The army returned from Tonryuu beneath a sky heavy with silence.
Though the rebellion had been crushed before it could truly spread, neither Duke Hyou Ren nor Ri Yue found any satisfaction in the outcome. The ride back to the northeast was unusually quiet as the soldiers sensed the foul mood of their lord.
Within the command carriage, Ri Yue broke the silence.
"...So this was their true intention."
Hyou Ren's eyes remained fixed ahead.
"They never intended for Seikyou to survive."
Ri Yue slowly nodded.
"They kidnapped Rui first... knowing Seikyou would rush to rescue her."
"They then lured us into the conflict, ensuring the Northeast would destroy the rebellion with our own hands."
"And while everyone watches Seikyou fall..."
"...Ryofui eliminates one of King Ei Sei's greatest political allies without ever lifting a sword himself."
Hyou Ren clenched his fist.
"We became another man's executioner."
The Duke let out a slow breath.
"I do not mind killing enemies."
"But being used as another man's tool..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."
Ri Yue's expression turned equally cold.
"Ryofui underestimated one thing."
"He assumed the Northeast would remain indifferent after discovering the truth."
"...That was his mistake."
Several days later...
The Duke's ruling city.
The great council hall of the Northeast.
Every noble lord, military governor, senior general, and administrative official gathered beneath the banners of House Hyou.
At the center sat Duke Hyou Ren.
Beside him was Ri Yue.
At the highest seat overlooking the hall sat the matriarch of the Northeast...
Princess Ei You.
Though advanced in age, her presence alone silenced the entire assembly.
Hyou Ren rose.
"The investigation into the Tonryuu Incident has concluded."
He calmly explained every detail.
The kidnapping of Rui.
The manipulation of Seikyou.
The Zhao agents.
The carefully timed rebellion.
Every piece fit together into a single conclusion.
"This was never merely a rebellion."
"It was a political execution."
"The mastermind behind it..."
Hyou Ren's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"...is Chancellor Ryofui."
The hall exploded into outrage.
"So that fox used us!"
"He treated the Northeast like disposable blades!"
"He dared manipulate Duke Hyou's territory?"
"This is unforgivable!"
One minister slammed his fist onto the table.
"If Ryofui is willing to sacrifice the stability of the Northeast for his ambitions..."
"...then tomorrow he may sacrifice us again."
Another official stood.
"Our neutrality has become meaningless."
"The Chancellor has already chosen to involve us."
Silence gradually returned.
Princess Ei You slowly opened her eyes.
For decades, the Northeast had remained politically neutral.
Its duty had always been to guard Qin's borders rather than participate in court intrigue.
But now...
Ryofui himself had crossed that line.
She slowly stood.
"The Northeast has remained impartial because Qin required a sword that belonged only to the kingdom."
Her aged yet commanding voice filled the chamber.
"Yet today..."
"...another has attempted to wield that sword for his own ambitions."
She looked toward Hyou Ren.
"My son."
"It is time."
"The Northeast must choose a side."
No one objected.
Every official silently bowed.
Their decision had already been made.
Ten days later.
Royal Palace of Kanyou.
Inside the royal audience chamber.
King Ei Sei sat together with Rui, who had recovered from the events at Tonryuu.
Only a handful of trusted retainers were present.
Rui stepped forward before the young king.
"My brother in law."
Ei Sei looked toward her.
Rui smiled gently.
"I, Rui..."
"...have brought together the faction under my husband's leadership."
She continued proudly.
"The officials, generals, and nobles who follow Seikyou-sama now stand beside Your Majesty."
"Just as Seikyou-sama finally chose to fight for Qin..."
"...we siblings shall unite our strength."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"No longer shall the royal family stand divided."
"We will stand together."
"And together..."
"...we shall bring down Ryofui."
Ei Sei stared at his sister-in-law with surprise.
Just then…
A palace official hurried inside.
"Your Majesty!"
"The Princess of Qin..."
"...Princess Ei You has arrived."
Both Ei Sei and Rui widened their eyes.
"The Princess... herself?"
Moments later...
The massive doors slowly opened.
An elderly woman entered with calm, measured steps.
Behind her marched dozens of distinguished retainers dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Northeast.
Generals.
Civil officials.
Clan elders.
The highest representatives of the entire northeastern region.
The atmosphere within the chamber instantly changed.
Princess Ei You stopped before the throne.
She calmly observed the young king.
"So..."
"...this is my nephew."
Ei Sei immediately descended from the throne and respectfully bowed.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Great Aunt."
The elderly princess gave a faint smile.
"I have come today for only one purpose."
She gestured toward the retainers behind her.
"I bring with me the faction of the Northeast."
Every official present froze.
Princess Ei You continued without hesitation.
"What Ryofui has done..."
"...has shattered our neutrality."
"He sought to use my son's lands and soldiers as instruments for his political schemes."
"That offense cannot be overlooked."
She met Ei Sei's gaze directly.
"Therefore..."
"From this day onward..."
"...the Northeast shall lend its full support to your cause."
The words echoed through the audience hall.
Even the palace attendants struggled to conceal their astonishment.
The northeastern territories were among Qin's strongest regional powers. Their vast lands, immense wealth, disciplined administration, and battle-hardened armies under Duke Hyou Ren formed one of the kingdom's greatest military bulwarks. Their declaration transformed the balance of power within Qin overnight.
Rui covered her mouth in disbelief.
Even Ei Sei found himself speechless.
Princess Ei You merely nodded once.
"My business here is concluded."
She turned to leave as though discussing nothing more significant than the weather.
"I'm rather busy."
"I cannot leave my great-grandsons unattended for too long."
"They're likely causing trouble as we speak."
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"I shall return to my city."
Without waiting for a response, the elderly princess departed with the dignified procession of northeastern retainers following behind her.
Only after the doors closed did silence return to the chamber.
Rui let out a slow breath.
"...Brother-in-law..."
"They've truly joined us."
Ei Sei stared toward the closed doors.
The Northeast…
One of Qin's mightiest regional powers had abandoned decades of neutrality because of a single miscalculation by Ryofui.
Far away within his own palace, Ryofui had yet to learn that his scheme to eliminate Seikyou had achieved the opposite of what he desired.
Rather than weakening King Ei Sei's faction...
He had driven the entire Northeast into the young king's camp.
And for the first time since the political struggle had begun...
The balance of power within Qin had begun to shift.