Chapter 302: Fighting for Power

Tiandou Palace.

The drizzle was like smoke and fog, shrouding the whole world in mystery. Raindrops fell lightly on the streets of the palace, and from time to time, a few flashes of lightning flashed across the sky, as if foreshadowing something.

Inside Emperor Xue Ye's bedroom, he was lying on the bed. Unable to bear the blow brought by the defection of the Barak Kingdom, his body finally collapsed.

He no longer had the dignity of the emperor he once was. He lay on his sickbed, looking haggard, with a weak breath and a withered body. It was already his last moments.

This was also a rare occasion that Bibi Dong helped her daughter Qian Renxue. If it weren't for the sudden major blow, Emperor Xue Ye could probably hold on for more than half a month. Of course, Qian Renxue would definitely not accept Bibi Dong's favor.

Inside the bedroom, Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, as well as royal family members headed by Prince Xuexing and Prince Xuebeng, and important officials of the empire headed by Ge Long were all standing beside the bed.

Only the Emperor Xue Ye’s most beloved princess, Xue Ke, is missing. Although he dotes on her, in the Emperor Xue Ye’s heart, Xue Ke is just a vase. The best role for her is to marry into a good family and win over a powerful force for the empire.

At this moment, everyone could see that Emperor Xue Ye was on his deathbed. No one spoke, waiting quietly for Emperor Xue Ye's final words.

Xue Beng, who was hiding behind his uncle, looked somewhat unwillingly at Xue Qinghe, who was standing in the front and closest to his father.

How could his father die so soon? According to the current situation, Xue Qinghe's succession to the throne is almost a foregone conclusion.

"Qinghe."

Emperor Xue Ye opened his eyes, and his hoarse voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Father!"

Qian Renxue, who was disguised as Xue Qinghe, heard Xue Ye's call and immediately took two steps forward and came to the edge of Xue Ye's bed.

Emperor Xue Ye struggled to get up, leaned on the back of the bed, stared at the person in front of him, and said: "Qinghe, I am dying, the future of the Tiandou Empire depends on you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone who remained in the hall showed an expression of understanding. As her time was approaching, Xue Ye had indeed chosen the rightful heir, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

Emperor Xue Ye has not been in good health in recent years, and most of the state affairs are handled by Xue Qinghe. Even the most neutral Marshal Ge Long feels that only Xue Qinghe can take on this important task.

Only Xue Xing and Xue Beng looked a little unhappy, especially Xue Beng. Although he knew that he had expected this result, when everything was settled, he still felt unwilling in his heart.

"Cough cough cough!!!"

After arranging the successor, Emperor Xue Ye had another violent cough. The sound of his cough, which was thick and tinged with phlegm, was like the sound of ancient bells and drums.

"Father!"

Qian Renxue hurriedly took two steps forward and gently patted Emperor Xue Ye on the back to help him calm down.

Considering that old man Xue Ye was wise enough to hand over the throne to her, when he was dying, Qian Renxue would show her filial piety by taking the place of Xue Qinghe, who had been dead for twenty years.

Wow!

After a violent coughing fit, Emperor Xue Ye opened his mouth and spat out a large mouthful of dark red blood.

After spitting out blood, perhaps it was a last burst of energy, a rare tinge of blood appeared on Emperor Xue Ye's pale face, and his voice suddenly became louder. He grabbed Xue Qinghe's wrist, his eyes filled with deep hatred: "Qinghe, the thieves of the Spirit Hall have evil ambitions and brazenly annexed our territory, bringing shame to me and the empire. After you ascend the throne, you must make it your first priority to destroy the Spirit Hall, recover our territory, and wash away today's shame for me!"

Emperor Xue Ye really hates the Spirit Hall. Apart from the strategically important Kingdom of Barak, plus several other kingdoms, principalities and provinces that support the establishment of the Spirit Hall, its territory is already close to half of the Tiandou Empire.

As an emperor who lost nearly half of the territory during his reign, Emperor Xue Ye knew no matter how hard he thought that he was destined to be nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

"Father, don't worry!"

Qian Renxue forced herself to squeeze out two tears, and said with tearful eyes: "I will live up to your trust, father, and will not give up an inch of our country's territory!"

"Good, good, good!"

Emperor Xue Ye nodded with satisfaction, raised his hand and pointed at Xue Xing and Xue Beng, and said: "Qinghe, I know that your uncle and fourth brother had several unpleasant conflicts with you in the past because of political differences, but I hope you understand that the stability of the empire cannot be separated from the support of the royal family. So, today, I want you to swear that after you ascend the throne, you will never settle accounts with your uncle and fourth brother, and you must ensure that they will be rich and prosperous throughout their lives!"

Xue Xing and Xue Beng were immediately surprised when they heard this. Xue Qinghe's ascension to the throne was inevitable. Without power, a life of wealth and honor would be great for them.

Damn old guy!

Qian Renxue cursed inwardly when she heard this. She had originally planned to send these two troublemakers to accompany Xue Ye after she ascended the throne. She didn't expect that old guy Xue Ye would do such a thing before he died. In front of so many civil and military officials, she definitely couldn't take action against Xue Xing and Xue Beng in a short period of time.

However, Xue Ye is still alive and can change his will at any time. Qian Renxue has worked so hard for so long and doesn't want anything to go wrong at the last minute.

Let these two guys survive for a while, and when the storm has passed, let the strong men under Xiao Yu take action and send them off.

As for the oath, what does the oath made in the name of Xue Qinghe have to do with her, Qian Renxue?

"I, Xue Qinghe, swear here that after I ascend the throne, all past affairs between me and my uncle Xue Xing, Emperor Xue Beng, will be wiped out. If I break this oath, I will be punished by heaven and earth!"

Having settled his last concern, Emperor Xue Ye breathed his last breath as if relieved from a heavy burden. His arms fell limply and he passed away.

"His Majesty!"

"Father!"

The entire bedroom was suddenly filled with wailing, but no one knew how much truth there was in it.

As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. With the passing of Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue, who was dressed as Xue Qinghe, successfully ascended the throne as the crown prince of the Tiandou Empire amid the cheers of his ministers, and was named Emperor Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe has a good image among the people. He is diligent in his work, loves his people, and is humble and willing to accept advice, which makes him quite loved by the people.

In this turbulent time when the Spirit Hall is established and many principalities and kingdoms are in rebellion, Xue Qinghe's ascension to the throne will play a strong role in stabilizing the people's hearts.

The first edict issued by Xue Qinghe after ascending the throne was a declaration of war against the Wuhun Empire. The Tiandou Empire would never recognize the legitimacy of the Wuhun Empire and condemned in the strongest terms the Wuhun Empire's covert manipulation of the rebellious kingdoms and principalities within the Tiandou Empire. The Tiandou Empire vowed to recover these homelands even if it had to fight to the last soldier!