"Wh...what?!"

Han Li opened her eyes wide, froze on the spot, and even her breathing became difficult.

"But I..."

"Teacher Han!" Asu showed her the list in his hand and sneered, "I'm sorry, your name is not on the list!"

"How is that possible!"

"I don't know about that. All I know is that, according to His Majesty's requirements, we must check each person on the list before letting anyone in!"

Han Li's face looked extremely pale. Under the bright sun, her face was as white as a sheet of paper, and she was covered in cold sweat.

"Gu Zihan," Asu drawled, raising an eyebrow, "your name isn't on the list either!"

"What?" Gu Zihan exclaimed, "What's going on! I have an invitation, I..."

"I'm sorry, Gu, but according to royal protocol, invitations have no legal effect; the final decision rests with the guest list!"

"this……"

"Heh, but I think even if Gu gets in, it'll be a waste of time. The royal palace in Southeast Asia doesn't really welcome someone like Gu!"

Gu Zihan gritted her teeth, her eyes seemingly blazing with fire.

However, she was surrounded by guards, and because of Asu's high status, she dared not offend him.

After a long silence, she could only manage to ask, "Why?"

“I heard everything Gu said just now!” Asu raised his voice. “Our Nanyang is a place with simple and honest people. His Majesty has always been advocating equality, friendship, unity and mutual assistance! But what Gu just said doesn’t seem to have anything to do with equality and friendship!”

Gu Zihan stood stiffly in the sun, just like Han Li next to her, like a statue.

Xu Xiaonuo glanced at Jiang Mianmian, secretly smiled, and whispered in her ear, "That felt so good!"

"ah?"

"Isn't that right?" Xu Xiaonuo chuckled. "Hehe, what goes around comes around! Our ancestors' proverbs are really true!"

Jiang Mianmian pursed her lips, her smile becoming less pronounced.

However, just as Xu Xiaonuo said, this arrangement... is indeed very satisfying.

"Alright, students!" Asu looked at everyone and smiled. "Today I will be leading you on a tour of the palace, but there are some places where you cannot take photos. Please understand."

"His Majesty is very hospitable and has arranged a lunch for all the students. After the tour, you will enjoy the most distinctive Southeast Asian cuisine! I hope this trip will not disappoint you!"

The students cheered and shouted excitedly, paying no attention to the two statues. They all followed behind Asu.

"Oh, by the way," Asu suddenly turned around, his sly gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing precisely on Xia Zhi's face, "You're Xia Zhi, right?"

Xia Zhi was stunned, and her heart sank.

"Xia, your name isn't on the list. Please leave the group!"

"What?" Xia Zhi was incredulous.

“I said, you’re not on the list,” Asu repeated solemnly.

"But why didn't you say so just now... just now?"

"Because the latest list wasn't sent over just now!" Asu turned his tablet over and displayed the list.

Xia Zhi's name was indeed not on it.

Xia Zhi bit her lip tightly, her shoulders trembling. She suddenly had a feeling that someone was orchestrating all of this behind the scenes...

She looked at Jiang Mianmian.

Jiang Mianmian couldn't help but look at her, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say it.

The two stared at each other quietly for a while, until Xia Zhi was the first to look away.

"Class, everyone!" Asu clapped his hands. "Now you can come in with me!"

Everyone followed one after another, and all of them brushed past Xia Zhi.

They are usually close classmates, but at times like this, not a single person stands up to say a word for her.

Just like in the hotel this morning, no one stood up to speak for Jiang Mianmian...

Xia Zhi gasped.

After everyone went inside, the two "statues" suddenly came to life again, pounding their chests and cursing loudly.

"What do you mean! We've already come all this way, and you're not letting us in?"

"What's so special about this dilapidated palace? I wouldn't even go in if you invited me!"

“This lousy place… I’m determined to take a picture of it, I…”

The palace guards immediately surrounded them, but did not touch them. They just stared at them coldly, their spears with sharp blades gleaming in the sunlight.

Gu Zihan immediately cowered, and Han Li, fearing she would be implicated, quickly and obediently handed over her phone.

The guard glanced at Gu Zihan, then confiscated her phone as well.

The two were not allowed to enter any halls and could only stand in the open square, surrounded by a group of guards, looking like oily roasted sweet potatoes.

Xia Zhi stood there with a gloomy expression.

She remembered what the man had said:

Do you know who the man next to Jiang Mianmian is?

"Young Master Huo Junyu of Yangcheng is not currently in Yangcheng!"

"Ha, her adoptive parents dote on her, and the eldest son of the Huo family spoils her too! Tell me, how come Jiang Mianmian's life is so good?"

Xia Zhi's fingertips trembled slightly.

She heard that the Huo family of Yangcheng had a marriage relationship with the Yin family of Nanyang.

If I'm not mistaken, everything that happened today was actually arranged by Huo Junyu?

A sinister glint flashed in Xia Zhi's eyes as she clenched her fists tightly!

Yes, the man is right... If we don't deal with Jiang Mianmian soon, it will not only be a ticking time bomb for Lu Ming, but it will also do her no good!

"Mianmian, don't blame me." She emphasized each word, "You forced me to do it...you forced me to!"

*

In the evening, Jiang Mianmian returned to the hotel and video-chatted with Huo Junyu at the usual time.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!