Chapter 133: Being Born an A is Not Your Fault
Xie Qiang stood before the tea table. After scanning the area, she noticed the only empty seat was the one furthest from Xie Kong.
She tilted her chin up slightly. Her tone was arrogant, but because of her soft voice, it sounded more like she was acting spoiled. “Imperial Brother, I want to sit next to you.”
“Alright.” Xie Kong smiled dotingly, but his eyes flickered as he glanced at Wanyan Jin, who had followed her in. “Financial Officer Wanyan, go and move that chair over here.”
The other Sentinels let out meaningful chuckles.
Xie Qiang blinked.
What are these Sentinels laughing at? Are they discriminating against Wanyan Jin?
Wanyan Jin stopped before the tea table, his tone indifferent. “Princess, the Emperor instructed us to pick winter flowers and return. It would be best not to delay.”
“What does it matter? Can’t the Financial Officer just pick them himself?” Xie Kongâs tone rose slightly as he looked at Wanyan Jin with a smile. “Imperial Sister and I haven’t seen each other in three years; I miss her dearly. The Financial Officer should understand our sibling bond and give us some time to catch up.”
“Or is it that you feel moving a chair for my sister is beneath you?” Xie Kong smiled, his gaze like a hidden blade aimed straight at Wanyan Jin.
“…”
Wanyan Jinâs snake pupils narrowed slightly. He said nothing more and turned toward the chair.
The S-class Sentinels began to chuckle again, exchanging glances full of obvious mockery. They looked like they were watching a show, their bodies radiating upper-class arrogance and contempt.
The two leads of this show were Xie Kong and Wanyan Jin.
One had pure royal blood but was only an A-class Sentinel; the other had only a fragment of royal genes but was an S-class Sentinel.
Xie Qiang understood now. These S-class Sentinels were treating Xie Kong and Wanyan Jin like playthings.
She rubbed her chin, a sharp light flashing in her cat-like eyes. She spoke up. “Imperial Brother, I don’t want him to move it!”
Xie Kong froze for a moment. “Hmm? Why?”
Xie Qiang swept a look of pure disgust over the S-class Sentinels. “These Sentinels are filthy. I don’t want them touching the chair I’m going to sit on! Imperial Brother, you move it for me!”
“This…” Xie Kong completely hadn’t expected Xie Qiang to ask him to move the chair.
Just now, he had told Wanyan Jin to do it specifically to humiliate him. If he went to move it himself, wouldn’t he be humiliating himself by doing menial labor?
As he hesitated, he heard Xie Qiang say unhappily, “Is Imperial Brother unwilling? Do you want your sister to sit on a chair contaminated by these Sentinels? Is your love for me real?”
“How could it not be? Of course I love you!” Xie Kong said hurriedly. He stood up and walked toward the furthest chair. He waved Wanyan Jin aside and pulled the chair over to his own seat. “Come, Imperial Sister, sit.”
Xie Qiang sat down, crossing her legs. Like a master, she scanned everyone’s faces. “Imperial Brother, what are you all talking about?”
“Ah, we were just chatting casually,” Xie Kong said, his lips curving into a smile that looked like a kind brother’s.
“Just chatting?” Xie Qiang raised an eyebrow, her face full of disapproval. “Imperial Brother, you invited several S-class Sentinels to the greenhouse just to chat? Thatâs so unproductive. No wonder Father had to give birth to me so I could inherit the throne!”
Xie Kongâs smile froze instantly. “What?”
“Sigh, I don’t blame you, Imperial Brother. After all, youâre an A-class Sentinel; it’s inevitable that your abilities can’t keep up with S-classes.” Xie Qiang shook her head helplessly. She reached out and patted Xie Kongâs shoulder, speaking earnestly. “Even though youâre an A-class Sentinel, naturally dull and not good at fighting, unloved by Father, and untrusted by the ministers… Even though it took you over a hundred years to scrounge up ten S-class Sentinels to serve you, and they’re just useless Sentinels who can only chat and can’t help you build anything…”
“But it doesn’t matter. Your sister is willing to tolerate your mediocrity.”
Xie Qiang looked at him with pity. “Imperial Brother, don’t be too insecure. Being born an A is not your fault. Think of it this wayâWanyan Jin became an S-class with just a tiny bit of royal genes, yet you managed to dodge every single good gene to become an A. Isn’t that a one-in-a-billion feat?”
“Pfft.” One of the Sentinels sitting closest to them finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Our First Prince is indeed one in a billion.”
Xie Kongâs face turned dark. He suspected Xie Qiang was doing this on purpose, but her eyes were innocent and clear, filled with genuine concern for her brother. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if she was just being blunt or malicious.
“Imperial Sister,” he forced a smile, trying to sound gentle. “Brother was just being humble. We were actually discussing your victory banquet.”
“I see.” Xie Qiang nodded slightly. “Will Imperial Brother attend my banquet?”
“Naturally. It is your banquet, after all,” Xie Kong said as if it were a given.
“But if you do, won’t the nobles and ministersâeven the Guidesâcompare you to me? They might even compare you to that ‘defective product.’ If they say something unpleasant…” Xie Qiang looked worried, her tone pained. “Father is really something. Why didn’t he just strangle you when you were born? Leaving you to face these situations is simply too irresponsible!”
“Pfft-cough.”
Another laugh rang out. Xie Qiang looked up and saw that this time, it was Wanyan Jin who had laughed.
Ah, he finally laughed.
Xie Kong was so angry that veins were popping on his forehead. He couldn’t explode at Xie Qiang, so Wanyan Jinâs laugh gave him a perfect target.
“Wanyan Jin!” he shouted coldly. “Are you laughing at me?”
“Your Highness misunderstood.” Wanyan Jin stood in place, his long hair over his shoulders. His straight back didn’t look the least bit dejected; instead, he radiated the elegant aura of a noble gentleman. “I simply caught a cold.”
“Imperial Brother, look at you being sensitive again.” Xie Qiang looked at Xie Kong with disapproval once more. “He just laughed; he didn’t say anything. If youâre like this, Iâm worried youâll lose face at the banquet.”
“Even though I don’t care how dull you are, it is my banquet. If you lose face, I lose face.” She shook her head, her tone full of disappointment. “I’ve already been very tolerant of you being an A-class Sentinel; you should show me some consideration too.”
“Xie Qiang!” Xie Kong couldn’t take it anymore and finally roared, “I am your brother!”
“I know, you don’t have to shout so loud.” Xie Qiang frowned slightly, her tone displeased. “If you were an S-class Sentinel with the ability to inherit the throne, those Sentinels who eyed me before wouldn’t have dared to do anything. I’ve suffered so much because you’re incompetent. How can you still be angry at me?”
She raised a hand to rub her temples, her face showing weariness. “Forget it. Low-level Sentinels always find it hard to control their tempers. I should be more understanding of you.”
Recommended Reads
