"Summon him." The Queen Mother of the West's tone was level, betraying neither pleasure nor anger.
The Holy Manifestation True Lord's sudden visit at this juncture made his intentions plain as day.
Before long, Yang Jian entered the hall.
Below the throne, Lu'er's gaze lingered briefly on Yang Jian's face, a flicker stirring in her eyes. But it lasted only an instant before she quickly lowered her head and never looked at him again, hiding every emotion beneath Yaochi's rules.
The moment Yang Chan saw Yang Jian, she lost her nerve.
In the Heavenly Court, the authority of blood ties often worked better than the Heavenly Laws.
Without letting his gaze stray, Yang Jian cupped his hands slightly toward the Queen Mother of the West on her lofty throne. "Yang Jian pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Dispense with the formalities, True Lord." The Queen Mother of the West's tone was neither warm nor cold. "What brings you to my Yaochi today?"
"In answer to Your Majesty."
"I heard that Yang Chan displeased Your Majesty. My third sister is still young and unfamiliar with Yaochi's many rules. Whatever her faults, the blame lies with me, her elder brother, for failing to discipline her. I shall take her back to Guanjiangkou at once and instruct her strictly."
Yang Jian did not beat around the bush. He directly requested permission to take Yang Chan away.
On the surface, he was apologizing and admitting fault. Beneath it, he had skipped even the process of arguing her case, defining the matter as youthful ignorance, closing the coffin on the verdict, and asking to take his sister home.
The Queen Mother of the West's eyes darkened slightly as she swept her gaze around the hall.
On the left stood Taibai Jinxing, head of the Heavenly