Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Xue Ye lay on his sickbed, his face pale and his appearance emaciated, on the verge of death.
His eyes were deeply sunken, as if concealing endless worries and weariness; his aura was like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
The air inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was like solidified frost, cold and heavy. Every courtier and palace maid bowed their heads in fear, not daring to make a sound, lest they disturb the final peace of the great emperor on his sickbed.
His breathing was weak and rapid, each breath requiring all his strength. His skin had turned as white as snow, and his body seemed frozen solid. In his eyes, there was no longer the majesty and wisdom of an emperor, only a yearning for life and a fear of death. His Life was like the last candle flame in a winter night, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
All the court physicians and wizards were helpless; they could not stop the passing of Life, nor could they heal this once incredibly powerful body. They could only silently stay by his side, trying their best to alleviate his pain and help him through this final journey.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng were kneeling beside Xue Ye's bed.
Their eyes were red and their expressions were filled with grief. On this cold night, they were about to lose their father who loved and protected them.
Xue Ye's chest rose and fell slightly, each breath seemingly difficult. His hands gripped Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng's hands tightly, as if conveying his final fatherly love to them. Tears welled in his eyes, reflecting endless sorrow and helplessness.
"My children," he said with difficulty, his voice like a withered leaf, "Everyone must die eventually, don't be too sad."
Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng held Xue Ye's hand tightly, their tears falling onto the back of his hand, warm and burning. They wanted to say something, but no words could alleviate their grief at that moment.
" Qinghe, after I die, you will be the future emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. I believe that under your rule, the Heaven Dou Empire will surely prosper."
Xue Qinghe gripped his father's hand tightly, tears streaming down his face like broken beads. "Father, I will do everything in my power to ensure you are not disappointed." Xue Ye nodded slightly. Though the flame of his Life was gradually dying out, his eyes remained filled with majesty and wisdom. He spoke with difficulty, as if recounting a long-foreseen outcome. "After I die, I hope you will not make things difficult for Xue Beng. You must unite and protect our Heaven Dou Empire."
The snowflakes falling outside the window seemed to add to the desolation of this tragedy. Xue Beng stood to the side, head bowed, tears already soaking his clothes. He knew he was about to lose the greatest father in the world.
"Father, I will always remember your teachings." Xue Beng raised his head, his eyes filled with determination. Xue Ye nodded slightly. At this moment, the flame of his Life was gradually dimming. However, his eyes were still full of firmness and hope. He seemed to be using his last strength to entrust a heavy responsibility to his children.
"After I die, Xue Beng, you must assist your brother well and protect our Heaven Dou Empire together." Xue Beng held Xue Ye's hand tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. He nodded vigorously, expressing his determination to shoulder this heavy responsibility.
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze, and the entire palace fell into silence. All eyes were focused on Xue Ye on his sickbed, and everyone felt the solemnity and sorrow of the moment. Xue Ye's breath grew weaker and weaker, and his hands gradually lost their strength. His eyes slowly closed, as if he were recalling the past.
His soul, like a fluttering leaf, could leave this world at any moment. But before he closed his eyes, his final command shook the entire palace like a spring thunderclap, "All of you, step back. Let me spend some time with my child."
Everyone silently withdrew, leaving only Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng guarding Xue Ye's bedside. They looked at their father's figure, their hearts filled with respect and longing.
Suddenly, Xue Ye's body trembled violently, and his eyes, like two bright stars, went out instantly. His body stiffened, and his last breath was slowly exhaled from his mouth.
At that moment, the entire palace seemed to fall into a cold Abyss. The air froze, and time stood still. Only Xue Ye's last words echoed in the air, like the biting cold wind of a winter night.
Xue Qinghe slowly stood up, patted Xue Beng on the shoulder, walked out of the palace, and announced to all the kneeling eunuchs and palace maids outside, with a sorrowful tone, "Father has passed away."
Outside the window, snow fell heavily, as if the sky was mourning the passing of this great emperor. Xue Qinghe stood on the steps, his voice trembling as he announced the death of Xue Ye, looking extremely tragic.
With Xue Qinghe's announcement, the entire palace was instantly plunged into grief. Eunuchs and palace maids wept, all the palaces were in mourning, and everyone silently bowed their heads, not daring to make a sound. The heavy snow covered the entire palace, as if draping the deceased emperor in a pure white mourning garment.
Meanwhile, Jun Yi had already arrived at Heaven Dou City. Along the way, snowflakes continued to fall from the sky.
Despite the biting wind, the three chatted and laughed all the way, filling the air with joy.
They arrived at the city gates of Heaven Dou City. White silk ribbons hung above the gates, a sign of the emperor's death. Upon entering the city, they witnessed a scene of utter desolation in the streets. People dressed in mourning clothes wept silently, as if the entire world was shrouded in sorrow.
White banners were hung on the shops along the street, and snowflakes swirled in the air, scattering along with paper money. The silvery-white fluttering in the sky added a touch of desolation to this tragic day.
"What's going on?" Dugu Yan looked at the passersby with curiosity, full of confusion.
"Only when an emperor dies would there be such a grand display," Jun Yi said calmly.
"The Emperor has passed away?"
"We'll find out when we go to the palace."
Jun Yi and his two companions passed through the city gate and arrived at the palace square. In the center of the square was an altar with incense burning on it. The smoke curled up into the air, like an elegy for the deceased emperor.
Jun Yi looked around and saw those familiar faces; they were all loyal generals who had once served under the emperor. Their faces were filled with sorrow and helplessness.
"According to the timeline of the story, Xue Ye should have had at least five more years to live, so why is he dead now?"
(End of this chapter)