Refutation and Summoning Ninth Royal Uncle to Testify

Serena Feng's request was perfectly reasonable. The High Court Chief Justice would never openly make things difficult for her. Though he didn't understand why Serena insisted on questioning Daniel Ming herself, he still agreed.

With the Chief Justice's permission, Serena could question Daniel Ming boldly, without worrying about any restrictions.

Serena didn't rush to speak. Instead, she walked forward slowly, standing over Daniel Ming—once her loyal guard, now her betrayer—looking down at him from above.

She just stared at him quietly, saying nothing. One standing, one kneeling—even if Serena did nothing, Daniel Ming could feel the pressure looming over him. A faint unease crept into his heart, but things had gone too far for regret. In truth, he never had the luxury to regret.

Serena didn't put on airs or threaten him. As the crowd grew impatient, she finally spoke, her voice calm: "Daniel Ming, do you know who I am?"

What did that mean? Daniel Ming didn't understand, but could only answer honestly: "Serena Feng, daughter of Feng Manor."

"You're right, I am the daughter of Feng Manor. But at the same time, I am also your mistress, aren't I?" Serena wasn't aggressive, but everyone present could sense her displeasure.

Being betrayed by a servant, any master would be upset. Serena's composure was already remarkable—at least she carried herself with the dignity of a true mistress.

"Yes." Daniel Ming replied stiffly.

"Then, how have I treated you?" Serena used the same method she once employed against Prince Adrian Dongling, leading Daniel Ming step by step into her trap.

"Miss has never treated me badly." Serena's question was simple, but Daniel Ming's face grew paler and paler, sweat pouring down his forehead. He clearly knew he was in trouble.

Serena felt no sympathy for him. No matter the reason, betrayal deserved punishment. Her earlier questions were just a setup; now, she let her anger show and snapped: "Daniel Ming, since I've never treated you badly, why did you betray me? Why did you collude with the Bloodcloak Guard to frame me? How could you do this to me? To Prince Samuel Manor, which gave you to me?"

Serena deliberately emphasized 'Prince Samuel Manor,' reminding both the Bloodcloak Guard and Daniel Ming that his betrayal was not only of her, but also of Prince Samuel Manor.

Given Prince Samuel's status and power, if he got angry, even the Bloodcloak Guard would be in trouble.

Drip, drip, drip... Beads of sweat hit the floor, splashing into tiny droplets. Daniel Ming's body trembled uncontrollably. He was scared now, but he had no way out. He hadn't truly betrayed anyone—he was just loyal to his duty.

He was a Bloodcloak Guard agent from the start, planted in Prince Samuel Manor as a spy. Later, when sent to Feng Manor, his job was to monitor Serena. Now his superiors wanted him to testify about yesterday's events, so he had no choice but to accuse Serena.

"Miss Feng, I'm sorry. I never had a choice—never once in my life." Daniel Ming murmured inwardly.

Daniel Ming took a shaky breath, forcing down his fear. He bowed his head even lower, not daring to look at Serena, and stammered, "Miss, I did not betray you. I only..."

Before he could finish, Serena interrupted him: "Daniel Ming, don't tell me you simply couldn't stand my wicked ways and wanted to stand up for justice, to expose me for the Bloodcloak Guard. Hmph, do you even believe that yourself?

Daniel Ming, you betrayed me, but I won't blame you. After all, everyone has their own ambitions. Someone like you was wasted in Feng Manor. As your former mistress, I hope that after all you've done for the Bloodcloak Guard today, they'll give you a bright future. Daniel Ming, as your former mistress, I wish you success."

"Miss..." Daniel Ming curled up into himself, hearing the warning in Serena's words. He understood that after today, the Bloodcloak Guard would never let him go. Even if only to appease Prince Samuel's anger, the Bloodcloak Guard wouldn't let him live.

From the day he became a spy, Daniel Ming knew he would never have a good end. But now that the day had come, terror overwhelmed him. He didn't dare hope Serena would spare him—what could he even hope for?

Daniel Ming stared sadly at the stone tiles beneath his feet, a single tear falling. The Bloodcloak Guard had discarded him. He had lost everything—not even his life was his own. There was nothing left to hope for.

Hmph... Serena snorted coldly and turned her head away, ignoring the traitor at her feet. No matter how loyal Daniel Ming thought he was, she would never defend him again—she wasn't some saint.

Serena didn't argue or explain herself—she only expressed her disappointment in Daniel Ming and made it clear he had betrayed his master. But every word also told the crowd that the Bloodcloak Guard had bribed her guards to give false testimony, and that her guards had been used by them.

This time, the Director of Bloodcloak Criminal Affairs was smart. Seeing things turn against him, he immediately jumped in: "Serena Feng, don't talk nonsense! The Bloodcloak Guard did not frame you. You clearly broke into our prison to rescue a prisoner last night—your own guards have testified! If the officers search your manor and find your guards wounded, let's see how you explain that."

The Director was nearly driven mad. He had never met anyone as shameless as Serena—she had done all this herself and still managed to push all the blame onto the Bloodcloak Guard.

"Director, if you say I broke into your Bloodcloak Guard prison, then show me real evidence. If my manor produced a traitor, that's my own failure to manage it. But if you convict me based on a traitor's word, isn't that reckless? If that's enough to convict, then I could just bribe a Bloodcloak Guard to accuse you of treason. Director, would you accept that?" Serena said with a smile.

"Serena Feng, don't slander me!" The Director's eyes were bloodshot, glaring at Serena like a venomous snake. Treason was a crime that could wipe out nine generations, yet Serena tossed out the accusation so lightly—wasn't she afraid of scaring people to death?

But Serena was completely unafraid. She retorted forcefully, "Director, I only said that and you're already this angry. When your Bloodcloak Guard does things like this, have you ever thought about how the people you frame feel? Why is it only the Bloodcloak Guard that's allowed to frame people, but no one else can?"

"Did the Bloodcloak Guard really frame you?" the Director gritted his teeth. This time, they truly hadn't framed Serena.

"Whether you framed me or not, the Bloodcloak Guard knows best. Director, have you forgotten where I was last night? This guard's story is obviously false. He claims I led my guards to break into the Bloodcloak Guard prison, then retreated after a loud explosion. So tell me—how exactly did I manage to rescue anyone?

Director, your men tortured suspects to death and lost track of them. I came to the High Court to file a complaint and demand my people back, yet you turn around and accuse me of breaking them out. Truly shameless."

To show her anger, Serena flicked her sleeve and retreated to her seat, bowing to the High Court Chief Justice: "Honorable judges, I have finished my questioning. If the Bloodcloak Guard insists I led a raid last night, then please, allow me to summon Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan to testify for me."

This...

The three judges were stumped. How could they dare let Ninth Royal Uncle testify? Fine—Serena's testimony was more credible. The Chief Justice prepared to rule that the Bloodcloak Guard had made a false accusation.

But just then, the Director of Bloodcloak Criminal Affairs jumped up again: "Honorable judges, I have more witnesses."

"More witnesses? Speak..." The Chief Justice looked to the other two judges, who nodded.

Given permission, the Director shot Serena a sinister look. "Serena Feng, don't think bringing up Ninth Royal Uncle will help you. You weren't with him last night. You and Ninth Royal Uncle entered the city together, but he was immediately summoned to the palace. These two gate soldiers can testify."

"Yes, Honorable judges, I can testify. Last night, I was on gate duty and saw Ninth Royal Uncle and Miss Feng enter the city. There was also a mysterious expert with them. After entering, Ninth Royal Uncle was summoned to the palace, while Miss Feng and the expert returned to Feng Manor. I remember it was just after sundown."

The two gate soldiers knelt and recounted every detail of Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan's arrival last night—so precisely that Serena began to suspect these two weren't ordinary men.

"Serena Feng, is this true?" The High Court Chief Justice questioned her again. The Bloodcloak Guard had brought three witnesses, and their testimony was all against Serena.

According to the soldiers, Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle may have arrived together, but separated early on—Serena had plenty of time to commit the crime before heading to Prince Samuel Manor.

The testimony from Feng Manor's guards also proved Serena went to the Bloodcloak Guard’s prison. Even if she hadn’t, she couldn’t explain why her guards were wounded last night.

No matter how careful, even Serena could miss something. Standing in the courtroom, solemn and composed, she could only grit her teeth and say, "Absolutely not."

She couldn't admit to anything. All she could do now was gamble—the palace witnesses wouldn’t come forward. She trusted them, and even if they did testify, she wouldn’t be afraid.

She'd drunk wine and played chess with Ninth Royal Uncle, but never said when—so it could have been before entering the city. It was already dark then. As for the mysterious expert the soldiers mentioned, well, let them try to find Zuo An.

"That's right, absolutely not. I can testify as well." As Serena finished speaking, Dominic Zhai's voice rang out from the crowd.

Everyone looked over and saw Dominic Zhai, dressed in his Heir Zane court robes, radiating authority as he strode toward the courtroom with four guards.

Serena's eyes lit up—Dominic Zhai had arrived, and her heart settled.

She knew it—sending Mira Tang to find William Wang Jinling was a brilliant move. William knew about the case, knew she was coming to the High Court, and would surely find Dominic Zhai. Dominic's status was special; he could testify powerfully for her, proving the soldiers' words were false.

William truly understood her—he knew she'd need Dominic Zhai today...