Bullying and the Importance of Borrowed Power

Dominic Zhai, Heir of Prince Samuel!

The entire imperial capital was in shock. Clearly, no one believed it, and even more people simply couldn’t understand: why would the Emperor let Dominic Zhai, Heir of Prince Samuel, take charge of the city’s security?

Everyone knows Prince Samuel is a loyal subject, but his loyalty is to the Dongling Dynasty, not to the Emperor himself. How could the Emperor possibly hand the capital’s security to someone he can’t personally control?

Back when General Warren Yu was appointed to this post, it was only because the Emperor knew Warren wouldn’t hold it for long. Keeping Warren under his nose was the safest move.

But insiders understood the Emperor had his reasons. The Zhu affair made him suspicious of everyone around him—he lashed out, beating and killing eunuchs, and even ordered the execution of a favored concubine.

Paranoia seems to be every emperor’s trait, but lately it’s gotten much worse. No one dares approach him now. The Crown Prince used Prince Adrian’s real injury as an excuse to avoid court, and cleverly ‘fell ill’ himself at just the right moment.

When Serena Feng heard the news, she could only sigh that sometimes illness is a handy excuse—if only she could use it to stay inside the manor herself…

Who was most affected by Warren Yu’s departure? Ninth Royal Uncle? No—it was Serena Feng.

Serena Feng had no roots in the capital—no clan, no parents to protect her, no siblings to help, just a handful of loyal servants. Worse, she’d made plenty of enemies.

Never mind the palace for now—just the House of Duke Zhen alone was enough. Because of Lady Bianca and Sun Yijin’s tragedy, Serena Feng was already on their bad side.

Before, with General Warren Yu openly protecting her, Duke Zhen held back out of respect for Warren. But now that Warren is gone…

After watching for a while, the House of Duke Zhen realized that, aside from Warren Yu, there was no one left in the capital with enough weight to shield Serena Feng. Instantly, they stopped holding back.

Especially after hearing that Dominic Zhai, Heir of Prince Samuel, ran into Serena Feng on the street and said, ‘A young lady should act like a young lady instead of running around outside all day.’

Dominic Zhai, Heir of Prince Samuel, was actually feeling sorry for William Wang Jinling—like an immortal, William liked Serena Feng, but she didn’t care at all. Truly blind! Dominic Zhai was genuinely aggrieved for William.

But in some people’s eyes, this was Prince Samuel Manor showing its dislike for Serena Feng. Add to that Ninth Royal Uncle’s public scolding at Feng Manor, and everyone understood: now that Warren Yu had left, Serena Feng’s status in the capital was just as low as before. No one would stand up for her like Warren did, tossing bullies into the Bloodcloak Guard’s cells.

So what if she was a miracle doctor? Those noble families didn’t care—they could afford doctors, and besides, not every house had someone like William Wang Jinling with an incurable disease.

So Serena Feng’s situation in the capital went right back to the beginning—ostracized and bullied. Only, she’d been holed up at home lately, teaching Simon Sun surgical knowledge every day, so she hadn’t noticed.

But the servants of Feng Manor weren’t so lucky. Whenever they went out and ran into noble households, being cursed at was the least of it—getting beaten was normal.

After spending ages in the operating room, Serena Feng stepped out for a walk. From afar, she spotted Evan Zhou and started to head over, but overheard…

‘Young Master Zhou, how many times has this happened already? If this keeps up, who in our manor will dare go out anymore?’

Serena Feng recognized the man as Feng Manor’s procurement servant—a disabled old soldier missing his left hand, now filthy and battered, clearly just beaten again.

‘Uncle Zhuzi, I know about this. Go to the accounts room and get ten taels of silver. Tell the others to keep quiet—Miss Serena is already swamped, don’t let her worry about this anymore.’ Evan Zhou was used to handling such matters and quickly soothed him.

‘Young Master Zhou, Miss Serena needs to know what’s going on. We can’t just let people bully Feng Manor and say nothing. The servants from Duke Zhen’s house are so arrogant—the more we back down, the bolder they get.’ Uncle Zhuzi’s eyes flashed with humiliation.

‘I know, but you understand Miss Serena’s situation in the capital. The Grand Heir is away, and if we clash head-on with Duke Zhen’s people, we’re the only ones who’ll suffer.’ Evan Zhou sighed. He knew it too, but…

Feng Manor—run by a woman—would always be looked down on. If only there was a man in the house.

Uncle Zhuzi’s eyes reddened. If General Feng were still alive, who would dare bully Miss Serena like this? ‘Young Master Zhou, it’s fine for us—we’re tough enough. But what if they turn on Miss Serena herself?’

That’s what everyone in Feng Manor truly feared.

Evan Zhou’s brow furrowed—he was worried about that too. ‘I’ll think of something. Go on now.’ Maybe he should write a letter to General Warren Yu.

That bastard turned the whole capital upside down and just left—unbelievable.

Uncle Zhuzi wanted to say more but finally just nodded, trudging off to the servants’ quarters in defeat.

Watching that defeated, desolate figure, Serena Feng felt her nose sting.

So this was it—she’d always been a paper tiger. Now that Warren Yu was gone, anyone could bully her.

Come to think of it, without Warren Yu, she really had no one to rely on.

She sighed softly. Only after Uncle Zhuzi left did Serena Feng step out from behind the corner.

‘Miss…’ Evan Zhou jumped in surprise—he hadn’t expected Serena Feng to be there, or to know how much she’d overheard.

‘Evan, I’ve let you suffer these days. I’m sorry.’ Serena Feng apologized seriously to Evan Zhou.

Because of her negligence, everyone in Feng Manor had suffered terribly—with no one to stand up for them.

‘No, we’re not suffering—it’s just a small thing.’ Evan Zhou waved his hands, not knowing how much Serena Feng had overheard.

‘Miss, please don’t act impulsively.’

He was afraid Serena Feng would get angry and go after Duke Zhen’s people. That would be a huge mistake. Lately, Warren Yu had stirred up the whole capital and offended plenty—those people wouldn’t dare mess with Warren, but they’d take it out on Serena Feng instead.

Before leaving, Warren Yu had warned her: stay inside for now, wait until things quiet down before going out.

Serena Feng nodded. ‘Don’t worry, I know what I can and can’t do.’

She turned away in silence. On her way, she barely acknowledged the servants greeting her, just kept her head down and walked to the study. She sat there for a long time before finally emerging, her face full of confidence.

‘Evan, get ready—I’m going out.’ If she couldn’t protect Feng Manor by herself, she’d have to borrow someone else’s strength.

Before, she’d relied on Warren Yu. But now?

A wicked smile curled on Serena Feng’s lips.

Anyone who thought bullying Serena Feng would be easy was in for a surprise—she had plenty of resources in hand.

Commander Lucan Lu of the Bloodcloak Guard must be running low on those special pills by now—it’s time to pay him a visit. And Prince Samuel’s trigeminal neuralgia? Time to cure it for good; painkillers alone aren’t enough.

Did they really think she’d been hiding away out of fear all this time?

Hmph…

Duke Zhen, you’re falling apart way too fast.

Doctors aren’t so easy to mess with!