Serena Feng had always believed in handling affairs with high profile, but living her life with low profile. Yet fate seemed to love contradicting her— the more she tried to keep a low profile, the more she ended up in the spotlight. Sometimes, with just one careless move, she became the center of attention in the imperial capital, every action watched by countless eyes.
Whether it was intentional or not, whether the motives were kind or malicious, someone always pushed her to the eye of the storm. There was no escaping it. Serena Feng wasn’t about to hide in her shell forever, so she simply chose to be brazen to the end.
Facing Wendy Summers’ provocation, Serena Feng sat unmoving, her right hand idly brushing aside a stray lock at her temple. She spoke with languid calm, "Miss Summers, rest assured— I won’t disappoint you. I promise to give you quite the surprise."
Even though Serena was seated and Wendy stood, Serena didn’t lose a bit of momentum. The confidence and pride that radiated from Serena’s very bones wasn’t something a daughter of the Summers clan could suppress.
People called the Summers clan ‘new nobility’ to sound polite, but in truth they were just nouveau riche who’d built their fortunes on women’s backs. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have come up with something as absurd as challenging Serena Feng to a duel.
True old-money families, like the Wangs, might look down on Serena Feng, but they’d never show it. Even when meeting her, they’d greet her with apparent warmth and hospitality.
"I’ll be watching closely, Miss Feng. Don’t let everyone down." Wendy Summers wasn’t about to let Serena have it easy—if she had to face threats from the Third Prince, then Serena Feng shouldn’t get to enjoy outings with Ninth Royal Uncle instead.
Serena Feng chuckled without replying. Seeing Wendy still wanted to say more, Serena pointed kindly behind her, "Miss Summers, Old Master Yan has arrived."
Wendy Summers stiffened, her expression changing as she swallowed her words. Although the Third Prince had issued a gag order, Old Master Yan’s critique of her yesterday had already spread among the elite scholars. Those great Confucians had never liked her much, and now things were even worse—her family’s menfolk were being dragged down by her reputation.
A scholar of Old Master Yan’s stature wasn’t someone even the Summers clan could afford to offend. Wendy dared not act out, so she composed herself, feigning nothing had happened, and walked gracefully to her seat. As she turned, she deliberately angled her face to show off her perfect profile, ready to ‘be surprised’ by Old Master Yan and greet him accordingly—only to realize there was no sign of him behind her at all.
"Serena Feng, you tricked me!" Wendy Summers’ face fell immediately—she couldn’t keep up her smile at all.
Serena couldn’t help but laugh. She wanted to tease, "Well, you’re just easy to trick," but thought better of it and sat up straight, speaking earnestly: "Miss Summers, a true lady can laugh when it’s time to laugh and enjoy herself when it’s time to enjoy, but sorrow and anger can’t be worn on your sleeve. This isn’t good." Luckily, only the Crown Prince, Serena, and Wendy were present—or Wendy’s face would’ve twisted with rage.
Serena’s words weren’t exactly gentle, but she wasn’t wrong. Wendy’s fighting spirit faded at that, and she slumped in her chair, discouraged.
But just as she sat down, Old Master Yan and his group actually arrived.
Wendy felt relieved she hadn’t argued with Serena—if she’d shown her competitive side in front of Old Master Yan, it definitely would’ve caused trouble. She quickly stood and, without trying to curry favor, greeted him as usual.
Old Master Yan was a strict, upright man. Though he’d criticized Wendy yesterday, he hadn’t brought any bias to today’s judging—his attitude toward her was just as before.
Because the calligraphy contest had ended badly yesterday, today’s painting match was closed to outsiders. The Crown Prince was acting as Ninth Royal Uncle’s proxy—even though he and Crown Prince Terrence of Lyndaria held equal status, today he sat in the main seat.
Once the Crown Prince announced the contest had begun, Serena and Wendy rose and walked to their respective painting tables. Just like in the calligraphy round, they had to bring their own brushes, paper, and pigments.
Today, no one cared what famous brushes or paper Wendy brought. Everyone was far more interested in what Serena Feng would pull out.
Facing eight pairs of hungry eyes, Serena calmly took out her pre‑prepared hard paper, sharpened charcoal sticks, and, of course, a ruler from her bamboo basket.
Wendy didn’t rush to start. Like everyone else, she watched Serena Feng. With each tool Serena pulled out, Wendy’s shock grew; by the time Serena’s basket was empty, Wendy’s eyes were wide as saucers.
Was she seeing things? Serena Feng was really going to use those to paint? Aside from the paper, there wasn’t a single conventional painting tool on Serena’s table.
But Wendy had learned her lesson from yesterday. No matter how curious, shocked, or confused she felt, she kept quiet and turned her attention to her own work, laying out her brushes, paper, and pigments one by one.
Master Marcus Wynn glanced at Serena’s supplies and asked with curiosity, "Serena Feng, you’re really going to paint with just those? That paper of yours is pretty big."
Serena’s paper was at least two meters long. There was no time limit for the painting duel, but with equal quality, whoever finished first would be the winner.
"Yes, I’ll paint with just these. Don’t worry, Master Wynn— I won’t make anyone miss lunch." Serena’s confidence was dazzling; her dark eyes sparkled. Master Wynn stared, privately admiring Ninth Royal Uncle’s taste—Serena was so striking even at her age, she’d surely be a legendary beauty when she grew up.
"I’m looking forward to it," Master Wynn replied with a smile, snapping back to himself.
Crown Prince Terrence Valen of Lyndaria chimed in, "I’m quite curious, Miss Feng—what exactly are you planning to paint? Could you give us a hint?"
At this point, revealing the theme wouldn’t affect the contest—Wendy had already chosen her subject, and knowing Serena’s wouldn’t make her change it. But Serena refused to say; some things lost their mystery once spoken aloud.
"No need to rush, Prince Terrence. I’ll start painting now, and you’ll know soon enough." Serena smiled mysteriously.
Her words only piqued everyone’s curiosity further. The three judges from Jixia Academy and the Crown Prince all smiled and joined in—they were eager to see what Serena would paint.
But as the saying goes, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Serena had put herself in a tight spot—but her nerves were strong, and she didn’t care much about winning this round. Even if she lost the painting contest to Wendy, her overall odds were still good.
Serena gave a polite bow, still refusing to reveal her subject. The Crown Prince frowned slightly but said nothing; Ninth Royal Uncle had instructed him to stand by Serena’s side and support her judgment, leaving the rest to her. Serena had her own way to win against Wendy.
Serena kept silent, and no one pressed her further. But soon, the seven judges’ eyes lingered on her paper much longer than on anyone else’s—they genuinely wanted to see what she could create with such simple tools.
Wendy watched Serena become the center of attention and seethed inside, though she showed nothing on her face. She clenched her fists and swore to herself she’d win today.