At the same time, Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng also walked to the altar. Their eyes were red and they were almost choked with sobs.
Just then, Xue Qinghe discovered the whereabouts of Jun Yi and the other two. After whispering something to Xue Beng, he turned and went to Jun Yi's side.
"Let's talk over at my place." Xue Qinghe's voice sounded very hoarse, as if he had been crying for a long time.
"OK."
Jun Yi followed Xue Qinghe to his palace. Xue Qinghe had the palace maids entertain Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan outside, while Xue Qinghe pulled Jun Yi into the study.
"Sigh, pretending is so tiring, especially having to feign sadness." Qian Renxue immediately reverted to her original appearance, her voice becoming much clearer.
" Sister Xue'er, Xue Ye, he..."
"Stop, stop, stop. Don't call me Sister Xue'er. From now on, just call me by my name, or just call me Xue'er," Qian Renxue corrected her directly.
Hearing Qian Renxue say this, Jun Yi understood that she must already know about his relationship with Bibi Dong.
"Then, Xue'er, what exactly caused the death of Xue Ye? Did you intervene?"
"That's right. I originally planned to take my time and slowly kill him, but who knew that the old man would faint from excitement after learning that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had won the championship? He almost died on the spot. If Ye Lingling hadn't been there, Xue Ye would probably have died two months ago."
Qian Renxue's tone was full of teasing.
"This..." Jun Yi was speechless. He never expected that Xue Ye would die for such a ridiculous reason.
"But that's for the best. At least he didn't die in too much pain." Qian Renxue shrugged.
" Xue'er, what are you planning to do next?" Jun Yi asked.
"What else can I do? Once that old guy dies, I will naturally inherit the throne and become the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire." Qian Renxue's tone was full of disdain.
"I never imagined that the mission I've been working on for so many years would end in such a strange way. Life is truly unpredictable."
Qian Renxue continued with a sigh, "What I need to do next is gradually turn the Heaven Dou Empire into a vassal state of the Spirit Hall. Once the Spirit Hall's power completely controls the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Emperor Xue Qinghe can then 'pass away'."
"Does that mean I need to stay in the palace? After all, I am nominally Xue Qinghe's younger brother, and also a prince."
"Okay, you can come with the procession to the funeral."
Three days later, after Xue Qinghe had kept vigil for Xue Ye for three days, the day of Xue Ye's burial arrived. The people of the city took to the streets to bid farewell to this great emperor. Palace maids dressed in plain clothes and eunuchs carried the coffin, walking at the head of the funeral procession. Xue Qinghe, dressed in plain clothes and wearing a mourning cap, walked solemnly at the front of the funeral procession with tears in his eyes.
Along the way, the people wept and wailed, their grief seemingly moving the entire city. Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, as if the heavens themselves were weeping for the passing of this great emperor.
The funeral procession stopped at the imperial mausoleum outside the city. The group entered the mausoleum, passed through layers of palaces, and arrived at the burial place of Xue Ye.
The mausoleum was magnificently constructed with carved beams and painted rafters, clearly the result of meticulous planning and construction. Upon entering, the group found a mourning hall already set up, with white banners fluttering and incense smoke curling upwards, creating a somber scene.
Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng walked to the altar and knelt silently for a long time. Then they stood up and said in a deep voice, "Father, if you are watching over us from heaven, please bless our Heaven Dou Empire with peace and prosperity, and may our royal family prosper forever." After saying this, he respectfully bowed to the altar.
Then, everyone stepped forward and bowed, Jun Yi included. After bowing, everyone began to busy themselves with the burial of the emperor. As a mournful melody played, everyone burst into tears, especially the palace maids and eunuchs, who cried as if they had lost a loved one.
The tomb was deep and secluded, appearing exceptionally mysterious. After the emperor's coffin was properly placed, everyone knelt and kowtowed, and everyone except Jun Yi and Qian Renxue wept.
Xue Qinghe's voice echoed in the mausoleum, his expression solemn and resolute. He silently gazed at the coffin, as if bidding a final farewell to the deceased emperor.
Qian Renxue sighed inwardly, realizing that the mission this character, who had been disguised for ten years, was finally accomplished at this moment.
final,
The funeral procession slowly walked out of the imperial mausoleum amidst weeping, leaving only a few palace maids and eunuchs to guard the tomb in silence.
After returning to the palace, Xue Qinghe's enthronement ceremony took place.
Qian Renxue sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing a crown and a dragon robe, exuding an aura of majesty. Looking at the assembled civil and military officials, she was filled with emotion. After ten years of enduring humiliation and hardship, she had finally completed her mission.
"All of you, rise," Qian Renxue said slowly, her voice clear and authoritative.
The ministers rose one after another to pay their respects to the new emperor. Qian Renxue looked at them, knowing in her heart that her next task was to bring the country under the control of the Spirit Hall.
"Today I ascend to the throne, and the task is arduous and the road ahead is long. From this day forward, I will begin a series of reforms to make the country stronger and more prosperous," Qian Renxue said.
The ministers nodded in agreement. They knew that this new emperor was different from Xue Ye. Xue Qinghe possessed the ambition of Xue Ye in his youth, and they believed that under her leadership, the Heaven Dou Empire would become even stronger.
"First, I will begin a large-scale overhaul of officialdom, reducing redundant officials and severely punishing corruption, so that every matter, big or small, in the court is managed. Second, I will strengthen national defense, expand the army, and upgrade military equipment to ensure national security," Qian Renxue said eloquently.
"Furthermore, I must strengthen diplomatic relations and maintain friendly exchanges with neighboring countries. At the same time, I must improve the training of Soul Master..."
It wasn't until late at night that Qian Renxue finished resolving everything and returned to her palace, where Jun Yi waited silently. Jun Yi originally intended to return directly to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but Qian Renxue asked Jun Yi to stay, saying she had something to tell her.
" Xue'er, why did you make me stay here?"
Qian Renxue reverted to her original appearance and took out a letter from her breast pocket. "This matter concerns Ning Rongrong. It may be somewhat cruel to you. Here, take the letter and read it yourself."
(End of this chapter)