Do Not Be Bewitched by Desire

She dragged Lily over to a wall and pointed at a painting hanging there. "Look!"

Lily Bai glanced at it. The painting depicted Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann.

The artistry was exquisite and lifelike, capturing his innate divine bearing to perfection.

"See? What do you think of this man?" Clarissa asked, showing off as if presenting a treasure.

"Mother, isn't this just Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann?" Lily replied helplessly.

"You've met him?" Clarissa asked.

"Of course! His real-life presence is far beyond what any painting can capture," Lily said. "Across the Three Realms and Ten Wilds, few can compare to him."

"Right? He's the Qilin Divine Lord! And he looks like this! If he wanted to marry you, even I'd be tempted—aren't you moved?"

Marcus White stood nearby, his face darkening.

Lily laughed. "Mother, you already know how I feel, don't you?"

"Know what?"

Lily Bai glanced at Sean Shaw, who had followed her inside.

Clarissa's face was full of displeasure. She sent a mental message: "He's just a demon beast! How could he ever compare to the Qilin Divine Lord? Can you please use your brain? Don't get blinded by a pretty face."

Lily said, "...Mother, you agreed to us before."

"That was only because there wasn't a better option! Now that we have such a top-tier son-in-law, he's instantly downgraded to trash!" Clarissa said, her face full of disdain.

Lily: "..."

"You must marry the Qilin Divine Lord! You must! Even if it's just for me," Clarissa insisted.

"For you? What do you mean?"

"If you marry him, I get to see him all the time!" Clarissa looked like a starstruck fangirl.

"Mother! Are you sure you're okay?" Lily eyed her suspiciously.

"He's her dream lover! Her eternal 'white moonlight!'" Marcus White sneered from the side. "Look how excited she is!"

Lily said, "...Uh, Mother, shouldn't marriage be about feelings? I don't love the Qilin Divine Lord. You can't just make me marry him because you like him..."

"Love can be cultivated! If he likes you enough, you'll end up liking him too! Trust me."

Lily said, "...Where's High God Ethan Lu?"

"Are you moved? Did you change your mind?" Clarissa's eyes sparkled.

"Let me meet him first, okay?"

So Clarissa had someone bring Ethan Lu over.

They exchanged formal greetings, but Lily quickly said she wanted to speak with him alone.

A private chat? This is promising!

Clarissa, delighted, grabbed Sean Shaw and dragged him out.

Once outside in the imperial garden, Clarissa asked him, "Sean, do you like my Lily?"

Sean nodded.

"Let me tell you, forget about her!" Clarissa said. "She's about to become the Qilin Divine Consort! If you know what's good for you, just leave her alone! Name your price."

Sean was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid that's impossible."

"I decide my daughter's marriage!"

"And what about your grandchild?"

Clarissa was stunned. "What?"

"Lily may already be carrying my child," Sean said.

...

Lily asked Ethan Lu about the situation, then said, "Big Brother, you know how I feel. Please go back and politely refuse for me!"

Ethan Lu nodded. "But I'm afraid he won't give up so easily."

Lily thought for a moment and said, "Whoever tied the bell must untie it. I want to visit the Spirit Alliance to see my Divine Father—and I'll meet him too."

Ethan Lu nodded. "Then I'll head back first."

Lily nodded, saw Ethan Lu off, and went to find her mother—only to discover that she had fainted.