All civil and military officials must come here during the daily morning court to meet the Emperor and report on the handling of daily affairs.

The plaza of the Civil and Military Grand Hall is very large and long, with flowers and plants planted on both sides, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

Passing several small bridges, the fishponds below teem with fish of various colors swimming back and forth, a delightful sight.

But the most striking thing is the giant dragon and phoenix carving in the center of the plaza.

The dragon and phoenix are not intertwined, but...opposed!

A dragon and a phoenix, as if inherently opposed, threatened each other with bared teeth and claws, their expressions lifelike, as if two divine beasts had truly leaped onto the stone slabs to engage in a life-or-death battle.

Fang Yue watched, and for a moment, he was lost in thought.

When he came back to his senses, he was still a little frightened.

What amazing skill!

Just a glance could evoke such feelings.

The craftsman who carved these two dragons and phoenixes must possess unfathomable strength!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Fang Yue went up the steps, heading towards the final Civil and Military Grand Hall.

Just as he stepped onto the stairs, Fang Yue noticed someone already walking ahead, also ascending the steps.

However, Fang Yue had only just started, while the latter had already climbed halfway.

From this angle, he could only see the person's back from afar.

It should be a young man, with a thin frame and fair hands exposed, seemingly living a pampered life.

His clothes were based on a yellow hue, with something resembling dragon claws embroidered on the back, suggesting the true form of a dragon was on the front.

Tian Ruichi had said that the attire in the capital had strict rules on formal occasions.

Wearing such clothes in the palace, could he be one of the nine imperial princes?

Slightly quickening his pace, Fang Yue wanted to catch up and strike up a conversation with the person to get some information.

With the increased speed, Fang Yue had just stepped onto the flat ground when the person reached the entrance of the Civil and Military Grand Hall.

Looking around, the majestic Civil and Military Grand Hall was magnificent and splendid, its exquisite craftsmanship stirring the heart.

Just looking at it, he could feel the internal energy in his body flowing faintly, the speed of circulation unconsciously accelerating slightly, as if it was extremely beneficial to cultivation.

As expected of the capital's imperial palace, just a building had such an effect. One could imagine that if he cultivated in this Civil and Military Grand Hall, it would definitely be twice the result with half the effort.

And the people in the imperial palace only used such a treasure land as a council hall.

It was indeed the height of extravagance.

Fang Yue couldn't help but feel a little envious. The imperial palace enjoyed the highest level of resources in Qing Country. Even with poorer talent, they could still pile up a bunch of experts.

If he had not been born in Gu Yue Village, but had instead started in the capital, perhaps his cultivation would be even higher now?

No, Han-daren's inheritance was not something anyone could receive.

As Fang Yue was thinking, he saw the young man who was suspected to be one of the nine imperial princes being stopped by the guards at the entrance of the Civil and Military Grand Hall.

They seemed to be talking about something, and soon they let him pass.

Fang Yue quickly accelerated to get closer, but suddenly stopped, his mind going blank with a *weng* sound.

Because he heard a voice.

On this ordinary day, in such a casual action.

He heard a voice that he once thought he would never hear again in his life.

It was... the voice coming from the Civil and Military Grand Hall.

"I want to call off the engagement!"

Time seemed to slow down at this moment.

Fang Yue saw the pale-faced young man who had arrived at the door suddenly stop at the entrance of the hall, standing motionless like a wooden chicken.

Fang Yue heard the Civil and Military Grand Hall abruptly fall into silence after that sound.

But he didn't think about anything. His mind was blank, and he was also as stiff as a wooden chicken. His whole body felt like his blood was frozen, his breathing was stopped, and only the voice he had just heard was echoing in his mind.

"I want to call off the engagement!"

"I want to call off the engagement!"

"I want to call off the engagement!"

No mistake... no mistake!

This voice, this voice that had been forever engraved in his memory, was... her voice!

But it was impossible!

She was dead! How could she be here?

Could it be that I heard wrong? Is it because I miss her so much that I'm having auditory hallucinations? Or am I cultivating too much and have gone mad...

Countless thoughts were surging in his mind, but his body was one step ahead of his thoughts!

Fang Yue was running!

Even though Tian Ruichi had said that it was forbidden to use qinggong (light body skill) to run around in the imperial palace, Fang Yue still ran! He didn't even stop for half a second to pass the guards.

The distance was rapidly closing.

Through the entrance of the Civil and Military Grand Hall, he vaguely saw the backs of the civil and military officials, the Emperor high above, and standing in the center, as if surrounded by the civil and military officials... that beautiful figure that he dreamed of and never forgot!

The moment he saw that figure, Fang Yue's breathing became rapid.

But when he really came to the entrance of the Civil and Military Grand Hall and really saw the back of that figure, Fang Yue stopped.

Because his heart was beating, beating violently.

The ministers seemed to be discussing the figure.

But Fang Yue couldn't hear anything. His ears were filled with a huge buzzing sound.

All he could see was the figure with her back to him.

He was afraid.

He was afraid that everything in front of him was a dream.

He was afraid that he would recognize the wrong person, afraid that he would have false expectations, and then his dream would be shattered and he would fall into the abyss again.

But he still took a step, crossed paths with the dazed pale-faced young man, and stepped into the Civil and Military Grand Hall!

"Reporting! Qing Si (Azure Department) Ye Baiyi (Night White Garment) has arrived!"

Behind him, the guard's anxious loud report suddenly sounded.

This loud voice made everyone's eyes turn to the entrance and focus on Fang Yue.

Among them, of course, was You Sisi, who had just turned around and looked towards the entrance!

At this moment, the two looked at each other, as if traveling through time and returning to that night in Qing Si County.

That night, the blood-stained You Sisi fell from mid-air!

That night, Fang Yue roared in anger and soared into the sky!

That was their last meeting! It was also their last time seeing each other!

Afterwards, Fang Yue heard the news of You Sisi's death.

Although he didn't see You Sisi's body with his own eyes, Jing Yan and Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu (Heavenly Paper Kite Dance) would not lie to him.

Moreover, Bai Xiaoya's slash, You Sisi in mid-air, had already lost her breath before she landed.

Fang Yue thought he would never see You Sisi again in his life. The person in his memory could only stay in his memory forever.

But he didn't expect... to meet the person he thought he could never meet here, in the Civil and Military Grand Hall of the capital, in such a coincidence, in such a sudden situation!

Different from the official uniform she used to wear.

The You Sisi in front of him was wearing an ordinary woman's skirt, her long hair was tied up, and she was wearing two crystal clear jade hairpins. It should have shown a woman's tenderness, but at a glance, the familiar heroic spirit still came to the fore.

It was just that her firm and cold face, at the moment of seeing him, slowly widened her eyes like a flower blooming, visibly bursting out with ecstasy, surprise, and other excited emotions. When she reached out her jade hand to cover her small mouth, tears flowed directly from the corners of her eyes.

"Ye, Ye Se?! How could it be, why are you here?"

The familiar clear and cold voice became excited and trembling.

The moment he really heard You Sisi speak.

Fang Yue suddenly had a feeling that a dream had come true.

The previous trance-like, dreamlike feeling gradually faded away.

The girl he had been thinking about day and night was now standing in front of him, truly and tangibly.

His whole body couldn't stop trembling. In Fang Yue's eyes, there was only the girl in front of him. Everything else seemed insignificant.

Why are you still alive?

Why are you here?

Why didn't you contact me?

Why why why?

Thousands of words swirled in his heart.

Ten thousand whys, wanting to ask clearly.

But in the end, it only turned into one action.

Fang Yue rushed up and hugged You Sisi with all his strength.

Feeling the soft touch, the fragrance of her hair, and the girl's trembling body, Fang Yue whispered, "It's great, you're still alive."

Yes, it's great, you're still alive, so all regrets can be made up for, and everything is still in time.

This time, I won't let anyone hurt you again!

Seeming to feel the emotions that Fang Yue was conveying, You Sisi's emotions gradually calmed down as well.

Then, she realized one thing...

But... the Emperor's words are inviolable!

Back then, the Emperor bestowed the marriage, and the You family agreed. That was the will of heaven and was already settled, not allowing anyone to disobey!

Many people secretly sneered in their hearts, while some were moved with compassion, but they just looked at the unfortunate couple with a little regret.

Everyone knew what the fate of these two people would be.

From ancient times to the present, no one could disobey the Emperor's orders!

The Emperor's words are everything!

Disobeying the Emperor's orders is disobeying the Emperor, and is being an enemy of the entire Qing Country!

Who can fight against a country?

"You want me to withdraw my order and dissolve the engagement?"

The Emperor, leaning lazily on the throne, looked down at You Sisi calmly and slowly uttered the next sentence.

"What are you?"

As soon as the words fell.

The entire hall fell into silence.

Below, the civil and military officials, looking at the astonished You Sisi, most people smiled knowingly in their hearts.

The You family is very important to the Emperor, very important to the Qing Country.

But You Sisi is not important to anyone!

In terms of strength, You Sisi has not even reached the Ren-level (Human level), she just has great potential.

The word 'potential' is very mysterious.

There are as many geniuses in the world as there are stars.

But only those who truly reach the peak can truly be called a genius!

Dead geniuses are not worthy of being called geniuses.

Failed geniuses are also not qualified to be called geniuses.

Only those who survive and become stronger than anyone else are truly qualified to speak!

But even so, in the face of the huge existence of Qing Country, they are just ants, insignificant.

The Xian-level (Immortal level) is blocked, and the Yu-level (Rain level) is the peak.

The number of Yu-level experts directly determines the strength of a country.

And Qing Country has a stronger national strength and more Yu-level expert reserves than neighboring countries!

It is naturally excellent to have one more Yu-level genius.

Without it, it will just remain the same.

Without breaking through the Xian-level, no matter how many geniuses come, they are just geniuses and not worth fearing!

And in terms of status.

You Sisi's status is embarrassing.

Marrying the Seventh Prince and rising to the sky in one step, she will be the Seventh Prince's concubine, a member of the royal family, with a noble status, looking down on all living beings in Qing Country, second only to a few people.

Because of this marriage, everyone in the capital will give You Sisi some face and give the Seventh Prince face!

The Emperor bestows the marriage, it is a certainty, You Sisi is the future Seventh Prince's concubine, who dares to offend her!

But if you remove this halo, You Sisi is just the label of the You family's young lady, then the situation will be completely different.

The You family is one of the four major families in Qing Country. As the young lady of the family, You Sisi's status is naturally extraordinary.

But it is only for everyone below the four major families. Facing the four major families of the same level, as well as the people of the royal family, she is nothing at all. No one will give her face, and she will be completely reduced to an ordinary member of the power struggle in the imperial palace.

If she doesn't marry the Seventh Prince, she can only marry someone from the four major families, either internal digestion or diplomatic solution. As a member of the You family, there has never been any free marriage to speak of.

Therefore, You Sisi's saying that she wants to call off the engagement is just a joke, and can only be a joke!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! My younger sister... You Sisi, she is just seriously ill and delirious. She said some muddled words. I will take her back and take good care of her. The wedding three days later will definitely be held as scheduled!"

In the Civil and Military Grand Hall, the civil and military officials stood in four vertical columns.

The Qing Si column, the Hong Bu (Red Department) column, the Lan Shan (Blue Mountain) column, and the Zi Dian (Purple Hall) column.

Correspondingly, they are just the four major families!

What the You family is in charge of is the [Qing Si] department, passed down in one continuous line, always like this.

But it is not to say that all the people in Qing Si are from the You family, but the main power structure and the main personnel are all controlled by the You family.

A small number of people from other families, or civilians, or even other royal family members, will join Qing Si to work.

But it is impossible for this group of people to have access to the core official positions of Qing Si.