Chapter 126
Three days later, they arrived at the Imperial City.
Just as they reached the gate of the Imperial Palace, Lu Xiao received a message on his Light Computer.
After reading it, his face darkened slightly, and he hesitated for a moment before turning to Shen Tang for instructions, My family needs me to return for some matters, so I’m afraid I can’t accompany you p>
Shen Tang was momentarily startled but then smiled and nodded, “Ever since returning from the pollution zone, you haven’t visited your family yet. They must have something important for you; you should go back quickly and take a look p>
After giving her a complex look, Lu Xiao nodded and transformed into his Golden Eagle form, departing.
Shen Tang watched as Lu Xiao completely disappeared from sight, swallowing back the words “go quickly and come back soon p>
She felt a sorrow in her heart, knowing that after Lu Xiao left this time, he probably wouldn’t return, as his family would surely demand a divorce from her.
Shen Tang followed the envoy into the Imperial Palace, only to bump into a tall and sturdy figure.
Before she could discern the features of the approaching person, a harsh and scolding voice came at her,
“Shen Tang, you still have the face to return p>
Shen Tang frowned at the angry young man approaching, who had short brown hair, a defined face, tall and handsome, with an imposing presence, standing out even among a crowd.
Seeing this young man made Shen Tang feel an unusual sadness, perhaps… a sense of sorrow.
She knew this was a remnant of the original owner’s emotions.
The man before her was the original owner’s favorite brother, the Crown Prince of the Night Glow Empire, Shen Xu.
Shen Li was simply an orphan adopted by the Emperor and Empress, in name only holding the title of Second Prince.
The Crown Prince, Shen Xu, was the Empress’s biological firstborn prince.
Shen Li grew up as childhood friends with the original owner, occasionally taking care of her, but overall, Shen Li’s attitude towards her was both gentle and distant.
The Crown Prince truly cherished the original owner as his own younger sister since childhood.
The original owner was extremely dependent on Shen Xu, holding this brother dearly in her heart.
But ever since Shen Qingli arrived at the palace, everything changed.
Shen Xu initially promised to celebrate the original owner’s birthday, yet he even forgot the date of her birthday.
The originally promised birthday gift for the original owner was instead given to Shen Qingli on her birthday.
He promised to accompany the original owner to play once her studies improved, yet broke the promise repeatedly.
The original owner found that Shen Xu was spending time reading in the library with Shen Qingli instead.
Another time, it was clearly Shen Qingli who accidentally broke the Empress’s beloved vase, but everyone assumed it was the arrogant and domineering original owner who did it.
The original owner was at a loss for words, and even her most trusted brother glared at her with cold reprimand, demanding she kneel and apologize.
Countless incidents piled up, too many to count.
One could say the original owner’s jealousy of Shen Qingli stemmed mostly from the Crown Prince’s favoritism.
Simply because Shen Qingli was more beautiful and gentle, Shen Xu preferred this new sister.
The original owner looked like an ugly duckling in comparison to Shen Qingli.
Shen Xu regarded her with disdain and indifference, gradually growing impatient. Later, with Shen Qingli’s deliberate provocations, he viewed the original owner through a biased filter, thinking she was always wrong, his irritation towards her escalating.
After recalling these memories, Shen Tang looked at the angry man and sneered, “Why would I come here? Shouldn’t you ask your parents and that dear sister of yours p>
“I only came because I received an invitation from the palace, otherwise I wouldn’t bother returning to this damn place p>
Shen Xu’s face faltered, his brows furrowed tightly as if trying to crush a fly, “What kind of tone is that to use with your brother p>
“Are you still my brother?” Shen Tang said dispassionately, “If memory serves, I was stripped of the Princess title, and there’s no blood relation between us. Isn’t your real sister called Shen Qingli p>
Shen Xu gazed deeply at Shen Tang, surprisingly lost for words.
He never realized when Shen Tang became so sharp-tongued?
Although in his memory, this sister was arrogant outside, in front of him she was like a docile kitten, always obediently following him without ever defying him.
How did she change after returning from the pollution zone?
“Shen Tang, have you been mixing with those ruffians and criminals, learning bad things?” Shen Xu’s tone softened a bit, yet it was still accusative.
Shen Tang shivered, Big Brother, what right do you have to say that?
Back then, when the original owner was sentenced to exile, Shen Xu didn’t plead for her at all. The original owner deserved it indeed, but if Shen Xu was truly a caring brother, how could he not express even the slightest gesture? Henceforth, he cast the original owner aside, living harmoniously with his new sister.
Shen Tang was too lazy to entangle with Shen Xu further, she looked around, getting straight to the point, “Where’s Your Majesty and the Empress p>
Shen Xu frowned, “They don’t wish to see you p>
Shen Tang sneered internally, they invited her back to the palace but won’t even meet her!
Shen Tang stepped past Shen Xu to leave, but he raised his hand to block her, “Wait, I have something to ask you p>
“Shen Xu, Your Highness, we’ve been traveling for days, finally arriving here, shouldn’t we first arrange a place to rest? Blocking us like this is inappropriate, isn’t it?” Shen Li walked forward with a smile, pulling Shen Tang behind him.
Xiao Jin and Jia Lan also stepped forward, not wanting to get involved in family affairs, but this prince was persistent. Couldn’t he see that the chubby girl was clearly unwilling?
Facing the three of them, Shen Xu’s face darkened slightly.
Especially upon seeing Shen Li, his expression was worse, an utmost dislike.
An orphan picked up from who-knows-where, daring to match him for years, and on academic matters, this devious fox always bested him, stealing his thunder countless times!
That sly fox survived the pollution zone, truly fortunate for him!
“I was too hasty; you all should rest well for now.” Shen Xu snorted coldly and turned to leave.
When the attendant led them to the prepared courtyard,
Shen Tang and Xiao Jin’s faces turned grim.
This was the shabbiest courtyard in the Imperial Palace, on the same level as the servant’s quarters.
Xiao Jin cursed angrily, “Is this the rundown place the palace prepared for us p>
The attendant sneered, “Having a place to stay is already good enough, complaining here and there, do you really think she’s still a Princess p>
Shen Tang’s face darkened, she surveyed the rundown courtyard, akin to a Cold Palace, but slightly better than an outhouse, still livable.
In any case, she would stay a while and then leave, no need to cause conflict with the Royal Family at this critical juncture.
Just as she was about to speak, a crisp voice sounded near her,
“Since when did the Night Glow Empire become so shabby p>
The attendants froze momentarily, looking sternly at Jia Lan who had spoken.
Jia Lan glanced around with a critical eye, his words like pouring poison, “This palace is indeed old and rundown, inviting guests without a proper courtyard to show p>
“If you’d told us earlier, knowing Night Glow Empire was this poor, this prince wouldn’t have married into such a desolate place p>
As he spoke, Jia Lan looked at the attendants, their faces turning more ashen, his thin lips curled into a smile, “How pitiful it must be for the Emperor, Empress, and that Princess to live in such a poor place, eating bland husks and veggies every day p>