pappabearbooks Chapter 468 Mermaid 32
Chapter 468 Mermaid 32
Li Xingchen and Li Manman looked at each other, and a complex emotion flashed in each other's eyes. The defeat was already decided. Although they were unwilling in their hearts, they also understood that any struggle would be futile.
"Li Ye, we lost." Li Xingchen spoke first, his voice low and hoarse, "But have you ever thought about why we have come to this point?"
When Li Ye heard this, a barely perceptible fluctuation flashed across his brows, but he quickly returned to his calm expression.
"The struggle for power has always been cruel. If you choose this path, you should expect such a result."
"Yes, we chose this path." Li Manman took over the conversation with a hint of bitterness in her voice, "But have you ever thought that the root of all this is nothing more than the desire for the throne and the obsession with power? If we can let go of these, perhaps everything will be different."
Li Ye was silent for a moment. He knew very well that what Li Xingchen and Li Manman said was true.
Power, this seemingly tempting but tempting trap, has driven many people crazy, but ultimately ended up in disgrace. But he also understands that he is different from them. What he pursues is stability and peace, not endless power struggles.
"You are right. Power is indeed a tempting thing." Li Ye said slowly, "But I believe that true strength does not lie in how much power you have, but in whether you can use your power to protect the people you want to protect and create a better world."
Li Xingchen and Li Manman were shocked when they heard this. They had never thought that Li Ye would have such lofty ambitions and vision. At this moment, they seemed to see their own former selves. Their yearning and pursuit for a better world were gradually erased in the torrent of power.
"We lost, but we also learned a lot." Li Xingchen sighed, "Perhaps, this is our fate."
This time they really have no chance of making a comeback.
At this time the king and queen also arrived here.
They looked at their two most beloved children with disappointment. The king and queen walked with heavy steps, and every step seemed to carry endless sighs and heartache.
They felt mixed emotions as they looked at the two children who had once been the ones with high hopes but were now exhausted and had empty eyes.
"Xingchen, Manman, you are the proudest children of me and the queen. Why have you come to this?" The king's voice was low and hoarse, revealing unspeakable sadness.
The queen held the king's hand tightly, her eyes reddened, but she tried to control her emotions and said softly: "Children, power is tempting, but it is just a cloud after all. If you lose your family affection and your original heart, what is the meaning of a high position?"
Li Xingchen and Li Manman lowered their heads, tears welling up in their eyes but never falling.
They know that no matter how much they regret, they can't change what has happened.
"Father, Mother, we were wrong." Li Xingchen choked up and said, "We were blinded by the desire for power and forgot our original intentions, the responsibilities and mission of our family. We are willing to bear all the consequences."
Li Manman also nodded, tears finally falling: "Please forgive our ignorance and greed. I hope our mistakes will not cause too much harm to the country."
The king and the queen looked at each other with complicated emotions in their eyes. They knew that as rulers, they had to be fair and strict, but when it came to their own flesh and blood, how could they easily give up the blood ties that were thicker than water?
"Xingchen, Manman, you must be punished for the mistakes you made." The king's voice was firm and resolute. "You keep making mistakes. The empire can no longer tolerate your existence. Besides, Xingchen committed a serious crime. He violated the peace treaty between the mermaids and humans. The mermaid you imprisoned on the garbage planet has been sent back."
Li Tianyi was really disappointed with Li Xingchen, and almost destroyed the peace between the two tribes because of Li Xingchen's selfish desires.
Fortunately, Princess Sheng Rao did not care and was willing to establish a good marriage with the human race. Otherwise, if the two races launched a war, the human race would probably be difficult to preserve.
The mistakes made by Li Xingchen can never be forgiven.
The king's words were like cold steel needles, piercing into the hearts of Li Xingchen and Li Manman.
They are fully aware that the crimes they have committed are irreparable and they must bear due responsibility.
"Father, I understand." Li Xingchen raised his head and looked at the king firmly, "I am willing to accept any punishment, even at the cost of my life."
Li Manman followed closely and expressed her willingness to share the blame.
She held Li Xingchen's hand tightly, as if at this final moment, the affection between brother and sister became their only support.
The king and the queen looked at the two children with a trace of pity in their eyes.
But they know that as the ruler and mother of a country, they must serve the entire country and cannot bend the law because of personal feelings.
"Come here, take Li Xingchen and Li Manman away, keep them under strict guard, and await trial." The king gave the order, with a hint of helplessness and determination in his voice.
The guards stepped forward and took Li Xingchen and Li Manman away.
They did not resist or struggle, but just endured it all silently.
Perhaps, today's outcome was doomed from the moment they chose to embark on the path of fighting for power, but they have been unwilling to admit it and have always wanted to struggle and break free from the shackles of fate. But in the end, they still failed, defeated by their own greed and desires, and defeated by the cruelty and ruthlessness of reality.
Watching Li Xingchen and Li Manman being taken away, the king and queen's hearts were filled with grief and regret.
They were once such proud and outstanding children, but because of the temptation of power, they embarked on the road of destruction. Not only did they destroy themselves, but also brought severe disasters to the entire country. The king will not tolerate it, and the emperor will be punished with the same crime as the common people if he breaks the law.
"Pass on my decree. Three days later, Li Xingchen and Li Manman will be put on public trial." The king's voice echoed in the air, carrying endless majesty and sorrow. "I want to personally watch them pay the price for their mistakes."
The queen stood silently beside the king, holding his hand, giving him silent support and comfort.
They know that there is still a long way to go and they must cheer up and lead the country towards a better future. However, whenever the night is quiet, they still think of the two children who once made them proud and heartbroken, and endless sighs and sorrow well up in their hearts.
Three days later, the public trial was held as scheduled. The eyes of the entire empire were focused on this unprecedented trial. People were talking about it, and various voices converged into a huge torrent, impacting everyone's heart. The mermaids also attended the trial.
The trial process was long and tedious. Various evidence and testimonies were presented one by one, exposing the crimes and conspiracies of Li Xingchen and Li Manman, shocking people. They could not imagine that these two once noble and elegant people could do such despicable and cruel things.
As the trial progressed, Li Xingchen and Li Manman's faces became paler and paler. They lowered their heads, not daring to face the angry and disappointed eyes in the audience. They knew that they had completely lost people's trust and support and had become sinners of the entire empire.
In the end, the presiding judge announced the verdict on Li Xingchen and Li Manman. They were stripped of all their power and status, exiled to other planets, and could never return to the empire.