Entering the Palace, The Heroine Holds the World

"Miss Feng, receive the imperial edict..."

The eunuch who barged in didn’t even pause for breath; he launched straight into reading at a breakneck pace.

In short: Noble Consort Helena Hsieh is suffering unstoppable bleeding and signs of miscarriage. The imperial physicians are helpless, and the Emperor’s precious dragon seed is on the brink. At the Hsieh clan’s request, the Emperor has named Serena Feng—she must rush to the palace and save Helena, no matter what, or else her own life will pay the price.

After finishing the edict, seeing Serena Feng still kneeling, the eunuch grew frantic. He hurried over and pulled her up: "Oh my Miss Feng, you really must hurry! They're waiting for you to save a life, and if anything goes wrong, it’s a matter of extermination and clan destruction. How can you be so calm?"

Extermination and clan destruction? Serena couldn’t help but laugh inside. She was the only one left of the Feng clan; threatening her with family meant nothing. Still, she had no power to refuse. She bowed slightly to the Chief Eunuch: "Thank you, Chief Eunuch. Please allow me a moment to prepare."

With that, she turned and walked toward the inner courtyard, her steps steady and unhurried, showing not a trace of panic. Her composure left everyone present stunned—was Serena Feng absolutely confident, or did she simply not care about the imperial decree?

It had to be the former. The Emperor had issued a personal decree—if Serena Feng couldn’t save Noble Consort Helena’s child, even Ninth Royal Uncle stepping in wouldn’t help.

Just because Serena Feng wasn’t frantic didn’t mean she was slow. In less than half a stick of incense, she had packed her medicine chest, changed into a clean, simple coat, and set off for the palace with the Chief Eunuch.

Along the way, the Imperial Guards cleared the road and the carriage sped at full gallop—proof of how urgent Helena Hsieh’s condition really was.

Serena Feng had barely left the manor before word spread to every noble house. If not for the Emperor’s guards clearing the way, some families might have tried to block her carriage, hoping to ruin her timing and cost her the chance to save Helena.

It wasn’t that they wanted to harm Serena Feng—they just didn’t want Noble Consort Helena’s imperial child to be born safely. There were seven or eight other pregnant noblewomen in the palace, but Helena’s child was the most precious. If Helena lost her baby, their own daughters’ imperial heirs would have a chance.

Plenty of people had the motive, but not one dared act. After all, the Hsieh clan wasn’t to be trifled with—and if they tried to take on Serena Feng today and failed, they’d be in serious trouble.

At House of Duke Ning, Lady Ning, Heir’s Consort had just soothed her twin sons and hurried to report to Duchess Ning that Serena Feng was entering the palace to save Noble Consort Helena.

"Rain falls, daughters marry—what can we do?" Duchess Ning kept a calm facade, but inside, she was worried.

House of Duke Ning had worked hard to sabotage Helena’s pregnancy. If Serena Feng managed to save the child, not only would all their effort be wasted, they’d be at risk of being exposed.

Lady Ning, Heir’s Consort was far less composed. Hearing that Serena Feng was going to save Helena, she vented her frustration, twisting her handkerchief: "Serena Feng really has no sense. After all we’ve done for her, she actually gave that fertility medicine to others, causing so many noblewomen in the palace to get pregnant. And now she’s helping the Hsieh clan protect their imperial child—she’s just clueless."

Duchess Ning shot Lady Ning a cold look. "Clueless? Who are you calling clueless? Don’t forget, it was Serena Feng who saved the lives of you and your sons. If not for her, you’d be in your grave by now.

Serena Feng owes nothing to House of Duke Ning—if anything, we owe her. You think we’ve treated her well? What, just by giving her money? When her disciple was in danger, did Duke Ning help at all? When General Feng and Madame Feng’s remains were in dispute, did our house lift a finger? You say Serena Feng has no sense, but I think the clueless one here is you."

Once a woman has a son, her ambitions grow—always scheming for more. Lady Ning was especially so, having given birth to twins.

But there was only one ducal title in House of Duke Ning, and by the next generation, it would be reduced two ranks to a mere countship. Lady Ning’s anxiety was understandable.

Still, no matter how anxious you were, you had to read the situation. Just look at the Bloodcloak Guard and Shunning Marquis Manor—within ten days, the Bloodcloak Guard had a new master, and Shunning Marquis Manor was only still standing thanks to the New Year reprieve. After the festival, we’ll see how long they last.

"Mother..." Lady Ning, Heir’s Consort, chastised to tears, dared not say another word.

Duchess Ning knew her daughter-in-law hadn’t taken it to heart, so she didn’t say more. She only warned, "Don’t say I didn’t remind you: don’t provoke Serena Feng. She doesn’t need help from House of Duke Ning, but we still need her. Only with her can your sister’s imperial child be born safely."

With Serena Feng there, Noble Consort Helena’s imperial child could be born safely! That was what the Hsieh clan believed—and they weren’t the only ones who thought so.

After Serena Feng cured Madam Hsieh and saved Lady Ning, Heir’s Consort, she became one of the most sought-after doctors among the noblewomen of the capital. None of them wanted to need her, but with Serena around, childbirth always felt a little safer.

At this moment, the Hsieh clan women were waiting anxiously outside Radiant Hall, craning their necks in hope, praying for Serena Feng to come save Noble Consort Helena—and the entire Hsieh clan.

Special privilege was granted: Serena Feng’s carriage was allowed to go straight to Radiant Hall—proof of the Hsieh clan’s status in the Emperor’s eyes, and the importance of Helena’s child.

No matter how calm she’d been at home, as soon as Serena Feng reached the doors of Radiant Hall, she shed her composure and adopted an air of urgency and tension.

The moment the carriage stopped, Serena Feng grabbed her medicine chest and jumped down, looking every bit the emergency doctor rushing to a major accident.

"Miss Feng, you’re finally here—Her Ladyship has been waiting for you!" Madam Hsieh rushed forward, her eyes red as blood, clinging to Serena like a lifeline.

Serena Feng pulled her hand free, face cold. "Please step aside, Madam. Saving lives comes first—whatever you need to say, wait until Her Ladyship is safe."

With that, she half-struggled, half-pushed Madam Hsieh back toward the other women.

On any other day, Madam Hsieh would have raised hell about Serena’s disrespect. But today, she was just overjoyed that Serena cared so much about Noble Consort Helena. She quickly wiped her tears and waved the others aside: "Miss Feng, please, come in—forget the formalities, saving lives is what matters."

Madam Hsieh spoke loudly, clearly for the benefit of those inside. Serena Feng smirked—every woman in the rear court was an expert at putting on a show.

As soon as Serena Feng entered the hall, she saw the Emperor, Empress, four consorts, and several lesser concubines gathered outside. Outwardly, they all looked worried for Noble Consort Helena, but inwardly, many were hoping both Helena and her child would die.

Women really were masterful actors. Serena Feng was impatient, but she still bowed as protocol demanded. Halfway through, the Emperor waved his hand: "Saving lives is more important."

Clearly, Madam Hsieh’s words had done the trick. Serena Feng said nothing more, rose at once, and swept into the inner hall like a whirlwind—leaving behind a roomful of women who both loved and hated her...