After the spiritual energy was restored: Goddess girlfriends came knocking.

Upon returning to the Jiang residence, the gatekeeper saw the young master leading three ragged men back and quickly went inside to report.

Two adults stood at the door, looking up at the plaque of the Jiang family mansion.

Standing at the bottom of the stone steps in front of the door, he seemed unsure whether he should step up.

"Come in," Jiang Yan said.

The man looked up at the plaque above the gate of the Jiang residence, then at Jiang Yan, and for the first time, an expression of disbelief appeared on his usually expressionless face.

He recognized this as the Jiang family, one of the few families that had managed to gain a foothold in the demon realm.

The woman hugged the child tightly, and the two followed Jiang Yan across the threshold.

Their footsteps were very light, as if afraid of dirtying the blue bricks on the ground.

Jiang Yan had someone take them downstairs to clean up.

Jiang Wuchen quickly rushed over from the front yard.

He glanced at the backs of the three people, then at his son.

Jiang Yan briefly described what happened at the market: iron cages, wooden signs, two-legged sheep, and thirty spirit stones.

Jiang Wuchen sighed after hearing this.

Then he reached out and gently rubbed Jiang Yan's head.

"Well done," he said. "From now on, let them stay in the mansion as servants, and the Jiang family will provide protection."

The man was startled by these words.

He looked up at Jiang Wuchen, his lips trembling several times, and then he knelt down with a thud.

The woman also knelt down, pressed the child to her side, and the three of them kowtowed several times on the bluestone slab.

The man said something in a hoarse voice, which was hard to hear, but it was probably something like "Thank you, sir."

Jiang Wuchen helped them up and called the steward to arrange their lodgings and tasks.

The three men followed the steward to the backyard.

The little boy walked at the back, and after a few steps, he turned back to look at Jiang Yan.

On that clean face, the eyes were big and dark.

He stared at Jiang Yan, as if trying to memorize her face.

Jiang Yan stood in the courtyard watching them go.

……

A few days passed quickly.

Tu Shan Ruoshui is coming.

When the news reached the Jiang family, several elders sat in the back room all night.

This is a test, but also an opportunity.

If they are treated well, the Jiang family will gain another layer of trust from the Tu Shan clan; if they are treated poorly, the whole family may be held accountable.

Jiang Yan, as the only child of school age in the Jiang family of this generation, was arranged to accompany them throughout the process.

When Jiang Yan was summoned to the study by her father, she probably guessed what it was about.

Jiang Wuchen squatted down in front of Jiang Yan.

"That woman is very distinguished." He looked into his son's eyes. "You must be sensible and not make her angry."

He paused for a moment.

"There's no need to be too afraid of her."

Jiang Yan nodded.

The image that flashed through his mind was of Jiang Ruoshui on Blue Star, wearing sunglasses and standing next to a Ferrari, wearing a pleated skirt to deliver Monstera deliciosa, and squinting as she ate chicken in a baked rice restaurant.

But he also knew that was the future Jiang Ruoshui.

The Tu Shan Ruoshui we haven't seen or experienced in the future is probably completely different from the woman who sends fox emojis on WeChat all day long.

How should he face her now? Jiang Yan thought for a long time, but had no answer.

Oh well, let nature take its course.

The reason why Tu Shan Ruoshui wanted to come to the Jiang residence was actually very simple.

She grew up in the palace, surrounded by orderly courtyards, manicured flowers and plants, and aristocratic young ladies who played with her but remained reserved.

The younger demons didn't even dare to breathe loudly in front of her.

It's so boring.

So when her father asked her what gift she wanted for her birthday...

Her eyes widened, and she said she wanted to leave the palace and see the outside world.

Tu Shan Lie is the current emperor of the Tu Shan Dynasty, the current patriarch of the Tu Shan clan, and one of the top ten strongest figures in the Myriad Demon Realm.

But in front of his daughter, he has only one identity—a doting father.

Tu Shanlie had always indulged his daughter, and nodded without saying a word.

However, it was not appropriate for a princess to leave the palace alone, so the royal court quickly devised a solution.

The Jiang family, the most "reliable" human clan within the Tushan Dynasty, was responsible for receiving them.

There are three reasons:

Firstly, the Jiang family has been operating in the Tushan Dynasty for many years, and they know the rules and how to behave, so they would not offend the princess.

Secondly, the markets of the human race are different from those of the demon race's nobles, so taking the princess to see them would broaden her horizons.

Thirdly, the Jiang family had a child a few years ago, who is said to be exceptionally gifted and about the same age as the princess. This is a good opportunity to test the waters. If he is indeed a promising talent, it would be a good thing for him to stay by the princess's side as a guard in the future.

After hearing this, Tu Shanlie waved his hand and granted his request.

……

The day Tu Shan Ruoshui left the palace, the procession was not grand.

She specially changed into a simple light red dress, made of ordinary material and with a simple style. Her hair was tied back with only a ribbon.

He only brought two attendants.

Of course, those who secretly protect others are not included.

Tu Shan Lie agreed: "This time, you won't be a princess; you'll be a child out having fun."

On this day, the main gate of the Jiang residence was wide open.

Jiang Wuchen led Jiang Yan to stand at the front, followed by several clan elders and core clan members.

Everyone was dressed smartly and stood in neat rows.

Even Liu Qingyi, who rarely changed into a clean robe, leaned against a pillar not far away, squinting her eyes as if she hadn't woken up yet.

A horse-drawn carriage was parked at the door.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and two plainclothes attendants got out first, followed by a little girl in a light red dress who jumped down from a stool.

Tu Shan Ruoshui stood at the entrance of the Jiang residence.

She wore a light red dress with fine, subtle embroidery on the cuffs, and a small jade pendant hung at her waist.

She was a little taller than Jiang Yan and stood very straight.

It had a pair of fluffy, light orange fox ears on its head, which swayed slightly in the wind.

The entire Jiang family bowed in unison.

Tu Shan Ruoshui lifted her veil and looked everyone over. Her gaze swept across Jiang Wuchen's face and then naturally landed on Jiang Yan beside him.

She walked up to Jiang Yan, bent down, and stared at him for a long time.

Are you the same age as me?

Her tone wasn't harsh; it even carried a hint of curiosity.

A pair of fox-like, slightly upturned eyes, clear and unguarded.

"Mm," Jiang Yan said.

Tu Shan Ruoshui tilted her head to look at him.

This human child is a bit strange; other demon children are either afraid of her or trying to curry favor with her.

But Jiang Yan just stood there quietly, neither saying flattering words nor dodging, like a small tree.

"What's your name?"

"Jiang Yan".

"What a strange name." She finished speaking, stood up, patted her skirt, and said, "You're the one. You'll be coming with me today."

Jiang Yan nodded.

Tu Shan Ruoshui had already turned and walked inside.

After taking a few steps, I looked back and saw him standing still, so I reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

"Come on, what are you daydreaming about?"

Jiang Yan followed.

He watched the little girl with a ponytail swagger into the Jiang residence and suddenly felt a strange sensation.

Is this the woman who kept asking him on WeChat, "Have you eaten?" and "Have you slept?"