The Demon Lords

The Queen, seated in the place of honor, felt a chill in her heart when she saw her younger brother enter and immediately kneel before their mother, disregarding her, his own sister and the Queen.

Instantly, a wave of anger washed over her, but she forcefully suppressed it.

The Queen couldn't believe it. Even their parents knew to first observe the formalities between monarch and subject when meeting her, and only then discuss family matters. How could her own younger brother, who had commanded armies for years and was known for his strict adherence to rules, not understand this! His doing so was a clear message: he was a man of the Tian Family, and the Tian Family came first in his heart!

The Queen tried her best to compose herself. As the mistress of the inner palace, how could she not be aware of the current situation in the Yan court? The 200,000-strong Zhenbei Army in the north was an intimidating force, while internally, dozens of Great Yan's powerful clans were united in exerting pressure. Her husband had been pushed to the brink of extreme anger these past days! Yet, she could neither comfort him nor say anything, because among them was her own maternal family, the Tian Family! And the one hailed as the South King was her own blood brother!

After entering the palace, she became the Emperor's woman; the Emperor was the husband she was fated to spend her life with. She wasn't foolish; she was perfectly clear-headed. Even if she didn't consider her husband, even if the Royal Family was heartless, she still had to think of her son. Her son was clearly poised to become the Crown Prince. When he ascended the throne and faced the North and South Kings, what would he do? Could he truly sit securely on that throne?

She was the Queen, a woman of the Ji Family, the Queen of the Ji Family. She knew very well that it was because of the Ji Family that she had the honor of returning to her maternal home today for a visit. If she truly devoted herself to helping her own family, and if the Tian Family one day did replace the Yan Dynasty, what would that have to do with her? Her son would be a deposed emperor, and she would be an Empress Dowager of a fallen dynasty. In the Tian Family, who would care for her? What status could she possibly retain?

"Oh, my child, you've suffered so much, my son..."

Mrs. Tian clutched Tian Wujing, weeping bitterly. When she saw Dujuan, she was visibly stunned for a moment. However, upon learning this was her daughter-in-law, even though she found it a bit odd—he had suddenly brought a woman home without a formal wedding or following the proper rites for taking a concubine, which was quite against convention—she quickly warmed to the idea. As a mother, she might not have wished for her husband to have many women, but for her son, she fervently hoped he would have countless. So, Mrs. Tian immediately slipped a jade bracelet from her own wrist and gave it to Dujuan, who accepted it with thanks.

Only then, as if just noticing his sister, the Queen, was present, Tian Wujing bowed and said, "Your subject, Tian Wujing, pays his respects to Her Majesty the Queen. May Your Majesty enjoy golden peace."

"You may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Ah Brother, you must have endured much, guarding the borders for the nation. His Majesty has consistently praised you."

"Your subject merely fulfilled his duties and is unworthy of His Majesty's praise."

"Ah Brother, your sister returned this time because..."

"Father, Mother, I am tired," Tian Wujing interrupted. "Let's begin the banquet. After we eat, I can finally get some proper rest."

The Queen fell silent.

"Yes, yes, of course! Let the banquet begin! Let it begin!" Old Master Tian quickly made his decision. He was very pleased with his son's attitude. He also knew that his son and daughter had been close since childhood, and he was genuinely worried his daughter might persuade his son to refuse the kingship.

This is a golden opportunity for the Tian Family to rise dramatically! In the future, they will no longer be just one of the Four Great Clans. When speaking of Great Yan's prominent houses, the North and South Kings will be revered!

The banquet commenced.

All the core members of the Tian Family gathered in the Elegant Garden. Night soon fell, but the garden was brightly lit with lanterns and festive decorations, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere.

The Queen appeared first. Everyone, including Old Master Tian and Mrs. Tian, knelt and paid their respects once more. After the Queen bade them rise, the banquet officially began.

The younger generation of the Tian Family came forward to recite essays or demonstrate martial arts, as was customary, hoping for praise from Her Majesty the Queen. Once these formalities were concluded, the Queen stated she was feeling unwell and retired to rest.

Everyone respectfully saw her off. After the Queen departed, Lord Jingnan, accompanied by Dujuan—who had been introduced to the family members earlier that day—also excused themselves, saying they too were going to rest. With the two most important figures gone, the banquet's atmosphere truly came alive. People gathered around Old Master Tian and Mrs. Tian, eating, drinking, and joyfully envisioning the future.

Those gathered were all core members of the Tian Clan; they naturally understood the significant leap their family's status would take after the next day. Indeed, the prospect of their family heads being named kings was even more thrilling and a greater cause for celebration than the Queen's visit home.

「…」

"Ah, young lady, be careful!" Zheng Fan reached out and pulled back a little girl who had run to the edge of a pond.

The child was fair and delicate, like a porcelain doll, and utterly adorable. She was clutching a piece of candied fruit, munching on it.

"Sister Ting! Sister Ting!" a maidservant called from a short distance away, evidently searching for the little girl who had wandered off.

"It sounds like they're looking for you," Zheng Fan said to the little girl in his arms. "Don't run around. It's pitch dark; if you fell into the pond, no one would even notice."

Perhaps it was because the child was so irresistibly cute that she managed to stir a flicker of fatherly affection even in Zheng Fan's heart.

"You... eat..." The little girl, seeming to decide that the uncle holding her was quite nice, offered the candied fruit to Zheng Fan's lips.

Zheng Fan shook his head. "You eat it. I don't want any."

The little girl pouted, slapped Zheng Fan's chest, and angrily said,