"What are you two doing?" Caleb Wang (Seventh Young Master) stood at the courtyard gate, face dark and stormy.
As a son of the Wang Clan, he was always expected to smile, and he usually did. But at this moment, Caleb Wang's smile had completely vanished.
Since when did Serena Feng and his elder brother get so close—close enough to feed each other as if no one else existed?
Caleb Wang clenched his fists tightly, forcing down the urge to punch someone.
There was no way anything could happen between Serena Feng and his brother—and he refused to accept it if there was.
The intimate atmosphere was shattered. Serena Feng and William Wang Jinling sprang apart as if electrocuted.
Oh my god, what was that just now?
Serena Feng slumped back into her chair, annoyed, using her hand as a fan to cool the heat rising in her face.
What was wrong with her? Just a few days ago, she'd decisively rejected his marriage proposal, and today she was...
So, it turns out men can use the 'beauty trap' too.
Serena Feng could already imagine how dazzling William Wang Jinling would be at tomorrow's Poetry Salon.
This man was like the moon—luminous, captivating. Just by standing in a crowd, he made everyone else fade into the background, yet people couldn't help but be drawn to him.
If she hadn't met Ninth Royal Uncle first, Serena thought, her heart might have been moved by this man...
William Wang Jinling was simply too outstanding.
Serena Feng lowered her head, refusing to look at him again.
"Seventh Brother, you're here." In just a split second, William Wang Jinling had regained his composure. He stepped back to widen the distance between them, though the lingering sensation on his fingertips didn't fade so quickly.
As if trying to cover something up, William picked up another grape—this time popping it into his own mouth.
Uh... The moment he bit into the grape, William realized that whether he ate it or not, it felt awkward. The heat he'd just tamped down flared up again.
This day... really was hot.
A breeze drifted in, and William's smile carried a hint of helplessness.
"What exactly were you two just doing?" Caleb Wang pressed on, his eyes full of reproach as he looked at William.
If Big Brother can't take responsibility for Serena Feng, then he shouldn't provoke her. Someone like Serena is proud—she'd never agree to be a concubine.
No, with Serena Feng's background, even as a concubine, the Wang Clan would never accept her.
"Eating grapes."
Serena Feng and William Wang Jinling answered in unison. They glanced at each other, then quickly looked away, awkward. Serena let out a dry laugh, then glared right back, unafraid.
She'd done nothing shameful. She was perfectly aboveboard.
Caleb Wang calmed down too. Making a scene wouldn't help anyone, so he stepped forward with a smile, half-serious, half-joking: "Eating grapes? Serena Feng, you really are lucky. My eldest brother has never fed anyone by hand before—this is the first time in his life."
As he spoke, he picked up a grape and popped it into his own mouth.
So sour!
But the smile on his face didn't fade.
"That's right, I'm lucky." Serena Feng shot Caleb Wang a look, clearly annoyed. Couldn't he see how awkward she was? Would he die if he didn't mention it?
"Caleb, you're here to take your brother home, right? I won't bother you two. Just pack up and you can leave." Serena stood up, dusting off imaginary dirt from her clothes—making it clear she didn't want to stay any longer.
"What's the rush? It's still early." Caleb Wang wasn't about to let her off so easily. Some things were better cleared up sooner rather than later.
"It's not early. I have things to do. You brothers can talk." Serena Feng made it clear she didn't want to discuss it further.
Caleb Wang wanted to say more, but William Wang Jinling silenced him with a cold look.
"Serena, are you getting ready for tomorrow's Poetry Salon?" William Wang Jinling asked with concern, any lingering romantic feelings now gone.
After tomorrow, William Wang Jinling would be famous across the land—and he and Serena Feng would drift further apart.
Poetry Salon?
Serena had almost forgotten about it. When William mentioned it, she nodded immediately.
"Will you go with me tomorrow?" William Wang Jinling invited.
Given Serena Feng's background, even with an invitation from the Hsieh Clan, she'd still be ostracized at the Poetry Salon.
"No way. I don't want to become public enemy number one among the noble ladies of the capital." Serena Feng quickly refused.
"Serena, don't go too far. Do you know how many people would kill for a chance to attend with my brother?" Caleb Wang didn't like the ambiguity between Serena and William, but seeing her reject William so bluntly, he was annoyed again.
His brother was like an exiled immortal. If not for his blindness, William Wang Jinling would have been famous long ago.
Not just Serena Feng—even princesses had to depend on his brother's mood if they wanted to accompany him.
Caleb Wang's brother complex was obvious to Serena, so she didn't argue. She simply bowed and said, "I know, I know. To be invited by the Wang Clan's jade gentleman is a great honor, but this blessing is too much for me to bear."
Just being Adrian Dongling's ex-fiancée was enough for someone to plot against her on her wedding day. If she appeared alongside the Wang Clan's eldest son, people would probably slash her face, rape her, then kill her...
In terms of status, William Wang Jinling was the future head of the top aristocratic clan—not inferior to Adrian Dongling. And in looks and bearing, William surpassed Adrian. Men like him could make any woman lose her head.
Serena Feng didn't want to be everyone's target, schemed against by those girls. It was too terrifying.
Dealing with Princess Serenity was headache enough—she couldn't handle any more.
William Wang Jinling nodded. "If that's the case, I won't force you. At the Peach Blossom Festival, you won over all the ladies—surely a small Poetry Salon won't faze you."
He couldn't do much to help Serena Feng at the Poetry Salon.
After all, the Poetry Salon was about poetry—he couldn't exactly write Serena's verses for her.
"Can't say for sure. I'm no literary prodigy—I only go to the Poetry Salon for the spectacle." Compared to the daughters of the Wang and Hsieh Clans, she was basically illiterate.
"How about you go in with my sisters?" Caleb Wang suggested.
"No need. The Wang Clan will be the stars tomorrow, so you'll arrive last. I'm different—I'll probably get there early. Don't worry about me, I'll go by myself." Serena Feng picked up her medical kit, making it clear she was leaving. "Take your time packing, and just head out when you're ready. I won't see you off. See you at the Poetry Salon tomorrow."
Once Serena Feng left, only William Wang Jinling and Caleb Wang remained in the courtyard. Caleb didn't beat around the bush; watching Serena's departing figure, he said quietly, "Big Brother, don't get involved with Serena Feng. The Wang Clan will never accept her as the future matriarch."
"Seventh Brother, you're overthinking it. Serena and I are just friends." And that's all they could ever be.
William Wang Jinling stared absentmindedly at the grapes on the table. The finger Serena Feng had bitten still tingled faintly.
"Good. Let's go, Big Brother. Father and Grandpa are waiting at home to discuss tomorrow. The Poetry Salon is important for you." Caleb Wang breathed a sigh of relief.
His big brother had always known, from a young age, what should and shouldn't be done.
William Wang Jinling nodded, casting one last lingering look at Feng Manor and sighing inwardly.
From now on, he'd probably never have the chance to stay at Feng Manor again.
If he hadn't insisted, the Wang Clan wouldn't have allowed him to stay in this rundown courtyard for the past seven days. It was fine for William Wang Jinling, but not worthy of the Wang Clan's eldest son.
Once William Wang Jinling stepped out of this courtyard, he'd be the Wang Clan's eldest son, bearing all the responsibilities that came with it...
The imperial family grew stronger, the aristocratic clans were absorbed, and if things continued like this, the Wang Clan would disappear from the Nine Provinces Realm.
As the Wang Clan's eldest son, he couldn't indulge in personal feelings. Now, his duty was to unite the clans and give them the strength to rival imperial power.