The carriage suddenly screeched to a halt, then jolted violently. By sheer inertia, both Serena and Duke Zhen were thrown forward. Duke Zhen, older and weighed down by worries, smacked his head against the carriage door with a thud, his vision went black, and he instantly fainted.
Serena reacted quickly and grabbed the nearby handrail. "What happened? Summer, go check outside!"
This was seriously unlucky. Serena frowned to herself—she was only in a bad mood and wanted to see the newly rebuilt Feng Manor, but did she really have to get blocked even just stepping out the door? Wasn’t her life messy enough already?
"Miss, it’s Duke Zhen’s carriage. Duke Zhen doesn’t look so good." Summer remembered his ashen face and felt uneasy.
If this crash actually killed Duke Zhen, their Miss would be in big trouble...
What?
Duke Zhen doesn’t look so good?
Serena immediately got out of the carriage. "Take me to see him." She might wish Duke Zhen dead, but not like this—killing a protector-duke in a crash was a capital crime.
This was just another headache on top of everything else. Why was the mighty Duke Zhen riding in a plain carriage—and speeding, at that? Where were his guards?
"Duke Zhen, Duke Zhen..." The coachman and a boy attendant clung to Duke Zhen, sobbing and sniffling. The boy’s pale, pretty face hinted at something Serena didn’t need to guess at—she shot him a glare and signaled for Summer to push the servants aside.
As for the crowd gathering by the street, Serena couldn’t be bothered. This was a main road, packed with people—there was no way she could clear everyone out even if she wanted to.
Serena turned her palm up in front of Summer, who immediately handed her gloves. With her gloves on, Serena stepped forward to check Duke Zhen’s pupils and heartbeat.
Good—he’s not dead!
Serena let out a breath of relief. As long as he was alive, everything could be negotiated. "Go to the Young Family Pharmacies and ask for two resident physicians—say Serena Feng is requesting them."
She had no interest in playing the saint—this sort of thing was best left to doctors. Duke Zhen had only fainted; the wound on his forehead wasn’t fatal.
Honestly, this whole accident was caused by Duke Zhen’s coachman speeding—she was the victim here. Too bad the other party was Duke Zhen; no one was going to give her justice.
She absolutely could not let anything happen. If she got locked up now and ended up in jail with Ninth Royal Uncle, it’d be exactly what the Emperor wanted. All the progress she’d made would be wasted—and most importantly, her explosives weren’t finished yet. She couldn’t afford trouble.
Clenching her fist in secret, Serena hoped Victor Yun was smart enough to come over once he heard the news—after all, Serena Feng asking for doctors wasn’t something ordinary.
Instead, Serena didn’t get Victor Yun or anyone from the Young Family Pharmacies—she got officers from the Capital Prefecture Court.
Damn it, weren’t the officers supposed to show up after things were settled? Last time she was surrounded by beggars in the Imperial City, not a single officer showed up—now they were here in a flash.
"Miss Feng, what happened here?" The leading constable was actually an acquaintance of Serena’s—he was the one who’d knocked on Feng Manor’s door to have her identify a corpse in the morgue, and that job had earned him a promotion to minor official.
"My carriage collided with Duke Zhen’s, and he hit his forehead." Serena gave it straight—no excuses, just the facts.
"Duke Zhen?" The constable jumped, his mouth hanging open, face comically troubled. "Miss Feng, I’m afraid I can’t help you with this one."
If it were just an ordinary citizen, he could settle things by having Serena pay some compensation. But with the Duke Zhen’s estate involved, he didn’t dare help Serena.
"It’s fine. I’ll handle it myself." Right now, she had no power to throw around—crashing into Duke Zhen’s estate was just bad luck, and it only proved she and Duke Zhen were born enemies.
"Yes, Miss Feng, but with something like this, I’ll have to ask you to come with us." The constable was clearly uncomfortable.
Serena paused, then replied calmly, "No need to trouble you, Constable. I’ll handle this privately with Duke Zhen. It’s just a carriage accident, and Duke Zhen’s only got a minor injury. I doubt he’ll care—his estate is famous for martial prowess, after all."
If she went to the Capital Prefecture Court, she wouldn’t get a word in edgewise—no way was she going. Before the officers could say more, Serena barked at the coachmen, "You three, move the broken carriage aside, don’t block the road. Constable, can you help too? Let’s clear the way for everyone. I’ll treat you all to drinks later."
Serena’s straightforward manner and cheerful tone made it impossible to get angry. The carriages were blocking a turn in the road, and while the common folk wouldn’t dare complain to nobles, they were clearly inconvenienced.
The constable agreed—clearing the road was the first priority. He called for help, but before anyone could touch Duke Zhen’s carriage, Duke Zhen "woke up." "Stop right there!"
"Duke Zhen, you’re awake." Serena wasn’t surprised at all—she turned with a bright smile.
"Ugh..." Duke Zhen clutched his forehead, looking pained. "Serena Feng, you’ve got some nerve—how dare you crash into the Duke’s carriage? Are you tired of living?"
The Imperial Guard’s attempt to arrest Serena had already made waves through half the capital, and Duke Zhen knew all about it. He’d been knocked out in the crash, but woke quickly—when he learned Serena Feng was the one involved, he saw a chance to get her thrown in jail. That would please the Emperor.
With Duke Zhen awake, the trouble was much less—Serena breathed a sigh of relief and waved her maids aside. "Glad to see you’re well, Duke Zhen. You look healthy, so I’ll be on my way unless there’s something else."
Suppressing her disgust, Serena bent her knees in a formal bow, then rose and walked away before Duke Zhen could say a word.
She despised this Duke who preyed on boys. If he stuck to brothel courtesans, fine—but he targeted innocent children, which was utterly vile. She couldn’t forget the boy who’d died in the Bloodcloak Guard’s dungeon.
"Serena Feng, stop right there!" Duke Zhen shook with rage. What was the world coming to—a mere orphan girl daring to defy a duke? No wonder the Emperor wanted her punished; Serena Feng was far too arrogant.
"Is there something else, Duke Zhen?" Serena stopped, turning with poise. Her eyes landed on the red lump on his forehead, and she smiled knowingly. "Oh, I get it—you want compensation, right? Summer, bring a banknote."
If the commander could throw money at her, she could do the same.
"Who wants your money?" Duke Zhen roared, but Serena ignored him and signaled Summer to hurry up.
"Miss," Summer quickly pulled out a banknote. With Duke Zhen staring in shock, Serena unfolded it and glanced at the amount. "Duke Zhen, one hundred taels—is that enough?"
Serena stepped forward, meeting Duke Zhen’s furious glare, and solemnly placed the banknote in front of his carriage.