There’s No Way My Maid Is a Villain

The Royal Family

Liqin and Yinhua arrived at the royal palace, and at first glance, the place looked like a theater.

Looking around, it was like a magnificent stage with a ceiling so high it was immeasurable.

Yinhua's footsteps echoed as she walked forward step by step on the red carpet laid across the stone floor.

The stage was two-tiered, with one inner layer shrouded behind curtains.

Seated inside was none other than Yinhua's father, the emperor of Wanhua: Wanhua Zhankong.

Judging by the country's prosperity, he was undoubtedly a wise ruler of his generation.

He had not appeared in public for many years; even Yinhua's last encounter with him had been before she was exiled from the palace.

He had long been accustomed to orchestrating everything from behind the scenes, and of course, some said he simply did not want others to see him sick or aged, but what the truth actually was—no one knew.

Yet, even from behind those curtains, Yinhua could still feel the imposing pressure of a sovereign; despite his old age, he still exuded a strong sense of oppression.

Having confirmed her father's location, Yinhua retracted her gaze from behind the curtain.

Standing beside her, shoulder to shoulder, were the siblings she once called brothers and sisters.

"Why have you come back? There's no place for you here."

It was Third Sister, Fenyu, who spoke.

"I was wondering who it was—turns out it's Yinhua. Living alone must be lonely, right?"

Second Sister Fina continued sarcastically.

"What a pity. You snuck in this time, didn't you? Not summoned here at all. Worthless."

Eldest Sister Lingxian joined in.

The king had three sons and five daughters.

Liqin was ranked fourth, while Yinhua was the youngest.

Wanhua had no traditions of favoring men over women; in the royal family, as long as one had ability, they could become an official or ascend the throne.

Unlike Yinhua, who was born without magical powers, all the king's other children were powerful heirs—each outstanding in their own way.

It was basically certain that the throne would go to one of the seven of them.

Compared to them, Yinhua, who had been stripped of her royal status, was worlds apart.

Strictly speaking, she wasn't even allowed to converse with them.

Still, Yinhua strode resolutely forward toward them.

Fina narrowed her eyes.

"What are you trying to do?"

Yinhua took a deep breath and said, "Please pardon my disrespect, sisters, but today's banquet is being held for the Spirit Selection, isn't it?"

Looking at her second sister, who knitted her brows, Yinhua continued, "Then I should have the right to stand here too. No matter the reason—even if I've been stripped of my royal title and banished—I still have royal blood in my veins, and that will never change."

"What? ... You don't mean you want to participate in the Spirit Selection too, do you?"

Fina was slightly surprised.

"Hahahaha."

Fenyu burst out laughing nearby.

"Are you an idiot? You don't even have magic, yet you want to enter the Spirit Selection? Which Spirit Companion would choose someone like YOU?"

"Whether or not I have magic isn't a necessary requirement. The ancestral rules clearly state that as long as one is of royal blood, they should be eligible to participate in the Spirit Selection,"

Yinhua retorted.

Liqin watched Yinhua—this was the first time she had seen Yinhua argue with anyone. This Spirit Selection clearly meant a great deal to her.

Fenyu pondered for a moment before saying, "That may be so, but..."

She shrugged helplessly.

Yinhua certainly understood what she meant.

Without magic, her chances in the Spirit Selection were bleak.

Even if they let her participate, it would likely be a waste, using up one of the precious slots.

After all, the Spirit Selection was a world event, with only a thousand slots.

Aside from royal family members of all nations, there were also children of generals and ministers—and countless prodigies in schools.

Everyone longed for this opportunity.

Yinhua herself understood this, but since she had come this far, she clearly knew what she was risking.

"Enough!"

The emperor's voice, filled with majesty, interrupted, and everyone silenced themselves.

"Yinhua, I commend your resolve, but I'm afraid all the slots for the Spirit Selection are already set, and there are none available."

Hearing this, cold sweat broke out on Yinhua's back. She hastily said,

"Father, please grant me a chance, I..."

She was swiftly cut off by her father.

"A chance? Of course, there is one. The western Yuexing Kingdom is a great nation just like ours. Their princess has lost half her soul due to a curse and now lies at home, her life or death unknown. If you're willing to stake your soul, then I'll give you a chance. If you fail, you'll become the next princess of Yuexing Kingdom. That would hardly be a bad thing for you, would it?"

Hearing her father's terms, Yinhua's eyes widened in disbelief. Her own father, asking her to gamble her soul—this was her father!

"The Spirit Selection begins in one day. If you're certain, press your fingerprint here on the contract scroll. If you lack the resolve, you'd best return to your Shayuola City and live out your powerless days in peace."

"No need. I understand."

Yinhua had already made up her mind—what was the point of fearing for her soul now?

"Hey, no way! Wait!"

Liqin protested; she absolutely could not accept this outcome.

But it was too late—Yinhua had already signed the contract, and the scroll dissolved into magical elements that vanished into the air.

With a 'thud', Liqin collapsed to her knees.

"It's over..."

Seeing this, even Fina gaped as if witnessing a hallucination. Elder Sister Lingxian even let her eyes widen a little, while Third Sister Fenyu was utterly shocked.

"Hey, hey, are you serious? Someone as weak as you should have just stayed in your own city. Why?"

"Shut up!"

The old emperor's voice cut Fenyu off.

"I'll give you one last chance to choose."

"This is my choice. That's all."

"Good!"

At that moment, Yinhua remembered—it seemed her father was looking directly at her for the very first time.

Yinhua knew her actions were irrational. It was an all-or-nothing gamble, a desperate move.

"I'll have the adjudicator keep a place for you. Now, dismissed!"

After leaving the palace, Yinhua ran into Lingxian, the eldest of all the sisters and also the most gifted.

She stared at Yinhua with a scrutinizing gaze that left Yinhua feeling as if she were standing in a deep, icy cavern—her whole body enveloped by cold, her teeth chattering.

After scrutinizing Yinhua, Lingxian took her gaze away and spoke with utter disappointment: "Bluffing."

Liqin wanted to say something, but considering the massive gap in power, she realized she was the least qualified to speak here.

"Let it go, Lingxian. Yinhua must have made considerable mental preparations before coming here."

It was the young man who had been standing by, Wanhua's eldest prince—Yi-er—who spoke.

"Brother..."

Yi-er waved his hand, "You don't need to say anything to me. If you truly have resolve, then show it to me at tomorrow's Spirit Selection."

Yi-er possessed an extraordinary humility and calm demeanor, earning him high popularity throughout the empire. Like Lingxian, he was also considered a strong contender for the throne.

To Yinhua, he was also one of the few she admired.

"Well, let's all disperse."

Yi-er's voice carried to every corner, eliciting various expressions from everyone, but nobody said much more as they each dispersed.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I would have said, it sucks to suck, but Yinhua doesn't deserve the way her family treats her.
It's world's apart with how Alter got treated
【(⩌‸⩌ )】