Chapter 223
The Royal Family and the two top aristocratic families, Yun and Lu, have had close relations, with intermarriages throughout various dynasties, and the young members of these families often played together.
Unfortunately, the Lu Family’s upbringing was too strict, and Lu Xiao disciplined himself from a young age. He was like an old cadre, unable to mingle with the other reckless children his age.
Shen Xu, however, was very close to Yun Han.
Yun Han returned to the city triumphantly, and Shen Xu personally came to welcome him back.
A group of ready-to-go beastmen disembarked from the spaceship.
The man at the forefront was the most eye-catching. He was tall, handsome, and noble.
With short silver-gray hair, sharp bone structure, brows like ink, eyes like cold stars, a high nose and thin lips, his features were strikingly superior, exuding an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance, and his domineering and authoritative presence naturally intimidated the beastmen present.
Is this—a Ninth Rank Beastman p>
Shen Xu’s face was also filled with shock; he hadn’t expected that in just a few months since Yun Han left, his strength would progress to such an extent!
When he left, he had just broken through the Eighth Rank, and now he’s returned as a Ninth Rank, making him incomparable across the entire Empire.
Such talent and strength even surpassed the current Head of the Yun Family!
Shen Xu’s lips tightened into a bitter smile, his mood becoming complex.
With Yun Han’s stunning appearance and strength, it’s no wonder so many noble females in the Imperial City are utterly enamored with him, and it’s understandable why Shen Tang was crazily infatuated with him back then.
In comparison, he, as a prince, seemed rather ordinary—not only inferior to his two outstanding sisters, but also overshadowed by Yun Han, who has been his playmate since childhood.
“Why so dazed? Aren’t you happy to see me back? Here’s an Eighth Rank Ice Bear Beast Crystal I hunted on the Icefield, just right to help you break through to the Sixth Rank.” Yun Han said, striding over and tossing him a blue-gray beast crystal.
Shen Xu accepted it with a smile, “You still remembered to bring me a casual gift, huh p>
Yun Han chuckled, “With our relationship, how could I forget you p>
“Haha, how have you been these past few months? I heard the conditions on the Icefield were harsh, and I was worried something might have happened to you over there p>
“Just so-so, encountered some tricky ones, but took care of them. Luckily, I got a Nine-Tiered Ice Plain Wolf Beast Crystal, broke through along the way,” Yun Han said casually.
The two chatted as they walked, talking about recent happenings.
Shen Xu, however, seemed preoccupied. He pursed his lips, looking at Yun Han, who was cold and aloof, and hesitated, “Did you know Xiao Tang has returned to the Imperial City p>
Yun Han sneered coldly, “I heard. It’s a wonder she’s alive to come back p>
Hearing his mocking words, Shen Xu couldn’t help but frown slightly, speaking softly, “Do you really despise her that much p>
“Ha, that foolish and ugly female, don’t you hate her a lot too? Only someone with a screw loose would like her,” Yun Han said harshly, his speech dripping with open disdain and loathing.
Listening to these familiar words made Shen Xu’s feelings even more complicated.
He pondered, hesitated, and said, “She has changed a lot since returning this time, not the same as before, she’s not as annoying now p>
Yun Han halted, looked Shen Xu up and down as if seeing a ghost, and seemed full of doubt, “What’s gotten into you today? Why are you suddenly praising that worthless trash p>
They had grown up together, and Yun Han remembered how much Shen Xu used to hate his bothersome sister, often complaining about her to him. This initially left Yun Han with a bad first impression of Shen Tang, only to be further exacerbated by her subsequent reckless deeds, making him utterly despise this ordinary, foolish female even more.
Rumor had it that after going to the polluted lands, she became fat and hideous. Yun Han had once accidentally seen a picture of the ugly woman and almost vomited his dinner from the night before.
Shen Xu didn’t quite know how to respond, his expression complex. He sighed softly, “She spent over a year in the polluted lands, maybe she really learned from her hardships and changed, not the same as before. We should also change our view on her p>
Before he could finish, he was met with a cold sneer.
Yun Han was filled with disdain, his tone full of disgust, “That female is very deceitful, she’s always been great at pretending, you know that p>
As he spoke, he furrowed his long sword-like brows, his expression growing more repulsed.
This time, that ugly female would surely try every means to pester him.
The thought of seeing that ugly face again filled Yun Han with killing intent, his body radiating a fierce chill that made others shrink away in fear.
In his heart, there was only Qingli.
In this world, only such a beautiful and kind female like Qingli would be worthy of him.
If that worthless ugly woman had any sense, she should stay far away and never appear before him again!
“But Shen Xu started to say something, but Yun Han impatiently interrupted, his tone icy, “I didn’t come back this time for irrelevant people, nor to listen to things that turn the stomach. Where is Qingli p>
“She’s heard you’re back and is busy dressing up; she should be over soon,” Shen Xu replied, swallowing back his unspoken words.
Yun Han and the others, usually out adventuring and ignorant of happenings by their window, likely had no idea what had happened in the Empire these past months, probably unaware of Shen Tang’s transformation.
Once Yun Han realized Shen Tang had become intelligent and beautiful, a dazzling light years apart from her former ugly demeanor, who knows if he would maintain this repelled attitude or regret the annulled engagement back then.
However, seeing as he’s wholly invested in Shen Qingli now, perhaps he wouldn’t care.
Upon hearing news about Shen Qingli, Yun Han’s expression softened, revealing a gentle look.
The group went to wait in a nearby pavilion.
Since Yun Han’s appearance, the aristocratic women in the city were flocking over to sneak a peek, feeling both excited and envious, yet regretful.
The vice-adjutant, Lin Yu, crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar, glancing around and letting out an amused “tsk-tsk”, “Did the sun rise in the west? It’s been this long, and that ugly woman hasn’t come to bother the Young Master p>
“Yeah, it’s really strange. Usually, at times like this, that ugly woman would for sure be there, trying her hardest to elbow her way in, just to make the Young Master notice her p>
“You think she hasn’t shown up today p>
“Ah, it can’t be, she’s so crazy about the Young Master, she surely wouldn’t not come?” someone sneered, “I bet she got so humiliated and scolded before, she’s hiding somewhere nearby watching secretly p>
“Hahaha… exactly! That ugly woman only deserves to watch the Young Master from the sidelines p>
A burst of laughter rippled around.
Hearing this, Yun Han instinctively swept his gaze around, but didn’t see Shen Tang anywhere.
He frowned slightly, a strange feeling stirring within him, and turned to Shen Xu, “Your adopted sister isn’t in town today p>
Shen Xu nodded, “She voluntarily moved out of the Princess Mansion and isn’t living in the Imperial City now p>
Upon hearing this, that faint odd feeling in Yun Han’s heart disappeared, a mocking curl lifting his lips.
He knew it, that crazy woman’s obsession with him was so utterly deranged, knowing he returned today, how could she possibly not try to worm her way over to him? So, she had been driven away.