With thirty more minutes before the dreaded parting, Anji witnessed something strange. One by one, the children yawned and babbled with bleary eyes. Lady Mang Yuan did not appear surprised by their growing sleepiness. Instead, she merely kissed them on their foreheads and wished them sweet dreams, reassuring them that when they woke up tomorrow morning, it would be another beautiful day, as if they had not been apart for thousands of years.
Puzzled, Anji gaped. It was not until Lady Mang Yuan called her over that Anji came closer. The great snake spirit draped blankets over her eight children who slept soundly with smiles and drool.
"I had no idea you could drug the tea and snacks in a small world."
Unoffended, Lady Mang Yuan laughed. Her earlier grace disappeared now that there was only Anji who would see her like this.
