Left Outside the City for the Third Time

Although Dominic Zhai didn’t ride back to the Marquis of Jinyang’s estate to confront them, he instead spurred his horse out of the city, leaving Serena Feng inwardly cursing. She wanted Dominic to let her down—she had zero interest in following him outside the city. She was busy; she really didn’t have time for these noble family squabbles.

But who was Dominic Zhai, anyway?

He was Prince Samuel’s heir, the top bully of the Eastlyn Empire, a playboy whose reputation was well known. But this playboy never oppressed commoners—he only bullied nobles. When he spoke, his word was law, and he never gave anyone a chance to refuse.

He rode alone the whole way, arriving at a small hillside outside the city. It wasn’t very tall, but the view was excellent, and the surroundings were beautiful. Scholars often came here for outings.

It was noon now, the sun blazed overhead, and everywhere was unbearably hot. Of course, no one would choose to go sightseeing at this hour.

Dominic Zhai looked at Serena Feng standing quietly not far away. He gradually calmed down, recalling how Rowan Dongling had praised Serena. He asked, “Serena Feng, what do you think about this whole affair?”

“Me? Your Highness, this has nothing to do with me, right?” Serena turned around, clearly wanting to avoid trouble.

Getting involved in noble power struggles—she’d only end up dead.

Eastlyn’s social hierarchy was strict: imperial clan, great families, nobles, officials, commoners, merchants.

Prince Samuel had married a princess, and as the late Emperor’s sworn brother, his family name might not be royal, but Dominic Zhai still counted as imperial kin. The Marquis of Jinyang was just a noble. If the imperial clan wanted to kill a noble, they didn’t need a reason. But if a noble tried to harm imperial kin, it was a capital crime.

And she, Serena Feng, was just an ordinary commoner. If she got caught up in a fight between the imperial clan and the nobles, she’d end up as a sacrificed pawn.

Ninth Royal Uncle had already warned her: don’t meddle in his affairs, because her status was too low.

“None of your business? How is it not your business? If not for you, how would I have found out? You’re a knowing party.” Dominic Zhai’s lips curled. “Serena Feng, I’m telling you, if you don’t give me a satisfactory answer today, don’t even think about going back to the capital.”

“Dominic Zhai, don’t push it. I only went to help you check out Elaine Jiang—and the medical exam was just a favor.” Serena was angry now; just because she acted humble didn’t mean she was easy to bully.

So what if he was imperial clan? If he had the guts, he could just kill her outright.

“Dominic Zhai? What’s this? Not calling me ‘Your Highness’ anymore?” The first time they met, Dominic had noticed Serena was rebellious—she did all the formalities, bowed and addressed him properly, but there was never any real respect.

She wasn’t even afraid of his old man—would a woman like her be scared of him?

Fine, keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can keep it up.

“It’s just a title. Your Highness, I beg you—let me go. The mess at Duke Zhen’s estate isn’t even settled yet, and I really don’t want to get tangled up with the Marquis of Jinyang. I just want to quietly be a little doctor and make a living.” She meant every word—at least, Serena Feng really did think that way.

Dealing with Prince Samuel, Prince Adrian, Sun Zhengdao, and the others—she only did it because she had no choice.

Ninth Royal Uncle had already warned her. Since she didn’t want to crowd around him, there was no need to deal with these people.

‘Little doctor’? Serena Feng, a doctor like you was never meant to be ordinary. A single consultation from you is worth a fortune—ordinary people could never afford that.

Didn’t you say you didn’t want to make house calls and would charge by your mood? Well, I’m telling you: you don’t get to talk like that anymore. Forget Prince Samuel Manor—even if the Marquis of Jinyang wants you to make a house call, you have to go.

Serena Feng, do you still think this is the era of General Warren Yu? He’s gone now, taken his three hundred thousand troops far from the center of imperial power. He can’t protect you anymore.

Ninth Royal Uncle does hold high rank, but don’t forget—he has no military power, and the Emperor is watching him. He can’t act as freely as General Warren Yu did. Even if he wants to protect you, there will be times when he just can’t reach you.

As for William Wayne, Serena, you should know his own situation isn’t good. Are you really going to make things harder for him? Do you know why William Wayne left the capital this time? Because of you—because he brought you to Prince Samuel Manor and made the great families angry. The Wayne clan had to send him away to avoid their wrath.

Serena Feng, you were never meant to be ordinary. If you don’t want to be bullied, you have to learn to protect yourself. In this capital, you need to keep adding to your leverage—make yourself special, become someone even the Emperor has to fear. Like my grandfather and Ninth Royal Uncle.” Dominic Zhai whispered the last words right in Serena’s ear.

His breath was hot, making her skin tingle. Serena instantly shoved him away. “Can you talk properly? Why get so close?”

People react instinctively—it has nothing to do with liking someone.

“You think I could say that out loud?” Dominic shot Serena a look. “Enough talk—the Marquis of Jinyang affair is your problem now. I don’t want this getting any bigger.”

The Marquis of Jinyang’s estate wasn’t easy to deal with either. Sure, they were in the wrong this time, but if things blew up, it’d just end with an apology. No way would two houses ruin their relationship over a woman.

“Dominic Zhai, don’t go too far! What does this have to do with me? I’m just a doctor.” Serena realized she must’ve been blind—how did she ever think this guy was honest and simple?

Honest and simple? That was just his camouflage. In reality, he was sharp as a tack.

“You’re a knowing party. If you don’t handle this well, I’ll silence you.” Reason with a royal? You’d have to be crazy.

With that, he swung onto his horse.

“Serena Feng, hurry up! If anything happens to my cousin, I’ll hold you responsible.” With a flick of his whip, he rode back to the city.

“Hey—Dominic Zhai! At least take me back to the city!” Serena watched Dominic vanish in an instant, cursing him furiously.

That bastard really did leave her there alone. Unbelievable. This was outside the city—how long would it take her to walk back on foot?

(This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Please click ‘Next Page’ to keep reading!)

“Dominic Zhai, you bastard, you just wait! You want me to handle it? Fine! If I don’t turn the Marquis of Jinyang’s house upside down, I’m not Serena Feng!” Serena gritted her teeth, more and more convinced Dominic had set her up.

Ah...

Serena Feng cursed in frustration. Why was everyone so cunning? Dominic Zhai obviously couldn’t handle the Marquis of Jinyang’s affair himself, but what did she have to offer? She had no power, no influence.

Serena was utterly depressed, but no matter how down she felt, she still had to get back to the capital. The sun was directly overhead; she hadn’t stopped once since leaving home. She was hungry and exhausted, but she had to keep going—otherwise, she’d be stuck outside the city for another night.

Spending the night outside, disheveled—first time, she became the capital’s laughingstock and nearly died; second time, her reputation was ruined, almost drowned in gossip. If it happened a third time...

Serena shivered. She couldn’t imagine surviving another scandal like that—could she ever stand tall in the capital again?

The reputation she’d barely salvaged by curing William Wayne’s blindness would crash right back to rock bottom.

She couldn’t think about anything else now—just get back to the city first.

Following Dominic Zhai’s horse tracks, Serena headed toward the capital, hoping to make it back before the city gates closed.

Ninth Prince Manor

“Dominic Zhai really is thinking of William Wayne’s interests. Hmph... Serena Feng’s reputation is already too ruined to marry into the Wayne family, so what’s he so worried about?” Nolan Dongling lounged in his chair, propping his head on one hand, a mocking smile flickering in his eyes.

"Send someone to follow her—don’t let anything happen." It was time Serena Feng learned a lesson, so she wouldn’t think the world was always peaceful and everyone would treat her kindly.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Rowan Manor

"Prepare the carriage. I’m going out of the city." Adrian Dongling motioned for his maid to help him change.

He knew perfectly well—if Serena Feng returned to the city late at night, or at dawn, he could forget about ever taking her as his side consort.

Prince Samuel Manor

"Idiot! How did I end up with such a foolish grandson? What am I supposed to do with you?" Prince Samuel Zhai ground his teeth in anger after hearing what Dominic Zhai had done.

"Grandfather, I just acted on impulse, but the result was good, wasn’t it? At least Serena Feng found out something was wrong with my cousin." Dominic Zhai protested, feeling wronged.

Was it really wrong for him to ask about his future wife? Ridiculous.

Ever since the Lady Bianca of Wu’an scandal, every eligible man in the capital was terrified of marrying a ‘ruined’ bride—afraid he’d end up with a wife whose reputation was already in tatters.

A wife isn’t like a concubine—a concubine is just for amusement, easily dismissed. But a wife? If you marry her and can’t find fault, you can’t just cast her aside. Divorce turns in-laws into enemies.

"You—you—you’ll be the death of me!" Prince Samuel Zhai was furious, truly hating iron for not becoming steel.

But it wasn’t Dominic Zhai he was angry at—it was the fact that Dominic had left Serena Feng outside the city.

"You idiot! Hurry up and bring Serena Feng back. And don’t mess with her like this again!" Prince Samuel Zhai was livid.

"Huh? Why?" Dominic Zhai didn’t get it—wasn’t Serena Feng just another woman? What harm was there in teasing her?

"Why? You really have to ask why? Can’t you think a bit further ahead? I told you to befriend William Wayne, but you’re not even half as good as him.

Do you really think Serena Feng is still the same as before? Only those blockheads at the Duke Zhen’s manor believe that, thinking once General Warren Yu left, Serena Feng lost her protector.

Use your head, Dominic. Why did General Warren Yu choose to be Serena Feng’s backer? Why did he always stand up for her, even at the risk of offending people he couldn’t afford to cross? Do you think General Warren Yu is a fool? He wouldn’t do anything that didn’t benefit him.

Dominic, you know the Chancellor Zhu case better than most. When things spun out of the Emperor’s control, do you really think it was all General Warren Yu’s doing?" Prince Samuel Zhai was truly disappointed in Dominic.

As the heir of Prince Samuel Manor, you can act spoiled, frivolous, even reckless—but your mind must stay sharp. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died.

"Could it really be because of Serena Feng? Impossible. If that were true, why would the Emperor let her off?" Dominic Zhai shook his head, unable to accept it.

How could a woman possibly have that kind of power?

But his grandfather’s words...