Tang San suspected nothing and recounted the situation in full.
"Just four years ago, Xue Ye passed away, and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe succeeded him. The new emperor was generous and benevolent, fair in rewards and punishments, and quickly won the people's hearts. Praise rang out among the common folk, yet Emperor Qinghe continued to keep to himself, becoming ever more discreet and cautious. Unless absolutely necessary, he never appeared in public..."
Lin Qian had guessed correctly. Shortly after he left the continent, Qian Renxue had poisoned Xue Ye and taken the Imperial Throne herself. With years of experience governing the country, she handled her duties with ease after succeeding him, keeping state affairs in perfect order. The country remained peaceful.
Being called Emperor Qinghe was the best proof: it represented the people's approval. As for keeping to herself and remaining cautious and discreet, that was probably a smoke screen Qian Renxue had deliberately created after seizing control of the country, quelling discussion and suspicion so she could return to Spirit Hall to undergo the Angel God's trials.
With Prince Xue Xing and Xue Ye, her two greatest stumbling blocks, dead, there were no longer any opposing forces at court. Even if any remained, they amounted to nothing, barely clinging to life in the gutters, never certain they would survive until evening. Thus, Qian Renxue's throne was secure, and she could do what she wanted.
But that was not quite right either, because according to the original plot, there was still one wild card-the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng.
None of this came out of thin air. Xue Qinghe had publicly claimed to be busy cultivating, had never married, and still had no children. Xue Beng, that dissolute young rake, had wives and concubines in droves and plenty of children. Comparing