the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City.
Not far from the imperial palace, a vast complex of buildings, encompassing mountains and water, stood.
Throughout the entire imperial city, only the imperial palace could rival its grandeur.
The guards were strict, exuding a
rigid atmosphere. Yet, a warm and harmonious atmosphere seemed to permeate the space.
It was midday, the sun shining brightly.
The cooking fires in the kitchen had subsided, and several figures entered the dining hall one after another.
"Second Miss, slow down, don't fall!"
The youngest
was particularly happy today, running along.
A maid followed behind, her words full of concern, yet her movements were unhurried.
There was no urgency in her eyes
until they entered the dining hall, at which point she quickened her pace, her face gentle as she stepped forward.
The little girl happily ran to the plump young woman.
Holding her hand excitedly, she said,
"Sister, Zhu Qing awakened her martial soul yesterday, and it's at the seventh level of innate soul power!"
"Really?"
Zhu Zhuyun smiled and bent down, pinching Zhu Zhu Qing's cheek.
"Zhu Qing is really amazing."
"Hmm~"
Zhu Zhu Qing frowned, her sister seemed a bit too strong today.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes held a complicated smile.
She slowly released some of her strength and straightened her tired back.
Zhu Zhuyun was only in her teens, but her figure was already quite impressive.
"Alright, everyone come and eat."
At the table in the center of the hall, a noblewoman sitting to the side called softly. She
was elegant and graceful, her black hair styled in an updo.
Her figure was extremely voluptuous; she even needed the table to help her hold her breasts while sitting at the table.
"Yes, Mother."
Zhu Zhuyun nodded slightly, ignoring Zhu Zhu Qing's outstretched hand.
She walked to the table and sat down on her own.
She placed the plump, soft flesh on the edge of the table.
"Sister?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at her empty hand, covering her cheek that had been pinched red.
She was puzzled;
her sister seemed rather distant today.
With a look of confusion, Zhu Zhuqing took
her seat and greeted the tall man and the noblewoman beside her with a smile.
"Father, Mother."
"Hmm."
The man in light armor nodded slightly.
"Zhuqing, eat quickly. Cultivate well when we get back."
The beautiful woman's voice was gentle, her face radiating tenderness; she seemed to dote on both her daughters.
"Yes, thank you, Mother."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled and picked up her chopsticks; her bowl was already filled with white rice. She
had cultivated for a long time today and was quite hungry. She had just taken a bite of rice and looked up to pick up some food when she stopped. The table was large, and the fragrant dishes were quite far away. Holding her bowl, Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhu Zhuyun beside her and said in a coquettish voice, "Sister, Zhuqing can't reach the food." "Hmm, eat quickly." Zhu Zhuyun seemed not to understand, nodded slightly, smiled, and remained unmoved. She only cared about eating. "Sister." Zhu Zhuqing wanted to say something more. But the beautiful woman beside her smiled and reminded her, "Zhuqing, finish eating before you speak." "But Mother." Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, then hesitated. She raised her eyes, holding the bowl, as if hoping the other three would give her some food. But no one paid her any attention for a long time. Her long eyelashes drooped, and she looked at the man diagonally opposite her with a hint of disappointment. She pursed her red lips and glanced at the man. Mustering her courage, she leaned on the table and stretched out her small hand. Just as she was about to reach her favorite dish, a heavy thud suddenly sounded on the table. Turning her head, she saw the man's knuckles tapping on the table, his eyes full of authority. "Father." Zhu Zhuqing's face turned slightly pale. Just as she was about to sit back down with the food in her hand, Zhu Zhuyun suddenly snatched it away from her, leaving her empty-handed.
"Sister, you…!"
Zhu Zhuqing's pale purple eyes welled up with tears.
But no one seemed to
care; everyone else remained as gentle and respectful as ever.
The burly man put down his bowl
and instructed, "Zhuqing, His Majesty has decreed that you are now the Third Prince's fiancée."
"Remember?"
His words carried no questioning, only notification and force.
"Father, Zhuqing remembers."
Looking at his stern face,
Zhu Zhuqing sat up straight and nodded earnestly.
She knew what fiancée meant; her sister was the First Prince's fiancée.
"That's good. I'm full. You can eat slowly."
With that,
the man got up and walked outside.
"Zhuyun, Zhuqing, eat well, don't go hungry."
The plump noblewoman smiled, stood up,
ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's hair, and then turned and left the hall.
Zhu Zhuqing watched them leave.
Zhu Zhuyun slowly put the stolen food into her mouth.
She slowly stood up and ordered,
"Alright, everyone come and clear the table."
"Yes, Miss."
The maids waiting nearby bowed and immediately carried buckets to clear away the leftover food.
"Sister... ah!"
Zhu Zhuqing was about to say something
when Zhu Zhuyun pinched her cheek, even harder than before.
Zhu Zhuyun's face was full of gentle smiles.
"Zhuqing, our competition has officially begun."
"Be careful from now on, okay? Don't accidentally get killed by your sister~"
"Sister, Zhuqing is in pain."
Tears welled up in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
"Heh,"
Zhu Zhuyun chuckled, releasing Zhu Zhuqing but taking her rice bowl in her hand.
She quietly placed it aside.
"From now on, you all must take good care of Zhuqing, understand?"
"This servant understands."
The maids immediately responded.
They all knew the Zhu family's tradition: with a seven-year age difference, who would be the winner?
No need to say more,
Zhu Zhuqing was born to be the discarded pawn.
"That's good."
Zhu Zhuyun nodded in satisfaction, then left the dining hall,
a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"Sister, don't blame your older sister. Blame fate for making us born into the Zhu family."
At the doorway, Zhu Zhuyun gritted her teeth.
She glanced back at the kitten with tears welling in its eyes, then strode away.
"I'm not full yet,"
Zhu Zhuqing said to the maids, covering her face.
The
maids, however, continued to do as they pleased, dumping all the food into a bucket.
Only then did she look up and softly ask,
"Miss, did you say anything just now?"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing clasped her small hands, looking at them blankly. She
shook her head, her face pale.
"Then this servant will take her leave. Remember to call me if you need anything, Miss."
The maid bowed and slowly withdrew.
Zhu Zhuqing clutched her stomach, her eyes full of confusion, and slowly walked out of the hall.
The servants passing by were exactly the same as before.
They would bow and greet her.
Everyone seemed unchanged, yet everyone seemed different.
They were still so respectful, their faces gentle, yet it filled her with fear.
"Is this the competition my sister spoke of? But I don't want this,"
Zhu Zhuqing said, tears welling in her eyes.
The more she saw those smiling faces, the more frightened she became, and she hurried towards her mother's room.
...
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