Goblin Simulation: Building a Dark Empire - Chapter 26 – Shadow in the Forest

Upon awakening, the apocalypse's metaphysics master, Nan Li, found herself as the lost Sixth Miss of the Anyang Marquis ManorThinking it would be a story of abuse, she never expected all five of her brothers to dote on her one after another!Nan Li shouted, “Stop pampering me! In fact, I can do everything, from capturing ghosts, exterminating demons, divination, physiognomy, to healing and saving people. I'll lead the family to rise in power and wealth!”Accidentally saving the Ninth Prince, who held great power in the court, Nan Li found him renowned for his cold and unfeeling demeanor. However, he became utterly addicted to pampering her and refused to take other concubines.The scheming and malicious women were angry, shouting, “The prince lacks heirs, how can this be allowed?!”Nan Li pointed at the line of little ghost-catching disciples and said, “I'll cure your poor eyesight!”The Ninth Prince lifted her in his arms and said, “We have a bit of thin property that needs to be inherited, so we'll have a few more children.”Later on—Nan Li looked at the continuous immortal mountains and the room full of treasures, her mouth twitching, “I thought you had a throne to inherit, what's going on now?!”

“M... Marissa! Are they my kids?” Rafael's eyes weren't moving away from the adorable kids' faces.“No, Rafael. They are not,” Marissa said with a fake smile, “They aren't yours. Remember?” she batted her lashes quite dramatically, “We were never married!”Marissa Aaron’s elder sister Valerie Aaron jilted her blind boyfriend on her wedding day and ran off. For face-saving, Merissa's family pleaded to her to marry Raphael Sinclair.The irony? She was not allowed to tell her blind husband that she was not Valerie but Merissa Aaron.On the day of Raphael's successful eye surgery, Marissa got to know that Valerie was back to take her rightful place as Sinclaire’s daughter-in-law.Marissa tried explaining to her husband that she was the one married to him, but he did not believe her. Instead of any more convincing, heartbroken Merissa decided to leave the city without telling him, her secret.Raphael Sinclair was the classic definition of drop-dead gorgeous and was the only heir of the Sinclair group of industries.What would he do when he came to know that all this time the woman who offered him, her love and her body was not Valerie but her younger sister Marissa Aaron?How would he react when he came to know that he was the father of the babies Marissa was carrying in her womb?Would he go after Marissa and win her back?And the million-dollar question!Would Marissa ever be able to forgive him and love him again?

The youngest in the Torres family was born sickly. She was sent to the Mystic Church for foster care at the age of one. Four years later, it was rumored that she was going to be brought back.

The sons of the Torres household all expressed their opinions.

Her first brother said, “I don’t like her! I don’t want a sister!”

Her second brother said, “He-he, we can tease her. I hope she can be a little unyielding. Then we can play fun tricks on her.”

Her third brother said, “What sister? Who is that? I don’t even know her!”

Lauren, the girl sent to the church, was not acknowledged by her brothers.

Before she came back, she was ostracized by her brothers. Everyone thought that Lauren would be bullied every day when she returned home.

However, at Lauren’s fifth birthday party, strange things happened. The first brother who was stern and ruthless actually let her sit on his shoulders. And the second brother who liked to mess with others and bully others was actually busy looking after her. He was even more considerate than a maid. Those who liked to speak ill of Lauren were all ruthlessly taught a lesson by her brothers. They even declared, “No one can speak ill of her. Otherwise, they will become enemies of the Torres family.”

Everyone was shocked. Lauren, who grew up in the church, was actually so favored in the Torres family? It turned out that Lauren was no ordinary girl. After returning from the church, she could predict the future. She had predicted the first brother’s death and successfully saved him. She predicted the second brother’s economic crisis and successfully saved his company. She had predicted the third brother’s early state cancer and saved his life successfully. The Torres family doted on her. She was such a powerful baby.

How could they not like her?

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.