Chapter 26
Everyone stopped talking and looked in Mo Xiaoxin's direction.
Leng Huai paused in his tea drinking, but did not stop Mo Xiaoxin from taking matters into her own hands. He was quite interested in seeing what she would do next.
She picked up the musician's lusheng and began to play "Yun Gong Xun Yin," the theme song from the classic TV series Journey to the West that she loved watching as a child.
Her light and cheerful tone reminded her of the classic story of Sun Wukong's three battles with the White Bone Demon.
Hearing this melody he had never heard before and seeing Mo Xiaoxin standing there playing with such concentration, Leng Huai was stunned.
At this moment, Mo Xiaoxin was bathed in the warm winter sun, and her whole being was shining.
Noticing the surprised looks from everyone, Mo Xiaoxin gracefully played a tune.
It must have been really tough for her to turn "i" into "e" today.
When the song ended, everyone applauded.
Ye Deqing took the lead in flattering Mo Xiaoxin: "The Demon Queen is truly talented, and she and the Demon Lord are a match made in heaven!"
Many people below genuinely felt that Mo Xiaoxin's playing was heavenly music: "This Lusheng instrument is no simple instrument. The Demon Queen is incredibly talented and exceptionally intelligent."
"The music just now was something I had never heard before. It sounded both melodious and full of fighting spirit, which was truly inspiring."
Hearing everyone praising her, Mo Xiaoxin's lips curled into a smile.
The atmosphere gradually warmed up, and the tense emotions on everyone's faces eased.
Leng Huai also put aside that creepy sense of coercion at the right time.
Indeed, he came today to catch everyone off guard. On the surface, the four major families are all working diligently for the Demon Realm and for him, but he is aware of their dirty tricks behind the scenes, though he has never spoken of them openly.
If he had the power to kill everyone present, the quickest way would have been to do so. However, these people were numerous and closely connected, and the survival of millions of people in the demon realm was at stake. Therefore, he had to be patient and deal with the matter.
Furthermore... some strange phenomena have appeared in the Demon Realm, and perhaps we can explore them today.
He pulled himself out of his thoughts, picked up his wine glass, and a calm smile appeared on his handsome face: "I have seen all the efforts that everyone has made for the Demon Realm over the years. In the future, we must all work together to govern the Demon Realm even better."
People in the audience raised their glasses in response to Leng Huai's enthusiasm.
Ye Deqing arranged for the banquet to begin, and the guests took their seats one by one, finally relaxing their tense emotions.
Many people began to toast Leng Huai and Mo Xiaoxin separately, wishing them a happy marriage and a long and happy life together.
Leng Huai and Mo Xiaoxin agreed one by one. Of course, Mo Xiaoxin was the one who was supposed to drink, which she hadn't forgotten.
The guests began to chat amongst themselves, maintaining the usual business relationships among the group.
Leng Huai carefully observed the actions and subtle expressions of these people.
The heads of the four major families naturally restrained their emotions, speaking to each other with utmost respect and drinking wine.
Behind the four major families sat the managers of the businesses they oversaw. Those who ran other businesses sat a little further back and had fewer people to talk to.
Those who can do business in the Demon Realm must possess formidable magical power; they are certainly not just ordinary demons, otherwise they could be killed by other competitors if they are not careful.
He casually glanced at the figures clinking glasses, each one possessing extraordinary charm. Yet, among the crowd mingled with someone unsettlingly amiss. They wouldn't be noticed without close inspection, but Leng Huai, with the keen eye of a leopard, gleaned clues from subtle details.
These people appear calm on the surface, but when compared to others, one can see that they seem dazed.
He coldly swept his gaze across the room. While everyone raised their glasses in celebration, only a few people seemed out of place.
When conversing with others, their responses were delayed, and although they wore agreeing smiles, those smiles were stiff and empty, as if their muscles were out of control. When raising a glass to drink, their movements became slow and stiff, oblivious to spilled wine. Their body language also became sluggish and stiff, every movement unnatural. Beneath the lively facade, these individuals appeared dazed and detached, staring into the void, oblivious to the surrounding commotion.
All signs indicate that they have been secretly drugged, and they are in a state of confusion, disorientation, and loss of control.
These people were standing behind the head of the Ye family.
He frowned, lost in thought.
Mo Xiaoxin followed Leng Huai's gaze and looked in the direction of those people.
Before drinking, these people's expressions and states are no different from ordinary people. However, after drinking, their state begins to become dazed, and others will only think that it is caused by drinking too much.
But Mo Xiaoxin has very strong senses, and she noticed that these people were very abnormal.
"Those people are acting strange," Mo Xiaoxin whispered when Leng Huai was alone, without anyone to entertain him.
Leng Huai was surprised that Mo Xiaoxin had noticed. He nodded calmly, wanting to hear Mo Xiaoxin's thoughts: "What's wrong?"
Mo Xiaoxin then told Leng Huai what she was thinking.
Leng Huai was surprised, but he didn't show it on his face.
“Look at that man. He’s staggering, his face is flushed, his eyes are glazed, and he’s stuttering, like he’s drunk. But there’s emptiness and fear in his eyes. He probably has doubts about his physical condition. If I’m not mistaken, they’ve probably been under some kind of evil spell.”
Previously, when Mo Xiaoxin and Mu Xiaoxiao were cooking together, Mu Xiaoxiao had mentioned this matter.
She found it very strange at the time, after all, she had watched quite a few TV dramas. However, she had never seen anything like it in real life, and this kind of supernatural power was too fantastical, so she didn't really believe it existed.
Mu Xiaoxiao had once told her about the various powers and weapons used in this world. She marveled at how this world truly was a place where the strong survived, and admired Xiaoxiao's extensive knowledge. Therefore, when Mo Xiaoxin saw the man's condition, she immediately guessed what was going on.
Seeing that Mo Xiaoxin's analysis was logical and his conclusion was exactly the same as his own, he asked, "How do you know all this?"
Mo Xiaoxin coughed lightly: "If I told you, you would doubt me again, but I am an upright person, so it doesn't matter if I say it. Mu Xiaoxiao told me this."
Leng Huai snorted coldly: "She's been quite good to you, though."
Mo Xiaoxin raised an eyebrow: "Xiaoxiao is my friend."
Mo Xiaoxin couldn't help but think of the time she spent with Mu Xiaoxiao. She missed the days when Mu Xiaoxiao was still by her side and wondered where she was now and how she was doing.
Someone came to offer a toast, and Mo Xiaoxin and Leng Huai's conversation came to an abrupt end.
From the moment she entered, Ye Songlan kept her eyes fixed on Leng Huai and Mo Xiaoxin. When she saw Leng Huai holding Mo Xiaoxin's hand affectionately, her heart felt as if it had been pierced by needles, and she was extremely sad.
While Ye Deqing and Ye Pingwei were busy greeting guests, she was trying to find a way to embarrass Mo Xiaoxin. Before she could make a move, Mo Xiaoxin offered to play a tune, and she planned to mock her after she finished playing.
Unexpectedly, after Mo Xiaoxin played a piece, everyone's comments were unanimously positive, leaving her no chance to speak. Her hand gripping the wine glass tightened involuntarily, and an inexplicable anger burned within her.
So what if she can play a musical instrument? Would Mo Xiaoxin really sacrifice her time to research an antidote for snake venom for Leng Huai?
Did she love Leng Huai as much as she did?
Then she saw Leng Huai make Mo Xiaoxin drink for him, and as the drinks went down, Mo Xiaoxin's face began to lighten. She couldn't help but feel a little mocking; it seemed that Leng Huai didn't have any feelings for Mo Xiaoxin at all, that he was making her drink for him.
Despite thinking this way, she felt a pang of jealousy.
Mo Xiaoxin can shield him from drinking, and so can Ye Songlan!
She has everything she needs, so why didn't Leng Huai marry her?
She didn't understand; she couldn't figure it out.
Ye Songlan suddenly stood up, carrying a wine cup and a wine goblet, and walked in their direction.
As Ye Hualing sipped his wine, he noticed his younger sister's resentful expression and the way she raised her wine cup. He knew there was a good show to watch, and a playful smile appeared on his face.
Mo Xiaoxin had long since noticed Ye Songlan, who was filled with hatred for her under the table. Her gaze was so sharp that it felt like Mo Xiaoxin was being cut by a blade.
She felt somewhat helpless; Ye Songlan's hostility towards her was still so deep.
When Ye Songlan couldn't contain herself and stood in front of her with a provocative look in her eyes, holding a wine glass, she wasn't surprised at all.
Ye Songlan first had a drink with Leng Huai.
Mo Xiaoxin could sense the sadness and forbearance in her eyes.
Then Ye Songlan looked at her again, knowing that she couldn't escape.
"Your Majesty the Demon Queen is exceptionally beautiful and talented, truly unparalleled in the world. I must offer you a toast." She poured Mo Xiaoxin a full glass of wine and smiled.
That smile had thorns, like a blooming rose, and today that rose would pierce Mo Xiaoxin with countless thorns.
Mo Xiaoxin glanced at the wine in her glass, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Seeing that Mo Xiaoxin was hesitant to drink, Ye Songlan raised an eyebrow: "Afraid that I'll poison your drink?"
She raised her wine cup high and drank the wine in one gulp.
The guests in the rows closest to them stopped talking and looked over when they heard the commotion. When they saw Ye Songlan drinking so heartily that she downed her drink in one gulp, they couldn't help but applaud and cheer.
Ye Songlan is, after all, the third daughter of the Ye family and a member of the main family. If Mo Xiaoxin doesn't drink, it would not only be disrespectful to Ye Songlan, but also a slap in the face to the Ye family's prestige.
Ye Deqing and Ye Pingwei both looked in their direction, and then everyone in the hall looked at Mo Xiaoxin curiously, waiting for her response.
Despite her displeasure, Mo Xiaoxin picked up her wine glass without changing her expression and drank it down without any ripples or hesitation in her eyes.
Everyone applauded, praising the Demon Queen for her straightforwardness.
Ye Songlan saw the empty wine glass, smiled slightly at Mo Xiaoxin, then gave Leng Huai a meaningful look before returning to her seat, her every move revealing her good manners.
"The Ye family truly lives up to its reputation as the head of the four great families. The daughters they raise are all so ambitious, beautiful, and have such wonderful personalities," someone at the table exclaimed.
"I wonder if you have someone in mind? If not, there are quite a few capable men among our guests today for you to choose from."
When someone mentions it, many eligible men naturally come to look.
Ye Songlan felt the attention of many men and smiled slightly: "Thank you all for your kind words, but I have not considered marriage at the moment."
"Looks like you have someone you like."
Someone mentioned, "I heard that the third young lady of the Ye family once saved a man's life and fell in love with him, but that man disappeared afterward..."
"Shh..."
Ye Songlan's expression changed. She looked in Leng Huai's direction, but Leng Huai's gaze didn't waver at all. He was focused on pouring tea for Mo Xiaoxin, seemingly indifferent to the conversation at the table. She felt extremely frustrated and poured herself a glass of wine, which she then gulped down.
Ye Deqing broke the awkward atmosphere: "We have also prepared games for everyone to enjoy today. Please move to the garden."
Attracted by the game, everyone left their seats and headed to the garden.
The servants led the guests along the corridor.
As you step through the three moon gates, the chill of the grass and trees, along with the fragrance of winter plum blossoms, wafts towards you.
Passing through the snow-covered plum grove, a clear blue lake suddenly appears in the garden.
Beneath the ice, dark green water plants sway and stretch like long hair, while several vermilion koi fish swim among them, their red shadows lively, their tails swaying as they pass by, creating gentle ripples.
Mo Xiaoxin had not seen such a view in a long time, and she couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Since arriving in this world, she has been working tirelessly to complete her missions, her days packed with activities and immense pressure. Now, seeing this lake, she feels a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings).
Just as she reached the lakeside to get a closer look, she suddenly felt a splitting headache.
Leng Huai, who was standing next to Mo Xiaoxin, noticed that something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?"
Mo Xiaoxin sobbed, her throat aching terribly: "My whole body aches..."
Mo Xiaoxin felt dizzy and unsteady on her feet.
Not far away, Ye Songlan looked in Mo Xiaoxin's direction and, seeing that she was starting to react, a sinister look appeared in her eyes.
Mo Xiaoxin's breathing quickened. She knew there must be something wrong with that drink. She had clearly noticed something was off about Ye Songlan's expression when Ye Songlan handed her the drink, but she had clearly seen Ye Songlan drink it too...
She turned her head and searched for Ye Songlan's location in the crowd.
She spotted Ye Songlan looking at her from among the crowd.
That smile...
It really was her.
But why is she unharmed?
Mo Xiaoxin couldn't understand it. Leng Huai was still saying something in her ear, but her ears were ringing and she couldn't hear what he was saying at all.
Suddenly, she slipped and fell into the icy lake water with a splash.
Oh no...
Then, she heard the sound of someone going into the water.
Immediately afterwards, she heard the sound of something falling into the water.
It appears that two people went into the water to rescue her.
Who is it?
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