What Serena Feng hadn’t expected was that the Emperor completely ignored her question and turned instead to the Ninth Royal Uncle, Nolan Dongling.
"Ninth Brother, what’s your take?"
"Your Majesty is wise—whatever you decide will surely be best for Prince Rowan." Nolan replied softly, dodging the question with practiced ease.
Right now, Nolan was the last person in the room who needed to worry.
"Ninth Brother, Prince Rowan got hurt saving you, and Serena Feng was your recommendation. I want to hear your opinion." The Emperor clearly wasn’t letting him off that easily.
A chill flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.
He’d already sacrificed a son—he was determined to get something out of it.
"Your foolish little brother says: If you think Serena Feng can’t save Prince Rowan, just kill her. She’s only a woman, after all." Nolan’s voice was calm, almost casual, as if he were discussing tonight’s menu.
Serena had known it would come to this, but her heart still twisted with pain.
Serena Feng gave a bitter laugh, stayed prostrate on the cold floor, waiting for the Emperor’s verdict.
So, in the end, she was just a chess piece.
The Emperor didn't care whether she could save Adrian Dongling; what mattered was whether he could bring down Nolan Dongling.
"Fine, then I shall..." The Emperor deliberately paused, drawing out the suspense.
After waiting for ages without hearing Ninth Royal Uncle speak, the Emperor was disappointed. He glanced at Adrian Dongling and said, "I'll give Serena Feng one chance. Ninth Brother, I trust you—and the person you recommended."
He had helped Serena Feng several times, but her life or death meant nothing to him.
Ninth Brother, what exactly are you planning?
The Emperor found that Nolan Dongling was becoming harder and harder to read.
But Nolan Dongling had never expected anyone to understand him.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Serena Feng is not someone I recommended; I only thought she might have a way. I heard she cured Imperial Physician Victor Yuan’s stroke outside Feng Manor—her skill and temperament must be exceptional."
Ninth Royal Uncle was reminding Serena Feng not to mix her personal grievances with Adrian Dongling into this matter.
Ninth Brother is right; this woman's temperament is admirable. Serena Feng, begin—do not disappoint me. The cost of disappointing the Emperor was more than most could bear.
Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, Ninth Royal Uncle. I will do my utmost." Serena Feng could not promise she would not disappoint them, because...
Even she was not confident.
Then withdraw. Leave the inner chamber to Doctor Feng." The Emperor turned and left first.
Nolan Dongling and the Crown Prince followed closely behind. The Empress deliberately slowed her steps and, in a tone of bestowing favor, said: "Serena Feng, as long as you cure His Highness Prince Rowan, all past grievances will be wiped away. I promise that when Prince Rowan marries his principal wife, you shall be his side consort."
Thank you, Your Highness the Empress. May Your Highness live ten thousand years." Serena Feng gave a deep bow. "Your Highness, forgive me for not escorting you further—Prince Rowan's injury is urgent."
A side consort? Serena Feng had no interest.
Finishing her words, she ignored the Empress's expression and turned to walk into the room.
She pulled the screen across to block the window and door, then lit the candles.
The Empress was so furious she nearly spat blood.
No one in the Dongling Dynasty had ever dared show her so little respect.
Please calm yourself, Your Highness. Prince Rowan's injury is serious, and Miss Feng is only worried about him." The maid hurried to soothe the Empress.
Leave." The Empress swept her sleeves and the maid carefully closed the door.
Once everyone had left, the vast inner chamber was empty except for Serena Feng. At last, she could relax, activate the Smart Med-Pack, and examine Adrian Dongling.
The diagnostic results were even worse than Serena Feng had expected: every index was far below average, his heartbeat was so weak it was almost undetectable, and his blood pressure was terrifyingly low.
A transfusion was imperative.
Adrian Dongling: O-type blood.
With this blood type, there was no need to worry about finding donors. But...
Serena Feng stared at the only remaining bag of O-type blood in the blood bank, on the verge of tears.
Two hundred cc of blood—barely enough to wet his teeth." Serena Feng placed the blood bag on Adrian Dongling's left side.
Next time, I must store more blood. You only regret not having enough when you need it.
Serena Feng watched the 200cc blood bag deflate quickly, feeling utterly frustrated.
This was the palace—blood was not truly scarce, but she couldn't just go and collect it. Even if she managed to draw enough, the royal family would never allow her to use it.
Would the royal house let their noble blood be contaminated?
With a faint smile, Serena Feng pinned up her hair, pulled on her gloves, and grew serious.
Serena Feng first injected Adrian Dongling with antibiotics to boost immunity, then administered medication to stimulate cardiac blood flow.
No blood? Make your own.
Adrian Dongling's body was ice-cold, suffering from severe hypoperfusion. If this continued, saving his life would be pointless; she had to restore his vital functions before attempting to remove the arrow.
Adrian Dongling's body was so weak, it could barely withstand the upcoming surgery. She needed to revive his vitality first.
A quarter of an hour later, Serena Feng administered the anesthetic. She dared not use general anesthesia, only local, silently praying he would not wake up halfway.
Before the anesthetic took effect, the 200cc of blood was already gone.
Serena Feng removed the blood bag and hung up an IV bottle.
Serena Feng was busy, but not the least bit flustered.
Adrian Dongling's bedside table was crowded with all kinds of medicine bottles and syringes, but the most conspicuous item was a black pistol.
Only Serena Feng would think to put a pistol on the table. It was handy, but definitely drew attention.
Half an hour later, Adrian Dongling looked a bit better. Serena Feng touched his forehead, but couldn't tell through her gloves; removing them was troublesome, so she simply brushed her forehead lightly against his.
No fever yet—she was lucky. But a high fever would come soon." The touch lasted only a moment and meant nothing to Serena Feng.
But... in his deep coma, Adrian Dongling inconveniently regained a bit of consciousness.
In his daze, he felt a beautiful face draw near. He couldn't grasp it, only sensed warmth flood his body as she approached. But the moment was too brief—he couldn't hold on to it.
Adrian Dongling murmured in dissatisfaction. Serena Feng glanced at him, but paid it no mind.
Delirious from illness.
After confirming again and again that Adrian Dongling's body could withstand the trauma of removing the arrow, Serena Feng took scissors and cut off his pants completely, then snipped off the exposed part of the arrow.
A wound like this couldn't be cleaned thoroughly, and Serena Feng wasn't feeling particularly gentle. She opened a bottle of disinfectant alcohol and poured it directly onto Adrian Dongling's leg.
The medicine on the wound was washed away by the alcohol, which seeped in with a sizzling sound. But Adrian Dongling felt no pain—his right leg was at Serena Feng's mercy.
Serena Feng was never one to show pity; with her left hand she kept pouring alcohol onto the wound, while her right hand used tweezers and cotton to wipe away debris and stop the bleeding.
Once the bottle of alcohol was gone, Serena Feng carefully cleaned the wound to remove any residue. When the wound was clear, she used tweezers to spread it open and finally saw the arrowhead embedded in the flesh.
Serena Feng's expression changed; her hand shook, and the tweezers fell to the floor.
How could this be?