Yao Residence · Council Hall
After learning of Qing Fei's pregnancy, Youqing felt both surprise and joy.
A softness stirred in her heart, and it strengthened her resolve to return as soon as possible to be with her mother.
But before that, there was one matter that she had to speak of personally.
The following afternoon, she summoned the Five Yao, the Three Generals, and Si Moheng to the council hall.
Though Youqing could no longer see, she sat upright, her posture composed, her presence calm.
The moment everyone entered, they sensed the determination emanating from her.
When she spoke, her voice was gentle—yet every word cut like a blade.
"The crimes of Ye Yi can no longer remain hidden."
The hall fell instantly silent.
Youqing continued, her tone steady.
"He used the art of Yao-seizure to steal Feng Mian's body, and with illusionary drugs he manipulated the Realm Emperor, trapping Si Chengjing's mind in the past."
"And at the emperor's ear, he whispered slander—accusing General Luo Ting of plotting rebellion with his army."
"That lie led to the exile of the Luo family and the immediate execution of General Luo Ting."
Luo Ye's fingers tightened.
Pain pressed heavily against his chest.
Hearing the movement, Youqing's voice softened slightly.
"All of this… was orchestrated by Ye Yi."
After a brief pause, she continued.
"He later framed Consort Xian for treason and collusion with enemies, causing her and her young son, Si Moheng, to be exiled to the death-prison camps."
Si Moheng's gaze flickered, but he said nothing.
Youqing's voice grew gentler—yet clearer than ever.
"He then incited the Split-Yao army, driving remnants of the Yao forces to massacre cities and villages."
"Because of him, countless people of the Yao Realm lost their homes, their families, and their lives."
Li Yan and the Three Generals clenched their jaws.
Lin Lie nearly slammed his fist against the table.
Taking a slow breath, Youqing spoke again.
"Later, he cast the forbidden Black Yao technique—seizing the body of Ling Shuo, the young lord of Xiling City, and plunging the capital into chaos."
"What he committed… is no longer merely human wrongdoing."
"It is a crime against the world itself."
The hall felt unbearably heavy.
Finally, Youqing lifted her head.
Though her eyes could not focus, it felt as though she saw everyone clearly.
"Though I have now guided his soul away…"
"The sins he committed are beyond forgiveness."
"These truths must be proclaimed to the world, so justice may be restored."
Turning slightly toward them, she said,
"We must report this matter to the Crown Prince at the Yao Palace, and let him preside over the judgment."
Her voice held neither fear nor hesitation.
"What Ye Yi destroyed was not only lives, but the very order of the Yao Realm."
"If the truth remains hidden, the dead will never find peace, and the people will never regain faith."
No one among the Five Yao or the Three Generals spoke.
Because in that moment they all understood—
Though Youqing stood in darkness, she saw more clearly than anyone else.
Si Moheng stepped forward.
"I will go with you."
At once, the others knelt on one knee.
"By the command of the Imperial Daughter."
"By the command of the Holy Maiden."
Youqing smiled faintly.
Within that smile lay exhaustion, pain… and a quiet courage.
"Then let us go."
"To the Yao Palace."
Yao Palace · Hall of Ten Thousand Scales
Before dawn the next morning, rows of black-armored imperial guards already filled the plaza outside the palace.
Today the Crown Prince had summoned Imperial Daughter Youqing, the Five Yao, and the Three Generals.
The entire capital knew—
This court assembly would be anything but ordinary.
The massive doors of the Hall of Ten Thousand Scales slowly opened.
Crown Prince Si Moyan stood atop the highest steps of the hall, clad in deep jade robes embroidered with Yao patterns.
He was known for his gentle temperament.
But today, the tension between his brows was unmistakable.
Supported lightly by Si Moheng, Youqing entered the hall.
Though she could not see, her steps remained steady.
The Five Yao and the Three Generals took their positions to either side before kneeling.
"Your Highness."
"We pay our respects."
Si Moyan's gaze settled on Youqing.
"Imperial Daughter… does this concern a grave matter of the realm?"
Youqing stepped forward slightly.
Si Moheng's grip on her hand tightened unconsciously.
Her unfocused eyes lifted calmly.
"Your Highness, I have come to reveal a truth long concealed."
The hall fell into a silence colder than ice.
"The chaos of the Yao Realm… the fall of cities… the rebellion of the Split-Yao army…"
"All trace back to a single man."
"Ye Yi."
Shock rippled through the hall.
"He seized Feng Mian's body and manipulated the Realm Emperor with illusion drugs, trapping His Majesty's mind in the past."
Low gasps spread among the officials.
So the emperor's strange behavior…
had never been illness.
The revered Grand Preceptor Feng Mian…
had been nothing more than a puppet.
Si Moyan's fingers tightened around the armrest, his knuckles turning white.
Youqing continued calmly.
"He slandered General Luo Ting before the emperor, accusing him of rebellion."
"That lie led to the exile of the Luo family and the execution of the general."
Luo Ye stepped forward.
"Your Highness—this is the truth!"
Youqing continued.
"He also framed Consort Xian for treason, exiling her and her young son, Si Moheng, to the death-prison camps."
All eyes turned instantly to Si Moheng.
The Crown Prince's pupils shrank slightly.
A truth buried for years had finally been dragged into the light.
Si Moheng simply spoke, voice calm.
"Your Highness. Ye Yi's crimes must be judged."
His tone carried no anger—
Yet the suppressed pain within it chilled the entire hall.
Youqing went on.
"He incited the Split-Yao army, causing the deaths of countless civilians."
"And later seized the body of the young lord of Xiling with forbidden Black Yao techniques, throwing the capital into chaos."
The ministers erupted in shock and outrage.
"Your Highness… such crimes…"
Luo Ye's fury exploded.
"He deserves to die a hundred times!"
Lin Lie clenched his fists.
"People died because of him. He must stand trial!"
Sang Qi spoke coldly.
"Though his soul has been guided away by the Imperial Daughter, his crimes cannot vanish."
Cangyuan added firmly,
"If this truth is not proclaimed, the people will never know peace."
Li Yan spoke quietly but resolutely.
"This case must be decided by Your Highness."
All voices converged into one conclusion—
Ye Yi's crimes were unforgivable.
The Crown Prince remained silent for a long moment.
Then he closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his gaze was sharp as a blade.
"Prepare the decree."
An attendant immediately knelt and unfurled a golden scroll.
The Crown Prince's voice thundered across the hall.
"From this day forward—"
"The cases of Luo Ting, Consort Xian, and the Split-Yao rebellion shall be reopened."
"All crimes of Ye Yi will be recorded and announced to the realm."
"Every victim of his schemes shall be investigated, and the truth restored."
"This matter shall be judged jointly by myself and Imperial Daughter Youqing."
The entire hall shook.
This decree meant—
The history of the Yao Realm would be rewritten.
Truth would finally be restored.
Si Moyan descended the steps slowly and stopped before Youqing.
"You have endured much."
Youqing shook her head softly.
"What I endured… is only what the people once endured."
The Crown Prince's throat tightened as he looked into her sightless yet steadfast eyes.
"The title of Imperial Daughter…"
"…will restore the Yao Realm."
Beside her, Si Moheng's gaze rested quietly upon her.
Within it lay years of pain—and unwavering trust.
The Five Yao and the Three Generals knelt together.
"By the Crown Prince's command!"
Even as the decree echoing Ye Yi's crimes spread through the hall, the atmosphere remained tense.
Crown Prince Si Moyan was about to dismiss the assembly—
When a deep voice sounded behind him.
"Your Highness… no, Elder Brother."
The hall fell silent again.
Si Moheng stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
Every court official held their breath.
"Moheng," Si Moyan said sharply. "Speak."
Si Moheng raised his head.
His usually cold aura had settled into a quiet, resolute calm.
"Your younger brother requests permission…"
"…to marry Imperial Daughter Youqing."
The air froze.
The Five Yao stared in shock.
The Three Generals nearly gasped aloud.
All the officials were dumbfounded.
Youqing herself froze slightly.
Her fingers tightened—still held within Si Moheng's palm.
Si Moyan looked deeply at his brother.
"Moheng… this is not a matter to joke about."
Si Moheng knelt straight as a spear.
"Marriage is no jest. How could I speak lightly?"
Lowering his head slightly, he said with unwavering certainty:
"In this life…"
"I recognize only Youqing."
The entire hall trembled.
Si Moyan studied him for a long moment.
Within his usually gentle eyes now lay complicated emotions—
Guilt.
Relief.
Heartache.
And finally…
The quiet comfort of seeing his younger brother find happiness.
He raised his hand and personally lifted Si Moheng to his feet.
"You have thought this through."
Si Moheng met his brother's gaze without hesitation.
Si Moyan spoke solemnly.
"The Imperial Daughter carries the weight of the realm—and of you."
"If you can protect each other for life…"
"…then I will grant it."
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he patted his brother's shoulder.
"The marriage between Third Prince Si Moheng and Imperial Daughter Youqing—"
"…is approved."
The hall erupted into suppressed excitement.
The Five Yao's eyes lit up.
The Three Generals nearly jumped from joy.
Hearing the decree, ripples spread gently across Youqing's heart.
A soft smile curved her lips.
Si Moheng turned toward her.
His deep black eyes met hers.
No grand gestures.
No dramatic vows.
Yet it was stronger than any oath.