**Inside the Haotian Mirror.**
In the Lingxiao Hall of the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Emperor sat with an air of authority upon his throne. Xiao Fan stood beside him, his presence commanding yet silent. In the center of the grand hall, Yao Xi was restrained by two divine generals, her gaze cold as she stared up at the Heavenly Emperor.
The hall was filled with the Heavenly Court's officials and soldiers. The recent scandal involving Princess Yao Xi's relationship with a mortal had caused quite a stir within the court. Furious, the Heavenly Emperor had ordered her capture and return to the Heavenly Court. He had intended for the divine generals to bring the mortal as well, but Yao Xi had hidden him away before the Court's forces could reach him. To this day, the Heavenly Emperor had a bounty out for the mortal's capture.
Now, as everyone was summoned to the hall, and with Yao Xi brought before them, many wondered if the mortal had been found.
The court officials and soldiers eyed Xiao Fan curiously. He was a new face, but clearly someone the Heavenly Emperor valued.
The Heavenly Emperor's voice echoed through the hall as he addressed Yao Xi. "Yao Xi, do you know your wrongdoing?"
Yao Xi's voice was firm, her defiance palpable. "Wrongdoing? What have I done wrong?"
Her greatest misfortune, she thought, was being born in the Heavenly Court, as the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. She had long grown tired of the oppressive life she was forced to live.
"Princess, just admit your mistake to the Heavenly Emperor," one official urged.
"Yes, Princess! Apologize to the Heavenly Emperor, and this matter will pass. There's no need to offend the Emperor over a lowly mortal."
Yao Xi's anger flared at the mention of the "lowly mortal."
"Who are you calling lowly?" she snapped. "People like you, who only know how to flatter and degrade others, are the true scum!"
"Are you not born a mortal? Was your father not born a mortal? Were your ancestors not mortals?"
"Are you saying your ancestors were all lowly?"
Yao Xi's sharp rebuke left the official red-faced and speechless. He hadn't expected the once docile princess to turn into such a fierce opponent.
Yao Xi's reaction caught everyone off guard. The hall fell silent, stunned by her boldness. Another official, one of higher rank, frowned and muttered, "That lowly mortal must have bewitched the princess. He deserves to die."
Yao Xi immediately engaged in another verbal battle. "Who do you think you are?"
"If you weren't born in the Heavenly Court, you wouldn't be worth more than a pig or a dog!"
Xiao Fan quietly observed the scene. He had always believed that all beings were equal, regardless of their status. The problem, he realized, wasn't with Yao Xi but with the arrogant attitudes of the Heavenly Court's officials. They belittled Yao Xi's husband simply to gain favor with the Emperor, or perhaps they genuinely believed themselves superior to all beings outside the Heavenly Court.
But they had missed the mark entirely. The Heavenly Emperor's eyes revealed his disdain for these sycophantic, arrogant officials. He felt deep shame at how far the Heavenly Court had fallen under his watch.
"Enough!" The Heavenly Emperor's voice boomed through the hall, silencing everyone.
The room fell silent, all heads lowered in fear.
Yao Xi gave a cold snort toward the official before finally relenting. The Heavenly Emperor swept his gaze over the assembly, his eyes narrowing in determination. Once the larger matters were settled, he would need to thoroughly reform the Heavenly Court.
"Everyone, leave," the Heavenly Emperor commanded.
In an instant, the hall emptied, leaving only the Heavenly Emperor, Xiao Fan, and Yao Xi.
"Yao Xi, do you know why I summoned you here?" the Heavenly Emperor asked.
Yao Xi lifted her eyes to meet his, a hint of worry creasing her brow. Had the fool been found? No, that couldn't be. Unless the Haotian Mirror was used, there was no way they could find him. And she knew the Heavenly Emperor wouldn't use the Haotian Mirror for such a trivial matter.
Gathering her resolve, she replied, "I don't know, but if you expect me to admit wrongdoing, it won't happen!"
"I've done nothing wrong!"
Her determination was evident. She refused to return to her old life of repression and control. Meeting the mortal had allowed her to find herself, and she was prepared to fight to the end.
Seeing the resolve in Yao Xi's eyes, the Heavenly Emperor felt a pang of sorrow. He had long realized he had been too harsh on her. He wanted to be a good father, but circumstances had forced his hand.
With a heavy sigh, he finally spoke. "I've brought you here to have you take him as your master."
Xiao Fan stepped forward to stand before Yao Xi.
Yao Xi was taken aback, her brows furrowing as she looked at Xiao Fan. What was this all about?
"Why should I take him as my master?" she demanded, turning to the Heavenly Emperor.
"Don't ask questions. Just do as you're told," the Heavenly Emperor replied, his tone cool and detached.
"And if I refuse?" Yao Xi's voice was full of anger.
She had endured enough of this obedience and submission. And now, out of nowhere, she was being asked to take a stranger as her master. It was too much.
Xiao Fan sighed inwardly. Stepping forward, he held up the jade-green bottle and said calmly, "Not even for your husband?"
"My husband?" Yao Xi stared at the bottle in Xiao Fan's hand, suspicion in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"This bottle contains your husband's soul," Xiao Fan replied with a faint smile.
"What did you say?" Yao Xi's face went pale, fear flooding her eyes. But she quickly regained her composure.
She didn't believe they could find her husband without using the Haotian Mirror.
"You're trying to deceive me!" she said coldly.
"Am I?" Xiao Fan responded calmly. "Peach Blossom Valley."
At the mention of these words, all traces of composure left Yao Xi's face. She trembled, staring at the jade-green bottle in Xiao Fan's hand with a look of utter disbelief.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8