Getting in the Car, What a Coincidence

Serena Feng didn’t mind blowing this up at all. If things escalated all the way to the Emperor, the worst she’d get was a public scolding. Afterwards, he’d probably think she was considerate and that she’d handled the matter perfectly.

After all, she hadn’t actually attacked Su Wan, and the fault lay with the other side. Too bad Serena could endure—and so could Su Wan. In the end, she was a legitimate daughter raised by the Southern Lyn Su Clan; no matter how proud she was, her poise never faltered.

Eastlyn’s people were so dismissive of Su Wan simply because they had someone who could make thunder-blast grenades. They wanted her to be like Westlyn’s Tianlei—stuck ‘sick’ in bed forever. Just as the standoff between Serena Feng and the Southern Lyn guard captain was at its peak, another maid from Su Wan’s side hurried out.

She had a round face, round eyes, and when she smiled, two little tiger teeth showed—making her look sweet, innocent, and easy to let your guard down around.

The round-faced maid steadied her breath, then stepped forward respectfully to salute Serena Feng and Imperial Physician Sun: “This servant Autumn Rain greets Miss Feng and Master Sun.”

Her gaze didn’t stray; it was as if she hadn’t noticed the courtyard full of guards, or the other maid’s swollen, red face.

With just one look, Serena understood—this was a deeply calculating girl. Autumn Rain was Su Wan’s true confidante.

Serena responded arrogantly, not bothering to look her straight in the eye.

She’d been proud enough today—what was a little more?

Autumn Rain acted as if she hadn’t noticed, her face still wearing a humble smile. “Miss Feng, Master Sun, my lady asked me to inform you both: she’s already much better. She’s grateful you came all this way, but there’s really no need to trouble yourselves. She’ll be sure to call on you personally to thank you another day.”

Serena Feng knew there was no way to escalate things today—she’d underestimated Su Wan. It was a bit of a shame, but since Su Wan had retreated so far, if she kept pushing, she’d only make herself look unreasonable.

"No need to stand on ceremony. Since Miss Su is fine, we won’t stay any longer and disturb her rest." Serena’s murderous aura faded away. "Walter Wang, sorry for the trouble. Let’s go."

With that, she swaggered out of Tranquil Autumn Garden—a stinging slap in the face to the Southern Lyn guards. Their faces flushed with humiliation, but none dared step forward.

Once Serena was gone, Autumn Snow, her cheeks still swollen, stepped up. "Autumn Rain, why did you let her go? She insulted the Su Clan and didn’t respect our Miss at all. Why be polite to someone like that?"

After being slapped twice by Serena, Autumn Snow’s resentment ran deep—no amount of words could smooth it over.

Autumn Rain’s round face might look sweet, but when she glared, her presence was no less intimidating. "Autumn Snow, I know you’re looking out for our Miss, but do you even know where we are? This isn’t the Su household, and Serena Feng isn’t that bullied orphan anymore—you can’t just treat her however you want.

Even if Serena were still that orphan, she’s not someone you could bully. Our Miss treats us well, but that’s just our good fortune—don’t forget we’re only Su family servants. No matter how privileged we seem, it doesn’t change our status. Serena Feng isn’t someone we can afford to cross.

It’s not just that she slapped you twice today—even if she killed you right here, our Miss couldn’t do a thing about it. In the end, we’re just servants. If we die, that’s it."

Seeing Autumn Snow still unconvinced, Autumn Rain didn’t bother arguing. She relayed Su Wan’s command directly: "Autumn Snow, Miss said she knows you’re loyal, but loyalty needs to be smart. You really messed up today—Miss orders you to kneel here for an hour as punishment."

"Yes." Autumn Snow was unwilling, but she didn’t dare defy Su Wan’s order. Aggrieved, she sank to her knees.

Autumn Rain let out a barely audible sigh, hoping this would teach Autumn Snow a lesson—this wasn’t Southern Lyn, and the Su family didn’t call the shots here.

She turned to the nearby guards. "Captain Leon Liu, you handled things well today. You didn’t let the Eastlyn side blow this up—I’ll report to Miss."

"Miss Autumn Rain, you’re too kind. I was only doing my duty." Captain Leon Liu didn’t dare act superior, humbly bowing his head.

Autumn Rain said no more. Her cheerful face clouded with worry as she bowed and returned to the inner rooms.

"Is everything handled?" Su Wan’s face was deathly pale, her voice barely audible.

"Yes, Miss, it’s all taken care of. But what about your illness?" Only now did Autumn Rain dare let her frustration show: "The Eastlyn Emperor is just too much—a real bully."

Su Wan just smiled faintly, her bright features faded to ghostly white. "What’s so outrageous? Eastlyn has someone who can make thunder-blast grenades. Of course they act tough. My illness won’t kill me—just something I have to endure."

As long as Serena Feng didn’t provoke her, Su Wan stayed rational. "Autumn Rain, did our message get through?"

"It’s been sent, but we were slower than Lyndaria, and even Northlyn was faster." Autumn Rain didn’t dare meet Su Wan’s eyes, afraid she’d get angry. But Su Wan only sighed deeply. "The Emperor will understand. We have no reliable people here."

Southern Lyn and Eastlyn might maintain diplomatic ties on the surface, but in reality, they’re bitter enemies. Eastlyn wiped out Southern Lyn’s spies, and the Emperor sent her here to rebuild their network. If she succeeds, the Su Clan’s power will grow even further.

The Eastlyn people think she’s just a showpiece, but she’s the real decision-maker. High-profile and arrogant as she may seem, that’s exactly what gives her room to maneuver.

"Enough, I don’t need anyone waiting on me here. Go investigate that person thoroughly—the grenade maker. If you can bring him to Southern Lyn, do it. If not, find a way to get rid of him." After just a few words, Su Wan looked utterly drained, clutching her belly and grinding her teeth in pain.

"Miss?" Autumn Rain stepped forward, worried, but Su Wan waved her off. "Don’t mind me. Go do your job."

"Yes." Autumn Rain blinked back tears and retreated, leaving Su Wan curled up in agony.

Serena Feng left Tranquil Autumn Garden, said goodbye to Sun Zhengdao and the others, and Walter Wang arranged for someone to escort her home. But before she could leave, she ran into Ninth Royal Uncle.

"Miss Feng, Ninth Royal Uncle requests your presence." The eunuch—who’d once fought with William Wang’s driver over her—watched Serena nervously, afraid she’d refuse again.

Last time, after Serena refused, Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t speak for two whole days, which had the eunuch worried sick.

Serena really didn’t want to go, but avoiding things wouldn’t solve anything. She glanced at the carriage across the way, nodded, thanked Walter Wang, and walked with the eunuch to Ninth Royal Uncle’s carriage.

"Serena Feng pays her respects to Ninth Royal Uncle. Long live, long live, long long live." Serena knelt outside the carriage.

This was one reason she hated seeing Ninth Royal Uncle—every public meeting meant she had to kneel.

"Rise." From inside the carriage, Ninth Royal Uncle’s voice sounded a bit strange, but Serena didn’t think much of it. She stood respectfully, hands folded, all her earlier arrogance and wildness gone.

Serena was getting better at adapting to this life, slowly learning to fit in.

"Get in the carriage." Ninth Royal Uncle ordered, and the eunuch quickly brought a stool, helping Serena up.

Not everyone was like Rowan Dongling, who liked to use servants as footstools. Serena took a deep breath and opened the carriage door…