Chapter 166 A Heinous Act

Chapter 166 A Heinous Act

"Yes, he was afraid he couldn't kill me, so he specified in his will that I should be put to death."

Xie Yan, a hint of mockery in his eyes, entered the study.

"What? He even specifically ordered your execution in his will?" Xue Yubai chuckled. "How vicious!"

"You're unlucky to have such a father."

"The people I am most grateful to in my life are you and your grandfather, Grand Tutor Xue," Xie Yan said, his eyes warming.

"Without you, I might have died long ago, and I have also implicated your entire family."

Xie Yan looked at Xue Yubai with sincere eyes and said firmly, "What you want, I will definitely give it to you!"

Xue Yubai's eyes instantly reddened, but he chuckled dismissively, concealing the sorrow in his heart.

"Xie Yan, we are family, why are you talking about 'you' and 'me'?"

Xie Yan looked thoughtfully at the brush holder, his voice low and soft, "Grind ink for me."

Xue Yubai seemed to understand what he was going to do, his eyes flashed, and he walked to the imperial table.

I scooped a small spoonful of water into the inkstone, picked it up, and quickly began grinding.

Soon the clear water gradually turned black and thickened, forming ink, and the scent of ink wafted out.

Xie Yan took a piece of paper from the imperial table and weighed it down on both sides with a weight.

He selected a calligraphy brush, dipped it in the ink, scraped it along the edge of the inkstone, tightened his wide sleeves, and placed the brush on the paper.

Xue Qingning stood at the door, her gaze fixed on Xie Yan. When she saw what he was writing, her eyes instantly lit up with intense excitement.

This was the man she admired—ruthless in his actions and rarely spoke.

This is the kind of man who deserves to be the master of this world: swift and decisive, with an iron fist and no hesitation.

But then, as if remembering something, his eyes instantly dimmed.

Xue Yubai's eyes lit up with excitement, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Xie Yan, you really came prepared!"

Xie Yan's lips curled slightly, his eyes darkening. "Compared to plotting to usurp the throne and using force to disrupt the government, I still prefer the late emperor's bestowal of the throne, which is the rightful mandate."

"Yunhan has always revered Heaven and Earth, and respected its ancestors. It believes in the divine right of kings and the legitimate succession. Only the throne entrusted by the late emperor and clearly established in his will is the right path that conforms to the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people."

“Scheming and seizing power through regicide is ultimately against the will of Heaven and will lose the hearts of the people. Even if one can hold power for a time, it will be difficult to pacify the hearts of the common people.”

"Those old scoundrels in the Chongde Hall are a real nuisance!"

Xie Yan picked up the written edict, walked to the bronze furnace, and gently heated it.

The ink scent intensified, and within half an incense stick's time, the characters on the will had completely dried.

Xie Yan glanced at the sky, found some sealing cloth, and carefully pasted it onto the surface by hand, then threaded the imperial edict onto both sides.

After everything was done, it was already getting light outside.

Xie Yan stood by the window with his hands behind his back: "It's time to wake the Emperor!"

Xue Yubai received the order, "I'll take care of it right away!"

Xue Yubai's voice trembled slightly as he said this.

Who could remain calm after committing such a heinous act?

Xue Qingning stood at the door, quietly watching Xie Yan. After Xue Yubai left, she poured a cup of tea and went into the study.

She walked up behind Xie Yan and stood a step away from him.

"Xie Yan, I haven't slept all night. I'll have a sip of tea to moisten my throat and refresh myself. I'm afraid I won't have time to rest today."

Her voice was gentle and soft, with a hint of acquiescence, and she held the teacup with a pitiful air, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Xue Qingning has always been aloof and indifferent, only revealing a touch of girlish tenderness and timidity in front of Xie Yan.

Xie Yan looked out the window at the chrysanthemums he had planted, their blossoms in full bloom, vibrant in shades of emerald green, pale red, and soft white…

The fragrance was wonderful; Shen Nanzi would surely love it. He longed to take all of these back to her courtyard.

She'll definitely like it!

Seeing the smile on Xie Yan's lips, Xue Qingning assumed it was a smile directed at her.

"It's top-grade Ziyang tea, smell it?"

She looked at him with the same expectant expression she had in her teenage years.

His face always made her heart flutter; once she stared at it, she didn't want to look away.

In all these years, she hasn't seen anyone more handsome than him!

When Xue Qingning thought of good-looking people, another face involuntarily came to mind. It was a devilishly handsome man, but unfortunately, he was useless, all looks and no brains.

Unlike Xie Yan, who was both brave and resourceful, he was a near-perfect person.

If she had been more resolute back then, wouldn't she be less anxious now?

In a short while, Xue Qingning was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

The steam rising from the teacup Xue Qingning held up forced Xie Yan to look away and focus his gaze on her hand.

Xie Yan's eyes were filled with an unfathomable darkness. After several moments of thought, he slowly spoke:

"This is not a place for you. To avoid getting involved, go back!"

Xue Qingning heard that he was much gentler than last time, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

"With you and my brother both here, how can I stay in the manor? Only by looking at you can my heart find peace."

"Thank you, Yan!" She held up the teacup and offered it to him, insisting that he accept it.

Just like before, when they had a disagreement, they would use tea as an excuse to reconcile.

He never refused her tea.

She was testing him; if he didn't accept, they would truly break up.

No, it should be that he severed their bond. If that's the case...

The next instant, her fingers slipped from her grasp, and the warm cup was swept away.

Xie Yan's slender fingers pinched the spot she had just been holding, the rim of the cup touched his lips, and he took a small sip.

She smiled!

Her lips held a hint of spring, blooming passionately like autumn chrysanthemums outside the window.

"Xie Yan, do you still remember when we went to admire the flowers?"

Xue Qingning's voice became more cheerful, carrying with it memories of the past.

"That year, among the flowers in Luoyang, the most beautiful were not only peonies, but also chrysanthemums."

"I want you to give me a pot of flowers, but you said that since we're not married yet, it wouldn't be good for my reputation, and that you'd give me as many as I want after we're married."

"Do you still stand by what you said?"

Xue Qingning felt sad when she thought of the painting he made for Shen Nanzi. Just because he accepted her tea did not mean that he would insist on having her as he did when he was young.

Perhaps he would consider their past relationship and let her into his harem, but it seems he has developed feelings for Shen Nanzi.

This was what she feared most, so she wanted to test it further.

Xie Yan is so smart, he will definitely understand what she means.

Xie Yan finished the tea in his cup, turned around, looked at the painting bucket next to the imperial table, and walked over.

He placed the teacup on the table, walked behind the imperial table, looked up at her, and said, "Stand there, don't move!"

Xue Qingning looked up and watched him take out a piece of white paper, pick up a brush, and dip it into the still-wet ink in the inkstone.

A morning breeze blew in through the window, ruffling her hair, and sunlight fell on Xue Qingning, as if she were enveloped in a thin layer of light.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a small portrait in eighteen strokes was completed.

"Xie Yan, the Emperor has awakened!"

Xue Yubai entered the study, but his eyes fell on the portrait he had drawn, and then glanced at Xue Qingning, who was still standing by the window.

Xie Yan calmly put down his brush, then got up and walked outside.

Xue Yubai followed immediately.

Xue Qingning walked from the window to the imperial table and looked at her portrait on the table.

He picked it up, a smile appearing on his lips.