"Crown Princess had arrived!"
"Lord Han Sheng had arrived!"
The head servant shouted to inform. The unruly demons immediately sat straight and applauded at the couple's arrival. Xian Qing arrived with Han Sheng. She is obviously lovestruck with the way she is clinging on Han Sheng's arm and her chin held up high, proudly introducing her future husband.
Jin Xuanwan watched as the guests greeted them one by one. If she wasn't educated well, she would have thought Xian Qing is the kindest demon, but no. After her brother's death, she ruled the Demon Clan half-heartedly and kept messing with the human race. She hooked a righteous emperor and demonized him, she attracted a righteous immortal and had him under her feet, she also defeated a Holy Priestess of the past and beat up Jin Wei. Xian Qing is the most cunning woman in Wu. Yet, she unexpectedly dropped everything and chased after a human. She slowly retreated from her deviousness and no longer meddled with the other realms.
Thinking of this, Jin Xuanwan can't help but look at Shen Mo. He is a half-breed demon. Those like him are mostly abandoned by both their parents. Which human will want to raise a demon's child? Which demon will accept a human child? None, however, he is relatively close to his family. Even Qing Yu didn't go against his words. This caused her to be more curious. Is he far more terrifying than Qing Yu and Xian Qing? But, why didn't she learn about his existence? Who exactly is he?
"Ming'er, you're here! Aw... I didn't expect you to sit well next to our Little Devil. Little Devil, where is your brother? And, oh, you brought a... A human girl, hmph." Xian Qing didn't hide her dislike towards Jin Xuanwan. She was good to her earlier because she thought the girl is not related to Jin Wei. Although she also hates that woman, she doesn't want to eat her own words later on if ever her thousand years virgin nephew hits his head and suddenly marries Jin Wei.
"I think he is cultivating." Shen Mo has an idea why Tian Liangzai is not on sight. He coughed dryly and gestured at Jin Xuanwan, "She forgot your name. It's better if you introduce yourself or things will go bad for you."
"Ah, Your Highness, I'm Jin Xuanwan. I hope Your Highness won't mind my presence. I wish you good wealth and more blessing with your fiance." Jin Xuanwan reached her hand forward amicably.
"You're quite young." Xian Qing shook her hand with Jin Xuanwan but she suddenly pulled the girl closer. "You're just like her. Only your face and voice are different."
"Huh? W-who?" Jin Xuanwan got confused. She received a sly smile from Xian Qing.
"Jin Wei." She said, plotting and seeing through the girl's heart. Xian Qing continued, "Your demeanor, your temper, you speak the same language as Jin Wei. No one had told you yet but, I scared Jin Wei to get away from my good-for-nothing nephew. She is a Holy Priestess, and those like her played a good part in slaughtering our race."
Jin Xuanwan felt intimidated and her heart can almost escape her chest from its crazy thumping. But, why did Xian Qing say she is the same as Jin Wei? Is she implying something more?
"Aunt, you're scaring her." Shen Mo's soothing calm voice sounded behind her. She felt his warm hands on her shoulder as he gently pulled her away from Xian Qing. "Miss Jin is not Weiwei, okay?"
"Whatever you say, Little Devil. But this just reminds me of a foolish mortal emperor years ago, his beloved wife died and he started collecting beauties that replicate her every move and face, anything that reminds him of his late wife." Xian Qing chuckled before leaving.
"So sorry for Qingqing's hostility." Han Sheng spoke from the side and apologized. He smiled at Jin Xuanwan in assurance and looked at Shen Mo. "Are you two...?"
"What?"
"Ah! No, no! Lord Han Sheng has mistaken!"
Shen Mo appeared dumb outside with that one-word question he spouted but he is ridiculing the misunderstanding in his heart.
What the hell is wrong with his aunt?!
He is not trying to collect beauties that resemble Jin Wei! He didn't even think that much that Jin Xuanwan parallels her!
Jin Xuanwan was a bit flushed being mistaken as Shen Mo's partner. She is only sticking around him for the hybrid, it is a very important treasure of her realm. Once she achieves her goal in Wu, she will leave him be and succeed Jin Wei one day. Right, no strings attached, he's only the key for her accomplishment.
The dinner gave a newcomer an insight into the Demon Clan. Everyone around the table is of high profile, except for Han Sheng, but he is receiving a lot of recognition from Xian Qing's relatives. Once the dinner concluded, someone unexpectedly stood up and bid farewell. Du Zhi Ming ignored their curious looks as she pulled Shen Mo out of his chair before he can even finish the tea he was enjoying.
"Wait, ah! I haven't tasted that yet!" Shen Mo shouted in regret while trying to reach for the cup.
Du Zhi Ming was holding the back of his collar to drag him about. She snatched Xin Lin's staff and hit the teacup and pot, causing the expensive tea to spill. Shen Mo's lips quivered. He looked extremely defeated and bullied by his extreme cousin.
"Shen Mo, don't leave me here!" Jin Xuanwan hastily stood up to leave. She grabbed her bag below the table where a small Fenghu sleeps and ran after them.
The dining table became quiet but they soon heard Xin Lin groan in frustration.
"Du Zhi Ming took my staff..."
"It's alright. I'll send someone to fetch it." Xian Qing said whilst her head turned to where they left. She looked at Shen Mo's countless cousins who all have a menacing aura surrounding them. "Does anyone know how to return Little Devil's true self?"
"Isn't he born that way?" Han Sheng curiously asked.
"No." Xian Qing's gaze became lazy. She used a sharp fork and stabbed the meat on her plate. "He used to be wonderful, far wonderful than his father. Compared to his younger brother, Little Devil is more suitable to be our king."