After reprimanding Shen Yanshao, Sophia felt a bit tired, but she also felt a sense of relief. She had always been disgusted and angered by overly kind people like Shen Yanshao.
However, shortly afterward, she felt some pain in her heart, causing her to cough up black blood as a result.
Emma quickly supported her with a worried expression, but Sophia paid no attention to her condition. "Bring Shen Yu into the room; the guards will come soon."
Shen Yanshao hesitated for a moment but gritted her teeth and carried Shen Yu into the room. Upon entering, her facial expressions turned cold, as everything needed to torture someone sexually was present, from straps to ropes to sticks.
Shen Yanshao placed Shen Yu on the bed and changed her clothes. She then left the room with a cold expression, as according to Shen Yu's plan, she was supposed to be the one sleeping inside, awaiting someone to come and violate her.
As she exited the room, Shen Yanshao heard a beautiful voice saying, "Don't think too much about it; soon you'll rid yourself of all the good feelings you possess for Shen Yu."
As soon as Sophia finished speaking, she heard footsteps approaching. Shen Yanshao immediately picked up Sophia like a princess and hurriedly left the place.
She quickly disappeared from sight, but her curiosity made her turn her head to see who the wretched person her beloved sister had brought with her was.
"What?!" She was shocked when she saw who the person was - General Siu's son.
This person was known throughout the Eastern Kingdom for his debauchery and cruelty towards women, and Shen Yanshao could easily imagine how he would use the tools inside the room, sending shivers down her spine.
But she didn't dwell on it for long as she heard Sophia's voice from her embrace.
"You have a kind sister."
"Yes, kind enough to love everyone in the heavens."
"What do you want from me now?"
"Take me to the Cold Palace."
Shen Yanshao was surprised by her request and said, "Now?"
"Yes, now."
"But your condition doesn't allow for that; it's clear you're unwell."
Sophia smiled and said what was in her heart, "I didn't think you could be this kind, Shen Yanshao. But it's better not to be naively kind."
Like Emma from the story, Shen Yanshao, too, was one of those who were forced by Alex. It wasn't enough that he destroyed the kingdom she had lived to protect, but he also didn't let her commit suicide and continued to exploit her until the end.
Shen Yanshao nodded in understanding of her words. "Where is Emma?"
"I sent her away; she shouldn't witness what I'm about to do."
They quickly arrived at the Cold Palace, avoiding going through all the courtyards, gardens, and squares. Shen Yanshao carried Sophia all the way, and although it was embarrassing, neither of them cared. Shen Yanshao preferred this method of transportation within the imperial palace anyway. Meanwhile, Sophia cursed her trashy body internally and had decided that as soon as she obtained the Soul gem Shard, she would find a solution for her body.
Shen Yanshao gently placed Sophia on the ground, but even so, Sophia lost her balance and couldn't support herself. The other quickly supported her with a terrified expression on her face.
[Ding: The host has reached the location of the Soul gem Shard.]
[Ding: Please assimilate it within the next quarter-hour.]
[Ding: Punishment: Reduce the host's health by fifty percent.]
[Ding: Reward: Increase the host's health by five percent.]
Sophia's entire focus was on the system screen, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice when she saw the disparity between the punishment and the reward. She wished she could replace her faulty system with Alex's.
But things don't always go as one wishes, and she could only grumble about how the universe was unfair.
Sofia no longer harbored the idea of the unjust system in her mind; she was now one step closer to achieving her goal. Because of this, she ignored all the pain and sharp headache she had felt until now and entered the cold palace with determined steps, with Shen Yanshiao following closely behind.
The cold palace was the place where the dreams and hopes of many women and young girls had come to an end over the ages. It was where every unfortunate and unlucky one who couldn't win the king's heart met their demise, perhaps even falsely accused by their fellow sisters in the inner courtyard.
As soon as Sofia entered the cold palace, she immediately noticed the stark contrast between it and the other opulent and vibrant palaces. The place was dilapidated and old, neglected for years, evident from the overgrown plants that made it look desolate.
She sighed softly upon seeing the place and glanced at Shen Yanshiao with some regret. After the scandal, her father, King Ming, sent her to the cold palace, canceling her cultivation base. Despite Shen Yanshiao being a princess who had never known hardships in her life, it must have been difficult for her to stay in this place until Alex came and took her away.
Sofia didn't enter the building as Shen Yanshiao might have expected. Instead, she went directly behind it, where there was an old well. She stopped in front of it and looked at the deep abyss. Shen Yanshiao asked, "What's next?"
She turned to her and uttered two words, "Follow me."
And with that, she jumped into the well without hesitation. Shen Yanshiao was surprised to see this and quickly jumped in as well, attempting to save Sofia. She knew well that Sofia was even weaker than an ordinary person, with no chance of surviving a fall like this.
But as Shen Yanshiao descended, she felt something strange. There was no water inside; instead, she felt a gentle energy surrounding her, restoring her strength and vitality in moments. She had never felt this comfortable in her life. Shen Yanshiao realized immediately that this place was anything but ordinary.