Royal Turmoil: Qian Renxue Stands Unbeaten

Because once Dugu Bo and Xue Qinghe's relationship ruptured, the greatest beneficiary would be him—Xue Luochuan!

Then the prime suspect in poisoning the Third Prince, Xue Haicang, would also become him, Xue Luochuan!

Xue Luochuan knew clearly that he had not done this. That meant the mastermind was either Xue Beng or Xue Qinghe.

The most likely possibility was that Xue Qinghe had done it himself!

The Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, was only six this year. He probably did not have the nerve to kill the Third Prince, but that did not mean the people behind Xue Beng would not dare do it, then sit back and watch him and Xue Qinghe fight each other.

When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits...

Xue Luochuan muttered those words inwardly as thoughts raced through his mind, considering how this matter might develop.

First, if they succeeded in framing Dugu Bo, Dugu Bo would become irreconcilably opposed to the Heaven Dou Empire! Then he, Xue Luochuan, would become the greatest beneficiary! By then, although some in the court might suspect he had done it, so long as there was no evidence, a little suspicion would not matter.

Second, if Dugu Bo's name was cleared, someone would have to take the blame for poisoning the Third Prince and driving a wedge between Dugu Bo and Xue Qinghe! At that point, he would be forced to bear the blame, without gaining even the slightest benefit.

Third, if this matter remained unclear and was left unresolved, he would still become the prime suspect!

The more Xue Luochuan thought about it, the more he felt that he would have to bear the blame for killing the Third Prince and framing Dugu Bo no matter what!

Then, to maximize his interests, he had to make Dugu Bo's poisoning of the Third Prince an established fact! He also had to destroy the relationship between Dugu Bo and Xue Qinghe. Otherwise, not only would he lose all hope of inheriting the Heaven Dou Empire's throne, but he might even face a deadly disaster!!

Damn it! Could it really be so easy to prove that Dugu Bo poisoned my third brother?

Xue Luochuan cursed inwardly. Glancing at the indignant Xue Qinghe, he thought, This was obviously premeditated. How could it possibly be easy to uncover the truth?!! The more likely outcome is that the final investigation will reveal... that Dugu Bo was framed! There might even be evidence pointing at me! No! This matter must remain unclear and be left unresolved!

After thinking it through, Xue Luochuan wanted to define this matter as one that would be left unresolved!

Leaving it unresolved was already the best outcome Xue Luochuan could think of.

Xue Luochuan narrowed his eyes at Xue Qinghe and thought, Big Brother truly does not act unless he must. But once he acts, he takes Third Brother's life and suppresses me in passing! What a scheme!

Thus, after silently coming to hate Xue Qinghe, Xue Luochuan hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Father Emperor, leave Third Brother's case to your son. I will certainly uncover the truth behind Third Brother's death and restore Dugu Bo's innocence!"

However!

Just as Xue Luochuan finished speaking, before Emperor Xue Ye could say anything, Xue Qinghe spoke with a sorrowful expression. "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, we should go see Third Brother first."

Boom~

Hearing Xue Qinghe express concern for the Third Prince, Xue Haicang, Xue Luochuan felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He instantly realized that Xue Qinghe was playing the family card: the man was dead, yet instead of rushing to see him one last time, were they still thinking about fighting?!

Xue Luochuan's heart turned to ashes. He had fallen one step behind Xue Qinghe again!

"Quick! Go see your third brother!"

Emperor Xue Ye's steps were somewhat unsteady as he headed outside the hall. When he passed Dugu Bo, he suddenly stopped and said, "Your Excellency Dugu, return to your residence and rest for now. My Heaven Dou will certainly restore Your Excellency's innocence! Someone, escort Poison Douluo back to his residence!"

The engagement banquet ended hastily. Ning Fengzhi and the others did not interfere in the matter. Having witnessed quite the spectacle, they quietly returned home.

Back at Dugu Residence.

Dugu Yan asked worriedly, "Grandfather, you didn't kill the Third Prince, did you?"

"Ha ha ha~~ Yan'er, why would Grandpa kill the Third Prince? Don't worry. This is an internal struggle within the imperial family. It has nothing to do with us."

After saying that, Dugu Bo sighed. "The imperial family's struggles truly are cruel! At the slightest turn, lives are at stake! A dignified Third Prince actually became a chess piece! And a discarded piece at that!"

They said the imperial family was heartless, and those words applied just as well in a fantasy world.

"Oh, as long as Grandpa didn't do it, that's fine." Dugu Yan readily believed Dugu Bo's words.

After Dugu Yan went to rest, Dugu Bo frowned and asked, "Lin'er, do you think Qian Renxue really did this?"

"Almost certainly!"

Dugu Lin nodded seriously, then explained, "I remember that the Second Prince died a year later, while the Third Prince died at sixteen... But now, because we intervened and Sister's marriage alliance with Qian Renxue caused a slight deviation in future events... Grandfather, I think these deviations should still fall within the range of normal changes! Qian Renxue must have been the one who killed the Third Prince!"

"Mm." Dugu Bo stroked his beard, accepting that explanation.

Dugu Lin continued, "Grandfather, I went over the Third Prince's death several times and realized that no matter how this matter develops, as long as Qian Renxue covered her tracks well and no evidence is found, Qian Renxue will benefit!"

Dugu Lin was completely confident that no evidence would be found against Qian Renxue! In the original story, Qian Renxue had killed two princes without any evidence being uncovered. Mere suspicion would have no effect at all.

"Mmm~~" Dugu Bo drew out the sound, then asked, "Since Qian Renxue did it, what should we do next?"

Dugu Lin pondered for a long time before saying, "We do nothing! One word: wait!"

"Do nothing?" After thinking briefly, Dugu Bo's furrowed brow finally relaxed. He agreed, "That makes sense."

Dugu Lin said with a smile, "Qian Renxue has only just formed a marriage alliance with Sister, so she will definitely tie us to her chariot! She cannot abandon us so easily! She must have made thorough preparations before killing the Third Prince! She certainly will not let the final blame fall on you, Grandfather. There is absolutely no benefit in that for her. Even taking ten thousand steps back, what if it is ultimately proven that you poisoned the Third Prince? So what? Grandfather, you're a Titled Douluo! You could kill until the entire Heaven Dou Empire had nothing left but Titled... Oh, right, the Heaven Dou Empire has no Titled Douluo! Grandfather, you could slaughter the entire Heaven Dou Empire until not even chickens and dogs remained!"

"Ha ha ha~~" Dugu Bo laughed heartily, greatly pleased.

Qian Renxue had calculated everything, while their side stood in an invincible position, able to advance or retreat as they pleased!

The future was bright!

As they talked, Dugu Lin changed the subject and asked, "Grandfather, let's not trouble ourselves over this matter. Let's discuss Sister's future husband instead!"