Suffering a Loss, Take Off Your Clothes

At this moment, the Old Madam personally stepping forward is a warning: the matter between her and Rosa Zhen is just a minor dispute between young ladies, and it ends here. There must be no more trouble.

Although it’s always been the House of Duke Zhen stirring up trouble while she did nothing at all, now even the dignified Old Madam Zhen is treating her with such courtesy. Can she still argue with Duke Zhen’s estate? Can she still quarrel with Rosa Zhen?

They’ve given her plenty of face, yet ruthlessly stripped away her dignity—what a move from the House of Duke Zhen. Clearly, Duke Zhen’s estate must have suffered a loss somewhere, or why else would they make such concessions?

Looking at the Old Madam’s smiling face, which hides a warning, Serena Feng can only find it laughable. It’s always been Duke Zhen’s estate pressing her down—she’s never done anything at all.

When no one cared about her, the people of Duke Zhen’s estate treated her like a rat, toying with her. Now that things have shifted, they want to stop playing. So all of Serena Feng’s humiliation is worth just a single bracelet? How cheap.

But to outsiders, it looks like Duke Zhen’s estate is acting magnanimously, not stooping to argue with a mere orphan girl. After all, Duke Zhen’s house has suffered a big loss too.

The Old Madam gave Serena Feng no chance to refuse, motioning for her to sit on the small couch, and smilingly extended her wrist: “Serena, I’ve been feeling so tired lately. Can you take a look and tell me what’s wrong?”

This was forcing Serena Feng to take a stance.

Serena didn’t even need to take a pulse to know what to say about this “illness.” But if you’re going to put on a show, you have to play the whole part. Since Duke Zhen’s estate wants to back off, she’ll cooperate.

“Old Madam, you’re suffering from an emotional knot and false heat. Just drink some cooling and detoxifying tea and you’ll be fine.” Serena pretended to take her pulse, smiling as she spoke.

If Duke Zhen’s estate wants to reconcile, she’ll give them face—but that doesn’t mean she’s letting it go. Serena Feng remembers both kindness and grudges. Right now, she’s no match for Duke Zhen’s house, so stopping here is actually a good thing for her.

“Ah, Serena, you’re absolutely right. If you ask me, this illness of mine is truly from being angered by those unfilial descendants. If only my little monkeys were as well-behaved as you, this old woman wouldn’t have such a heavy heart.” The Old Madam dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, putting on a sorrowful act.

Since they want to put on a show, she’ll play along: “Old Madam, children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. From what I see, all the young ladies and gentlemen of Duke Zhen’s estate are good people. You can rest easy.”

This was exactly what the Old Madam was waiting for, and she immediately broke into a smile: “Everyone says your medical skill is extraordinary, Serena, and you’re a good judge of character. With your words, this old woman can rest easy.”

“Old Madam, you flatter me. I always say what’s on my mind, and sometimes I may speak out of turn or offend people. If I’ve said anything improper, I hope you won’t take it to heart.” Serena Feng apologized politely, earning a half-genuine, half-mocking lesson from the Old Madam: “You child, I like your straightforwardness. It’s good to say what you think.”

The Old Madam picked up her tea and took a delicate sip.

Serena Feng understood this was the signal to leave. In ancient times, serving tea was a subtle way to send off a guest. The Old Madam had gotten what she wanted from her, and wasn’t interested in further small talk—Serena wasn’t keen to linger either.

Old foxes, every one of them—Prince Samuel is one, and this Old Madam is another.

Serena Feng stood up and took her leave without hesitation. The Old Madam made a show of politely asking her to stay, then had a maid escort her out.

As soon as Serena left, Madam Qin stepped forward to massage the Old Madam’s back, asking in confusion, “Old Madam, she’s just an orphan with no parents. If our Duke Zhen’s estate wanted to beat or kill her, it’d just mean a coffin. Why bother making peace with her personally?”

The Old Madam narrowed her eyes, her smile fading from her face.

“You don’t understand—she’s not just an orphan. When Rosa Zhen sent people to insult her, it drew the attention of Prince Rowan, Prince Adrian, and the Wang clan. If we don’t show the right attitude, this whole thing will get very difficult.”

“You really think those lords would embarrass our Duke Zhen’s estate over someone so insignificant?” Madam Qin sneered. She didn’t believe a girl with no background was worth their attention.

The Old Madam let out a cold laugh: “Why do you think the Duke keeps getting picked apart, the second and fifth brothers are repeatedly scolded, and the third brother was dismissed from office?”

“Is it because of Serena Feng? That’s impossible…” Madam Qin gasped.

Of course she knew that matters between noblewomen could affect court politics, but she’d never imagined Serena Feng had that kind of power.

“Why not? Did you really think the second brother and the others made mistakes in their duties? That’s how it’s always been done. Someone’s deliberately making trouble—need I spell out why?” The Old Madam opened her eyes again, and now there was only a sharp glint in their depths, none of the previous kindness.

As soon as Serena Feng stepped out of the courtyard, someone stopped her, saying the Second Madam had requested her presence.

Serena arched an eyebrow but didn’t refuse, and under the maid’s guidance, she made her way to the Second Madam’s courtyard.

Duke Zhen’s estate might look grand and noble, but the ducal title belongs to only one person, and only one can inherit it. The other brothers have to find their own way.

There are five brothers in Duke Zhen’s estate. The eldest, second, third, and fifth were all born to the Old Madam and serve in government posts, but only in minor offices without real power. The fourth brother was born to a concubine and left the household early to make his own way.

The maid who escorted Serena Feng out came in to report, “Old Madam, Miss Feng was called away by the Second Madam.”

“The second brother’s wife is quite a shrewd one,” the Old Madam said mockingly, her face showing signs of weariness.

As soon as Serena Feng entered the Second Madam’s courtyard, the Second Madam rose to greet her, a hint of flattery in her manner. Anyone else might have been flustered by such attention, but Serena accepted it calmly.

From the Old Madam’s attitude, Serena understood someone must be pressuring Duke Zhen’s estate behind the scenes. Otherwise, why would they seek peace with an orphan like her?

Villains grind down other villains; power is always met with greater power. How true that is.

“I’ve long heard of your reputation, Serena, but never had the chance to meet you. Today, I finally get to see you for myself.” The Second Madam was of average appearance, but her slightly upturned eyes hinted at charm and shrewdness, though she lacked the poise of a household matron.

“Second Madam.” Knowing Duke Zhen’s estate wouldn’t dare offend her now, Serena still observed proper etiquette and paid her respects.

“Don’t call me Second Madam, Serena. If you don’t mind, just call me Second Aunt. I was an old acquaintance of your mother.” The Second Madam was shrewd and straightforward. Her gaze landed on the jade bracelet on Serena’s wrist, and she immediately understood. She took Serena’s hand affectionately and said, “You poor child, dressing so plainly at your age—it makes my heart ache.”

As she spoke, she removed a jeweled hairpin from her head. The ruby in the hairpin was as big as a pigeon’s egg—clearly valuable. Serena Feng stayed calm. Since Duke Zhen’s estate wanted to make a show of giving her face, she would go along with it.

The Second Madam was pleased when Serena Feng accepted her gift. She then called for her two daughters, saying they weren’t feeling well and asked Serena to take a look at them.

The Second Madam’s two daughters were just children—one fourteen, the other twelve. They looked timid and fragile, and their eyes held both dislike and wariness toward Serena Feng.

Serena didn’t mind. After checking their pulses and finding nothing wrong, the Second Madam breathed a sigh of relief and sent her daughters away. Then, she hesitantly spoke to Serena:

“Serena, I won’t hide it from you. After I had these two daughters, I got pregnant again but miscarried, and for more than ten years since, I haven’t conceived again.

You know how it is—a woman needs a son to stand firm in her household. Otherwise, she can’t secure her place. I’ve heard you’re skilled in this area. Could you take a look at me, Serena?”

Serena was exasperated. How could the Second Madam say such things—she was still an unmarried girl herself! How was she supposed to know about needing sons to survive? But when a patient came to her, she wouldn’t refuse.

She motioned for the Second Madam to sit properly. Serena activated her smart medical kit—outwardly, she was taking a pulse, but in reality, she was running a diagnostic scan.

Uh… Serena withdrew her hand and, using her wide sleeves, discreetly checked the results. The smart medical kit showed everything was normal—just a mild case of anemia.

“Well? Serena, am I unable to have children?” The Second Madam asked anxiously, clearly unsettled.

She’d seen countless doctors; all said she was healthy, but she just couldn’t get pregnant. The concubine’s sons had already been born, but she couldn’t produce a legitimate heir—and she refused to adopt one.

“No, of course not. You’ve already had two children—how could you be infertile?”

“Then is there still a cure for my condition?”

“I’ll only know after a full examination. Second Madam, please lie down on the bed and remove all clothing from your lower body.” For gynecological issues, some conditions—like inflammation—couldn’t be detected even by the smart medical kit, since they were so hidden.

“Wh-what? Take off my clothes?” The Second Madam’s face turned purple-red, and she looked at Serena Feng as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Yes, I need to do a further examination.” Serena was completely serious, making it clear she wasn’t joking.

“Examination? Serena Feng, are you just using your backing to embarrass our estate?” The Second Madam thought Serena was deliberately making things difficult and was clearly upset, her tone harsh.

It wasn’t even her who had caused trouble for Serena—she’d been implicated because of the main branch of the family.

“Second Madam, I have no intention of embarrassing anyone in your estate. This is a standard examination. You should know that most fertility issues are related to the lower body. If you don’t let me check, how can I know if there’s a problem?” Serena didn’t bother explaining further, her attitude firm.

She was clearly saying: if you don’t let me examine you, I can’t treat you.

She had no interest in the estate’s consultation fee anyway…