Chapter 243: Slaughtering Kin

What did Wan Xiuzi’s words mean?

Many didn’t grasp them at first.

How could Xie Wei be Xiao Dingfei?

Wasn’t the miraculously surviving Prince Dingfei standing quietly in the corner? If Xie Wei was the real Xiao Dingfei, then who was this other Xiao Dingfei? And how did he know the details of those past events so clearly?

It was a simple sentence, yet it instantly muddled their minds.

Over twenty years ago, the Heavenly Sect rebels, allied with Duke Pingshan’s traitors, stormed the capital. The tale of the precocious and clever Prince Dingfei sacrificing himself to save his lord had spread through the streets over the years.

But who had questioned its truth?

After all, everyone was taught from childhood to be loyal to the ruler and country. No one considered whether it was just or reasonable for one child to die for another—or if it even happened.

They were accustomed to it.

The ruler is the ruler, the subject is the subject. The ruler can demand a subject’s death, and the subject must die for the ruler!

A person’s worth is decreed by heaven.

For commoners to climb even one step, they needed the favor of lofty nobles—be it as slaves or vassals, selling talent, lives, or anything sellable, all for scraps tossed down by those above!

The world lacked enough awareness.

So today, Xie Wei stood here.

Those ignorant of the past grew uneasy; those who knew the truth paled instantly!

To them, Xie Wei before Taiji Hall was no living man but a ghost risen from the grave, gazing at them with an infernal stare!

“No, impossible…”

Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan, already injured from battling the Heavenly Sect, looked at Xie Wei as if he were a monster. His wide eyes brimmed with fear, and he shouted, as if convincing others or himself, “No! Absolutely impossible! Not a bit alike, not at all…”

Shen Lang’s pupils constricted. The arrival of Xie Wei and Yan Lin’s Xinzhou army was already beyond his expectations, let alone Wan Xiuzi’s earth-shattering revelation!

Xie Ju’an, Xiao Dingfei…

Though he’d anticipated today’s chaos and thought himself composed, this news blasted his mind blank, his heart sinking into an icy abyss!

Because, after Wan Xiuzi’s words, Xie Wei merely stood there, showing no intent to refute!

Xiao Shu’s gaze fell on Xie Wei, then on Jiang Xuening nearby, before shifting to Xiao Dingfei with confusion.

This “Heir Dingfei,” who’d been idle and reckless since “returning” to the capital, seemed to notice her stare. At that moment, he flashed her an especially radiant smile.

Heaven knew how he’d tormented the Xiao clan these past two years!

Chaos reigned, with no day of peace!

The Xiao clan’s already tarnished reputation plummeted further under his antics, reviled by the masses!

Yet now, he stepped forward with a grin, bowing to the crowd with mock grace, saying bashfully, “My apologies, I’m indeed called Xiao Dingfei now. But this name was given to me years ago when the gentleman no longer wanted it. I figured you didn’t find the wrong person. Still, these two years, I’ve eaten your food, drunk your wine, played your games, and spent plenty of your silver—truly, I’m quite embarrassed!”

Xiao Yuan nearly spat blood in rage!

Young Xiao Ye gaped, dumbfounded.

Xiao Shu’s refined face flushed red and pale, utterly mortified!

The court was stunned.

This Xiao Dingfei was a fraud!

The fake prince sauntered to Xie Wei, grinning. “Well, have I disgraced the name? I said I’d teach these fools a lesson, and I did. Shame you weren’t in the capital these two years—you missed some grand shows! But even without an audience, I performed diligently!”

Xie Wei smiled faintly. “You haven’t disgraced it.”

Jiang Xuening’s lips twitched.

Xiao Dingfei, noticing her, was dazzled by the beauty he hadn’t seen in ages. Caught up in the moment, his flirtatious eyes winked at her.

But before Jiang Xuening could react, Xie Wei gave him a flat glance.

Xiao Dingfei shivered, instantly retracting his gaze, standing straight, and retreating meekly to Lu Xian’s side.

Lu Xian was speechless.

Who, seeing this, wouldn’t understand?

Xiao Yuan, recalling two years of humiliation, trembled with fury, pointing at Xie Wei. “So it was all your plan! Even this vile bastard was your doing! You, you—”

Xiao Dingfei rolled his eyes.

For a moment, he wanted to snap, “Who’re you cursing?” But a sidelong glance at Xie Wei made him swallow his curses, silently damning the Xiao clan’s ancestors instead.

Xie Wei remained calmer than anyone.

He stepped forward.

With each step, the soldiers below Taiji Hall suppressed their fear, cautiously retreating.

Xiao Yuan’s gaze locked onto him.

Xie Wei studied the man, feeling no stir within, even smiling. “Indeed, not a bit alike, is it?”

All eyes were on his face.

Undoubtedly, the former imperial tutor had an unmatched countenance—reclusive as a mountain hermit, ethereal as a banished immortal. With a faint smile, who wouldn’t feel goodwill toward him?

Truly, not a bit alike.

In contrast, the fraud who’d slunk aside bore three or four parts resemblance to Xiao Yuan—almost unbelievable!

But who said a son must look like his father, or a daughter like her mother?

In that instant, Xiao Yuan’s face turned ashen!

Xie Wei looked at him. “I don’t resemble her kindness or your uselessness. As it stands, it’s just right.”

Not kind, thus ruthless;

Not useless, thus terrifying.

Everyone shuddered at his words!

Wan Xiuzi, witnessing this, clapped and laughed. “Marvelous! Truly marvelous!”

Why hadn’t he killed Xie Wei back then?

Wasn’t it for a moment like this?

To retaliate against the court, scheme against the royals, and in plain sight tear off the royal clan’s hypocritical mask, showing the world their filth and unworthiness to rule!

Sadly, Xie Wei wasn’t an easily controlled puppet.

His plan hadn’t fully succeeded, but seeing half of it unfold filled him with immense satisfaction!

Xie Wei ignored the raving Wan Xiuzi, letting him live a bit longer, saying, “The sage says the debt of birth must be repaid.”

Hope flickered in Xiao Yuan’s eyes.

He quickly said, “Yes, yes! Back then, the empress dowager had no choice but to send you in the emperor’s place! She was your aunt—how could she not care for you? The Xiao clan, even the royal clan, are your kin!”

His careless words, mentioning “send,” let the surrounding ministers glimpse the hidden truth, their faces shifting!

Even Shen Lang’s face darkened.

Xiao Shu looked at Xie Wei, sensing no mercy in him, only an ominous foreboding!

At that moment, hearing Xiao Yuan, Xie Wei laughed, agreeing, “Well said, all kin—some leniency is due.”

Xiao Yuan nearly wept with joy.

But Xie Wei looked down at him, adding lightly, “How would you like to die?”

How would you like to die!

Those words shattered the illusion of leniency!

Not just the court, but the Heavenly Sect and Xinzhou soldiers shivered, chilled by the resolute killing intent in his calm words!

Xiao Yuan froze.

Then came the terror of impending death.

Closest to Xie Wei, he saw the emotionless indifference in his eyes, feeling a chill from his core, as if the souls of the three hundred righteous children buried in the snow clung to him, with eyes watching through the void!

“No, no, don’t kill me…”

Xiao Yuan, never a strong man, retreated, realizing Xie Wei truly meant to kill him.

He tried to flee.

But the steps before Taiji Hall had never seemed so long. A distance usually crossed quickly now stretched endlessly.

Xie Wei didn’t order a chase, merely extending his hand backward.

Dao Qin handed him a bow and arrow.

Xie Wei eyed the stumbling figure, took the bow, nocked an arrow, its eagle-feather tip glinting darkly, aimed at Xiao Yuan’s back. “On such a fine day, how can the empress dowager be absent? Jian Shu, take men to find her.”

*Whoosh!* His fingers released, the bowstring quivering!

The arrow flew!

Xiao Yuan’s fleeing figure shuddered. An arrow pierced his back, and he staggered but didn’t fall.

Then came the second, the third!

The first hit his back, the second pierced his heart, the third bored through his skull!

The bloodied arrowhead emerged from his forehead.

Gray-haired Xiao Yuan, eyes still wide with terror, lost their light, collapsing face-down with a thud, blood pooling beneath him, staining the white jade steps.

Patricide!

The court was dumbfounded, speechless.

Shen Lang, among them, burned with rage.

But what unnerved him more wasn’t Xiao Yuan’s death but the words Xie Wei spoke as he loosed the arrow, instructing those beside him!

Xiao Shu hadn’t expected Xie Wei to kill so openly!

Xiao Ye, stunned, his blunt temper flaring, charged at Xie Wei, eyes red. “You killed my father—I’ll fight you!”

But Xie Wei merely glanced at him.

He didn’t even act.

Dao Qin, blade in hand, didn’t let Xiao Ye near, stabbing him through the chest and withdrawing the blade impassively.

Xiao Shu’s face paled, screaming, “Brother!”

Xiao Ye looked down.

A bloody hole gaped in his chest, blood soaking half his body. He touched it, confusion in his eyes, staggered back two steps, and fell.

His young eyes remained open, never to close.

Dead silence gripped Taiji Hall!

Many had seen Xie Wei’s attendants, Dao Qin and Jian Shu, handling errands, assuming they were mere pageboys with some martial skill.

Dao Qin, taciturn, skilled in combat;

Jian Shu, slick, worldly.

Who could’ve imagined they’d kill so ruthlessly, without blinking, taking a life!

And this was Xie Wei’s brother…

Looking at Xie Wei now, the court recalled Wan Xiuzi’s frenzied words: This was no sage or tutor but a demon demanding lives and blood for blood!

The deaths of two Xiao clansmen seemed to leave Xie Wei unmoved.

He turned to Shen Lang.

As if sensing his fear, after killing Xiao Yuan with three arrows and watching Dao Qin slay Xiao Ye, he said casually, “No rush.”

No rush, your turn will come.

They didn’t wait long.

From the inner palace came terrified cries: “Who are you? What do you want? How do you know the secret chamber’s location?! Release me, release me!”

Empress Dowager Xiao was dragged out.

Her phoenix hairpin tilted, her hair disheveled, her aging face etched with fear.

She’d hidden in the royal clan’s secret chamber, hoping, as she had twenty years ago, to escape disaster and wait for the rebellion’s end.

But then—

The stone door opened, and strangers entered, treating her like a prisoner, dragging her here without respect!

Jian Shu tossed her before Taiji Hall, bowing to Xie Wei. “Sir, she’s here.”

Empress Dowager Xiao saw Xie Wei. “Xie Wei?”

Confusion lingered, but then she saw Xiao Ye’s bloodied corpse and screamed, instinctively seeking Xiao Yuan, only to find him absent among the ministers.

The once-mighty Duke Dingguo lay worse than a roadside corpse, sprawled beneath the long steps.

It took her ages to spot him.

Her gaze swept from Shen Lang to Wan Xiuzi, then to Xie Wei, realizing an unprecedented danger, shouting, “Guards, protect the emperor!”

Over the years, Xie Wei, an outer minister, had rarely seen the empress dowager, yet her face was seared into his memory, every detail vivid.

But twenty-three years had passed.

Times had changed, and so had people.

Now, he held the blade, and they were the prisoners.

Xie Wei didn’t look at her, returning the bow to Dao Qin and taking a sword, gazing at Shen Lang. “While we wait for the one you’re expecting, choose now.”

Shen Lang’s eyes twitched at the words.

Xie Wei spoke as if revealing no great secret.

He tossed the sword before Shen Lang and Empress Dowager Xiao, his voice soft as drifting clouds: “You kill her, or she kills you. Or I choose for you…”

Back then, the royals forced him to choose between standing in for Shen Lang or protecting Yan Min. Today, he threw the same choice at this, the world’s most exalted mother and son!

The court was too shocked to speak.

What a ruthless heart Xie Ju’an had, forcing a tragic spectacle of mother and son killing each other in the Forbidden City!

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