Visiting the Patient, First Appearance After the Injury

All of Eastlyn was on edge. At the mere mention of assassins, everyone turned pale. The imperial princes, along with Southlyn’s Prince Damien and Westlyn’s Prince Warren, became the prime targets of attention—their residences guarded by elite troops around the clock.

Those who didn’t know the truth thought this was protection, but anyone with real insight understood: surveillance mattered more than safety. The Emperor simply didn’t trust them—or feared they’d seize the chaos to make a move.

Blood and intrigue swept through the Capital. Even Prince Rowan—usually so high-profile—shrank into his estate, refusing to step out. The sons of noble houses, once galloping down the streets or lounging with beauties, now locked themselves away, pretending to study. Tea houses and taverns were deserted.

“All this for one Serena Feng—two court officials killed, and now we’re locked in our own homes. Ninth Royal Uncle really knows how to throw his weight around.” Prince Jason (Prince of Zhou) complained bitterly to his advisers inside his residence. Prince Felix (Prince Qing) and the others were saying much the same.

They’d thought that returning to the Capital from their fiefs would let them build alliances and win over officials. Instead—

Because of Serena Feng, time and again they had to keep their heads down, never daring to show ambition before their father, never getting close to officials or noble families. Now, after the attack on Serena, they were all but imprisoned in their own estates—almost no freedom. For a prince, it was pure humiliation.

Look across every kingdom—no other prince lived this stifled. Serena Feng was just an orphaned girl, yet she could sway the fate of the entire court.

“Your Highness, be careful what you say. The Emperor ordered the princes’ protection, and the man searching the city for assassins is Dominic Zhai. Ninth Royal Uncle isn’t involved.” The senior adviser, nearly forty, wore crisp scholar’s robes and had the air of a Confucian gentleman.

Prince Jason snorted. “Sure, none of this has anything to do with Ninth Royal Uncle. My uncle’s still ‘sick,’ can’t even leave his rooms. Honestly, his timing is perfect. If I didn’t know Serena Feng nearly died, I’d suspect he staged this whole assassination himself. Uncle Liu, just look at how many people have suffered because Serena Feng got hurt.

Forget the Southern Lyn Su Clan’s ruined reputation—take the House of Duke Zhen, for example. Somehow, the investigation uncovered their secret army of death-soldiers outside the city, and Dominic Zhai just happened to stumble right into them. Talk about luck! He leaves the city and immediately bumps into Duke Zhen’s killers. This time, the House of Duke Zhen is in deep trouble—no matter how they explain it, they look guilty as hell.”

“Dominic Zhai and Serena Feng are close friends, and both get along well with Ninth Royal Uncle,” Jason’s chief adviser said with a bitter smile. “The eldest daughter of the House of Duke Zhen has always been at odds with Serena. When Feng Manor was burned, there wasn’t any proof, but everyone knew Duke Zhen’s estate was behind it.”

“Of course I know Dominic Zhai and Serena Feng are thick as thieves. If it were anyone else, two officials dead and the assassin still at large, they’d have been sacked ages ago. Only Dominic could turn disaster into a promotion—not only did he keep his job, he got bumped up a rank. This case let him purge a bunch of old regime loyalists and win the Emperor’s favor.”

Some things just aren’t fair. He did nothing wrong, yet he’s under constant watch. Dominic Zhai messes up and still struts around the Capital with an army at his command. Jason almost wanted to ask the Emperor—who’s really your son here?

Of course, the adviser knew Jason was just venting. Months in the Capital and nothing to show for it—keep this up and he might not even hold onto his fief. Jason wanted the throne, but right now he wanted his land back even more. Yet with everything going on, the Emperor still hadn’t agreed.

No one can guess what an emperor is thinking. The adviser didn’t dare say much, only urging Jason to stay calm—and quietly offering a suggestion: “If Your Highness is truly anxious, why not pay a visit to Serena Feng tomorrow?”

Getting on Serena Feng’s good side might just turn things around. The adviser left it unsaid, but both knew—nowadays, Ninth Royal Uncle listens to whatever Serena says.

“Visit Serena Feng? You want me to lower myself and go see her? Who does she think she is—my royal aunt? Hmph... If my uncle really cared, he wouldn’t let the rumors run wild, wouldn’t let her reputation be dragged through the mud. If he actually valued her, he’d just marry her already—the Ninth Princess’s seat is still empty, isn’t it?” Jason’s resentment toward Serena ran deep. In public, he played nice for Ninth Royal Uncle’s sake, but in private, he refused to put on a show.

The adviser had expected this reaction. He patiently explained: Ninth Royal Uncle wasn’t indifferent to Serena—he cared so much, he deliberately let the rumors fly, making everyone think she was just a plaything. That way, his enemies wouldn’t try to use her against him.

Jason was half-convinced, half-skeptical. But in the end, with enough persuasion, he agreed to visit Serena Feng the next day. And as luck would have it, all the princes, frustrated and out of options, started thinking the same thing.

They all understood—the hunt for the assassin had blown up, and while Dominic Zhai was the face of the operation, the real mastermind was Ninth Royal Uncle. If he loosened his grip, they’d be free. And to make that happen, they needed Serena Feng to speak up.

When the other princes heard Prince Jason planned to visit Serena Feng, none wanted to fall behind. They all set out on the same day—so, on the tenth day of Serena’s illness, the Second Prince Evan, Third Prince Henry, Fourth Prince Kieran, Fifth Prince Jason, Sixth Prince Colin, and Seventh Prince Rowan all arrived together at the West District courtyard to pay their respects.

Ever since Serena Feng was injured, visitors had never stopped coming. In the first days, while she was still in danger, some sent only medicinal gifts. But once she woke, the stream of visitors became endless.

The Crown Prince and Ninth Royal Uncle, given their special status—and the fact that there were no women in their households—didn’t visit in person. Instead, they sent their estate stewards to call on Serena.

But the wives of the Commander of the Bloodcloak Guard, Duke Ning, the heir-apparent, and Marquis Jinyang all came in person. Even the pregnant second wife of the Xie family made a trip—though none of them actually saw Serena.

During Serena Feng’s recovery, only Vincent Su, Dominic Zhai, and little Leon Su were allowed into her sickroom.

Others, Simon Sun could turn away. But with so many princes at the door, he couldn’t refuse them. Still, propriety demanded that men not enter Serena’s private quarters—so Simon led them into the main hall and said, “Your Highnesses, please wait a moment while my master changes for your visit.”

When Serena Feng heard the princes had come in person, she just sneered. She knew exactly what they wanted—but they were overestimating her.

She didn’t keep them waiting long. After the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, Serena entered with help from her maidservants. Prince Rowan, seated at the very end, had been eagerly waiting for her to appear. Since her injury, Serena hadn’t seen anyone from outside, and rumors had spread that her face was ruined.

As soon as footsteps sounded in the courtyard, everyone craned their necks to see—