Li Yao stood floating in the air, her expression completely blank and emotionless.
"You there?" she asked, her voice cold and flat.
[...]
[Welcome back,] the empress finally responded after a long pause.
[How are you feeling?] she asked.
Li Yao raised her hand slowly, observing it with detachment as though it wasn't her own. Small cracks were gradually spreading through her skin like a spider web.
"I've been better," she spoke with a sigh.
[So, what now? Will you go back to the sect?] the empress asked.
"Why would I?" she asked.
[Don't you want to check on your senior brother?] the empress pressed.
Li Yao paused for a moment.
"No need to test me. I'm completely rational," she said. Then another crack appeared across her face, spreading from her temple down to her jaw.
"At least for now," she added as she traced the new fracture with her fingertips.
[Good. I was just making sure,] the empress said with relief.
