Chapter 493: Hatred and Growth: The Scapegoat Murong Ping

With Li Xuanling’s deployment concluded, those in the hall each received their orders and withdrew, leaving only Qiu Peng and a few others behind.

Of course, Tie Xinchuan, still in a daze in the center of the hall, clutched Han Yue’s corpse; only when he heard Li Xuanling’s orders end did he snap back to reality, quickly lowering Han Yue’s body and bowing deeply toward Li Xuanling above:

“Lady, I voluntarily request to join the Left Route Army and campaign against Beishuo!”

Tie Xinchuan’s voice was not loud, but the seething hatred in his low tone sent a chill down the spines of Qiu Peng and the others.

Li Xuanling did not immediately grant Tie Xinchuan’s request; instead, she first glanced at Yuan Bai and the eight commanders of the Dragon Guard, then spoke in a deep tone: “Tonight, my son was endangered; the masterminds are Beishuo and the two vassal territories of Chen Cang and Cai Qiu—this is beyond doubt.

But Han Yue didn’t have to die. You all know that, don’t you?”

At her words, Yuan Bai, Lu Dong, and the other nine behind her were instantly filled with shame. Already kneeling, they immediately turned to face Tie Xinchuan and began pounding their heads against the floor.

“Enough. Stop. Even if you crack your skulls open, Han Yue won’t come back. Since you erred, you must be punished…”

Li Xuanling paused, thought for a moment, then continued: “The Dragon Guard will depart immediately for Dongchuan City, join the Left Route Army, and come under the command of Left Route Commander Xia Chuan. For this Great Xia northern campaign, every soldier of the Dragon Guard will receive no military merit.”

As for Tie Xinchuan, his current state suggests that even if ordered to massacre Beishuo’s capital, he wouldn’t hesitate; as for Yuan Bai, Luo An, and the others, their hearts are already choked with guilt over Han Yue’s death—now, revenge against Beishuo may be the only way to somewhat atone.

Thus, Li Xuanling’s decision to withhold military merit was less punishment than an opportunity for them to redeem themselves.

Though still filled with shame, Yuan Bai, Lu Dong, and the others bowed respectfully to Li Xuanling and raised their heads in unison: “Thank you, Lady!”

Li Xuanling waved her hand, turned to glance behind the dais, and said in a deep voice: “Bring them in.”

Han Shuang led Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng slowly out from behind the dais, entering the hall and approaching Han Yue’s corpse.

Seeing the three appear, those in the hall were not surprised—they had clearly known they were standing behind.

“Big sister…”

Han Shuang’s eyes were already swollen from crying; she walked to her sister’s body and could no longer hold back, her legs buckling as she collapsed into Han Yue’s arms, sobbing “Big sister!” until she could hardly breathe.

Xia Yusheng stared wide-eyed at Han Yue’s corpse, his body trembling slightly, lost in thought.

Of the three, Xia Yuyao showed the least reaction; she studied Han Yue’s body closely, a faint chill in her gaze, then seemed to recall something and gently poked her brother.

Xia Yusheng snapped out of his daze, glanced at his sister, immediately understood, clenched his teeth, and walked to Tie Xinchuan’s side, bending his knees as if to kneel before him.

“Uncle Tie, I’m sorry!”

“Second Prince…”

Seeing Xia Yusheng’s motion, Li Xuanling’s brow furrowed sharply; Qiu Peng cried out in alarm and leapt forward to stop him.

But he didn’t need to.

Tie Xinchuan, seeing Xia Yusheng’s knees bend, instantly understood his intent and stepped forward to catch him; hearing Xia Yusheng’s tearful apology, his face softened slightly, and he said gravely: “Second Prince, you are of imperial blood—how could I, a mere subject, accept such a profound bow?

Han Yue’s death has nothing to do with you. If blame must be placed, it lies with me for failing to discipline my troops, giving Yang Jian and his beasts an opening. If I cannot see this clearly, I have wasted all the teachings I’ve received from our lord over the years.”

Seeing Tie Xinchuan stop Xia Yusheng and speak these words, Li Xuanling, Qiu Peng, and the others all showed expressions of satisfaction.

Aside from the killers, the greatest indirect responsibility for Han Yue’s death lay with Lu Dong and the other Dragon Guard soldiers—but ultimately, they acted without malice, merely inexperienced in combat.

Xia Yusheng bore some responsibility too, but compared to Lu Dong and the others, his share was negligible.

“I killed Aunt Han Yue. If I hadn’t kept begging to leave the city, those men wouldn’t have found their chance, and Aunt Han Yue wouldn’t have died protecting me. Uncle Tie, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Unfortunately, the immature Xia Yusheng had fixated on this belief, taking all blame upon himself; his small body struggled desperately in Tie Xinchuan’s arms, clearly still trying to kneel and apologize.

Seeing his son in this state, Li Xuanling frowned sharply and said sternly: “Does kneeling and apologizing to him help?”

“I…”

Scolded by his mother, Xia Yusheng froze instantly, then turned to her with tear-filled eyes, his face filled with confusion and helplessness.

Seeing Xia Yusheng’s pitiful expression, and remembering her son was only just nine years old, Li Xuanling softened slightly—but her expression remained unchanged, her voice only a touch gentler as she continued: “If you truly believe you’re at fault, then train hard and grow stronger. Until you gain power, stop begging to leave the city. I’ve told you countless times: your status is not like others’. Now, major changes are coming to the Southern Slope, and the five northern vassal territories are watching you. I made a mistake too—I shouldn’t have been soft and let you leave.…”

Li Xuanling truly regretted it now. She knew full well how great the risk was for her son to leave the city at this critical moment—but after confining him for over four years, she was still a mother, and no matter how hardened, she couldn’t withstand his endless pleading.

She had believed that with Meng Ying and the other two guarding him, along with several beast puppets, the outskirts of the Tiger’s Milk Forest would be safe—she had even deliberately moved his training date forward by two days.

Who could have expected that Yang Jian’s group had lain in wait deep within Redwood Ridge? The moment Xia Yusheng’s imperial carriage moved, they struck immediately.

Concealment and cross-border teleportation—vassal territory tactics—were truly impossible to guard against. Had Han Yue not sacrificed herself…

“Mother, if I don’t break through to Xianyang level, I will never leave Xia Cheng again!”

Li Xuanling’s thoughts were abruptly cut off by Xia Yusheng’s firm words.

Qiu Peng and the others nearby all changed expression slightly, watching the boy’s childish face now set with determination, their hearts stirred.

The Second Prince… has grown up.

Xia Yuyao also turned to look at her brother, her eyes filled with astonishment.

She knew better than anyone how much he longed for the world beyond Xia Cheng—yet here he was, declaring this before their mother. The impact of this event on him was immense.

Hearing such firm words from her son for the first time, Li Xuanling’s eyes flickered with surprise; after a moment’s thought, she said slowly: “With your talent, breaking through to Xianyang level won’t be hard. I hope you mean what you say.”

Han Yue’s death seemed to have greatly accelerated her son’s growth.

As this thought arose in Li Xuanling’s mind, she waved her hand: “Han Shuang and Tie Xinchuan, arrange Han Yue’s funeral. Yuan Bai, you go too. Yuyao and Yusheng, return to Zhaixing Palace yourselves.”