The Insider Appears, Noble Consort Helena Invites

The Emperor was already eighty percent convinced by Serena Feng's words—not because her speech was particularly moving, but because he was confident in his own ability to detect lies. He believed that if Serena Feng were lying, he would surely see through it.

The remaining twenty percent of doubt stemmed from his deep desire for the thunder-blast grenade—he wanted it so badly that he wouldn't let go of even the slightest possibility. Refusing to give up, the Emperor pressed on: "So, how did you know how to calm the people and treat the wounded? Serena Feng, deceiving the sovereign is a capital crime."

He coaxed and threatened her, leaving Serena Feng completely at his mercy.

In truth, if the Emperor wanted Serena Feng dead, it would take only a word—he wouldn't even need an excuse.

The saying 'When the Emperor breaks the law, he is punished just like a commoner' is a lie. Laws and regulations are tools for those in power to control the people. If you really believe that, you must have had your head slammed in a door.

Serena Feng sobbed pitifully, her voice full of grievance: "Your Majesty, I truly don't know. This deadly weapon—how could a sheltered young woman like me possibly understand it? If I did, I would've reported it to you long ago. I wouldn't dare hide anything from you, not even a little."

I stepped forward today only because I am a physician, and the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty, personally ennobled by Your Majesty. As one who receives the Emperor's grace, I must serve the Emperor faithfully. I thought surely Your Majesty would not bear to see the people of Eastlyn die tragic deaths in this disaster, so I stood up, hoping to do my part to ease your burdens."

She had already given the glory to the Crown Prince and William Wang Jinling, and handed all the credit to the Emperor. Surely he would be satisfied. She truly didn't know anything; the Emperor wouldn't kill her over something so trivial, would he?

She had just won glory for Eastlyn; even if the Emperor wanted her dead, he'd at least wait until the matter of Westlyn's Princess Yaohua and Su Wan was settled, and until his own birthday had passed.

With that time buffer, she could plan her next move carefully—and if all else failed, she could always run to General Warren Yu for help.

The Emperor said nothing, but his expression darkened again. No one could guess what he was thinking, but the Crown Prince understood: the Emperor was relenting.

The Crown Prince discreetly tugged at his sweat-soaked robes and stepped forward: "Father, even the Ministry of Works doesn't understand what caused this explosion. How could Miss Feng, a young woman, possibly know? Today's events were my own lack of foresight. I only thought of Miss Feng's medical skills and forgot that it's truly inappropriate for a young lady to appear in public like this. If you must punish someone, please punish me instead."

Seeing the Crown Prince speak up, Nolan Eastlyn (Ninth Royal Uncle) gently moved his finger. Immediately, a perceptive civil official stepped forward: "Your Majesty, based on what the Crown Prince said—and what I saw at the city gate—I believe Miss Feng's actions closely resemble those of army doctors on the battlefield."

If I may speculate, perhaps Miss Feng heard stories about military doctors from the Marquis of Loyalty when she was young. I recall that the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley's senior disciple was quite close with the Marquis of Loyalty and used to visit his residence often."

Once someone spoke up, others quickly followed. Many officials present had gone to the city gate today—surviving was a stroke of luck—and when Serena Feng risked her own safety to save William Wang Jinling, it moved them deeply.

Very few in this world would risk their lives to save someone with no blood relation. Serena Feng is a woman of loyalty and righteousness—if such a person were to die unjustly, it would truly be a tragedy.

Serena Feng breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she would definitely make it through today safely. But as for that senior disciple of the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley mentioned just now—she felt no familiarity at all, not a trace of memory in her mind.

Did her family really have ties to the Mystic Healer Valley? Thinking back to the last time the Valley Master came to the capital, Serena Feng suspected that, aside from checking on William Wang Jinling's restored eyesight, he was also there to quietly support her.

She remembered that back then, when many doctors were causing trouble, it was the Valley Master's appearance that quieted them. Looking at it now...

No wonder people weren't surprised by her medical skills—her family's connection to the Mystic Healer Valley explained everything.

She had underestimated her own background. Her father, said to be of humble origins, and her mother, supposedly a commoner—even if their status was low, they were far from ordinary. Otherwise, how could they have befriended someone as distinguished as the senior disciple of the Mystic Healer Valley?

Serena Feng secretly resented the original owner of this body—how could she forget so many important things? What a waste of resources.

The Emperor alternated between pressure and favor, but in the end learned nothing more. He had already concluded that Serena Feng was truly ignorant of the matter.

Consider the scale of the Emperor's display today: even a ruthless warlord would struggle to lie under such pressure, let alone a frail young woman.

Just days ago, Serena Feng had earned merit in the Beast Garden. Of course the Emperor wouldn't kill her—he was already looking for a way to gracefully end the interrogation. So, when the Crown Prince and the ministers spoke up for her, the Emperor did nothing to stop them.

Just as things were winding down, the Emperor was about to speak when a eunuch hurried in from outside. After bowing, he announced, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhen requests an audience. He says a righteous man in his household knows what weapon caused the injuries at the city gate today."

"Really?" The Emperor hadn't expected to learn anything from Serena Feng, but this sudden turn of events delighted him—he immediately rose from the dragon throne. "Summon Duke Zhen at once!"

Could it be another transmigrator? The culprit behind today's explosion?

If not, then how could it be such a coincidence?

Serena Feng's heart skipped a beat—she desperately hoped the Emperor would let her stay. But she was kneeling too conspicuously in the center, and seeing that she was no longer useful, the Emperor simply waved her away: "Serena Feng, you may withdraw." In other words, she would not get to witness what came next.

Serena Feng was furious! But imperial orders could not be defied, so she quietly withdrew, consoling herself that since the person had appeared, they would surely meet again in the future—there was no need to rush.

Still, it was quite a coincidence—the House of Duke Zhen again. Could today's events be connected to the former County Princess of Wu'an, now the Tenth Young Lady of Duke Zhen's estate?

Whoever Duke Zhen brings—if they're another transmigrator, Serena Feng could be certain they were the creator of the thunder-blast grenade. After all, not even Ninth Royal Uncle or William Wang Jinling knew about it; no one in all the Nine Provinces could possibly have such knowledge.

(This chapter is not yet finished~.~ Please click 'Next Page' to continue reading the exciting story!)

When Serena Feng left the Throne Hall, Duke Zhen and the insider had not yet arrived. She couldn't engineer a chance encounter, and since this was the imperial palace, she dared not wander. She obediently followed the eunuch out.

She hadn't gone far when two palace maids stopped her: "Miss Feng, we are from Radiant Hall. Noble Consort Helena Hsieh requests your presence."

Palace maids in the imperial court seemed to think themselves superior, never looking people in the eye, their chins raised high—arrogant as victorious dogs. Just like the maid beside the Empress who once tried to drive Serena Feng to her death.

The eunuch who'd been guiding her didn't hesitate—he immediately abandoned Serena Feng, apologized, and slipped away. Serena understood she had no choice but to go.

"Ladies, in my current state, I fear I would be disrespectful before Her Ladyship." Serena Feng wiped her face—her palm came away stained with blood, and her clothes?

Better not mention it—the truth would be even more humiliating. After a day of work, her clothes were covered in dust, and the Emperor hadn't let her change before appearing in court. She'd sweated through everything in the Throne Hall, leaving her reeking of sour sweat.

No wonder the Emperor hadn't let her stay in the Throne Hall—she really was in no condition to be seen.

The two palace maids, disgusted, shielded themselves with handkerchiefs. "Fortunately, Her Ladyship is merciful. Otherwise, you'd be punished for such disrespect. Come—I'll take you to wash up."

Serena Feng thanked them repeatedly. Sigh... A surgeon is welcomed everywhere, yet few are as miserable as she is; most transmigrators thrive and win everyone's affection, but her luck seemed to have run out entirely.

She followed the two palace maids to a small room, where she washed up and changed into clean clothes.

Serena Feng knew exactly why Noble Consort Helena Hsieh had summoned her. William Wang Jinling had mentioned before: though Noble Consort Helena Hsieh had lived in the palace for years, she remained childless. The Hsieh clan allowed Second Madam Hsieh to seek Serena's treatment as a test of her skills before inviting her to treat the consort.

Gynecological issues like infertility can't be diagnosed by the naked eye, so Serena Feng quietly activated her Smart Med-Pack.

Unlike Second Madam Hsieh, Noble Consort Helena Hsieh was embroiled in palace intrigue—Serena Feng wanted no part of it. No matter what, she would not treat the consort's illness herself. Still, if someone else could do it and block the Empress, Serena would be delighted; after all, if Noble Consort Helena Hsieh had a child, the Empress would be the one most troubled.

It wasn't Serena Feng's first time in the palace, but it was the first time she'd had leisure to admire its scenery.

She'd thought the Wang and Hsieh estates were already lavish, but stepping into Radiant Hall, she realized the difference was like heaven and earth.

She'd thought using colored glass for windows was extravagant, but here at Radiant Hall, the windows were covered with shark-gauze—breathable and luminous, far superior to glass.

She'd thought using agarwood for flooring was extravagant, but Noble Consort Helena Hsieh had the floors paved with jade, each piece carved with flowers for grip.

She'd thought a single luminous pearl for lighting was impressive, but in Noble Consort Helena Hsieh's hall, every palace lantern was crowned with one.

...

Every inch of Radiant Hall was exquisite, every detail luxurious. Walking here, one almost wished never to leave—even the tiniest ornament in the treasure shelf was refined beyond compare.

Serena Feng clicked her tongue, watching the palace maid leading the way. Her dark eyes flickered with a cold, mocking smile.

Her whole demeanor changed—like a country bumpkin visiting a grand estate, Serena Feng stared at Radiant Hall's treasures, unable to take another step.

The palace maid leading her looked down on Serena Feng even more. "To think you're a marquis's daughter—what a hick, no upbringing at all."

These two palace maids didn't regard Serena Feng as anyone important, mocking her all the way. They didn't bother to lower their voices—it was meant for her to hear.

They'd expected Serena Feng to ignore them as before, but unexpectedly, she suddenly stopped...