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

"Zhan Chi, this incident may have started because of him, but the outcome wasn’t what he wanted. The Eighth Prince is already in a very difficult position. The fact that he came here is enough to prove our girl didn’t save him for nothing."

Even though he harbored a great deal of resentment, the sight of the Eighth Prince kneeling had sobered him considerably.

"Difficult? Don’t you know how much the Emperor values him? He mobilized a thousand soldiers from the war council for him! The Emperor personally went to Four-direction Mountain to escort him back to the palace. None of the other princes have ever received such treatment."

’Difficult? He certainly couldn’t see it.’

Dean Chen had felt that there was something suspicious about the whole affair from the very beginning, but he hadn’t been able to uncover anything unusual.

"Let’s put the Eighth Prince aside for now. The Emperor’s stance is perfectly clear. Even the Zhong family’s patriarch went to the palace, and the conclusion he received was that ’swords have no eyes.’ There will be no overturning this matter. The only reason any of you were released from the Heavenly Prison is out of respect for the Zhong family’s patriarch. Every single one of you needs to control your temper."

Dean Chen was very worried about them. If they stirred up trouble right after being released from the Heavenly Prison, the Emperor would show no mercy.

"Dean Chen is right. We elders will handle this matter. You all just need to clear your heads." Qian Fu knew his son well and feared his recklessness.

"Not a single one of them is getting away," Zhan Chi seethed.

"Zhan Chi, before you act, you must think about the entire Zhan family," Qian Fu said.

"If I have myself removed from the Zhan family’s ancestral registry, then I’ll no longer be considered one of them." It seemed Zhan Chi had already made his decision.

Gu Shuo rested a hand on Zhan Chi’s shoulder. "You are the sole heir of the Zhan family. If you renounce your lineage, what will happen to Old Master Zhan and his wife? And how will Noble Princess Consort Zhan face her position at court?"

Zhan Chi turned his head in surprise and stared, stunned for a long moment. "You..."

For a moment, he looked at Gu Shuo’s somber expression and was at a loss for words.

"Leave what you want to do to me. She was my daughter, too," Gu Shuo said, his voice cold.

"Gu Shuo..."

"Dean Chen, say no more. I failed to do a father’s duty while she was alive. Seeking justice for her now is the only thing I can do for her as her father."

"I am her father, too," Qian Fanji said quietly.

Not much more was said, but Qian Fu understood completely.

’It’s probably impossible to stop them now. It seems they won’t listen, no matter what is said.’

Dean Chen’s face was filled with unspoken worry.

"Young Mistress! Young Mistress..."

"Pangtuan..."

Wails and cries filled the air. The concubines, maids, and male servants from the General’s Manor had been released from the Heavenly Prison, and having heard the news, they were already weeping uncontrollably.

The concubines flooded into the main hall. Upon seeing the coffin, two of them were so overcome that they collapsed and fainted.

Peony, Huaihua, and Shaoyao supported one another as they walked to the coffin. Looking at the person lying inside, a tightness seized their chests, and they couldn’t even bring themselves to cry aloud.

Her small face was pale and bloodless. Their fingers touched her skin, finding it ice-cold, a chill that spread from their fingertips through their entire bodies.

"How could this happen..."

"Pangtuan... how could this happen..."

"What happened? How could she die? How?"

The concubines choked on their sobs.

Outside the main hall, the old steward stood with the male and female servants. Every single one of them had cried their eyes red at the sight.

The Young Mistress had treated them so well. It was true what they said: the good die young.

"Imperial Edict—!"

The sharp cry rang in everyone’s ears.

"Dean Chen, receive the edict," Mr. Li announced, having hurried over with the imperial scroll.

Dean Chen led everyone outside to receive the edict.

Hearing the summons, the people in the side rooms also came out and knelt to receive the edict.

"Dean Chen," said Mr. Li, "the Emperor has noted that General Xiang is not in residence and that the General’s Manor has no one to preside over matters. He has therefore specifically instructed you to act as the ranking elder and accept this edict on the manor’s behalf."