Shen Tang heard the system's words and suddenly froze in place.
She instinctively looked up at Jia Lan beside her. He seemed unwilling to reveal anything unusual and, like everyone else, lowered his head and took a few bites of food, his manners so natural they were indistinguishable from a normal person.
Shen Tang's eyes suddenly reddened, her heart swelling with an aching sadness.
Jia Lan, who had always been such a proud Mermaid Prince, now could only live like this, even pretending everything was fine so they wouldn't worry.
If it weren't for the system's reminder, Shen Tang thought: Jia Lan would likely continue hiding like this, never letting anyone see through the truth in a lifetime.
After dinner, back at the palace to rest, Shen Tang went alone to meet Jia Lan.
He had just draped his outer garments on the rack, wearing only a white satin shirt, his figure slender and erect, merely standing quietly like a sculpture carved by the Heavenly God, cold and ethereal.
