I just had a livestream about BL with my fujoshi friend so this update is kinda late... I posted the video along with this chapter so you can see the whole VOD but for those interested only about BL stuff, I will edit it into a shorter form and announce when it's up.

So even the demon monarch needed a companion. This wasn't the first time that rumors about a lover of the King circulated in Suliang. But all the other rumors were crushed without mercy except this one.

In fact, it was so widely known now and there were even different works of art depicting the mysterious lover.

But how did this relate to Head Mo?

A sly laugh escaped the middle-aged man's throat. It was too good to be true.

"Then you have made a decision?" Madam Lian prompted.

"Well, yes. In fact, I have drafted out the proposal for her Highness." Mo Quan produced a stack of papers from his bosom.

Madam first read through it before handing it to Wangye with an amused smile. She wondered how her disciple would take this.

Long Xu Le took it but the more she read, the colder the frost that crept around her.

The fragile papers that could be torn at any moment were surprisingly stable in her hands. Mo Quan was amazed at the King's self-control. He imagined her Highness was seething inside.

Only to be disappointed when the corners of the King's lips arched. Even her peach blossom eyes curved. It was one of her most radiant smiles.

"To prepare for the Prince's wedding, the fairest Beauty from Tanglin, Gentleman Feng, is invited to help sew the wedding dress."

Silence reigned as her velvet voice further read. "This is also a sign of goodwill between the Imperial Long and the Mo family."

Feng Yanyan was horrified at every word that came out of her mouth. What did that mean? He was going to be taken hostage?

Long Xu Le looked at Head Mo. "Mo Quan needs more lessons in etiquette. Feng Yanyan is still unmarried and therefore it isn't appropriate to attend this kind of thing."

All the mirth disappeared and the proposal was met with disapproval immediately. The rare words that came out of her mouth were thinly veiled insults.

Beauty Feng heaved a sigh of relief.

But would Head Mo stop there? He was like a crocodile with prey in its jaws. "The King is misunderstanding something. The culture of our tribe is to let the maidens of the village help the bride craft her wedding dress. Surely, your Highness won't disrespect this culture?"

It was getting harder for Feng Yanyan to keep up his façade of a graceful mei ren. No, he wanted to beat up this old bastard.

What was his correlation to this wedding and why was he getting dragged?

Even though he wasn't smart, he knew the implications of this proposal. This wedding was political, it didn't matter if this Mo family was unknown. There were probably secrets behind the scenes.

And his beautiful face was being used as collateral. It looked like Wangye couldn't outright refuse too. This Mo family was very sus.

And she... Her Highness wanted this wedding to happen no matter what.

Damn, should he be the good guy and spend some days with these yakuza-looking people?

The way Long Xu Le secretly gripped his waist let him know that she didn't want this. Oddly enough, that satisfied him.

Not the squeezing, you lewd mind.

It was the fact that she was opposed to this. It made him have an illusion that maybe she cared.

Well, he didn't want to burden her. So if it was going down already, he would just drag other people.

Mo Quan already brought up his already nonexistent tribe. On the way here, he learned from Wangye that the Mo tribe was struck by a calamity and had to move away from their territory. Their humble nobility sought shelter in Suliang. Their tribe was no more. Who could confirm if what he was saying was real?

Feng Yanyan smiled. "Since we have to honor each other's culture, Suliang also has a heritage to let the existing concubines of the house join in on the sewing of the wedding dress. It is to allow the brothers and sisters to be in harmony before the wedding."

He beamed at the King. "How does that sound, Wangye?"

The moment he said this, Head Mo and Lady Mo's faces tightened. They had to house the concubines?

"Th-that's..." Mo Quan wanted to oppose.

"Head Mo should understand this is the norm in Suliang." Beauty Feng's face oozed with sincerity.

It might be hell for him but that didn't mean he couldn't make others' lives a living hell too. You wanted this.

King Wan Li was still keeping quiet.

Behind them, Long Sangyu wanted to argue but didn't know how. His imperial sister wasn't saying anything. Since when did Suliang have this culture?

It was obvious Head Mo wanted to give Wan Li Wang a hard time by targeting Feng Yanyan. But his da jie could easily just agree to this. Why was she not saying anything?

And why did his concubines have to be dragged into the matter too?

Sangyu wanted to glare at Feng Yanyan but this wasn't the right place. So he just lowered his eyes, making his figure look somber.

Meanwhile, Madam Lian was also waiting for Xu Le to say something. Even though Wan Li Wang honored her as a master, she wasn't in a position to agree to this kind of proposal.

If anything, it should either be the Prince or the King who should say something. Madam Lian looked at Long Sangyu. The latter nodded in understanding. Since his da jie wasn't saying anything, he better step up to ease the situation.

Junwang had always been the peacekeeper. His warm attitude brought comfort to people and the way he addressed himself showed his humility toward this future father-in-law.

"Head Mo, this prince knows that Miss Mo is put off by the concubines. But I will also not pretend to be upright and say that I can abandon two people for the sake of marrying your daughter. They are a part of my household and are my responsibility."

Mo Quan gave a mocking smile. "Ping Junwang seems to care a lot about them."

But Sangyu was also serious. "The rules in the palace can never be disobeyed. The Consort Princess is a distinguished person. She will never lack anything and she will be protected at all times."

The conversation went from taking Feng Yanyan hostage to arguing about the concubines. Feng Yanyan was satisfied.

Lady Mo, who was as fierce as an amazon lady earlier, was too quiet standing behind her father. Beauty Feng was curious as to what she was thinking. He hoped it was about torturing Zhang Yunlei and Liu Weiwei.

"Above all, she is the sister-in-law of King Wan Li. Wherever she goes, she will be worshiped. And unlike other royalty, she will have the freedom to do as she pleases today and in the future, even more so."

This was the promise of being protected by the house of Wan Li. Long Sangyu would do all the work and in return, his wife and future kids were free to do what they wanted. Of course, the heir would carry on his responsibilities too.

To walk freely under the sun.

That was what his sister wanted for him and his family. Even with this simple wish, he didn't want to disappoint her.

Mo Quan could now see why the people loved the Prince.

He spoke with passion evident in his eyes even in exchange for losing a bit of his regal aura. Anybody would want to agree with him and be drawn to his words.

Junwang was the definition of being too good to be true.

Of course, Head Mo didn't buy all this crap. He looked behind him. "How was it, Zhilan?"

The young woman raised her head and stared straight at the Prince. "You know my stance, Father. I will do everything for the family. But if someone messes with me, I will eliminate them."

Feng Yanyan's eyes got more rounded after hearing those bold words. This future princess is a tigress! He liked it. Wan Li Wangfu would be a lot more fun.

Normally, marriage was discussed by the elders of both sides of the family. The bride and the groom were usually not present during these multiple discussions. They were also not allowed to meet alone.

But these two families... Even Feng Yanyan who had a liberated background was impressed.

Only when he felt a pinch to his waist did he realize that what he did was punishable by law.

Like a mechanical doll, his neck stiffly turned to Wangye whose sigh shut the whole place up again.

"We will do this then. Concubine Zhang and Concubine Liu will help in the preparation of the wedding. Feng mei ren doesn't know anything about the wedding procedures but he can still spectate."

Beauty Feng scrunched his nose, wanting to complain but her Highness raised an index finger. He held back his words.

It was Long Sangyu and Mo Quan who understood the situation better. This clueless mei ren was so spoiled and he didn't have any idea.

The King's statement effectively said to let all duties fall on the concubines and not make Feng Yanyan do any work.

He was also the one who said some nonsense about Suliang having the culture of making concubines help in marriage preparations but he didn't even get punished for it.

Who knew that someone could be this brazen in front of the demon god?

Long Xu Le sighed. "Now that is out of the way, we will talk about the details. Would you let Sangyu and Miss Mo meet in private?"

Her Highness gestured that they might have some things to talk about on their own. Although both the groom and bride-to-be looked unwilling, Head Mo still agreed.

Feng Yanyan watched the two leave with amusement in his eyes. But when he retracted his gaze, he was met with a stern stare from Wangye.

There was a warning hidden under her calm facade.

Beauty Feng shuddered. He stirred the hornet's nest again, didn't he?