"You think I wouldn't dare kill you!"
Xue Beng stood still for a long time. He wasn't stupid and had already figured out Xue Ye's intentions.
But he had wronged the brother who cared for him!
Just thinking about Xue Qinghe's face, his teachings, and the look of disappointment he must have had, made Xue Beng's heart ache as if it were being torn apart.
After a brief moment of thought, Xue Beng returned to his residence, washed up, changed into his official prince's attire, and headed toward the palace.
When passersby saw Xue Beng dressed like this, it was as if they had seen a ghost.
It was unbelievable!
Was this really the once-debauched Fourth Prince?
In the palace, Xue Ye's face was pale, his eyes filled with sorrow and murderous intent.
A white-haired father sending off a black-haired son—for the third time!
Looking at Xue Xing kneeling below, Xue Ye's body trembled uncontrollably.
This was what happened when rage reached a certain level, and the body could no longer be controlled.
"Xue Xing, tell me, how have I treated you?"
After a long while, Xue Ye spoke, his face expressionless. The murderous intent and sorrow in his eyes had been suppressed.
Hearing this, Xue Xing's whole body shook. He raised his head, wanting to speak but hesitated.
Seeing Xue Xing's behavior, Xue Ye's heart did not waver much.
He even thought that Xue Xing was so deeply scheming that, even at this point, he could still pretend to be innocent.
"Your Majesty, aside from the matter of the Crown Prince, none of the other incidents were arranged by me!"
"As for the Crown Prince, the fault lies with me for suspecting him, which is why I sent someone to test him. I never expected…"
"I am willing to trade my life for the Crown Prince's death and take responsibility!"
Xue Xing spoke bluntly, and everything he said was the truth.
He was also deeply saddened by Xue Qinghe's death.
Who could have known that Xue Qinghe would be innocent!
They say there is no affection in the royal family, and that people will do anything for the throne.
But even when mistakes are made, the pain remains!
Hearing this, Xue Ye fell into deep thought, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Xue Xing admitted to being responsible for the Crown Prince's death, which meant that he had no chance of survival—both Xue Ye and Xue Xing knew this well.
Assassinating the Crown Prince was a grave crime!
If Xue Xing wasn't punished, the Heaven Dou Empire would have no future!
Since Xue Xing had admitted it, he was already a dead man.
Why didn't he admit to the other two incidents?
Could it be that he really wasn't the one behind them?
When a person is on the brink of death, their words are usually truthful. Xue Xing had no reason to fabricate a story now.
"Your Majesty, I suspected the Crown Prince back then, which is why I taught the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, to act ignorant and debauched—only that way could he survive."
"This entire incident was orchestrated by me alone; Xue Beng was just a bystander."
Xue Ye remained silent, quietly watching Xue Xing.
Xue Qinghe was so kind-hearted; it was certain that the deaths of the First and Third Princes weren't his doing.
Now, Xue Xing was denying involvement in those deaths, so there had to be some other explanation!
Of course, Xue Ye did not suspect Xue Beng because he was still young at the time, just a child, without the ability or strength to carry out such acts.
"Let me go! I need to see my father!"
"My brother died because of me. I must see my father, I must confess my sins!"
At that moment, Xue Beng's voice echoed from outside the hall, filled with intense sorrow that couldn't be faked.
Xue Beng was truly grieving!
Since he was young, his uncle had told him that the brother who treated him well wanted to kill him!
In the end, the brother who treated him well truly cared for him.
And the one who wanted to kill him was that uncle!
How could Xue Beng accept this?
His mind had completely shattered!
"Let him in!"
As soon as Xue Ye spoke, Xue Beng, dressed in formal attire, entered the hall.
Without a word, he knelt before Xue Ye, bowed three times, and then spoke: "Father, Second Brother's death was because of me!"
"I am willing to atone with my life, but please allow me to accompany Second Brother on his final journey!"
After saying this, Xue Beng continued to kowtow, not saying another word.
The moment Xue Ye captured Xue Xing, he already understood the whole story.
There was no point in saying anything more.
Xue Ye and Xue Xing, the two brothers, fell silent.
Xue Ye nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
His only remaining son was actually talking about atoning with his life!
"Xue Beng, do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?!"
These words seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth, showing just how furious Xue Ye was!
Xue Xing had already taken full responsibility, and even though Xue Beng might face some punishment, it wouldn't be a death sentence.
But here Xue Beng was, immediately asking for death—as if Xue Ye had no temper at all!
"Thank you, Father, for granting my wish. After Second Brother is buried, I will willingly take my own life to atone."
Xue Beng's eyes were resolute, as if he had made up his mind. In that moment, his eyes were filled with a certain light.
Xue Ye: "…"
"Get out! I won't allow you to die!"
"You bear some responsibility for Qinghe's death, so I want you to spend your entire life making amends!"
As if thinking of something, Xue Ye paused before continuing: "Of course, if you really want to die, leave behind a son first, and then you can go to Qinghe's grave to atone!"
After saying this, Xue Ye suddenly seemed to age ten years.
Xue Qinghe hadn't been his ideal successor because he was too "kind-hearted" and lacked the ruthlessness a true emperor should have.
This trait greatly displeased Xue Ye.
But when compared to Xue Beng, Xue Qinghe was much better. The entire court of civil and military officials all praised Xue Qinghe's virtues.
Having such a Crown Prince was truly a blessing for the empire!
Xue Beng fell silent. After a long moment, he prostrated himself on the ground and rolled out of the hall!
Xue Ye had told him to get out, so he rolled!
After leaving the hall, Xue Beng finally stood up and said, "Father, take care of yourself. You still need to guide your grandson."
"Once I've completed these tasks, I will go to Second Brother's grave to atone. At that time, I hope you won't stop me."
"Get out! Get out!!"
"Yes, your son will leave!"
Xue Beng once again prostrated himself and rolled away from the palace, completely ignoring the bewildered stares of the guards.
"How did it come to this? How did it come to this?"
Emperor Xue Ye was filled with sorrow, and Prince Xue Xing felt the same.
It was all because of suspicion that they had ended up in such a tragic situation.
Suddenly, a thought seemed to strike Xue Xing, and his eyes lit up.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
"???"
"Gods!"
"The God of Judgment and the Water Goddess!"
"They are gods; maybe they have a way to bring the Crown Prince back!"
Xue Xing spoke excitedly. In their grief, everyone had completely forgotten about this possibility.
After all, there were gods in this world!
Even if the chances were slim, what if it succeeded?
Xue Ye was initially stunned, but then his eyes brightened with hope.
Yes, there were gods in this world. What humans couldn't do, the gods might be able to achieve!
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Xue Ye regained his spirits, his eyes filled with hope.
"Hurry, go and invite the God of Judgment and the Water Goddess!"
"Your Majesty, Heaven Dou City is still quite a distance from Sotou City. Should I go invite Dugu Bo to help?"
"Maybe if Dugu Bo delivers the message, there might be a chance…"
Xue Ye knew well that Xue Xing had some connections with Dugu Bo.
After a moment of thought, Xue Ye nodded and said, "I will send someone ahead, and you go make contact…"