Ever since entering the Spirit Hall, Xue Shengjing had wept as though heaven and earth had plunged into darkness. No one doubted his sincerity. After all, the deceased was his own mother, and Empress Dowager Jiang's death meant he had lost his protector forever. Xue Daohong now had nothing to fear and no one left to restrain him.
Xue Daohong rose and gave Xue Daoming a meaningful look. The Prince of Justice hurriedly rose to follow him, and the two brothers went outside together. Snow was still falling. With his hands clasped behind his back, Xue Daohong silently watched the swirling flakes.
Feigning concern, Xue Daoming said, "Elder Brother, it's bitterly cold outside. Please don't catch a chill." As he spoke, he even took off his own cloak and draped it over Xue Daohong's shoulders. In truth, he could hardly wait for Xue Daohong to die—even dying of illness would do.
Xue Daohong sighed, exhaling a plume of white vapor. The temperature had dropped considerably since the first half of the night; every breath turned to frost. This was the coldest stretch of the year in the Yong Capital. He said quietly, "Daoming, how have I treated you?"
Xue Daoming bent at the waist like a shrimp and replied with utmost deference, "Your kindness to me is as weighty as a mountain, Elder Brother. You have cared for me in every possible way."
Xue Daohong said, "Though I am the emperor of Great Yong, I have no desire to wear this crown. Whoever wears the crown must bear its weight. Do you know that since ascending the throne, I have not enjoyed a single peaceful night's sleep?"
Xue Daoming cursed inwardly. *Easy for you to talk when you don't have to feel the pain. If you didn't want to be