Rebirth: Inheriting Millions In The Eighties
Chapter 830 - 828: Really

Chapter 830: Chapter 828: Really

Seeing that he had spoken openly, Lu Tingli was frank as well, dispelling his inner concerns: "Xia Tuanzi, if these are your worries, then I, Lu Tingli, can swear that in this lifetime, I will only marry Xia Ningxing—love her, protect her, cherish her, and honor her. Should I break this vow, may the heavens strike me with lightning and my throne be unstable!"

Such a vow was indeed lethal.

Xia Tuanzi stared at him dumbfounded, his mouth wide enough to fit a whole egg.

Clearly, he hadn’t expected him to do so.

Even though he vowed solemnly, Xia Tuanzi still scrutinized him for a long time, as if trying to determine whether he was speaking the truth.

Finally, unable to see any signs of deception, he could only sigh and warn him, "Lu Tingli, I hope what you say is true; otherwise, even if it’s considered a grievous act of treason to risk beheading, I will absolutely not let you off!"

He gritted his teeth, resembling a feral wolf cub who was ready to risk it all.

Xia Ningxing was his only relative in this world, he absolutely wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her. Otherwise, even at the cost of his own life, he would never forgive the person responsible.

Hearing these words, Xia Ningxing felt her heart enveloped by a rich warmth, moved as if waves of emotion were flooding over her.

Facing such defiance and threats, Lu Tingli was not angry but instead made a promise, "Once I ascend the throne, I will bestow upon you the Royal Sword, with which you may execute a demented emperor or kill a treacherous official."

"Should I ever mistreat your sister, take this sword and strike at me," he said with a serious tone, not joking in the slightest.

With that said, Xia Tuanzi finally had no more doubts.

"I have indeed misjudged you," he hummed lightly.

Unexpectedly, Lu Tingli truly was a reliable person.

Lu Tingli retorted, "Aren’t you the one who misjudged, to have such a good brother-in-law yet still nitpick?"

Xia Tuanzi: "..."

In just a few days, news spread through the palace that the Emperor was on his deathbed.

Lu Tingli and Xia Ningxing both entered the palace to watch over him.

Inside the imperial palace, dark clouds hung heavy, and undercurrents swirled with oppressive heaviness, as if sensing that the sky was about to change.

The court ladies and eunuchs standing guard shivered like startled birds.

The civil and military officials likewise did not dare to breathe too heavily, with various expressions, they waited outside.

Seeing Xia Ningxing and Lu Tingli arrive, they promptly bowed, "This humble official greets the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Consort."

"Dispense with the formalities," Lu Tingli said curtly, quickly pulling Xia Ningxing into the sleeping chamber.

The Emperor was beyond saving, and the Imperial Physician could only maintain his life with mild medicinals.

When he heard the commotion, the Emperor strained every bit of his strength to barely open his eyes, looking in their direction with a tremulous gaze, "Jianren... Jianren..."

With such weak and breathless calling, he had none of the majesty he once held as a ruler.

"Your son is here," Lu Tingli stepped forward and sat beside him, looking down from above, his heart filled with complex emotions.

He should hate him—after all, if it weren’t for his one night of passion, his own mother wouldn’t have been reduced to dying young.

But now that he was facing death, there was not a trace of satisfaction in Lu Tingli’s heart that his great enemy was paying for his crimes.

Nor was there any sadness, as if the dying man was just an insignificant passerby.

While Lu Tingli was lost in thought, a pair of withered hands grabbed him.

These hands were so thin that they were practically just skin and bones, barely retaining any warmth.

Lu Tingli was taken aback and looked down to meet the Emperor’s aged and cloudy gaze.

"Jianren, your father, your... cough... your father, owes you an apology, and also to... cough... to your late mother..." he managed to squeeze out these fragmented words with all the strength he could muster from his hoarse throat.

During the coughing, his whole body trembled as if it were a pile of loose sand.

This long-overdue apology made Lu Tingli tremble slightly.

The man was already gone, all the sins once committed had been atoned for—what use was an apology now?

What’s the use!?

Lu Tingli wanted to yell at him, wanted to harshly interrogate him, but upon seeing his now lusterless eyes, that intention finally faded away.

Forget it, what is there to argue with a dying man.

The Emperor, not seeing him respond, couldn’t help but ask again: "Jianren, you, cough cough cough, why don’t you answer me, can you still not forgive, cough cough cough cough cough, forgive me?"

He coughed up blood, his gaze filled with sorrow and a trace of anxiety.

Suddenly, Lu Tingli understood the reason for his persistence.

He was afraid that if there were hate in his heart, once he died, he wouldn’t grant him an honorable burial, would he? Or not allow him into the royal mausoleum?

Ha!

Even on the brink of death, he does not forget to consider for himself.

Lu Tingli curled his lips mockingly: "Father Emperor, rest assured. No matter what, you are my biological father, I won’t let you down."

"It’s just that, my mother’s life was too wretched, inevitably I shall posthumously honor her as the Benevolent and Virtuous Empress Dowager, then inter her with you, is that fine?" While speaking, he tucked in the corner of the blanket for him, his movements extremely gentle.

If outsiders were to see this, they would surely consider him the most filial son.

But the words he uttered were enough to raise the Emperor half to death.

"Pfft—"

The Emperor spat out another mouthful of blood, tremblingly pointing at him, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely: "You, how dare you let me be, be buried with a mere palace maid!"

This was simply a great shame and humiliation!

An immense insult to him!

Lu Tingli stooped down, his voice dripping with sarcasm at the Emperor’s ear: "This is the karma you’ve brought upon yourself!"

"You... you..." the Emperor’s eyes were nearly bursting from their sockets, if looks could kill, Lu Tingli would have been riddled with holes by now.

In the end, he still couldn’t muster his last breath and simply dropped dead.

As he died, his eyes, wide like copper bells, were still fixed on Lu Tingli, as if yearning to mutilate him with a thousand cuts.

Lu Tingli let out a cold laugh and lifted his hand to close the dead man’s eyes.

Afterward, he stood up and announced to those outside: "The Emperor has passed."

The sound of those five words was followed by a chorus of weeping, whether they were the civil and military officials, the palace maids and eunuchs, or the ladies in the harem, all shed tears.

Of course, hardly a few were truly heartbroken.

The royal family has always been the most ruthless.

Lu Tingli watched them all with a disdainful gaze, thinking them hypocrites.

White mourning banners were hung all around the palace.

All forms of entertainment were suspended throughout the realm, gay brothels shut their doors, and all family celebrations were put on hold.

They could only be arranged after the mourning period was over.

At night, after Xia Ningxing fell asleep, Lu Tingli drank alone outside the palace hall.

Although he had not officially ascended to the throne, as the Crown Prince, he naturally had the right to move into the Emperor’s sleeping quarters ahead of time.

The dim moonlight fell upon his white robe, elongating his shadow, making it appear long and lonely.

He drank one cup after another, his thoughts void, his eyes shadowy, making it unclear what he was really thinking.

Yet one could definitely feel his loneliness and sadness.

At this moment, a woman gently approached and draped her jacket over his shoulders: "It’s so cold, why did you come out without wearing more clothes? And also, I’ve told you so many times, drink less cold wine, it’s not good for your health..."