[Yao Capital · Side Hall]
A simple map of Yao Capital's streets hung on the wall. Si Chengxun was marking intersections with a vermilion brush. Symbols in red, green, and yellow fell into place like pieces on a chessboard.
Li Yan entered from outside, his steps steady. He clasped his fists in salute.
"Your subject pays respects to the King of Chengyao."
The title "King of Chengyao" had been granted by the Crown Prince.
Though Si Chengxun had once been stripped of his position as Crown Prince, imperial blood still ran in his veins—and in recent months he had personally aided Lin Lie in pushing the Yao Carriage reforms through the workshop system, achievements seen by all.
Thus the title was bestowed, bearing the meaning: to inherit the Yao lineage and stabilize the realm.
Though he had long stayed away from court politics, among scholars and commoners alike, the former deposed Crown Prince remained a man of virtue and reputation.
Si Chengxun set down the vermilion brush and turned to him, his eyes bright with urgency.
"This is Lin Lie's concept—using Yao-crystal light to install lamps in red, green, and yellow, regulating carriage traffic and pedestrians…"
Li Yan lowered his gaze, voice calm and firm.
"My lord's orders have been carried out. The streets are being repaired. But lately, with Yao Carriages multiplying, disputes over right of way grow worse. I fear manpower alone can no longer restrain them."
Si Chengxun's expression sharpened. He tapped the map twice with a fingertip.
"Which is why I want you—while rebuilding the roads—to separate pedestrian paths from carriage lanes.
Lay stone walkways for pedestrians only. Keep the carriage road broad and straight. Use stone posts or wooden rails to divide them. That will greatly reduce collisions."
He paused, resolve gleaming in his eyes.
"If Yao Capital truly intends for the Yao Carriage to become an everyday necessity, we cannot pursue convenience at the cost of human life. This is foundational work. It must be done properly."
Li Yan clasped his fists.
"Understood. I will not fail your command."
[Yao Capital · The New Street Junction]
Fresh stone was being laid. Hammer and chisel rang in constant rhythm.
Under the blazing sun, Li Yan had removed his bracers and crouched down himself, measuring the spacing between stones.
"The pedestrian walkway and carriage lane must be clearly defined. The stone posts must be set firm—no wobble."
Suddenly, light footsteps approached from behind.
Li Yan turned and saw a woman walking toward them. She wore plain, pale clothing and a thin veil over her face. Her features were partially hidden, yet her poise could not be concealed.
His brows knit. He strode forward, lowering his voice.
"Yirou… This place is crowded with laborers. You shouldn't have come in person."
Si Yirou lifted her chin slightly.
"Don't worry. I'm veiled. They'll take me for an old acquaintance of yours. Road repairs affect public sentiment—I want to see with my own eyes, and hear what people are saying about clearing the冥域's name."
Li Yan paused. In the end, he said nothing—only shifted to stand quietly at her side, guarding her without a word.
Si Yirou stepped onto the newly laid walkway, examining it with a careful eye. Then she wandered toward the gathered onlookers, listening to their murmurs.
A middle-aged man sighed with relief.
"With a walkway like this, the kids will cross safely."
But another voice lowered cautiously.
"I heard the court intends to clear the Underrealm folk's name. If they truly come to Yao Capital and walk on these roads—will we still live in peace?"
A cloth merchant frowned.
"The court says they're clearing the Underrealm's name, but they won't live in Yao Capital. Only supply convoys pass through. Why go to such trouble?"
Someone echoed him.
"Right. If travel is loosened, what if misfortune follows?"
Yet another voice spoke more softly.
"I once traded with Underrealm merchants. They were reasonable. They understood the market. Calling them all monsters… doesn't seem fair."
Si Yirou's gaze darkened. Her voice was clear, gentle—but carried weight.
"The people of the Underrealm will not settle in Yao Realm. But our trade routes connect. Since they are travelers who pass through, they should not carry the curse of the word 'monster' upon their backs."
She looked at them steadily.
"If this misunderstanding is allowed to fester, it will one day brew disaster. Clearing their name is not inviting them into our city—it is settling the hearts of our people."
For a moment, the crowd fell silent. Heads lowered as they pondered.
Li Yan stood beside her, watching the determined eyes hidden behind gauze. He thought quietly:
Yesterday in the Hall of Pure Debate, she was a blade. Today among the people, she is a lamp.
When the crowd dispersed, Si Yirou turned back to meet his gaze, a smile at her lips.
"What? Do you think I was reckless?"
Li Yan paused, then spoke in a low voice—certain and unshaken.
"No. I only think… you are braver than anyone."
[The New Junction · Dusk Deepening]
The craftsmen had packed away their tools. The street gradually quieted.
The last light of day slanted across the stone, washing it in warm gold.
Si Yirou stood on the new walkway, looking back at the row of sturdy stone posts, satisfaction in her eyes. Then she turned and crooked a finger at Li Yan, beckoning him closer.
He blinked, startled—yet stepped forward.
"Lower your head," she murmured, voice so soft it seemed meant to avoid the distant workers.
Li Yan frowned slightly, not understanding, but he complied—leaning his tall frame down.
In the next instant, her fingers lifted the veil.
Her breath drew close—
and her lips brushed his in a swift, feather-light kiss.
Li Yan froze.
His whole body jolted, lashes trembling, as he stood rooted to the spot.
Si Yirou had already dropped the veil again. A sly smile flickered in her eyes as she whispered:
"A reward. For you."
—Heat flared instantly in his chest.
At his side, his hand tightened until the knuckles went taut with restraint.
All his life he had lived by rules—disciplined, self-governed, never once allowing himself to cross the line.
But that single playful kiss was like a spark tossed into dry tinder, burning his restraint to ash.
"That was… far too bold," he managed at last, suppressing the surge in his blood—though his voice came out rougher than usual.
"And what if it is?" she smiled, voice still low. "Your Highness has never been a timid woman."
A glint of mischief flashed in her eyes. She stepped closer again, teasing softly:
"If there weren't so many people here, I wouldn't have stopped at just that…"
Li Yan's ears nearly ignited. He didn't even know how to answer.
Si Yirou, of course, did not let him off so easily. Her gaze was bright, her smile half-serious, half-playful.
"We've kissed this many times and you're still this shy. Really… you're unbearably adorable."
Li Yan clenched his fist until his knuckles whitened.
He wasn't afraid of her kiss.
He was afraid that if she kissed him any longer, he would respond—
that he would lose control, and spill every suppressed desire he'd kept buried.
He coughed once, stiffly turning his face away to hide his turmoil.
But the faint red behind his ear betrayed him completely.
Si Yirou watched, lips curving—unable to hide her smile.
[Inside the Workshop · Afternoon]
Lin Lie bent over his blueprints, drawing the array connections for the traffic-light mechanism with steady strokes.
Ding Yuxuan hovered at his side, eyes shining like two Yao crystals set into her face. She hugged her notebook to her chest, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Oh my gosh… Red means stop, green means go, yellow means prepare! Master Lin Lie—your brain is basically a celestial eye!"
She slammed the notebook down with a 啪! and actually dropped to her knees on the bench, hands pressed together like a worshipper.
"Divine! The Mechanical God of Yao Realm!"
The apprentices froze—then nearly exploded from holding back laughter.
Lin Lie paused. A vein pulsed faintly at his temple.
"…Get down," he said coldly.
Ding Yuxuan didn't care in the slightest. Her eyes still sparkled as she spoke with utter sincerity.
"I'm not doing it on purpose, but I truly think you're incredible! This idea—this can change Yao Realm's future!"
Lin Lie grimly hauled her off the bench, tone flat.
"…Stop fooling around."
Yet in his chest, something shifted—just slightly—stirred by her unabashed admiration.
Ding Yuxuan clasped her hands again, mumbling in awe:
"With a brain like that… should we build you a shrine someday?"
The workshop erupted into muffled snickers.
Lin Lie's face darkened like stormwater.
"If you keep this up," he said icily, "get out."
Ding Yuxuan shrank her neck—yet still couldn't stop a mischievous smile.
—But no one noticed the moment Lin Lie lowered his gaze and his fingertips paused at the edge of the blueprint.
A thought rose in him—so long absent it felt unfamiliar.
Ever since his grandfather had been abducted, all he'd had were cold gears and copper pipes, and himself—alone.
Others only saw him as strange and silent.
Yet this noisy little girl had looked at him without hesitation and said: great, divine.
Lin Lie's brows tightened. His expression remained cool, but a faint warmth flickered beneath it.
He exhaled softly, and only in his heart did he mutter:
…So loud.