Onset of Illness, A Battle That Belongs Only to You

After leaving Prince Duan’s Manor, Serena hadn’t even settled in before Feng Jin suffered an attack. Maybe it had been suppressed for too long—this time, his episode was worse than ever before.

“Sis, it hurts, it hurts.” The attack came out of nowhere—Feng Jin woke from sleep in agony, his little face turning instantly pale, limbs jerking uncontrollably, crystal tears falling one by one.

“Ah... Sis, it hurts so much, Feng Jin hurts, Sis, save me, save me...”

Just like before, as soon as Feng Jin started crying out in pain, the vomiting followed. His stomach churned violently, and he threw up everything, splattering all over Serena as she held him.

Once his stomach was emptied, Feng Jin had nothing left to vomit and began dry-heaving, his little face white as a sheet...

“Sis, Feng Jin is...” He didn’t even finish the sentence before opening his mouth to vomit again.

“Here, drink some water.” At this point, water was all Feng Jin could tolerate—anything else touching his lips would just come right back up.

Only when Feng Jin’s vomiting eased did Serena dare give him medicine. “Be good, Feng Jin, open your mouth and take your medicine.”

Serena knew—the suppressed gu parasite had awakened. Feng Jin’s own resistance was fighting it again in another life-or-death struggle. In the end, either the gu would be forced back, or it would succeed in taking root.

“Feng Jin, hang in there.” Serena held him tightly; at this moment, all she could do was ease his pain and nurture his body—nothing more.

This was Feng Jin’s own battle—he had to fight the gu parasite himself, and win again.

“Sis, I feel awful.” The pain and violent vomiting had drained all his strength. Feng Jin leaned weakly against Serena, tears clinging to his lashes.

The Snow Wolf paced anxiously nearby, eyes full of worry. Only when Feng Jin stopped crying and nestled quietly in Serena’s arms, softly whimpering, did the wolf finally relax.

This episode didn’t last long—after an hour, Feng Jin stopped crying out in pain. But Serena didn’t dare relax. She knew the gu parasite inside him was suppressed to the limit. If no solution was found soon, it might try a desperate, all‑out takeover.

“Spring, have someone check what’s happening in Jiangnan, and how long until Divine Doctor Guile arrives?” Another half hour passed before Serena soothed Feng Jin to sleep.

“Yes.” Spring withdrew as ordered. The Snow Wolf howled beside her, darted up to Serena, and repeatedly thumped its chest in imitation of Dorian Owen, promising: I can help too. I’ll bring Divine Doctor Guile myself.

“Spring, take the Snow Wolf with you. If Divine Doctor Guile isn’t far from Lyndaria, let the wolf escort him back.” The sooner Dr. Marcus Guile arrived, the better Feng Jin’s chances. Serena didn’t want him to suffer the same dangers and pain as the young emperor at such a young age.

The Snow Wolf received its orders, nodding repeatedly and using every gesture to show it would complete the mission.

That night, Zuo An returned. Hearing that Feng Jin had suffered another attack, his face grew even more grim. Seeing Feng Jin lying quietly on the little bed, sustained only by an IV drip, Zuo An’s veins bulged as he growled, “I’ll make sure Princess Royal Helena learns a lesson she’ll never forget.” Then he vanished.

Serena chased after him, but didn’t even catch a glimpse—so she called for Master Graves, Zuo An’s mentor. “Keep an eye on Zuo An. Don’t let anything happen.” Feng Jin was still useful to Princess Royal Helena, so she wouldn’t kill him; but Zuo An was another story, now that he’d openly broken with her.

Master Graves watched Serena, unmoving.

Serena had no guards at her side, and the Snow Wolf was gone too. If Master Graves left, what if danger struck?

“Don’t worry. Tonight, no one has time to target me.” Besides, as long as the attackers weren’t too many, she and Feng Jin could defend themselves. She wasn’t some helpless, delicate woman—her combat skills surpassed most men.

Master Graves studied Serena intently. Once he was sure she could protect herself, he decisively went after Zuo An, afraid that any delay might spell disaster for his pupil.

As Zuo An’s mentor, the old monster knew exactly what impulses lay beneath his pupil’s deadpan face.

If Zuo An were truly as cold and indifferent as he looked, he wouldn’t have beaten Dorian Owen so fiercely years ago over those elders’ favoritism, nor kept beating him even after being punished.

Serena’s prediction was spot on—tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful. Feng Jin’s illness had made Zuo An lose his cool; now, reckless and desperate, he was determined to drag Princess Royal Helena down and force her into conflict with the Cui Clan!

Trapped in crisis-ridden Lyndaria with no one to protect her, Serena couldn’t sleep. She spent the night guarding Feng Jin and waiting for news from Zuo An and Master Graves.

The waiting was agony. Serena sent Mira Tang to bed early so she’d have the energy to care for Feng Jin the next day. Mira understood, and though uneasy, forced herself to sleep.

Serena took up a book, sitting at Feng Jin’s bedside. Every stick of incense, she’d glance at the IV bottle, silently calculating how long each infusion would last.

Staying up all night was nothing new for Serena, but this was her first time keeping vigil over a patient. By dawn, she felt even more exhausted than after a full night of surgery.

Early morning—Serena stared at her bloodshot eyes and panda-like dark circles, sighing at her own fate. Turns out, doing nothing was scarier than working all night.

A cold compress with well water finally made her eyes feel better.

Soon, Feng Jin woke up too. Having eaten nothing all day, his little face was pale and he looked wilted, but he still complained of hunger.

Feeling hunger meant he could still eat—good news.

Serena finally relaxed a bit. After a thorough check, she confirmed the gu parasite had failed to implant yet again, and the worry in her eyes faded.

After so many battles, Feng Jin’s body was weak, but so was the gu parasite. If they could just hold out until Divine Doctor Guile arrived, Serena was confident she could keep Feng Jin alive until then.

She just worried something might go wrong in Jiangnan or on the road, delaying Divine Doctor Guile.

“There’s news from Ninth Royal Uncle, but not a word from Divine Doctor Guile. Will he come or not? Nothing definite—this is driving me crazy.” Jiangnan wasn’t exactly peaceful either. With Ethan Xiao showing up there, Liancastle’s people had been drawn in too. Serena really feared something might happen on the way.

The sun was rising, almost noon now, and still no sign of Zuo An or Master Graves. Even Serena, usually calm, started to worry: “Don’t tell me those two ran into trouble in Lyndaria?”

Logically, it shouldn’t be a problem. Zuo An wasn’t acting alone—Ninth Royal Uncle’s people were helping in secret. Even if they failed, they’d be able to escape safely.

“Mira...” Serena started to ask Mira Tang to investigate, but changed her mind. “Never mind, go do your own thing.”

In Lyndaria, it wasn’t easy for Mira to dig up news. Instead of sending her running around like a headless fly, Serena decided it was better to go to Prince Derrek.

The Ghost Doctor had been taken from Prince Derrek. Sooner or later, he’d realize what role Serena had played behind the scenes. Rather than let him grow suspicious, she’d tell him directly—and maybe even draw him closer to her side.

Serena had just stood up when the sound of galloping hooves echoed outside...