The immediate danger was gone, but the air was still thick with the scent of aphrodisiac. If she stayed any longer, Serena Feng would inevitably be affected.
The Royal Country Villa was full of hidden dangers, but this place was no safer. Besides, Serena Feng was not the type to hide whenever trouble arose.
Rather than hiding here and giving others a chance to plot against her, it was better to walk out boldly—she might even gain more that way.
With a single shot, she blasted the lock off the door. Serena Feng pushed it open, picked up her bullet, and walked out without looking back.
She had barely walked a few steps before she heard the cheerful laughter of noble girls drifting from the peach grove.
In the sunlight, Serena Feng’s eyes—usually cold and emotionless—flashed with a sharp, icy light.
As expected, Princess Serenity had tried to lure the noble daughters to that room, hoping to watch Serena Feng’s downfall.
What a pity...
Yes, it was a pity—a pity he didn’t get a chance to act.
With Serena Feng now safe, Lance Quinn didn’t linger. He turned and walked out of the villa.
This was no place for him to stay long!
...
"Serena Feng?"
Princess Serenity rubbed her eyes, thinking she must be seeing things.
No matter how many times she blinked, Serena Feng didn’t disappear. Instead, she walked toward her at a steady pace.
She was fine—Serena Feng was actually fine.
Princess Serenity’s eyes widened. Hidden in her sleeve, her hands clenched into fists as she signaled a nearby maid to quietly investigate what had happened.
The maid slipped away unnoticed—no one but Serena Feng saw her leave.
At this moment, everyone’s attention was focused on Serena Feng, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Wherever Serena Feng passed, the crowd stopped and parted, staring at her as if she were some alien creature.
It seemed she was used to being the center of attention. Facing the "heated" gazes of the noble daughters, Serena Feng remained calm and composed, walking straight up to Princess Serenity and bowing gracefully.
"Serena Feng greets the princess. May Your Highness live a thousand years. The Royal Country Villa is truly splendid, with peach blossoms in full bloom. I was so captivated by the scenery that I accidentally lost my way and arrived late. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Serena Feng deliberately emphasized the words "lost my way." Out of sight of the others, she subtly made a throat-slitting gesture at Princess Serenity, warning her that Serena was not one to be trifled with.
Princess Serenity froze, her whole body stiffening.
Just then, the maid who had gone to investigate returned, pale-faced and unsteady, and leaned in to whisper a few words to Princess Serenity.
Princess Serenity closed her eyes and nodded lightly, waving the maid away. When she opened her eyes again, all shock and confusion had vanished. She gave Serena Feng a meaningful look before smiling, "Miss Feng, you may rise."
She didn’t grit her teeth, but the coldness and anger in her voice were unmistakable to Serena Feng.
Serena Feng didn’t care. Some people were never meant to be friends—she and Princess Serenity were destined to be enemies, so why bother trying to please her?
After thanking Princess Serenity, Serena Feng prepared to step aside.
If the other side didn’t cause trouble, she wouldn’t stir up trouble either. As for the previous accounts, she’d settle them in due time.
But Serena Feng underestimated how much Princess Serenity despised her. Just as Serena turned to leave, the princess called out:
"Miss Feng, since you arrived late, you ought to be punished. We happen to be competing in archery—why not let Miss Feng serve as our target?"
Not giving Serena Feng any chance to refuse, she waved for a maid to bring over a tray of apples. "Miss Feng, I punish you to stand a hundred meters away with an apple on your head, as the target for the archery girls."
The maid presented the apples right in front of Serena Feng, making it clear she had no room to refuse.
The girls holding bows immediately understood Princess Serenity’s intent. One athletic, bright-eyed girl stepped forward, her face full of pride:
"Don’t worry, Miss Feng. My archery is excellent—I can hit a target a hundred meters away without fail. As long as you stand still, I won’t miss."
She raised her bow and arrow with a flourish. "By the way, Miss Feng, my name is Qiu Hui. I’m General Qiu’s daughter—my father used to serve under General Feng."
So proud, so arrogant, so eager to show off.
Serena Feng sneered.
Qiu Hui, is it?
Fine. Since you stepped up, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Today, I’ll use you to make my mark.
"Every year, those who arrive late are punished. Princess Serenity’s penalty for you is the lightest." Another young lady chimed in, smiling, but her eyes looked at Serena Feng as if she were something dirty.
Serena Feng glanced at the noble daughters, whose kind faces hid wicked hearts. As expected...
The more beautiful something is, the more poisonous it tends to be.
These noble daughters were all lovely and gentle, but their hearts were blacker than ink.
"What’s wrong, Miss Feng? Afraid?" Princess Serenity’s face darkened when Serena Feng didn’t move for a long time. She radiated royal authority, making it clear refusal wasn’t an option.
Serena Feng sighed. Did these women really want her dead so badly? She hadn’t even done anything to them, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Just when everyone thought she’d refuse, Serena Feng smiled, picked up an apple, and tossed it in the air. With a wicked grin, she addressed Princess Serenity:
"Your Highness, standing with an apple on my head at a hundred meters is boring. I can do it. But I can also hit an apple a hundred meters away while blindfolded. If you want to punish me, make me shoot the apple blindfolded instead."
With that, Serena Feng tossed the apple, strode forward, and knocked aside the girl next to her.
As the girl shrieked in surprise, Serena grabbed her and flung her toward a nearby maid, snatching the bow and arrow from her hands.
Before anyone could react, Serena Feng had already drawn the bow, aiming the arrow straight at Qiu Hui, the self-proclaimed daughter of General Qiu.
"Take the apple and go." Serena Feng ordered coldly, refusing to compromise.
"Serena Feng, put down the bow!" Princess Serenity was furious—Serena was clearly slapping her face in public.
She only wanted to scare Serena Feng, not actually have anyone shoot her to death.
"Once I shoot this arrow, I’ll put the bow down. Qiu Hui, what are you waiting for? Take your apple and get over there."
Serena Feng wasn’t someone to be intimidated—she’d threatened Adrian Dongling himself, so why would she fear Princess Serenity? If Serenity dared to start something, Serena would finish it.
She was lucky she’d thought to bring her handgun from the Smart Med-Pack today. Otherwise, her life would have been ruined forever.
From leaving the capital until now, she’d faced death again and again today. This anger—she had to let it out.
"Hurry up, or I’ll aim for your face instead." Serena Feng raised the bow higher, her threat unmistakable.
"Serena Feng, don’t do anything crazy!" Qiu Hui’s face flashed with panic, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
She was scared—scared that Serena Feng might really lose control and shoot her.
Serena Feng had nothing—just a worthless life. But Qiu Hui was different; she had a bright future, could marry well, and enjoy a life of privilege.
Her life was far more precious than Serena Feng’s.
"Relax, I won’t do anything crazy. The princess gave her order: I was late, so I must be punished. I’m simply carrying out Princess Serenity’s command."
Hmph... If a tiger never bares its fangs, you’ll think I’m Hello Kitty.
Dealing with someone like Princess Serenity, swallowing every insult won’t work. She had to make it clear—Serena Feng was not to be messed with.
Otherwise, one sibling slaps her left cheek, and the next slaps her right.
Did they think Serena Feng’s face was something anyone could slap?
Did they really think they could hit Serena Feng’s face without paying the price?
"Serena Feng, put down the bow, or I won’t be so polite!" Princess Serenity stood up, her jeweled hairpins trembling.
Princess Serenity was truly angry now!