After William Wang Jinling escorted Serena Feng and Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan back to Feng Manor, he prepared to return home. However, once he learned there was a problem with the horses, Serena refused to let him take the Wang Clan’s carriage. She insisted on sending William home with Feng Manor’s own horses, leaving the Wang carriage and driver to go back separately—or stay at Feng Manor if they wished.
Serena was so adamant that William couldn’t refuse, so he nodded in agreement. The driver knew perfectly well the carriage was fine, but at a time like this, he didn’t dare say so. When Serena asked if he wanted to leave the carriage or drive it home, the driver chose to drive it back. William hesitated, gave the driver a cool glance, and agreed to the plan—earning a mocking smile from Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan.
Serena paused, nodded, and simply reminded them to be careful along the way.
Once William had left, Serena turned to Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan and asked how he planned to return home—did he need an escort? She made it clear she knew Nolan hadn’t deliberately waited for her at the palace; if anyone had, it was William.
"Are you very worried about William?" Nolan ignored the question about his own return and instead asked this.
Serena didn’t shy away—she nodded. "Yes. I don’t want anything to happen to him."
"If both I and William were in danger at the same time, who would you save?" Nolan admitted he was jealous. At the palace gate, when Serena chose to ride in William’s carriage, Nolan had been deeply displeased.
It had been a contest between him and William—and the result proved he’d lost.
"William." Serena answered without hesitation. She expected Nolan to be upset, but he only replied coldly, "He’s that good? Good enough that you’d rather save him than me?"
Nolan gripped his cup so tightly that tea splashed out, scalding his hand. He didn’t feel the pain—he just stared at Serena, wanting to hear the answer he needed from her lips.
"It's not about who's better or worse. Jinling is different to me. When everyone else condemned and looked down on me, only he saw me without prejudice, only he treated me as an equal, only he gave me a chance. You and Wang Jinling are not the same—you are the man I love. If you and Jinling were both in danger, I would save Jinling first, but I would die with you." If Wang Jinling hadn't trusted me back then, staking the Wang family's reputation to let me treat his eyes, I wouldn't have gained a foothold in the capital so quickly.
To Wang Jinling, she was a benefactor—he believed she cured his blindness and gave him new life. But to her, Wang Jinling was also a benefactor. Without his trust, no matter how skilled she was, no one would have noticed her, no one would have believed in her.
Everyone says it was Serena Feng who made Wang Jinling, but few realize that without Wang Jinling, there would be no Serena Feng today. Without a stage to show her skills, her talent would have been buried, no matter how great.
"Is that all?" Nolan’s anger faded a little, especially after hearing Serena say she’d die with him—he felt a sense of completeness.
Now, Nolan could accept Serena’s special regard for Wang Jinling with reason. Back then, Serena was surrounded by enemies, everyone eager to trample her, and the only one who reached out to help was Wang Jinling. He truly was special.
Serena gave a bitter smile, her gaze burning as she looked at Nolan, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "No, I treat Jinling differently because when everyone refused to see me as a person, he did. He made me realize I was still alive, that I had dignity and pride, that I wasn’t just an ant for others to crush."
Only she truly understood how hard those days had been. One wrong step would have meant total ruin. Though it’s all in the past, every time she remembers, her heart aches. Those things are impossible to forget.
Nolan stared at Serena, the last trace of anger fading from his heart. The past between Serena and Wang Jinling was something he could never be part of. In those days, anyone would have found it impossible to refuse Wang Jinling’s kindness.
"I understand now." He finally understood why Serena treated Wang Jinling as someone special.
Back then, Serena really had been forced into utter desperation, trampled to the very bottom. That’s why Wang Jinling’s equal treatment meant so much to her.
Back then...
Nolan closed his eyes. Serena was right—back then, the only person who treated her as human was Wang Jinling. After all, a timid, powerless orphan girl like her was beneath everyone’s notice. But...
Serena, do you realize? Wang Jinling treated you as a person simply because of his upbringing. Back then, he wasn’t entangled in the Wang Clan’s chaos, nor was he a rival to anyone. He was as pure as crystal, and someone like that would never show contempt or disgust to a weak girl, nor trample someone who had nothing to do with him.
Maybe Serena knew this. That’s why she refused Wang Jinling’s proposal. But in those moments, someone willing to treat her equally was her greatest happiness.
Nolan closed his eyes, thinking of how he’d treated Serena back then, and sighed softly. The two fell into silence. Continuing this topic was pointless; shifting suddenly would be too abrupt. Silence was the best weapon.
Halfway home, Wang Jinling suddenly remembered he’d come to see Serena to talk about Shunning Marquis Manor. Thanks to Nolan’s interruption, he’d forgotten all about it in his annoyance.
Wang Jinling was deeply frustrated, blaming himself for his lack of resolve. But they were almost at the Wang estate; turning back wasn’t an option. He could only keep it in mind and plan to visit Serena another day.
The driver followed Wang Jinling’s carriage, everything running smoothly—until they reached the busy market. Suddenly, the horses pulling the carriage went wild, bolting through the crowded street.
"Quick, quick! The horses are spooked!"
"Move aside! Move aside! The horses are out of control!"
......
Fortunately, both the driver and the guard were prepared. The moment the horses panicked, they acted instantly—one with a dagger, the other with a saber—killing the horses on the spot.
Boom—
The fine horses collapsed, dragging the carriage down with them. Thanks to their quick response, no one was injured—only a few stalls were smashed. The driver jumped down, still shaken, and after a long moment, limped over to the carriage where Wang Jinling sat, and dropped to his knees with a thud. "Young master..."
That single call made Wang Jinling realize the horses truly were a problem. Maybe the driver had staged it earlier, but this moment was real.
Wang Jinling gave a self-mocking smile and sighed at his own luck. If he’d been caught off guard, a crash like that would have left him dead or badly injured. He’d be stuck at the Wang estate recovering, not knowing if he’d ever return to take charge.
"Let's go back." Wang Jinling rubbed his brow, exhaustion written all over his face.
Today, he really was lucky. If he hadn’t suspected the driver was behind the earlier horse scare and, not wanting Serena Feng to notice anything off, had chosen to ride in Feng Manor’s carriage instead, he’d be lying on the ground like that carriage right now.
That carriage was for his exclusive use—normally, only those closest to him could get near it. He’d never have suspected a problem. Clearly, it’s time to clean house, not just in the Wang Clan but among his own retinue. He should learn from the Emperor: strike hard, and let none escape, even if it means punishing the wrong person...