[The Venomous Suggestion]
The air in the Hades Great Hall was thick enough to suffocate. Amidst the confrontation between You Nian and Qing Fei, Wan Luo stepped forward with a soft, demure voice that hid a lethal intent.
"Since this girl claims to be of the Crimson bloodline," Wan Luo suggested, "why not make her a servant for the Queen? It would be a fitting humiliation for a pretender from another world."
Inside, Wan Luo sneered. If she is a servant, she is under my thumb. I can make her 'die of illness' any day, and the truth of that night twenty years ago will stay buried forever.
[The Mother's Compromise]
Qing Fei's heart shattered. She knew that arguing further would only make the Emperor more suspicious. She looked at Gu Xingyu—at those eyes she was so sure were her daughter's—and made a desperate decision.
"Fine," Qing Fei said, her voice trembling but firm. "Let her stay by my side as a servant. It is better than the dark dungeons."
She leaned into Xingyu's ear and whispered, "Don't be afraid... I will protect you, no matter what."
Xingyu felt a strange, inexplicable warmth from this woman. Even as she felt the sting of being demoted to a servant, the familiar scent of Qing Fei's embrace made her soul tremble.
[The Emperor's Decree]
Hades You Nian sat upon his obsidian throne, his gaze cold. "Since Qing Fei insists... she shall remain. As a servant. Under constant guard."
With a wave of his hand, the Black-Armored Soldiers marched in, their iron boots echoing like thunder. "Watch her every move. She is never to leave the city."
The Four Generals knelt in triumph. They had brought back the Saintess and earned their reward. You Nian granted them three months' worth of grain—a treasure more precious than gold in the desolate Rift-曜 lands.
[The Exile of the Night Crow]
However, for Feng Mian, the reward was bittersweet.
"Feng Mian," You Nian's voice turned to ice. "Your identity is exposed. You can no longer return to the Yao-Capital. You are confined to the Underworld until further notice."
Feng Mian bowed, his phantom form flickering with hidden resentment. Exiled? he thought, a cold smile forming beneath his mask. You think you can cage a crow, Emperor? This girl is the ultimate pawn. When I move again, both the Yao-world and the Rift-曜 will burn together.