Reborn as Ning Rongrong, So What?

Xue Qinghe's eyes were brimming with tears. Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi's group, he wiped the tear stains from the corners of his eyes, rushed out in quick steps, and nearly stumbled from unsteadiness.

"Teacher... you've come." Xue Qinghe's voice trembled.

"Ah! Qinghe, take care of yourself." Ning Fengzhi patted Xue Qinghe's shoulder and sighed deeply. "I never expected that no matter how urgently I rushed, I still couldn't make it in time to see His Majesty one last time."

"Perhaps this is fate."

"No, Father would be deeply comforted in the afterlife knowing how much you cared for him."

"Maybe so." Ning Fengzhi removed his hand from Xue Qinghe's shoulder and observed the red-eyed prince. "Has His Majesty been encoffined yet?"

"Yes, according to Father's final wishes, we're not holding an extravagant funeral that would burden the people."

"I see..." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "That makes sense. His Majesty was always a dignified man who viewed life and death with equanimity."

"I heard Prince Xue Beng and His Highness Prince Xue Xing left the capital and took Princess Xue Ke with them. What exactly happened?"

"That was my oversight." Xue Qinghe smiled bitterly. "Perhaps after I recently discovered Xue Beng's playboy persona was an act, he feared I would settle accounts with him later."

"Regardless, he's still Father's bloodline. If not for his sake, then for Father's memory as long as he doesn't cross the line I would have let him live peacefully as a prince to fulfill Father's wish."

"Ah, it seems the sudden deaths of the Second and Third Princes made them view me as some kind of monster." Xue Qinghe shook his head helplessly.

After listening quietly, Ning Fengzhi spoke: "Years ago, when Prince Xue Beng clashed with Rongrong, I also suspected the Fourth Prince was pretending."

"At that time, Prince Xue Xing even gifted us a spirit bone. Without concrete evidence, I let the matter rest."

"What a pity!" Ning Fengzhi sighed with regret.

"Qinghe, do you know where the Fourth Prince and Prince Xue Xing have gone?" Ning Fengzhi's melancholy expression vanished, replaced by seriousness.

"What I'm about to say might sound like I'm trying to sow discord between brothers, but you must consider the worst possible outcome."

"The policies you're implementing aren't particularly favorable to the nobility..."

"Qinghe, do you understand what I mean?"

"Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I understand completely." Xue Qinghe nodded sincerely. "No matter what, I will ensure the Heaven Dou Empire remains stable."

"That's good to hear." Ning Fengzhi said approvingly. "I trust your judgment. If there's anything I can assist with, just let me know."

"Although I may not be able to help with everything, my reputation still carries some weight."

"Yes, Teacher."

After greeting everyone, Xue Qinghe led Ning Fengzhi's group into the main hall.

Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi engaged in casual conversation while Meng Shenji, Ning Rongrong and the others followed quietly behind.

While Meng Shenji looked impressed by Ning Fengzhi's advice to Xue Qinghe, the expressions of those further back were peculiar.

This was the difference between knowing the truth and remaining ignorant.

Even Dugu Bo was struggling to maintain a straight face.

Qian Renxue had killed Emperor Xue Ye and was now putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of mourning.

Truly worthy of someone who could infiltrate Heaven Dou at such a young age exceptionally... clever.

Dugu Bo couldn't quite find the right word to describe Qian Renxue.

Looking at his clan leader's back, he couldn't help but think: "They're all old foxes."

Compared to these schemers, as a Title Douluo, he'd be sold out before even realizing it.

No wonder he'd been fooled by Ning Rongrong into joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan the apple didn't fall far from the tree!

"Uh, Elder Dugu, why are you looking at me like that?"

Caught staring at Ning Rongrong, Dugu Bo awkwardly replied: "Just thinking about some things."

Ning Rongrong: "..."

Soon, Xue Qinghe led the group to the heavily guarded hall where Emperor Xue Ye's memorial was set up.

Xue Qinghe stepped forward first and bowed deeply before the coffin:

"Father, Clan Leader Ning has come to see you. May you rest in peace. There will be no problems with the Heaven Dou Empire under my care this nation will only grow stronger."

"I promise to bring Xue Ke back safely."

After speaking, Xue Qinghe stepped aside to let Ning Fengzhi and the others approach.

Ning Fengzhi walked up to the ornate coffin and sighed softly:

"Your Majesty, rest in peace."

After a long pause, this was all he could muster.

At this moment, he didn't know what else to say.

If one considered who killed Emperor Xue Ye, he was partially responsible.

After all, he'd known Xue Qinghe's true identity from the beginning yet did nothing.

Ning Fengzhi took the white flower offered by a Heaven Dou guard and placed it on the altar before the coffin. Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo followed suit, then Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan.

The formalities were properly observed whether they were sincere was another matter. How many among them truly mourned Emperor Xue Ye?

After the brief memorial ceremony concluded, Ning Fengzhi said to Ning Rongrong and the others:

"You may return first. Uncle Sword and I still have matters to discuss with Qinghe here."

"Father, I "

Before Ning Rongrong could finish, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand: "Be good and go back. With Uncle Sword here, are you worried about my and Qinghe's safety?"

"If this place isn't safe, then nowhere is."

"Fine."

Though curious about what Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe needed to discuss, she couldn't very well insist on staying after being dismissed.

After all, he was still the clan leader some face had to be given.

As Ning Rongrong's group left the palace, Meng Shenji who departed with them seemed to have other business and quickly bid farewell at the palace gates.

On the leisurely walk back with few pedestrians about, Dugu Bo activated a soundproof barrier to prevent their conversation from being overheard.

"Uncle Ning and Qian Renxue really know how to act! If I didn't know the truth beforehand, I'd have been completely fooled too."

Dugu Yan, her silver-white hair fluttering, casually sighed while fixing a stray lock.

"No politician can't act. Look at Tang Hao and Yu Yuanzhen they put on quite the performance too, didn't they?"

"Well, when you put it that way..."

Yu Tianheng had been killed, yet the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan claimed nothing happened for the sake of "greater good."

Poor Yu Tianheng.

"Rongrong, can you guess what the clan leader and Xue Qinghe are discussing?" Dugu Bo inquired.

"I can make some educated guesses." Ning Rongrong pondered.

"It likely concerns the seven great clans and two empires, as well as Heaven Dou's internal factions. They're probably discussing who to invite to Emperor Xue Ye's funeral."

"While I'm not certain about other details, the Clear Sky Clan will definitely send representatives. Since they're re-emerging, they need to establish connections this funeral presents the perfect opportunity."

"Next would be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, given their trade relations with Heaven Dou."

"As for the Spirit Hall, that depends on Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue's relationship. Regardless, they'll likely send someone. The four lower clans... that depends on the Spirit Hall's stance."

The four lower clans were essentially Spirit Hall affiliates they'd attend only with Spirit Hall's approval.

"What about the Star Luo Empire?" Dugu Yan asked.

"Who knows? Star Luo and Heaven Dou are mortal enemies. As a courtesy, they might send someone perhaps even Dai Mubai."

"Him? That lecherous tiger?"