Bold and Unyielding, This Is Serena Feng

Harlan Huo looked at Victor Zhao’s cowardly display and felt nothing but contempt. Good birth really does make all the difference—even someone like him could become a captain under the Commander of the Nine Gates, while men like Harlan, who fought for their lives on the battlefield, were kept as low-ranking soldiers, forced to trade blood for every step upward…

Seeing Victor Zhao frozen in place, Harlan Huo didn’t bother being polite. He grabbed Victor and dumped him right in the middle of the corpses. “Lord Zhao, have your men line up the bodies.” Riding the momentum of Serena Feng’s authority, Harlan issued orders to these pampered city officers without a hint of courtesy.

The officials looked sickly, each one staring at Victor Zhao, hoping their leader would finally stand up for them. They’d never done this kind of work before—dirty jobs like this were always handed off to low-born soldiers. They were used to strutting around, feared by the people; how could they be expected to do manual labor?

Unfortunately, Victor Zhao himself had already lost his nerve—how could he possibly help them? Left with no choice, the officials stepped forward and, holding their noses, began to move the bodies.

Serena Feng sat inside the carriage, unable to see the scene, but just from the sounds she could already guess most of what was happening.

Sure enough, weak soldiers make for a weak army—and weak officers make for a whole nest of cowards…

Expecting this bunch of city officials—who couldn’t lift a hand, let alone a shoulder—to get the corpses arranged properly was hopeless. Even if they worked till nightfall, they’d never get it done. In the end, Serena Feng’s own guards had to step in.

The moment the professionals took over, it was clear who knew what they were doing. The city officers only managed to move a few bodies before they were drenched in blood and sweat, panting for breath. Anyone who didn’t know better might think they’d been the ones doing the killing.

Serena Feng’s guards, on the other hand, had killed so many and lined up the corpses with ease. They only got a few drops of blood on themselves, and every one of them was still sharp-eyed and full of energy, ready to fight again at a moment’s notice.

Once the bodies were arranged, Serena Feng ordered Victor Zhao to check them one by one.

"Lord Zhao, are there any survivors?" Serena Feng was determined to block off Victor Zhao’s last escape route. If he declared here that there were no survivors, he couldn’t later conjure up a so-called 'witness' to accuse her. And if there were survivors—well, she could easily turn that 'yes' into a 'no.'

Killing one or killing a crowd—blood is blood. Once your hands are stained, don’t bother dreaming of sainthood.

Victor Zhao truly found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place—no matter how he answered, he’d offend someone. After a moment’s thought, he decided to play dumb and lay his cards on the table: "Miss Feng, the casualties today are far too severe. I must ask you to come with me. I’m only following orders; if you have any concerns, please speak to the Commander of the Nine Gates."

"Lord Zhao is absolutely right. If I want to investigate who’s behind this, I should speak with the Commander. In that case…" Serena Feng deliberately paused, letting Victor Zhao’s hopes rise, then switched gears: "In that case, please ask the Commander to come to the Ninth Prince Manor. Ninth Royal Uncle is waiting for me, and if I’m late, he won’t be happy."

Everyone said she was Ninth Royal Uncle’s woman. If rumors could hurt her, she could use them too. Her denials meant nothing—if they branded her, she’d own it.

"Miss Feng, please don’t make things difficult for me." Sweat dripped from Victor Zhao’s forehead, but he didn’t dare wipe it away.

"Difficult? Lord Zhao, you’re joking. Since the Commander is too busy to visit the Ninth Prince Manor, let me ask you again: are there any survivors among these assassins?" Serena Feng pressed relentlessly, her aura overpowering. Yes, she was throwing her weight around, riding on Ninth Royal Uncle’s authority.

She’d been used by Ninth Royal Uncle time and again—now that she finally had a chance to use him back, she’d be a fool to let it go.

Victor Zhao was furious. How could she keep using Ninth Royal Uncle to pressure him, over and over again? Infuriating.

The Commander of the Nine Gates could ignore Ninth Royal Uncle’s face—he was the Empress’s brother, protected by her and by Prince Luo. But Victor Zhao wasn’t so lucky; he couldn’t afford to offend Ninth Royal Uncle. Yet if he went along with Serena Feng’s demands, he’d be crossing the Empress.

Victor Zhao and his men finally understood what it meant to dig their own grave.

"What’s wrong, Lord Zhao? Can’t answer? Or maybe you just don’t want to? In that case, you can come with me to the Ninth Prince Manor. I’m sure Ninth Royal Uncle will help you understand—Harlan…" This was a threat, blunt and naked. She couldn’t summon the Commander, but she could certainly handle Victor Zhao, a mere mid-level officer.

A wise man knows when to bend. If he entered the Ninth Prince Manor upright, he’d be carried out sideways. Victor Zhao couldn’t risk it. Stiff-necked, he forced out, "Miss Feng, I just checked—there are no survivors." He didn’t dare call them assassins, or rabble; he just muddled through.

"What a shame. I was hoping to find a survivor and trace the mastermind behind this." Serena Feng’s voice held not a trace of regret, nor did she push Victor Zhao for his evasiveness. She’d gotten exactly what she wanted.

"Ah, Lord Zhao, if only you’d arrived sooner, maybe you could’ve caught a couple survivors." Serena was just rubbing salt in the wound now. Victor Zhao’s face turned red all the way to his neck—part shame, part anger. To be toyed with by a young woman from the inner chambers… if word got out, his career would be finished. He stood there, unable to say a word.

Seeing Victor Zhao silent, Serena Feng didn’t mind. She simply put on a show of regret: "Lord Zhao, I’ll leave the rest to you. I hope you find the mastermind soon, otherwise I won’t dare set foot outside. Oh, and if you do catch the culprit, just let the Ninth Prince Manor know—I’m not interested in the details."

With that, she ordered Harlan Huo to clear the road—she was ready to move on…

By rights, she should’ve gone back to House Feng to rest, but she’d said she was heading to the Ninth Prince Manor—no turning back now. She’d just have to make do and go to the Sun Estate instead. She was close enough with the Sun family; Sun Zhengdao certainly wouldn’t mind letting her lay low for a while.

Of course, before heading to the Sun Estate, her carriage would have to pause in front of the Ninth Prince Manor—if you’re going to put on a show, you go all the way.

Serena Feng waved her sleeve, leaving without a trace, dumping the whole mess on Victor Zhao. Victor and his men felt like dying; they wanted nothing more than to drag Serena out of the carriage and haul her straight to the Capital Inspectorate Office.

Just then, a clueless city officer came over to ask, "Sir, what should we do with these corpses?"

In their own jargon, it meant picking which unlucky guy would have to clean up the mess. But he’d picked the wrong moment—Victor Zhao couldn’t do anything about Serena Feng, but he could certainly take it out on his subordinates. He roared, "What do you mean, what to do? Why are you all just standing there? Get moving—dump these bodies at the paupers’ graveyard!"

Across the street corner, a black-clad, silver-masked man watched the whole scene unfold. He’d expected Serena Feng to suffer here, but instead, she left no room for any hero to swoop in and save her.

Only when Serena Feng rode off in swaggering triumph did the man quietly turn away.

"Serena Feng—this is the real you!"

......

A bloody incident like this on Imperial Avenue couldn’t be covered up. Serena Feng had barely reached the Sun Estate before memorials and complaints began flooding the palace like snowflakes.

The Emperor was furious. He slammed his desk and immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to seize her…

Ninth Royal Uncle got word instantly—at the same time, he received news that the Emperor wanted her arrested. He could only let out a helpless laugh.

Serena Feng, you really won’t tolerate even the tiniest loss. All you ever do is cause trouble for me.

"Attendants, come—dress me."

He was heading to the palace!