Xue Ye's Test

Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

After the morning court session, Xue Ke, led by palace maids and eunuchs, arrived at Emperor Xue Ye's Study. Xue Qinghe waited in a side hall while handling official business.

Emperor Xue Ye, who had only recently recovered from a serious illness, had regained some color in his complexion. His hair was half white, and his aged face was covered in wrinkles, but his eyes had recovered their former brilliance, sharp and spirited. An imposing imperial aura surrounded him, commanding reverence without anger.

"Xiao Ke, sit. Let's just have a casual father-daughter chat today." Seeing Xue Ke standing before him safe and sound, Xue Ye smiled like a loving father and spoke gently.

"Yes, Father Emperor." Xue Ke sat as instructed, meeting Xue Ye's gaze without fear, a trace of confusion in her lively eyes.

"Actually, there is nothing much to discuss today. Seeing that you are safe and unharmed already brings Father great joy."

"Can you tell Father about the attack? I would like to know which fool dared to attack a Princess of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Do they think the Heaven Dou Empire has no one left?" At this point, Emperor Xue Ye's gaze instantly turned sharp.

Thus, Xue Ke could only repeat to Emperor Xue Ye the same story she had told Dugu Yan.

Xue Ye slammed his hand against the table in fury and said hatefully:

"Tang Hao! Clear Sky Douluo indeed! Clear Sky Sect indeed! He was hunted by Spirit Hall like a rat crossing the street, yet he ran off to bully a twelve-year-old girl. I once admired the courage of Clear Sky Douluo, but it seems I judged him wrongly. In the end, Clear Sky Douluo is nothing more than a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong."

"Please calm your anger, Father Emperor. Tang Hao has nothing left to lose now. He is already a desperate man and acts without restraint. Since I was not harmed this time, there is no need for the Heaven Dou Empire to provoke him now. Let Spirit Hall deal with him instead," Xue Ke said.

Even if the Heaven Dou Empire wanted to deal with Tang Hao, did it have the ability? Were they supposed to send Dugu Bo, that floor tile? He would only be feeding Tang Hao experience.

Emperor Xue Ye stroked his beard approvingly and praised, "Xiao Ke, I never expected you to be so sensible at such a young age. Father's efforts in raising you all these years have not been in vain. But the Heaven Dou Empire is not so easily bullied. Father will find a way to seek justice for you."

At the end, a fierce glint flashed through Xue Ye's eyes.

"Unless necessary, do not leave Heaven Dou City for the time being. Father will also assign several more guards to you. You are a rare genius of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Father does not wish to see you strangled by enemies before you can fully grow."

"With you and Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire, the two of you will complement each other—one in civil matters, one in martial matters. The empire shall remain secure for a hundred years."

"Thank you for your praise, Father Emperor!" Xue Ke cupped her hands. In truth, she did not think much of it, but she still had to keep up appearances.

"By the way, Xiao Ke, tell Father, what kind of person do you think your imperial brother Xue Qinghe is?" Emperor Xue Ye posed a fatal question.

"???" Xue Ke was instantly stunned by the question. After pausing for a moment, she could not understand Xue Ye's intentions. She did not dare answer carelessly for fear of affecting Qian Renxue's plans. Lowering her head, she pondered for a while before slowly saying:

"I believe Imperial Brother is an exceptionally capable person. He treats others gently, cares for his subordinates, and loves the people. If he becomes Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire in the future, he will surely be a virtuous ruler who governs diligently and cares for his people."

"Oh? Then what kind of emperor does Xiao Ke believe qualifies as a virtuous ruler?" Xue Ye asked curiously.

Xue Ke quickly recalled what she had learned in her previous life and said, "To secure victory in battle without needlessly sending soldiers to their deaths is virtue. To govern a nation and bring peace to its people, so they do not suffer from cold and hunger, is virtue."

"Then does Xiao Ke think Father counts as a virtuous ruler?"

Xue Ke's heart skipped a beat. What is Emperor Xue Ye up to today? This string of deadly questions has caught me completely off guard!

Yet, as an artistic young man in her previous life, although she could not claim to know all things ancient and modern, Xue Ke had studied diligently for decades. She decided to have a proper game of "the art of language" with Xue Ye.

"Father Emperor, these are troubled times. Troubled times need treacherous heroes and ambitious tyrants, not rulers who merely preserve what already exists." Xue Ke did not answer Xue Ye's question directly, but her implication was obvious.

Emperor Xue Ye was not angry upon hearing this. Clearly, he knew exactly what sort of person he was and possessed considerable self-awareness. He continued asking:

"Then which of those types of emperor do you think Qinghe is?"

"An ambitious tyrant!" Xue Ke answered without the slightest hesitation, not even blinking.

Emperor Xue Ye stared intensely at Xue Ke, while Xue Ke met his eyes without fear.

"Good, very good! Only now can I truly rest assured entrusting the Heaven Dou Empire to you siblings." Xue Ye laughed heartily, deeply gratified.

Was there any point in testing me like that? You had my heart going up and down.

Xue Ye stood, left his seat, and walked over to Xue Ke with his hands clasped behind his back. The smile on his face suddenly vanished. With a stern expression, he spoke sharply:

"Xiao Ke, I want you to swear that if Qinghe intends harm toward Xue Beng—even if he wishes to kill Xue Beng—you must spare Xue Beng's life!"

Xue Ke was slightly startled inwardly.

So Xue Ye has already suspected the deaths of the First Prince and Third Prince, perhaps he has long since decided that Xue Qinghe was responsible. But because Xue Qinghe left no flaws and he has no concrete evidence, there is nothing he can do to Xue Qinghe.

All his various tests today were meant to determine my position, see whether I truly possess real talent, and use me to further understand Xue Qinghe's character. Emperor Xue Ye truly deserves to be the ruler of a nation. The older ginger gets, the spicier it becomes.

Having lived two lives, Xue Ke quickly grasped Xue Ye's true purpose in summoning her today and understood the key to it all.

"Father Emperor, rest assured. Within the limits of my abilities, I will certainly protect Xue Beng's life," Xue Ke had no choice but to promise Xue Ye. At the same time, however, she thought, If Xue Beng insists on courting death himself, then I cannot be blamed.

"It seems you have also guessed what happened to your First Imperial Brother and Third Imperial Brother." A sharp gleam flashed through Xue Ye's eyes.

Xue Ye and Xue Ke were both intelligent people. With only a little thought, each could understand the other's situation.

"That will be all for today. You may leave first. Shortly, I will send several capable guards to protect your safety."

Xue Ke gave a salute and slowly withdrew.

"Su Pei, what do you think of handing the Dark Guard over to Xue Ke?" Emperor Xue Ye spoke toward the shadows of the Study.

"Princess Xue Ke understands the ways of the world and is exceptionally intelligent. Handing the Dark Guard over to her would be a good choice," Su Pei answered from the darkness.

"Wait a few more years. We shall hand the Dark Guard to her only after she has fully matured and can stand on her own. I hope the two siblings will not disappoint me."

"Su Pei, you have followed me for twenty years. We are both old now, with one foot already in the grave. This world will ultimately belong to the young."

Xue Ye murmured to himself, his deep gaze fixed outside the window for a long time without moving.

In the next chapter, Qian Renxue is going to reveal herself. Hehehe!