Serena Feng had assumed that until Prince Titus of Lyndaria’s prosthetic was installed, no one would bother her. Even if trouble did come, surely Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan would block it for her, given how “hard” she was working for him.
But she soon discovered she’d overestimated her place in Nolan’s heart and underestimated her enemies. The very next day, an imperial decree summoned her to the palace.
As for what it was about? She had no idea, but she could be sure it wasn’t anything good—this time, it was the Empress herself who summoned her. The eunuch delivering the decree was infuriating, too: he took her bribe but refused to reveal a single word about the matter.
Ever since Noble Consort Helena Hsieh became pregnant, the Empress had been busy—busy with palace intrigue, busy arranging the distant marriage of her daughter. In just a few months, new wrinkles had appeared on her face.
It’s true—worry ages a woman quickly. What Serena couldn’t understand was why such a busy Empress would have time to think about someone as insignificant as her.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress. Long live the Empress." Serena Feng saluted with perfect form, leaving no room for the Empress to find fault. Her kneeling posture was so precise that even the strictest etiquette tutor couldn’t criticize it.
She’d expected to be punished or ignored, but today the Empress was unexpectedly easygoing. Not a single harsh word—she simply told Serena to stand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Serena stood respectfully, eyes lowered, quietly guessing that maybe Noble Consort Helena Hsieh hadn’t pleased the Empress lately, so the Empress wasn’t interested in making trouble for her.
Everyone knew Noble Consort Helena Hsieh’s pregnancy was closely tied to Serena Feng.
"Serena Feng, Su Wan of the Southern Lyn Su Clan has officially submitted a challenge to our Eastlyn Empire, demanding to compete against you." The Empress’s tone was stiff, making it clear she still didn’t like Serena.
Strengths: The translation accurately captures the sarcastic tone of the Empress and Serena's inner frustration. Names and context are consistent with the glossary. Area for adjustment: Consider localizing 'battle letter' as 'formal challenge' or 'written challenge' for smoother English.
Strengths: Clearly connects Su Wan's challenge to Ninth Royal Uncle and maintains Serena's exasperated inner voice. Area for adjustment: Could emphasize the feeling of being 'set up' more strongly for dramatic effect.
Strengths: Preserves informal monologue and frustration. Area for adjustment: Consider clarifying the 'land deed' as the exchange for her troubles, for readers unfamiliar with the context.
Strengths: Captures Ninth Royal Uncle's teasing, provocative tone. Area for adjustment: Could use more direct speech formatting for clarity.
Strengths: Conveys Empress's cold, dismissive reaction well. Area for adjustment: Consider adding a brief internal note about Serena's reaction for more emotional depth.
Strengths: Emphasizes the Empress's sarcasm and resentment. Area for adjustment: The phrase 'barely contained anger' could be made more vivid, e.g., 'her voice sharp with barely suppressed rage.'
Strengths: Accurately portrays the Empress's incredulity and sarcasm regarding Serena's appeal. Area for adjustment: Could highlight the contrast with other noblewomen more sharply.
Strengths: Highlights the impact of Serena's existence on the Empress's family fortunes. Area for adjustment: Could clarify that Adrian is the Crown Prince for readers unfamiliar with the cast.
Strengths: Keeps the accusatory tone and sense of blame focused on Serena. Area for adjustment: Consider adding a brief internal reaction from Serena for added tension.
Strengths: Expresses the Empress's vengeful feelings and her current inability to act. Area for adjustment: Could add a line of internal monologue from Serena recognizing the danger.
As expected, it was about this matter. Serena Feng felt a wave of irritation, but she kept her expression perfectly neutral—showing her feelings to the Empress would accomplish nothing.
Serena maintained a calm demeanor, only a slight furrow between her brows as she replied sincerely, "Your Majesty, I was attacked by assassins a few days ago and have been recovering ever since. I wasn't aware of this matter. May I ask, what exactly does Su Wan of Southlyn wish to compete in?"
Her etiquette was flawless—no one could find fault. The Empress had wanted to use the opportunity to lash out, but Serena gave her no opening. And with the mention of the assassination, the Empress felt a pang of discomfort and lost interest in making trouble; after all, Serena was not her main enemy—her true rival was Consort Xie, who was now pregnant and rising in favor.
"Compete in what? Of course, as women, it's the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting." The Empress was clearly trying to intimidate Serena, fully aware that she was notoriously inept at all four.
"Just the four arts?" Serena was skeptical. If it really were that simple, she would have underestimated Su Wan—and whoever was backing her. They knew Serena would almost certainly lose at the four arts, so what would be the point of competing at all?
Come to think of it, this whole mess was really Ninth Royal Uncle's fault. Refusing Su Wan was one thing, but the real headache was that after declining her, he announced that any woman who wanted to be his principal consort had to first defeat Serena Feng.
Wasn’t that a blatant slap in Su Wan’s face, declaring she was inferior to Serena Feng? It was a humiliation for the entire Su clan.
The Su family was a pillar of the empire, having produced an Empress, a high consort, and a city lord's wife. How could their daughters be compared to Serena Feng?
Neither Su Wan nor the Su clan could tolerate this. Su Wan immediately sent a letter home to Southlyn, asking the patriarch for guidance. Just yesterday, she received a reply delivered at breakneck speed.
The Su clan was no pushover—they couldn't afford to lose face. If Nolan used Serena to embarrass them, then they would use Serena to strike back, and strike hard.
The patriarch ordered Su Wan to challenge Serena and prove that a Su daughter was superior. As for the marriage with Ninth Royal Uncle, it was no longer up for discussion. No Su daughter would marry Eastlyn's Ninth Royal Uncle.
The Su family didn’t have daughters who couldn’t marry—only daughters who refused to marry. Su Wan’s mission was clear: defeat Serena Feng and leave her utterly disgraced.
Once Su Wan won, they would announce to the world that it wasn't Nolan refusing Su Wan, but Su Wan refusing Nolan; not that the Su daughters were unworthy, but that Nolan was unworthy of them.
The Su clan had calculated everything. If Su Wan defeated Serena, it would prove that Nolan’s judgment was terrible, turning his previous declaration into a joke. The Su family’s reputation would soar, and their daughters would be even more sought after.
[Irrelevant webnovel prompt skipped as per guidelines.]
Seeing that Serena wasn't intimidated, the Empress lost her interest in toying with her and said bluntly, "In addition to the four arts, there will be etiquette, riding and archery, martial arts, and medical skills—a total of eight events."
In truth, the Empress felt conflicted. She wanted Serena to win, but she didn’t want to see her become too arrogant or self-satisfied.
The Empress knew full well that if Serena lost, the Emperor would not show any mercy.
As for whether Serena would accept the challenge, that wasn’t even a question—Su Wan had issued a formal battle letter, and the Emperor would never allow Serena to refuse.
"Medical skills? Why would Su Wan include medical skills?" Serena understood the other seven events, but this last one puzzled her—was Su Wan really so confident she could win at medicine?
"Serena Feng, the contents of the contest are dictated by the Emperor himself. You have no right to question them. Your only job now is to prepare and to win." That was the real reason for the Empress's summons today.
The Emperor had personally ordered the Empress to help Serena win this contest.
He was a shrewd man. Knowing the Empress disliked Serena, and that a ruthless woman might ignore the empire's reputation, he feared she would sabotage things behind the scenes. So, he made her responsible for Serena's success.
Whether she could actually help or not, at least this way the Empress wouldn't dare sabotage the contest. If Serena lost, the Empress would share the blame.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Serena was frustrated, but there was nothing she could do. The Emperor had spoken; she couldn't even complain.
Seeing Serena's pent-up frustration, the Empress was delighted. Remembering the Emperor's instructions, she generously offered, "Serena Feng, in five days the first contest—zither and chess—will be held in the Imperial Garden. If you need anything to prepare, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to provide it."
Her lofty attitude and patronizing tone were grating. Serena was about to respond when Princess Serenity’s sharp voice rang out from behind: "Mother, Miss Feng is just an ignorant orphan who’s never seen the world. Asking her what she needs for zither and chess is making things difficult—she probably hasn’t even touched a zither or a Go board and has no idea what she’d require."
Serenity’s words were sharp, arrogant, and thoroughly unpleasant. She was about to be married off to Northlyn, yet still couldn’t keep out of palace gossip. Serena honestly couldn’t understand what Prince Quentin saw in her.
Serena said nothing, watching coldly as Serenity strutted in like a proud peacock, chin lifted, saluting the Empress. Then mother and daughter began chatting as if Serena weren’t even there.
Bored, Serena stared at the tips of her shoes, grateful at least that she was allowed to stand; if she’d been forced to kneel, who knew how long she’d be stuck there.
The Empress and Serenity’s conversation was unbearably dull—fabric this, jewelry that, or which tribute came from where, who received what from the Emperor, and what new gift had arrived.
Finding the conversation pointless, Serena began mentally rehearsing Prince Titus’s upcoming surgery: amputating his atrophied left lower leg and installing the prosthetic. This practice helped her anticipate complications and calculate incision and closure times.
Once, twice... Serena ran through the entire procedure five times in her mind, accounting for every possible emergency and devising countermeasures. Only then did the Empress and Serenity remember her presence.
"Serena Feng, how dare you lose focus in front of me? That’s a capital crime against the royal family—by law, you should be executed." Serenity’s outburst carried real authority; any other court lady would have dropped to her knees in terror. But Serena was not like the others.
"I’m terrified, Princess," Serena replied, her face calm. "I was thinking about the contest in five days—Her Majesty just asked if I needed anything, so I was trying hard to consider it." She claimed fear, but showed none; her explanation was composed and plausible. After all, no one could read her mind to know what she was really thinking.
Besides...