On the other side, after Emperor Xue Ye issued his orders, Xue Feng acted quickly. Before long, he had assembled his 400 Imperial Guards.
However, after Xue Feng had finished assembling his troops, Zhang Wei and Song Lie were nowhere to be seen.
No trace of the two could be found when searching for them.
The 300 Imperial Guards under each of their commands also showed no signs of mobilization.
When Xue Feng reported this to Emperor Xue Ye, the emperor slapped his thigh in alarm:
"This is bad! These two treacherous ministers, fearing the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, must have gone to report to them!"
Emperor Xue Ye immediately decided to act.
"We can't wait any longer. We must strike before these two successfully deliver their report. Otherwise, after today passes, I'll never have another chance to turn things around!"
With that, Emperor Xue Ye mounted the palace's inherited spirit tool, the Heaven Dou War Chariot, and accompanied by 400 Imperial Guards, marched mightily toward the Crown Prince's residence!
All the way out of the palace, Emperor Xue Ye personally drove the Heaven Dou War Chariot down Straight Gate Street. Past this street, the next would be where the Crown Prince's residence was located.
However, just as Emperor Xue Ye was about to reach the Crown Prince's residence, two figures blocked the path of everyone.
Just two figures, yet the moment these two appeared, the 400-plus people led by Emperor Xue Ye dared not move an inch.
"Why does Your Majesty rebel?"
Ning Fengzhi asked loudly.
Emperor Xue Ye in the chariot swallowed hard, unable to speak.
Xue Feng beside him was a loyal minister. Perhaps knowing what his fate would be, Xue Feng roared in grief and anger:
"Your Majesty, this subject goes first!"
With that, Xue Feng resolutely charged toward Ning Fengzhi and his companion.
"Seven Kill Sword, Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin!"
A cold voice rang out. What met him was a sky full of intense sword rain!
Xue Feng manifested his True Spirit Body, barely withstanding the first sword, then was pierced through the abdomen by the second sword, through the chest by the third sword, through the head by the fourth sword, and his body was riddled with holes by the 566th sword.
The Imperial Guards behind him were also annihilated without a single survivor.
Soon after, Emperor Xue Ye was sent back to the palace.
Zhang Wei and Song Lie also returned to their positions as commanders in the palace Imperial Guards.
Everything seemed unchanged, yet everything had changed.
Only the loyal Xue Feng died, along with his 400 subordinates who had followed orders.
Emperor Xue Ye was completely placed under house arrest in the palace. No power remained at his side.
Ning Rongrong's princess investiture was scheduled for ten days later.
After the investiture was completed, Ning Rongrong and Meng Bei's wedding would be held as a national wedding with nationwide celebrations. Meng Bei would become the Prince Consort, just as he had said.
But was Emperor Xue Ye truly resigned to this?
Emperor Xue Ye had no one left at his side to use, but don't forget—he still had family.
On this day, Emperor Xue Ye summoned Xue Beng and Xue Ke into the palace under the pretext of missing his children.
All writing implements in the palace had been confiscated.
So Emperor Xue Ye tore off his undergarment, bit his finger, and wrote an edict in his own blood.
The edict stated that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had colluded with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, disrupting moral order, and issued an order to execute the Crown Prince.
"Children, your elder brother is no longer the brother he once was. He now seeks to usurp the throne. The court has been completely controlled by him. You are the only ones your father can trust now!"
Emperor Xue Ye spoke tearfully. His tall frame seemed so helpless at this moment.
Xue Ke looked at her unfamiliar father, appearing confused and at a loss.
In Xue Ke's eyes, weren't her eldest brother and father all family? Why had things escalated to killing within just over a month?
She couldn't understand any of this.
At her age, she simply couldn't imagine the cruelty of power struggles.
In contrast, Xue Beng, whom Emperor Xue Ye hadn't previously regarded highly, now displayed a calm and composed side.
"Father, what should your son do? Who else can I trust?"
Xue Beng asked.
Emperor Xue Ye replied:
"Go find your uncle. He's the only one you can trust now."
Hearing this, Xue Beng hesitated somewhat.
"Uncle, he..."
Emperor Xue Ye knew Xue Beng was referring to the fact that Prince Xue Xing had been stripped of his position.
Emperor Xue Ye said:
"This is our last hope. Don't underestimate your uncle. In his youth, he befriended many powerful Spirit Masters. Only he can save us now!"
Xue Beng nodded, accepted Emperor Xue Ye's edict, and solemnly placed it in his bosom.
"Father, I understand."
With that, Xue Beng left.
Xue Ke at his side was also about to leave when Emperor Xue Ye called her back.
"Ke'er, your father hasn't seen you in a long time. Stay in the palace and keep your father company!"
Hearing this, Xue Ke agreed without suspicion.
But in truth, Emperor Xue Ye feared that letting Xue Ke return would leak information, which was why he kept Xue Ke in the palace.
Originally, he had summoned both Xue Beng and Xue Ke because Xue Beng's reputation was truly terrible, and he worried this son would be difficult to entrust with such an important task, which was why he had also called Xue Ke.
On the day Xue Beng left, only three days remained until Ning Rongrong's princess investiture.
But after they arrived, he discovered that his son, who had been utterly dissolute in the past, actually had a mature side. Therefore, he entrusted the edict to his son and kept his daughter in the palace instead.
What Emperor Xue Ye didn't know was that on the other side, Meng Bei was hugging the little kitten, stroking her tail, when suddenly a system notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding, side quest triggered!]
[Side Quest: The Emperor's Swan Song. Under your influence, Shrek team member Ning Rongrong is about to become a princess of the Heaven Dou Empire. During this time, the unwilling Emperor Xue Ye has allied with Prince Xue Xing and is preparing to launch a shocking conspiracy at Ning Rongrong's investiture ceremony. Please properly resolve this incident.]
[Quest Difficulty: Normal]
[Quest Reward: Soul power increased by two levels]
One day later.
Meng Bei wore a blue and white robe, while Xue Qinghe wore a platinum formal outfit. The two, accompanied by a squad of high-level Spirit Master guards, entered the palace side by side.
Before Emperor Xue Ye, Meng Bei waved his hand. The guards beside him threw forward two people who had been beaten black and blue, looking like dead dogs.
Emperor Xue Ye took a quick look and immediately recognized them—weren't these his son Xue Beng and his brother Prince Xue Xing?
"Search!"
Xue Qinghe uttered one cold word.
Before long, Xue Ke was dragged out by soldiers and brought before the two men.
"Brother!"
Xue Ke said with red eyes.
It was unclear whether she meant Xue Beng or Xue Qinghe.
However, Xue Qinghe showed no hint of sibling affection. With just a glance, the soldiers beside him took out a cloth and gagged Xue Ke's mouth, preventing her from making any more sounds.
Emperor Xue Ye looked at his captured daughter, his eyes full of grief.
At this moment, Meng Bei timely produced Emperor Xue Ye's bloodstained edict and interrogated:
"Was this edict written by Your Majesty?"
(End of Chapter)