NOVPUBShen Roujia couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. She had no idea what the Emperor was planning.
Suddenly, Xu Ruoruo’s voice rang out from the crowd. “Why is Jiao Niang still wearing her veil at a time like this? Isn’t that somewhat disrespectful?”
Shen Roujia remained silent, but the Emperor, following Xu Ruoruo’s words, nodded. “Could it be that beneath this veil hides an extraordinary beauty, one you’ve kept hidden for so long?”
Unfazed, Shen Roujia respectfully bowed and replied, “Jiao Niang was born with an unsightly appearance. I dare not reveal my face, lest I frighten such esteemed guests.”
Even Xu Liangeng, who had been merely observing, sensed the strange tension in the air and couldn’t help but feel sorry for the qin master now on stage.
As soon as Shen Roujia finished speaking, murmurs spread across the room.
“That sounds like an excuse. Perhaps she just doesn’t want the Emperor to see her face.”
“Who knows? Maybe she really is a beauty.”
“Ha ha ha.”
The Emperor’s voice, now laced with irritation, cut through the chatter. “Jiao Niang, I order you to remove your veil!”
The Emperor’s authority was clearly challenged, and the hushed whispers suggested that it seemed as though he was overly captivated by the prospect of seeing a beauty.
Shen Roujia let out a soft laugh. “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but this humble woman’s appearance is too unsightly. I cannot bear to offend everyone’s eyes.”
The Emperor sneered. “I don’t believe it. How ugly could you possibly be? After all, you’ve managed to make the Seventh Elder of White Stone Academy turn down every marriage proposal for your sake.”
Shen Roujia’s eyes darkened. It was just as she had expected—the royal family was as selfish as ever. All for the sake of the princess’s affections, they were ready to tear apart an orphan with no status.
