I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Shen Youyao shook her head blankly: "I...don't know."

Her mind was still filled with Gu Yan's words, "She's gone," and she felt empty inside, as if there was a hole in her heart.

Shen Youwei continued in that somewhat detached tone, as if looking down on all living beings.

"Imperial Jade, its status is so noble."

"The only ones who can be a good match for him are top socialites from equally prestigious families."

"Perhaps she is the most beloved princess of some ancient royal family in Western Europe, or the eldest granddaughter of a high-ranking official in the Great Xia cabinet, or perhaps the young lady of a reclusive family with a thousand-year-old heritage..."

"They receive the best education from a young age, have connections and resources that ordinary people can't even imagine, and are elegant in demeanor and eloquent in speech."

"They will have a world-famous wedding and receive blessings from all over the world."

"After marriage, his wife can accompany him to appreciate the latest art collections in the morning."

"At noon, we can discuss the latest superpowered technologies or ancient martial arts techniques with him, and in the evening, we can attend a state banquet or charity gala together."

"They stand on the clouds, looking down on all living beings; they must be very happy."

Shen Youwei paused, her voice lowering, carrying an almost cruel tenderness:

"And occasionally, on a sunny afternoon, or while flipping through old photos, your Gu Yan might... also think of you."

"There was once a timid little girl in his life who wore black-rimmed glasses and always kept her head down."

That's all.

As Shen Youyao listened to these words, the pain in her heart deepened with each passing moment, almost making it hard for her to breathe.

Why...why was I born into this kind of family?

Why do I know nothing and have nothing?

If she were born into a prominent family and possessed exceptional talent like Miss Cecilia, wouldn't she have a little bit of right to look up at that light?

Yes, Gu Yan's future wife will definitely be a noble lady from a family with a long-standing tradition of power and wealth, elegant, strong, and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

What about yourself?

It was just a tiny, insignificant ripple in Gu Yan's long life, one that would soon be forgotten.

Shen Youyao was in so much pain that her heart felt like it was about to clench.

She murmured to herself, her voice choked with sobs, "What... should I do..."

Reason told her that there would be no result.

Even if a miracle were to happen and Gu Yan was willing to accept her, would those old men in the Three Academies who value the dignity and future of the empire agree?

Would those cabinet ministers, who value lineage and personal gain, agree to this?

Would the royal family agree to let an orphan with no background become the wife of the empire's most prized possession?

Will not.

the reason is simple.

This is not in the interest of the empire and its citizens, nor in terms of dignity, and certainly not in accordance with the unspoken rules of that circle.

She may only bring trouble and uncontrollability, and what this world needs least is trouble.

Shen Youyao's tears fell one by one without warning, landing on the cold ground of the training field.

She feels that she has recently done many things that she never dared to think about before.

Falling in love with someone with whom there will never be a future is probably the bravest thing she has ever done in her life.

Shen Youwei sensed Shen Youyao's overwhelming sadness, as if she were about to vanish into dust. She sighed in her mind, her voice carrying an unprecedented, cold, and powerful quality.

"Alright, Shen Youyao."

"Stop acting like a puppy that's been abandoned by the whole world."

"Have you forgotten... that I'm still here?"

Her voice paused, then uttered each word clearly, with an almost declarative force:

"Who does Chen Mojun think he is?"

"Who does Lin Jinyu think she is?"

"And who is Pei Yuran anyway?"

"They are just lucky ones who have been born into power, delicate flowers standing under the halo of their parents, canaries trapped in gorgeous cages, thinking themselves noble."

"But we are different."

"Shen Youyao, listen carefully."

"We are the most uncontrollable, the most undefinable, and ultimately the most powerful monsters in this world."

"Anyone who stands in our way should die."

"No one can take what we like away from us."

Do you understand?

Shen Youyao was stunned when she heard these words.

Her eyes were filled with complex emotions, and her heart was pounding. A strange, burning sense of power, as if from the depths of her blood, was like a huge stone thrown into the still lake of her heart as Shen Youwei spoke.

On the other side, at the entrance to the training ground.

Li Zhengguo looked at the young man who had appeared there at some point and asked in surprise, "Sima Dahai? What brings you here?"

"Did your grandfather send you?"

The young man named Sima Dahai looked to be in his early twenties. He was tall and handsome with a sharp features, especially his eyes, which were incredibly bright and occasionally revealed a chilling killing intent honed on the battlefield.

What is most striking is the rank on his shoulder—lieutenant colonel.

Anyone who isn't blind can sense that this handsome young lieutenant colonel is no ordinary person, given his impressive background and abilities.

"Grandpa told me to stop by and take a look."

As he spoke, his gaze passed over Li Zhengguo and landed on Shen Youyao, who stood alone in the distance, her back view appearing lonely and frail.

He frowned and asked, "Minister Zheng Guo, who has such a grand display that they can clear out the entire Third Training Area?"

"I remember that even when those generals from the Ministry of the Navy inspected the area last time, only a partial martial law was imposed."

The entire training ground was reserved for just the two of them; this authority extended to a few senior members of the three academies and even to cabinet elders.

He really couldn't understand who else could have such prestige.

Li Zhengguo coughed twice and lowered his voice, saying, "Who else could it be?"

"The one who's on par with the Imperial Blade."

Sima Dahai remained silent.

He knew, of course, who the "Empire's Edge" referred to; it was a legend among the younger generation of the military, a peak that they, as top talents, needed to look up to.

And the only one who could rival that person was Gu Yan, the imperial jade.

If it's him, then it's not surprising.

"Is this young lady... a friend of Master Gu?"

He looked at Shen Youyao in the distance again, his gaze deepening, and asked softly.

For some reason, the moment Sima Dahai saw that simply dressed girl with thick glasses that couldn't hide her amazing figure, he felt a slight jolt in his heart.

That timidity mixed with purity, that gentleness concealing an astonishing allure, was exactly the type he liked best and wanted to protect most.

"Dahai, let me remind you, this girl is personally cared for by Master Gu."

"She is Master Gu's private possession."

"You'd better put away any thoughts you shouldn't have."

When Li Zhengguo heard him ask this, his expression immediately turned serious, and his tone carried a warning.

Having been through it all, he naturally noticed something was off about Sima Dahai's gaze.

Sensing the seriousness and subtle pressure in Li Zhengguo's tone, Sima Dahai forced a smile: "Really?"

He lowered his head, but his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched slightly.