Hall of Ten Thousand Scales
Youqing had been sitting in composed silence, her world still drowned in darkness, yet her presence remained as calm as a clear wind.
Crown Prince Si Moyan had only just accepted the matter of the imperial marriage and was about to dismiss the court—
when suddenly, Youqing lifted one hand.
Si Moheng immediately stepped forward and steadied her wrist, his brows drawing tight.
"Qing'er?"
Youqing took one measured step forward and turned slightly in the direction of the Crown Prince, offering a respectful bow.
Though she could not see, no one in the hall could have appeared more solemn, more resolute, than she did at that moment.
"Your Highness," she said softly, "there is an object… that was meant to be presented only before your ascension."
She paused, then added,
"But now… I must return to the Nether Domain as soon as possible to attend my mother."
The hall fell instantly still.
A flicker of emotion crossed Si Moyan's face as he looked at her sightless yet lucid eyes.
Youqing drew in a breath and lightly touched Si Moheng's hand.
He understood at once.
From within his robes, he drew out the ancient crystal—
the Heart of Yao Spirit.
The moment it appeared, light burst forth, and the entire Hall of Ten Thousand Scales was illuminated as though the majesty of the former Realm Emperor had returned.
Every official held his breath.
Youqing's voice was gentle, clear, and carried a force that seemed to reach into the very marrow of one's soul.
"This is the proof of the Realm Emperor—the Heart of Yao Spirit."
"Your Highness, I know that you cherish the people and wish to pacify the four directions with clear and righteous governance."
"This Heart of Yao Spirit is the root of the Yao Realm… and the soul of its sovereign."
Her words came slowly, steadily, as though she were mending a kingdom long frayed by wind and ruin.
"I believe that if it is placed in your hands… the Yao Realm will only grow stronger, brighter, and better."
More than one minister quietly reddened around the eyes.
Si Moyan stood frozen upon the dais as though struck by thunder.
As Crown Prince, he had waited a long time for this moment—
yet what he had truly wanted was never power itself, but the chance to bring light back to a land steeped in corruption and grief.
And now, the Heart of Yao Spirit was being given to him by the Imperial Daughter herself.
Then Youqing continued, her voice taking on the steady weight of one born to diplomacy and royal duty.
"I have one more request."
She lifted her chin slightly.
"When Your Highness ascends the throne, I ask that you open a border route for trade between the Yao Realm and the Nether Domain."
"Let our two lands, from this day onward, stand in peace and friendship for a hundred years."
A startled murmur rippled through the hall.
The Nether Domain had never before entered into an official peace pact or trade alliance with the Yao Realm.
This was no mere request.
It was the Imperial Daughter offering herself as the bridge between two worlds, forging a covenant meant to endure for generations.
All eyes turned to the Crown Prince.
Si Moyan took a slow breath and reached out, accepting the Heart of Yao Spirit from Si Moheng's hands.
He held the radiant crystal in both palms—
as though he were holding the future of the entire realm.
When he raised his head again, his voice carried the weight of a sovereign.
"The Imperial Daughter's request…"
"…is granted."
"On the day of my ascension, the Yao Realm and the Nether Domain shall bind themselves in a hundred-year covenant—a treaty of peace and goodwill."
The Five Yao lit up with joy.
The Three Generals' eyes shone red with emotion.
The ministers knelt in reverence.
And Si Moheng's gaze, fixed on Youqing, was so deep it seemed that in this single moment, all the pain and wandering of his life had finally found a place to rest.
Youqing bowed her head slightly.
"Your Highness… thank you."
Si Moyan lowered his gaze to the Heart of Yao Spirit in his hands and answered quietly,
"No. It is I… who should thank you."
Side Hall of the Yao Palace
When the court session ended, only three remained in the side chamber: Si Moyan, Si Moheng, and Youqing.
The grim tension from the assembly had faded, leaving behind only a soft warmth.
Si Moyan's eyes rested on Youqing, his tone carrying concern.
"Will Xingyu's eyes recover completely?"
Youqing answered gently,
"Sang Qi has already confirmed it. My sight will return—it will simply take time."
"That is good."
Si Moyan gave a small nod, his worry easing at last.
Then Si Moheng stepped forward. His voice, though controlled, was edged with urgency so sharp it could not be ignored.
"Brother, Qing'er must return to the Nether Domain as soon as possible to accompany her mother. I have made up my mind. I must attend her side."
He met the Crown Prince's eyes directly.
"Since the matter is urgent, can the wedding… be held at once, and simply?"
Youqing turned slightly toward him. Though she could not see him, she could feel the fierce urgency in his words.
Si Moyan let out a quiet laugh—not mocking, but warm, the laughter of an older brother finally seeing his younger brother standing at the threshold of happiness.
He shook his head, studying Si Moheng.
"Look at you. So impatient you can hardly bear it."
"However urgent this may be, you cannot wrong the lady."
"And besides, I have already heard that the Nether Empress is with child. The Nether Emperor and Empress cannot personally attend. If the marriage is rushed through carelessly, would that not be too hasty, too lacking in dignity?"
But Si Moheng's determination did not yield an inch.
"Then we will hold the Yao Realm ceremony according to our rites," he replied at once. "And after the grand wedding, we will return to the Nether Domain and hold another there."
"The exact ceremony matters less than the name and the promise made rightful."
Listening to the brothers, Youqing's lips curved in a quiet smile. Warmth welled inside her until it nearly overflowed.
Si Moyan looked at the two of them and sighed, though his eyes were smiling.
"Very well."
"If the two of you have already decided, then it shall be as you wish."
"I will have preparations begun at once. The rituals may be simplified—but the dignity of the occasion must not be diminished."
Outside the Yao Palace · Changing Course
Youqing and her companions had only just stepped beyond the palace stairs. Their Yao carriage had not yet fully drawn near.
Jialuo, walking at the front, swept his gaze across the road and suddenly stopped.
Not far away, standing in the shade beside the palace path, were several familiar figures—
Li Furong, Ding Yuxuan, Xie Wenyun, and… supported between them, still pale and weak—
Lingdang.
Jialuo lifted a brow and spoke first.
"What are you all doing here?"
Luo Ye moved almost at the same instant.
The moment he saw Lingdang, his entire body tightened.
"Lingdang?!"
"Why aren't you resting properly at the residence? What are you doing out here?!"
Frightened by how sharply he reacted, Lingdang shrank a little, then hurriedly explained in a small voice,
"I'm fine… really."
"Someone from Yao South Hidden Manor came to deliver word. They said my brother has awakened… and so has a young woman named Wanluo."
Luo Ye froze, just about to speak again, when Li Furong cut in.
"We did tell her to rest," she said helplessly, though there was concern in her voice. "But the moment she heard that Young Lord Ling Shuo had awakened, there was no way to keep her seated."
Xie Wenyun nodded, her voice as gentle as ever.
"She was careful all the way here. The two of us helped support her."
"It's only that… we didn't know where Yao South Hidden Manor was, so we thought we had better wait here for all of you."
Then Ding Yuxuan immediately raised one hand, her expression bright with pride.
"So I brought the large Yao carriage!"
"It fits twenty people easily, runs smoothly, and is perfect for carrying patients."
Cangyuan let out a low chuckle.
"…Very thorough."
Just then, soft footsteps approached from behind.
Lingdang turned. The moment she saw Youqing nearing, her eyes lit up.
"Sister Qing!"
Supported gently by Si Moheng, Youqing stepped closer. At the sound of Lingdang's voice, she tilted her head and smiled faintly.
"Is that Tangtang?"
"Are you feeling better?"
Lingdang nodded quickly, then remembered that Youqing could not see and rushed to answer aloud.
"I'm much better now! Really!"
She hesitated, then asked carefully,
"Sister Qing… what about you?"
Youqing's tone remained calm, wrapped in that same soothing gentleness.
"I'm fine."
"I'm only temporarily blind. That is all."
The instant she said it, the air around them stilled.
Luo Ye's face changed at once.
Jialuo's brows drew together sharply.
Li Furong unconsciously tightened her grip on Lingdang's hand.
Lingdang herself sucked in a breath.
"Sister Qing…"
But Youqing seemed already used to such reactions. She only said lightly,
"Sang Qi says it will heal. There's no need to worry."
Then after a brief pause, her voice turned resolute.
"Since Ling Shuo and Wanluo have both awakened…"
"Let us all go together to Yao South Hidden Manor."
Si Moheng did not object. He merely tightened his hold on her hand.
"Good," he said in a low voice. "Then together."
Ding Yuxuan immediately waved.
"Then everyone take my Yao carriage!"
"Now that we're all here, it's perfect."
Runes flared alive across the carriage, and its doors slowly opened.
One by one, they boarded—supporting, accompanying, guarding, none of them leaving another behind.
The tall palace walls gradually receded behind them.
Ahead, the lights of Yao South Hidden Manor waited quietly in the distance.