Chapter 394: Chapter 394 - 386: I Want to See Him

Xue Yinzhou noticed that ever since Shen Tang returned, he seemed out of sorts and his complexion was poor.

He softly asked, "What happened, Tangtang?"

Shen Tang spoke quietly, "I saw him."

"What?"

"I saw... Emperor Yiyuan."

Xue Yinzhou was taken aback, his expression somewhat complex. Her demeanor suggested that seeing the emperor wasn’t a simple matter.

Shen Tang took a deep breath, suppressing his tangled emotions, and spoke in a low voice, "I don’t know if he is Shen Li, but he looks so much like Shen Li, no, they are almost identical! But the feeling he gives off is completely different, making him seem like a stranger, and I don’t dare to step forward and recognize him."

"Could they be brothers?" Xue Yinzhou asked softly.

He didn’t want to think of the worst case, but he feared she would be hurt. The disappointment after hope is true despair—or even greater despair.

Shen Tang shook his head sorrowfully, "It’s not impossible, but how could such a coincidence happen in this world?"

In the Beast World, the birth rate is low, and most females can only give birth to one child. During pregnancy, the embryos will kill each other, leaving the strongest one.

The probability of multiple identical births is extremely low.

Even if mermaid females have more children, it also depends on the bloodline of both parties. Generally speaking, the stronger the bloodline, the fewer children they have, just like the Mermaid Empress Jialouluo and the Sea Race High Priest Lunus, they only had Jia Lan.

Of course, there are exceptions, and the system said she and Shen Qingli are identical twins.

But with such a low probability, it couldn’t happen to her twice, right!

Xue Yinzhou said, "The treasure was handed over, and the Ritual Officer sent it to a specialized institution for appraisal. The earliest result will be out tomorrow morning. We can stay in the palace for one more day."

Shen Tang made up his mind, "I must meet this emperor in person!"

No matter if he is Shen Li or not.

She must uncover the truth.

Xue Yinzhou said, "Then I’ll go with you."

Shen Tang shook her head, "No, you’re too conspicuous. Ever since we entered the palace, these people have been on guard against you. There’s no way they’ll let you see the emperor... You stay here with the others, and I’ll go see the emperor."

If the emperor really is Shen Li, then everything will be fine.

If the emperor is not Shen Li, with her ability, she can still escape unharmed.

Xue Yinzhou frowned, but could only agree, "Then promise to stay safe, I’ll wait nearby."

"Hmm."

The attendants led their group to a remote courtyard for temporary accommodation.

Shen Tang waited until no one was paying attention, then transformed into her true form and climbed over the wall to roam around.

She dared not hastily open the system map again.

Listening to the servants’ conversation on the road—the emperor is now in Huaqing Palace.

She immediately rushed over.

Upon reaching outside Huaqing Palace, as Shen Tang changed into human form to enter, she was stopped by guards, "Idle individuals, without a decree, cannot meet the monarch."

"I’m sent by the merchant boss to personally deliver something to His Majesty."

"No, no matter who you are, you must have a summon order."

Shen Tang had no choice but to leave first, find a secluded corner, and transform again to sneak into the palace.

Suddenly, she stumbled upon a figure she least wanted to see in the distance.

Qiu Yang?!

He’s also in the Imperial Palace?!

Shen Tang’s thoughts scattered, her footing slipped, causing a few tiles to fall to the ground.

The guards immediately looked up, "Who?"

"Is there a stray cat over there?"

"Where would a stray cat come from in the palace? Could it be a Beastman? Quick! Catch it!"

Shen Tang panicked in her heart. Just as she was about to teleport away, she changed her mind and fell from the wall.

She transformed back into human form, with disheveled hair looking pitiful, and shouted in panic, "Please don’t catch me, I accidentally intruded."

"Damn, it really is a Beastman, seize her!"

Shen Tang didn’t resist and was captured by them.

The leading Beastman questioned, "Who are you? How dare you sneak into the palace!"

Shen Tang hurriedly explained, "I came in with the merchant caravan. The boss is presenting a rare treasure to His Majesty today. I was bored and wandered around and accidentally came here..."

The guard cursed, "How can you just wander here? I think you have ulterior motives and are an assassin spy, kill her!"

Shen Tang shouted, "I’m not a spy, I, I must see His Majesty!"

"Why should we take a mysterious spy to see His Majesty?"

"I have something important to tell His Majesty. If you kill me, you can’t bear the consequences!"

The guards didn’t expect such arrogance from this female, exchanging glances, feeling a bit nervous—could there really be something important?

Just then, a sturdy Beastman walked over, "What are you arguing about here? You’re disturbing His Majesty."

The guards hesitated, "We just caught a female who sneaked into the palace, suspecting she is a spy and are considering what to do with her. This female insists on seeing His Majesty."

The Beastman glanced at Shen Tang, saw her ordinary appearance and aura, and waved dismissively, "Fine, take her to see His Majesty. Ask her what she wants, and if she’s lying, drag her out and execute her."

"Yes."

Shen Tang was brought by the Beastmen to the pavilion.

Once again, she saw that noble and handsome silhouette.

The man in a black robe, with red hair casually draping over his shoulders, appeared more charming and noble than just authoritative as he was after the morning court.

Shen Tang’s heart raced uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty, this female intruded into the palace, claiming she wants to see you."

"Oh?" The emperor lifted his eyebrows with interest, casually glancing at the slender figure half-kneeling outside the hall.

Shen Tang stared directly at him, as if there were a thousand words ready to spill out.

Their gazes clashed in the air.

The man’s eyes remained calm and indifferent, as if seeing an unrelated stranger.

Shen Tang’s originally warm and lively heart suddenly grew cold, plunging straight to the bottom.

It was as if something was increasingly distant...

Ji Jiuli’s long lashes slightly drooped, his gaze landed on her arm, and upon spotting a faint red mark, he seemed to frown slightly, or perhaps not.

When Shen Tang felt a glimmer of hope rise again, she heard him speak casually, in a voice clear and cold like a secluded pool, "Just an unnamed and unranked female, is it necessary to bring her to see me personally?"

Shen Tang’s breath caught, doubting her hearing.

She saw the man’s unfamiliar and indifferent eyes, swallowed hard, forcing herself to be rational—she was in disguise now, so he... might not recognize her.

"I am an emissary from the Night Glow Empire, sent to pay respects to His Majesty!"

Shen Tang stared directly into the man’s narrow and beautiful fox-like eyes, trying to discern any flicker of emotion, gritting her teeth, "Our Majesty secretly sent me here! To express gratitude for His Majesty’s previous gesture of wanting to aid our country."

Unfortunately, Ji Jiuli showed only a hint of surprise, with no other emotional variation.

He propped his face with one hand, casually replied, "Thank your Majesty for his kindness, there’s no need for gifts. The two countries have been friends for many years, it’s what should be done."

Shen Tang’s pre-arranged excuses became difficult to articulate in the face of the man’s icy demeanor.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report," suddenly, a tall and upright figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Qiu Yang!

Shen Tang’s pupils contracted, clenching her fingers until they turned white.

The sight of the emperor and Qiu Yang in harmony as ruler and minister, inexplicably piercing, tightened her heart and chilled her body.

It was as if she suddenly understood something...