Chapter 160: Chapter 160 - 154: The Mysterious Man in Black

The Emperor promised to restore Shen Tang’s status as a princess in front of all the citizens of the Empire. Even if they were unwilling, they could not go back on their word, or it would damage the Royal Family’s reputation and intensify the people’s rebellious sentiment.

The Emperor and Empress thought to themselves: It’s only restoring the title of princess, which is nominal without real power. Naturally, they wouldn’t give Shen Tang actual authority; keeping her close would make her easier to control.

Shen Tang, this worthless adopted daughter, could only be a stepping stone for their biological daughter.

The Empress comforted Shen Qingli for quite a while.

Even so, on the eve of the princess’s ceremonial conferment, Shen Qingli was driven to insomnia from rage, her overwhelming hatred nearly consuming her.

That vile woman humiliated her repeatedly!

How could she let her steal her only position?!

At that moment, Shen Qingli completely hated Shen Tang, and a strong murderous intent surfaced in her heart. If she could silently deal with her, it would truly be a delight!

Thinking this, a figure flashed in her mind. She pursed her lips, opened the Light Computer, and pulled out a contact from the blacklist.

The avatar of this account was completely black, and their chat history was empty.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Shen Qingli’s eyes. She hadn’t intended to contact him again, but now Shen Tang was no longer the neglected waste she used to be.

That vile woman is now in the limelight, and the entire Empire is watching her.

If she rashly arranged for an assassin, the situation might be exposed.

Once exposed, her reputation and prestige would be utterly destroyed. She absolutely could not afford to make a wrong move!

...

Meanwhile, inside the Princess Mansion.

In a certain secret room.

Xue Yinzhou was more than familiar with this place.

That female had imprisoned him here, humiliating and torturing him for years; every gap between the wall tiles had been stained with his blood.

Remembering the ugly face of that female from back then still made him nauseous and disgusted.

Yet Shen Tang’s visage surfaced in his mind once more.

It always arose uncontrollably; it wasn’t the first time.

Xue Yinzhou didn’t know when he suddenly began to notice her. Clearly, he used to detest her, too loath even to spare her a glance.

Perhaps it was from the day she stopped gambling.

Perhaps it was when she took up cooking, refining culinary skills to prepare delicious meals for the Beast Husband returning from hunting.

Perhaps it was when she awakened Healing, actively helping Xiao Jin and the others with their injuries.

Or maybe when she took care of the wandering cubs in Greenfield City, with utmost tenderness and patience, which always made him secretly observe.

Xue Yinzhou couldn’t help but think that if he had met the present Shen Tang as a youth, perhaps he wouldn’t have endured those nightmares that haunt him at midnight.

When this thought crossed his mind, Xue Yinzhou was also startled.

Clearly the same person, why did he have such thoughts?

But he could no longer equate the present Shen Tang with the malicious female from back then.

He used to think Shen Tang was pretending, utterly disgusted by her pretense, wanting to tear apart her disguise.

Yet her subsequent actions caused his suspicions to waver.

Until the moment she divorced him, granting him freedom, her gaze full of determination, with not a shred of regret or desire to keep him, his doubts collapsed entirely, his heart experiencing a twinge of inexplicable discomfort and suffocation.

She truly had changed.

Completely unlike before.

But the harm he caused her could not be undone.

When he wished to draw near her, she pushed him away.

Xue Yinzhou had an aura of cold solemnity, emotions hard to discern.

He surveyed the underground chamber.

These days, Xue Yinzhou had been staying in the underground chamber, searching for the key, yet to no avail.

Just as he doubted whether he was searching in the wrong place.

Suddenly, the door to the underground chamber opened.

A hurried series of footsteps followed.

Xue Yinzhou’s eyes darkened before immediately concealing his form, slipping into a concealed corner of the chamber, perfectly hiding his presence.

From childhood, to evade pursuit, Xue Yinzhou honed his hiding skills; otherwise, he would have perished long ago.

Soon, Xue Yinzhou saw Shen Qingli rushing into the underground chamber.

He furrowed his brow slightly. Why would Shen Qingli come here?

Shen Qingli had been in the Princess Mansion for over a year; discovering the chamber’s existence was not unexpected.

She might have searched the chamber long ago, scavenging for Shen Tang’s hidden treasures, yet with her arrogant and prideful nature, she certainly wouldn’t come to a dark, dirty chamber without reason.

Xue Yinzhou remained expressionless, continuing to observe her.

Shen Qingli was draped in black gauze, shrouding half her face, her expression anxious and uneasy, pacing back and forth as if waiting for someone.

Xue Yinzhou was even more certain she was up to something; this disguise seemed as if she feared being recognized by outsiders.

Soon, the chamber door opened once more, followed by a tall, burly shadow appearing silently in the dark room.

Even Xue Yinzhou hadn’t immediately perceived when the figure appeared.

Xue Yinzhou narrowed his silver-purple snake eyes, a glimmer of coldness flashing within.

In the Empire, Beastmen with such power were exceedingly rare.

Unfortunately, the visitor was entirely concealed by a black robe, tightly covering even his eyes, like an ethereal ghost, making it difficult to detect his presence.

Upon seeing the black-clad man, Shen Qingli’s face lit up with joy, "You’ve finally come; I have something very important needing your help."

"What kind of assistance does Your Highness require this time?" The black-robed figure’s voice croaked through the cloth, rasping like sandpaper over coarse ground, conveying a sinister, uncanny feeling, whether that was his natural voice or intentionally disguised.

Shen Qingli’s eyes were blood-red, her nails digging fiercely into her palm, her voice full of venomous cruelty, "I want you to kill Shen Tang! I want that impostor to die a tragic death at the ceremony site!"

The system was still undergoing upgrades, making it unusable, so Shen Qingli was unaware that Xue Yinzhou was nearby, overhearing their conversation.

Of course, even if she knew, Shen Qingli wouldn’t worry.

This Snake Beast utterly loathes that vile woman; he’d definitely wish for her death, perhaps even assist her in carrying it out!

"Ha, Your Highness is truly merciless towards that impostor!" The black-clad man laughed aloud, suddenly gripping her delicate and beautiful chin, his voice dripping with ambiguous desire, "But requesting assistance requires a price."

Shen Qingli laughed coyly, hooking his neck, bestowing a fragrant kiss, soon both descending to the ground, the scene growing increasingly chaotic and suggestive, impossible to watch directly.

Xue Yinzhou withdrew his gaze, his figure vanishing into thin air.

More than half an hour later, Shen Qingli emerged from the chamber, her face flushed, making her bewitching countenance appear even more alluring and captivating.

Suddenly, a tall and slender white figure appeared in front of her.

Shen Qingli wore a look of astonishment, adjusting her disheveled collar, the corners of her lips curling into a smile, softly inquiring, "Yin Zhou, why have you come over today?"

Xue Yinzhou’s cold gaze fell on her, emotionless and unreadable, merely expressing, "Where have you been?"

Shen Qingli’s heart leapt with joy; this Snake Beast used to completely ignore her, disappearing constantly. Today, he actually came looking for her, even probing into her whereabouts. Perhaps he’s finally noticed her feelings for him?