Chapter 152: The Crown Prince Passes Away
After resting for one night at the Butterfly House, Lin Yang took the invitation the next day and headed to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
He really wanted to see what Xue Qinghe wanted with him.
It seemed they had long known he would come today; as soon as Lin Yang appeared, a guard quickly stepped forward from the palace gate, looking respectful: "Lord Lin Yang, the Crown Prince ordered us to wait here for you."
"Very well, please lead the way!"
"Please, this way!"
Lin Yang nodded slightly and followed the guard into the palace.
This was his first time visiting the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, so he couldn't help but look around casually.
The guard noticed Lin Yang's curiosity and subconsciously slowed his pace.
It had to be said that the palace was indeed majestic and spectacular.
Although it was far from the golden-tiled, red-walled, and upturned-eave style he had in mind.
It had its own unique Douluo characteristics and was quite flavorful in its own way.
Passing through layers of palace gates, two figures walked toward them.
Walking in front was a young nobleman wearing a luxurious brocade robe, with exquisite jade ornaments hanging from his waist, and playing with a gilded folding fan in his hand.
However, the frivolity and arrogance between his brows forcibly lowered the grade of his luxury, making him look exactly like a playboy.
Beside this young man was an old man in magnificent clothing.
He didn't look tall, wearing a white robe embroidered with flowers in gold thread, his graying hair combed very neatly, but he carried an air of condescending Aura.
The guard immediately stopped and bowed: "Greetings, Fourth Prince, Prince Xue Xing."
Xue Beng didn't even acknowledge him, instead locking his gaze on Lin Yang, with a careless smile on his face: "Lin Yang, long time no see!"
"Fourth Prince, Prince Xue Xing," Lin Yang bowed slightly as a gesture of greeting.
Xue Beng was also a student at Heaven Dou Academy, so Lin Yang naturally had some interactions with this Fourth Prince, though they weren't close.
Occasionally, they would greet each other when they met, and then he would invite him to drink and visit brothels.
Although Lin Yang had never gone once.
First, he didn't want to go; second, naturally, he had enough girls around him, with three pairs of eyes watching him, where would he find the opportunity!
"Lin Yang, the Juxian Pavilion recently got a new batch of girls. When you have time, shall we go have some fun? I'll save a good one for you."
As Xue Beng spoke, he naturally revealed a somewhat frivolous and lecherous expression.
Lin Yang's expression remained normal, and he said indifferently: "You go ahead, Fourth Prince, I won't join in the fun."
"Sigh, alright." Xue Beng sighed helplessly, "You're still young, why are you as boring as my big brother? I heard the Emperor wants to select a Crown Princess for my big brother, and he's not even happy about it—"
"Ahem..."
Before Xue Beng could finish, Prince Xue Xing, who was to the side, coughed lightly and inadvertently interrupted him.
"Your Highness, it's getting late, we should go."
Xue Beng "belatedly realized," tapped his own head with his fan, "Look at me, I almost forgot again, I still have an appointment to go horse racing."
"That's it then, Lin Yang, let's go drinking another day."
After saying this, Xue Beng strode out of the palace with an arrogant, swaggering gait.
Watching Xue Beng walk away, Lin Yang withdrew his gaze, his expression calm.
He had no interest in the messy affairs of the imperial palace; regardless of whether Xue Beng was truly a playboy or faking it, it had nothing to do with him.
Subsequently, led by the guard, Lin Yang finally arrived at the East Palace.
After being announced by the attendant, he finally met Xue Qinghe in the main hall of the East Palace.
"Brother Yang, you've come!"
Xue Qinghe put down the book in his hand and greeted Lin Yang with great familiarity.
"Brother Xue!"
Just as Lin Yang was about to salute, he was stopped by Xue Qinghe: "Alright, you and I are brothers, not outsiders; there's no need to care about these empty formalities."
"I heard you went on a long journey, how was it?"
Lin Yang smiled helplessly: "Thanks to Your Highness's concern, I just obtained a Soul Ring for my good friend; overall, it went smoothly."
"That's good, come, join me for a drink."
Xue Qinghe pulled Lin Yang to sit on a low couch.
A small table was placed between them, and as soon as they sat down, court maids brought over several dishes and a pot of wine.
Was he really here to eat?
Xue Qinghe poured a small cup for Lin Yang and said with a smile: "This is 'Wind Snow Drunk,' exclusively for the royal family. The annual production is very small, and even the Emperor doesn't have much in his inventory."
"I secretly hid some, and I usually can't bear to drink it, but today it's your lucky day."
Lin Yang didn't stand on ceremony, picked up the wine glass, and took a sip; a peculiar taste immediately exploded in his mouth.
His eyes lit up slightly; this taste... was indeed good, and it seemed to accelerate the flow of Soul Power.
Xue Qinghe saw Lin Yang's surprise, smiled slightly, and poured a cup for himself as well.
After a few pleasantries and three rounds of drinks, the topic gradually shifted from Lin Yang to Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe was still calm in his conversation, gentle and elegant as always.
But Lin Yang keenly noticed a trace of abnormality in Xue Qinghe, though he couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly.
"Your Highness seems to have something on your mind?"
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, drained the Wind Snow Drunk in his cup, and then said, "Brother Yang, you are indeed sharp."
Pausing, his gaze became somewhat vacant: "After considering for such a long time, I have just figured out what I should do."
Lin Yang was puzzled, but Xue Qinghe did not explain further, instead brushing it off lightly.
Lin Yang naturally wouldn't ask more.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe chuckled: "Is Brother Yang wondering why I called you into the palace this time?"
"I am indeed a bit curious," Lin Yang laughed, "but being able to taste this Wind Snow Drunk makes the trip worthwhile."
"Haha," Xue Qinghe laughed loudly, "That's not a problem; I have a few more bottles, you can take them all."
Lin Yang was stunned, then said embarrassedly: "This... wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
"Haha, don't worry, I can still afford to part with these few things."
Xue Qinghe paused for a moment, then said, "As for calling you into the palace this time, there really isn't any other meaning. I'm going to tour a few lower kingdoms in a few days, and it might take a while."
"So I wanted to have a casual meal with you before I leave."
Lin Yang's heart skipped a beat, then he said: "Then I wish Your Highness a smooth journey, and we shall drink together again after you return."
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.
Carrying a few bottles of Wind Snow Drunk, Lin Yang left the imperial palace.
Walking on the road, he frowned slightly; he had felt that Xue Qinghe was very strange just now.
Listening to what he meant, it seemed like he wanted to quit and walk away.
Showing his cards? Not pretending anymore?
If Qian Renxue really wanted to return to Spirit Hall, would Bibi Dong agree?
This concerned her plan to unify the continent.
And as it turned out, his guess was completely correct.
Half a month after Xue Qinghe entertained Lin Yang, a piece of tragic news came from the subordinate kingdoms:
The Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, was attacked by a Titled Douluo; the guards were completely wiped out, and the Crown Prince's body was never found.
For a time, the entire Heaven Dou court and the public were plunged into turmoil, and Emperor Xue Ye became bedridden from illness.
The court was in chaos, and partisan strife was endless.
And the happiest one was the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng; he hadn't expected the surprise to come so suddenly.
The day before, he still had to act crazy and foolish to protect himself, but when he woke up, he found that the mountain pressing over his head was actually gone.
Hahaha! Truly, heaven helps me!
Furthermore, he was now the only remaining prince under Emperor Xue Ye, which meant—
Thinking of this, Xue Beng's face was full of wild joy.
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