Yelan and her family's wealth had been deposited into the Northland Bank as fixed-term deposits.
Severin had never ordered the bank to divert or make use of that money. As such, the massive sum—well over a hundred billion Mora—remained absolutely secure.
Naturally, it could not constitute fraud.
The smile on Yanfei's face gradually stiffened. She forced a light tone and said,
"Your Highness stayed up all night reading law books just to deal with me, didn't you?"
The fact that the Snezhnayan Prince had made such thorough preparations specifically for her actually made Yanfei feel oddly honored.
Even though she had been rendered speechless in this mediation, at least she could save face.
Severin, however, replied indifferently,
"If I were only dealing with Miss Yanfei, it wouldn't be worth my personal involvement."
"The various legal statutes of Liyue are equally applicable to Snezhnaya. After this diplomatic visit concludes, I intend to push forward new legal reforms back home."
The Mirror Maiden took a sharp breath.
So the true purpose behind His Highness reading Liyue's laws overnight wasn't merely to handle today's matter—
It was to reform Snezhnaya itself.
She might not fully understand the benefits of a legal system for Snezhnaya, but if the Prince insisted on doing it, then it was undoubtedly in the nation's best interest.
Yanfei's thoughts were nearly identical.
Yet what Severin said next left both women even more stunned.
"The benevolence of Snezhnaya.
The contractual spirit of Liyue.
The freedom cherished by Mondstadt."
"The obsession with eternity in Inazuma, the faith in wisdom in Sumeru, the pursuit of justice in Fontaine, and Natlan's belief that the strong rule."
"One day, when a new unification arrives, the cultural philosophies of the Seven Nations will inevitably merge."
"What I've done today is nothing more than a bit of early preparation. Perhaps it will be useful in the future."
Each of the Seven Gods ruled with an extreme philosophy, giving rise to nations with sharply defined identities.
Yanfei had never once imagined merging governing philosophies across nations.
Her perspective simply hadn't reached that height.
Her vision wasn't wide enough.
But the Snezhnayan Prince was different.
He was preparing for what came after the unification of the Seven Nations.
As someone trained in law, Yanfei deeply understood the importance of rules to society. She had occasionally fantasized that if the other nations absorbed Liyue's contract-based system, they might develop far more smoothly.
And if the Seven Nations could abandon grudges, arrogance, and prejudice—learning from one another's strengths—
All of them would prosper.
The governing philosophies of Teyvat weren't contradictory.
They were complementary.
Severin's words awakened her.
Yanfei lowered her head in shame.
"Your Highness harbors ambitions that reach the clouds. You didn't stay up all night to deal with me—I overestimated myself."
"Most people can't even understand what I'm talking about," Severin replied calmly.
"The fact that you grasped even a part of it is proof of your excellence."
What he had spoken of was merely a glimpse of a distant future—like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.
Concepts like unification or fusion of the Seven Nations' philosophies were beyond the imagination of ordinary people whose thinking had long since stagnated.
That Yanfei could perceive the implications meant she was someone capable of independent thought.
Yanfei raised her head and looked at the man before her anew.
Things no one else even dared to imagine were spoken by him as if they were simple facts.
Absolute confidence.
Absolute calm.
Perhaps that future of "great unification" truly was this Snezhnayan Prince's ultimate goal.
And such a world must surely be beautiful—beautiful enough to be worth devoting one's life to.
The Prince of Snezhnaya was still young, yet his ambition rivaled even that of Rex Lapis.
At last, she began to understand why the Geo Archon had once invited him to take the position of Regent.
"Your Highness," Yanfei said, steadying herself,
"since you refuse reconciliation, you'll need to be careful. I've never lost a case."
"At the same time, I'll take certain measures that may leave you… displeased."
Despite her admiration for the Prince, it would never affect her prosecution.
Yanfei's popularity among the people stemmed precisely from this—
She feared no authority and always stood on the side of fairness and justice.
"You'll next apply to the court to forcibly freeze the hundreds of billions of Mora that Yelan and her family deposited in Northland Bank," Severin said calmly, piercing straight through her strategy.
Yanfei's pupils shrank slightly.
"Your Highness truly understands Liyue's laws. You're right—that's exactly what I intend to do."
Severin smiled faintly.
"Then I have no objections."
The purpose of Northland Bank absorbing deposits was to reduce the amount of Mora circulating in Liyue.
If the court froze those funds inside the bank, Yelan would be even less able to withdraw them.
It was practically doing Severin a favor—one he could hardly thank her enough for.
Seeing that the Prince showed no anger at all, Yanfei realized her tactic was ineffective. She could only sigh softly.
"Do you know who the real fraudster is?"
"Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
"It is your client—Miss Yelan."
"She used the Fortune Die to gamble at Yanshang Teahouse, netting over a hundred million Mora in profit. She is the true beneficiary."
Yanfei frowned.
None of this had been disclosed to her.
If this reached the courtroom, Yelan would be at a severe disadvantage.
"Your Highness," Yanfei continued after a pause,
"the bangle on your desk belongs to Miss Yelan. You used it to deceive her, correct? That makes it an instrument of the act. I request that you return it to her."
Severin replied evenly,
"Then perhaps you should first have her return the mutated beast hide."
Another unknown piece of information.
Yelan had concealed far too much.
This case was becoming increasingly unfavorable.
"It seems Your Highness truly has no intention of reconciliation," Yanfei said, regaining her professional composure.
"In that case, we'll meet in court. I'll submit the complaint shortly and request the court to formally hear the case."
The Mirror Maiden interjected coolly,
"You won't see His Highness in court. We'll be hiring professional legal counsel to respond."
Yanfei felt a twinge of disappointment.
She had hoped to cross swords with the Snezhnayan Prince personally in the courtroom.
"Miss Yanfei," the Mirror Maiden asked,
"is there anything else?"
She had no desire for this troublesome lawyer to linger any longer.
Had His Highness not been fully prepared today, Yanfei might truly have used the law to trap him.
"Don't rush me out just yet," Yanfei said, unfazed.
"I'm not finished."
She pulled out a second document from her bag.
"Your Highness, this is another complaint. Please take a look."
"The plaintiff is Lord Dean. His daughter, Hua Chu, tragically drowned at Feiyun Slope."
"He believes Northland Bank is responsible and has entrusted me with full representation."
Yanfei had, in truth, accepted two clients this time.
And both cases involved the Snezhnayan Prince.
The Mirror Maiden flared up instantly.
"Lawyer Yanfei, don't slander His Highness with reckless accusations!"
"Hua Chu's body is still at the scene," Yanfei replied calmly.
"If you doubt it, go and see for yourselves."
"I agree."
Severin stood up.
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