Ye Liuyun immediately realized that Liu Qianzhong was about to select a consort for Liu Yunyao.

Liu Yunyao’s heart clenched—this was bad. Liu Qianzhong had no idea Ye Liuyun even existed, so the candidate he had in mind certainly wouldn’t be him.

Without hesitation, she spoke up, "Father, I can decide my own marriage. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with it!"

But Liu Qianzhong misunderstood her reluctance, assuming she was merely too embarrassed to discuss such matters in public.

He chuckled. "Though you’ve inherited the throne, marriage is a matter of state stability. And since you’ve never shown interest in anyone, I’ve taken the liberty of choosing for you!"

"This man is impeccable in status, intellect, and reputation—one of the two most prominent names in the Liu and Lin clans..."

As he spoke, he gestured for Lin Chengzhou to step forward.

Lin Chengzhou, brimming with excitement, rose to his feet, bowed to the assembly, and strode toward Liu Qianzhong.

The moment Liu Yunyao saw him, she understood her father’s intentions. She shot up from her throne, her voice sharp. "Father, I already have someone in my heart. My marriage is none of your concern!"

Ye Liuyun’s fury erupted. The overwhelming pressure of his Divine Master-level spiritual force crashed down, shaking everyone in the hall to their core. Lin Chengzhou, bearing the brunt of it, was instantly flattened to the ground, blood trickling from his lips, unable to move.

Lin Chengzhou seethed inwardly, convinced Liu Yunyao had deliberately humiliated him. He swore revenge against her one day.

But Liu Yunyao couldn’t care less about him. Her focus was on calming Ye Liuyun, urgently pleading with him to restrain his anger—she wouldn’t let Liu Qianzhong force this marriage through.

Only then did Ye Liuyun withdraw his oppressive aura. But that brief display had made one thing clear to all: Liu Yunyao was furious, and she had no intention of accepting the match Liu Qianzhong proposed.

Liu Qianzhong’s pride took a hit. He had just relinquished the throne, and now his own daughter defied him. Even he hadn’t been spared from Ye Liuyun’s terrifying pressure—no special treatment despite his former status.

The worst off, however, was the Court Diviner, who had fainted outright from the force. Without any cultivation or resistance to speak of, and with no guards permitted in such a setting, he had been left completely defenseless.

The banquet hall descended into chaos instantly. The maids with lower cultivation levels could barely keep their footing, while the guards rushed to assist the unconscious Grand Preceptor and others.

Outside the hall, the guards drew their swords in unison, bracing for battle with tense readiness.

"Yun Yao, even as the new queen, do you no longer hold your father in regard? When has the marriage of a royal child ever been decided without parental consent?" Liu Qianzhong rebuked Liu Yunyao sharply.

Yun Yao stood her ground. "This has nothing to do with the throne. My marriage is my own decision—no one else has the right to interfere!"

"Preposterous!" Liu Qianzhong snapped. "Not even your own father?"

"No!" Yun Yao declared resolutely.

"Oh?" Liu Qianzhong’s expression darkened.

"Since you claim to have a beloved, why not name him? Let me see who has captured your heart!" he challenged.

Yun Yao replied coolly, "His strength is unmatched. Without him, I could never have defeated the barbarians!"

Liu Qianzhong had indeed heard rumors of someone aiding Yun Yao—someone formidable. But he had assumed it was merely tamed beasts or mercenary warriors, not a man she favored.

If this person truly wielded such power, he would have to tread carefully. Unfortunately, they had never discussed this matter before, and now both sides were trapped in a standoff.

Liu Qianzhong had already promised the Left Chancellor. If he backed down now, not only would he lose face, but he would also offend the Left Chancellor, potentially destabilizing the court.

Yet if he pressed on, he risked provoking the forces behind Yun Yao.

As he hesitated, the Left Chancellor suddenly stepped forward. "Might I ask, Queen Yun Yao, is the man you favor surnamed Liu... or Lin?"

His son, Lin Chengzhou, had been publicly humiliated. This wasn’t just an insult to his heir—it was an affront to his own dignity. As the Left Chancellor, if he didn’t reclaim his standing today, how could he ever command respect again?

He was now trying to use the royal marriage surname restriction to shut Liu Yunyao up.

"What if it isn’t? Rules are made by people, and it’s time they changed under my reign!" Liu Yunyao shot back coldly, not giving him an inch.

Lin Yao chuckled darkly. "How bold of Her Majesty to speak so lightly of altering traditions. The Liu and Lin clans are the very foundation of this dynasty—do you think you can just rewrite the rules at will?"

Clearly, Lin Yao was attempting to use royal protocol to pressure Liu Yunyao into submission.

He pressed on, "Even if the Queen wishes to change the rules, she must first seek the approval of the other royal family members..."

Ye Liuyun knew how dangerous this old fox was. If left unchecked, he might rally the major factions of both the Liu and Lin clans against Yunyao.

Liu Yunyao, still inexperienced, faltered under the pressure and immediately turned to Ye Liuyun for help.

Without hesitation, Ye Liuyun signaled Xuanwu to act. The beast unleashed its crushing aura once more, lunging at Lin Yao in a blur. A single swipe of its claws tore open the minister’s throat, sending blood splattering across the chamber.

Gasps and cries erupted as the assembly descended into chaos.

"Father!" Lin Chengzhou rushed forward, desperate to reach Lin Yao, but his earlier injuries sent him crashing to the floor. He could only crawl toward his dying father in agony.

Neither father nor son had ever imagined that Lin Yao’s petty scheming would lead to such a brutal end.

Guards stormed in from outside, scrambling to restore order—but the assailant was already gone.

Seizing the moment, Ye Liuyun amplified his own aura, his voice booming like thunder as he spoke for the Queen. "By decree of Her Majesty Yunyao, Left Minister Lin Yao, this treasonous wretch, dared to defy the Queen to her face—a crime of high treason punishable by death!"

Then, turning to Liu Qianzhong, he added sharply, "Former King, the Queen advises you to consult the Grand Tutor before making any further decisions. This matter ends here—no one is to speak of it again!"

His words carried the weight of finality. "The coronation of Queen Yunyao is complete. From this day forth, she assumes full authority over the dynasty and takes residence in the royal palace. The Former King shall relocate to the Ancestral Temple."

His gaze swept over the crowd before landing on the commanders of the Imperial Guard. "Commander and Vice-Commander of the Imperial Guard—step forward and receive Her Majesty’s orders! Disobedience will be met with execution!"

With ruthless efficiency, Ye Liuyun had eliminated the Left Minister and forced Liu Qianzhong to defer to the Grand Tutor, stripping him of his remaining power.

Liu Qianzhong realized his mistake—he had neglected to consult the Grand Tutor. Now, with a powerhouse like Ye Liuyun in play, any further resistance would turn the banquet hall into a bloodbath.

Everything now hinged on the Imperial Guard Commander’s compliance. If he obeyed, Liu Yunyao would solidify her control over the palace. If not, Ye Liuyun would personally intervene—branding him with a slave seal to ensure obedience.