Bai Yue certainly couldn't say, "Because I gave birth to Haochen in my past life, I have more experience in childcare, which is why A Bao and Yue Ye find it easier to get close to me!"
Bai Yue had never expected that looking after the little ones would become her primary occupation for the next three or four years.
Yun Xi smiled faintly. "It’s been a while. A Bao has become quite lively and mischievous."
She had a maid bring out the equity transfer contract that had already been drafted for Bai Yue to sign. Bai Yue mysteriously tucked a projection orb into her aunt’s hand before signing the contract.
Yun Xi’s ears were still ringing with Bai Yue’s words: "The image in this projection orb is my introductory gift to you, Aunt."
After Bai Yue and A Bao left, Yun Xi dismissed her maids and activated the projection orb. The footage inside showed the Demon God Agares in a rare moment of agitation, chasing after the Star Demon God Vassago while shouting and threatening him. Yun Xi burst into a laugh, and the last shred of resentment she felt toward Agares for handing over control of the Moon Night Chamber of Commerce without her consent vanished.
Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh, "This niece of mine, Yue'er, is truly a fascinating person."
It is often said that clever misunderstandings lead to unique destinies. The fatherly demon, acting with deep concern and foresight for his daughter, had inadvertently led Yun Xi to believe that Bai Yue possessed high emotional intelligence. It was Fengxiu who, worrying that the Moon Night Chamber of Commerce's assets might cause Yun Xi to harbor ill will toward Bai Yue, had instructed Bai Yue to present the orb.
Upon hearing the report from the accompanying maid about what transpired in the Moon Demon Palace between Bai Yue and A Bao, Fengxiu waved his hand and issued an imperial decree arranging a marriage between A Bao and Yue Ye.
This had been the final wish of A Bao’s mother. Fengxiu had previously refused, fearing that an alliance between the Moon Demon Princess and A Bao might affect Yue'er’s future succession to the Heaven-Defying Magic Dragon Pillar; he did not want to see a situation where sister and brother turned against each other.
But seeing how attached A Bao was to Yue'er—constantly calling out for his "sister" and fearing that other demons might take her away—Fengxiu felt his worries had been entirely unnecessary. Since the Moon Demon consort was so sensible, and Yue Ye and Yue'er were kindred spirits, nothing could be more fitting than to strengthen their ties through marriage.
...
When an imperial decree suddenly descended from the sky, promising his precious daughter to his brother’s troublesome son, Agares felt his world collapse the moment he heard it from his wife at home. He grabbed the decree and headed for the Demon God Emperor Palace to demand an explanation from his older brother.
Yun Xi glanced at the frantic Agares and said calmly, "What’s wrong with A Bao? I think he’s fine. Sister Lan was my dear friend, and A Bao is the only child she left behind. A childhood betrothal between the two families is perfectly fine, if you ask me."
"Don't tell me you actually believe those rumors spread by the gossips in the palace—that A Bao is cursed and brings misfortune to his mother!" Yun Xi narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, and Agares immediately sought mercy, explaining, "Wife, if the other demons don't understand me, surely you do? It’s not that I believe the rumors; it’s just that Yue Ye is still young. Her future is not something to be rushed. What if she doesn't like A Bao when she grows up? Can we really be the parents who tear them apart and leave our daughter in tears?"
"I’m heading to the palace now to clarify things with Big Brother and ask him to rescind the order."
Yun Xi poked Agares in the forehead with her finger and retorted sharply, "The Emperor’s word is final. How can he change his order at a moment’s notice?"
"If he just issued the marriage decree and you turn around and defy it, aren't you afraid of causing a rift with the Emperor?"
"Even blood brothers shouldn't test each other like that, let alone the fact that you and the Emperor are not of the same mother."
What Yun Xi said was entirely from Agares's perspective, but she didn't truly understand the bond shared by the three pillars of the Demon race.
Just as Agares knew that questioning Fengxiu about the Life Prophecy would invoke the Emperor’s fury, yet he couldn't stop himself from doing it.
Just as Vassago knew that using the Life Prophecy would bring his own life to an end within twenty years, yet he used the forbidden technique without hesitation because he could not bear to see his brother's hope extinguished.
Just as Fengxiu, seeing Vassago collapse unconscious after activating the forbidden Life Prophecy array, had signed a life-sharing contract without a moment’s hesitation to extend Vassago’s life.
These events—any one of which would be unthinkable for any other generation of Demon God Emperors and Moon/Star Demon Gods—were concentrated in this current trio of Sun, Moon, and Star. Thus, the alliance between Fengxiu, Vassago, and Agares was indestructible and unshakable.
Agares couldn't explain clearly that his brother wouldn't actually be angry; at most, he would beat him up and then take back the betrothal. However, seeing that his wife truly wanted to facilitate the childhood betrothal between Yue Ye and A Bao, Agares had to compromise. If the two children didn't like each other in the future, he could always go to his brother and break it off then.
...
After much thought, Bai Yue decided to tell Fengxiu about Haochen’s existence.
She walked toward Fengxiu’s study just as Huang Shuo was stepping out. Seeing Bai Yue hovering at the door, he blurted out, "Greetings, Crown Princess."
When Fengxiu heard this voice, a look of joy appeared on his face—his own dear daughter had come to the study to find him for the first time! This was enough to prove that in Yue'er’s heart, he had finally begun to hold some status as a father.
"Crown Princess?" Bai Yue paused slightly and pointed at herself. "I’m the Crown Princess? How come I didn't know that?"
Huang Shuo quickly covered his mouth. *Oh no,* he thought. It seemed the Emperor hadn't told the Crown Princess about naming her as the first heir, and he had accidentally let it slip. Would the Emperor make his life miserable?
Huang Shuo felt a chilling sensation behind his back before he heard the Emperor’s calm command.
"Huang Shuo, the toilets in the Demon God Emperor Palace are too dirty. You will scrub them clean yourself. I don't trust any other demon to do it."
"..." Huang Shuo rolled his eyes and replied weakly, "As you wish, Your Majesty. Your servant will go at once."
*My Emperor!* he thought. *Do you have any idea how many toilets there are in the Demon God Emperor Palace? Over five hundred! How long are you going to have me scrubbing?*
*Woe is me—being a demon is so miserable! I want to cry! I’ll never talk carelessly again!*
Bai Yue stood with her hands on her hips, staring intensely at Fengxiu. "Father, don't you think you owe me an explanation about this 'Crown Princess' business?"
Fengxiu pursed his lips, feeling inexplicably guilty under his daughter’s gaze. "Yue'er, now that I’ve finally acknowledged you, I wanted to give you a legitimate status. That’s why I planned to appoint you as Crown Princess."
"I wanted to give you a surprise, so I intended to wait until everything had settled down before telling you."
Bai Yue snorted coldly. "Father, I don't see this as a surprise—it’s a shock!"
"The Crown Princess holds the same status as the Crown Prince. You’re trying to make me the heir to the Demon race!"
"I can't even cultivate right now, and I’m a human-demon hybrid. Aren't you afraid other Demon Gods will object? The demon court isn't just your personal kingdom to dictate!" Bai Yue argued earnestly, trying to persuade Fengxiu to abandon the idea.