Hidden genius: Black belly snake

Tang Yue glanced at the small invitation card on her side table, handwritten using beautiful strokes, and adjusted her robe for the seventh time.

She had originally planned to binge eat and complete the bristle wolf bloodline today, but fate pushed her in a different direction and she had to comply.

The snake princess donned on a pale lavender robe with elegant prints of peach blossoms patterned using silver threads.

The robe clung to her body, accentuating all the right places, making her look absolutely stunning and devious, a sensual goddess.

She was the perfect picture of a woman that all mothers would warn their sons about.

But there was nothing she could do about it. 

That was the very nature and unique charm of the serpentine clan. She couldn't hide it even if she tried to.

Tang Yue then grabbed her amethyst studded jewelry and quickly threw on everything she had, leaving aside an exquisitely crafted bracelet.

Amethyst was the most commonly available gemstone in the serpentine lands and so she had quite a bit of the gem-studded jewelry.

Tang Yue then carefully packed the bracelet to present it to the Empress. 

She was still not completely aware of the etiquette in the elven settlement, but she decided to better be prepared.

After finishing all the arrangements, Tang Yue quickly dismissed Little Plum, who was excitedly buzzing around her observing each and every mundane action she did and called for Lotte.

"Let's head out." Tang Yue muttered and the duo set out to attend the special tea ceremony.

The ceremony was organized in the palatial gardens, filled with beautiful and vibrant flowers.

The garden courtyard overlooked the golden lotus pond, personally tended to by the crown prince, for harvesting the treasured golden lotus, a herbal flower used in various pill formulae.

Tang Yue soon arrived at the courtyard entrance and could already sense the palpable tension in the air.

The typically calm and serene garden, only visited by the occasional mist butterflies, was currently filled with numerous elegant and mesmerizing elven noble ladies and princesses.

The elven Emperor had a total of five brothers and three sisters. 

So all the other side family branches betrothed one of their princesses to the Crown prince, hoping to win his favor and combine with the main branch.

"Ha Ha Ha. This is going to be interesting." 

Tang Yue's emerald eyes gazed at her competition coldly, as she stepped into the palace garden courtyard.

"What a waste of time!"

"At least I should see if I can get Charlotte alone." She murmured and graciously sauntered over inside.

A maid immediately came rushing towards her and welcomed her. Tang Yue nodded in reply and looked around. 

Several tables and chairs were arranged in a circular fashion, each containing savory delicacies, fragrant and delicious.

The Empress was sitting at the main table with elven ladies excitedly buzzing around her and chatting with her.

She was known for being a very kind, just, and benevolent woman, but Tang Yue doubted if this kindness extended to other clans as well.

"So this is what mother of pure evil looks like huh?" Her forked tongue flickered in and out, as she gazed at the strong woman.

The Empress stood out like a wolf in the pack of sheep and her aura and demeanor were exuding unadulterated power and arrogance, not because of her personal capabilities but because of her status in the Empire.

All the other princes and the Emperor's brothers might have harems in their clan, but the Emperor himself had only a single woman, the Empress.

There were no other concubines or royal consorts to contest her place.

Hence, her status was extremely fierce and dignified in the entire settlement, which was why every single elf who had gathered here was trying to win over her favor.

Tang Yue smiled and continued contemplating.

She could hardly recognize four or maybe five of the elven noble ladies present. Isabella was there. Adrianna had also arrived.

And then a familiar figure entered her view.

Of course, the said figure was present right next to the Empress, visibly buttering her up.

Charlotte's eyes looked reddened and her figure looked extremely fragile and weak as if she was fraught with misery and sadness.

The heartbroken woman looked like she was trying her best to put on a brave face and chat with the Empress, despite anguish overwhelming her.

Anyone who looked at her would instantly feel pity and sympathy for her.

Tang Yue almost wanted to clap for the amazing performance. Charlotte looked even more miserable than a grieving widow!

The snake sighed and decided to observe things from the sidelines for a while before introducing herself.

She silently walked around, playing the part of a friendly consort, and tried to make herself more social, exchange greetings and pleasantries with a few ladies.

But after talking to a couple of them, it was clear that she was being avoided.

It felt as if everyone was intentionally side-stepping her, not talking for more than a few seconds.

Maybe it was because she was a spirit beast or maybe someone had planned something, Tang Yue was certain that she was being ignored.

Considering that she was the only colored figure in the entire group of pale elves, she had somewhat predicted that this would happen and didn't mind the apparent discrimination.

She did not bother approaching anyone else and simply sat on an empty table in the corner of the garden.

A maid quickly appeared and placed a steaming hot tea set in front of her, serving her a cup of tea quickly.

Tang Yue nodded and silently sipped on the drink in her hands. 

She tried to forget the elves littered around her, enjoying the peacefulness and the serenity of the garden.

Ding. An ice attribute object has been consumed.

Ding. Cold resistance has increased.

Ding. A lightning attribute object has been consumed.

Ding. Lightning resistance has increased.

"Mmm. This is a good brew indeed, worthy of their royal status." She chuckled and continued sipping.

Her eyes then casually circled the single elf who she was interested in meeting with today, no matter how much she ignored her, the sad and melancholic Charlotte!