Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!-Chapter 416 - 407: You’re Entering the Selection?

This "she" doesn’t need to be mentioned; everyone knows who she is.

Qiu Yang was furious and exasperated, wondering why His Majesty was so fixated on this outsider female. He looked her up and down, scrutinized her for so long, and still couldn’t figure out why His Majesty fancied her! What kind of Enchanting Soup did she give His Majesty?!

Qiu Yang’s eyes were a sea of complexity as he advised loyally, "Your Majesty, don’t forget what the High Priest said back then, you absolutely cannot..."

Shen Li interrupted coldly, "I remember everything my master said. You just need to answer my question."

Qiu Yang had said all he could, not daring to cause more trouble, and respectfully replied, "Government affairs are busy lately. It’s likely the master hasn’t slept yet; she should still be working in the study."

Shen Li nodded, "Don’t tell anyone about me coming over tonight."

"Understood," Qiu Yang replied.

The night was thick, but the study was brightly lit, standing out sharply in the darkness.

Bright moonlight streamed through the window lattice, outlining that familiar silhouette.

She was bent over her desk writing furiously, sometimes resting her cheek tiredly in her hand, sometimes rubbing her temples.

The warm yellow light draped over her beautifully, looking like a painting or a dreamy, distant vision.

Shen Li sat quietly on the rooftop, his gaze greedily taking in the sight.

If it were in the past, Shen Li couldn’t bear seeing her work so hard, he would have already brought in hot tea, embraced her from behind, gently kneaded her shoulders, and with some teasing words, coaxed her out of the study.

But now, he could only watch from afar like a shadow that dared not see the light.

A wall separated the two, invisible but clear, uncrossable.

...

Inside the study.

Shen Tang finished reviewing the documents and chatted with the system.

[Host, let me tell you something interesting—Lu Ke got a good beating from his brother tonight!]

"Lu Xiao said he wouldn’t be home tonight; turns out he went back to beat up his brother. Why so hard-handed?" Shen Tang’s mouth twitched, "Is he still dwelling on what happened the other day? Lu Xiao, such a gentle and steady person, wouldn’t go so far as to actually beat someone, would he?"

[You only said Lu Ke wanted to marry you; you didn’t mention the drugging incident. Who knew, when Lu Xiao went over to question him tonight, the guy spilled it himself! If it weren’t for being his younger brother, his legs would have probably been broken!]

"... It’s hard to stop oneself from being stupid." Shen Tang stood up and stretched, intending to leave the study and rest.

The system suddenly reminded, "Host, Shen Li is here, watching you from the rooftop!"

Shen Tang paused, startled. She had already cut ties with this man-dog, so what was he doing here?

Climbing on the roof to spy at night—how creepy!

Seeing Shen Tang suddenly halt, Shen Li grew alert, scanning his surroundings cautiously. When her gaze swept over to this side, it paused for a moment but quickly moved away, as if she hadn’t discovered anything and continued into the house.

His eyes darkened, and he leaped down, landing steadily in front of her.

Shen Tang frowned, trying to sidestep, but was forcefully blocked.

"Move aside," her voice cold as ice.

"I’ve come specifically to see you."

"Heh." Shen Tang sneered, "The Emperor of the Yiyuan Empire breaking into our territory at night—I’ve been polite enough not to have you arrested, and now you want to trespass in a civilian house?"

Her icy tone carried thick sarcasm, like a sharp blade stabbing into his heart, making it ache faintly.

Shen Li wanted to raise his hand to touch her face, his voice hoarse, "Xiao Tang’er..."

Shen Tang quickly stepped back, interrupting him, "Yiyuan Monarch, please respect the boundaries. We’ve barely met a few times; it’s awkward for you to call me like that, so let’s not get too familiar."

His hand hovered mid-air, slowly curling back. His voice grew even darker, "You and I clearly—"

Shen Tang interrupted him quickly, "His Majesty Jiuli knows very well, my Beast Husband Shen Li died long ago in the volcano, and I’m not familiar with you. Please, Your Majesty, show some respect."

Shen Li’s handsome face darkened, his jawline tense, unable to utter another word.

After drinking the Forgetfulness Water, Shen Tang was no longer saddened at all. Seeing Shen Li infuriated like this felt somewhat satisfying.

"Why did you come over tonight, after all?"

Shen Tang yawned tiredly, not wanting more pointless talk with him, "Oh, I heard from Qiu Yang that you and your fiancée are planning to get engaged. What? Did you come tonight to personally invite me to your wedding?"

Shen Tang initially spoke offhandedly, but the more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed, her face full of surprise, "You even personally came all this way, as the Monarch of the mighty Yiyuan Empire, you must think very highly of me!"

Hearing her indifferent tone, Shen Li felt even more bitter inside, swallowing hard, he softly said, "I wanted to apologize to you."

"Apologize? What’s there to apologize for? I stopped caring a long time ago. Actually, thinking about it, what you said was true; the worthy own treasures. It was my incompetence that couldn’t protect the Earth Core; you don’t need to apologize."

As she spoke, Shen Tang pushed him aside to walk into the house.

Shen Li suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her aggressively into his embrace!

Shen Tang was caught off guard and fell into his arms, the familiar cool fragrance filling her nose. Her back was pressed against his chest, even able to feel his rapid heartbeat and slightly trembling breath.

"I’m sorry..." his voice was urgent, as if afraid she’d run away, "That night, my words were too harsh, hurting your feelings, Xiao Tang’er. You should understand, I never meant to quarrel with you; I never intended to harm you..."

Shen Tang forcefully broke free from his embrace, trying hard not to strike, her voice cold as ice, "Is His Majesty Yiyuan so arrogant as to be completely forgetful? This isn’t your territory! You’d better show me some respect! Even if your strength surpasses mine, in the Night Glow Empire, I have ways to deal with you."

"I just came to apologize." Shen Li’s breath was unsettled, "Xiao Tang, these days, I’ve been contemplating that night. My words were too harsh, making you so... hurt."

He looked at her with disgusted, cold expression, his voice paused, the last two words nearly inaudible.

"Just for those words? You didn’t need to come all this way; I’ve long stopped caring, and don’t blame you either." She said, "I made a mistake that night too—it was impulsive of me to fight with you."

"A wrong against a wrong, we’re even now." Shen Tang turned to walk inside, yawning as she spoke, "If Your Majesty only came for this, then please leave. I’m tired, not sending you off."

The door closed with a "bang," separating them.

Shen Li stared at her now indifferent and distant demeanor, as if they were truly strangers who had just met, making him feel even more lost than her frantic accusation that night.

Once, she professed her love for him in person; months later, even hate was absent.

It turned out that he was the only one who hadn’t completely moved on.

Shen Li gave a bitter smile; his hands hanging by his side clenching and loosening, knuckles turning white.

With the pride of a monarch, he should have turned around and left at this moment. But his feet seemed to have a mind of their own, following against his will.

Shen Tang had just stepped inside when she heard footsteps follow again.

She turned abruptly, truly impatient this time, "What do you want, after all?!"

Shen Li picked up the drawing book on the table, "I heard you’re preparing for a competition?"