Concern and the Uproar over a Marriage

Prince Nolan rode hard all the way, dust swirling behind him. Serena wasn’t much better off—after their unhappy parting, even someone as strong as her couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.

With her spirits so low, she needed a way to vent—and galloping at full speed was the best release she could find.

She pushed herself day and night, running herself ragged. Exhausted to the core, she had no energy left for idle thoughts of romance. When she finally reached the inn, Serena collapsed onto the bed and slept for two straight days before getting up.

When Serena finally got up again, her spirits and mood had improved greatly. The Eighteen Riders secretly breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, her wild streak only lasted a few days. If she’d kept up that pace, even these tough men would have been worn out. They couldn’t imagine how those who followed Prince Nolan managed to survive.

Prince Nolan had already sent word to William Wang Jinling, telling him he’d be taking a detour to Night City. Serena didn’t notify anyone in the Capital about her solo return; aside from the Eighteen Riders, almost no one knew she was coming back alone.

Serena and the Eighteen Riders timed their entrance perfectly, slipping into the city just as the gates were closing. They kept a low profile—if not for the gate commander wanting to curry favor with William Wang Jinling and privately passing the news to him, William would have had to wait for Serena to tell him herself.

Serena had been traveling rough, eating on the go and sleeping out in the open. She’d lost a lot of weight, and as soon as she arrived at Feng Manor, the old steward caught hold of her and started lecturing—saying she didn’t take care of herself, that she’d gotten much thinner and darker.

The old steward treated Serena both as his mistress and as a daughter. His heartfelt words made Serena even more certain she’d made the right choice in coming home. As a Chinese, unless something truly earth-shattering happened, she would always return home for New Year’s.

Simon Sun was in the operating room, and Serena told the servants not to disturb him. By the time Simon saw her, Serena had already bathed and changed, washing away all the dust from her journey.

"Master, you’re finally back! I thought you wouldn’t make it home for New Year’s." After not seeing Serena for so long, Simon Sun was a little emotional, a hint of blush coloring his handsome face.

"I knew you’d come home for New Year’s, Master—even if you were busy, you’d make it back." Serena insisted on returning, not just because she had her own affairs to handle, but also because spending New Year’s with Simon Sun and Feng Jin was important to her.

They were both children without parents—if she didn’t come home, Simon Sun and Feng Jin would spend New Year’s alone. She’d had enough of lonely holidays herself, and she didn’t want her disciple or her brother to suffer the same cold, empty feeling.

"Master’s right—no matter how busy you are, you have to come home for New Year’s. Family should be together." Simon Sun was both happy and a little sad—happy that Serena cared about them and hadn’t forgotten them because of bigger things, but sad knowing he’d never celebrate New Year’s with his parents again.

Thinking of his deceased parents, Simon Sun couldn’t hold back his tears. Serena was startled and quickly stepped forward, asking, "Simon, what’s wrong? Has someone upset you?"

Serena glared at the servant who looked after Simon Sun, but Simon noticed and tugged at Serena’s sleeve, his face red as he said, "Master, no one upset me. I just miss my parents."

Festivals always stir up longing for loved ones. In Jiangnan, he’d been so busy with the group that he hadn’t had time to think about it. But now, back in the Capital with New Year’s approaching, Simon Sun couldn’t help but dwell on it.

"Silly disciple, if you miss your parents, go burn some incense for them tomorrow—tell them how you’ve been." Serena patted Simon Sun’s shoulder, making a mental note to visit her own parents’ graves and share some words with them too.

Before they parted, Prince Nolan had asked her a question—one she really needed to think about. Back then, she could throw everything aside for Prince Nolan because she didn’t have anyone else to answer to; she only had to be herself.

But now? Could she really put Prince Nolan above the fate of the Phoenixfield Clan?

Serena knew she couldn’t. If the day ever came when Prince Nolan and the Phoenixfield Clan became enemies, she would hand the clan to someone trustworthy—or give up Prince Nolan entirely.

No matter what, she would never let herself end up like Lily Li—caught in the middle, torn between sides, making herself miserable and putting Prince Nolan in a difficult spot too.

"Master, what’s wrong?" Simon Sun noticed Serena suddenly lost in thought and gently tugged at her sleeve.

She’d meant to comfort him, but ended up making him worry instead. Serena snapped out of it and gave a self-deprecating smile; seeing Simon Sun’s worried face, she teased, "I was just thinking, after this New Year you’ll be a year older. Boys your age in other families are already married with kids. As your master, I should start looking for someone for you—otherwise all the good girls will be taken."

"Master... I’m still young, there’s no rush." Simon Sun’s face turned bright red, clearly uncomfortable. "The Grand Heir and Brother Yun are both older than me, and neither of them is married yet. I’m not in a hurry."

The steward, seeing this, stepped forward and joked, "Miss, don’t worry—Young Master Simon didn’t come back alone this time."

"Not alone? Did he bring a young lady home?" Serena set aside thoughts of Prince Nolan and smiled as she joined in the teasing.

The steward nodded eagerly. "That’s right—he brought a young lady home. She looks delicate and gentle, but she’s actually quite capable."

With the steward’s words, Simon Sun blushed even harder, clearly flustered. He opened his mouth to explain, but couldn’t find the words. Serena assumed he was worried she wouldn’t approve, so she said, "Don’t worry, Simon—as long as you like her, I’ll like her too. We don’t care about family background, only about character."

"No, that’s not it..." Simon Sun’s face was so red it could bleed. He wanted to explain, but didn’t know how. Just then, a maid came in to announce, "Miss Feng, Miss Qin is outside and wishes to pay her respects. Is it convenient for you to see her?"

"Miss Qin? Is she the girl you brought home, Simon?" Serena’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the surname. With Simon acting this way, he was clearly interested in Miss Qin—she just hoped it wasn’t the particular Miss Qin she was thinking of.

Seeing Simon Sun nod, Serena pressed, "Is it Bella Qin—Miss Qin Bao’er?"

Simon Sun grew uneasy at Serena’s sudden change in tone, and quickly nodded, thinking she disapproved. He hurried to explain, "Master, don’t worry. Miss Qin may be frail, but she’s clever, hardworking, and very smart. She’s only studied at the medical academy for a few months, but she’s already doing well. She’s patient and caring, never shuns the sick—she’s a wonderful girl."

"I know she’s a good girl." Serena forced a bitter smile, silently cursing the unreliable Yunxiao crowd for not keeping an eye on Simon Sun.

With Simon Sun acting this way, there was no doubt how he felt. But Bella Qin truly wasn’t an option—not because Serena liked or disliked her, but because Bella was already promised to someone else.

Everyone present was sharp enough to notice Serena’s sudden change of expression and quickly stopped joking around.

Serena wasn’t in the mood for jokes anymore. She dismissed the servants with a stern face: "You may all go. Tell Miss Qin I’m tired today and will see her tomorrow—she should get some rest."

"Yes, Miss." The old steward bowed and led the others out, casting a worried glance at Simon Sun as he left.

Simon Sun was left anxious and uneasy. When everyone had gone, he quickly asked, "Master, is there something wrong with Miss Qin?"

"There’s nothing wrong with Miss Qin." Serena saw Simon Sun’s nervousness and sighed. "It’s just... she’s already engaged to someone else."

"What?" Simon Sun was stunned...