Framed for Treason, I Became a Saint and the Empress Wept

Ye Xiu guarded the Demon-Suppressing Pass with unparalleled merit, but the Great Qian Empress, fearing his rising influence, falsely accused him of crimes, stripped him of his rank, and imprisoned him. The Empress declared, 'Ye Xiu, you have achieved nothing in ten years, indulged in pleasure, and even claimed sainthood to usurp the throne. You are now banished forever.' Ye Xiu warned, 'Without me, the demon army will invade and Great Qian will fall.' The Empress dismissed him, but after sending others to guard the pass, it was lost. Enraged, she sought to execute Ye Xiu, but he revealed his saintly power, stunning her. 'I never falsely claimed sainthood—I am a saint by nature.' The Empress begged, 'Ye Xiu, I was wrong. Please protect us.' Ye Xiu refused. The Empress defiantly declared she would manage without him, but as cities fell one by one and the demon army reached the capital, she broke down, weeping and pleading for his help.