Chapter 568 - 466: What of the Demon Race? And What of the Human Race?

"Oh my, little Jing Ci has grown so big."

Seeing his own granddaughter run over so sweetly, the old man named Gui Ning hurried forward with a cheerful laugh.

However, he quickly noticed that the vermilion mole between his granddaughter’s eyebrows had disappeared.

The lame old man suppressed his surprise, picked up his granddaughter, and pinched her fair, tender cheek. "How have you been lately? Your mother hasn’t been scolding you, has she?"

"She has, Grandpa. Mother scolds me all the time." Tushan Jing Ci pouted, her voice full of grievance. "Grandpa, you have to stay for a few more days. As long as you’re here, Mother won’t scold me."

"Hahaha, alright. Then Grandpa will stay a few more days."

The lame old man nodded, then looked toward the guests in Tushan Mansion.

"Everyone, why are you bowing to an old man like me, who’s already got one foot in the grave? There’s no need to be so formal. Please, sit. The star of the show today is my granddaughter."

"Yes, Senior."

Hearing the cane-wielding old man say this, everyone returned to their seats.

"Father."

Tushan Xinhua stepped forward, a complicated expression on her face.

"Mm," the lame old man nodded. He knew what his daughter-in-law wanted to say. "Let’s stick to what I said before. Today is my granddaughter’s birthday. Even if the heavens fall, we’ll talk about it later."

"Yes, Father."

Tushan Xinhua nodded and said no more, leading her father-in-law to the main seat.

As noon approached and all the guests had arrived, Maids from Tushan Mansion began serving the dishes.

The top courtesans from Xianhu City’s major brothels, all dressed in light, sheer gowns, danced gracefully between the banquet tables and before the main stage.

The music of string and bamboo instruments filled the air, and the entire mansion was abuzz with excitement.

After three rounds of drinks, it was time to announce the gifts.

"A gift from the Sovereign of the Celestial Demon Country—one Half-Immortal Soldier, the ’Samadhi Flowing Fire Sword’!"

"A gift from the Sect Leader of the Thunder Roar Sect—one Celestial Thunder Pearl!"

"A gift from the Wanyao Kingdom—one Half-Immortal Soldier, the ’Cold Abyss Bone Blade’!"

"A gift from the Yeshe Kingdom—one ’Nine Shadows Array Map’!"

"..."

As Steward Xiong announced the gifts one by one, each guest personally came forward to present their offering.

In order to curry favor with Tushan Mansion, the various prominent families and influential figures of Xianhu City all believed the gifts they had brought were sufficiently precious.

They sat at the banquet with their gifts, feeling quite pleased with themselves.

But when they heard the gifts from the Sovereigns and Sect Leaders, they realized their own offerings were nothing in comparison.

They even felt a little embarrassed to present them.

They blushed slightly when Steward Xiong announced their gifts.

They could only console themselves with the thought, ’It’s the thought that counts,’ believing Lady Tushan certainly wouldn’t mind.

Besides, the guests from Xianhu City looked at the younger generation these people had brought with them and knew that their gift-giving this time was not merely to celebrate Miss Tushan’s birthday.

It was likely that these gifts also carried a hint of a marriage proposal.

After all, only this mother-daughter pair remained of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox clan.

There was naturally no hope of marrying Lady Tushan. The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox clan’s rule was "one partner for a lifetime," so even though Lady Tushan was a widow, she could never remarry.

But if someone could arrange a childhood betrothal with Lady Tushan’s daughter, they wouldn’t just be marrying into the noble bloodline of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox clan.

Becoming Senior Gui’s grandson-in-law was also something the major powers coveted.

A full hour passed before the announcement of gifts finally concluded.

Tushan Jing Ci followed her mother to go from table to table, thanking the guests once more.

Seizing this opportunity, the Demon Country Sovereigns and Sect Leaders constantly steered the conversation toward the juniors they had brought, hoping to make their young proteges more familiar to Lady Tushan and Tushan Jing Ci.

And indeed, Lady Tushan had to admit that these children were all exceptional, whether in looks, talent, or bloodline.

As long as they grew up without any mishaps, they would one day become pillars of the Demon Race’s World.

Therefore, Lady Tushan didn’t mind them trying to play matchmaker for her daughter. ’Perhaps,’ she thought, ’I really can choose a future son-in-law from among them.’

But the moment Lady Tushan thought of that little Human Race boy, she dismissed the idea.

’Ultimately, it must be her daughter’s decision.’

The host and guests all enjoyed themselves, and the birthday banquet, which lasted until the afternoon, finally came to an end.

As they were leaving, all the Demon Country Sovereigns and Sect Leaders privately and tactfully expressed their desire for a marriage alliance with the Tushan clan.

Tushan Xinhua neither accepted nor refused, simply stating that her daughter was still young and they could discuss it again when she was older and had her own opinions.

...

"Father."

After seeing off all the guests, Tushan Xinhua went to the rear courtyard, walked up to the old man, and gave a slight bow.

"Mm." Gui Ning nodded, his affectionate gaze still fixed on his granddaughter chasing butterflies in the distance. "Have all the guests been seen off?"

"They have," Tushan Xinhua replied.

"This time, all those Sovereigns and Sect Leaders brought their children, hoping to arrange a marriage alliance with you. What are your thoughts?" the old man asked.

"Those juniors are indeed outstanding," Tushan Xinhua said, her face clouded with worry. "But Jing Ci..."

"Ah..." The old man waved his hand dismissively. "What I mean is, even if the vermilion mole between Jing Ci’s eyebrows were still there, what would you think?"

"I would be inclined toward the Eldest Prince of the Celestial Demon Country—Chen Jue," Tushan Xinhua answered truthfully.

"And what about the male who ran into Jing Ci? Is he not an option?" the old man asked.

Tushan Xinhua bit her thin lip. "Father... the little boy who ran into Jing Ci is... a human..."

"Human Race? Demon Race? Hehehe..."

The old man chuckled but didn’t answer. He just waved to his granddaughter in the distance. "Jing Ci, stop playing and come here for a moment."

Hearing her grandfather’s call, Tushan Jing Ci scurried over to him on her short little legs, her tail wagging back and forth.

"Grandpa, what is it?"

"It’s nothing much." The old man ruffled his granddaughter’s hair. "It’s just that for your birthday today, a lot of little boys around your age came, didn’t they? Did you think they were good-looking?"

"Umm..."

Tushan Jing Ci thought about what they looked like, then shook her little head and replied.

"Not good-looking!"

"You didn’t think those little boys were good-looking?" the old man said with a smile. "Then what kind of little boy does Jing Ci think is the best-looking?"

"Ummm..."

The little girl nibbled on her finger and thought again.

A moment later, a bright light flashed in the little girl’s eyes. "The one Jing Ci likes! That’s the best-looking one!"

"Hahaha..."

The old man laughed so hard he couldn’t close his mouth. He turned and pointed a wizened finger at his daughter-in-law.

"See? Do you see?"

"What does it matter if they’re from the Demon Race? What does it matter if he’s from the Human Race?"

"Our little Jing Ci sees things more clearly than you do."