Rogue Alpha

In the early spring, a warm sun shone brightly, and a refreshing breeze brushed against the face, causing the flowers in the garden of Yuan Palace to bloom, stirring a sense of springtime lethargy.

Sophia Shen, as usual, hid in the corner, her elbows propped on the stone table. Perhaps it was the tension of the night before the selection, but at this moment, she felt dizzy and dozed off.

The intermittent chatter in her ears made her sleep uneasy. Her crescent eyebrows furrowed, her long eyelashes quivered, and her plump lips slightly parted, murmuring something.

Who was talking? Wasnt she already dead?

Her hand, supporting her head, relaxed, and her soft eyelashes fluttered open to reveal a pair of sleepy phoenix eyes, full of watery radiance. Without a smile, they were filled with emotion, adding a touch of charm to her clear and beautiful face, making her look pitiful and moving.

Sophia Shen looked around in a daze, recognizing the place as the backyard of Yuan Palace, the palace where grand ceremonies were held.

Looking down, she saw the dense and delicate saffron flowers on her clothes, vivid against the lilac satin. She remembered this dress; it was what she wore on the day of the selection!

Sophia Shen couldnt help but bite her lips tightly, feeling a stabbing pain in her heart.

She was back? Back before entering the palace, back to the beginning of all nightmares. She couldnt afford to repeat the same mistakes; in this life, she only sought peace and stability, never wanting to be entangled in other peoples disputes again!

At this moment, the conversation near the flower bed a little further away grew louder, and Sophia Shen came to her senses. It was her half-sister, JoJo Shen.

"Im just lucky that my eldest sister doesnt tarnish fathers face," JoJo Shen was ingratiating herself with the ministers daughter in the crowd, "If I had a sister as heavenly as Sister Xu, that would be a blessing I couldnt ask for."

The ladies around her didnt respond, avoiding her and talking among themselves.

The Shen family was just a small official of the seventh rank; JoJo Shen, being a commoners daughter, wouldnt have been eligible for the selection if it werent for the new emperors first妃 selection.

JoJo Shens smile was sycophantic, but she was ignored, which made her angry. Seeing Sophia Shen dozing off from afar, she quickly approached.

"Eldest sister is really at ease. If you are dropped, how will you have the face to go back and see grandma and father?"

Sophia Shen looked up in a daze, and JoJo Shen had a smooth and full oval face with a pair of bright apricot eyes. Her pink butterfly dress should have been cute and lovely, but her arrogant demeanor made her appear frivolous instead.

Seeing her eldest sister not retorting, JoJo Shen became more smug, raising her chin and pointing to the tea on the table, "Bring me a cup of tea."

Sophia Shen suddenly smiled and got up to pour tea for JoJo Shen.

The ladies around noticed and couldnt help but gossip, "This eldest lady is too useless, doing such a thing that loses her status!"

JoJo Shen became even more complacent, urging, "Eldest sister, hurry up. Its something youre used to doing, not afraid of losing face!"

Sophia Shens clothes moved slightly, and with a calm posture, her hands poured tea and water orderly, showing a unique charm.

JoJo Shen was stunned for a moment, the family rules were all learned on the spot. When did this eldest sister, who always kept her eyes down, have such demeanor?

Sophia Shen handed the tea to JoJo Shen with a questioning tone, "Second sister, please."

JoJo Shen reached out awkwardly, and at this moment, Sophia Shens hand relaxed, and the scalding tea spilled all over JoJo Shen, "Ah!"

JoJo Shen was so frightened that she pushed Sophia Shen away in pain. The stain on her clothes and losing etiquette in the palace in front of the hall were the real issues.

JoJo Shen took a few quick steps and raised her hand to hit her.

Sophia Shen firmly grabbed her hand, forcing JoJo Shen to her ear and speaking in a low voice, "Does the second sister want to be clear, in front of all the selected women, in front of Yuan Palace, do you want to get a reputation for being domineering and overbearing?"

JoJo Shen was trembling with anger, clenching her fists and glaring at Sophia Shen viciously, "Sophia Shen, I will not let you go! I will definitely tell father when I go back!"

"Why be angry, second sister, if the clothes are dirty, just change them." Sophia Shen quickly lowered her eyelids and resumed her humble appearance, "If the younger sister doesnt disdain it, I can lend you my clothes."

Sophia Shen remembered that in her previous lifes selection, Emperor Kevin Lee praised the pattern on her clothes. She had worked for two months to make this dress.

JoJo Shens anger suddenly subsided, and she had long coveted her eldest sisters clothes, which were never given to her, "You are sensible."

When it was time for the sisters to enter the hall to see the emperor, JoJo Shen was already dressed up with her chest puffed out, while Sophia Shen was wearing a frivolous bright red floral long shirt, which, coupled with her simple makeup, overshadowed her.

The selected women knelt and paid homage.

"Your subject greets the emperor, may the emperor live forever! Greet the queen, may the queen live a thousand years in peace!"

After the selected women got up, they introduced their origin and identity one by one. Soon it was JoJo Shens turn, "Your subject is the daughter of Shen Zongyuan, a seventh-rank official, JoJo Shen. I wish the emperor and the queen safety!"

Emperor Kevin Lee sat in the high position, with a towering stature and a black dragon robe with red edges, which made him more majestic. On the heavy, five-color silk threads passed through twelve pieces of five-color jade hanging in front of his face, only revealing a sharp chin, and a light pink thin lips showed a hint of malevolence.

Kevin Lees deep gaze fell on the kneeling woman. He had nightmares these days and was in poor spirits. From afar, he could only see a general outline. But the clothes on her were very familiar. Whenever he wanted to recall, he had a headache.

The queen Yvonne Tu, sitting beside him, didnt pay attention to JoJo Shen and casually said, "Drop the brand." Her voice softened and gently asked Kevin Lee, "Your Majesty, is your head hurting again? You might as well rest first. Im here."

Kevin Lee rubbed his temple hard and shook his head slightly, "Keep it, give a sachet."

JoJo Shen was overjoyed and knelt down happily, "Your subject thanks the emperor! Thank the queen!" She was so happy that she completely didnt notice the queens gloomy eyes.

The eunuch then called Sophia Shens name.

Sophia Shen stood behind, clenched her fists tightly, took a deep breath, and looked up again, already trembling all over.

The eunuch next to her sighed. The selection in front of the emperor was the cream of the crop. It was surprising that she was so scared.

Kevin Lee heard the voice and his heart moved. He looked at Sophia Shen, trying to see clearly, but his brain was mixed up and could only ask her to get up first in a deep voice.

Sophia Shen made up her mind, and in this life, she must not be selected.

When she got up, her foot softened and she fell on her skirt in front of everyone. She immediately screamed and