Sean Xuan was stubborn, but Serena Feng was even more stubborn.
Seeing Serena Feng like this, Sean Xuan knew that continuing to argue was pointless. If Serena refused to admit it, she simply wouldn’t—unless he forced her into marriage.
When Serena Feng finally opened her mouth to invite him to stay, Sean Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and simply settled down at Feng Manor. He vowed not to leave unless he married Serena.
Serena Feng—Sean Xuan was determined to marry her!
Before he knew Serena existed, he could wait eighteen years. Now that he did, what was the rush?
He’d already waited eighteen years—he didn’t mind waiting another eighteen.
If Serena had known she’d be left with a huge, inescapable problem, she never would have let him stay out of softness for her mother’s sake.
And so, Sean Xuan just moved into Feng Manor. But...
Good news never travels far, but bad news spreads for miles. In just a blink, everyone in Feng Manor knew Serena had a childhood fiancé—who’d shown up with a token and was now asking to marry her.
This time, the hidden guards finally got smart—they rushed the news out immediately. Whether or not it reached Ninth Royal Uncle was no longer their concern.
“Serena, your fiancé came looking for you?” Master Marcus Wynn and Simon Sun heard the news and immediately abandoned Holden Cui, heading over together in perfect sync.
Gossip—Serena’s gossip! On a boring snowy day like this, how could they ignore such a rare chance to pass the time?
“Master, you have a fiancé? Did he really come to propose? What’s he like? Is he any good?” Master Marcus looked regretful—regretful that Serena was now ‘taken’; Simon, on the other hand, was genuinely happy for her.
He truly believed his master should marry a good man—someone who could stand openly by her side, protect her, cherish her, and comfort her whenever she was wronged.
As for his master's lost innocence...
Hmph... Any man who dared despise his master, he’d jab a needle into him and make sure he never got it up again.
“Ahem, you two came for gossip, right? The visitor is the Young Palace Lord of Skyvault Palace Sect, Sean Xuan.” Serena rubbed her forehead, exhausted—these days, men could be just as scary when it came to gossip.
“Young Palace Lord of Skyvault? Why’s he here? Is he seeking revenge on Master?” Simon Sun was so pure, he instantly assumed the visitor was one of Serena’s enemies.
Master Marcus shook his head and sighed, “Serena, you’re so clever—how did you end up with such a clueless apprentice?” He couldn’t believe Simon hadn’t caught on that Serena was dodging the real story. If the visitor was here for revenge, would Serena have let him stay?
Really clueless! Simon Sun was good at medicine, but in every other way he was hopeless—a blank sheet. Without Serena’s protection, who knew if he’d even survive?
'Did I say something wrong?' Even if Simon Sun didn't fully understand, he knew Master Marcus was calling him dumb, and looked at Serena with a blank face.
Serena replied, 'No, you’re right. But he’s not here for revenge—he’s here to collect a debt.' She truly felt Sean Xuan was here to collect a debt.
He could remember what he said to her mother at age three, even when he didn’t know Serena existed. He waited eighteen years, and as soon as he learned about her, he came straight to her house to propose—without even investigating.
This isn’t something ordinary people could do.
Her mother’s chosen man really was remarkable—a single sentence to humor a child ended up selling her daughter off.
Debt collection? What debt? What does Master owe him—silver? How much silver? I still have some left from my parents... Simon Sun instinctively thought of money and immediately wanted to help Serena.
Master Marcus really couldn’t take it anymore. He snapped his fan shut and smacked Simon Sun on the head: 'What silver? He’s here for an emotional debt! Your master wronged him back then, and now he’s come to make her take responsibility.'
Master Marcus wasn’t wrong, but why did it sound so awkward?
Serena glared at Master Marcus, threatening, 'Master Marcus, you were so embarrassing yesterday, and I didn’t laugh at you, did I?' If he wanted to see her humiliated, he should first check if he was clean himself.
You made quite a fool of yourself yesterday.
Uh...
Serena, about this... um, well, it’s time for Holden to take his medicine—I’ll go check on him." Master Marcus was mortified, but he still had to maintain his dignity as a master. He smiled elegantly and walked away slowly, making sure to look dignified so Serena wouldn’t laugh at him.
Good, one old fox gone, only a little dumb pig left—no pressure at all.
Simon, we’re starting free clinics tomorrow. Are you ready? Is everything set up with Holden Cui? It’s hard work to travel in this snow, so be sure to keep warm, or you’ll end up sick yourself." Serena wouldn’t let anyone else take care of Holden.
On the surface, she said she only trusted Simon Sun, but in fact, she wanted to use this chance to help Simon and Holden Cui get to know each other.
Once Holden Cui recovered, he’d leave Feng Manor, and seeing him would be nearly impossible. If Simon didn’t build a good relationship now, when would he?
Simon Sun had no idea Serena was changing the subject. He answered blankly, "Everything’s ready, Master. Don’t worry, tomorrow’s clinic will go smoothly. As for me, you don’t need to worry—I’ve worked it out with Holden Cui. He said the Cui family guards will escort me, so I won’t delay anything for Holden."
Serena was gratified—Holden Cui had even assigned guards to Simon Sun, showing he liked him. Otherwise, with his temperament, he wouldn’t let Simon near him.
Though Serena didn’t want to admit it, she had to say that compared to the free clinics, Holden Cui’s life was more important.
“Now Master can relax.” Serena patted Simon Sun’s shoulder, ready to leave. But Simon, though slow, was as stubborn as Serena, and insisted on asking, “Master, is the Young Palace Lord of Skyvault really your childhood fiancé?”
Serena gritted her teeth. "No."
But someone contradicted her, answering in an even louder voice: "Yes."
A man and a woman—two voices sounded at once. Serena and Simon both turned to see Sean Xuan, now in clean clothes, walking toward them.
As expected, clothes make the man. Sean Xuan in fresh attire looked completely different, with a true Young Palace Lord’s bearing and a master’s poise.
Despite the cold, he wore only a single layer, moving with a martial artist’s steadiness and agility, not the usual nobleman’s elegance.
No denying it—Sean Xuan was striking and masculine. Her mother’s taste was actually quite good, but he just wasn’t Serena’s type.
“You’re Sean Xuan? Young Palace Lord of Skyvault?” Simon’s eyes lit up with surprise.
This man was impressive—worthy of his master, and probably able to protect her.
“Yes. I’m Sean Xuan—Serena’s fiancé.” Sean Xuan stressed the point. Serena looked helplessly at the sky. “Young Palace Lord, don’t talk nonsense. I don’t have a fiancé. I only let you stay out of respect for my mother.”
And she figured she could use him!
Of course, Serena kept that thought to herself. Later, she’d tell William King to handle this trouble. If they wanted to attack Skyvault Palace, they’d need to learn its layout—and no one was more suitable than Sean Xuan. How to get him to talk, though, was her worry.
Sean Xuan ignored Serena and asked Simon Sun directly, "Who are you?"
Me? I’m Master’s apprentice.' Simon glanced at Serena, letting Sean Xuan know she was his master.
So you’re Serena’s apprentice.' Sean Xuan’s gaze softened. He took out a small box. “A little something for you—since you’re Serena’s apprentice, you’re my apprentice too.”
It was only proper for a senior to give a junior a meeting gift. As Serena’s husband-to-be, Sean Xuan was acting as a senior.
Uh... Simon hadn’t expected Sean Xuan to be so on point. He froze, then reached out blankly—his master’s fiancé’s gift seemed okay to accept.
“Don’t take it!” Serena rushed over, slapped Simon’s hand away, and glared at him. “It’s time for Holden to take his medicine. Go check on him. If Master Marcus messes up the doses, it’ll be trouble.”
For the first time, Serena admitted Master Marcus was right—her apprentice really was clueless about social matters.
“Yes, Master.” Simon Sun might be naturally slow, but he was especially obedient to Serena.
The slow apprentice left, and Sean Xuan regretfully put the box away. “Serena, we’re engaged—you don’t have to be so distant.”
Serena?
Who said you could call me Serena? Who’s engaged to you? Who’s being distant?
Serena wondered if keeping Sean Xuan around was a mistake. Maybe William King would deal with him—otherwise, she’d go crazy first.
Serena spoke seriously, “Young Palace Lord...”
“Just call me Sean. ‘Young Palace Lord’ is too formal.” Sean Xuan wasn’t usually thick-skinned, but dealing with Serena, he had to be.
Serena ignored him and continued, “Young Palace Lord, if I hear you call yourself my fiancé again, don’t blame me for being rude. I’ll throw you out, regardless of your history with my mother.”
Serena doubted her mother could have much of a bond with a three-year-old—how could Sean Xuan remember her for eighteen years?
“Serena...” Sean Xuan was about to persuade her to accept their engagement, but was interrupted by Tong Jue: “Miss, Mr. Yun and the eldest young master have arrived. They say it’s urgent.”
Tong Jue made it clear—she really didn’t like this man who claimed to be her lady’s fiancé.
If he wants to marry our lady, he’s dreaming!