During breakfast, Serena Feng noticed that Simon Sun, the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley, and Holden Cui were all absent. She didn't say a word about it, quietly ate her meal, and thought to herself: Nolan Dongling really went to great lengths for last night.
So when she left the house and didn’t see the Prince Samuel Manor guards sent to protect her, she just smiled—this was how things should be. After all, if Nolan made a move, nothing would slip through the cracks.
Her decision to continue the competition with Su Wan had been made at the last minute, so very few people knew about it. That meant she was lucky enough to leave her house today without being mobbed by onlookers.
As she passed through the main street, she occasionally overheard passersby discussing her duel with Su Wan. After all, with so much money riding on the outcome, the excitement hadn’t faded even after two months.
Thinking of that wager, Serena smiled. Even though her odds had dropped from one in twenty to one in a hundred, it was still a hefty sum. With that money, life at the Feng estate wouldn’t be so tight after she moved back—and she could finally build proper cenotaphs for her parents.
When she arrived at the Imperial Palace, Serena was led straight to the Menagerie Grounds. Today’s competition would be held there.
"The Menagerie? Isn’t today’s match supposed to be at the martial arena? Are we competing in riding and archery?" Serena looked puzzled and casually handed the guiding eunuch a pouch, hoping for some answers.
No money, no way forward!
The eunuch weighed the pouch and smiled in satisfaction. Everyone said Miss Feng was generous, and it was true—no wonder he’d fought off five others yesterday, digging for information just to win the chance to guide Serena Feng today.
"No need to worry, Miss Feng. Today’s contest is still a martial competition, but the Su family was concerned—both sides are precious young ladies, and if either of you got scarred during the fight, it would be a disaster. The Su clan petitioned the Emperor for a change of format, and if he refused, they threatened to withdraw altogether." The eunuch was clearly earning his tip; not everyone could dig up this kind of news.
"So that's how it is, thank you, Eunuch." The Su clan really does judge others by their own petty standards.
The Su clan suspected that Serena Feng, with her marred face, would use underhanded tricks in the martial contest and ruin Su Wan’s looks too. Their thinking made sense—after all, Serena’s injury, whether or not the Su clan caused it, happened because of the contest they pushed for. The Su clan couldn’t dodge responsibility.
"Miss Feng, you’re too polite. By the way... I also heard that just a few days ago, Miss Su Wan entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress and Noble Consort Helena, and both ladies were quite taken with her. Noble Consort Helena even kept her for dinner, and Su Wan didn’t leave until the palace gates were locked for the night." Consider it a buy-one-get-one deal—Serena’s money was well spent.
"You’re very thoughtful, Eunuch. Next time I visit your residence, I hope you’ll join me for a drink." Serena understood the eunuch told her this for a reason, and if she didn’t respond, it would be out of line.
"Thank you, Miss Feng. But it’s really hard for someone like me to get out of the palace. If it’s convenient, could you put in a good word for me before Noble Consort Helena? My surname is Lin, given name Kun."
"So it’s Eunuch Lin—I’ll remember." She would definitely mention him, but whether Noble Consort Helena would act on it was her decision.
Serena realized that life in the palace was exhausting—everyone sharpened their minds, scrambling for any chance to climb higher. No wonder Nolan grew up so twisted in this place.
In this devouring place, you couldn’t show true feelings, speak honestly, or trust anyone. Nolan really had it tough. Serena suddenly understood his coldness and flip-flopping—kids raised in the palace don’t trust easily.
With the deal done, Serena and Eunuch Lin stopped talking. Between them, it was all about mutual benefit—no heartfelt words, not even half a sentence. In the palace, you had to be extra cautious with every word, lest someone overhear.
When Serena arrived at the Menagerie, she found Su Wan already waiting. Su Wan was dressed in a fitted black martial outfit, holding a red whip, her gaze fierce and heroic—a stark contrast to her usual coquettishness.
When Su Wan saw Serena, she didn’t bother hiding her hostility. She deliberately turned her head away, acting as if Serena wasn’t even there.
Serena didn’t mind and greeted her first. "Miss Su Wan, long time no see."
"It really has been a long time. Seeing you safe and sound, Miss Feng, I can finally put my mind at ease." Su Wan turned, her eyes stabbing at the faint scar on Serena’s neck, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Serena had been injured at the critical moment of the medical contest, and everyone suspected the Su clan. While Serena recovered, Su Wan endured cold stares and exclusion—even the Su family was dragged in, and for a while, she couldn’t even leave the house.
But neither Su Wan nor the Su clan could explain themselves, because Serena never named the culprit. If they spoke up first, it would only look like a guilty conscience.
Now, seeing Serena smiling in front of her, how could Su Wan not be angry?
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Su Wan. But unfortunately, the culprit still hasn’t been caught. Until they’re found, none of us can truly relax." Serena’s words were a clear warning—until the real criminal was caught, the Su clan would remain under suspicion.
"The innocent are clear, the guilty are foul. I trust that heaven is fair—it won’t let a bad person go, nor miss a good one." Su Wan snorted, kept her back to Serena, and made it clear she wanted no more conversation.
They’d torn off their masks long ago; in public, all they did was put on a show of fake civility.
Serena sat aside, unconcerned, waiting for the judges. She’d never considered Su Wan her true opponent—Su Wan was just a chess piece. Her real rival was Damien of Southlyn.
Fifteen minutes later, the five-person judging panel arrived, led by the Crown Prince: Crown Prince of Eastlyn, Terrence Valen of Lyndaria, Prince Rowan of Luo, Reid Yale of Night City, and Master Marcus Wynn.
Reid Yale’s presence meant he was standing in for Damien, but Marcus Wynn’s appearance genuinely surprised Serena. Was he so bored he’d come to the Menagerie just to feed birds?
No one bothered to explain, and after the formal greetings, the princes and guests took their seats. Only Prince Rowan lingered, glancing at Serena’s neck. Seeing just a faint scar, he smiled and repeated almost exactly what Su Wan had said: "Serena, seeing you safe and sound, I can finally put my mind at ease."
Serena blinked, hiding her disgust. Detestable people really do say the same things. She forced a brittle smile: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness Prince Luo. With Prince Nolan here, I was never in any real danger."
Serena deliberately mentioned Prince Nolan to needle Prince Rowan. Sure enough, his smile froze—he’d been suppressed by Nolan recently and was still smarting. He forced a smile: "You’re mistaken, Serena. Your recovery is thanks to the Master of Mystic Healer Valley. His skills truly are miraculous."
"That’s not quite right, Your Highness. The Master of Mystic Healer Valley did heal me, but without Prince Nolan’s intervention, he never would’ve treated such a minor injury for me." Prince Rowan kept insisting he cared, but besides empty words, he’d done nothing.
Prince Nolan never said a word, but after her accident, he brought the valley master to her side with lightning speed. It wasn’t that Serena looked down on Prince Rowan—it’s just that, compared to Prince Nolan, the difference was obvious.