"Me? I'm just following orders." General Warren Yu assumed an air of mysterious authority.
After speaking, he straightened up, making sure Serena Feng noticed he was in full military regalia today, looking every bit the imposing officer.
Unfortunately, Serena Feng had no mind for such things at the moment. Hearing Warren Yu's words, she anxiously pressed, "Following orders? Whose orders, and what are you here to do?"
Before surgery, both doctor and patient need to be in the best state, mentally and physically. She really didn't have the energy to deal with any more nonsense.
She was genuinely afraid something else might go wrong before the operation.
This surgery was crucial for both her and William Wang Jinling.
Warren Yu had wanted to tease Serena Feng a bit, but seeing her worried expression, he grew serious. "Serena Feng, don't be nervous. Today I'm here by imperial order, to protect you."
"What? Protect me by imperial order?" Serena Feng was utterly stunned.
No way—since when did the royal family change their ways and start protecting her?
Did the sun rise in the west today or something?
Serena Feng looked up at the sky and murmured, "Imperial order? The Emperor's command, the Emperor... hasn't lost his mind, has he?"
Luckily, Serena Feng hadn't lost her mind; she managed to stop herself before saying anything foolish.
Warren Yu glanced around to make sure no one was near, then stepped closer and whispered in Serena Feng's ear, "Serena, the Emperor knows you're about to operate on William Wang Jinling's eyes. He's ordered me to watch you and see if you're faking anything."
This was the result of the showdown between Ninth Royal Uncle and the Empress.
The uproar about Serena Feng cheating with medicine had grown so big, somehow it ended up reaching the Emperor himself.
The Empress accused Serena Feng of medical fraud, said her actions were vile, and demanded she be executed immediately.
Ninth Royal Uncle argued that Serena Feng hadn't cheated anyone—someone was just stirring up trouble and taking advantage of the situation. Serena hadn't even treated William Wang Jinling yet, so how could anyone call her a fraud?
As for the rumors outside, those were just people spreading lies. If the Bloodcloak Guard arrested a few, they'd get to the bottom of it in no time.
The Empress was so furious she nearly coughed up blood. When she heard Anping's report that Serena Feng was completely fine after her time in the Bloodcloak Guard's dungeon, she was even angrier—her teeth ached from clenching so hard.
The Empress wouldn't back down, and Ninth Royal Uncle refused to give her any face. The Emperor, worn out by their fighting, finally waved his hand to end it.
Alright then...
Warren Yu, you are to monitor Serena Feng's entire treatment of William Wang Jinling's eye disease for me. See if Serena is a fraud or truly skilled.
So, under the name of protection, it was really surveillance. If Serena Feng failed, they'd just take her life as a matter of course.
Warren Yu didn't say that last part aloud—his eyes just darkened.
"Well, that's how it is. At least now I don't have to worry about anyone sabotaging things." Serena Feng let out a breath, secretly grateful to Ninth Royal Uncle.
For her sake, Ninth Royal Uncle had intervened in worldly matters again and again—totally against his usual principles.
"It really is better now. But Serena, how is your luck so good? You've caught Ninth Royal Uncle's attention, while the Empress sees you as a thorn in her side. Without his protection, you'd have died a thousand times over."
Warren Yu shook his head, looking curious but spoke quietly enough that only the two of them could hear.
He absolutely didn't believe there was nothing going on between Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng.
Such a gossip!
Serena Feng rolled her eyes and pointed to the eight corpses on the ground. "Since General Warren Yu is here to protect me, could you please have your men move these eight outside for now? Don't touch them yet—I still need them."
I still haven't taken the bullets out yet.
"Alright." Warren Yu didn't press further. He checked the eight bodies and found five had been struck right between the brows by a sharp weapon; the other three were hit in vital spots—almost all killed with a single blow.
Such skill and ruthlessness—Warren Yu knew he couldn't do it himself. He looked up at Serena Feng, as if trying to see right through her.
"Serena Feng, did you kill them?"
Serena Feng nodded. "Yes."
"What did you use to kill them?" Warren Yu was sure Serena Feng hadn't physically fought with them.
"Family secret technique, not to be shared. Want to know? Go ask my parents."
Serena Feng snorted coldly, her expression icy. Maybe it was because she'd just killed people—there was still a murderous aura about her.
Uh...
Warren Yu moved his lips, but decided not to ask any more questions.
"General Warren Yu, since you have imperial orders, please have your men guard these two rooms. Don't let anyone get close." Serena Feng was anything but polite, giving orders without hesitation.
Warren Yu understood how important today was for Serena Feng, even though...
But at this point, he had no choice but to trust Serena Feng.
Thinking of the consequences of failure, Warren Yu said heavily, "Serena Feng, you must cure William Wang Jinling's eyes—don't let Ninth Royal Uncle lose face."
Anything that involves the royal family is never a small matter.
"I know. I won't let Ninth Royal Uncle down." Yes, even for Ninth Royal Uncle's sake, Serena Feng wouldn't allow herself to fail.
That man, whom she'd only met three times, had helped her four times.
How could she ever repay that man's kindness in this lifetime?
Maybe he didn't care about being repaid—after all, even offering herself wouldn't be enough.
Serena Feng shook her head, putting aside all those messy thoughts.
"In that case, let's go. I'll escort you to the Wang family. With things as they are outside, you might not even be able to leave the house, and the Wang estate is even more chaotic than Feng Manor." At this, Warren Yu couldn't help but admire Ninth Royal Uncle.
If the Empress hadn't stirred up trouble, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn't have been able to get the Emperor to send troops to Feng Manor. Without them, Serena Feng wouldn't have been able to see William Wang Jinling at all.
Serena Feng really had turned misfortune into a blessing.
Serena Feng stepped out of Feng Manor again. The situation outside was still crowded, but soldiers now cleared a path on both sides. As soon as she appeared, someone brought over a handsome horse.
"Serena Feng, I see you ride well. How about riding today?"
Originally, Warren Yu had planned to arrange a carriage, but given today's special circumstances...
Since even Ninth Royal Uncle trusted Serena Feng, Warren Yu decided to help her out and boost her reputation—let everyone in the capital see her glory today, and make it clear she wasn't a fraud.
Riding through the capital on horseback was an honor reserved for the top scholar; even Princess Anping only ever rode in a carriage.
"General Warren Yu, that's very thoughtful of you." Serena Feng's face lit up with a brilliant smile.
She never expected that one day she, Serena Feng, would be riding out in glory. She had to admit—it satisfied her vanity quite a bit.
At the same time, it was a bold rebuttal to all the rumors.
"Miss Feng, please mount up." Warren Yu was in high spirits too.
Whatever tomorrow might bring, there was no point worrying. At least today, they could ride through the streets and let Serena Feng shine with confidence.
"Good. I can't wait for everyone to see William Wang Jinling's eyes restored."
Serena Feng stepped forward, just about to mount the horse, when a young soldier hurried up and whispered something to Warren Yu.
Warren Yu's expression changed instantly.
"Dead?"