In truth, the way they looked at each other was full of hostility.
Whoever backs down first loses.
Adrian Dongling could not accept losing to a woman.
But Serena Feng couldn’t afford to lose—her defeat would cost her life.
The two of them were locked in a deadlock, neither willing to yield...
Serena Feng wasn’t anxious. She knew she would win in the end, because she was gambling with her life.
Sure enough, she didn’t have to wait long. Once Adrian Dongling realized Serena wouldn’t budge, he gritted his teeth and compromised.
“Fine. I promise you. For the next six months, no one will trouble you over this matter. As for any trouble you cause yourself, that’s not my concern.” His life was far more precious than Serena Feng’s.
Just six months? Adrian Dongling would endure it.
After six months, he’d make her pay back everything with interest.
Serena Feng, as long as Adrian Dongling is here, don’t even think about gaining a foothold in the Eastlyn Empire.
“Thank you, Prince Rowan.” Serena Feng said insincerely, stepping back as she met Adrian Dongling’s gaze with calm eyes.
She didn’t care what Adrian Dongling thought; surviving this crisis came first.
Under Adrian Dongling’s glare, Serena Feng smiled sweetly and reached out to smooth out the wrinkles on his collar.
“Prince Rowan, this is the first time we’ve been this close—and it will be the last. Next time we meet, you and I will be...”
“Enemies!”
Smack—
Serena Feng hadn’t even finished her last two words before Adrian Dongling slapped her to the ground.
The nearby guards immediately rushed forward, spears pointed at Serena Feng. If Adrian Dongling gave the order, she’d be killed right there and then.
The slap was brutal. Serena Feng lay on the ground for a while before regaining her senses. She spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva—inside it, a broken tooth...
Serena Feng didn’t make a sound. She slowly lifted her head, her long hair hiding her face—and the sharp anger burning in her eyes.
Facing the cold, pointed spears, Serena Feng showed not a trace of fear. Instead, she gave a muffled laugh: “So, Prince Rowan, even a gentleman like you would hit a woman.”
As she spoke, her slender fingers slowly brushed the hair from her face, revealing a bloodied visage.
Her left cheek was streaked with blood; her right cheek was swollen high, making her look just like a pig’s head drenched in blood—ugly beyond words.
Yet not a single person dared laugh at Serena Feng or call her ugly.
Because of those eyes...
Cold enough to terrify, cold enough to shock...
Adrian Dongling had never seen eyes like that—eyes that seemed to have witnessed everything, like a beast on the edge of death staring down a stronger enemy, ready to fight to the bitter end.
“Stand down.” For reasons he couldn’t explain, Adrian Dongling waved the guards away.
Looking at Serena Feng, the irritation in his heart grew even stronger.
Was this really the same timid, useless Serena Feng who used to lower her head and cry every time she saw him?
A nagging uncertainty crept in, along with a powerful sense of regret.
Maybe marrying Serena Feng wouldn’t have been so bad after all.
But things had come this far; there was no room for regret.
Taking a deep breath, Adrian Dongling forced down his inexplicable emotions.
“Serena Feng, get out. Don’t let me see you again.” With that, he turned and headed toward the Empress’s palace.
He’d already told his personal eunuch to inform his mother about the Emperor’s decision regarding Serena Feng; the Empress surely wouldn’t interfere anymore.
Only after Adrian Dongling left did Serena Feng slowly get up. She glanced at the guards, who eyed her like she was a dangerous beast, and let out a cold, mocking smile.
Adrian Dongling was perfectly unharmed, but Serena Feng was covered in wounds—yet she was the one they treated as a threat...
But none of that mattered. Just being able to walk out of the palace alive was enough.
Under everyone’s gaze, Serena Feng turned around indifferently. Her red gauze was stained with blood, clinging to her body. Standing on the marble, she looked so striking and radiant that even the blooming red flowers on either side paled in comparison.
Palace maids, eunuchs, and guards watched Serena Feng, but for some reason, none dared step forward to mock her.
Instead, as Serena Feng passed by, they stopped in their tracks, staring dazedly at this battered yet fiercely proud woman...
Someone thought to themselves: No wonder she’s the daughter of a general. With wounds like these, any ordinary woman wouldn’t even be able to stand, let alone walk. Yet Serena Feng moved with poise, never losing her noble bearing.
A true heroine, every bit the equal of men!
Ten steps...
Twenty steps...
Serena Feng counted each step as she walked. Blood dripped from her face, splattering vivid red petals at her feet...
But Serena Feng acted as if she didn’t notice, walking barefoot through her own blood, eyes fixed on the distant palace gate.
All she had to do was make it out!
Ninety steps...
One hundred steps...
Just as Serena Feng was about to take her one hundred and first step, a proud, gruff voice called out from behind: “Serena Feng, stop.”
Her brow furrowed—she had no desire to stop. But seeing the wolfish guards on either side, Serena Feng compromised without hesitation and turned around.
It was Julia Zhu, the Empress’s lady-in-waiting.
No wonder she was so arrogant. And in her hand—three feet of white silk!
Serena Feng let out a mocking smile.
Oh Empress, you really want me dead, don’t you?
If humiliation can’t kill me, you simply grant me white silk. Aren’t you afraid of being blamed for driving a court lady to her death?
But I suppose you’re not afraid. To the world, I’m unclean, so of course I have to die to prove my innocence.
But Serena Feng truly did not want to die!
“Ah...”
Julia Zhu gasped, apparently startled by the sight of Serena Feng in this state.
Smack! As Serena Feng turned, Julia Zhu’s tray crashed to the ground. Besides the three feet of white silk, there was also a cup of wine.
The wine spilled onto the floor, and with a hiss, white smoke rose up.
Not just Serena Feng—even the nearby eunuchs and maids understood now: the Empress wanted Serena Feng dead!
Everyone present looked at Serena Feng with pity.
They’d just witnessed the clash between Miss Feng and Prince Rowan, and saw how she got all those injuries.
“You... you...” Julia Zhu stared in terror at Serena Feng, tray contents scattered.
It was this woman—she turned so suddenly and made Julia Zhu drop the tray.
Now it was a disaster. The Empress had said the poison wine would only take effect after three days. If Serena Feng didn’t choose the white silk, she’d have to drink the poison instead...
What now?
Julia Zhu’s eyes filled with terrified tears. Maybe if Serena Feng didn’t die, Julia Zhu would be killed first.
Serena Feng acted as if she hadn’t noticed, calmly bowing: “May I ask what Lady Julia wishes of me?”
Julia Zhu was used to palace storms. She took a breath, quickly regained her composure, and pointed at Serena Feng, shouting:
“Serena Feng, how dare you! You actually knocked over the Empress’s gifts—do you realize your crime?”
As she spoke, her sharp gaze swept over the maids and eunuchs who’d seen it, warning them to keep silent—or else...
To serve as the Empress’s attendant, you needed both skill and power. Everyone here was loyal to the Empress—they knew exactly who couldn’t be crossed.
Sure enough, everyone quickly looked away, pretending not to have seen anything.
If the Empress asked, they’d tell the truth—but if no one asked, they wouldn’t breathe a word.
Serena Feng understood these palace games perfectly. She didn’t argue, only said:
“It’s just not my fate. If Lady Julia has nothing else, I’ll be on my way—Prince Rowan has already permitted me to go home.”
With that, she turned to leave.
“Wait.” Julia Zhu barked, her eyes full of malice...