"Mm, it's nothing. Tell me about yesterday's affairs of state first."
Xue Ye waved a hand, signaling for everyone around him to withdraw.
As Xue Qinghe reported on yesterday's affairs of state, he merely listened quietly, occasionally nodding in approval.
When it came to Xue Qinghe, he had truly begun considering abdication.
Yet his heart was filled with regret and sorrow. Qinghe was indeed an outstanding crown prince, a capable and qualified heir.
If everything really were as it seemed, he could retire in peace and place the vast empire in her hands.
Then he would have no regrets.
Only...
Watching Xue Qinghe speak with easy assurance, having handled every affair of state in perfect order, Xue Ye sighed deeply inwardly.
As the ruler of a nation, how could he fail to notice that something was wrong?
His health had suddenly deteriorated, and the atmosphere around him had quietly changed. How could he possibly miss those things?
As for his health, he had tried everything short of inviting that Begonia Douluo of the Ye Clan to intervene.
Yet nothing had helped all this time, and he grew worse by the day.
Every last thread led back to Xue Qinghe, who stood before him reporting on the daily affairs of state.
But Qinghe, why are you so impatient?
Emperor Xue Ye closed his eyes wearily. Even knowing that all of this was Qinghe's handiwork, the one thing he could not understand was why Xue Qinghe was so eager for quick results.
"That's enough, Qinghe. You may leave. I'm tired."
Xue Qinghe stopped speaking. Looking at Emperor Xue Ye lying in bed, his vitality fading, she bowed deeply.
"Yes, Father. I shall take my leave."
With that, Xue Qinghe turned and led her entourage out of the bedchamber.
Once silence had returned,