CHAPTER 816 THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL

"Father, please. What did you need to tell me? Say it right now," Mary asked. Yet, she knew what her

father always wanted. Since her father Raef had mentioned it before, she believed that he planned to

take advantage of the beauty that she and her sister possessed.

Unbeknownst to her, the "wise and necessary" measure he had proposed would be an extremely

vicious one.

"Father, please. Juey is your daughter. You can't make her live in misery!" Mary pleaded fiercely.

"It's a necessary sacrifice for the Xiao Clan. Besides, it'll do Juey some good to become the prince's

concubine. Plus, he's wanted by many women. This is an opportunity that we must seize!" Raef

declared firmly.

"But, father…" Mary hesitated for a moment. 'Surely he must understand why I am against this? If we

make one wrong move, the outcome will be horrible, ' she thought.

"It's settled. We'll discuss this no more and I'll leave it to you to deal with Juey's part. I am doing this for

our clan's future. Once everything has been made final, Juey must learn to accept it." It appeared that

Raef completely spiraled into unyielding madness. His desire to ensure and strengthen the power and

influence of the Xiao Clan was so strong that he even went so far as to shamelessly take advantage of

his daughter.

Mary bit her lips at the insistence of her father's words. She began to doubt herself.

"Mary, I beg you, please. Help me for once by doing what you're told! Our ancestors are watching you

from up above. The fate of our family lies in your hands as well…" Raef pleaded in return, letting his

words linger and sink in.

Mary caught herself in quite a dilemma. If she agreed to carry out her father's order, she would place owns this text.

her sister in misery. However, it was a rare opportunity for the Xiao Clan—one that would ensure their

future. If she didn't catch it, she would fail her ancestors' expectations.

She finally yielded to her father's wishes after a moment's hesitation. While she stuck to her promise of

doing anything for her clan, she also knew in the back of her mind that this would be something she

would regret for the rest of her life.

"I've discovered that the prince does not like to be accompanied by servants, which means that he

won't be bringing anyone to the banquet. I'll arrange for you to sit beside him. That'll serve as your

opportunity to drug him," Raef informed her. Then, he withdrew a powder-filled pouch before

continuing, "This Love Powder, although colorless and tasteless, is a powerful aphrodisiac."

Mary took the pouch with trembling hands.

Looking at his daughter, Raef continued with his instructions. "He will feel slightly uncomfortable at first.

That'll be your cue to pretend to take him somewhere to rest while I'll order Chris to send Juey over

there. As for the rest, you know what to do." Raef signaled her.

"Father, is that completely necessary? If we really carry out the plan, Juey will never forgive us. You

know that." Mary was still against her father's idea, finding it hard to agree with such an idea.

"Whether or not she forgives us, it won't matter. You will inherit the chief position of the Xiao Clan if

everything goes according to plan," he retorted, the irritation now clear in his tone.

"Father!" Mary exclaimed and frowned.

"Enough! Hurry up and do as you're told!" Raef urged.

Fumbling and failing to find a proper response, Mary turned around and left. As the successor of her

father, she had to carry out her father's order despite her unwillingness.

Upon returning to her room, she saw Juey who was in the middle of brewing a pot of Osmanthus tea.

"Mary, you're back! Just in time, too. I picked some fresh Osmanthus in the yard and made some tea

for you. Come sit and have a few cups with me!" Juey offered her sister with a smile that beamed as

bright as the summer sun.

Mary trembled with guilt upon entering her room and seeing her younger sister. Quickly, she managed

to calm herself down and replied, "Alright. Oh, I want to have some preserves now. Did you bring any?"

"Yes, but they're in the other room. I'll get some for you right now." Juey then stood up and left to

search for the preserves.

Keeping an eye on her sister's receding figure, Mary took out the powder from her pocket, poured two

cups of the Osmanthus tea and mixed the powder into one of them.

Not long after, Juey returned with the box of preserves.

By this time, Mary had already taken her seat at the table and beckoned her sister to join her. "Come

on!" Mary exclaimed. "The tea is getting cold." She handed one of the cups of tea to her sister.

"Alright, don't rush me too much! The trip back was a little far for me." Juey smiled. Thirsty from her

little trip, she took the cup of tea Mary offered her and drank it without a second thought.

She soon began to feel a little dizzy. A voice from far away rang in her ears. "I'm… I'm... sorry!" Then

she finally fainted.

That evening at the Cao Clan's banquet hall which was used to welcome and entertain guests, multiple

lanterns were raised and lit the entire hall to provide a lively atmosphere.

Ten tables were positioned into two lines in the hall, overflowing with wine, fruit, and desserts, with

special maids there to serve the guests.

Soon these tables were filled with groups of chiefs from mediocre clans who chatted happily among

each other. But that didn't distract them from thinking of their own plans and keeping a close eye on

others as well.

Immediately, two figures walked in with beauty so captivating that everyone's attention was drawn to

them immediately.

One of them was robbed in red while the other donned purple—a rose and a violet. They had

contrasting beauties; one was more mature and alluring, while the other was younger and charming.

Each move and gesture they made seemed to only enhance the beauty they possessed and tug at the

heartstrings of those whose eyes fell on them.

Due to their high-profile presence, the two girls could be none other than the Cao Clan sisters Lucilla

and Queenie.

Lucas, along with a few elders and three hall leaders of the Cao Clan, stood behind the two sisters.

Among them was Lucilla's third uncle, the leader of the Mystery Hall—Freddy Cao. The guests began

to grow suspicious upon realizing that Lucilla's eldest uncle, Tod, was not part of their entourage.

At that moment, the chiefs surrounded them like bees to honey. This was no problem for Lucilla, as she

was experienced in dealing with all kinds of masters in various situations before.

Unlike her sister, Queenie appeared overwhelmed by all of the sudden attention. She immediately

headed for the other side of the room to get some fresh air.

Around half an hour later, a voice called out from outside. "His Royal Highness has arrived!"

As if by magic, the rowdy crowd dispersed into two straight lines with Lucilla standing alone in the

middle.

A handsome, sophisticated looking figure made his entrance. It was none other than Woods, the prince

of the Timber Deity Empire.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness," everyone chorused as they knelt out of respect.

"You don't have to be so courteous." Woods addressed the room with a charming smile and the wave

of his hand.

"We're honored to have you at our mansion, Your Royal Highness." Lucille greeted him on behalf of the

Cao Clan and the chiefs from the other clans as well.

"Chief Lucille, it's my pleasure to be here." Woods nodded with a smile.

"Your Royal Highness, please follow me."

Lucilla gestured Woods and went to the two tables in the front of the banquet hall. After Woods sat

down, she sat down on the other side.

What Woods didn't know was that Rocky whom everyone thought was dead was disguised as a

member of the Cao Clan. If he knew about it, Rocky would be curious to see the expression on his

face!