While Xiao Hai fought to save the girl, a far greater storm erupted within the walls of the Jia Ma Royal Palace.
"Father!" Yao Yue's voice rang through the grand hall, sharp and trembling with fury.
"How could you decide my engagement without even asking me?"
Upon the golden throne, the emperor's fingers tightened against the armrest. Trouble clouded his eyes, yet no words came.
"Answer me!"
Yao Yue stepped forward, her foot striking the marble floor with a resounding crack. The echo carried her anger through the silent palace.
"Am I nothing more than a piece to be moved on your board?"
"Yue'er, calm yourself."
The gentle yet firm voice came from beside the throne. A graceful woman stepped forward—Yao Ye, the First Princess, her expression filled with worry and restraint. The weight of the empire already rested upon her shoulders; she was the future Empress, trained to swallow her emotions for the sake of stability.
"How can I calm down, Sister?" Yao Yue's voice cracked as she spoke, tears pooling in her eyes.
"I don't even know the man who is supposed to become my life partner. And more than that…" Her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
"I don't want to marry anyone."
A heavy sigh escaped the emperor, as though it had been buried deep within his chest for years.
"This decision…" he paused, his voice carrying the weight of inevitability,
"…was made by all the royal elders."
Yao Yue's breath hitched.
"Including," the emperor continued slowly,
"the Grand Protector."
The words struck her like a thunderbolt.
For the Grand Protector was none other than Jia Xingtian—the pillar of the empire, the strongest guardian of the royal family, and her great-grandfather. He was also the one who had always doted on her the most, shielding her from court politics and indulging her every whim.
That was why her heart shook to its core.
The man who loved her above all others…
the man who had always stood on her side…
had agreed to this decision.
"No… you're lying."
Yao Yue shook her head violently, disbelief tearing through her voice.
"How could Grandpa agree to this? He would never—never do such a thing!"
Her vision blurred as tears spilled freely.
"I don't believe it… I don't believe any of this!"
"WAHH—!"
Her sob echoed through the vast throne hall as she turned and ran, her cries breaking the oppressive silence she left behind.
"Yue'er!" Yao Ye called out instinctively, stepping forward—
—but the Emperor raised his hand, stopping her.
"Let her go," he said in a deep, resolute voice.
"She will understand one day… that everything I did was for her own good."
Yao Ye clenched her fists.
"But she's still just a child!"
"Child?"
The Emperor snorted coldly. With a flick of his sleeve, a sheet of paper flew through the air toward her.
"Take a look at this."
Yao Ye caught it reflexively and began to read.
The more her eyes moved across the page, the paler her face became.
This was the reply from the Xiao Family.
And recorded clearly upon it—
Xiao Hai's breakthrough into the Dou Zhe stage.
Her breath caught.
"How… how is this possible?" she whispered, disbelief shaking her voice.
"He's only ten years old… and he has already reached the Dou Zhe stage?"
"It is true."
A heavy, ancient voice resounded through the court, carrying a pressure that made the air itself seem to thicken.
From the shadows at the edge of the throne hall, a figure slowly stepped forward.
His presence was like a mountain—silent, immovable, and overwhelming.
Jia Xingtian.
The Grand Protector of the Jia Ma Empire.
"Grandpa…?"
Yao Ye exclaimed in shock, her eyes widening.
"You were here the entire time?"
Jia Xingtian gave a slight nod, his expression calm and unreadable.
"I heard everything."
He clasped his hands behind his back, his tall figure standing like an ancient pillar within the throne hall.
"But this time… I will not indulge Yue'er's wishes."
The words fell heavily.
"As your father has said," he continued in a low, steady voice,
"this decision is for her own good—and for the good of the empire."
Yao Ye stood frozen.
The entire royal capital knew of one truth:
Jia Xingtian doted on Yao Yue beyond reason.
He had shielded her from court intrigues, laughed at her mischief, and indulged every small demand she made. To him, Yue'er was never a princess first—she was family.
That was why hearing such words from his mouth felt unreal.
"But, Grandpa… this is too cruel."
Yao Ye clenched her hands, forcing herself to speak despite knowing the decision would never be overturned.
"Even if this is for the empire, how can you decide her marriage without her consent?"
Her voice softened.
"She is still my sister… and I love her."
Jia Xingtian turned to look at her.
"Cruel?"
A faint smile curved his lips—not warm, but seasoned by countless years of blood and responsibility.
"Do you know what true cruelty is?"
He took a slow step forward, his voice deep and steady.
"When a general is ordered to fight at the border until death, that is cruelty.
When a man steps onto the path of power knowing full well that he may perish at any moment, that is cruelty."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"But tell me—are such cruelties without meaning?"
"Of course not."
"A general who fights to the death may repel the enemy, saving the nation and countless innocent lives.
A man who survives endless trials of life and death will rise stronger—respected wherever he goes."
His gaze hardened, carrying the weight of an empire that had endured wars, betrayals, and sacrifices.
"Cruelty without purpose is tyranny.
Cruelty that forges strength… is necessity."
The hall fell silent once more.
Yao Ye understood then—
to Jia Xingtian, this engagement was not a cage,but a trial.
One meant to temper Yue'er,
to bind her fate to a rising dragon,
and to ensure the survival of the empire—
even if it meant breaking the heart of the girl he loved most.
"But…"
Yao Ye opened her mouth again. Even after hearing everything, she understood one undeniable truth—
this decision would not be reversed.
Yet still, she tried. For Yue'er. For her sister.
Jia Xingtian raised a hand, stopping her before the words could leave her lips.
"Even now, if you still believe this is cruel," he said calmly,
"then let me give you an example."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"Nalan Yanran forcibly broke her engagement with Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family."
Yao Ye stiffened.
"Do you think her actions were cruel?" Jia Xingtian asked.
"Perhaps. But to her, it was liberation."
He continued, his voice unwavering.
"That single decision was cruel to the Xiao Family, who were already struggling to survive.
Yet at the same time, it was good for Nalan Yanran—who wished to pursue greater heights without being bound by weakness."
He looked directly at Yao Ye.
"Cruelty and kindness are not absolute.
They depend entirely on who bears the cost… and who receives the benefit."
"For the Xiao Family, it was humiliation.
For Nalan Yanran, it was freedom."
"For Yue'er," he added slowly,
"this engagement may feel like chains today…
but tomorrow, it may be the wings that allow her to stand at the peak."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Yao Ye finally lowered her gaze.
"Yao Ye," Jia Xingtian said slowly, his tone carrying neither reproach nor impatience,
"you are still young. You cannot yet see the greater gains hidden beyond the present pain."
He placed a firm yet gentle hand upon her shoulder.
"For now, set your focus on understanding these matters… and on your cultivation."
A rare hint of approval flickered in his eyes.
"I know that both of you are talented, and prideful as well."
"But the talent I have seen in him…" He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"…is far too monstrous."
Yao Ye's heart trembled.
"And it is not only talent," Jia Xingtian continued.
"His determination is unwavering. His judgment is precise. Even at such a young age, his decisions carry the weight of someone far older."
His voice softened slightly.
"Moreover, he is well-mannered and grounded—qualities rarely found in those gifted by the heavens."
"That is why," he concluded, his gaze steady and unshakable,
"I am now even more inclined to approve this marriage agreement."
The hand on Yao Ye's shoulder pressed gently, as if entrusting her with an unspoken responsibility.
"I understand, Grandpa."
Yao Ye lowered her head slightly as she spoke, her voice calm—yet heavy with resignation. In that single sentence lay her acceptance, and the quiet defeat of a sister who could no longer fight fate.
"Good."
Jia Xingtian nodded once, his expression returning to its usual composure.
"You may go now."
Yao Ye turned and walked away from the throne hall, her steps steady, though her heart remained unsettled.
Behind her, the Emperor stood in silence, and Jia Xingtian gazed toward the palace gates—
as if looking beyond the present,
toward a future already set in motion.
Somewhere within the imperial walls, a young girl cried beneath the storm.