Princess Xiao walked back toward her chambers, disappointed that she had been unable to meet with her father. She was halfway across the courtyard when a voice called out.
"Xiao."
She turned at once, her face lighting up when she saw the Emperor standing with his guards behind him.
"Father," she said warmly, bowing with her hands forward.
The Emperor's stern face softened into a smile as he approached her. Behind him, his guards bowed respectfully; behind her, her maids lowered their heads.
"I was just coming to see you," he said with a chuckle. "It seems we share the same mind."
Xiao returned his smile, her voice gentle. "If you needed me, Father, you could have simply sent for me. There was no need to trouble yourself by coming in person."
"It's no trouble at all." The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "You will be married soon. I wish to spend as much time as I can with my baby daughter before that day comes."
Her lips curved wider at his words. "Speaking of which, I have prepared a few gifts for you." She nodded, and one of her maids stepped forward, holding a tray. "Once I leave, you will have these to ease your longing."
The Emperor reached down, brushing his fingers across the objects on the tray. Pride gleamed in his eyes. "You are so thoughtful, Xiao." His hand paused on an embroidered handkerchief. "Did you make this for me as well?"
Xiao shook her head softly. "That one is for Yulan. I was planning to visit her today."
The Emperor's smile faltered, and his hand slipped away.
"If you are free," Xiao continued carefully, "perhaps you might come with me? I am sure she would be glad to see you."
The Emperor's face hardened at once. "It never ends well when I visit that sinful child," he said, his voice sharp with displeasure.
Xiao bowed her head slightly but pressed on, her tone calm. "Things are different now, Father. Soon the immortals and the voidwalkers will come to take us away. She is still your daughter. Would you not wish to bid her farewell properly?"
The Emperor let out a long breath, his shoulders sinking. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, he gave a small nod.
. . .
[ZHAOLU HALL]
"Get on your knees and apologise!" Yulan shouted, her voice raw with years of bottled pain. She had her hands clutched tightly on the front of the Emperor's robes. Her eyes blazed, and her grip trembled with fury.
"For eighteen years you've treated me unfairly. Kneeling is the least you can do!"
The man she held onto glared back at her, his face twisting in defiance. "No!" he barked.
Yulan shoved him backward, her chest heaving. In the next breath, she raised her hand and a purple sword shimmered into existence, its blade humming with energy. Gasps escaped the man, but Yulan's focus never wavered.
"If you will not kneel," she hissed, raising the weapon, "then I will force you to!"
Before her strike could fall, the doors burst open.
The true Emperor entered with Princess Xiao at his side. Both froze at the sight before them.
Xiao gasped and instinctively reached up to shield her father's eyes. But in the same moment, the false Emperor's body blurred and shrank, shifting back into her true form—a young woman who quickly ducked behind Yulan's shoulder.
"Xiao." The Emperor pulled his daughter's hand away, his face dark with fury. He strode forward, his voice thundering through the hall.
"Yulan! Tell your beast friend to come out at once. I can see her!"
But before Yulan could speak, her friend's body flickered. In an instant, she vanished into thin air, leaving the chamber in tense silence.
The Emperor's fury blazed as he raised a trembling finger at Yulan. His voice thundered through the chamber.
"You dare disrespect your father? As always, you bring me nothing but disappointment!"
Princess Xiao, startled, immediately caught his hand in both of hers. "Please, Father," she whispered urgently. "Calm yourself. Yulan did not mean it. Why not take this chance to—"
"I meant every word!" Yulan's voice cut like steel, her eyes fierce with anger. "Respect? You speak of respect? You kept me imprisoned for eighteen years! What father does that? You are not worthy of respect."
"You—!" The Emperor's chest heaved as he raised his hand, ready to strike.
"Father!" Xiao clung desperately to his arm, her voice breaking with fear.
But Yulan only lifted her chin, defiance burning in her eyes. "Don't stop him, Xiao. Let him hit me. It will change nothing."
The Emperor's strength overpowered Xiao's hold. In her desperate attempt to restrain him, she stumbled and fell against the edge of a table. A sharp cry tore from her lips.
"Ah!"
Yulan froze at the sound, her anger evaporating in an instant. She clutched her own hand instinctively—the same spot Xiao had struck. Pain shot through her body, mirroring her sister's injury. The twins had always shared each other's wounds.
"Xiao!" The Emperor dropped his rage at once and rushed to her side, kneeling as he lifted her carefully.
"Are you hurt?" Yulan asked quickly, her eyes wide with worry despite herself.
Xiao, pale, gave a small nod as the guards hurried forward to help her stand.
The Emperor turned back to Yulan, his face red with fury. His voice shook, raw with restrained violence. "You vile child! Were it not for the bond you share with Xiao, I would have struck you down long ago." His veins stood out along his temples as he glared at her.
Yulan's defiance faltered under his words. Guilt flickered in her eyes as she glanced at Xiao, who still leaned against a maid for support.
"This cannot continue!" the Emperor thundered, his voice echoing against the chamber walls. "When you are in the Void Realm, you may fight, kill, or do as you please. But while you remain under this roof, you will obey me. I will discipline you as your father!"
"Guards!" he roared.
The soldiers stepped forward at once, their armor clinking as they bowed.
"Take her away. Incarcerate her!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" they answered in unison, moving toward Yulan.
"Father, please!" Xiao cried, reaching for him, her voice desperate.
Yulan's lips curled in disdain. She shook the guards off with a sharp twist of her arms, her eyes flashing. "Don't touch me. I know the way." She turned and strode from the hall, the guards falling in step behind her.
"Father!" Xiao's voice cracked as she clung to his sleeve.
The Emperor pressed a hand to his temple, closing his eyes as though the weight of the world pressed down on him. His anger had drained into weariness.
"Father," Xiao pleaded again, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Finally, he turned to her, his expression softening. He took her hand gently. "Xiao… let her be. Today I received word from the Empyrean Xuanshang Department. The envoy will arrive the day after tomorrow to escort you to the Heavenly Realm."
Xiao's shoulders slumped, her face falling.
"If Yulan remains free, she will bring disaster upon us all," he said firmly. His hand pressed reassuringly against her shoulder. "It is one thing for our family to endure shame. But if she disrupts our alliance with the immortals, the consequences will be far greater."
His voice softened. "You must understand, my child. As long as you remain at the Empyrean's side, I, and our people, can be at peace."
Xiao lowered her gaze, tears slipping quietly down her cheeks. She sniffed and gave a small nod.
"Yes, Father."