Faced with such a scene, not even Serena could remain composed—William and the others were stunned as well.
Even a state funeral would be no grander than this.
Though the funerals of General Feng and Madame Feng were simple, they were carried out with utmost solemnity—this day would surely go down in history.
This was a spontaneous act by the people—no one organized or arranged it. They came on their own to Feng Manor, joining Serena to send off General Feng and Madame Feng one last time.
With the simplest yet most moving gestures, they thanked Serena and paid their respects to General Feng and Madame Feng—grateful that these two had raised such a good daughter, who saved their lives during the blizzard with her medical skill.
Serena saved their lives, so they honored General Feng and Madame Feng in the simplest way they knew.
William thought, if General Feng and Madame Feng could see this from the afterlife, they would surely be proud of Serena—proud of their daughter!
Thousands gathered outside Feng Manor, blocking several streets, but as the coffins advanced, the crowd parted automatically, never delaying the procession out of the city.
No one directed or arranged it; those who came to mourn simply stepped back, clearing the way for the hearses to move forward...
All along the street, only the sound of wheels rolling could be heard—nothing else. The crowd stood quietly to one side, not speaking, silently watching the hearses depart. This continued for two full blocks.
After leaving the funeral procession, Serena turned and bowed to the crowd once more. At that moment, she was speechless—no words of thanks could express what she felt inside.
After finishing her salute, Serena silently turned away. The coffins continued forward, and the mourners quietly followed behind.
The crowd moved slowly—no one rushed ahead, no one pushed. Everyone quietly followed the hearses, moving gently until they reached the city gate, where they finally stopped.
This was as far as they could accompany them.
At the city gate, Dominic Zhai had already made arrangements, bending the rules for the occasion: at this hour, everyone was forbidden to enter or leave—the road was cleared for General Feng and Madame Feng's hearses.
Those above knew and tacitly allowed it—when it comes to the dead, respect comes first.
Prince Adrian, Prince Titus, and Princess Yara left a bit late—they didn't go to Feng Manor, but waited at the city gate. What they saw there left them utterly shocked.
"What on earth is going on?" Prince Adrian was momentarily stunned, pointing at the slowly moving crowd, almost unable to believe his eyes.
Serena actually managed to hold such a grand funeral—what a bold move. Would the Emperor really allow this?
"These people must have come of their own accord to pay their respects to General Feng and Madame Feng," Prince Titus said, glancing at Princess Yara as he spoke.
Princess Yara’s attire, set against the backdrop of the crowd, looked even more deliberate and staged.
“Spontaneous? How could that be?” Prince Adrian couldn’t believe it. He dismounted in a daze, while Princess Yara bit her lip and kept silent.
She was not some sheltered noble lady, ignorant of the world—she understood exactly what this scene meant.
These commoners had indeed come of their own accord to send off General Feng and Madame Feng, but it wasn’t really for them—it was all because of Serena.
Jealousy burned in Princess Yara’s heart. Why should Serena, an orphaned girl, receive such devotion from so many? Why her…?
The sorrowful mask slipped from Yara’s face, replaced by a flash of malice. Prince Titus finally relaxed when he saw her true colors emerge.
This was the real Princess Yara. That fragile, innocent act was almost nauseating to him—shocking at first, but after a while, he just wanted to gag at her hypocrisy.
Prince Titus and Princess Yara also dismounted, neither answering Prince Adrian’s question. Adrian didn’t know what Serena had been doing lately, but they did.
Given all Serena had done, it was no wonder she earned this.
Effort doesn’t always guarantee reward, but if you want gratitude, you have to earn it. Perhaps Serena herself never imagined that her small acts of kindness would bring such genuine thanks from so many.
Whether by design or accident, Prince Adrian, Prince Titus, and Princess Yara approached Serena head-on, forcing her procession to halt as they blocked the way.
Prince Adrian hadn’t spoken yet when Serena cut in, her voice sharp: “Prince Adrian, Prince Titus, Princess Yara—what brings you here? If you have no other business, I ask you to step aside. You’re blocking my way.”
Only Serena could command princes and princesses to clear the road.
“We’ve come to send off General Feng and Madame Feng,” Prince Adrian replied, not offended in the least. Seeing Serena’s swollen, tear-reddened eyes and her gaunt face, his heart ached for her.
If Princess Yara hadn’t sent word, he wouldn’t have known Serena had recovered her parents’ remains and was burying them today. He’d missed so much lately.
“To send off my parents?” Serena was clearly skeptical, her gaze landing on Princess Yara.
She could believe Prince Adrian and Prince Titus, but Princess Yara?
Hmph… Like a weasel wishing the chickens a Happy New Year—how could Princess Yara possibly mean well? She’d be doing Serena a favor just by not stirring up trouble.
“Yes, I came to send off General Feng and Madame Feng.” Prince Adrian wasn’t foolish—he spoke only for himself, deliberately leaving Princess Yara out. Prince Titus chimed in, “I’m just here with Princess Yara.”
Those two lines were enough for Serena to understand: Princess Yara was the real star of this scene.
Serena wiped the tears from her face and gestured to the funeral procession behind her. "If you three are truly here to mourn, then please join the mourners over there. Don’t block the way."
Standing in her way—was that what they called mourning? A cold glint flashed in Serena’s eyes, making Prince Adrian flinch and quickly nod before heading off toward the others.
Prince Titus didn’t move. He needed to keep an eye on Princess Yara; if she didn’t budge, neither could he. He was afraid she’d do something reckless.
When it comes to honoring the dead, even the greatest grudges shouldn’t involve someone’s parents. Night City’s disgrace was a lesson learned—Prince Titus didn’t want Princess Yara to repeat that mistake. But…
Princess Yara didn’t hear Prince Titus’s silent warning. Instead of joining the mourners, she stepped right up to the coffins. Just when Serena thought Yara might cause trouble, Yara turned and said, "Serena, we fought bitterly over a man, but now I’ve found peace, and you have your own life. I hope you can let go of the past."
I know I’ve hurt you before. Today… I’ll kneel before General Feng and Madame Feng to ask their forgiveness. I hope you can forgive me too, and that we can put our feud behind us."
Thud—before Serena could react, Princess Yara dropped to her knees with a force that made everyone wince in pain just watching her.
"Serena, I came today not just to mourn your parents, but to apologize to you. I hope our grudge ends here."
Princess Yara didn’t just kneel—she bowed her head in a formal kowtow.
Has Princess Yara lost her mind?
That was exactly what everyone present was thinking—even Serena was stunned by Yara’s sudden move. Was Princess Yara possessed?
From a distance, Prince Terrence watched the scene unfold and smiled.
Princess Yara had finally learned to be clever.
If she’d come to Eastlyn clinging to her royal pride, she’d have been a fool. By showing weakness, Yara had cornered Serena—if Serena refused to forgive her now, she’d look arrogant.
A princess kneeling before General Feng and Madame Feng’s coffins—asking Serena for forgiveness—was the ultimate gesture of humility. Kneeling to the dead didn’t make Yara lose royal dignity; instead, everyone praised her for honoring tradition.
Now, no matter how Serena felt, she’d have to step forward and help Yara up. But the moment Serena touched her, she’d be blamed for harming the child Yara carried.
What a perfectly staged drama.
Princess Yara set aside her pride and offered peace, but if Serena was accused of causing harm to Yara’s unborn child, her reputation—and her future—would be ruined.
Serena wouldn’t just face public outrage—she’d have to answer to the law as well.
Now, everyone waited for Serena to step forward and help Princess Yara up—if she did, the trap would be set.
Princess Yara was waiting. Prince Terrence was waiting. Both watched for Serena’s move.
Princess Yara could feel stabbing pain in her abdomen, and warm blood trickling down her leg. She knew the child inside her was gone. The pain was excruciating, almost unbearable—but…
In her heart, she was secretly elated, a thrill she couldn’t put into words.
As long as Serena helped her up, all the humiliation she’d suffered because of Serena would be paid back in full.
Ha! Prince Nolan, let’s see how you save Serena now.
Prince Adrian, you betrayed me. Don’t expect peace in this life! Even if I become a vengeful ghost, I’ll haunt you—and Serena—forever. It’s because of you two that I’ve ended up like this…
The pain was so intense that Princess Yara could barely stay upright, her body swaying. Yet she stubbornly refused Prince Titus’s help, looking only to Serena, her eyes pleading. Everyone present understood—she wanted Serena alone to help her.
Tears streamed down Princess Yara’s face from the pain, but she kept waiting—for Serena to come and help her up.
She had to hold on, she had to endure. Serena would crack under the pressure eventually and come to help her—even if she didn’t…
...then the child would be lost because of Serena’s cruelty—because she refused to forgive.
At this moment, no matter what Serena did, she was doomed.
No doubt about it—Princess Yara’s move was vicious. If it worked, Serena would pay with her life for the lost child, and General Feng and Madame Feng’s funeral would be ruined.
Two birds with one stone.
Serena didn’t know exactly what Yara was plotting, but she knew this wasn’t a sincere offer of peace. Of all days, why choose today, in front of everyone?
Did Princess Yara really think Serena was an idiot?
Serena stood her ground, glaring at Princess Yara, wishing she could kick her away.
This woman could bend or break as needed—far more ruthless than Serena had ever been. Even Serena wouldn’t dare kneel like that, but Princess Yara did it with all the dignity of a princess.
Truly, when a woman is ruthless, she’s terrifying. Serena realized she was completely cornered…