The tribute banquet was lively with wine and merriment, as cups clinked and laughter filled the air, creating an illusion of a prosperous and peaceful era. However, at the VIP seats, the cautious undertones in the conversation between Emperor Wenhui and the Crown Prince of Qin, Huangfu Hao, did not escape the notice of those who were observant enough to read between the lines.
Among the states of Qin, Great Coolness, and Ming Qi, Ming Qi was the weakest, Qin the second, and Great Coolness the strongest. The Yongle Emperor's notoriously aggressive policies had instilled wariness in both Qin and Ming Qi, hence the respectful treatment extended to Prince Rui from Great Coolness. As for Huangfu Hao, his words to Prince Rui were laced with subtle probing.
Most of the ladies present couldn’t take their eyes off Prince Rui, captivated by his every graceful move. While Ming Qi had its fair share of distinguished and handsome men, such as Fu Xiuyi, they paled in comparison to Prince Rui’s innate elegance and noble bearing, appearing somewhat awkward beside him.
Luo Tan, though fond of beautiful men, was easily distracted. She soon turned her attention to the exquisite delicacies, sampling one dish after another with evident delight.
Since the tribute banquet did not segregate men and women, official families sat together. Luo Ling, seated close to Shen Miao, noticed she wasn’t eating and gently placed a piece of snowflake cake in her hand, saying softly, "Cousin, have something to eat, or you’ll be too weak to return later."
Shen Qiu had intended to serve Shen Miao a piece himself, but Luo Ling beat him to it. Left with the cake on his chopsticks and nowhere to place it—his own bowl was already full, and a grown man eating snowflake cake seemed odd—he set it down in front of Feng Anning, who was nearest to Shen Miao.
Feng Anning accepted it with flustered gratitude but merely stared at the cake without eating.
At that moment, Huangfu Hao suddenly spoke up, "This prince has heard that Grand General of Might, General Shen, recently returned to the capital. His reputation precedes him, and I wonder if I might have the honor of meeting him today?"
His words instantly hushed the lively banquet.
The Crown Prince of Qin wanted to meet Shen Xin? What could this mean?
Shen Xin and the Crown Prince of Qin had no prior connection. Yet here they were—one a general recently recalled to Fixed Capital by Emperor Wenhui, the other the Crown Prince of Qin—both figures of sensitive standing. The crowd couldn’t help but glance at Emperor Wenhui’s expression.
Emperor Wenhui’s smile remained unchanged, as though this were a trivial request, and he turned to Shen Xin. "Minister Shen."
Shen Xin promptly stood and bowed to Huangfu Hao. "This humble general greets Your Highness."
Huangfu Hao smiled. "I’ve long heard of General Shen’s unmatched bravery, how even scattered troops at the border could form new battle formations under your command. When the Shen Family Army returned to the capital, the people lined the streets in celebration." He sighed. "Ah, if only Great Qin had such a talent, we’d be secure for a century."
Emperor Wenhui’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, while the ministers at the banquet exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions turning complex as they regarded Shen Xin.It was said that even scattered troops under Shen Xin's command at the border could form battle formations. On the surface, this praised Shen Xin's exceptional talent, but it subtly hinted at his danger. A tree that stands out in the forest will inevitably be toppled by the wind—a truth as old as time. And with the people's support so fervent, for a general who had been exiled from the capital by the emperor, it meant that between the imperial family and Shen Xin, the people stood on Shen Xin's side. No royal family would tolerate a subordinate whose popularity surpassed their own.
As for the final remark, it truly pushed Shen Xin into the eye of the storm. Huangfu Hao was openly attempting to poach Shen Xin right in front of Emperor Wenhui. Even if the Ming Qi ministers present harbored ulterior motives, they would still unite against an external threat. Their gazes at Shen Xin were unmistakably those directed at a traitorous general.
Shen Miao's eyes darkened as she coldly stared at Huangfu Hao.
Huangfu Hao took great pleasure in watching others struggle, as if cruelty were embedded in the bloodline of the Qin State's royal family. Shen Xin currently had no conflict with Qin State, yet Huangfu Hao still refused to let them off. Perhaps this was destined enmity.
Before Emperor Wenhui could speak, a soft chuckle was heard. Everyone turned to see Prince Rui, seated in the VIP section, setting down his wine cup and looking at Huangfu Hao.
His voice was deep and pleasant, carrying a lazy intoxication that was almost mesmerizing, though his words were anything but polite.
He said, "Brother Huangfu, since you hold General Shen in such high regard, you might as well ask His Majesty for him. His Majesty is generous and magnanimous—he surely wouldn’t refuse."
Though the words seemed to play along, they carried a different weight to those listening.
Huangfu Hao had no real intention of recruiting Shen Xin; he merely wanted to push him into a precarious position and watch him struggle. If Emperor Wenhui actually handed Shen Xin over, Qin State, bound by face, would have to treat him well. But who knew if Shen Xin was a spy for Emperor Wenhui? Qin State and Ming Qi were still in a phase of mutual probing—who would keep an untrusted person around, inviting trouble every day?
Emperor Wenhui also realized this, and his earlier unease gradually faded, returning to his previous demeanor. Smiling, he said, "Talent is cherished everywhere. If the Crown Prince insists on having General Shen, I can only comply with your wishes."
Now, it was Huangfu Hao who found himself in an awkward position. The more fiercely he had provoked earlier, the more disadvantageous his current situation became. There was no way he could actually take Shen Xin back, but backing down now would make him appear weak. And all of this was due to a single remark from that so-called Prince Rui. Huangfu Hao glared fiercely at the masked man, as if trying to etch him into his memory.
Ming An Princess, being aligned with Huangfu Hao, naturally sought to help him out of this predicament. However, she was unwilling to antagonize the infinitely charismatic Prince Rui, and she truly couldn’t afford to offend anyone from Great Coolness. Her frustration was thus directed entirely at the Shen family. Looking at Shen Xin, she suddenly let out a delicate laugh.Her voice was naturally delicate and sweet, but her current tone carried a sharp edge. She said, "How could we dare to ask for General Shen's return? Such a valiant warrior would only give His Highness the Crown Prince and me a headache. It would be better to take Miss Shen back instead. I’ve heard she is the apple of General Shen’s eye—a true beauty. I wonder if our great Qin State has the fortune to claim her?"
Luo Tan and Feng Anning immediately grasped Shen Miao’s hands, their expressions turning wary. Luo Ling and Shen Qing’s expressions shifted slightly, while Shen Qiu and Luo Xueyan’s faces darkened. Shen Xin abruptly turned his gaze toward Ming An Princess.
As for Shen Miao, she kept her head lowered, staring at the teacup before her as if she hadn’t heard the princess’s words at all. She watched the tea leaves swirl and drift before slowly sinking to the bottom of the cup.
A nation’s general could not be easily taken away, but the daughter of a subject was a different matter. It was common practice to forge alliances by marrying off princesses or noble daughters. Yet no one truly wished to be sent to a foreign land, where they would have no family to rely on and would have to swallow any grievances alone.
Shen Xin laughed and said, "My daughter is unruly and unworthy of Your Highness’s favor." His words carried an unmistakable refusal, devoid of any courtesy.
Emperor Wenhui’s gaze was distant, and he showed no intention of intervening. Shen Xin had always been blunt, and when it came to Shen Miao, his stance was unyielding.
From the side, Shen Yue’s eyes flashed with schadenfreude. She would have loved nothing more than to see Shen Miao married off to Qin State—preferably to some old man as a concubine, where she would suffer and die alone in a foreign land.
Ming An Princess had not expected Shen Xin to reject her so bluntly, and displeasure instantly colored her expression. Since she had already redirected the conversation away from Shen Xin earlier, Huangfu Hao had no reason to intervene again. He sat idly by, sipping wine with an air of indifference as he watched the princess corner the Shen family.
Ming An Princess said, "That’s no way to speak. Everyone knows the young lady of the Shen Family Army is both virtuous and talented. What, does Miss Shen look down on me, refusing to even greet me?"
With such an accusation of rudeness thrown at her, Shen Miao could no longer avoid the matter. She stood up gracefully and bowed to Ming An Princess. "This humble subject greets Your Highness."
The moment she rose, all eyes in the hall turned to her.
Two years were enough to change many things—including the deeply ingrained impression of her as an incompetent girl, which had faded with time and distance. The young woman who stood before them now was a far cry from the girl they remembered. Dressed in a light purple robe, her skin seemed translucent as jade. Despite spending two years in a place like Xiaochun City, the harsh winds and sands had not roughened her in the slightest. Instead, she carried an even more pronounced air of nobility. Her delicate features were pleasing to the eye, yet her every movement exuded a quiet authority. Gentleness and strength merged seamlessly within her, creating an aura of dignified grace.
Even the Empress at the Emperor’s side seemed to lack her innate elegance.Princess Ming An frowned. She hadn’t expected Shen Miao to possess such striking beauty and dignified bearing. Though she had long heard of Shen Miao’s reputation as an Incompetent, she had brought her up merely to embarrass the Shen family. Never did she imagine she would end up hoist with her own petard.
But Princess Ming An was still Princess Ming An, and she had every reason to be arrogant. With a lift of her brow, she scrutinized Shen Miao from head to toe as if appraising goods, then said, “Miss Shen is as lovely as a flower and as radiant as the moon—truly an outstanding beauty. No wonder General Shen treasures you like a pearl hidden away. I wonder which fortunate family will have the honor of welcoming you into their household someday?”
Her words were clearly overstepping. Shen Xin’s eyes flashed with anger. Though he had to consider her status, he couldn’t tolerate his daughter being publicly spoken of in such a manner. Just as he was about to speak, Princess Ming An swiftly changed the subject: “I suppose Miss Shen must also be exceptionally talented?”
At this, the expressions in the hall turned peculiar once more. Yi Peilan and the others barely suppressed their laughter.
What talents did Shen Miao have? That was something everyone knew well. Moreover, she had spent the last two years in Xiaochun City, a remote frontier town filled with martial folk—likely making her even more uncouth.
Shen Miao lowered her gaze slightly. “Your Highness flatters me. I am but a person of shallow learning.”
“There’s no need for modesty, Miss Shen.” Princess Ming An smiled innocently. “Speaking of which, while I was still in Qin State, I once heard that years ago, during the Verification in Ming Qi, you competed in mounted archery and achieved First Class. When I heard of it, I was deeply moved. Now that I see you again, I’m reminded of this old tale.”
Shen Miao remained silent, her head still bowed. Luo Xueyan and Shen Qiu, however, grew increasingly anxious. By now, even a blind man could see that Princess Ming An was deliberately provoking Shen Miao.
Her words brought back memories of the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet and the Verification, where Shen Miao had competed against Cai Lin in mounted archery, silencing him with three arrows and sending him off in disgrace. It was then that a Shen Miao, utterly unlike her former self, had first appeared before the public.
As it happened, Cai Daren and Cai Lin were also present at the tribute banquet. Cai Lin’s face immediately flushed crimson. Now two years older, he had matured considerably compared to his former arrogance. His past grievances with Shen Miao had long faded with time, and his infatuation with Shen Yue had also waned—one might say their enmity had dissolved into laughter. Yet here he was, his old shame dredged up before so many, leaving him utterly mortified.
Cai Lin wasn’t the only one reminiscing. In a corner of the banquet hall sat Lin'an Hou Xie Ding and his two sons. The marquis had grown increasingly frail, his former vigor long gone. Even on such occasions, he sought only a quiet corner. The sudden mention of the Verification reminded him that Xie Jingxing had also been present that day—and had unexpectedly taken the field, unseating Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao from their horses. Though he had scolded Xie Jingxing furiously upon their return, deep down, he had been proud of him.
The memories only deepened his sorrow. Xie Ding’s face darkened with despair, unnoticed by all except Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao beside him. A shadow of malice flickered simultaneously in their eyes.Meanwhile, Ming An Princess continued, "This princess is in the mood today and wishes to compete with Miss Shen. How about a mounted archery contest? Just a simple game, nothing more."
Her words were abrupt and strange. Emperor Wenhui was the first to laugh, saying, "Miss Shen is a delicate young lady. How could she possibly know something like mounted archery?"
"Your Majesty may not be aware," Ming An Princess smiled, "but Miss Shen's grace was once renowned even in Qin State. They say a tiger father does not beget a dog daughter. Since General Shen is so heroic, Miss Shen must surely be an extraordinary woman as well. Besides, if Miss Shen is a delicate maiden, does that mean this princess is not? Or does Your Majesty believe Qin State is unworthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ming Qi?"
Though Ming An Princess appeared delicate, her words were venomous. With a single sentence, she dragged the entire nation of Ming Qi into the matter. Refusing the challenge would imply Ming Qi looked down on Qin State. At such a moment, how could Emperor Wenhui allow any rift between Qin State and Ming Qi? He immediately turned to Shen Miao with a seemingly gentle tone, "What does Miss Shen think?"
Shen Xin clenched his fists, wishing he could outright refuse this unreasonable demand on Shen Miao's behalf. But doing so would only give Ming An Princess a more legitimate pretext.
Shen Miao, however, glanced at Ming An Princess and lowered her head, replying, "If the princess commands, this humble subject dare not disobey."
"Dare not disobey"—her words still conveyed unwillingness, as though Ming An Princess was bullying her with her status.
Ming An Princess caught the implication in Shen Miao's words. Her expression darkened momentarily before she suddenly giggled coyly. "I heard that during the Verification, Miss Shen and her opponent competed with their lives at stake. Why don’t we do the same today? How about it?"
"Absolutely not!" Shen Xin cut in before Shen Miao could finish, his face icy. Without regard for Emperor Wenhui’s reaction, he stared at Ming An Princess and enunciated each word, "Your Highness called this a game, so let it remain a game. Why involve lives? Moreover, the tribute banquet is a joyous occasion—it is ill-advised to bring blades into such festivities."
Luo Xueyan, seeing Shen Xin speak up, couldn’t help but grip her teacup tightly. Back during the Verification, when Shen Miao had wagered her life against Cai Lin, they hadn’t known about it at the time. Only after returning to the capital did they learn of it, and the memory still chilled them. Had they been present, they would never have allowed Shen Miao to stake her life. Now, this Ming An Princess from Qin State clearly harbored ill intentions—how could they let Shen Miao take such a risk?
Unexpectedly, Huangfu Hao spoke up at this moment. Smiling, he said, "Even so, treating the game seriously demonstrates Qin State’s earnest respect for Ming Qi. General Shen, it’s just a game between Miss Shen and my younger sister. Are you afraid? Or is Ming Qi... afraid of losing face?" His words were barbed as he turned to Emperor Wenhui. "If Ming Qi fears humiliation from defeat, we can simply let Ming An drop the matter today. No harm done."
With the matter now elevated to national pride, Emperor Wenhui could no longer stay silent. To allow Qin State to humiliate Ming Qi before his ministers would undermine his authority. Without even glancing at Shen Xin, he directly addressed Shen Miao, "Since Ming An Princess is in the mood, Shen Miao, accompany her for a round of play."Once the emperor's golden words were spoken, any further objections from Shen Xin were futile. Shen Qiu clenched his fists tightly, while Luo Tan and Feng Anning exchanged uneasy glances.
Shen Miao softly replied, "Understood."
Her calm demeanor took everyone by surprise. Ming An Princess turned to look at Shen Miao, their gazes meeting.
Shen Miao's eyes were extraordinarily clear, like those of an innocent child—eyes that should have revealed every thought. Yet, as they rested on Ming An Princess, they were as still as a millennial pond, undisturbed by even the slightest ripple, betraying no emotion whatsoever.
Utterly inscrutable.
Ming An Princess felt an inexplicable irritation. With a smile, she instructed her maid to fetch the bow and arrows, then fixed her gaze on Shen Miao and said, "This is a game I often played in Da Qin. One person holds the bow and arrows blindfolded, while another places a fruit on their body as the target." She scrutinized Shen Miao's expression closely. "Does Miss Shen understand?"
The onlookers gasped. During the previous Verification on the Verification ground, Shen Miao and Cai Lin had balanced Herb Fruits on their heads—but at least their eyes had been open. Shooting blindfolded was tantamount to placing one's life in another's hands. The mere thought sent chills down their spines. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were already seething with rage.
Shen Miao smiled faintly, seemingly unfazed by Ming An Princess's words, and replied, "Thank you for the explanation, Your Highness."
Her composure upheld the dignity of Ming Qi, earning the admiration of many present. Huangfu Hao watched her intently, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes.
Luo Tan tugged at Shen Miao's sleeve. "Little cousin, let me go in your place. I've trained in martial arts and can dodge if necessary."
Shen Miao shook her head. Turning to Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, who were still trying to intervene, she whispered, "Don't worry. If she proposes this, she must be confident she won't hit me. If she does, they'll face considerable trouble. Huangfu Hao and Ming An are clever—they won't act recklessly. This is just to frighten me and make me lose face."
"But sister," Shen Qiu gripped her shoulders anxiously, "you'll be alone and afraid. Whether she hits you or not, how can we let you go alone?"
"I'm not afraid," Shen Miao answered gently. "Besides, if she harms me, I'll have my turn. Why let her off so easily?" As she spoke, the corners of her lips curled slightly into a smile, yet it sent a palpable chill down the spines of those who saw it.
Luo Ling patted Shen Miao's shoulder and murmured, "Be careful."
Shen Miao nodded and strode toward the main hall.
She and Ming An Princess walked toward the hall at the same time, but the contrast between them was striking. Ming An Princess, a true royal nurtured in the lap of luxury, was undeniably beautiful and should have exuded noble grace. Yet beside Shen Miao—who walked with her hands clasped, back straight, gaze forward, radiating dignified elegance—Ming An Princess paled in comparison, her grandeur rendered insignificant.
Murmurs of astonishment gradually rose in the hall.
Huangfu Hao's expression darkened.To be fair, it was not that Ming An Princess lacked grace, but rather that Shen Miao's dignified and composed demeanor made those around her appear dull in comparison. Yet it was puzzling to think about—after all, Shen Miao was merely the daughter of a minister, while Ming An Princess had grown up in the palace. How could she still fall short of Shen Miao?
Naturally, they did not know that Shen Miao had once been an Empress in the imperial harem for many years. Moreover, she had pushed herself to perfection for Fu Xiuyi's sake, and the hardships she endured in Qin State had ultimately bestowed upon her an unshakable poise, unruffled by praise or blame. In her past life, had it not been for Mei Furen's covert rivalry and Fu Xiuyi's indulgence, she could have truly been an Empress who embodied maternal grace and ruled with virtue.
But that perfect dream had been shattered mercilessly, leaving her with an irrepressible radiance in this life.
Unaware of the crowd's expressions, Ming An Princess turned her gaze to Shen Miao, weighing the gleaming black longbow in her hand. The bow was likely crafted from the finest wood and treated with special herbs, making it appear exceptionally sturdy and heavy. Ming An Princess said to Shen Miao, "This is my bow. Let us take turns with one arrow each, shall we? I will shoot first, and then it will be your turn to draw the bow."
With those words, the order was set, and the people from Ming Qi once again showed signs of indignation. Ming An Princess was clearly taking advantage of her position to bully others.
Yet Shen Miao merely responded indifferently, her expression unwavering.
The more indifferent she appeared, the more frustrated Ming An Princess felt. Glancing at the VIP seats, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she said sweetly, "But since we're competing here now, some might think it unfair. Why not have Prince Rui of Great Coolness act as the judge? He can stand here and inspect the bows to ensure neither of us cheats." As she spoke, her eyes lingered affectionately on Prince Rui.
The young ladies of Ming Qi present inwardly cursed Ming An Princess for her shamelessness. This was clearly an excuse to get closer to Prince Rui, likely driven by infatuation with his striking looks. However, Prince Rui was known for his capricious nature, and such a bizarre request would likely be refused.
To everyone's surprise, Prince Rui pondered for a moment before nodding. "Very well."
This unexpected response left the crowd stunned, even drawing glances from Emperor Wenhui and Huangfu Hao. Prince Rui lazily rose from his seat, his long legs carrying him to the center of the hall in just a few strides, where he stood beside Shen Miao and Ming An Princess.
Overjoyed, Ming An Princess coyly extended her hand, placing the bow into Prince Rui's palm. With a charming smile, she said, "Then please inspect this bow first, Your Highness, to ensure there are no issues."
From the princes' seats, Prince Zhou sneered and muttered, "This princess of Great Coolness is quite the restless one, flaunting herself so brazenly in front of everyone." His tone dripped with disdain.
"Yet Miss Shen is unexpectedly composed," Jing Wang remarked, watching Shen Miao standing calmly beside Ming An Princess. "Such poise—even if feigned—shows remarkable courage."
"Speaking of which," Prince Zhou stroked his chin, "Miss Shen has grown increasingly captivating." He glanced at Fu Xiuyi, who remained silent. "Ninth Brother, any regrets?"
Fu Xiuyi replied coolly, "Fourth Brother jests."
Behind Fu Xiuyi, a man in a blue robe stood quietly, his gaze piercing through the crowd to rest on the young woman in purple. Pei Lang appeared calm, as if observing a stranger he had just met, yet his hands clenched into fists within his sleeves, trembling slightly.
Two years had passed, and the girl had blossomed into an even more striking beauty, just as she had foretold, "invited" back by the imperial family. No sooner had she returned to the capital than trouble sought her out relentlessly. Though Shen Miao herself did nothing, the winds of adversity refused to let the tree stand still.
But Pei Lang knew Shen Miao would never allow herself to be cornered into a pitiful state. For she possessed a heart far more ruthless than anyone else's.
Prince Rui quickly returned the bow to Ming An Princess, who accepted it with a bashful smile before turning to Shen Miao. "Please stand over there, Miss Shen, and..." She picked up an apple from her maid's tray and handed it to Shen Miao with a bright smile. "Place this on your head."
From his seat, Shen Qiu clenched his fists tightly.
"As you wish," Shen Miao replied softly, taking the apple and walking to the other side.
All eyes followed her movements as Ming An Princess had a black blindfold tied over her eyes. Meanwhile, Prince Rui stepped closer to Shen Miao.Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he snatched the apple from Shen Miao's hand. Shen Miao was taken aback as Prince Rui gently placed the apple on top of her head.
Shen Miao looked up at him.
With the apple balanced precariously, she dared not move too much for fear of it falling, so she could only stare at him motionlessly. The young man was exceptionally tall, and even though Shen Miao had grown a few centimeters over the past two years, she barely reached his chest. She could see the gold-embroidered buttons on his attire and meet his meaningful gaze.
The silver mask revealed the man's handsome chin and red lips, the corners of which curled slightly, making one wonder if the face beneath the mask wore the same teasing smile. His dark eyes were like stars, like Qiu Shui—gentle when they looked at her, yet seemingly mocking.
Mocking?
After placing the apple securely on Shen Miao's head, he curled a finger and lightly ruffled her hair, as if petting a domesticated little animal. But the gesture lasted only a moment before he withdrew his hand. Shielded by his stance, the onlookers would only see the Prince of Great Coolness adjusting the apple for Shen Miao, unaware of any other actions.
He stepped aside, crossing his arms as if waiting for a show to unfold.
Shen Miao's attention was drawn back to Ming An Princess, who was slowly drawing her bow.
The bow seemed heavy, and Ming An Princess struggled with the effort. The more strained her pull, the more the bowstring stretched taut, weighing heavily on the hearts of the spectators—especially the Shen Xin family, whose expressions darkened like still water.
The fuller the bow was drawn, the greater the force behind Ming An Princess's shot, and the more dangerous it became for Shen Miao. The residual force of the arrow might even knock her down. This so-called "game" was far from mere amusement—it was a matter of national pride. Losing would be humiliating, but showing fear would be just as disgraceful. Most spectators favored Ming An Princess, hoping only that Shen Miao wouldn't lose too embarrassingly.
Shen Miao watched quietly as Ming An Princess, her eyes bound with a black cloth, continued to draw the bow with deliberate slowness, as if intentionally tormenting her. The faint creaking of the bowstring gnawed at the nerves of everyone present.
For a moment, Shen Miao's vision blurred. The grand tribute banquet hall faded, replaced by a scene in the distant Qin State. There, the princes, princesses, and noble ladies of Qin had encircled her like spectators to a joke. Dressed in patched clothing, she stood with an apple on her head, staring helplessly at her opponent.
That opponent, arrogant and flamboyant, wore a white blindfold and boasted to the crowd, "Look! Today, the Empress of Ming Qi will hold an apple for me. Watch closely—will this so-called general's daughter wet herself in fear? Ha! Make sure to tell me every detail!"
With a haughty pull, the arrow whistled through the air, veering slightly off course. It pierced through her hair and tore open her collar. She shrieked in panic, clutching her clothes tightly, only to be met with louder jeers from all sides.
What a humiliating memory—and now, it overlapped with the present.Shen Miao slowly curled her lips, unsure whether it was bitterness or hatred. Her clear eyes seemed to be shrouded by a dark mist that gradually spread to their depths, becoming unfathomable.
Beside her, Prince Rui subtly curled his fingers, paused for a moment, then quietly relaxed them again.
She tilted her head slightly, almost imperceptibly to those around her.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
The princess is so annoying ╭（╯^╰）╮
...
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