Shen Zhaoli pursed her red lips, feeling a pang of discomfort in her heart.
Back then, her father and mother had gone missing when she was just two years old.
The court and the country were in turmoil, and Shen Shuangyu, though unmarried, resolutely took it upon herself to protect Shen Zhaoli and her brother.
She brought the two of them into Yuhua Palace and raised them by her side.
Shen Zhijin had to go to the Regent’s residence every few days to learn the ways of an emperor, and by the age of eight, he had moved out of Yuhua Palace.
But Shen Zhaoli had genuinely been raised by Shen Shuangyu’s side for eight years—though not mother and daughter, they were closer than mother and daughter.
Over the past three years, she had done many foolish things for Xie Yuheng.
Afraid to let her aunt know, she had visited Yuhua Palace less frequently, a matter she had always felt guilty about.
Shen Zhaoli rarely showed vulnerability, but now her phoenix eyes, clear as glass, gazed at Shen Shuangyu.
“Aunt, I was foolish in the past. Can you forgive Li’er?”
Shen Shuangyu shook her head gently, her eyes soft.
“What nonsense are you talking? As long as you can let go, that’s all that matters.”
“Let go? Pfft, she’s been chasing after Xie Yuheng for three years. How could she possibly let go?”
A woman’s arrogant and domineering voice rang out, instantly plunging the entire viewing platform into silence.
Everyone gasped in shock.
Everyone knew about this matter, but who would dare to openly bring it up in front of Princess Changle?
To disrespect Princess Changle was to court death.
Only Junzhu Anning, relying on her status, would dare to strut up to Princess Changle like this.
Kuang Lianyue wore a crimson peach blossom mist gauze dress, looking stunningly beautiful.
Her brows and eyes carried a hint of arrogance as she walked up to Shen Zhaoli.
“Abandoned by your fiancé at your own birthday banquet, unable to keep a man by your side—you’ve completely disgraced the royal family. And yet you still have the face to attend the Spring Radiance Banquet?”
“What? Did you hear that Xie Yuheng was coming and rush over here like a desperate fool?”
The entire hall fell silent, everyone bowing their heads, not daring to make a sound.
On the high platform, Shen Zhaoli’s expression turned cold. Her phoenix eyes swept over the crowd, exuding an oppressive aura.
Kuang Lianyue instinctively shrank her neck, then straightened her spine with a grimace.
“What are you looking at? Was anything I said wrong?”
Shen Zhaoli sneered. “Do you think I would care about a mere man? If he displeases me, I can simply discard him.”
Kuang Lianyue stared at Shen Zhaoli in astonishment. Who in all of Yujing didn’t know that Shen Zhaoli loved Xie Yuheng as if her life depended on it?
Could she really just discard him like that?
It wasn’t just Kuang Lianyue who was shocked—everyone present wore expressions of disbelief.
Was Princess Changle really giving up on Prime Minister Xie?
This was as unbelievable as the sun rising from the west, a tale straight out of fantasy.
But looking at Shen Zhaoli’s demeanor now, everyone couldn’t help but feel that she was telling the truth.
Kuang Lianyue stared at Shen Zhaoli for a moment before suddenly bursting into mocking laughter, her body trembling with amusement.
“Shen Zhaoli, who would believe you if you said that?”
“Everyone in Yujing knows you’re nothing but Xie Yuheng’s lapdog. The moment he crooks a finger, you lose all your dignity.”
Kuang Lianyue’s eyes were filled with provocation as she leaned closer to Shen Zhaoli.
“Do you have any idea how pathetic and disgusting you look?”
“If I were you, I’d throw myself against the South City Gate and die, just to spare the royal family any further shame.”
Kuang Lianyue was the adopted child of Regent Shen Changling.
Shen Changling had devoted the first half of his life to the country, never marrying and having no children of his own.
He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to helping Emperor Shen Zhijin secure his throne.
Yet there were still those who suspected that Shen Changling, as Regent, held immense power in the court and harbored treacherous ambitions.
Thirteen years ago, Shen Changling brought back a one-year-old baby girl to adopt, openly declaring he would never marry in this lifetime.
This finally silenced the endless gossip throughout the land.
After Shen Zhijin firmly secured the reins of government, Shen Changling relinquished his power and left, traveling far and wide.
The Prince Regent’s Mansion was left with only Kuang Lianyue as its young mistress, naturally enjoying privileges everywhere.
Shen Zhaoli remembered that Kuang Lianyue, this sister three years her junior, had been very fond of her when they were young.
Always clinging to her side.
She didn’t know when it started, but Kuang Lianyue began opposing her at every turn.
Causing trouble every few days.
If Shen Zhaoli admired Xie Yuheng, Kuang Lianyue would compete for his attention as well.
But with Xie Yuheng’s aloof and proud nature, he never showed her any favor.
After being rebuffed by Xie Yuheng several times, Kuang Lianyue directed all her resentment toward Shen Zhaoli.
Growing increasingly confrontational with her.
Shen Zhaoli’s phoenix eyes sharpened, her aura oppressive.
“For the sake of the Imperial Uncle, if you keep quiet, I will not hold this against you.”
Kuang Lianyue showed no restraint, her expression growing even more mocking.
“Hold it against me? Oh, I’m truly terrified.”
“If it weren’t for my father back then, could you have secured your position as the Eldest Princess?”
“Others may not know your true nature, but I certainly do. If you have the nerve, take this matter further—better yet, bring it before His Majesty. Your precious Prime Minister Xie will surely face punishment.”
Seeing Shen Zhaoli fall silent, Kuang Lianyue’s eyes filled with triumph, her laughter low and arrogant.
“Shen Zhaoli, if you don’t want this to escalate, find a secluded spot and kneel down to beg me.”
A cold glint flashed in Shen Zhaoli’s eyes.
For the past three years, every time Xie Yuheng abandoned her without a care, Kuang Lianyue would mock her relentlessly.
In the past, for the sake of Xie Yuheng’s reputation, she never wanted to escalate matters.
And out of consideration for the Imperial Uncle, she often chose not to confront Kuang Lianyue.
But now, she was no longer willing.
Slap!
A resounding slap landed on Kuang Lianyue’s face, instantly reddening her fair cheek.
“You… how dare you hit me?” Kuang Lianyue widened her eyes in disbelief.
Shen Zhaoli’s lips curved slightly, her expression calm yet unable to conceal the cold pride in her eyes.
“What if I did?”
“This first strike is for your disrespect toward your elder sister, for your arrogance!”
Slap!
“The second strike is for your insolence toward your superiors, for disregarding propriety!”
Slap!
“The third strike is for your reckless words, for your wild and unfounded accusations!”
Kuang Lianyue was stunned by Shen Zhaoli’s imposing presence, clutching her cheek in a daze.
The red palm prints on her jade-like face had already begun to swell slightly, and the hairpin in her hair had loosened, leaving no trace of her earlier grace and beauty.
Shen Zhaoli’s slender fingers brushed against Kuang Lianyue’s temple, tucking away a stray strand of hair, but her voice carried a warning.
“If you dare speak recklessly again and bring trouble upon the Imperial Uncle, do not blame me for being merciless.”
Kuang Lianyue was momentarily taken aback, calming down slightly.
The court officials had long been wary of Regent Shen Changling.
Even though Shen Changling had already traveled the world, officials still submitted memorials daily, urging the abolition of the regency.
But Shen Zhijin owed Shen Changling a great debt of gratitude; though an uncle, he was more like a father.
How could he possibly turn against him after achieving his goals?
If Kuang Lianyue’s words today were to spread, the entire court would surely rise against the Regent to uphold the dignity of the court.