Faced with Jun Beiyue’s relentless pressure, City Lord Situ had nearly lost his temper, but Madam Situ hurried forward, saying coldly, “Prince Yao, a person answers for their own actions — I, Nangong Mei, have always taken responsibility for what I do. What exactly do you want?”

If Situ City truly meant to clash with Da Zhou, the forces lying in ambush nearby would already have moved — would they have let Situ Haonan get away so quickly?

If, over a private matter, over Situ Haonan, they offended the Da Zhou court and brought trouble upon the martial world, Situ City might not even be able to hold its footing within that world anymore!

Both City Lord Situ and Madam Situ were weighing this carefully.

Their most urgent priority now was finding some way to chase down Situ Haonan. Madam Situ even considered making a trip to Mobei herself, to bring her father back — this was no small matter, and even if her father doted on Haonan, he certainly understood the stakes involved!

Perhaps the old patriarch could persuade him!

“What do you think?” Jun Beiyue shot back.

At this, Madam Situ turned a cold glance toward Ziqing, took several deep breaths, and finally spoke. “Consort Yao, it was all a misunderstanding just now. I’m sorry for any offense — I hope you’ll forgive us.”

Ziqing understood clearly that between them and Situ City, every step forward or back right now was delicate and precarious. She was just about to speak when Jun Beiyue, once again pressing his advantage, turned a cold eye on Situ Xin’er and said, “Situ Xin’er, who gave you the nerve to speak so disrespectfully to my consort?”

Situ Xin’er froze. The tears she had only just managed to stop began flowing again immediately. She was frightened and hurt, looking at Jun Beiyue with pitiful eyes, sobbing uncontrollably, until at last she burst into loud wails and threw herself into Madam Situ’s arms!

Seeing his daughter so devastated, City Lord Situ could no longer hold back and moved forward in anger, but Madam Situ hastily stopped him, signaling with her eyes for him to stay calm!

“Prince Yao, she’s already been beaten like this — haven’t you had enough?” Madam Situ demanded, pointing at Situ Xin’er’s swollen, red face.

She was just as furious as her husband, only she had far more restraint than he did. Right now she had to stay calm — right now she needed to buy time and get them out of here!

Jun Beiyue didn’t so much as glance at her, his tone still sharp and merciless. “Under Da Zhou law, anyone who insults a royal consort shall have their entire clan of nine generations executed!”

At these words, Madam Situ couldn’t help but suck in several sharp breaths, and Situ Xin’er’s crying stopped abruptly. She stared at Jun Beiyue in disbelief, as if looking at some terrifying stranger.

“The martial world has never bowed to the laws of any single kingdom! Da Zhou’s laws have no authority over Situ City!” City Lord Situ roared furiously, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that the hilt itself finally cracked under the pressure!

Jun Beiyue gave a cold snort, then declared loudly, “Someone — send word to the capital to amend the law. From this moment on, regardless of who they are, anyone who sets foot on Da Zhou soil must unconditionally obey every law of Da Zhou. Violators will be dealt with according to the law!”

Ziqing stood right behind him, watching his commanding, imposing back, then glancing at the Situ family, who looked ready to explode with rage. It was only then that she suddenly understood — this man had been doing all of this for her sake, carrying out the very warning she had given Situ Xin’er earlier, telling her to get out of Da Zhou.

The atmosphere was as tense as drawn swords, unbearably charged, yet Ziqing found herself staring blankly at Jun Beiyue’s back, an unconscious smile spreading across her face.

The laws of Da Zhou — and indeed of every nation across the Longyuan continent — distinguished between territorial jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction.

Territorial jurisdiction meant the law applied to everyone within Da Zhou’s borders — even people who weren’t citizens of Da Zhou had to obey it once they entered its territory.

Personal jurisdiction meant that anyone who held Da Zhou citizenship had to obey Da Zhou’s laws no matter where in the world they traveled.

For people of the martial world, the laws of any nation held little binding power over them — only on matters of fundamental principle did any restriction apply at all!

With this single declaration, Jun Beiyue had effectively stripped Situ City — indeed, the entire martial world — of its special privileges within Da Zhou!

Jun Beiyue held exactly that kind of authority!

The moment those words left his mouth, City Lord Situ was rendered utterly speechless, staring in blank shock. He had never imagined Jun Beiyue would make such a decision!

Madam Situ panicked — for Situ City’s standing within the martial world, this was nothing short of a fatal blow!

Other martial-world figures might still be able to enter Da Zhou under the status of ordinary citizens, but Situ City existed as an independent power between Da Zhou and Nanzhao — they weren’t even considered Da Zhou citizens at all!

Madam Situ glanced back at her husband and saw the veins bulging across his forehead, his fury barely restrained, unable to erupt.

Finally, he gave a cold snort and stormed off, sleeves swept back!

It was plain to see — from this day forward, Situ City and the Da Zhou imperial house would sever all ties forever.

Madam Situ had no choice but to leave as well. But just as she turned to go, Jun Beiyue issued one final warning. “Miss Situ, remember this well — Da Zhou does not welcome you. From now on, you are forbidden from ever setting foot on Da Zhou soil again.”

Situ Xin’er, who had been on the verge of tears, suddenly went rigid at these words, unable to cry at all anymore. She let Madam Situ drag her angrily away, but stared back at Ziqing the entire way, unable to believe what she had just heard. She had wanted to come back, wanted to keep trying, wanted to find some way to drive Han Ziqing away from Beiyue’s side!

But now, forget getting close — she wouldn’t even get the chance to see them again.

Everyone was gone. Finally, peace and quiet.

Jun Beiyue turned around to face Ziqing, an enchanting smile spreading across his face — devastatingly handsome.

Ziqing couldn’t help but burst into laughter, not even realizing how happy she was. Jun Beiyue extended a hand, and she went straight to him obediently, letting him pull her in. She buried her face against his chest, listening to the truest sound of his heartbeat, feeling his clean-shaven jaw brush intimately against her forehead. For a moment she had the illusion that they had never been apart at all — that these past days had been nothing but a dream, and now that the dream had ended, he was still right here beside her.

And he — had he not felt the same?

Shadow had gone to report back — how could he have possibly made it back and forth so quickly!

In truth, Jun Beiyue had already left the northern frontier days earlier to chase after them. He had originally only meant to come check on things, never expecting to run into Shadow along the way.

If he hadn’t come, how would today’s confrontation have ended?

That hidden dart Situ Xin’er had thrown was no joke at all!

“Didn’t I already tell you?” he said in a low voice, admonishing her once more. “When you meet someone who wants to bully you, don’t waste words, don’t hold back — no matter how big the trouble gets, I’ll clean it up for you.” Even if this woman brought the heavens crashing down, he would shoulder it for her all the same.

Ziqing had always been someone utterly fearless, but ever since being with him, she had learned to weigh and consider things carefully. She genuinely held herself back now — not for any other reason, but simply because she didn’t want to cause him trouble or add to his burdens. What she wanted most was to share his worries, to ease his load, so he wouldn’t have to work so hard.

Ziqing teased him, “If you hadn’t come, I would have caused an even bigger scene! I would have taken it all the way to Mobei.”

“Mobei — Madam Situ will probably head to Nangong Manor in Mobei,” Jun Beiyue said mildly. He knew Situ City’s family affairs quite well.