Ninth Royal Uncle Is Still Held, But Serena Enters the Trap

What's wrong?

The Imperial Guards sneered, their faces openly hostile as they looked at Serena. Scornful eyes and raised chins flaunted their arrogance—they were clearly here to throw all the humiliation they'd suffered before right back in her face.

Seeing this, Serena knew things were bad. Such swagger meant they must have powerful backing. But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine what could’ve happened in just one day to make the Emperor ignore the Phoenix Empress Hairpin in her hand and send the Imperial Guards after her again.

Worry gnawed at Serena’s heart, though she showed nothing on her face. She lifted her chin with icy pride, radiating cool authority.

“Gentlemen, breaking into a private home is a violation of military discipline. What exactly do you mean by barging in at dawn?”

At this point, courtesy was useless—especially since she didn’t recognize a single face among them. Even if she wanted to be polite, it wouldn’t matter. Serena had no intention of flattering people who clearly despised her.

Ahem… What Serena didn’t know was that the Imperial Guard commander who’d come two days ago had immediately given up the chance to earn merit as soon as he learned the job involved her, even though it should’ve been easy—he’d rather avoid trouble than risk getting burned.

“Miss Feng, don’t try to scare us with talk of military discipline. We’re not that easily frightened. I’m here at the crack of dawn for official business. And don’t worry—though I kicked your gate in, you won’t need to repair it, because you’ll never come home alive.” The lead Imperial Guard smiled coldly, flashing white teeth with a hint of bloodlust—he could have passed for an executioner.

They want me dead? Hmph. As if Serena Feng’s life could be taken so easily.

“That’s quite a boast. Plenty of people have wanted me dead, but not one has succeeded yet. I doubt you’ll be the first.” Serena didn’t even bother to acknowledge them. These men were nothing but dogs serving whoever held the leash.

The lead Imperial Guard’s eyes grew even more venomous, but Serena wasn’t wrong—the Emperor might be furious, but he’d ordered them not to harm her in the slightest.

A chess piece kept intact is worth far more.

Hmph... The Imperial Guard snorted loudly, deliberately making a show of magnanimity. “I won’t stoop to quarrel with a woman. Serena, we’re acting under imperial orders to take you in.”

Smack—the officer snapped open the warrant and held it up in front of Serena. Her eyesight was excellent, and the big brushstrokes made it easy to read the document without stepping closer.

“What? The National Duke is dead?” Even Serena couldn’t keep her composure at that.

He crashed into her carriage yesterday and then died that night. A plot—this was definitely a plot!

Serena clenched her teeth in fury, her eyes blazing. She’d always thought it strange for two carriages to collide out of nowhere—now she realized someone had set it up. She’d been too naive, thinking it was just coincidence, but from the moment of that crash, she’d already fallen into their trap.

She’d trusted her medical judgment, sure the National Duke wouldn’t have died from such a collision, so she hadn’t worried about it. But she hadn’t expected...

As long as the National Duke’s carriage collided with hers, he was doomed either way. Using a National Duke to frame her—what a grand scheme!

Seeing Serena’s expression change, the Imperial Guards grew smug. The leader became even more arrogant: “The Duke felt unwell after returning home yesterday and died that very night. The coroner found he’d been fatally struck by a heavy object, his heart and lungs ruptured. Miss Feng, we checked the Duke’s daily routine for the past half month—other than the collision with your carriage yesterday, he hadn’t suffered any other major impacts. You’re suspected of killing the Duke, and the Emperor himself has signed the order for your arrest.”

In other words, even if Serena hadn’t meant to, she’d still caused someone’s death. If she’d killed a commoner, it could’ve been settled with money, but this was the National Duke—and the Emperor himself was furious, demanding a harsh punishment.

The truth was, the Emperor was angry not just over the Duke’s death, but also because there was no news about the thunder-blast grenades. The Duke’s death couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Serena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew that explanations were useless now, no matter how much she said. Even if she laid out all her findings, nobody would listen. Regardless of who actually killed the Duke, the Emperor wouldn’t pass up this perfect chance to take her down.

“I’ll go with you!” There was no escaping today. Serena raised her right hand as if to brush back her hair, secretly signaling her hidden guards not to act rashly.

As long as Prince Nolan was alive, she’d be fine. To the Emperor, she was just a chess piece for dealing with him.

“Smart move, Miss Feng. You really know how to play the game.” The words dripped with mockery. The Imperial Guards behind him burst out laughing. A few especially arrogant ones went even further: “Some of the brothers who tangled with Miss Feng before made her sound like a fierce tigress. But I say, even if she was, she’s just a toothless mother tiger now—nothing to fear.”

“Fierce tiger? She’s just a woman. What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Exactly. No matter how tough a woman is, that’s all she’s got. One slap and she’ll fall right in line.”

......

Their jeers and laughter were anything but professional. Mira Tang, Jada Tang, and the four arts girls were kept outside by the Imperial Guards. Seeing Serena insulted, they were so furious that tears streamed down their faces. If Serena hadn’t repeatedly signaled them to stay calm, they would’ve rushed in and fought the Guards—making things even worse.

“Let’s go, Miss Feng.” The Imperial Guards, done laughing, sobered up. Two men brought over shackles and chains, trying to put them on Serena—she drove them off with a sharp, “Don’t you dare!”

“Ha! What wouldn’t we dare?” The Guards rattled the chains, making a show of it to scare Serena.

“Miss Feng, forget shackles—for all we care, in a few days we’ll have you pinned under us. You still think you’re Prince Nolan’s darling? Prince Nolan can’t even protect himself now, let alone you. Be good and do as you’re told, or you’ll suffer for it.”

(End of this chapter! Click next page to continue reading.)

“That’s right, I remember Miss Feng’s figure being quite something—skin like snow. Saw it once and never forgot.”

He was talking about Serena’s wedding day. Since she’d come into her own, no one dared mention it in front of her—yet here he was, bringing it up. Of course she was angry…

But what did it matter? He was speaking the truth. Serena couldn’t hide her past, nor did she care to.

When the Guards set out to shame someone, they went all in—no wonder so many noble girls, ruined by their words, had ended up killing themselves. The fact that Serena was only furious, not enraged, was impressive.

“Watch your mouth! Who do you think you are, spewing filth in front of my master?” Simon Sun rushed over, his handsome face flushed red with anger.

To Simon, that incident was a wound in his master’s heart—one that should never be mentioned lightly.

"Young Master Sun, you're finally here." In the end, girls were still girls—when Jada Tang and the others saw Simon Sun arrive, it was as if their pillar had finally appeared. At last, there was a man in the household who could stand up for them.

Serena gave a wry smile. Jada and the rest were clutching at straws—relying on Simon Sun wouldn't help as much as relying on herself. The Imperial Guards' words were cruel, and hearing them stung, but it was only temporary. She wouldn't let it weigh on her heart.

Seeing Simon Sun's eyes redden, looking ready to fight to the death, Serena quickly called out to stop him: "Simon, don't worry. I'm fine. Don't be impulsive."

Right now, she had no way to protect Simon. If anything happened to him, how could she ever face Sun Zhengdao and his wife, who had entrusted their son to her?

"Master..." Simon Sun looked utterly aggrieved. She was about to be shackled—how could she possibly be fine?

"Don't worry. They don't dare put chains on me."

As soon as she spoke, the Imperial Guards bristled, even more arrogant than before. "Don't dare? There's nothing we don't dare, Miss Serena. You've got a lot of nerve—what if I do put the chains on you?"

"Go ahead and try. If you chain me, let's see who dies first—you or me." Serena drew out the Phoenix Empress Hairpin from her sleeve and raised it high. "Take a good look. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"The Phoenix Empress Hairpin! That's the late Emperor's own imperial gift!" Someone shouted, and before anyone could think, their bodies reacted faster than their minds. All at once, the Imperial Guards dropped to their knees, crying out, "Long live—!"

What a priceless treasure. Thank goodness Ninth Royal Uncle had repeatedly told her to keep it on her at all times—otherwise, if she'd needed it, she might not have been able to get it in time.

"Well then, Captain, do you still want to put shackles and irons on me?" Serena pressed her advantage, not letting up for a second.

"I wouldn't dare." The Imperial Guards' faces twisted with frustration and resentment, but they had no choice but to bow their heads.

Of course they knew Serena carried the Phoenix Empress Hairpin. That was why they'd come at dawn, hoping to catch her off guard—if she didn't have time to use the hairpin, they could humiliate her. But she’d outplayed them…

Looking at Serena, perfectly composed and carrying such a precious relic with her, they had to admit she was a step ahead. To keep something so valuable on her person—wasn't she afraid of losing it, or damaging it?

"Thank you for your consideration, Captain." Serena slid the hairpin back into her coiffure, flaunting it openly. "Lead the way."

With the Phoenix Empress Hairpin in hand, even if she was thrown into the Blood-Clad Guard's prison, no one would dare torture her. Of course... if the Emperor forced her hand and took the hairpin away, then she'd be doomed.

"Miss Serena, this way, please..." The Guards had stormed in with bluster, but now they had no choice but to escort her out politely. It was humiliating, but they still had ways to get back at her...

When the Imperial Guards left the West District courtyard, dawn was just breaking. The courtyard was far from the palace, the Blood-Clad Guard headquarters, and the Magistrate's Office. Normally, they'd ride horses—but the Guards insisted on walking, deliberately slowing their pace and forcing Serena to cross the main streets of the Capital on foot, making sure everyone saw her being taken away.