Ninth Royal Uncle, I Will Visit Prince Adrian on Your Behalf

"Who?"

"Prince Adrian." One of the main players in this incident, but just as easily overlooked.

"Him?" Serena Feng struggled to recall the man she saw yesterday. Aside from remembering his injured arm and how he fainted from the pain of suturing, she had no other impression.

General Warren Yu confirmed, "Yes, that's him. The Emperor's most favored nephew. His abilities are far greater than we imagine. The Emperor's favor for him isn't like the favor shown to Prince Rowan—favoring Rowan is about the throne, and that has made him many enemies. But Prince Adrian is different. No matter how much the Emperor dotes on him, he would never give him the throne. So, in outsiders' eyes, the Emperor's affection for Adrian is genuine, which makes it easier for him to act. Most people wouldn't dare offend him."

"Genuine? I doubt it. If that were really the case, Adrian wouldn't have been used as bait yesterday—he almost lost his life." Serena Feng didn't believe there was true affection in the imperial family.

"That's where you're wrong. Without heavy bait, how do you catch big fish? Whether the Emperor's affection for Adrian is genuine or just for show, it doesn't concern us. All we need to know is that the Emperor truly spoils Adrian. No matter what Adrian does, the Emperor's 'affection' will protect him." The Emperor may show true feelings, but when it comes time to use someone, he won't hesitate.

"You make sense. In that case, I'll represent Ninth Royal Uncle and go see Prince Adrian. Give me a cup of tea's time—I'll prepare and change clothes, then head out." Serena Feng shooed General Warren Yu out, took the necessary medicines from her Smart Med-Pack, strapped them to her calf, checked everything, and boarded the carriage he had arranged.

The carriage stopped at the side gate of Prince Adrian's manor. General Warren Yu slid open the carriage window, pointed to a matron in her forties outside the gate, and said to Serena Feng, "Prince Adrian hasn't returned to the palace due to his injury; he's been staying at his manor these days. That matron is my agent. Just approach her and say Master Wen sent you."

Master Wen—General Warren Yu's alias.

"I didn't expect you to have spies even in Prince Adrian's manor." In this capital, everyone was a sharp operator. Serena Feng reminded herself never to underestimate anyone.

General Warren Yu was no mere brute. William Wang Jinling treated her well, but that didn’t mean he was kind to everyone.

"They're just unimportant people, never able to dig up any real news. If you want spies, my manor has even more. Honestly, your place is still the most comfortable—just you and Evan Zhou. Sure, you have to do everything yourself, but you don't have to worry at home. You have no idea, I can't even sleep soundly in my own house, let alone drink. I'm always afraid I'll say something in my sleep or while drunk and get myself into trouble." That was why General Warren Yu loved dropping by Serena Feng's place for no reason.

He didn’t ask for much—just a bit of peace, a bit of freedom.

"That's life in officialdom—never truly your own. You can reflect on that yourself. I'm heading down." Serena Feng had zero sympathy for General Warren Yu.

If you’re part of the system, you’re bound by it. That’s perfectly normal.

These officials never have to worry about making a living, so they have to fret about something else.

......

Whether it was thanks to General Warren Yu's arrangements or the lax security at Prince Adrian's manor, Serena Feng easily made her way into the rear courtyard.

The so-called rear courtyard was where the women lived. Dongling Zichun hadn’t married yet, but he had plenty of women—dozens of concubines, personal maids, and beauties.

"Miss, this old servant can only take you as far as the inner courtyard. Prince Adrian lives in the Qingyan Residence. If you want to go there, you'd best borrow some lady's name." The matron was just a gatekeeper, and getting Serena this far was already a favor. Serena understood perfectly.

"Thank you, Auntie." Serena Feng nodded lightly and walked toward the inner courtyard.

"Miss..." The matron broke out in a cold sweat as she saw Serena Feng stride confidently through the main gate into the inner courtyard. She wanted to stop her, but it was too late. All she could do was grit her teeth, stomp her foot, and hurry back.

She sighed inwardly—how could the general send such a reckless girl here? She’s just asking for trouble!

"Who are you? This is Prince Adrian's manor, you can't just barge in." Serena Feng hadn't even reached the door before another matron from the inner courtyard spotted her.

No wonder—Serena Feng's clothes were so shabby that even the manor's maids dressed better than she did.

Doctors have their own ways. Serena Feng stopped, glanced at the two women, and said with professional seriousness, "I'm a medical attendant from the Imperial Medical Directorate, sent to the rear courtyard to borrow some needle and thread from the lady of the house."

"Medical attendant from the Imperial Medical Directorate? You don't look the part. And what would a medical attendant want with needle and thread?" The staff at Prince Adrian's manor weren't so easily fooled.

Serena Feng remained calm. She glanced at the two matrons and said evenly, "Have you two been feeling palpitations, insomnia, depression, mood swings, irritability, or restlessness lately?"

"How did you know?" The two matrons froze, their suspicion fading, replaced by eager curiosity.

"I'm a medical attendant, so of course I know a bit of medicine. Even without taking your pulse, a doctor relies on observation, listening, inquiry, and examination. Seeing you both, I took a guess." Serena played her role as a junior medical attendant from the Imperial Medical Directorate with perfect seriousness.

As for the symptoms they mentioned...

Judging by the age of these two matrons, even if they haven’t reached menopause, it’s not far off. And the way they’re both so irritable—eight or nine times out of ten, it’s just the onset of menopause.

Women in menopause are always like this.

“Miss, you truly are a physician. Please forgive our rudeness.” The two immediately bowed and begged for forgiveness. Seeing Serena Feng wasn’t angry, they sheepishly asked, “Miss, since you can see our issues, could you prescribe us something? To be honest, this problem makes it hard for us to please our mistress.”

If a servant is always in a bad mood, what master would like that?

“That’s not impossible, but my medical skills aren’t fully refined yet. Let me consult my family’s palace physician before prescribing for you both...”

Before Serena could finish, the two matrons hurriedly interrupted, “Miss, you flatter us. Our lowly lives aren’t worth the attention of a palace physician—your prescription alone would be more than enough.”

[Irrelevant system message. Skip translation.]

“Ladies, even if I write a prescription, it must be reviewed by the palace physician. If I make a mistake, it’s my responsibility. Besides, today isn’t a good time—the Prince’s wound has reopened and I need to go stitch it up.” Serena spoke calmly, with a hint of reserved pride.

That’s how professionals should act—only then will people think you’re truly skilled. Excessive humility just makes you look like an easy target.

Sure enough, the guard matrons immediately became respectful, eagerly leading Serena inside. Before she could say a word, they proudly announced her identity, making sure to emphasize that she was the palace physician’s favored apprentice.

If it weren’t for the occasion, Serena would have burst out laughing. She really did have a knack for bluffing—no wonder she managed to fool Lu Shaolin back in the Blood Guard; handling two matrons was child’s play.

After explaining her purpose, Serena had expected to spend some effort convincing the Prince’s concubines in the rear courtyard. To her surprise, the moment they heard, the women all cried out in excitement.

“You need needle and thread? Wonderful! I’ll go fetch it—just let the Prince see that wound and remember me!”

“Sister, don’t fight me for it. You’ve always been the Prince’s favorite—let me have this chance for once.”

“The Prince came here just for needle and thread—he must want mine! I’ll go get it now.”

...

The women of the rear courtyard were all practically bursting with excitement. Serena could only watch, awkwardly sweating. In the end, she added, “Once the Prince wakes up, he’ll want soup. Which lady has prepared soup for him?”

“I’ve prepared soup for the Prince—I’ll fetch it now!”

“I’ve prepared some too.”

...

They were supposed to be delicate beauties, but at this moment they dashed off so fast you’d think they were racing, afraid to be a step behind and lose their chance.

Serena waited with patient amusement. In less than half a stick of incense, both the needlework and soup were brought over.

“Physician, use mine—mine is the best.” The concubines, usually so gentle and charming, now sounded bold and cheerful.

“Nonsense! I had my needle and thread specially brought from Southern Lyn—it’s a thousand times better than yours. Physician, use mine—it’s the best.” As she handed Serena her needle and thread, she let her jade bracelet slip into Serena’s hands as well, her eyes full of meaning: ‘Miss, you know what I mean.’

The jade was a rich green—clearly not ordinary. Serena nodded, appreciating the gesture, and accepted it without hesitation.

She accepted the bribe without hesitation.

“Physician, this is my ginseng chicken soup—just smell it, it’s absolutely nourishing.” A glint of gold slipped into Serena’s hands along with the bowl.

Ahem...

No wonder everyone wants to be an official—there really are perks. She’d only passed along a message and already her hands were full of gifts.

Serena was nothing if not practical: take the money, do the job. After accepting the gifts, she asked for the names of the two ladies who’d given her the jade and gold.

“I am Lady Xihua.”

“I am Lady Zhaoyue.”

“I’ll be sure to pass on your kindness to the Prince.” Serena, carrying her gifts, walked toward Prince Adrian’s courtyard under the happy yet envious gazes of the other women. When someone stopped to ask, Serena simply lifted the food box: “By Lady Zhaoyue’s order, I’m delivering soup to the Prince—he personally requested it.”

The guards were skeptical, but seeing the food box was Prince Adrian’s special one, they didn’t dare make trouble.

Serena had been very specific about using the Prince’s favorite food box when she asked for soup—and sure enough, they had it. Her luck really was something else.

Strutting right into Qingyan Courtyard, Serena didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. Even under the guards’ intimidating stares, she remained perfectly composed.

Later, when General Warren Yu asked about it, Serena simply said she was bold because her skills were strong. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

In truth, he knew her approach was simple but not something just anyone could pull off. He didn’t have Serena’s instant medical authority, nor did most people have her kind of guts...