"By the way, who lives in the palace next door?" Jiang Zheyu had noticed another palace next to this one when she arrived.

She already had a faint suspicion but had yet to confirm it.

"Princess Jin Wan lives next door, Princess Zheyu," Xiao Luo answered respectfully.

Xiao Luo’s answer confirmed Jiang Zheyu’s suspicion.

’So the Little Princess of the Empire really is living next door.’

’Why would they put us so close together?’ Jiang Zheyu thought to herself.

Although she had never met her in person, she recalled the Little Princess of the Empire’s crazed behavior from last night. It was probably best to keep her distance.

Once Xiao Luo finished helping Jiang Zheyu with her hair and makeup, they left together.

They had just stepped outside when they saw Jin Yu approaching. There were beads of sweat on his temples, a clear sign he had rushed over. His golden eyes fell on Jiang Zheyu, his expression complex, as if he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

"Prince Yu, is there something you want to say?" Jiang Zheyu blinked, her calm, brown eyes meeting the golden-haired man’s.

"Here’s the situation." Jin Yu glanced at the time, then decided to tell her everything quickly after a brief silence. "I received news a while ago that someone on R Planet had developed a reagent for the Purification of Beastification Value. I used certain means to contact this Beastman, hoping he would serve the Empire. Everything was already settled. We were going to pick a date for a press conference to announce the good news."

He paused, his gaze on Jiang Zheyu filled with complex emotions.

"But now he’s demanding we hold the press conference sooner," Jin Yu explained slowly. "Specifically, at nine o’clock this morning."

Jin Yu couldn’t understand the demand. In fact, what little goodwill he’d had for the Beastman plummeted.

Even so, for the sake of the reagent that could lower the Beastification Value, he had no choice but to rush over to find Jiang Zheyu.

The goal was to have both of their announcements made at the same press conference.

In truth, he was only here to inform Jiang Zheyu of the situation. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The options available to Jiang Zheyu were either to share the press conference with the research Beastman or postpone her own announcement.

"The reagent to lower the Beastification Value is of great importance, so I had to agree. If you don’t mind, Zheyu, we can announce both pieces of news at today’s nine o’clock press conference." Jin Yu’s brow furrowed. "If you do mind, we can postpone your announcement. I’m sorry for the inconvenience."

’I have to do this for the Empire’s sake,’ Jin Yu thought. ’I can only make it up to her later.’

But to his surprise, the young woman wasn’t angry at all.

Instead, she seemed surprised, asking, "They’ve actually developed a reagent for the Purification of Beastification Value?"

Her tone even held a hint of delight.

Jin Yu was taken aback for a moment. His gaze flickered, landing on her beautiful eyes, and he nodded gently. "Yes."

"I don’t mind, I don’t mind at all," Jiang Zheyu said, waving her hands dismissively. "Let’s just announce it together."

"But if we do that..." Jin Yu trailed off, falling silent.

’If we do that, Zheyu, who was supposed to be the star today, will be relegated to a supporting role. Special-level Researcher Yan Luo will become the focus of the press conference.’

’After all, a Beastman who developed a reagent for the Purification of Beastification Value is far more newsworthy than a female with A+ spiritual power.’

"Really, it’s no problem at all," Jiang Zheyu said, beaming.

Jin Yu couldn’t very well say anything more.

The two of them then boarded a Hovercar and headed for the press conference.

Inside the Hovercar, Jiang Zheyu seemed curious about the Beastman who had developed the purification reagent. "What’s the name of the Beastman who developed the reagent to lower the Beastification Value?"

"Yan Luo," Jin Yu answered plainly.

’Hearing the name, Jiang Zheyu’s suspicions were confirmed. It really is the female lead.’

’But why would the female lead insist on making her announcement on the exact same day and time as me?’

’To steal my thunder?’

’But what’s so great about being in the spotlight anyway?’

’The more attention you get, the more people will be after you.’

’Whoever wants the spotlight can have it. I certainly don’t.’

’Why would the female lead want this kind of attention?’

Jiang Zheyu didn’t get it, but she respected her decision.

"With a reagent like this, females won’t have to work so hard anymore," Jiang Zheyu said with a faint smile.

In any case, a reagent that lowers the Beastification Value was definitely a good thing.

"Mass-producing this reagent would indeed lighten the purification burden on females," Jin Yu agreed with a nod. Inwardly, his simple admiration for Jiang Zheyu grew.

’She’s so sensible and understanding.’

"That’s great," Jiang Zheyu said, nodding. "Maybe they can get rid of the mandatory Beast Mate matching rule in the future, too."

Jin Yu’s golden eyes were as warm as the sun. He nodded. "Once the reagent is implemented, we do predict that some of the old regulations will be abolished."

Jiang Zheyu had no complaints.

The two arrived at the waiting room backstage of the press conference.

There, she saw the female lead again. Yan Luo was still disguised as a Male Beastman. She wore a crisp black suit, her short black hair was impeccably neat, and her elegant features had been sharpened with makeup. She even had a fake Adam’s apple and wore lifts in her shoes, making her about half a head taller than Jiang Zheyu. She looked just like a slender, quiet young man.

Jiang Zheyu paused. ’The first time I met the female lead was in the fighting ring.’

’The female lead kicked me so hard I fractured a bone and my arm was scraped raw, but I hit her back with my spiritual power, causing her to bleed from her eyes, ears, and nose before she fainted.’

’Thinking about it, I wonder if we can just let that grudge go.’

’I was wearing a mask back then, so she probably didn’t recognize me. In that case, I can just pretend our little feud never happened.’

Jin Yu introduced them.

"This is Jiang Zheyu, who will soon be known as Princess Zheyu."

"And this is Special-level Researcher Yan Luo. She’s the one who developed the reagent for the Purification of Beastification Value."

The two looked at each other.

Jiang Zheyu was the first to extend her hand. "Hello."

Yan Luo lowered her gaze slightly, a flicker of ridicule in her eyes. She also reached out and took her hand, her tone indifferent. "Hello."

’Having clawed her way up from the slums, she despised nothing more than these soft, useless, trashy females.’

’That spiritual power attack in the ring last time... this female probably just got absurdly lucky and triggered it by accident.’

’She probably went home without even knowing how she managed to win.’

Yan Luo would never forget the pain from that day in the ring—the feeling of spiritual power stabbing into her mind.

Later, she had investigated the female from the ring and discovered she had a notorious reputation, which only deepened her disgust.

Jiang Zheyu had no idea her cover had already been blown in front of the female lead.

’I was too busy fighting last time to get a good look at the female lead,’ she lamented inwardly.

’Now I finally have a chance to get a good look at her. She’s just as elegant, aloof, and coldly beautiful as I’d expect. She totally looks the part of a strong female protagonist.’