"Show your respect, lowly creature," said one of the king's guards to Fu Xie Lan and Gu Yi who seemed to be still standing tall.

Fu Xie Lan was taken aback, and at that moment she immediately bowed down to pay respects.

​​

As for Gu Yi, the man was reluctant to bow. Lowly creature? Huh, isn't that Human talk too high?

Finding Gu Yi still standing beside her, Fu Xie Lan immediately pulled the man's hand so that he was level with her.

Even though Gu Yi didn't seem to accept it, but if Fu Xie Lan asked for it, then he would do anything.

The king's guards who saw the two men bowing only snorted.

The royal family stepped past several tables towards the place that had been specially prepared for them.

"All right, raise your heads," said the King.

Immediately everyone obeyed orders, raised their heads, stood up straight.

And after that, Emperor Fu Qing said a few words of thanks.

Finished doing that, he invited everyone to enjoy the meal, but before that, the emperor again said, "All of you here are my guests, there is no need to be so formal."

"This is a banquet event, the leader of the Zu kingdom will feel very uneasy if any of you feel uncomfortable."

"So, enjoy your time," he said again and then sat down in a chair as if he seemed to mingle with the others.

Everyone sat in their seats. Some tables are only occupied by a few people, while some others are full and some are empty.

Fu Xie Lan was at the same table as Gu Yi, just the two of them. Wan Lie and two others were at the table next to Fu Xie Lan. They are also only three.

Ever since the king's appearance, Fu Xie Lan's thoughts were out of place.

In Fu Xie Lan's original memory, the king already looked old. Maybe around 50 years. Very different from the appearance that appears today looks younger and fresher.

'Why is it like this?'

'Has Dad been replaced by someone else?'

But why did she previously hear the guar call her father 'Emperor Fu Qing' in this hall?

It was becoming very clear, that the emperor they were talking about was not the emperor in Fu Xie Lan's real memory.

Then what happened?

Why did everyone seem fine, as if the figure they saw was the emperor Fu Qing?

Fi Xie Lan's violet eyes stared fixedly at the man in the majestic robes, searching for faults in her memories. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find a single thing in common.

THAT KING WAS NOT THE EMPEROR FU QING, HER FATHER.

Suddenly a thought popped up in her mind, and at that moment her confusion was answered, though not completely.

Her eyes then scanned another royal family, accidentally colliding with Fu Xie Yan's, no, The girl didn't look at her but instead looked at Gu Yi without blinking with her cheeks already blushing red.

The table that Fu Xie Lan was currently sitting on was so close to the table of the royal family, that the slight changes on the girl's face she could see.

"Noticing who, honey?" Gu Yi's voice broke Xie Lan's mind, the men's eyes then followed the girl's gaze.

And at that moment Fu Xie Yan and Gu Yi's eyes met, suddenly the girl looked down shyly with occasional glances and stole glances at the man.

"Is she bothering you?" Gu Yi asked as he squeezed Xie Lan's hand and held it, stroking it gently.

"No," Xie Lan shook her head.

"Then, just look at me," said the man again teasingly.

Everyone was busy eating their food, some of the waiters came back in and quickly put a glass of wine on each table.

The scent of raspberries immediately rushed to fill the room, apparently coming from the wine that was already on everyone's table.

Said Thanks again came from everyone's mouth.

Fu Xie Lan's brow furrowed again, her sense of smell not only caught the raspberry scent, she faintly sensed a familiar scent mixed with the wine. But what? No matter how hard the girl remembered, she couldn't find the type of scent.

"Congratulation, it's an honor for you to receive this wine from Princess Fu Xie Yan," said a waiter placing a glass that looked more luxurious than the others right in front of Gu Yi.

Gu Yi didn't respond, didn't even seem to care about the glass.

While Fu Xie Lan who had just tasted the sip of wine suddenly stopped because Gu Yi's hand immediately grabbed it.

"Don't drink too much," said the man, then downed Fu Xie Lan's wine.

Xie Lan glared at Gu Yi, this is her first wine in this world, and the man has already drunk her mine?

The girl then tried to reach for another wine on the table but failed, again Gu Yi moved faster than her. Now, the only wine left was the princess's gift.

Fu Xie Lan immediately grabbed the luxurious glass, but again, Gu Yi grabbed it and downed it without a trace.

"Isshhh."

"I told you, don't drink too much," Gu Yi said.

"I've only had one sip."

"That's a lot," Gu Yi replied quickly.

Xie Lan who saw Gu Yi's attitude only sighed harshly. Maybe next time she'll try to drink to her heart's content if the man isn't around.

Meanwhile, from afar, Princess Fu Xie Yan saw this and only smiled. Thought that the two silver masked men were close friends.

Without anyone noticing, a pair of eyes scanned everyone in the dark. His eyes gleamed sharply.

Seeing that all the wine that was given to the participants had been drained, the figure slowly disappeared with a faint smile rising on the face that was behind the hood of his black robe.

***

The banquet was over, all participants returned to their respective rooms.

Fu Xie Lan, Gu Yi, and the other three came out later.

Gu Yi who previously felt fine, who knows since when his body became so hot.

"Are you alright?" asked Fu Xie Lan who saw Gu Yi not like usual.

Gu Yi did not respond to the girl and just nodded. Over time, his body felt very hot and so thirsty. Was it because he had too much wine? But this is not the first time he has drunk wine.

Back when the human race was still living side by side with other races, his family in the demon palace often consumed the wine human-made drink because of its delicious taste. And after hundreds of years, the man drank it again tonight.

As They walked closer to the moon pavilion, a faint, humiliating voice could be heard.