Marriage Meeting
This was the first time Huanhuan had seen He Zong since the end of the ceremony.
Even though he was the king of all beasts, his status should be equivalent to Huanhuan’s.
However, over the years, theocracy had always shown signs of overriding the royal authority, so even after seeing Huanhuan, He Zong still habitually bowed.
He pressed a fist to his chest and bowed slightly. “Lady Prophet.”
Huanhuan waved her hand. “Just call me Huanhuan.”
When they were seated, Bai Di brought over two bowls of flower tea and gently placed them in front of them.
He Zong took a sip of tea and smiled. “I’ve long heard that your flower tea is very unique. After getting to drink it today, it’s indeed unique.”
“If you like it, I’ll get someone to pack a bag of dried flowers for you to drink later.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Huanhuan asked him why he was here today.
“To be honest, I came to you this time to ask you to be lenient with the first elder.”
Huanhuan was a little surprised. “Are you here to plead for leniency on behalf of the first elder? I really didn’t realize that you were so close to him.”
He Zong sighed. “I actually don’t have much of a relationship with him. We don’t interact unless it’s necessary. Everyone knows about this. There’s no need for me to deliberately hide it from you.”
“Then why are you pleading for him?”
At this moment, almost everyone had abandoned the first elder. They wished they could get as far away from him as possible, afraid that they would be implicated.
He Zong was the only one who took the initiative to speak up for him.
“The first elder is the head of the Elders’ Association. He’s been in power for many years and has extremely deep qualifications. Although he brought this upon himself, his qualifications are still there. If you directly sentence him to death, I’m afraid he’ll get a bad reputation for being cold and ruthless. Others might even feel nervous. If things go wrong, they might join forces to suppress you.”
He Zong made sense.
But Huanhuan didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, she turned to Bai Di, who was standing beside her.
“What do you think?”
Bai Di analyzed calmly, “Lord He Zong has a point, but it’s not comprehensive.”
Seeing that someone had retorted him, not only was He Zong not angry, but he also pretended to be all ears. “Tell me, what’s not comprehensive about it?”
“There are national laws and family rules. Since he did something wrong, he has to receive his punishment as stated by the law. Otherwise, why would we need the law? If we set a precedent for the first elder and spare his life, what should we do if others follow his example in the future? Should we kill them or not?”
He Zong did not answer and looked thoughtful.
Bai Di continued, “That’s one reason. Secondly, Huanhuan has just succeeded the throne. She’s new here. Other than the divine servants and divine guards left behind by Yin Ji, she doesn’t have any other supporters. Her foundation is very shallow. If she doesn’t seize the opportunity to establish her might, I’m afraid those hidden forces will be restless. When the time comes, they’ll attack her together and Huanhuan will become the target of everyone. What will she do then?”
He Zong did not know how to answer.
Bai Di said, “Lastly, Huanhuan has already posted the notice to deal with the first elder. Now that all the beasts in the city know that the first elder is going to be executed, if Huanhuan suddenly changes her mind, how can others believe her in the future?”
The corners of He Zhang’s mouth twitched as he smiled bitterly. “You’re right. I was careless.”
Huanhuan comforted him. “You’re only here to remind me for my sake. I appreciate your kindness.”
He Zong looked ashamed. “I’m still too narrow-minded compared to your mate. If there’s a chance in the future, can I come and ask Bai Di for advice?”
“I’ll leave that up to Bai Di to decide.”
Bai Di spoke, “I wouldn’t dare give advice, but I’d be honored to have the opportunity to interact with you.”
“Then it’s settled.” He Zong looked happy and smiled brightly. “By the way, I heard that you have two children. I wonder if they followed you to the City of 10,000 Beasts?”
“They had other things to do and didn’t come to the City of 10,000 Beasts with us.”
“That’s a pity. I wanted them to spar with my children! They’re a disappointment!”
Bai Di smiled. “There’ll be a chance.”
Speaking of children, He Zong asked about Huanhuan’s other children.
“I heard that you have a daughter who’s quite beautiful and strong. It just so happens that my sons are still single. Why don’t we find a chance one day to let them meet and interact with each other? Perhaps one of my sons and your daughter will become a loving couple!”
Huanhuan neither agreed nor disagreed.
She laughed. “I promised Big Goody long ago that I wouldn’t interfere in her private life. It’s up to her to choose who she likes and who she wants to be her mate.”
He Zong was unwilling to give up. “But you’re her mother, after all. As long as you casually mention it in front of her and let her meet my sons, it should be fine, right?”
“She’s still in Rock City. She has to deal with a lot of things in the city. She won’t be able to leave anytime soon.”
He Zong had no choice but to temporarily suppress the idea of marriage.
They chatted for a while longer.
He Zong got up and bid farewell.
Huanhuan got someone to pack a bag of dried flowers for him to take away.
When he was gone, Huanhuan looked at the cup on the table.
He Zong barely touched the cup of tea. He only took a sip from beginning to end and never touched it again.
She said meaningfully, “He Zong doesn’t seem to like tea.”
Bai Di said, “It’s normal. Most carnivores don’t like flower tea.”
“But he just praised the flower tea and took a large bag of dried flowers with him.”
“Because he’s hypocritical.”
He said it quite bluntly, and Huanhuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Since you know he’s hypocritical, why were you chatting so happily with him just now? You even agreed to continue interacting with him in the future.”
Bai Di’s expression didn’t change. “Because I’m hypocritical too.”
It was self-deprecating, but when he said it, it didn’t feel like he was belittling himself at all.
Huanhuan smiled and said, “This king of beasts is not a simple person either.”
“How can someone who can become the king of all beasts be simple?”
“You’re right.”
At this moment, Shuang Yun walked in. He saw two cups of tea on the table and asked, “Did a guest come just now?”
Huanhuan smiled and said, “That’s right. He said he wants Big Goody to be his daughter-in-law.”
This concerned his precious daughter’s lifelong happiness, so Shuang Yun immediately became nervous. “Who is it?”
“It’s the king of beasts, He Zong.”
Shuang Yun cursed inwardly and quickly asked, “You didn’t agree to it, did you?”
“No.”
He relaxed. “That’s good.”