Chapter 876: Chapter 683: Keeping the Appointment
The Ghost Snake Clan originally split from the Ancient Clan a thousand years ago, and now, thanks to their formidable strength, they have become a dominant force, their power even rivaling that of the Ancient Clan.
However, even so, it is said that a few branch members still remain in the Ancient Clan, maintaining a subtle and amicable relationship between the two clans to this day.
The Young Master of the Ghost Snake Clan is about to hold an engagement ceremony, which is considered a major event in the clan. Naturally, invitations were sent to many prestigious families, including a number of Ancient Clan families.
The relationship between the Ghost Snake Clan and the Divine Fox Clan has never been particularly good, and they don’t usually interact much. But this time, since the Divine Fox Clan is welcoming a new Family Head and the recent battle has made the upper echelons of the Ghost Snake Clan take notice, they want to use this opportunity to officially befriend the Family Head of the Divine Fox Clan.
Unfortunately, Shen Li was not in the clan, so the invitation was delivered to Shen Tang.
Shen Tang looked at the engagement invitation, feeling mixed emotions, thoroughly complex.
The system said, [Host, don’t you think the Young Master’s fiancée, Luo Ying, looks quite a bit like you?]
Although their appearances aren’t particularly similar, their demeanor is remarkably alike.
Shen Tang: ... Is this system trying to comfort me? It’s better off not saying anything!
"That’s just a coincidence. Maybe he just likes this type!"
[Host, that sounds like you’re sulking a bit.]
Shen Tang directly shut down the system, out of sight, out of mind!
She stuffed the invitation into a drawer, not wanting to deal with the matter anymore. But as the engagement day approached, she nonetheless found it hard to remain calm.
Obsessing over this affair was making her anxious and restless.
Even the system couldn’t stand it anymore, [Host, if you really can’t let it go, why not go have a look?]
[If he really intends to marry someone else, you should see him one last time and completely sever this relationship.]
Shen Tang thought the system was quite right this time. Whether she lets go or not, she must come to a conclusion, instead of continuously tormenting herself.
So she took out the invitation again and asked herself: Am I truly willing to let it go?
Remembering the countless shared moments with Xue Yinzhou, Shen Tang still found it hard to believe he was finally going to marry someone else, unwilling to let go of their past.
Shen Tang took out a necklace from the Space, gently caressing it with her slender, fair fingers, her eyes filled with deep longing.
This necklace had a special design, with a nearly half-hand-sized silver-white Snake Scale embedded in the center. The scale glowed with a faint purple shimmer in the light, beautiful and unique.
Moments later.
She slowly clenched the necklace in her palm, "Alright, I’ve decided to go to the Ghost Snake Palace one more time and see him once more."
With her previous experience, infiltrating the Ghost Snake Palace was much more routine this time for Shen Tang.
Tonight was the eve of the engagement ceremony; the palace was no longer its usual calm self, decorated with lanterns, filled with people, a festive and lively atmosphere permeating everywhere.
Watching this scene before her, Shen Tang’s expression darkened for a moment, yet she quickly discarded any distracting thoughts from her mind.
Taking advantage of the large crowd tonight, it would be easier for her to blend in.
Shen Tang had already planned that when she saw the Young Master, Xue Yansi, she would show him the scale, regardless of his reaction, and speak candidly about everything.
By then, whether Xue Yansi was Xue Yinzhou or not, and regardless of his final choice, she would respect his decision.
This matter, she would no longer dwell on.
Shen Tang arrived at the palace, intending to go directly to find Xue Yansi.
But through the door, she heard a gentle female voice:
"Brother Yanci, do you think this is a good outfit for tomorrow’s engagement banquet?"
Shen Tang’s hand, poised to push the door open, suddenly froze.
The sheer curtain inside gently veiled, through the light of the hall, vaguely revealed two graceful silhouettes.
Inside the chamber.
Luo Ying had just finished her bath and was wearing a silky goose-yellow robe, its collar slightly open, showing a piece of her fair collarbone. Her damp black hair draped over her shoulders, displaying her straight and slender calves, her whole being exuding a unique youthful allure and charm.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyelashes seemed to hang with water pearls, her beautiful apricot eyes appeared even more moist.
Looking at people, she felt like the faint raindrop mist in the forest, a hazy mist wrapped around her, elusive and enticing to the heart.
She emitted a fresh scent after bathing, at the peak of allure right out of her bath.
Tomorrow was the engagement ceremony, though not as grand as a formal wedding, many clan elders, family members, and even high-ranking officials from other clans were invited, so she naturally had to dress elaborately to not lose face.
The maids had prepared dozens of luxurious, opulent gowns. She picked and chose among them, pouting slightly, looking distressed, unsure which one to wear for tomorrow.
So, Luo Ying looked at the somewhat distracted man in front of her, coyly saying, "Brother Yanci, don’t be silent, give me some advice, which one do you think I look prettier in for tomorrow?"
Xue Yansi’s gaze finally settled on her, then handed her a white long dress.
"Ah, Brother Yanci likes this one? I think it might be a bit too plain ..."
Luo Ying initially thought he’d choose that deep purple dress, which would match his outfit for tomorrow better.
She took the white dress and compared it to her body, saying reluctantly, "But this one also looks nice. Since Brother Yanci likes it, I’ll wear this one~."
Then she walked up to the man, lowering her head somewhat bashfully, "The tie of this dress is at the back, it’s really hard to wear... Brother Yanci, could you help me put it on?"
A calm response came from inside,
"Sure."
...
Outside the door, Shen Tang stood stiffly, almost convinced she had misheard.
Yet, shortly after, the sound of rustling clothes came from the room.
Her face grew even more grim, feeling as if something had pricked her heart.
He and this fiancée... were already living together.
They were about to get engaged, living together was normal, wasn’t it?
But the sting in her heart grew stronger, blanching Shen Tang’s face, making her feel faint, scarcely able to breathe.
Suddenly, Shen Tang felt it was rather ridiculous for her to come over tonight.
She intended to say her final words to Xue Yansi, but now that he and his fiancée were already living together so affectionately, what difference did those words make, whether spoken or not?
If anything, she seemed like an intruder interrupting their peace, like a ludicrous clown.
Well then... bless them.
Listening to the faint noises from inside, Shen Tang couldn’t remain any longer, and she turned to leave.
Inside the hall, Xue Yansi seemed to sense the commotion outside, his expression slightly changed, wanting to pursue.
Luo Ying quickly grabbed him, saying displeasedly, "Brother Yanci, where are you going?"
Xue Yansi furrowed his brow, vaguely saying, "It seemed like there was a movement outside just now, perhaps an assassin, I’ll go have a look."
"What? An assassin?" Luo Ying clung even tighter to him, fearfully saying, "Brother Yanci, they won’t be after me, will they? You must not leave me, you have to protect me."
Xue Yansi felt a flash of impatience, but before him was his fiancée, the woman who had nearly lost her life saving him, the one he wished to spend his life with.
His expression softened, gently coaxing, "Alright, I won’t go. Don’t be afraid."
Then Xue Yansi ordered a thorough search of the palace.
...
Shen Tang, wrapped in a Concealing Talisman, hid in the trees beside the palace, using the shadows as cover, remaining undetected for the time being.
With many guards below, she couldn’t stay long and was planning her departure.
Yet she suddenly sensed an unusual aura.
She hesitated, then swiftly gazed forward, seeing not far under a tree, a tall and slender figure standing silently.
The person exuded an aura dark as night, carrying an inscrutable and eerie vibe.
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