As Serena Feng walked, she pondered how to coax information out of Simon Sun. She knew Simon was a traditionally raised young man; even if he harbored affection, he would never cross boundaries. She had to be extremely skillful in her questioning, so Simon wouldn't suspect his master doubted his character.
If Simon Sun truly liked Charlotte Chu, that would be fine. But if he didn't, she absolutely wouldn't allow Charlotte Chu to ruin her disciple. Her excellent disciple must not be branded as a man living off a woman's power.
But when Serena arrived at Simon Sun's usual clinic, he was nowhere to be seen. After asking around, she learned that Miss Charlotte Chu had personally come to invite Simon Sun, saying Lord Harold Chu's old illness had relapsed and requesting Simon's medical attention.
"Invited Simon Sun to treat Lord Harold Chu?" Serena was so startled by this news that she nearly bumped into the carriage door.
Charlotte Chu's move was just too clumsy. On the road, it was understandable—out in the wild, there might not be good doctors. But in the imperial Capital, to deliberately seek out Simon Sun made it look as if Eastlyn was neglecting Chu City, not even sending an imperial physician.
"Miss?" The driver, having waited a long time for instructions, finally spoke up.
"Turn around, head to where Lord Harold Chu and his party are staying." Serena was deeply frustrated, unsure if Simon might get implicated. If Charlotte Chu's selfishness got Simon Sun punished by the Emperor, she would never forgive Charlotte Chu.
When Serena arrived at Charlotte Chu's temporary residence, she didn't barge in. Instead, she had the driver park the carriage across the street.
"If Young Master Simon comes out, let me know."
"Yes, Miss."
Serena Feng parked her carriage in a conspicuous spot, and it wasn't long before the guards noticed. They whispered among themselves, debating whether to report it to their mistress. One suggested, "Maybe we should check first and see who it is. If they mean no harm, reporting rashly might just upset Miss Charlotte."
"Alright, I'll take a look." One guard gripped his spear and hurried over to the carriage, asked a couple of questions, and quickly returned.
"They're from Feng Manor, here to wait for Dr. Sun."
When the guard reported this, the others exchanged knowing smiles and made faces at each other. Luckily Serena was far enough away not to see it—otherwise, she might have coughed up blood from anger.
Charlotte Chu, just how badly have you ruined my disciple's reputation? People who don't know any better might think Simon Sun is just another man chasing after you.
Serena waited patiently all along, never expecting it would be two whole hours before anything happened. As dusk approached and Simon Sun still didn't come out, the driver, remembering Serena hadn't eaten or drunk all day, quietly asked, "Miss, should I go over and check?"
"No need, just wait a bit longer. Charlotte Chu can't possibly keep Young Master Simon overnight."
And as it turned out, Serena guessed right—Charlotte Chu was indeed planning to keep Simon Sun for dinner. When she saw Simon packing up to leave, she hurried forward and said, "Dr. Sun, I'm so grateful for your help. Without you, I wouldn't know what to do. It's getting late; why not stay for supper?"
"Thank you, Miss Charlotte, but this is just my duty. Your thanks are more than I deserve." Simon Sun calmly accepted the consultation fee handed to him by the maid. Despite her disdainful look, he pocketed the silver with a satisfied smile.
He earned his silver through medical skill—neither illegal nor against his conscience. He had no idea why the maid looked down on him, but it was none of his concern.
"How could I not? Dr. Sun, your medical skills are superb, my father..."
"That's not necessary." Zuo An stepped forward and cut Charlotte Chu off. "His master is waiting for him—we'll be leaving now."
Zuo An casually made up an excuse. Simon Sun quickly agreed, grabbed his medicine chest, and tried to leave. Charlotte Chu laughed, "Young hero, you must be mistaken. Dr. Sun's master lives at Ninth Prince Manor—she wouldn't be waiting for him here."
"So what if my master lives at Ninth Prince Manor? If she wants to wait, she can wait wherever she likes. Miss Charlotte, whatever concerns my master, she'll handle herself. No need for you to interfere." Simon Sun, hearing Charlotte Chu bring up Serena's stay at Ninth Prince Manor, immediately grew blunt. Rarely one to quarrel, Simon found himself once again jealous on Serena's behalf, this time with another woman.
As soon as Charlotte Chu finished, she realized she'd misspoken. Her approach was clumsy, and Simon Sun's rebuke left her uneasy and teary-eyed. "Please don't be angry, Dr. Sun. I didn't mean it—I just meant your master isn't waiting for you right now."
"How do you know she's not?" Zuo An, worried Simon Sun might provoke Charlotte Chu and create another enemy for Chu City, quickly stepped in front of Simon.
"I..." Charlotte Chu was at a loss for words. Zuo An ignored her, turned to Simon Sun, and said, "Let's go. Your master is still waiting for you."
"Okay." Simon Sun nodded eagerly, not even glancing at Charlotte Chu as he headed out in a hurry, as if someone was chasing him. Charlotte Chu, meanwhile, looked despondent...
Falling flowers are intentional; running water is heartless.
Zuo An shrugged, pretending not to notice anything. He respected Simon Sun's wishes, but it was a pity—Simon was so focused on medicine that he had no interest in romance, completely oblivious to Charlotte Chu's feelings for him.
Zuo An had only casually said that Serena was waiting for Simon Sun, but as soon as they stepped outside, they really saw Serena standing by her carriage, waving them over.
"Master!" Simon Sun was delighted and immediately waved at Serena, showing he'd seen her. Then, admiringly, he said to Zuo An, "Brother Zuo, you're amazing! You were with me the whole time—how did you know my master was waiting?"
Zuo An rolled his eyes and ignored Simon Sun.
He'd just made it up—how could he have known Serena would show up? It was pure coincidence.
Seeing Serena arrive, Zuo An knew Simon Sun would be fine. With a flicker of movement, he disappeared—babysitting a naive young doctor was boring him to death.
"Brother Zuo..." Simon Sun called after him twice, but Zuo An pretended not to hear. Simon walked up to Serena and quietly complained, "Brother Zuo is something else—just leaves without even saying goodbye."
"He probably just needed to pee, that's why he left so fast," Serena said kindly.
"Huh?" Simon Sun looked at Serena, confused, then nodded as if he understood. "Oh, that explains why he ran off so quickly."
He actually believed the random excuse Serena made up.
How could this child be so easy to fool? He'd believe anything you said... honestly.
Looking into Simon Sun's clear eyes, Serena felt both joy and worry. She suddenly had the sense of watching her own child grow up, and couldn't help but fear that Simon might one day be tricked by some wicked woman.
"Alright, stop thinking about your Brother Zuo. He knows the way home. Come on, let's go." Serena urged Simon Sun into the carriage, eager to find out what he really thought of Charlotte Chu.
If Simon Sun had feelings for Charlotte Chu, Serena would have to adjust her plans. No matter what, she couldn't hurt the woman Simon liked.
On the other hand, if Simon Sun had no interest in Charlotte Chu, then Serena could do as she pleased...