Chapter 1584

Xue Lingjun showed no fear, saying, "If the Emperor has deemed me guilty, why won't he let Liu Changsheng come out to confront me, to see whether I have harmed my mother the Empress Dowager?"

Xue Lingjun said without fear, "If the Emperor has decided I am guilty, why won't he let Liu Changsheng come out to confront me, to see if I have harmed my mother the Empress Dowager?"

Xue DaoHong nodded and said, "Good! I'll make it clear for you! Guards, bring Liu Changsheng forward!"

Translate: Xue Daohong nodded and said, "Good! I'll make it clear for you! Come! Bring Liu Changsheng up!"

The officials watched the scene, sighing silently. What happened tonight is utterly clear: regardless of Xue Lingjun's motives for saving someone, she and the Prince of Yan could never poison their own birth mother; blood is thicker than water, and Empress Dowager Jiang's survival is the greatest support for these siblings. No one would be so foolish as to cut off their own retreat and dig their own grave; the one who truly wishes Empress Dowager Jiang dead is actually the Emperor.

Translate: All the officials watching the scene before them sighed inwardly; what happened tonight is as clear as day. No matter Xue Lingjun's motive for saving people, she and Prince Yan could never poison their own birth mother; blood ties are one, and Empress Dowager Jiang's survival is the greatest support for these siblings. No one in the world would be so foolish as to cut off their own retreat and dig their own grave; the one who truly wishes Empress Dowager Jiang dead is actually the Emperor.

We need to keep all details.

Prince Xue DaoMing stood silently in the corner, seemingly unaffected by what was unfolding; his face showed no surprise or shock, as if he had expected it all along.

Translate: Prince Ming Xue Daoming stood silently in the corner, as if everything happening before him had nothing to do with him; his expression showed no surprise or alarm, as if he had long anticipated what would occur.

Liu Changsheng, wearing thin clothes, was brought before the crowd. Though he knew no martial arts, they still put handcuffs and leg irons on him, since plotting to harm the Grand Empress Dowager is a serious crime; if they didn't need him as a witness, he would have already been executed.

Translate: Liu Changsheng, wearing thin clothes, was brought before the crowd; although he knew no martial arts, they still put handcuffs and shackles on him, for plotting to harm the Grand Empress Dowager is a grave crime; if not kept alive as a witness, he would have already been executed.

Liu Changsheng dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice shaking as he said, "I, a commoner, am innocent."

Translate: Liu Changsheng fell to his knees with a thud, trembling as he said, "Commoner is wronged……"

Li ChenZhou said solemnly, "Liu Changsheng, what do you have to complain about? The Emperor is right here, and the officials can vouch for you—say whatever you want."

Translate: Li Chen Zhou said in a deep voice, "Liu Changsheng, what are you wronged about? The Emperor is right here; the officials can testify for you—say whatever you want to say."

Liu Changsheng raised his head, glanced at Li ChenZhou, then hoarsely cried, "It was the Emperor who made me do this—everything was the Emperor's doing!" Before he could finish, Li ChenZhou drew his long sword and thrust it into Liu Changsheng's heart; Liu Changsheng clung to the blade with both hands, blood seeping from his palms, yet a faint smile touched his lips.

Translate: Liu Changsheng lifted his head to glance at Li Chen Zhou, then suddenly shouted hoarsely, "It was the Emperor who made me do it, all of it was the Emperor's doing!" Before he finished speaking, Li Chen Zhou drew his long saber and thrust it into Liu Changsheng's chest; Liu Changsheng gripped the blade tightly with both hands, blood trickling down his palm, yet a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Li ChenZhou shouted, "How dare this scoundrel spout nonsense and offend heavenly majesty! Anyone who dares to speak recklessly will be dealt with—this man is his example."

Translate: Li Chen Zhou angrily said, "You scoundrel dare to spout nonsense, offending heavenly majesty! Whoever dares to speak nonsense again—this person will be his example."

The officials exchanged glances, none daring to speak.

Translate: A group of officials stared at each other, none daring to speak.

Xue DaoHong glanced gratefully at Li ChenZhou; although Liu Changsheng's words were pointless, they still harmed his dignity. The officials dared not speak, but they surely thought it. He felt the situation had grown chaotic. Originally everything was under his control, and after the Grand Empress Dowager's death he intended to use this affair to easily dispose of the Prince of Yan and the Princess, but the crafty Prince of Yan escaped and the Princess proved unusually stubborn. This cannot continue; the longer the delay, the worse it is for him. He needs to settle this quickly. He signaled Shi Kuan and said, "Take Xue Lingjun away for now; we'll question her later."

Translate: Xue Daohong looked gratefully at Li Chen Zhou; although Liu Changsheng's words were useless, they still damaged his dignity. The officials dared not speak, but they surely thought it. He felt the situation had become somewhat chaotic. Originally everything was under his control; after the Grand Empress Dowager's death, he planned to use this affair to easily eliminate Prince Yan and the Eldest Princess, but the cunning Prince Yan escaped, and the Eldest Princess proved unusually stubborn. This situation cannot continue; the longer the delay, the worse it is for him. He needs to settle this quickly. He gave Shi Kuan a glance and said, "First take Xue Lingjun away; we'll try her later!"

Xue Lingjun retorted, "What right do you have to issue commands here?"

Translate: Xue Lingjun retorted, "What qualifications do you have to give orders here?"

Xue DaoHong's eyes flared, his presence angry yet imposing: "Just because I am the Emperor of Great Yong!"

Translate: Xue Daohong's eyes widened, his aura angry without being angry: "Just because I am the Emperor of Da Yong!"

Xue Lingjun laughed and said, "You're not the emperor—you're nothing but a usurper."

Translate: Xue Lingjun chuckled, "You are not the Emperor; you are merely a usurper."

Xue DaoHong shouted, "I possess the imperial seal and the late emperor's succession edict!"

Translate: Xue Daohong angrily said, "I have the Imperial Seal, I have the Former Emperor's Edict of Succession!"

Xue Lingjun said, "The former emperor died suddenly. There is a succession edict, but it's certainly not the one you hold. The so-called edict was merely written by the Grand Empress Dowager, and that seal is not genuine; she has always doted on you, wanting you to inherit the throne, even if it means going against the former emperor's wishes."

Translate: Xue Lingjun said, "The Former Emperor died suddenly. There is indeed an Edict of Succession, but it is absolutely not the one you hold. So‑called Edict of Succession was merely written by the Grand Empress Dowager, and that Imperial Seal is not genuine; the Grand Empress Dowager has always doted on you, wishing you to inherit the throne at any cost, even if it means going against the Former Emperor's wishes."

Xue DaoHong could take no more; he shouted, "Guards, drag this mad woman out and beat her to death!"

Translate: Xue Daohong could bear no more; he roared, "Come, drag this mad woman out and beat her to death with sticks!"

To Xue DaoHong's astonishment, the surrounding Jinlin guards did nothing. Xue Lingjun produced a decree from her sleeve, showed it to everyone, and shouted sternly, "I hold the late emperor's last edict here; who dares to act rashly?"

Translate: To Xue Daohong's astonishment, the surrounding Golden Scale Guard did nothing. Xue Lingjun took an edict from her sleeve, showed it to everyone, and shouted sternly, "I hold the Former Emperor's Last Edict here—who dares to act rashly?"

Xue DaoHong had thought Xue Lingjun was lying, but seeing her produce a decree shook him; he looked to Li ChenZhou for help, as only Li ChenZhou could steady the situation.

Translate: Xue Daohong had thought Xue Lingjun was merely lying, but seeing her actually produce an edict, his heart also wavered; he looked to Li Chen Zhou for help, for only Li Chen Zhou could stabilize the situation at such a time.

Li ChenZhou said coldly, "Your Highness the Princess, do you realize that if this decree is forged, you would be guilty of deceiving the sovereign?"

Translate: Li Chen Zhou said coldly, "Eldest Princess, do you know that if this edict is false, you would be guilty of deceiving the sovereign?"

Xue DaoHong secretly sighed at Li ChenZhou's foolishness; at this moment he should act decisively and not allow Xue Lingjun to speak nonsense any further. He shouted, "Guards, take this lowly woman away and lock her up!" Earlier he had ordered them to drag Xue Lingjun out and beat her to death, but seeing no one move, he realized his earlier emotion had been excessive, so this time he softened his tone considerably; yet Shi Kuan and the others still did nothing.

Translate: Xue Daohong secretly sighed at Li Chen Zhou's obtuseness; at this moment the best course would be to act decisively and not allow Xue Lingjun to spout nonsense any further. He shouted, "Come, drag this lowly person away and lock her up for now!" Earlier he had ordered her dragged out to be beaten to death, but seeing no one move, he realized his earlier emotion had been excessive, so this time he softened his tone—yet Shi Kuan and the others still took no action.

Consort Dong ShuFei appeared in the memorial hall, sighed, and said, "Since everyone says this decree is fake, let everyone have a look!" Xue DaoMing, standing beside her, supported her and added, "Your Majesty, why not let everyone examine the decree? That would also clear the Emperor's name."

Translate: Consort Shu Dong appeared at some point in the spirit hall, sighed, and said, "Since everyone says this edict is fake, let everyone have a look!" Xue Daoming supported her from the side and added, "Your Majesty, why not let everyone examine the edict? That would also clear the Emperor's name."

Xue DaoHong's lip twitched, and he glanced again at Li ChenZhou.

Translate: Xue Daohong's lip twitched, and he once again looked toward Li Chen Zhou.

Li ChenZhou then walked over to Xue Lingjun, took the decree from her hand, examined it, and turned to smile at Xue DaoHong.

Translate: At this moment Li Chen Zhou voluntarily walked over to Xue Lingjun, took the edict from her hand, glanced at it, then turned and smiled at Xue Daohong.

Seeing Li ChenZhou's expression, Xue DaoHong felt somewhat reassured, thinking the decree was fake; only then did he recall that he had repeatedly verified that edict, certain it was correct—indeed written in his father's own hand, impossible to be a forgery; Xue Lingjun producing a decree now is merely a desperate struggle, deliberately causing chaos.

Translate: Seeing Li Chen Zhou's expression, Xue Daohong felt somewhat reassured, thinking the edict must be fake; he then recalled that he had repeatedly verified that edict, certain it was correct—indeed it was his father's own handwriting, impossible to be false; Xue Lingjun producing an edict now is merely a death‑struggle, deliberately creating chaos.

Li ChenZhou handed the decree to the Grand Preceptor Xiang LiRen.

Translate: Li Chen Zhou handed the edict to Grand Tutor Xiang Li Ren.

Xiang LiRen took the decree, examined it, then passed it to the Minister of Rites Sun WeiYuan; both are highly respected senior officials. After reviewing it, they exchanged a glance, and Xiang LiRen sighed, saying, "In my view as an elder official, this decree is indeed written in the former emperor's own hand."

Translate: Xiang Li Ren received the edict, examined it, then passed it to Minister of Rites Sun Wei Yuan; both were highly respected senior officials in the court. After looking, they exchanged a glance, and Xiang Li Ren sighed, "In my humble opinion, this edict is indeed written in the Former Emperor's own hand."

Hearing this, Xue DaoHong stared in shock, then shouted, "Nonsense? How dare you deceive the sovereign!"

Translate: Hearing this, Xue Daohong stared in shock, then angrily said, "Nonsense? You dare to deceive the sovereign!"

Consort Dong ShuFei took the decree from Xiang LiRen's hand, examined it carefully, and upon finishing, tears welled up as she lamented, "My poor son! Officials, the former emperor intended to pass the throne to DaoMing, but it was stolen by treacherous means; please, officials, uphold justice for my son!"

Translate: Consort Shu Dong took the edict from Xiang Li Ren's hand, examined it carefully, and upon finishing could not help but tear up, crying bitterly, "My poor son! Officials, the Former Emperor originally intended to pass the throne to Daoming, but it was stolen by treacherous means; I beg you all to uphold justice for my son!"

No matter how Xue DaoHong considered it, he never expected the situation to reverse in an instant, turning against him; he bellowed, "Rebellion? I am the former emperor's appointed heir, the mandate of heaven; do you intend to use a forged decree to seize my throne?"

Translate: No matter how Xue Daohong tried, he never imagined the situation would turn against him in an instant; he bellowed, "Rebellion? I am the Former Emperor's appointed heir, I am the mandate of heaven—do you intend to use a forged edict to seize my throne?"

Li ChenZhou said from the side, "In my view, this decree is also genuine; Your Highness the Princess, where exactly did you obtain this decree?"

Translate: Li Chen Zhou's voice rang from the side: "In my view, this edict is also genuine; Eldest Princess, where exactly did you obtain this edict?"

Xue DaoHong could scarcely believe his ears; he turned away, glaring at Li ChenZhou and beginning to say, "You..." but before he could finish, he felt an overwhelming, matchless power pressing upon him, rendering him speechless.

Translate: Xue Daohong could scarcely believe his ears; he turned away and glared at Li Chen Zhou, saying "You—" but before he finished, he felt an overwhelming, matchless power pressing upon him, rendering him speechless.

Li ChenZhou said, "What about me? I, Li ChenZhou, safeguard the realm of Great Yong, safeguard the emperor ordained by heaven's mandate, not someone who seizes the throne through treacherous means!"

Translate: Li Chen Zhou said, "What of me? I, Li Chen Zhou, safeguard the rivers and mountains of Da Yong, safeguard the Emperor ordained by heaven, not a man who seizes the throne through treacherous means!"

Under that overwhelming pressure, Xue DaoHong could not utter a word; helplessly, he reached for his sword hilt at his waist, tried to draw his long sword, but felt an invisible pressure from all sides squeezing his body, causing pain in his bones and joints.

Translate: Under that overwhelming pressure Xue Daohong could not utter a word; helplessly he felt for his sword hilt at his waist, tried to draw his long sword, but sensed an invisible pressure from all sides squeezing his body, causing pain in his bones and joints all around.

Xue Lingjun said, "Since you took the throne, you haven't thought about how to govern Great Yong well and bring it prosperity; instead, you only want to eliminate rivals. The Grand Empress Dowager, for your sake, even forged a last edict, yet you not only fail to be grateful, but seek to put me and the Prince of Yan to death. The Grand Empress Dowager has seen through your true nature, which is why she entrusted me with this genuine last edict, telling me that if you reform, she wants this edict never to see the light of day; but you not only fail to repent, you grow worse, intending to exterminate us all. Since you lack benevolence, do not blame me for being unjust."

Translate: Xue Lingjun said, "After you ascended the throne, you did not think about how to govern Da Yong well and bring it to prosperity; you only wanted to eliminate dissenters. The Grand Empress Dowager, for your sake, did not hesitate to forge a last edict, yet you not only fail to be grateful, but seek to put me and Prince Yan to death. The Grand Empress Dowager saw through your true face, and therefore entrusted me with this genuine last edict, telling me that if you mended your ways, she wished the edict never to see the light of day; but you, instead of repenting, have grown worse, intending to exterminate us all. Since you lack benevolence, do not blame me for being unjust."

Xue DaoHong had countless things he wanted to say, yet could not utter a word; to outsiders he appeared speechless, and faced with the facts he had no defense.

Translate: Xue Daohong had countless words he wanted to say, yet could not utter a syllable; to outsiders he appeared mute, and before the facts he had no defense.

Consort Dong ShuFei, her emotions stirred, pushed through the crowd and pointed at Xue DaoHong's nose, shouting sharply, "Such an unkind, unfilial, disloyal, unjust villain—what right does he have to sit on the throne? This throne rightfully belongs to DaoMing! Seize him!"

Translate: Consort Shu Dong, her emotions roiled, pushed through the crowd, pointed at Xue Daohong's nose and shouted shrilly, "Such an unkind, unfilial, disloyal, unjust traitor—what right does he have to sit on the throne? This throne rightfully belongs to Daoming—seize him!"

Xue DaoHong was filled with extreme anguish, but unable to move; just as he despaired inwardly, his body suddenly loosened, the hand gripping his sword hilt finally free, he drew his long sword, stumbled forward uncontrollably toward Consort Dong ShuFei, and the sword plunged into her chest with a soft thud.

Translate: Xue Daohong's heart was filled with bitter anguish, yet unable to move; just as he despaired, his body suddenly loosened, the hand gripping his sword hilt finally free—he drew his long sword, staggered uncontrollably toward Consort Shu Dong, and the blade thrust into her chest with a puff.

No one anticipated this scene; nearly everyone thought Xue DaoHong had completely given up resistance, yet this sword pierced Consort Dong ShuFei's body, blood dripping steadily from the blade and gradually pooling.

Translate: No one anticipated this scene; almost everyone thought Xue Daohong had completely given up resistance, yet this sword pierced Consort Shu Dong's body, blood dripping steadily from the blade, gradually pooling in greater amount.

Consort Dong ShuFei clung desperately to Xue DaoHong's arm, each word dripping with blood as she cried, "Villain... return my son's throne!"

Translate: Consort Shu Dong clung desperately to Xue Daohong's arm, each word dripping with blood, "Traitor… return my son's throne…"

Xue DaoHong was frightened out of his wits by Consort Dong ShuFei; he had never intended to kill her, but his actions were uncontrolled, and now it was too late to change anything. He kicked her corpse aside; just then, Xue DaoMing let out a hoarse, anguished cry, rushed forward, and thrust his sword into Xue DaoHong's throat. His martial skill far surpassed Xue DaoHong's; he had not imagined Xue DaoHong would dare to commit murder in front of everyone, and by the time he realized his mother had been killed, it was already too late.

Translate: Xue Daohong, frightened out of his wits by Consort Shu Dong, had never intended to kill her, but his earlier action was uncontrollable; now it could not be undone. He lifted his foot and kicked her corpse away, just as Xue Daoming let out a hoarse, anguished roar, rushed forward, and thrust his sword into Xue Daohong's throat. His martial skill far surpassed Xue Daohong's; he had not imagined Xue Daohong would dare to commit murder before everyone's eyes, and by the time he realized his mother was slain, it was too late.

Everyone who witnessed the scene was shocked beyond words; in an instant, first Xue DaoHong killed Consort Dong ShuFei, then Xue DaoMing avenged his mother by killing his half-brother, and even more shocking, Xue DaoHong remains the current emperor of Great Yong.

Translate: Everyone witnessing the scene was utterly shocked; in an instant, first Xue Daohong killed Consort Shu Dong, then Xue Daoming avenged his mother by killing his half‑brother, and what stunned them most was that Xue Daohong is still the Emperor of Da Yong today.

Splashes of blood flew, a few drops landing on Xue Lingjun's robe; she frowned slightly in disgust, gazing at the two bodies fallen one after another, feeling no sympathy whatsoever—victor and vanquished, to survive one must tread upon others' corpses, even if they are kin.

Translate: Splashes of blood flew, a few drops landing on Xue Lingjun's robe; she frowned slightly in disgust, gazing at the two bodies fallen one after another, feeling no sympathy whatsoever—victor or vanquished, to survive one must tread on others' corpses, even if they are kin.

Many officials, horrified by the bloody scene, tightly shut their eyes.

Translate: Many officials, overwhelmed by the bloody sight, tightly shut their eyes.

Li ChenZhou walked over, grasped Xue DaoMing's arm, and gently took from him the sword—the very long blade that had taken Xue DaoHong's life.

Translate: Li Chen Zhou walked over, gripped Xue Daoming's arm, and gently took from him that sword—the very long blade that had taken Xue Daohong's life.

Third Update delivered, Zhangyu hasn't done Three More in a while, so I'll shamelessly ask for a Monthly Ticket! Although the recent plot has sparked some debate, Zhangyu after all wrote it seriously, not carelessly; if you have a Monthly Ticket, brothers and sisters, please all vote for me! If Zhangyu gets excited, maybe tomorrow we'll get another Three More! (To be continued~^~)