Su Yaoyao nodded gently, cleared her throat, and said, "Mingye, the Star Shining Empire wishes to sign a peace treaty with Snake Scale City to end the conflict between our two sides. We are willing to cooperate on resource sharing, particularly by providing Snake Scale City with a stable supply of Energy Crystal Stones."

Behind this seemingly simple promise were the countless pleas and negotiations Su Yaoyao had to navigate in the Imperial City to win this concession from His Majesty. It was already the greatest benefit she could possibly secure for Snake Scale City.

After a brief pause, Su Yaoyao continued in a measured tone, "However, as part of this cooperation, we also expect Snake Scale City to make some adjustments of its own.

Snake Scale City’s arms dealing has long been a source of instability across the interstellar community.

Therefore, we ask that Snake Scale City cease selling arms to other interstellar powers and instead work exclusively for the Star Shining Empire.

Of course, we also greatly value Snake Scale City’s technological superiority. If you can provide assistance to the Empire in this regard, the Star Shining Empire will certainly not be ungenerous and will offer handsome rewards in return."

Hearing this, Mingye frowned slightly. A thoughtful glint flashed in his deep-set eyes as he sank into contemplation.

He knew full well that while Snake Scale City’s territory was vast, its resources were very unevenly distributed. Its reserves of Energy Crystal Stones, in particular, had long been critically low.

Su Yaoyao’s offer of a stable supply of Energy Crystal Stones was, for Snake Scale City, an almost irresistible temptation.

However, the demand to stop selling arms to other interstellar powers gave him pause.

After all, arms sales had always been a major source of income for Snake Scale City, as well as a tool for forging alliances.

That was why the Empire had never dared to move against Snake Scale City in the past.

The atmosphere in the council hall grew tense, and the expressions on everyone’s faces were grim and solemn.

Yet amid the tension, Noah was the sole exception.

He knew Mingye well and was certain he would ultimately agree to Su Yaoyao’s request.

Seeing Mingye remain silent for so long, Bai Lian’s brow furrowed. With a flicker of anxiety in his eyes, he finally couldn’t help but speak up.

"Lord of Netherworld, the Star Shining Empire has come in good faith and laid all the benefits we can offer on the table. The situation is clear. We hope Snake Scale City will demonstrate a commensurate willingness to cooperate and not let our sincerity go to waste."

Mingye slowly raised his head, his gaze steady and sharp. It swept over everyone’s faces, as if he were trying to discern their innermost thoughts from their expressions.

Then, he began to speak slowly. "I understand your sincerity..." In truth, it wasn’t that Mingye didn’t want to agree. He was just hiding a deep reluctance he couldn’t bring himself to voice.

He knew that as soon as he agreed to her request, Su Yaoyao would return to the Imperial City, and they would once again be separated for a long time.

The very thought of it felt like an invisible hand squeezing his heart.

After much hesitation, Mingye said, "This matter concerns the very future of Snake Scale City. It is too important to decide hastily. I need some time to consider. I hope you can grant me a few days. In the meantime, I will arrange accommodations for you all."

Reg, who had a naturally fiery temper, was instantly annoyed by Mingye’s response.

He couldn’t stop himself from raising his voice. "These terms are as good as they’ll ever get, and you still need a few days to think?! Don’t you know that Yaoyao had to move heaven and earth just to get His Majesty to agree to the Energy Crystal Stone supply! How can you be so hesitant?"

"That’s enough, Reg. Say no more," Su Yaoyao quickly interjected, knowing she couldn’t let a moment of impatience ruin everything.

Although the others were also eager to settle the matter quickly, they understood that something of this magnitude couldn’t be rushed. Mingye had to be given enough time to weigh the pros and cons.

A gentle smile appeared on Su Yaoyao’s face as she said softly, "Very well, we’re willing to wait." ’At least he didn’t refuse outright,’ she thought. ’That means things are moving in the right direction.’

’As long as there’s hope, what’s a few more days? For the sake of interstellar peace, any amount of waiting is worthwhile.’

Once the initial terms of the negotiation were set, Mingye began arranging accommodations for Su Yaoyao and her entourage.

However, when the group learned of the specific arrangements, they were far from pleased.

Mingye had arranged for her to sleep separately from her husbands.

Su Yaoyao was to stay in the castle, while her Beast Husbands—Bai Lian, Reg, and Pani—were sent to an inn in the city.

Bai Lian’s brow furrowed, his displeasure obvious. He was the first to speak. "What kind of arrangement is this? How can I possibly rest easy if we’re living apart!"

Reg was even more vocal, complaining loudly, "Exactly! Who knows what that Mingye is plotting? We should be staying together so we can protect Yaoyao."

Pani’s brow was knitted with worry. "He’s right. If we’re living apart like this and something happens to Yaoyao, we won’t be able to reach her in time."

Seeing her Beast Husbands’ reactions, Su Yaoyao’s heart ached.

But she also knew this wasn’t the time to pick a fight with Mingye over living arrangements. The peace treaty was too important.

She soothed her Beast Husbands gently. "Please, don’t be upset. I know you’re worried about me, but this is Snake Scale City. We have to respect Mingye’s arrangements. I’ll be careful. You don’t need to worry so much."

Bai Lian looked at Su Yaoyao, his expression serious. "Yaoyao, it’s not that we don’t respect his arrangements. It’s that your safety is what’s most important. Who can possibly know what that Mingye is thinking?"

Reg chimed in, "He’s right, Yaoyao. How can we rest easy with you in that castle all by yourself? I’m going to find Mingye and tell him we’re staying in the castle too."

Su Yaoyao gave a resigned smile. "Reg, don’t be rash. Confronting Mingye like that could sour the atmosphere for the negotiations. We’re here for a peace treaty; we can’t risk the big picture over something small. Besides, I trust Mingye won’t harm me."

Pani nodded slightly. "Yaoyao’s right. We should probably just go along with his arrangements for now. But Yaoyao, you have to stay vigilant. If anything happens, contact us immediately."

Su Yaoyao nodded. "Okay, I will. You all take care of yourselves at the inn, too. Don’t make me worry."

When Su Yaoyao entered the castle, she discovered that Mingye had arranged for her to stay in her old room.

The moment she stepped inside, a familiar scent washed over her, and memories of the past came flooding back.

The room’s decor was almost completely unchanged; every corner held traces of the life she once lived there.

Just then, Noah happened to be passing by. Seeing Su Yaoyao standing dazed in the doorway, he ambled over with a grin. "Yaoyao, so you remember this room? Looks like Mingye is still quite attached to you."