"There's a good saying in the mortal world: since ancient times, there has been no family affection in royal houses.
"Those mortal emperors rule over nothing more than a few mounds of earth and pools of water, yet they still commit countless atrocities against their own kin for power.
"And the Dragon Palace governs the waters of all four seas, so a son visiting his father often ceases to be a suitable reason."
He had said this partly to teach the crab a thing or two.
But after speaking, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration, as though he had remembered something crucial. He froze, his eyes wide.
Then wild delight burst across his face. He slapped the table and exclaimed excitedly:
"I've got it! I've thought of the perfect pretext!"
General Lei and Cui Jiuyang watched the excited old sea turtle.
Ao Dongping forcibly suppressed his excitement and spoke slowly, an irrepressible smile on his face:
"If a son visiting his father isn't the most suitable pretext, then surely a son visiting his mother is perfectly natural!
He counted carefully on his turtle claws, then said with certainty, "His Highness's birth mother is His Majesty the old Dragon King's Third Consort.
"By my reckoning, her seven-thousandth birthday is coming up soon!
"Have His Highness take these treasures seized from the Demon Cave to the Dragon Palace and present them to the Third Consort as birthday gifts for his mother!
"Although His Majesty the old Dragon King is now nearing the end of his lifespan and his temperament has grown increasingly strange and unpredictable, he has been married to his consorts for thousands of years. Some affection must still remain.
"His Highness is the Third Consort's own son. Presenting a lavish gift for his mother's milestone birthday is entirely reasonable.