Preparations

A quaint drizzle earmarked the fateful day on which Tang Yue was mercilessly going to be sacrificed.

As if she had forgotten all about that, the young snake girl played with the raindrops dripping from the holes on her chamber's ceiling.

She took a long listless look at the dull red stone ceiling of her chamber in the secluded corner of the palace.

It was a blatant reminder of her social status and her insignificance in the serpentine clan.

Heh... Isn't a luxurious life waiting for me? Tang Yue chuckled sarcastically mocking her pathetic plight.

She reverted to her serpentine form and slithered to the main royal palace courtyard.

Though it was still a layered structure consisting of dull red stones, unlike her abysmal corner, the main area was hustling and bustling about with pomp and show.

The entire palace was decorated in grandiose.

All the major royal families had assembled and everyone had donned the traditional religious garb.

The snake clan prayed to the water goddess and believed that their innate power originated from her.

None of their auspicious rituals began without the ceremonious offering to the water goddess.

At the center of the main chamber, Tang Zuelo, Tang Yue's step-mother was mouthing off loudly.

"Everything has to be the best. The very best. Don't skimp on anything."

"Get over here. Arrange these properly. Put these at the front."

Tang Zuelo was firing instructions left and right, to ease her disturbed nerves. This ceremony had to go exceedingly well!

What if they get dissatisfied with something and suddenly the crown prince refuses to take the trash away?

No, she couldn't let that happen.

Her daughters were the real precious treasures of the clan. Unlike this trash, they were the real future of this clan. She needed to protect them at all costs.

Attending to each and every detail, down to the minute specifics, Tang Zuelo personally worked very hard.

She was determined to make sure that everything is at its very best.

She had not worked this hard in a long time!

Sending out hurried instructions in all four directions, Tang Zuelo's tired eyes fell on the elegant woman, who was casually chilling on the side.

"Useless thing! Get over here and arrange these flowers. Look at her! Standing there like a statue!" Tang Zuelo yelled with her nostrils flaring up.

Looking at the enraged and anxious woman, Tang Yue stifled her laughter and slowly walked over.

This sort of treatment was nothing new to her.

She had already been long accustomed to all sorts of insults.

In fact, her status in the clan was dangling right above a slave maid, threatening to fall below that bottom line at any given instant.

As her worn-out emerald embedded blue robe fluttered in the wind, Tang Yue tucked the few black strands of hair falling on her phoenix-like eyes behind her ear.

The robe nicely complemented her pale blue skin color.

Considering her looks alone, Tang Yue could stand toe to toe with the six other royal princesses.

Her mesmerizing face might be hidden behind a veil, but her noble and elegant aura could never be hidden or diminished.

Unfortunately, looks were not everything.

A snake clan royal being unable to form a beast core was a huge embarrassment to the entire royal family.

So what if she was stunningly beautiful? She was still just an useless trash.

Contrary to her usual lackluster demeanor, on this particular day, Tang Yue had a rare smile dancing on her delicate little dark blue lips.

For better or worse, she was finally leaving this forsaken place today. She could never be anything more than a trash in this clan.

Instead of forever staying here and rotting away, it was better for her to try her chances with the cold-blooded and murderous crown prince.

The crown prince... The man who held her destiny in his hands.

Her mind wandered around messily considering the various possibilities, while silently tossing the flowers around.

"Useless thing, why are you still loitering? Go and change out of your shabby clothes right this instant." Tang Zuelo yelled and handed her a better looking sparkly set of robes.

With a cold smile on her lips, Tang Yue sarcastically nodded in fake obedience and skipped over to change her clothes.

"Heh... The useless thing is actually happy!" Tang Zuelo found Tang Yue's behavior very comical.

"Ignorant brat." She chuckled with deep animosity etched in her face.

Soon it was time and all the members of the royal family had assembled, staying put in their best behavior.

Emperor Tang Zen, who ruled over the entirety of the northern snake clan had also arrived and settled on his throne.

He had a majestic and imposing aura about him.

Within a few seconds, the cunning old man immediately called for Tang Yue.

All these decorations, condiments, and displayed treasures were secondary.

The main star for tonight was after all the bride to be. If she was not perfect, then everything else would crumble as well.

Tang Yue obediently arrived. Her earlier indifferent and snarky attitude seemed to have surprisingly taken a back seat when she stood in front of the Emperor.

Because unlike her conniving parents, the Emperor was just outright ruthless and motive driven.

Well, he was the Emperor of their clan. So he had to be just that ruthless!!

Scanning her up and down, the Emperor nodded satisfactorily.

Her good looks were not a surprise. Everyone knew that the seven royal princesses looked absolutely stunning.

The young beautiful snake would probably look good in anything she wore.

And today, Tang Yue had worn the royal attire, which was a deep purple robe, studded with pearls.

It perfectly complemented her pale blue skin and brought out her natural beauty. Nothing was out of place.

"Here lass, wear this pendant around your neck." The Emperor fished out something from his pocket and reluctantly handed it to the surprised girl.