Yaoji turned her head to look out the window. Her expression turned solemn for a moment, then gradually faded before a hint of a smile appeared, slowly spreading until her whole being seemed lost in memories.
Watching her changing expression, Weining did not rush her.
The smile on Yaoji's face slowly faded back into calm. She turned to look at Weining with clear eyes. "Years ago, the Three-Headed Jiao gave in to desire and swallowed the Dragon Pearl. That is why I pursued him down from the Heavenly Court."
She furrowed her brow slightly. "I fought a great battle with him and finally managed to subdue him, but I was carelessly caught off guard by his counterattack. He tore my heart out."
Hearing this, Weining knitted her brows. Battles with adversaries were indeed unpredictable; to be subdued and still launch a counter-kill—this Three-Headed Jiao was truly cunning.
She couldn't help chiming in, "Your heart was torn out? Then you..."
Without a heart, any living creature would turn to dust within twelve hours.
Noticing Weining's confusion, the corners of Yaoji's lips curved upward as a smile bloomed across her face. That smile was like the first rays of dawn or melting snow—boundlessly warm and deeply captivating.
Weining couldn't help being drawn in, suddenly feeling that at this moment, she bore a striking resemblance to the Empress.
Covering her mouth with a smile, Yaoji said, "You must find it strange that I can smile so happily when speaking of such a tragic ordeal!"
Recovering her senses, Weining nodded with a puzzled look, quietly waiting for her to continue.
"That is because it was precisely when I lost a heart devoid of emotion that I gained a heart filled with feeling, and thereby found true happiness." Yaoji smiled as she spoke.
Seeing her intoxicated smile, Weining unconsciously smiled along with her. "Someone saved you?"
Yet, what difference could a heart make? And what on earth was happiness? A seed of doubt was planted in Weining's heart.
Taken aback by the question for a moment, Yaoji then broke into a smile. "That's right. Tianyou—my husband—saved me. He divided his heart and gave half of it to me. Because of that, I was saved, and I found love."
Weining considered herself to have learned a great deal over the past millennium, but today she felt she still had much to master; Yaoji had spoken of many things entirely outside her experience.
What you know, know that you know it; what you do not know, know that you do not know it. Since she didn't understand, she naturally couldn't grasp the deeper meaning of Yaoji's words, so Weining kept her mouth shut and listened quietly to Yaoji's account.
Next came, naturally, two people in love uniting in marriage, having children, and living happily. Apart from occasionally worrying about Erlang's celestial aura leaking out and being discovered by the Heavenly Court, the family of five had not a single care in the world.
Understanding dawned on Weining. After that came her own role: an uninvited guest who had discovered their family secret and was now about to shatter a happy home—truly a hateful and detestable position.
Secretly sighing, she knew she was merely doing her duty and had no choice. How capricious fate could be!
Who would have thought that after a brief silence upon finishing her story, Yaoji would sigh and say, "I committed a grave mistake. Although my family is happy and complete, in the dead of night I am often filled with trepidation. Today, when you came looking for me, alongside my fear, I also felt a sense of relief."
Hearing no words of resentment in her speech, Weining couldn't help feeling ashamed of her own petty suspicions just moments before.
The hall grew silent. One standing and one seated, neither spoke a word.
After a long while, Weining let out a breath. "The Fairy has said everything she wished to say. As for how today's matter is to be concluded, please give me your verdict."
Yaoji gracefully turned and with a calm expression walked over to the mat and sat down, meeting Weining's gaze with composure. "Today, I, Yaoji, have violated the Heavenly Statutes. Will the Fairy take me up to the Heavenly Court to be held accountable?"
Weining's eyes flickered, but she did not look away. She nodded. "Indeed."
"Then may I ask the Fairy, how do you intend to dispose of my husband and my three children?" Yaoji's tone was heavy.
Weining frowned, feeling perplexed. It was this immortal who had broken the Heavenly Statutes; what did it have to do with her family—those mortals?
Giving it a second thought, a chill went through Weining's heart. Indeed, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother ruled the Three Realms, and with myriad affairs to manage, they would certainly not act out of blind benevolence; when necessary, they would make an example of someone.
Moreover, since Yaoji was a member of the celestial imperial family, the punishment would undoubtedly be even harsher. And as for her family...
If only suffering punishment and losing their lives were the worst of it—even their very souls might not be spared.
She had only chanced to see case files in the Great Golden Crow's hall twice, both involving a single immortal breaking the law, resulting in the deaths and annihilation of the souls of numerous people. For immortals who violated the Heavenly Statutes, the heaviest penalty was imprisonment.
As for mortals, their brief lives spent rushing and toiling were merely for survival, yet because of an immortal's mistake, they would lose their most precious lives and be denied even an afterlife.
The ten-thousand-plus Heavenly Statutes of the towering Heavenly Court were established for immortals, yet in the end, those who suffered the most were mortals.
How cruel and unfair—this was precisely why she disliked handling memorials and case files.
Once Yaoji was arrested and brought up to the heavens today, her family would undoubtedly be doomed. If that happened, wouldn't she be the one who caused the deaths of all four of them?
A thousand thoughts churned in Weining's mind. Pondering for a moment, she clenched her fist and made up her mind.
Rising to her feet, she looked at the anxious Yaoji and said in a deep voice, "Then all the more reason for you to immediately come with me to the Heavenly Court to confess your guilt, for that is the only way to protect them. I will state to the Heavenly Court that I did not manage to capture your husband. How does that sound?"
Yaoji was stunned, as if she hadn't understood Weining's meaning. Looking at her in utter bewilderment, she asked, "Th-then what about my children?"
Weining sighed inwardly; love truly made one lose reason.
"There are no children. You and your husband, an immortal and a mortal, married and violated the Heavenly Statutes. While traveling in the Mortal Realm, I accidentally discovered your identity and came to take you back to the Heavenly Court for punishment. We fought a fierce battle, and though you were ultimately subdued by me, unfortunately your husband managed to escape. You stubbornly refused to reveal his name or where he went, leaving me with no trace to follow. Having no other choice, I can only take you alone to the heavens to face punishment." Weining finished in a solemn voice, then emphasized, "There are no children. From beginning to end, there have been no children."
Having said this, Weining couldn't help feeling a bitter pang in her heart. This was the first time in her life she had ever lied to deceive anyone, and she was even deceiving the Heavenly Court! This truly was... truly guilty work. *Oh well, enough of that,* Weining told herself.
This was the least harmful method she could think of at the moment, and it offered a measure of comfort. After all, mortals were the Empress's children and the charge she was meant to protect; how could she harm them with her own hands?
Steelying herself, Weining looked at Yaoji, who had been staring fixedly at her ever since she began speaking, and felt a surge of anxiety. At such a critical, life-and-death juncture, a decision needed to be made quickly.
Yet Yaoji remained motionless, her gaze distant, evidently locked in a fierce internal struggle.
After all, these were her family members, and the final decision rested with her; it wouldn't do to press her too hard.
Therefore, Weining patiently refrained from disturbing her, quietly awaiting her response.
After a long while, Yaoji finally recovered her senses. Looking at Weining with complex emotions in her eyes, she suddenly stood straight and delivered a profound, solemn bow of respect to Weining. "Yaoji is deeply grateful for the Fairy's consideration!"
Weining half-bowed in return. "Please don't stand on ceremony, Goddess. It would be best to make your decision soon."
As Yaoji maintained her posture, Weining stepped forward to help her up. "The Fairy need not do this; you honor me too much."
Ever since Weining learned Yaoji's name, her abilities, and her glorious combat record, she had deeply admired her and longed to meet her—this was a senior worth respecting and learning from.
Now that her wish had been granted, the woman was right before her eyes.
Although she hadn't yet had the chance to witness her cultivation and martial prowess, her bearing and grace had long since won Weining over.
Seeing her bow so low now for the sake of her family and children truly wrung one's heart!
Taking advantage of the gesture, Yaoji caught Weining's hands, applying a little pressure as she said with emotion, "No, this bow is entirely your due. You have thought so thoroughly for our family; you are truly our family's savior. Thank you, truly thank you!"
Weining withdrew one hand and gently patted Yaoji's. "You are too kind, Fairy. There is no need for thanks. The situation is urgent, so please make your decision soon."
She truly didn't need thanks. If she could ignore the lives of a few innocent mortals, what qualification would she have left to speak of protecting the Three Realms?
Seeing Yaoji's distracted state, Weining pulled her down to sit. She poured her a cup of flower dew, which Yaoji held in her hands with a grateful smile.
Before long, the last trace of evening glow on the horizon slowly dissipated, and the hall grew dark. Yet Yaoji remained silent and motionless.
With no other choice, Weining had to speak up. "Fairy, the hour is growing late. What... what is your decision?"
Startled as if woken from a dream, Yaoji gave a slight shudder, spilling a small amount of the flower dew she had been holding.
Looking into Weining's eyes with a complex and sorrowful expression, she spoke, "Fairy, could you... could you give me a little time?"
Although she knew in her heart that delays breed trouble, seeing Yaoji in this state, Weining could only sigh inwardly.
"Very well, I shall return tomorrow. I hope by then you will have reached a decision!" With that, Weining stood up to take her leave.
Hearing Weining say this, Yaoji also stood up, her tone laced with gratitude. "Thank you, Fairy. Why not stay the night at my home? Firstly, it will save you the journey; secondly, since you spared my two sons today, our whole family must properly thank you."
Her tone was earnest, and Weining couldn't help being moved, yet given their awkward present circumstances, it was inappropriate for them to be too closely associated.
Moreover, she was unaccustomed to dealing with people and could only politely decline. "Today was merely a matter of raising a hand; there is truly no need to be courteous. Besides, I am accustomed to being alone and am not skilled in socializing, so I can only thank you for your kind offer. You must be tired today and still have the children to tend to, so I won't intrude any longer."
Seeing how resolute Weining was, Yaoji could only smile helplessly. "Very well then, I will see you out."
Weining nodded, and hand in hand, they walked out together.