I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Thinking about Old Master Gu’s condition, she grew anxious. ’He’s suffered such a terrible shock. At his age, I’m truly afraid he won’t pull through.’

Ye Qianning tried to break free, wanting out, but it was all for naught. She struggled for what felt like an eternity, but nothing budged in the slightest.

’The Beili Emperor’s attitude is already crystal clear. If I die just like this, my teacher, the Qian family, and the Gu family certainly won’t let it go. But nothing good ever comes from confronting the imperial family head-on.’

’What I fear most is Xiang Minghou’s impulsiveness and explosive temper. If he infuriates the Emperor, it only takes a single word from the throne to have someone killed.’

"These eyes... I will not give them to anyone. Not even if I have to destroy them," a low and resolute voice whispered beside her ear.

It was Sang Zhi’s voice.

Ye Qianning’s heart leaped. From that single sentence, she could tell that Sang Zhi had changed.

Recalling the final look in Sang Zhi’s eyes, she fell silent.

She stared blankly at the surface above her. ’If I can’t wake up... a lot of people will be heartbroken, won’t they...?’

’A lot of people...’

Ye Qianning thought of her father, her master, Old Master Gu, Old Master Zhan, Madame Zhan, her aunts... She even thought of Zhan Chi, Qian Fanji, and Gu Shuo...

So many people were truly weeping and grieving over her death. She could hear them clearly...

In her previous life, her soul had seemed to linger after death as well. She had clearly watched as her organization and her comrades stepped right over her corpse. When a person with supernatural abilities died after exhausting their power, they were just a broken tool, its battery completely drained.

Despite her many accomplishments, when she died, no one spared her a second glance, let alone collected her body for burial.

As her consciousness returned, she was moved by the sound of weeping beside her. Old Master Gu was gripping her hand tightly, even though her body was already ice-cold.

Suddenly, Ye Qianning felt a warmth spread through her body. Her mind froze, and she felt a pair of small hands pulling her into a tight embrace.

Sang Zhi had jumped into the coffin, holding her tightly in his arms with his eyes closed.

When Qian Fu rushed back from the palace and saw the Eighth Prince in the coffin, he was startled. Then, he slowly began to thumb his Buddha Beads. ’So the Eighth Prince does care for our young miss after all,’ he thought.

"How did things go?" Dean Chen asked as he walked into the main hall.

"Prince Helian, Prince Changyang, the Zhong family’s old master, and the other officials have all left the palace. The Emperor has issued a decree to release Fanji and the others, along with everyone from the General’s Manor."

"What of the killer?"

"The Emperor insists the Imperial Consort was manipulated by East Shu, and that East Shu deliberately plotted to assassinate the Eighth Prince. His Majesty has dispatched men to East Shu. As for Ye Qianning..." Qian Fu paused, his face filled with unconcealed bitterness. "He says ’swords have no eyes’—an accidental death. The Emperor will issue a decree to... grant her a posthumous title."

Dean Chen’s fingers clenched, his expression turning grim.

"We don’t need any posthumous title," Qian Fanji said, striding in from the doorway.

Zhan Chi and Gu Shuo walked at his side, their expressions dark.

The men walked into the hall, striding straight toward the coffin. When they saw who was inside, they froze for a moment. Then, Zhan Chi erupted in fury.

"You... Get the hell out of there!"

Gu Shuo shot the coffin a cold glance before his eyes landed on the small, still figure within. His breathing grew labored.

Qian Fanji reached out and seized Sang Zhi.

Sang Zhi clung to Ye Qianning for dear life, refusing to let go.

"Let go," Qian Fanji said, his voice cold and raspy.

As if he hadn’t heard, Sang Zhi only held her tighter.

"I swear I’ll kill you," Zhan Chi snarled, a fire raging in his chest.

"Zhan Chi."

Dean Chen called out to him.

Zhan Chi turned his head. "What right does he have to be in there with the little lass? What right does he have to come to the General’s Manor? Dean, he’s the one who got her killed! How can he still have the gall to show his face here?"