The people involved in this affair are powerful—otherwise, Commander Lucan Lu wouldn’t be hiding.
Who is Commander Lucan Lu? The Emperor’s most loyal hound—he sells no one’s face but the Emperor’s. If he’s gone to ground over Simon’s case, it can only mean the Emperor himself is behind this.
If the Emperor is coming after Simon, he’s in real danger.
Serena’s anxiety grew, but her face stayed cold and unreadable. She forced the two guards to go back in and report again.
The guard who’d just gone in now knew exactly who Serena was. Seeing her icy expression, he grew nervous—unwilling, but still obediently went to report.
In the bitter cold, Serena stood outside, her face turning purple from the chill. She waited a quarter of an hour with no one appearing, her expression never changing. The gate guard, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his fear—the flickering torchlight laid bare the worry in his eyes.
In all the world, Serena was the first person to truly frighten the Bloodcloak Guard.
Half an hour passed. Frost coated Serena’s face, but no one came out from the Bloodcloak Guard. She knew they were deliberately leaving her to freeze.
Drawing a breath, Serena let a chilling smile curve across her lips—a silent challenge to see who could be more ruthless. The young guard trembled, wishing he could just faint and escape.
Serena gave a cold snort and withdrew her gaze. Since they refused to show her any respect, she stopped being polite. She pulled out the Phoenix Empress Hairpin and held it up to the guard. "Look closely—do you know what this is?"
"What?" The guard froze, only catching a flash of light before Serena shoved him aside and strode straight in.
"Miss Feng, Miss Feng, you can't go in!" The gate guard snapped out of it and tried to block her, but Serena simply raised her foot and kicked him aside. "Move."
"Help! Help! Someone is breaking into the Bloodcloak Guard Dungeon!" The guard tumbled to the ground, rolled twice, and started shouting.
He might fear the Ninth Prince’s authority, but he feared for his own head even more.
Thud, thud, thud...
At the gate guard’s shout, a squad of trained men poured out—their synchronized footsteps said it all. Serena didn’t flinch; she strode forward, fearless.
Jada and Mira Tang heard the commotion and, worried Serena might suffer, jumped from the carriage to flank her protectively. This was Eastlyn’s secret-police headquarters; whether they’d respect the Saint-Min Empress’s name was anyone’s guess. But Serena didn’t care—she charged straight ahead.
The longer she went without seeing Simon Sun, the more anxious she became.
"Stop right there!"
"How dare you! Breaking into the Bloodcloak Guard—do you have a death wish?"
Swish, swish, swish—spears leveled at Serena, blocking her way.
"Move aside." Serena’s eyelids lifted, her razor-sharp gaze sweeping over the Bloodcloak Guard. The hardened men instinctively leaned back, but forced themselves to shout, "Impudence!" for courage.
"Who’s really bold here—me or you? Do you even know what I’m holding?" Serena thrust the Phoenix Empress Hairpin at the guard. His eyes went wide, his hand shook on his spear, and he stammered out the four engraved characters: "Mother of Eastlyn."
"Mother of Eastlyn. Saint-Min Empress. This is the Phoenix Empress Hairpin the late Emperor bestowed upon her. Whoever holds it wields the authority of the Mother of Eastlyn. Look closely." Serena enunciated every word.
This hairpin could cow the Imperial Guards—of course it could terrify these Bloodcloak rankers. Back in the Heavenly Prison, the Emperor even sent men to steal it, but failed.
The Emperor probably thinks Nolan took the Phoenix Empress Hairpin back, but he hardly ever reclaims what he’s given away.
The Bloodcloak Guard may answer directly to the Emperor, but that doesn’t put them above imperial law. With the Saint-Min Empress’s Phoenix Hairpin in hand, Serena forced them to pay attention.
"Go, summon Lord Gavin Lin." The shaken guard ordered a clerk, who sprinted inside. This time, less than half a stick of incense passed before Lord Lin rushed out, sweating in the winter night.
"Ah, Miss Feng, if you’d only let us know you were coming! These brats are new and don’t know the rules. Please don’t be angry." Despite the freezing cold, Lord Gavin Lin was covered in sweat as he apologized and ordered the guards to stand down.
With the late Emperor’s relic in her hand and such a show of force, any disrespect would be an insult to the throne. Only clever men get into the Bloodcloak Guard—their spears vanished as if the confrontation had never happened.
Serena watched Lord Gavin Lin coldly. She was sure she’d never met him before, and figured Commander Lucan Lu had sent out this subordinate just to stall her...