Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Xue Beng (雪崩) |
| Alias(es) | Fourth Prince; “Prodigal Prince”; wastrel |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Heaven Dou Imperial Family |
| Occupation/Role | Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire |
| Status | Alive 18 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 3 |
Background / History
Xue Beng maintains the image of a frivolous, domineering wastrel within the imperial palace. He is known for bullying the weak and abusing servants; when Crown Prince Xue Qinghe enters his bedchamber, Xue Beng is found striking a palace maid after claiming she dirtied his clothes. 3 4
According to Xue Qinghe's assessment, Xue Beng's dissolute reputation is a deliberate disguise intended to conceal his caution and protect him from the Crown Prince's scrutiny. Xue Qinghe believes Xue Beng suspects the deaths of the Second and Third Princes may be connected to him, and that the Fourth Prince adopted the wastrel persona to avoid becoming a target. 7 8
Appearance
Xue Beng is a young imperial prince who wears luxurious court robes. His expression is described as frivolous and malicious before his confrontation with the Crown Prince. 3
- Luxurious imperial clothing. 3
- Initially carries a frivolous, impatient expression. 3
- Suffers bloody whip wounds across his back after being punished by Xue Qinghe. 5 16
Personality
Xue Beng is outwardly arrogant, cruel, and accustomed to exploiting his rank against palace servants. He attempts to shift responsibility for his mistreatment of a maid onto her, portraying her as clumsy and deserving of punishment. 4 12
Beneath this behavior, he is capable of recognizing manipulation. He realizes that Xue Qinghe deliberately created the tea-spilling incident as a pretext to punish him, though he is unable to oppose the Crown Prince openly. 5
After his public humiliation and punishment, his confidence gives way to fear and resentment. Prince Xue Xing's explanation makes him understand that his court complaint played directly into Xue Qinghe's hands, leaving him terrified of the Crown Prince while still harboring deep hatred toward him. 12 17 18
Story Role / Major Arcs
Conflict with the Crown Prince
Xue Beng is discovered abusing a palace maid in his bedchamber by Xue Qinghe, whose body is currently occupied by Ye Yang. Xue Qinghe dismisses the maid, pressures Xue Beng into serving him tea, deliberately spills it on himself, and accuses Xue Beng of attempting to scald him. 3 4
Xue Beng accepts punishment after being convinced that his elder brother is merely maintaining appearances. Instead, Xue Qinghe lashes him three times with a bramble whip, leaving his back badly injured and destroying any trust he retained in his brother's benevolence. 5
Imperial Court Defeat
Seeking justice, Xue Beng kneels before Emperor Xue Ye and accuses Xue Qinghe of whipping him without cause. Xue Qinghe admits the punishment but frames it as necessary discipline for Xue Beng's abuse of palace servants and damage to the Imperial House's reputation. 12
Emperor Xue Ye accepts the Crown Prince's explanation, confines Xue Beng to his quarters for one month, and orders him to copy the Etiquette Teachings and Palace Regulations one hundred times. 12
Intimidation and Submission
Prince Xue Xing reprimands Xue Beng for publicly confronting the Crown Prince, explaining that Xue Qinghe deliberately provoked him into making the complaint. Xue Beng realizes he has been outmaneuvered and is advised to avoid Xue Qinghe. 16 17
Xue Qinghe subsequently visits with medicinal gifts, presses on Xue Beng's wounds under the guise of concern, and privately warns him to continue behaving as a “useless person.” The encounter leaves Xue Beng too frightened to challenge him further. 17 18
Relationships
- Xue Qinghe / Ye Yang — Elder brother and principal antagonist. Xue Qinghe exploits Xue Beng's misconduct to whip, publicly disgrace, and intimidate him. 4 5 12 18
- Emperor Xue Ye — Father. Xue Ye rejects Xue Beng's complaint against the Crown Prince and confines him for his conduct toward palace servants. 12
- Prince Xue Xing — Paternal uncle and closest supporter. Xue Xing scolds Xue Beng for falling into the Crown Prince's trap but advises him to stay away from Xue Qinghe. 16 17
- Palace maid — Victim of Xue Beng's abuse; her mistreatment becomes the basis for Xue Qinghe's public case against him. 3 4 12