had moved into Serena Feng’s West District courtyard spread through the Capital that very day.
"Serena's master is truly attentive. She ought to be even more so." Ninth Royal Uncle was unconcerned—Serena was already his, and she would never get away.
"What exactly is Serena Feng trying to do? Even if she has the title of master and disciple, she's younger than Simon Sun—doesn't she fear gossip? Does she think she doesn't have enough trouble already?" Rowan Drake was so furious he smashed a set of purple clay teaware.
Serena Feng rejected his affection, kept him at arm's length, and guarded herself against him. Suddenly, Simon Sun appeared and was allowed to move into Serena's manor—it was only natural for Rowan to be angry.
The dignified Seventh Prince—now even the son of an imperial physician outshines him.
As for the other nobles, most paid Simon Sun no mind. Only Noble Consort Helena Hsieh was startled: with Simon Sun living in Serena Feng's home, that meant Imperial Physician Sun would not return to the Capital, and the confidant physician she had worked so hard to acquire was now useless to her.
Noble Consort Helena Hsieh stroked her slightly rounded belly, her eyes entirely devoid of warmth. "Go—tell the Hsieh clan to deliver that packet of information to Serena Feng."
"Yes." The palace maid, Helena Hsieh's confidante, asked no questions and immediately set out to act.
So, just as Serena Feng had settled Simon Sun in, Ethan Hsieh and Caleb Walker arrived at Feng Manor. Caleb was only there because Ethan had dragged him along—Ethan feared that once business was done, Serena would send him away, but with Caleb present, maybe he could snag a meal.
"Third Young Master, Seventh Young Master—it's been a while." Serena Feng greeted them with a bright smile. She had been busy with the duel and with matters involving Ninth Royal Uncle, leaving her with no private time. In truth, it had been ages since she last saw Caleb Walker and Ethan Hsieh.
"It's you who haven't seen us in a while—we've seen you every day. For half a month, all of the Capital has been gossiping about you." Caleb Walker's words were a bit sharp. Though he smiled, his eyes were not kind.
Serena Feng inwardly groaned—had she managed to offend the Walker clan again recently?
"Jinhan, I can't help it." Serena quickly tried to change the subject. "By the way, have you heard any news about Jinling lately?" But Caleb refused to let it go: "Serena, you could have handled things differently, but you always choose the most high-profile, self-damaging way. My brother... he's doing well now, but he doesn't know about the rumors between you and Ninth Royal Uncle. When he finds out, it won't be good. The person he cherishes most has been hurt beyond repair by someone else."
That rumor was a thorn—just hearing it made Caleb Walker uncomfortable, let alone his brother. Caleb didn't dare tell William Wang Jinling about it at all.
His brother had taken charge of the Walker clan in a rush for Serena, refused to marry for her sake, and insisted on going to Clearwater Town for the family trial—all while Serena remained blissfully ignorant, simply enjoying his devotion.
"Jinhan, William and I are just friends," Serena said quietly. Both she and William understood that they were destined to be only friends in this life.
"Friends? Then what about you and Ninth Royal Uncle?" Caleb pressed. "His status is higher than my brother's, but aside from an honorable principal-wife position, my brother could give you anything. What can Ninth Royal Uncle give you? He has ruined your reputation but won't even take responsibility." Caleb was frustrated—his brother had given everything to Serena, but she didn't appreciate it and let Nolan trample her. Caleb felt more and more that his brother's devotion was wasted.
"Jinhan, are you here to judge me today?" A flicker of pain flashed in Serena's eyes, quickly hidden away.
Caleb's words weren't excessive—when Ninth Royal Uncle spread those rumors, Serena was bound to be questioned and insulted by the world.
"Serena, I'm not here to attack you—I just hope you'll wake up. You can't keep getting entangled with Ninth Royal Uncle. In the end, you'll be the only one destroyed. He's a man; at worst, he'll gain a reputation for being romantic but not sleazy." Caleb wanted to scold Serena, but he had no right.
Serena took a deep breath. Of course she knew she shouldn't do this, but...
When emotions run deep, it's impossible to control oneself.
When Ninth Royal Uncle gave her that garment in the palace, Serena accepted his tribulation—she could never escape it in this life.
"Jinhan, if you came here today just to lecture me, then let's end it here. I know exactly what I'm doing." Serena showed a serene smile, her eyes as clear and calm as when Caleb first met her.
"Do you really know what you're doing?" Caleb wanted to wipe the smile off Serena's face—how could she still smile at a time like this? Did she really understand the consequences?
Serena remained perfectly calm in the face of Caleb's fury.
She truly knew what she was doing, knew it was wrong, but since she had already done it, she would not regret it.
They stared at each other in silence...
Ethan Hsieh saw the tension and quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Serena, don't overthink it. Caleb is only here because I dragged him along. Today, I'm here on behalf of Noble Consort Helena."
"Noble Consort Helena? What is it?" Serena seized the chance to avoid Caleb's eyes.
Ethan Hsieh handed Serena Feng a small wax-sealed wooden box. "Noble Consort Helena said you'll understand once you open it. Now that we've delivered it, Caleb and I will take our leave. Serena, you must win your duel with Su Wan—we're betting on you to win."
Ethan was thoroughly frustrated. He'd brought Caleb to Serena's hoping to score a meal, but Caleb seemed ready for a fight, targeting Serena at every turn. They didn't get any food—not even tea.
They'd been at Feng Manor for less than fifteen minutes before leaving.
Once Ethan and Caleb were gone, Serena slid from her chair, clutching the wooden box tightly as she silently wept.
Jinhan, I know exactly what I'm doing—I truly do. I also know what consequences I'll face.
Even in strict ancient times—or in the present—a single woman rumored to be living with a powerful man will be the one to suffer.
No matter the era, society always expects more of women. In such situations, a man can brush off his mistakes as mere flirtation, but a woman may have her life ruined.