Chapter 135 - 129: You Are Not Her

Shen Tang was completely shocked, instinctively looking around but unable to find Xue Yinzhou’s figure.

"Didn’t he go to the Acid Fog Swamp for training? How could he appear in the Imperial Palace? Isn’t your system malfunctioning?"

[The system’s detection is absolutely faultless! I really just sensed his presence, yet... it suddenly vanished again.] The system was also a bit doubtful, but unfortunately, Xue Yinzhou wasn’t part of the strategy target, so its inquiry capability was limited and couldn’t track his exact whereabouts.

Shen Tang had mixed feelings. She initially thought once they parted, they’d never have a chance to meet again. If Xue Yinzhou indeed came to the palace, she wouldn’t know how to face him if they ran into each other someday.

Facing a soon-to-be ex-husband is truly awkward.

But they had yet to officially divorce, and had shared so many days and nights; Shen Tang couldn’t treat Xue Yinzhou as a complete stranger.

Shen Tang thought for a moment and said, "Next time there’s news of him, alert me immediately!"

[Yes, host.]

Shen Tang took note of everyone’s reactions below the stage, feeling pleased—she could score full marks for disrupting things this time; Shen Qingli likely felt infuriated.

If it weren’t for so many people present, Shen Qingli probably would’ve charged up there and torn her face.

Shen Tang quietly glanced at the four dog-men; nicely done, quite husband-like—they didn’t even spare a glance at the heroine.

Honestly, Shen Qingli really trapped herself; if she hadn’t foolishly stirred things up earlier, Jia Lan and the others might have actually fallen for her.

But unfortunately, people only remember the first.

Her stunt completely disrupted the plan; Jia Lan, being a visual-centric person, probably raised his standards so high that he overlooks her.

This is what they call lifting a rock only to drop it on your own foot.

Ignoring Shen Qingli’s gloomy and venomous expression, Shen Tang gracefully walked off the stage under various gazes.

A tall and sturdy silhouette blocked her path.

Shen Xu coldly questioned, "Shen Tang! What’s going on here!"

Shen Tang frowned at the man in front of her. Shen Xu was quite good-looking, with a sharp brow and starry eyes, attractive features, possessing a very masculine kind of appearance.

He couldn’t compare to Jia Lan’s stunning looks, but was definitely a standout among the crowd.

Yet now, his furrowed brow and all-around gloominess broke a bit of the aesthetic.

Shen Tang said plainly, "What are you talking about? I don’t understand."

Shen Xu immediately took out a photo of the two of them, coldly questioning, "You didn’t look like this before. What have you gone through over this year? Why did you become... like this?"

Shen Tang glanced at the picture, slightly surprised. She didn’t expect Shen Xu would still keep a photo of him and the original host.

But remembering his indifference to the original host momentarily angered her—he was an indirect contributor to her extreme actions.

Shen Tang’s expression turned impatient, "What, is my cosmetic surgery something that needs worldwide announcement? If the Eldest Prince is bored, maybe refurbish the old ruins of the Imperial Palace. What do you want, blocking me here?"

Shen Xu’s voice halted, struggling to speak.

His suspicious gaze landed on Shen Tang’s face—could this outcome really be from cosmetic surgery?

Her appearance, figure, overall aura was drastically different, as if she were a completely different person.

Seeing Shen Xu staring fixedly at her, Shen Tang suddenly smiled playfully, "Doesn’t Your Highness prefer my current look?"

She had clearly seen it on stage—the man’s eyes filled with amazement, seemingly accompanied by a touch of regret.

Shen Xu had preferred Shen Qingli because she was prettier than the original host; he liked attractive sisters, causing him to increasingly disregard the original host, thinking she was ugly, reluctant even to pay her any attention.

Shen Xu was speechless, intently watching Shen Tang, his Adam’s apple moving, "No, you are not my Ah Tang sister!"

A flicker of pain and regret appeared in his eyes.

Shen Tang scoffed coldly, "That’s right, I’m indeed not your Ah Tang sister. Your Ah Tang sister died long ago in the polluted zone!"

"What! What nonsense are you talking about, who are you really?" Shen Xu’s eyes reddened.

Shen Tang smirked coldly, "I’m Shen Tang. What, do you need me to present ID or a blood test to prove kinship?"

She spoke, suddenly recalling something, "Forgot—you and I aren’t actually siblings, no way to do a blood test. So why is a stranger like you pestering me? Don’t block my way, get out."

"Ah Tang! How could you become like this!"

Shen Xu rushed forward, gripping her shoulders tightly, eyes full of remorse, "I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have ignored you, but I’ve always kept you in my thoughts. It’s just that Qingli suffered for years outside, the family owes her, so I wanted to show her more care. But I truly didn’t..."

Shen Tang was too lazy to listen to his nonsense, pushing Shen Xu away—what was the point of saying this now that the original host was gone?

Refusing to give up, Shen Xu tried to continue pestering her. In the next moment, Shen Tang was wrapped in a tall and fiery embrace.

Xiao Jin coldly stared at the hostile-looking Shen Xu, his smile wicked and cool, "Your Highness publicly hugging a strange female, not a good look if seen by others."

Shen Xu’s fists clenched, his expression darkening, "She’s my sister! What gives you the right to say this!"

Xiao Jin chuckled coldly, "I’m her Beast Husband!"

Shen Xu was speechless, his face grim.

Shen Li leisurely walked over, his fox tail softly swaying, smirking, "Xiao Tang’er is no longer an Empire Princess; there’s no sibling relationship between you and her."

Lu Xiao also seldom walked over, quietly chipping in, "Even if you were siblings, pulling like this in public—isn’t it improper? Your Highness, don’t tarnish your reputation."

Shen Xu glared at them, unable to find words.

Ultimately, he glanced sadly at Shen Tang, then turned and left.

Shen Tang felt bewildered.

Shen Tang sat with Shen Li and the others at the banquet, watching it gradually return to order, when the system suddenly chimed in her mind.

[Host, I just detected another entity using the charm buff.]

Shen Tang grew wary, wondering if another person was bound to the system.

[Whose presence did you sense it from?] Shen Tang glanced at the stage, suspecting something.

As expected, the system replied, [Shen Qingli.]

Shen Tang was surprised—the heroine also bound to the system?

The original story didn’t mention it, but it makes sense; she consistently stumbled upon injured and solitary male leads and tended to them.

Previously, Shen Tang thought it was a protagonist halo, but now feels, how can there be so many coincidences in the world?

If every time Shen Qingli is guided by system hints specifically to strategize the male leads, it makes more sense.

Shen Tang suddenly thought of something, her expression tense, "Can her system sense you?"