Chapter 26: The Imperial Seal Palace

Chapter 26: The Imperial Palace

"Hello, everyone." Lu Shangjin looked at the group of girls with a gentle smile.

Gu Mang pulled the brim of her cap down slightly and said indifferently, "We’re leaving now."

Lu Shangjin nodded, watching as Gu Mang walked away.

The young girl hailed a taxi and opened the door, letting Meng Jinyang get in first. Her hand rested on the door frame, the sleeve of her black hoodie pulled back to reveal a glimpse of her cold, pale wrist, creating a striking contrast.

As she tilted her head to glance back, the group of girls caught a clear look at her eyes—careless and languid, her dark, bright pupils laced with a chill. A sudden, inexplicable sense of suffocation washed over them. After that brief moment of eye contact, Gu Mang stepped into the car.

Lu Shangjin withdrew his gaze and said, "You girls go ahead and eat. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be going first."

"Yes, goodbye, Uncle."

Lu Shangjin nodded. "Yi'er, you should head home early too."

"I know, Dad," Lu Yi replied obediently.

...

In the taxi, Gu Mang had her hoodie sleeves pushed up to her elbows, exposing her slender, shapely forearms. She rested them lazily against the car window, her hands hanging loosely. With her other hand, she toyed with her phone in a detached manner. Suddenly, she lifted her gaze and said in a low voice, "Stop at the residential complex up ahead."

***

After getting out of the taxi, Gu Mang squinted against the sun, her delicate brows knitting together. She pulled her cap lower and shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. Every motion she made was effortlessly cool.

Meng Jinyang stared at the grand and imposing entrance of the residential complex, stunned.

The Imperial Palace.

She had heard of this place. It was said that those who lived here were either incredibly wealthy or powerful, mostly the children of high-ranking officials or top-tier celebrities from the entertainment industry. It was a prime riverside property.

"Are we really going to live here?"

Meng Jinyang watched Gu Mang’s languid back as she walked ahead, then hurried to catch up and grab her wrist.

"Hmm?" The girl tilted her head to look at her.

Meng Jinyang peered timidly into the complex and whispered, "Gu Mang, is this the place you said you were taking me to?"

Gu Mang nodded, one eyebrow arched. "What’s wrong?"

Meng Jinyang bit her lip. "Did you rent a place here? I’ve heard it’s incredibly expensive."

"Is it?"

The property had been sitting idle since she got it. It was a gift from Lin Shuang when she bought the place.

Meng Jinyang nodded emphatically. "It’s extremely expensive! High-ranking officials and top-tier celebrities live here."

Gu Mang gave an indifferent "Oh." "It’s a friend's place. They let me rent it at a 'friendship price.' It’s just a place to stay."

Meng Jinyang was speechless. Looking at Gu Mang’s expressionless face, she couldn't help but feel that they were from two completely different worlds.

***

Gu Mang was truly formidable; she seemed capable of arranging everything perfectly.

As the two reached the entrance of the complex, they were blocked by a security guard.

"What are you doing here?!" the guard barked, pointing at them.

He walked over and looked them up and down, taking in their inexpensive clothing. When his gaze settled on their faces, his expression grew increasingly contemptuous.

Meng Jinyang frowned under his scrutiny.

"Do you know what kind of place this is?" the guard asked, his tone arrogant. "This is The Imperial Palace! Don't dirty this place with your poverty. Get lost."

Looking at their shabby appearance, he couldn't believe they had the nerve to show up here. Did they think just because they were pretty, they could fly up the branch and become phoenixes?

Gu Mang swept a glance over him. Her dark eyes, etched with faint bloodshot veins, revealed a touch of sinister coldness that was truly chilling. A cold shiver crawled up the guard’s spine and straight to the top of his head.

Then, he saw the young girl reach into her pocket and produce a black-gold card, held between her slender, clean fingertips.

His face changed instantly. The arrogant air that had surrounded him vanished completely.