The poison suffocated her. It wrecked her body in agony as harshly as if the pain had been fueled. She could hear the laughter, even in the semiconscious state, even with the poisonous ants and scorpions crawling over her body like grains of sand. The boisterous; the endless roars of cheers over music. It filled the gaps between her screaming. A spacious room of crimson in the heart of a golden clad Imperial Palace, little more than a cage of superficial beauty amid the sea of gorgeous palatial structures. That's where they had put her. Sealed her. In a wedding room built for some forgotten princess. As she would likely be forgotten. It was better than the alternative: to be remembered for her obedience. Her cowardice. If there would be anyone left to remember her. If there would be anyone left at all. She would not allow it. That obedience. That cowardice. She would not give them what they desired. No matter how often her screams drow

Grabbing her diamond purse, Qing Yue hopped out of her hover and pressed the purple button on her blouse sleeve. "Have a wonderful time, Master!" The hologram screeched robotically as the hover blinked twice and went dark. Diamond purse clutched in hand, Qing Yue smiled and walked towards the revolving glass doors. As she passed a group of four descending from their own hover, her bracelet caught in her purse. Then, an unexpected gust of wind blew and her black hair flew in her face, blinding her vision. "This wind just had to blow at this time!" She stopped in her tracks, her fingers flailing around her face as she tried to remove the troublesome curls. "Maybe it's time to have a haircut!" She turned while grumbling under her breath, her fingers entangled in the long strands. Bang! Right at this moment, a powerful force collided with her, causing her to lose her balance and fall backward. Stunned and caught off guard, Qing Yue

The moment Qing Yue entered the dimly lit club, rows of black-uniformed females greeted her at the door. "Mistress, welcome." "Your friends have already arrived. They are waiting in the room reserved for you." The manager stepped forth and politely gestured in a welcoming manner. "Thank you, Manger Hua. You ladies go and do your things. No need to concern yourselves with me." With a slight nod, she walked past them and proceeded towards the private elevator. The female manager and waitresses reflexively bowed as she passed them, backs bent straight with hands on their belly. Once her steps left their sight, they straightened their posture and turned, sending off the young lady with awe-filled eyes and envious sighs. "Sigh, our young mistress turned 18 only a week ago, but she already radiates the aura of a noble heiress." "She is the only daughter of Chairman Li. I would be more surprised if she didn't give off a noble presence

"Aunt Li, is Dad back?" Qing Yue walked into the open-island kitchen and withdrew a bottle of water from the fridge. She hadn't had anything to drink before leaving home, and she never drank at parties; who knew what they added in them. And after her sudden explosion of anger, she felt as parched as if she was a fish laid out to dry in the sun. Carrying the bottle in one hand, she set her purse on the kitchen counter and moved to the glass cabinets. "No, honey, your Dad isn't home yet. You guys returned early. Have you had dinner? What would you like to eat tonight?" Aunt Li followed her into the kitchen and held her hand, leading her back to the kitchen counter before returning to the cabinets. "Qing Qing, I told you many times not to enter the kitchen. It's beneath your status. But you never listen." She brought out a glass cup and walked to Qing Yue's side, and unscrewed the cap as she gently scolded. Qing Yue smiled. "Sorry

Hearing the timid call, the stoic-looking, middle-aged man turned and swept his cold eyes over her. Seeing her bowed head, for a split second, an imperceptible frown appeared on his cold face that mirrored his eyes. Then wordlessly, he turned and proceeded to the dining hall. "Come. It's dinner time." His voice was cold, devoid of all emotion. Qing Yue wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she took a deep breath and braced herself for another meal in tense silence. Then she gracefully descended the last steps and walked into the hall. The dining hall of the Li Mansion was huge. Diamond chandeliers hung from tall ceilings that stretched as high as the second floor, and mosaics of the era before the New World Formation adorned the glass walls. Bright, creamy moon rays streamed through the one-way grey glasses and illuminated the green vase with white-red lilies sitting on the only glass table in the cente