The attendant arrived, standing at the doorway with a smile.
"Tomorrow is the Crown Prince's Grand Assembly. The Fourth Prince sent me to escort you two to select your attire."
Shen Qing Qing did not hold back her criticism, "Making such useless things."
The attendant's smile remained unchanged.
Fu Jing Shu said in a low voice, "Forget it, let's go."
Shen Qing Qing, held by his hand, walked out of the palace gate, muttering in dissatisfaction. She was not worried about the attendant hearing her, her tone filled with disdain.
"Do they really expect us to attend with sincerity?"
The attendant remained unfazed, saying nothing and showing no anger.
Shen Qing Qing found it boring and, tiring of speaking, fell silent.
The three arrived at a room. The attendant pushed open the door, revealing numerous shelves lined with a dazzling array of clothes.
All were designer brands, fashionably designed, and judging by the fabric, incredibly expensive.
Shen Qing Qing walked in and casually touched the fabric of a dress. It was smooth and soft, feeling incredibly comfortable.
She clicked her tongue, "I didn't expect Pei Xi to be so generous."
The attendant smiled, "His Highness the Fourth Prince said that you two are distinguished guests, and after tomorrow, partners. Naturally, His Highness would want to give you the best."
Shen Qing Qing retorted, "If we are guests, why are there guards outside our room?"
"It is to protect your safety."
The attendant answered without a hint of guilt.
Shen Qing Qing shook her head, "When a person's skin becomes thick enough, they become impervious to arrows."
Despite such sarcasm, the attendant remained expressionless.
"Alright, we'll choose ourselves. You can leave now."
Shen Qing Qing, unwilling to waste any more words or time with him, directly dismissed him and closed the door.
However, in the next second, a woman's scream was heard.
"Ah!"
Shen Qing Qing was startled and turned to see a woman emerge from the dressing room. She was wearing a form-fitting white dress, and with one hand tidying her hair, she looked quite surprised to see them.
She immediately turned towards the door, opened it, and the attendant was standing outside.
Shen Qing Qing asked with a dark expression, "Why didn't you mention there was someone else here?"
The attendant tapped his forehead and apologized profusely, "My apologies, I forgot. Miss Nicole is also here selecting a dress. I apologize, Miss Nicole, for disturbing you."
Nicole saw the attendant, and some of the anger on her face subsided, but her tone remained unpleasant. "My dress isn't chosen yet. Now, escort all irrelevant people out."
The attendant looked at Shen Qing Qing with a troubled expression.
"Miss Shen, you see..."
"I'm not leaving." Shen Qing Qing had no desire to choose clothes with someone else, but like her old man, she had a rebellious streak. If Nicole hadn't said that, she might have left.
But now, she was determined to stay!
Nicole glared at her, "Who do you think you are? Do you know my identity? Get out this instant!"
Shen Qing Qing didn't even spare her a glance, looking at the attendant who stood there with a smile, unwilling to intervene.
"Won't you say something?"
The attendant smiled slightly, "I am powerless. Miss Nicole has a noble status. Miss Shen, it would be best not to argue with her."
"Then you can shut up."
Shen Qing Qing said with a forced smile, and with a "bang," she closed the door.
The smile vanished from the attendant's face, leaving only a sinister expression.
Meanwhile, inside the room.
Shen Qing Qing, holding Fu Jing Shu's arm, walked to select dresses as if no one else was present. The room was vast, and the selection of dresses was immense.
Various styles, all colors, enough to overwhelm anyone.
Nicole stood by, dumbfounded. It was the first time she had encountered someone so rude and disrespectful. She pointed at Shen Qing Qing with a trembling finger, gritting her teeth in anger.
"Do you know who I am?"
"No."
Shen Qing Qing replied slowly without turning her head.
Nicole almost choked with anger. However, thinking that this bumpkin didn't know her identity, which was why she was so audacious, she actually stopped being angry. Her hair wasn't properly done, so she simply let it fall.
She tilted her head, her face full of pride and nobility.
"I am Nicole Chaplin."
Shen Qing Qing paused.
Nicole smiled triumphantly, "Are you scared now? Since you know fear, leave immediately. Otherwise, if you provoke me, I'll have you kicked out of the palace!"
Although she didn't know who this person was, she was undoubtedly here for the Crown Prince's Grand Assembly and had some status, but certainly not comparable to her family's.
Shen Qing Qing turned back, her eyes clear, showing no fear. "So it's you, the eldest daughter of the Chaplin family. Indeed, your status is noble."
Her tone was even, without any fluctuations, but the words were somewhat pleasant.
Nicole believed that she was trying to appease her and flatter her. "Your flattery is useless now. I don't like you. I will also tell the Fourth Prince at the upcoming Crown Prince's Grand Assembly not to let you attend. Now, leave!"
"Just like the rumors say..."
Shen Qing Qing spoke slowly, piquing Nicole's curiosity, before continuing, "No brains."
Nicole exploded in anger, "How dare you say I have no brains?"
Shen Qing Qing linked her arm with Fu Jing Shu's, her sly expression transforming into a unique flirtatiousness towards him. "We don't talk to people without brains, lest we get infected. Then, I'll become brainless too."
"Okay."
The man replied in a low, doting voice.
Nicole gritted her teeth in hatred, stomped her high heels, and rushed forward, blocking their path. She raised her voice, her tone sharp, "How dare you speak to me like that? Don't you know who I am?"
"I know, I know."
Shen Qing Qing said impatiently, "You don't need to keep repeating yourself."
Nicole's voice became shrill, "I am summoned to the palace by the King. He wants me to be the future wife of the Fourth Prince, meaning, the future Queen. If you dare speak to me like this, I will never let you off!"
Shen Qing Qing raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You, the Queen?"
She thought of the woman lying on the bed. Even though her eyes weren't open, she looked like a very elegant and tranquil woman.
This one before her...
Without exaggeration, she was like a little lunatic.
"Pei Xi, likes you?"
Nicole bit her lip. Hearing the doubt in her tone, which was not condescending at all, but rather a pure question, was even more hurtful.
It was as if she genuinely believed that Pei Xi would not like her.
"You just wait!"
She was so angry she started to cry, wiping her tears as she turned and ran.
Shen Qing Qing was dumbfounded, "I thought she was so imposing, I thought she was quite formidable. Turns out she's just a paper tiger..."
The attendant at the door looked at her in astonishment, "Miss Shen, what happened?"
"You should ask the future wife of your Prince."
Shen Qing Qing dropped the remark and slammed the door shut, giving him no face at all. The attendant's expression instantly turned grim.
His gaze followed Nicole's departing direction, and slowly, a sinister smile spread across his face.