Deliberately, I Do Not Like Sickly Beauties

She’d just said she didn’t ask for lifelong exclusivity, only the status of a principal wife—yet what was the result?

Just seeing Su Wan and Ninth Royal Uncle leaning together made her heart ache with sourness. How could she ever accept her future husband embracing other women in bed, or accept other women bearing children for him...

Maybe she still needed time to truly fit into this world and accept its rules—or maybe she never could, and never would accept the laws of this era.

She kept trying to convince herself not to be special, hoping she could blend in with everyone here. But in the end, she realized this wasn’t what she wanted—she couldn’t share a husband with anyone.

Forget it. Just let it go.

If I gain it, it’s my luck; if I lose it, it’s fate.

Serena Feng smiled with open-minded clarity, her eyes shining in the darkness. William Wang Jinling was right—she deserved the best man in the world, and a lifelong one-to-one love.

Why should she wrong herself, why bend for a man? She was never like the women of this era—why force herself to become one of them?

It was all Ninth Royal Uncle’s fault—his little game at the lotus pond this afternoon left her muddled, and the news that Prince Terrence Valen might take her as a concubine made her panic, thinking she was just like every other woman here, unable to escape being used.

She wasn’t Serenity, or Princess Yara, and certainly not Su Wan. Everything she had now was earned by her own hands—not given by her family. She’d never enjoyed the privileges of birth, so she didn’t owe anyone the price of being traded away.

She didn’t rely on anyone, didn’t depend on anyone. Even if the Emperor stripped away everything she had now, she wouldn’t be afraid. As long as Serena Feng lived, as long as her hands could still work, she could achieve even greater glory and status than today.

Serena Feng had let it go, and even found Ninth Royal Uncle more agreeable now. But Ninth Royal Uncle refused to let her have her way. Whether it was on purpose or not, just as Serena closed her eyes to enjoy the breeze and lotus fragrance, Ninth Royal Uncle suddenly stood up: "Someone, Miss Su Wan isn’t feeling well. Help her down."

He got up too fast, too suddenly—Su Wan had no time to react and simply toppled straight toward the ground.

"Ah—!" Su Wan screamed in fright, flailing her arms to grab Ninth Royal Uncle or anything for support, desperate not to lose face. But Ninth Royal Uncle was utterly ruthless—he let her fall, and when she reached out for help, he deliberately dodged.

Serena Feng looked up and met Ninth Royal Uncle’s sharp, calm gaze. He turned away with pride, as if to say: I’m not petty, unlike some people.

For some reason, Serena found her mood suddenly lifted. She had to admit she liked this ungraceful side of Ninth Royal Uncle—it was so satisfying!

"Careful." Dongling Zichun, who was closest, couldn’t stand by and quickly reached out to catch Su Wan. She managed to avoid a total wipeout, and remembering Ninth Royal Uncle’s excuse for her, she leaned weakly against Dongling Zichun and said in a delicate voice, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Her tone was frail, her face pale—no need to fake it. But that powerful scream just now made the whole act look so fake.

Serena Feng and William Wang Jinling exchanged a smile—the two of them were just here for the show.

Dongling Zichun was left holding this hot potato—couldn’t drop her, couldn’t keep holding her. He really didn’t know what to do, and looked helplessly at Ninth Royal Uncle. Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t make things hard for him: "Why are you still standing there? Miss Su Wan isn’t feeling well—escort her down to rest. I’ll have a physician sent over."

"Miss Su Wan, I do not like sickly beauties." With that, Ninth Royal Uncle left everyone behind and strode out into the night beyond the terrace.

What did he mean by that?

Su Wan was deeply embarrassed. The crowd exchanged glances, watching Ninth Royal Uncle's figure vanish into the darkness, completely baffled. Most dared not speak, but Prince Quentin Northlyn and Prince Terrence Valen showed their displeasure.

Ninth Royal Uncle had invited them, but now he abandoned his guests—how could he show such disregard?

The Crown Prince gave a bitter smile—he knew the food at Ninth Royal Uncle's home was never pleasant. After Dongling Zichun helped Su Wan down, the Crown Prince coughed twice, signaling he had something to say.

"Prince Terrence, Prince Quentin, Princess Yara, please don't mind. Ninth Royal Uncle isn't deliberately neglecting you—he dislikes being touched, and most likely left to change clothes."

He didn't change clothes when his outfit matched Serena Feng's, but after Su Wan touched him, he had to change—he clearly disliked her.

"I see," Prince Terrence nodded, his expression easing. Prince Quentin, hidden in shadow, just curled his lip, thinking Ninth Royal Uncle was more fastidious than a woman.

Once Ninth Royal Uncle, Dongling Zichun, and Su Wan left, Dominic Zhai strolled over to William Wang Jinling, Caleb Wang, and Ethan Hsieh, joking: "William, don’t cling to Serena all day or people will say the Wang heir lives in the women’s quarters."

He then turned to Serena: "You too—don’t stick to William all day, or people will think we’re not close. My grandfather always mentions you and wants you to visit the Zhai household. He likes you very much."

Dominic Zhai wasn’t stupid—he held the capital’s safety in his hands and was better informed than most. Watching William Wang Jinling and Ninth Royal Uncle’s protective moves, he guessed their intentions.

Dominic Zhai shared William Wang Jinling’s view—he didn’t want Serena Feng to be ruined by Prince Terrence Valen, that ruthless schemer. With her reputation and family status, she’d never be made a principal consort; being a concubine would be humiliating. Better to join the Wang clan than suffer such a fate.

While William Wang Jinling and the other men chatted, Serena Feng didn’t join in. She stood and excused herself, saying she’d walk ahead to admire the view. The viewing gallery was 回-shaped, and each direction offered a different sight. The lotus pond, bathed in candlelight and moonlight, seemed cloaked in mist—like a dreamscape, just as William described.

Rarely getting such a chance, Serena Feng decided to savor the beauty, hoping it would dispel her worries. In Nolan’s country villa, she didn’t have to worry about safety. As she strolled along, William Wang Jinling glanced at her, then looked away.

Ordinary petty lechers couldn’t harm Serena Feng here. What William Wang Jinling truly feared were ‘open schemes’—like someone petitioning the Emperor to grant Serena as a concubine.

Serenity, annoyed by Prince Quentin’s persistent questions and still angry at Princess Yara for humiliating her and flirting with Prince Rowan, grabbed Yara under the pretense of lotus appreciation.

Hmph, that woman made me suffer at the Imperial Menagerie and now dreams of marrying my brother—ridiculous!

Princess Yara didn’t want to go, but with all the other women leaving, she had no choice. She also needed to patch things up with Princess Serenity.

Princess Yara thought Serenity was easy to manipulate, but Serenity gave her no chance—after a few steps, she let go: "I’ll stroll alone. Princess Yara, do as you please. In Ninth Royal Uncle’s villa, as long as you don’t play tricks, nothing will happen."

Princess Yara hit a wall. Though frustrated, she could only accept it—she’d picked the wrong moment to cross Serenity.

Princess Yara wanted to go back, or maybe chat privately with Prince Rowan about their future, but found him, Prince Quentin, Prince Terrence, and the Crown Prince deep in conversation. If she returned, she’d only be left out.

Annoyed, she glanced at Serena Feng, who seemed so at ease—Yara felt even more stifled.

She couldn’t understand how Serena Feng, who used to be beneath her, suddenly rose above her—getting Ninth Royal Uncle’s invitation and the Wang heir’s favor.

Of all those present, Serena Feng had the lowest status, but tonight she stole the spotlight—even Su Wan was overshadowed.

"Serena Feng, fortunes turn. I don’t believe you’ll be proud forever. This is Eastlyn—I’ll tolerate you for now. Once you become my royal brother’s concubine, I’ll make you pay." Princess Yara glared fiercely at Serena Feng, then turned and walked away.

She was determined to force Serena Feng into Lyndaria as a concubine—even William Wang Jinling couldn’t stop her. Only then could she keep Serena beneath her forever.

A woman’s second dowry is her marriage. Serena Feng’s birth was inferior to hers; her marriage must never surpass Yara’s.

Beautiful scenery can make people linger and lose track of time. Serena Feng wandered farther and farther without noticing, until she suddenly saw Ninth Royal Uncle emerge from the shadows. Surprised, she blurted, "Ninth Royal Uncle?"

Wasn’t he supposed to be changing clothes? How did he end up here? Serena looked around and realized she’d wandered off course—the area was deserted and unusually quiet.

Ninth Royal Uncle walked toward her in the moonlight, now dressed in plain clothes. He was surprised to see Serena Feng too, though he didn’t show it. "Why are you here?"

Clearly, this was a beautiful accident.

Serena Feng pointed at the gallery behind her. "I just walked over." But you—why are you here? Honestly, wherever I go, I run into you. Serena huffed, half annoyed.

"Is that so? This is my private wing." Ninth Royal Uncle clearly didn’t believe her. A playful smile tugged at his lips, his deep eyes glimmering with meaning, as if to say: Stop pretending—I knew you’d be here.

What? This is Ninth Royal Uncle’s private wing? How did she end up here...