The sharp sting of the slap still burned on Yaoye's cheek, shocking her into a tense stillness.
Her eyes, normally icy and composed, now blazed with a mixture of fury and disbelief.
"Ye Chen! How dare you strike me, the princess!" she hissed, voice trembling with both indignation and a faint trace of hurt.
For the first time in her life, someone had dared to raise a hand against her .... the long-revered Yaoye Princess.
Ye Chen's lips curled into a cold, almost mocking smile.
"Heh… You still haven't realized the situation, have you? Do you really think you are still the high and mighty princess you once were?"
Her expression hardened, cheeks flushed with anger.
"You… if Grand Emperor knew you treated me this way, he would never let you inherit the throne! He might even kill you!"
Ye Chen let out a low, dismissive laugh.
"Grand Emperor? Do you really think he dares act against me now?
Letting him live that day was an act of mercy on my part. He should be thanking me, not threatening me."
Yaoye's eyes widened in realization. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"So… it wasn't that Grand Emperor ceased to favor me… you forced his hand?"
Her heart softened slightly as she finally understood the complex web of power at play.
The resentment she had felt toward her grandfather began to fade, replaced by a pang of sympathy.
The decision he had made must have cost him greatly, more than she had imagined.
Moments later, her gaze sharpened, and she confronted Ye Chen directly.
"Then tell me… with all your overwhelming power, why didn't you just seize the empire outright? Why force me to marry you?"
Ye Chen's eyes darkened, his voice steady and unwavering:
"Because… you carry my child. If not for that, I wouldn't have married you."
Her heart skipped a beat. "My… child?"
The truth hit her like a thunderclap. Her mind flashed back to that night months ago ..... the night with the so-called "thief," the night that had changed everything.
And now, that very man was standing before her, the father of her unborn child… and her husband.
"You… you're the culprit!" she whispered, voice trembling between shock and disbelief.
Fueled by rage and despair, Yaoye lunged, attempting to snatch the dagger back from Ye Chen's grasp.
But the weapon remained firmly in his hand, unmoved by her strength.
Her left hand surged with Dou Qi, aiming to strike him.
"Enough!" Ye Chen's command cut through the tension like a blade.
"Smack!"
Another sharp slap echoed across the room, sending her sprawling onto the bed.
Ye Chen swiftly confiscated both the dagger and her Nalan ring, leaving her defenseless.
"Yaoye, had you behaved, none of this would have happened. But if you continue this madness, it won't just be you facing consequences ..... your grandfather, the little princess, and the entire royal household will suffer because of you!" Ye Chen's voice was icy, unwavering, leaving no room for argument.
Her eyes welled up with tears as silence fell. For the first time, the princess, who had always been feared and respected, felt powerless, stripped of all her Dou Qi and influence.
"Stay here. Take care of the child. If anything happens to it, don't blame me for being ruthless," Ye Chen warned coldly.
With that, he formed a series of rapid hand seals. A golden light shot forth from his palm, flowing into Yaoye's body, sealing her powers completely.
She could no longer summon Dou Qi, let alone defend herself or act on any hidden schemes.
"My… my strength!" Yaoye gasped, helpless, her pride and authority reduced to nothing.
Ye Chen's eyes hardened as he delivered his final decree:
"Stay here quietly. Tomorrow, after today's events, this Gama Empire… will bear the Meitel name."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and left for the room where his other bride, Ya Fei, awaited.
By dawn, the streets of the imperial capital were alive with activity, citizens lining the roads in anticipation.
Today marked a historic day for the Gama Empire ..... a transfer of imperial power, the crowning of a new emperor, and the rise of the Meitel family's influence.
Ye Chen, astride his horse, led the procession with the Meitel family's strongest warriors flanking him.
They entered the imperial palace in grand fashion, greeted by tens of thousands of armored and disciplined royal guards.
Inside the grand hall, the empire's nobles gathered.
The Meitel family, Ye Chen's own, fully supported him.
The Nalan family, interlinked through marriage, also stood behind him.
Even the Mu family, initially hesitant, aligned under Mu Chen's leadership.
Ye Chen ascended the throne amidst the respectful bowing of all present:
"Rise!"
For the first time, he felt the full weight and exhilaration of absolute power.
No longer hidden, no longer restrained ..... the Gama Empire was now firmly under his control
Unlock 600+ Chapters via My Patreon Collection
✨ Available in Shop Now
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang