Conceding Defeat and the Art of Pretending Magnanimity

For reasons unknown, the Emperor did not appear, nor did any of the senior ministers. Today, it was Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan who presided over the proceedings.

Serena Feng moved forward and sat down, offering an apologetic explanation: "I am unwell and unable to rise for a formal greeting. I hope Uncle Nolan will forgive me."

"No trouble at all." Uncle Nolan would never make things difficult for Serena. Knowing full well she was putting on an act, he played along, even having a thin blanket brought to cover her legs, explaining, "It's cold—don't catch a chill. Otherwise, the Summers family will claim Eastlyn bullies the wounded."

Uncle Nolan made no effort to hide his dislike for the Summers family. Though their representatives were furious, none dared speak up against his icy demeanor, consoling themselves: Serena won't stay happy for long—once her own endgame is broken, her reputation will be ruined.

Serena smiled and accepted Uncle Nolan's kindness. Just as she was about to nod to the scholars beside him in greeting, Master Marcus Wynn suddenly spoke up: "Serena, we're old friends now. Come, let me introduce you..."

He then introduced each person beside him to Serena—these were all scholars from Jixia Academy, unrelated to Eastlyn, each a renowned academic. Serena greeted each with a polite smile, neither overly eager nor aloof.

Her measured attitude pleased the scholars, and with Master Marcus Wynn's endorsement, they could not ignore her. Each exchanged a few words with Serena, leaving the Summers family members sidelined.

Truth be told, these self-styled lofty literati looked down on the Summers family of Southlyn. Compared to them, they preferred dealing with Serena, whom they considered a touch more honorable than the Summers merchants.

By the time Serena finished exchanging pleasantries, half an hour had passed. The Summers family members were growing restless. Uncle Nolan let out a cold laugh and finally broke in, directing Serena to address the chess issue.

At last, the Summers family seized the chance to speak, their tone almost desperate: "Miss Serena, our contest with you has run its course. We accept the results of every event—except for the chess match."

"What's the issue with the chess match? If I remember correctly, I beat Miss Su Wan at the time," Serena deliberately reminded everyone—even if she didn't solve the puzzle, she had won.

The Summers family blanched, but quickly regained composure. "Miss Serena, your chess skills are far above ours. The puzzle you set, we cannot break. We concede the chess match."

"You're too kind, Third Master Summers. There's no need to talk about conceding. My agreement with Miss Su Wan was this: if your family could break the puzzle, you would win; if not, it would be a draw. Since you couldn't solve it, the match is a draw." Serena knew that Lance Quinn had bet on her winning one match—if she foolishly won another, Vincent Su would kill her over two million taels. Compared to losing, that was nothing.

"No, no, that's not right. Miss Serena, your chess skills are superb—we concede willingly." The Summers family tried to retreat to gain ground, and their humility won them some favor among those present.

After all, being able to lose gracefully is the mark of a true gentleman.

The more the Summers family tried this, the less Serena would let them have their way. Even if the match being a draw or a win affected the gambling, Serena wouldn't let them lose elegantly.

"You're too kind, Third Master Summers. A gentleman keeps his word. Since I made an agreement with Miss Su Wan, I will honor it. Winning or losing means little. Please, say no more—the chess match is a draw." Serena spoke lightly, her open gaze making it clear she truly didn't care about victory or defeat.

And it was true—Serena had already crushed the Summers family in every other event. Allowing them a draw in chess only showed her magnanimity.

Seeing the Summers family rush to concede, while Serena insisted on a draw, the scholars' view of her softened even more. Those who aren't overly profit-driven always win the goodwill of most literati.

After some back-and-forth between Serena and the Summers family, Uncle Nolan finally ruled: the chess match is a draw. The Summers family did not object, but raised the real issue—the most important matter today: "Miss Serena, though the match is a draw, the puzzle you set remains unsolved. Might you break it yourself and clear our doubts?"

"Since it's already a draw, what does it matter if the puzzle is solved or not?" Serena countered, her beautiful eyes glinting with playful amusement.

The Summers family shouldn't expect to play the victim after stirring up trouble. Even though today's situation was partly pushed by Uncle Nolan, it never would have come to this without the Summers family's scheming.

They'd slandered her everywhere in secret, claiming she'd set up a fake puzzle to humiliate them, but now they said nothing—just trying to play the victim for sympathy. Serena had no intention of letting them get their way.

Glancing at Third Master Summers as he struggled to find the right words, Serena smiled, excused herself to Uncle Nolan and Master Marcus Wynn, and signaled for Jada and Mira Tang to wheel her away.

What was Serena up to? Didn't she know that today's meeting at the National Academy, with so many guests, was all about settling this contest?

Everyone was stunned, watching Serena's retreating figure, at a loss for what to do. They looked at each other in confusion.

Uncle Nolan's lips curved in a faint smile, while Master Marcus Wynn could only laugh helplessly. Inwardly, he thought Serena was lethal—she'd never let the Summers family have both face and gain.

Sure enough, Serena had barely gone ten paces before the Summers family panicked. Someone called out, "Miss Serena, please wait!"

"Jada, stop." Serena smiled like a fox. Jada and Mira Tang, close at hand, caught her expression and exchanged a knowing look—someone was about to suffer.

"Third Master Summers, why have you called me back?" Serena acted as if she had no idea what was going on, leaving no room for blame.

After all, the Summers family had never accused Serena to her face of setting a fake puzzle to humiliate them. Her question was perfectly reasonable, but it left them speechless.

Was Serena truly clueless, or just pretending? The Summers family's hints had been obvious, yet she refused to take the bait—forcing them to say it outright if they dared.

If they spoke up, they'd have no way out.

The Summers family hesitated; the hall fell silent. All eyes turned to Serena and the Summers clan, waiting to see what they'd do. Serena sat calmly in her wheelchair, while the Summers family struggled, uncertain whether to speak.

Seeing their indecision, Serena kindly stoked the fire: "Third Master Summers, I'm not feeling well. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Wait!" The Summers family finally panicked. If the chess issue wasn't resolved today, they'd lose both face and credibility. No matter what, they couldn't let Serena leave like this...