When the little girl spoke, the others couldn’t help but look at Wu Tian, then back at the portrait formed by the fish.
"I have to admit, it does look somewhat similar."
"Yes, it does resemble him a bit."
"But who is this painting of?"
Many of the princes and princesses began to guess.
Just then, a waiter approached. It was a walking octopus.
Si’er immediately asked, "May I ask, who is this painting of?"
Upon hearing this, the octopus trembled. It spoke with a grave and solemn expression, "This is an Immortal Emperor! As for his name, it must not be spoken. It must not be spoken! To speak recklessly of an Immortal Emperor... who knows if you might incur heavenly punishment."
Immortal Emperor?
The princes and princesses were all taken aback.
"It’s just a coincidence," Zhaolan said, clearly unhappy now. "Everyone has two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. It’s just a resemblance! When I grow up, I might resemble some Immortal Emperor too! It’s no big deal and nothing to brag about."
"..." The princes and princesses didn’t know what to say.
Wu Tian hadn’t bragged at all. This boy is just judging a gentleman by his own petty standards.
Si’er didn’t want Zhaolan to cause any more trouble. He’s ten years old. Even though he’s still a child, he should understand some social etiquette, right? He shouldn’t think that just because he’s ten, he can speak recklessly without consequence.
Si’er shot Zhaolan a cold glare before turning to the octopus waiter. "Hello. I am the Queen of the Star Country, a one-star power. I booked a Heaven-grade room in advance."
The octopus waiter thought for a moment, then nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, that’s right! Boss Crab already gave us instructions. Honored guests, your room is ready. Please follow me upstairs."
With that, the octopus led the group upstairs. They reached the third floor and stopped in front of a room.
"This is the menu. Please place your orders." The octopus brought out a booklet.
The octopus waiter added, "This service style was also suggested by that same Immortal Emperor. It has now spread more or less throughout the world. They say that before he became an Immortal Emperor, he had all sorts of wondrous ideas. He spoke of metal birds that were lifeless but could still fly. He also mentioned metal boxes with four wheels that could run without being pulled by monsters! Truly fascinating."
Wu Tian: "..."
Qin Yuhan, who didn’t know that the Immortal Emperor in question was her husband, had another thought. Could this Immortal Emperor be a transmigrator?
Now, Si’er opened the menu and said, "I’ll have a portion of fried golden algae, stir-fried brown algae, spicy brown algae, and one of everything else you have."
"Of course. Please wait a moment while I go make the arrangements."
The octopus waiter departed, and Si’er and the others entered the Heaven-grade room.
"Si’er, happy birthday!" As soon as they entered the room, the other princesses exchanged a look and shouted in unison.
It startled Si’er, but she was very happy.
"Si’er, we used to all be princesses, but who would have thought you’re already a queen," an eight-year-old princess from another kingdom said, taking out a jade bracelet. "My father gave this to me. He said there are only three such pairs in our entire kingdom. Now, this one is your birthday gift. It will help you enter meditation faster during your cultivation."
"Thank you," Si’er said.
"I have one too! My mother told me to give you this Wide-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress as a birthday gift. It will suit you perfectly."
"And me, this is mine..."
"I have a gift too, this is..."
The princesses, who were clearly all on good terms with Si’er, wholeheartedly presented the best gifts they could offer. Gifts of this quality were rare even among the royal families of one-star powers.
Next, the princes from the other kingdoms glanced at each other and prepared to present their gifts.
"Hmph!" At that moment, Zhaolan let out a derisive snort, intimidating the other princes who were about to present their gifts.
"I’ll give my gift first," Zhaolan said slowly. "The rest of you can go after me."
The other princes gritted their teeth, feeling that Zhaolan was being an insufferable bully, but they could only endure it. Although they were still young and not yet fifteen, they knew better than to cause trouble for their royal parents and their kingdoms. And so, they didn’t argue with him.
Zhaolan wore a proud expression, relishing the feeling of bullying others. It made him feel superior. Even though Wu Tian is here, he’s ten years older than me. He won’t stoop to arguing with a child like me. It would make him look bad if word got out!
"Si’er," Zhaolan said, pulling a box from his robes. He glanced around the room and declared, "The gift I’m about to present is something none of these people could ever afford. Of course, as they say, it’s the thought that counts."
Everyone assumed Zhaolan was about to flaunt his wealth. They were completely caught off guard to hear him utter a phrase like "it’s the thought that counts."
What on earth was in that box?
It wasn’t just the other princes and princesses; even Si’er herself grew curious. "What’s in here?"
"Open it and see," Zhaolan said with a confident little smile. "I’m sure you’ll like it."
The crowd grew even more curious. Si’er opened the box herself and found a piece of paper inside. When she took it out, she saw that it contained a birth chart.
"What is this?" Si’er was confused about what Zhaolan was trying to do.
Zhaolan’s expression was smug. The ten-year-old boy suddenly adopted a look of tender affection. "That is my birth chart, Si’er. Let’s get engaged. Then you will be my fiancée."
All the princes and princesses were stunned. They had never expected Zhaolan to make such a move.
"No." Si’er handed the box back to Zhaolan and said firmly, "Zhaolan, I don’t like you."
"What? You don’t like me?" Zhaolan’s brow furrowed. "Si’er, you’re just being shy, right?"
"No, I really don’t like you," Si’er said seriously, shaking her head.
After her birthday, she’ll only be eight years old. How could she possibly be someone’s fiancée? What a joke. Si’er was deeply displeased.
Hearing Si’er’s rejection, Zhaolan’s true colors showed. He gritted his teeth, his ten-year-old face twisting into a snarl as he shouted, "You liar!"
"Liar?" Si’er was even more confused. "What do you mean by that?"
"Why don’t you like me? I’m the Prince of a Two-Star Kingdom, the sole heir! What reason could you possibly have for not liking me? There can only be one reason—you already like someone else!" Zhaolan yelled. "It’s because of Wu Tian, isn’t it? And you said you didn’t like him! You obviously do, so stop denying it, you liar!"
Si’er was stunned. This Zhaolan must be a madman.
Zhaolan, however, appeared completely unafraid. Who here would dare do anything to me? Even Wu Tian can’t just bully a child, can he?
But at that very moment, a cold, clear voice suddenly rang out. "If you keep courting death again and again, you will actually die. Do you understand?"