"Yara, was that woman your doing?" Prince Terrence Valen of Lyndaria had originally thought the shrew's insults at the city gate were just an accident, but now saw they were incited by someone with a purpose.
It made sense—ordinary people might gossip, but few would dare speak so viciously. After all, Serena Feng was still a noblewoman, fallen though she was; she wasn't someone commoners could freely humiliate.
"Not me." Yara admitted. She might have wanted to, but she had no time for such petty games—and besides, she disdained such crude tactics.
"Then who was it? Who hates Serena Feng that much—to even drag her parents into it?" Prince Terrence trusted Yara not to lie to him.
The ancients were superstitious, believing only villains would die without burial, their bodies lost forever. But both General Feng and Lady Feng had died without burial—the shrew's curses struck right at Serena's deepest wound...
Fortunately, Serena Feng herself didn't care about such taboos. Otherwise, today's scandal would have spread, and both she and her parents would be branded with infamy. To curse even the dead—whoever orchestrated this was truly vicious.
So, was the mastermind hoping Serena Feng would never marry? Why else resort to such despicable tricks?
Prince Terrence Valen shook his head, losing interest in such trivial matters. The Eastlyn Emperor's birthday was approaching—his priority now was how to fish in troubled waters. To him, the Dongling Dynasty was a piece of fat meat.
......
Serena Feng walked up to Feng Manor, gazing at the newly refurbished gate. For a moment, warmth stirred in her heart—this was her home.
She stepped onto the stairs and was just about to knock when the door swung open.
The one opening the door was Evan Zhou. With his head drooping and dark circles under his eyes, he looked as if he hadn't slept all night. But the moment he saw Serena Feng, he perked up, shouting with joy, "Sis, you're back? You came back alone? Did you run into any danger—are you hurt?"
Evan Zhou hurriedly pulled Serena inside, unable to contain his excitement as he called out.
Serena didn't answer, letting Evan Zhou fuss over her. But when she saw his face, a heavy feeling settled in her chest.
That one act of kindness had sown the seeds of trouble for herself. In hindsight, it really wasn't worth it. Turning her face away, Serena stopped looking at Evan and walked straight inside.
"Evan, is Simon Sun around?" She'd been gone all night—if her disciple had gone home, he'd be heartless indeed.
"He's here. You need him?" Evan Zhou immediately noticed Serena's attitude had shifted, but brushed it off, assuming she was shaken from being out all night.
"Tell him to wait for me in the cabin. I'm injured." For treating bruises and blood stasis, traditional medicine worked best.
"Sis, you're hurt? Where? I didn't see anything!" Evan's concern was completely genuine, and it eased Serena's heart a little.
She'd always known Evan Zhou had secrets. Back then, she'd only said that as long as he didn't betray her, it was fine. But she'd never expected Evan to be tied to the Southern Lyn royal family.
"Just a minor injury, nothing serious. Let Simon Sun take a look. And have Mrs. Steel bring me some water—I need a bath." Serena's tone softened considerably, so Evan Zhou didn't notice anything amiss.
"Alright." Evan hurried off to give orders. Serena thought for a moment and added, "Evan, if anyone asks for me, just say I'm tired and resting. No visitors."
Evan paused mid-step. He knew last night's incident had been premeditated, but hadn't expected it to make Serena so angry.
"Alright." If one day Serena discovered he was scheming against her too, would she shut him out just like today?
Evan pressed a hand to his chest and hurried away...
Some things, once set in motion, can't be stopped. At least, their meeting hadn't been part of his schemes.
Mrs. Steel worked fast. Serena had just picked out clean clothes when the hot water was ready.
Some people truly know how to be grateful—Mrs. Steel was one of them. Serena had saved her son and taken in their whole family. No matter how outsiders slandered Serena, to Mrs. Steel, she was always a good person.
Serena never considered herself a good person, nor did she know how to define good or bad. But she didn't mind Mrs. Steel thinking so.
A manor this large really did need people to watch over it. Serena had never wanted a life of luxury, but doing everything herself was a waste of time. Besides, the disabled soldiers she employed were loyal to her father and upright to the core. Using such people put her mind at ease.
If you bought servants from outside, you'd end up with all sorts of spies. Even if they weren’t spies to begin with, they could easily be bribed, and then everything you did would be under someone else's watch. Serena couldn’t stand that kind of life.
After bathing, Serena went to the cabin. Simon Sun was already waiting for her; as soon as he saw her approach, he jumped to his feet.
"Master, are you alright?" Like Evan Zhou, Simon Sun hadn’t slept all night.
"I'm fine—just a minor injury. Prescribe me some blood-invigorating, bruise-dispelling medicine, and find a female medic to apply the ointment." Serena didn’t mind Simon helping, but with the injury at her waist, even if she was willing, he wouldn’t be.
Doctors are supposed to disregard gender, but in reality, few can truly do so.
"Oh—okay, okay. Master, your injury?" Simon pointed to Serena’s exposed neck, asking with his eyes if that was the only wound. If so, he could treat it immediately—after all, injuries needed urgent care.
Serena understood what he meant, and pointed to her waist: "The worst is here—bruised, swollen, and the tendon is hurt."
Normally, she might have teased him, but today she wasn’t in the mood.
Following Serena's gesture, Simon's gaze landed at her waist. Instantly, his face turned bright red.
"M-Master, I..." Simon was so flustered he was near tears. He hadn’t meant to offend her.
Though his master was younger than him, Simon Sun always respected her deeply.
"Simon Sun, you're a doctor. To a doctor, there are only patients. You need to get your mind straight—only then will patients trust you and stop worrying about gender taboos. I don't mind you treating me, but I know you do." Serena rapped him lightly on the head, half exasperated.
Simon Sun might be seventeen, but he sure wasn’t mature. Isn’t it said that most boys have concubines by thirteen, and if they’re still virgins at fifteen, it’s a miracle? How was Simon still so innocent at seventeen?
His father must keep a strict watch on him—after all, losing yang energy too early is bad for the body.
"Yes, Master." Simon looked ashamed. Seeing Serena frown, thinking she was in pain, he rushed out: "Master, I'll go find a female medic right away."
He still didn’t dare apply medicine to Serena’s waist—the spot was just too sensitive.
Serena sighed, unsure if Simon Sun was truly naive or just pretending.
She hoped he really was that innocent—otherwise, she’d have no one left to trust.
As Simon Sun left, he ran into Evan Zhou and Caleb Wang, who were tugging at each other in the hallway...
Two grown men bickering like that—it was a strange sight. Simon shivered and quickly lowered his head, hoping to go unnoticed...