Inside the grand living room of C?u D?ng’s mansion, the air was so heavy it could almost be carved into pieces. Under the glow of the crystal chandelier, every detail spoke of wealth and power — from the Italian leather sofa set to the intricate, costly decorations.

  In contrast, the in-law family — Mr. Tín, Mrs. Nguy?t, and Huy — sat uneasily, their modest demeanor seeming almost out of place in such opulence.

  C?u D?ng slowly settled into the sofa, his face calm, though his eyes carried a subtle weight of scrutiny:

  – “Please, sit. Make yourselves at home.”

  M? Linh gracefully sat beside her husband, deftly pouring tea from a white porcelain teapot with golden trim:

  – “Please have some tea. This is ancient Shan Tuy?t tea, a very fine kind.”

  Awkwardly, Mr. and Mrs. Tín sat down. Mrs. Nguy?t glanced around, then softly asked:

  – “Where’s Th?? I haven’t seen her since we arrived.”

  M? Linh’s lips curved into a faint, almost dismissive smile:

  – “The girl’s been struggling with morning sickness. She hasn’t eaten or drunk much since this morning.”

  Mr. Tín hurriedly placed a box of tea and pastries he had brought on the table:

  – “Does Th? need to see a doctor? Huy can take her right away.”

  M? Linh took a small sip of tea and shook her head gently:

  – “No need. ?ào took her to see a doctor yesterday. Besides, nausea during pregnancy is normal. Don’t worry, but thank you for your concern.”

  Placing his cup back on the table, C?u D?ng spoke in a voice that was calm yet heavy with authority:

  – “We’ve already made our arrangements. Th? is eight weeks pregnant now, so the wedding must be done quickly. It will be a simple ceremony — only close family and our business partners. After the wedding, Th? will stay here to rest during her pregnancy. If there are any financial difficulties on Huy’s side, just leave everything to us.”

  His words sounded generous, but beneath them lingered a faint air of condescension.

  Mr. Tín hesitated, then quietly replied:

  – “Thank you. My wife and I have saved up a little. We want to take care of Huy properly.”

  Mrs. Nguy?t added timidly:

  – “After the wedding, it’s fine for Th? to stay here to rest. We won’t make any demands about her living with us.”

  M? Linh smiled sweetly, nodding as she poured more tea for her future co-mother-in-law. Outwardly, her manner was gentle — but inside, her thoughts were sharp as daggers:

  – “At least they know their place. If their son wants to marry up and become a ‘kept prince,’ then we’ll grant him that… as a favor.”

  Beside her, C?u D?ng calmly sipped his tea. Yet in his mind, a more sinister thought slithered:

  – “My daughter is the heiress of a steel empire. Did they really think I’d let her live in some crumbling shack? That boy isn’t stupid either — knocking her up just to take a shortcut to wealth. But he’ll soon find out it’s not so simple.”

  The soft clicking of high heels echoed on the polished tiles as Anh ?ào and Dì T? entered the living room, each carrying a large tray.

  Anh ?ào gently set down a tray of imported fruits, their fresh fragrance immediately filling the air:

  – “Please, Uncle, Auntie, and Huy, have some fruit.”

  Dì T? placed a tray of French pastries on the table, the creamy layers glistening under the chandelier’s light:

  – “Please enjoy some pastries, sir, madam, and everyone.”

  Mrs. Nguy?t’s gaze lingered on Anh ?ào with warmth and fondness:

  – “This must be Th?’s older sister, isn’t it? Such a lovely young woman.”

  At that, M? Linh tilted her chin slightly, her tone tinged with pride:

  – “Thank you, co-mother. All three of our daughters received proper educations and hold important positions in the company. Our youngest is currently studying abroad in Canada, but she’ll be back in time for Th?’s wedding.”

  Huy, having just speared a golden slice of kiwi with his fork, looked up and asked:

  – “Is my older brother-in-law here? I haven’t seen him.”

  Anh ?ào sat gracefully beside M? Linh, answering softly:

  – “My mother-in-law has been unwell, so Anh Tú went home to take care of her.”

  Mr. Tín leaned forward, kindly inquiring about the eldest son-in-law:

  – “He must be about the same age as Huy, right? I’ve heard Huy mention him before.”

  C?u D?ng’s reply carried an air of superiority:

  – “My eldest son-in-law is the only heir to a prestigious real estate conglomerate. He is currently the CEO of their company.”

  Mr. Tín and Mrs. Nguy?t’s expressions faltered, a faint heaviness settling over them.

  Just then, Anh Th? slowly walked in. Her face was pale from morning sickness, her steps unsteady.

  Mr. Tín shot a sharp look at his son, his voice stern:

  – “Boy, what are you doing just sitting there? Go help Th? right now.”

  Huy instantly dropped his fork and rushed over, gently supporting Anh Th? into a seat. He picked up a ripe red cherry, offering it tenderly:

  – “Here, eat this. It’s good for your health during pregnancy.”

  From across the room, C?u D?ng narrowed his eyes, thoughts dripping with irony:

  – “Quite the performance… But the moment you stepped into this house, your stage ended.”

  ---

  Meanwhile, over at the Gothic mansion, the scene was entirely different. Everyone sat around the Black Crystal Mirror, observing every detail unfolding at C?u D?ng’s residence.

  Master V?nh spoke slowly, his tone carrying the weight of judgment:

  – “His parents may be centipede spirits… but truly, they’re kindhearted. Their souls are clean, with no intent to harm.”

  Trúc Di?n gave a small nod, his gaze never leaving the mirror:

  – “Only the son… full of schemes and arrogance. Must’ve picked it up from bad company.”

  Din nibbled on a ginger cookie, speaking casually:

  – “The General already said it: the centipede couple are good-natured… but the boy needs proper discipline.”

  Trang sipped her dark chocolate, her eyes cold yet profound:

  – “Let C?u D?ng’s family teach him. Stubborn, spoiled people… only life itself can slap sense into them.”

  Erion’s lips curled into a sinister smile:

  – “That centipede brat thinks marrying into D?ng’s family is his ticket to heaven. But no… he’s walking straight into hell.”

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  Beyond the black iron gates of the Gothic mansion, the roar of an engine thundered, powerful and commanding. A deep crimson Ferrari slid into the courtyard like a beast returning to its domain.

  Din took a sip of rose tea, glancing casually toward the window:

  – “Yin has arrived.”

  Yin — a noble vampire styled in Qing dynasty elegance, dressed impeccably in a charcoal-gray T–Ford suit — stepped out with calm composure. A renowned entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, his reputation among the blood clans was built not only on his business acumen but also on his inimitable aristocratic grace.

  Entering the Gothic living room, Yin smiled warmly, carrying a lacquered wooden box of golden mooncakes:

  – “Ah, what a full gathering tonight. Mid-Autumn is approaching, and my company has just launched a new line of mooncakes — less sweet, more artistic. I’ve brought some for everyone to try.”

  He gently placed the ornate box on the glass table and opened it. Inside were twelve mooncakes crafted with intricate designs—dragons and phoenixes, peonies, the full moon, jade rabbits — each with a unique flavor: mung bean, matcha, red bean, roasted chicken medley, scallop and lobster, lotus seed with longan, Musang King durian, and blueberry cheesecake.

  Trang, H?ng Nhung, and a few imps immediately rose to help:

  – “We’ll fetch the plates.”

  Together, Yin and Din carefully cut the mooncakes, setting delicate slices on blue-and-white porcelain plates. Yin’s smile was gentle, his eyes sincere:

  – “Please taste them. I’d like your honest opinions. This line is still in its trial phase.”

  Master V?nh poured fresh tea for the table, speaking steadily:

  – “Your mooncakes are both elegant and refined, Yin. Beautifully crafted and light in flavor — no risk of spiking blood sugar.”

  Erion lifted a slice near his nose, savoring the subtle aroma before tasting it slowly:

  – “Perfect. At over a thousand years old, I can’t indulge in heavy sweets… they disrupt one’s inner balance.”

  Trúc Di?n smirked, shooting him a side-eye:

  – “As if you’re the only one past a thousand.”

  Yin chuckled softly, his noble aura unshaken:

  – “I’ve also prepared special sets for Lord Satan, Anh Tú’s family, and Master V?nh’s household. Tonight is just a sample for everyone to enjoy and critique.”

  Prince Arian nodded appreciatively, his mouth still half-full of cake:

  – “Delicious, Yin. My father and the Grand Chancellor will surely place an order for hundreds of boxes.”

  H?ng Nhung exclaimed with delight:

  – “The craftsmanship is exquisite, the colors vibrant, and the pastry skin is so soft. I truly love it.”

  Trang agreed, her tone measured but approving:

  – “Once these hit the market, they’ll sell out instantly. Perfect as Mid-Autumn corporate gifts.”

  As the lords, imps, and agents chatted merrily over mooncakes and tea, Yin drifted quietly toward the arched window. His gaze pierced through the Gothic stained glass, fixed on the distant silhouette of D?ng’s villa:

  – “I can sense… something mysterious.”

  Erion raised his brows over the rim of his teacup:

  – “That’s just the centipede family arranging a wedding for their little social-climber Huy. Sit down and enjoy the drama — no need to look so serious.”

  ---

  Meanwhile, in C?u D?ng’s luxurious living room, the tension still lingered thick in the air. But then — an energy wave emerged in the distance. Subtle as smoke, yet carrying the crushing weight of a lord-tier presence.

  Mr. Tín and Mrs. Nguy?t — centipede spirits who had cultivated for years — were no match for mages or bloodlords, yet their instincts remained sharp. Both stiffened, their faces paling instantly.

  Huy noticed, glancing between his parents uneasily. C?u D?ng, ever observant, frowned:

  – “Are you feeling unwell? You both look rather pale.”

  Mr. Tín quickly reassured, his voice steady though slightly forced:

  – “Oh, nothing at all. Must be the long trip, just a bit tired. A short rest will set us right.”

  C?u D?ng gave a nod, though his sharp eyes lingered on their every reaction. Beside him, M? Linh merely sipped her tea, her thoughts drifting darkly:

  – “What secrets is this family hiding…?”

  Crown Prince Arian gently sipped his tea, speaking slowly:

  – “This morning, Father instructed me to suspend the illusion punishment on My and ?ào for now, so we can focus on that couple in D?ng’s household.”

  Erion smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

  – “I knew it. Old man Satan loves his cat-and-mouse games. Even with enough evidence to end it all, he refuses to play his hand. He’d rather stretch out the fun.”

  Trúc Di?n leisurely bit into a scallop-and-lobster mooncake, his voice calm and rich:

  – “That’s the entertaining way. If everything were revealed at once, what would there be left to watch?”

  Trang, savoring her roasted-chicken medley mooncake, smiled knowingly:

  – “Let that centipede brat marry into the family first. Then we’ll see the real show—son-in-law and in-laws laying traps for each other, schemes within schemes… just like a proper inheritance drama.”

  Yin chuckled faintly, his eyes gleaming:

  – “If that boy ever discovered his in-laws once murdered the wife’s own younger sister and her husband just to seize their assets, he’d probably collapse from shock. No more dreams of being the ‘Son-in-Law King.’”

  Din gazed out the arched window, his tone deliberate:

  – “If D?ng and his wife are cunning enough to scare that centipede into retreating from the son-in-law throne, even fox spirits, scorpion fiends, and spider demons will come knocking here to beg for training.”

  One of the agents took a sip of rose tea:

  – “So, we’ll continue the illusion punishment on D?ng’s wife, correct?”

  Prince Arian nodded firmly:

  – “Correct. The sensory punishment will be upgraded — taste illusions, stronger than before. We’ll enjoy the drama all through Mid-Autumn.”

  Laughter echoed around the Gothic parlor. Sometimes, even monsters shuddered at the cruelty of humans.

  ---

  At C?u D?ng’s villa, harsh noon sunlight streamed through the windows, cutting into an already tense atmosphere.

  C?u D?ng raised his voice:

  – “ Mrs. T?, is lunch ready yet?”

  Dì T? hurried up from the kitchen, wiping her apron:

  – “Yes, sir. Lunch is all prepared.”

  Turning to his guests, C?u D?ng’s smile was polite but laced with arrogance:

  – “Please, brother and sister-in-law, and young Huy — join us for a family luncheon.”

  Mr. Tín returned the courtesy with calm composure:

  – “Thank you kindly. We are most honored.”

  The meal began. The dishes were abundant and elegantly plated, yet the atmosphere around the table was as stifling and uncomfortable as the sweltering heat outside.

  ---

  Back at the Gothic mansion, the little imps were squirming, glancing at the clock. One finally piped up:

  – “General, it’s lunchtime… we’re starving!”

  Erion shot them a glare, his amber eyes cold:

  – “You just had mooncakes and now you’re whining? I don’t own a black diamond mine. Where would I get the money to feed you bottomless pits?”

  Just then, Prince Arian’s phone rang. He answered quickly:

  – “Yes, Father, I’m listening.”

  From the other end, Satan’s commanding voice rang clear:

  – “Bring everyone back to headquarters for lunch. We have urgent plans to discuss.”

  As soon as Arian hung up, the imps erupted in cheers:

  – “Back to Bình Chánh HQ! Unlimited food!”

  Erion stood abruptly, face stoic:

  – “Fine. Then we won’t bother coming back here. Saves me the grocery bills.”

  Din burst out laughing:

  – “Easy there, General. They’re just gluttons, not rebels.”

  One imp pointed at the shimmering black-diamond gravel sparkling in the aquarium under the Gothic lights:

  – “But General, you even use black diamonds to decorate your fish tank, and yet last time you gave each of us only one roasted chicken!”

  Erion’s eyes flashed crimson like gemstones:

  – “One chicken per imp, nearly three kilos each — and you still complain? Fine! You’ll eat boiled vegetables for the entire week!”

  A roar of laughter filled the ancient Gothic mansion. Demon, monster, or god — it didn’t matter. Under the blazing noon sun, everyone needed a hearty meal… and a clever plan for the battles of wit yet to come.

  After the call from Demon King Satan’s headquarters, it took only ten minutes for the group to arrive outside the illusion shield of the Bình Chánh stronghold — a fortress wrapped in a shimmering barrier that concealed it from human eyes and rival powers alike.

  As they approached, royal agents stepped out from within and bowed deeply. The dimensional gate opened, revealing a gleaming black-stone pathway flanked by colossal pillars carved with the images of ancient demon gods.

  A convoy of vehicles rolled silently inside:

  – Two sleek black Bentley Bentaygas,

  – A blazing red Ferrari,

  – A Cadillac Escalade dark as obsidian,

  – A midnight-black Porsche Cayenne,

  – And one modest silver Innova.

  ---

  The grand hall inside was a breathtaking fusion of East and West.

  The vaulted ceiling soared like a European palace, its ornate reliefs gilded with 24K gold. At the center, a purple crystal chandelier cascaded downward like a waterfall of light, scattering prisms across the walls.

  Polished rosewood and fragrant agarwood panels lined the walls, punctuated by hand-carved bas-reliefs of dragons and phoenixes in the flowing elegance of the East.

  Massive pillars bore Baroque flourishes, but instead of cherubs, the carvings featured the Four Sacred Beasts — Dragon, Qilin, Tortoise, and Phoenix — gilded in intricate detail.

  The ivory Italian marble floor was centered with a deep-crimson handwoven carpet embroidered with swirling clouds and rolling waves.

  Furniture of red sandalwood curved gracefully in the French classical style, yet their backs were inlaid with mother-of-pearl landscapes—mountains, moons, cranes, and rivers.

  A faint incense of agarwood drifted from Eastern bronze censers, blending with the warm golden glow of European sconces. The result was a hall that was at once majestic, welcoming, and tinged with the otherworldly aura of the Demon Realm.

  Seated comfortably on a rosewood throne was the Grand Matriarch, sipping chrysanthemum tea. Her hawk-like eyes, sharp with authority, swept over the hall:

  – “So quick? I thought you wouldn’t arrive until evening.”

  Erion strode in casually, gaze lifting toward the massive timber throne:

  – “We came through the spatial gate. How could we not be quick? Besides, word is the old man Satan has business to discuss—so we came early.”

  At that moment, Demon King Satan emerged from behind a velvet curtain, regal in a deep-gray cloak tied at the waist, his eyes seeming to pierce all pretense.

  His voice thundered through the hall:

  – “Erion, call me ‘old man’ one more time and forget about marrying my daughter! A son-in-law who shows no respect to his father-in-law? Impossible!”

  Laughter erupted throughout the chamber, breaking the hall’s usual solemnity.

  Yin stepped forward respectfully:

  – “I have prepared a box of the finest mooncakes as an offering of devotion to our Lord and the Grand Matriarch.”

  A royal agent took the box and presented it to Satan, who nodded, his tone softening slightly:

  – “If Erion were half as thoughtful as Yin, he’d already have a wife. No wonder he’s still single.”

  Trúc Di?n, standing nearby, chuckled:

  – “He’s been single for a thousand years and he’s still alive. Another thousand won’t hurt him.”

  Erion scowled, fists tightening:

  – “Snake, don’t think you’re any better! You’ve been single for just as long!”

  Trúc Di?n raised his chin proudly, turning his gaze toward Trang:

  – “Because I was waiting for the right one. Now that I’ve met Trang, I won’t waste the chance. Unlike you — brash, violent, rough—how could you ever suit a gentle princess like her?”

  Veins bulged on Erion’s neck:

  – “What did you just say? I’ll freeze you where you stand!”

  The Grand Matriarch, still sipping her tea, interjected lazily but with razor-sharp clarity:

  – “Enough. While you waste time quarreling, Trúc Di?n is already winning her heart. If you want a wife, focus on impressing her and her father instead of threatening to freeze people.”

  Laughter once again swept through the grand hall. Once a place for tense strategy councils, the headquarters now echoed with warmth, banter, and the chaotic harmony of a family gathering — a little dramatic, a little comical, but oddly comforting.