Dou Luo: This Tang San is Different

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Xue Qinghe reveals that she is a woman! 

This revelation sent shockwaves across the entire empire. The older officials in the court, in particular, were utterly dumbfounded. After all, when Xue Qinghe was born, Emperor Xue Ye personally held him in his arms and presented him as a boy to the court. Surely their eyes weren't failing them back then, nor was there any chance that the evidence of his masculinity had been... attached artificially? 

There was no doubt about it. 

The real Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had long been replaced! 

But now, the situation was firmly under control. "Xue Qinghe" enjoyed unparalleled prestige, and the official narrative of the Tian Dou Empire was entirely under her command. Truth and falsehood were hers to dictate. The people preferred to believe in the ruler who had united the empire once again. 

Moreover, with the revelation of her female identity, many women across the empire took her as a role model. They believed that women didn't have to confine themselves to domestic duties—they, too, could achieve greatness. 

Didn't the Pope of the Spirit Hall demonstrate the same? 

In line with this, Xue Qinghe began appointing women to official positions and famously declared: "A woman's talent is her virtue; women do not have to depend on men!" 

This further elevated her status among the women of the Tian Dou Empire. 

As for the men… 

Most of them were just as supportive. 

Although Douluo Continent was generally a male-dominated society, the existence of martial souls had provided a balance of power. Many female Spirit Masters were as powerful as their male counterparts. 

Especially in Spirit City, where gender equality was nearly achieved. 

Of course, equality is something one must fight for. Respect must be earned through personal strength. Hence the saying: 

A woman's talent is her virtue. 

When Xue Beng learned that Xue Qinghe was a woman, he froze in disbelief. His face contorted in anger as he stormed toward Xue Xing, who was enjoying a massage from a young woman. 

"Uncle! Is Xue Qinghe a woman?" 

"Hm?" Xue Xing was momentarily stunned before shaking his head. "No. Why would you ask that?" 

"See for yourself." 

Xue Beng handed him a copy of the Tian Dou Gazette. The headline immediately caught Xue Xing's eye: *Shocking Revelation! Emperor Qinghe Is Actually a Woman!* 

Xue Xing's initial shock turned into rage as he read further. His face flushed red with anger, and he roared, "Outrageous! The Tian Dou Empire's Xue Clan has been taken over by outsiders!" 

As Xue Qinghe's biological uncle, Xue Xing was well aware of her gender at birth. A woman? That was impossible! 

But now, his identity was hidden. Even if he claimed to be Xue Xing, no one would believe him. Before fleeing the palace of the New Tian Dou Federation, he had set fire to it, faking the deaths of Xue Beng and himself to avoid pursuit. 

Now, the world only believed Xue Qinghe. No one would believe them. 

"Uncle, why not seek out Dugu Bo?" Xue Beng suggested. 

"Forget it. It's too late." Xue Xing's face was filled with despair. 

Dugu Bo? The Poison Douluo owed him nothing and would never lend his assistance. Besides, Dugu Bo resided in Tian Dou City. Approaching him would be walking into a trap. Though Dugu Bo had a hidden residence in the Sunset Forest, how could one person possibly search such a vast area? 

Would the so-called legitimacy of the Xue Clan attract allies? Perhaps some loyal old officials in the empire had realized Xue Qinghe's scheme, but none would dare expose it. Even if they did, how many would believe them? 

The loyal officials had families and clans of their own—risking extermination for the truth was hardly an option. 

One thing puzzled Xue Xing: disguises could mask appearances, and voices could be imitated, but how could Xue Qinghe disguise her martial soul? Could it be that someone with the Swan Martial Soul had been substituted? 

If that were the case, how could her backers ensure her unwavering loyalty? 

After all, Xue Qinghe now held immense power. Her benefactors could hardly afford to ignore the potential risks. 

And who exactly were her backers…? 

... 

The Upper Three Sects. 

The Haotian Sect wouldn't concern itself with such matters. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan showed no interest either. That left only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, whose patriarch, Ning Fengzhi, felt a chill run down his spine. 

Xue Qinghe was supposed to be a boy!

At Xue Qinghe's birth, Emperor Xue Ye invited Ning Fengzhi to witness the occasion. Ning Fengzhi clearly remembered seeing the infant Xue Qinghe—there was no mistaking the evidence of his masculinity. 

"Clan Leader, there's something suspicious about this." Bone Douluo set down the Tian Dou Gazette with a frown. "Where do you think this Xue Qinghe comes from?" 

"Spirit Hall," Ning Fengzhi replied after some deliberation. 

After a pause, Ning Fengzhi issued his instructions. "Uncle Jian, announce publicly that we have long known Xue Qinghe was a woman. That was precisely why I accepted her as a disciple—to help Emperor Xue Ye conceal her true identity as a woman." 

"Emperor Xue Ye's painstaking efforts and wisdom deserve to be known by the world." 

"Besides, we've already aligned ourselves with Spirit Hall in mutual interest. We cannot let this matter divide us." 

Although Sword Douluo found this approach somewhat dishonorable, he recognized the necessity. For the sake of the clan, they had to act pragmatically. Under Xue Qinghe's rule, the Tian Dou Empire had become increasingly prosperous. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's growth and wealth depended on this stable environment. 

Furthermore, the name "Tian Dou" remained unchanged. Surely Emperor Xue Ye would find solace in the empire's flourishing prosperity, even in the afterlife... 

"Elder brother... Sister," Xue Ke said tentatively. 

Upon learning Xue Qinghe was a woman, Xue Ke paid no mind to conspiracy theories. Instead, she felt a newfound closeness. "You've been pretending to be a man all these years. Wasn't that exhausting? And... when you used the restroom, don't tell me you stood?" 

Having grown up together, Xue Ke always felt her elder sibling cared for her more attentively than their parents ever did. Regardless of gender, Xue Qinghe was her dearest sister! 

"Xue Ke," Qian Renxue—now revealed as Xue Qinghe—genuinely cared for her adopted sister. However, hearing such a question irritated her. "Do you think I needed someone watching me in the restroom?" 

"Hehe," Xue Ke giggled, sticking out her tongue. Then she asked another question. "Sister, since you're a woman, was your relationship with Spirit Hall's Ling Yuan just an act?" 

"Of course. Before my identity was revealed, many officials in court were pressing me to take a wife," Qian Renxue sighed. "At one point, there were even rumors that I preferred men." 

"Oh, that reminds me. There were rumors in Tian Dou City about you and the Marquis of Silverblue..." Xue Ke suddenly laughed mischievously. "Could it be that you and Tang San had... something going on?" 

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Qian Renxue flicked Xue Ke's forehead, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Do you think I'm so desperate? Though, if there's anyone in this world worthy of me, it's probably him..." 

"And you say there's nothing between you two," Xue Ke teased, narrowing her eyes knowingly. "Father once wanted to arrange a marriage between Tang San and me during a celebration banquet, but he suddenly got drunk. I suspect it was your doing, wasn't it, Sister?" 

"Heh." Qian Renxue had no rebuttal. She certainly couldn't admit that Tang San was responsible—it would only scar her innocent sister. Better to let her assume it was true. 

(End of Chapter)