Qingyi was already bracing himself mentally, ready to fall back on his greatest trump cards and flee at any moment.
Fortunately, none of that was necessary.
The Celestial Empress's expression softened, and the suffocating pressure that had blanketed the hall dissipated like mist scattered by the wind.
She walked calmly toward Qingyi, her light footsteps barely whispering against the polished jade floor.
"So you're the one chosen by my little Xue Hua, huh?" she asked aloud, while, through sound transmission, she sent a private message intended only for him.
[What is your relationship with Long Tianjin?]
[He's my father-in-law… and what's your relationship with him?] Qingyi replied.
He knew that lying was no longer an option, not without making the situation infinitely worse. If she was asking, it was because she already knew—or at least strongly suspected—who he truly was.
For now, his best move was to hold his composure and prepare for the worst.
