Chapter 611: A Joint Audience
"My dear."
Zhan Yi ran to her side.
"Husband, where is the justice? Where is the justice in all of Beili? The Beili our fathers and uncles fought to the death to protect... has turned into this... What high office? What great wealth? What admiration from the people? It’s all just a sham..."
"My dear, calm down. Take a breath, calm down." Zhan Yi took out a pill and placed it in her mouth, then raised a hand to help soothe her breathing.
A metallic sweetness rose in Lady Zhan’s throat, and she nearly collapsed from the force of her rage. Only when the pill dissolved in her mouth did the burning fury inside her subside.
’Only today did she finally see the truth. This was the reward for loyalty to the throne. In the face of greater interests, that loyalty meant nothing.’
"Mother, please don’t be so distraught. I’ll handle things with our little girl. You should go rest in the rear courtyard for now." Zhan Chi had never seen his mother with such an expression, and he was thoroughly frightened.
"I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here to watch over my granddaughter... Imperial authority... Hah. Imperial authority is truly chilling to the bone... this damnable authority..." Lady Zhan pushed Zhan Yi and Zhan Chi aside and staggered unsteadily toward the hall.
Zhan Yi sighed heavily. ’Serving a ruler is like living with a tiger—life and death are decided in a single moment.’
"Your Highness, this is a highly confidential matter. How can you speak of it so freely? If the Emperor were to find out, he would surely place the blame on you," Mr. Li said, his face etched with worry, before turning to Dean Chen. "I must also ask you, Dean, and everyone from the General’s manor, to keep this a secret. No word of the matter concerning the Eighth Prince’s eyes can get out. Otherwise, His Highness will be in grave danger."
"I understand," said Dean Chen. "As for this imperial edict, Mr. Li, you need not be put in a difficult position. I will accompany you to the palace to seek an audience with the Emperor."
Mr. Li breathed a sigh of relief at his words. "That would be for the best."
"I will also accompany you to the palace for an audience," Zhan Yi said, stepping forward.
"I will go as well." Qian Fu harbored a deep resentment toward the imperial edict.
"I’ll go too,"
Zhan Chi said angrily.
Qian Fanji and Gu Shuo did not speak, but both stepped forward.
"The rest of you should stay behind," Dean Chen said. "Rest assured, when it comes to the edict, we will absolutely not allow Qian Ning to be sent to the imperial tomb."
"But..."
"Young Master."
A guard in close-fitting martial attire vaulted over the wall.
When Qian Fanji saw who it was, his expression shifted. "Father, I’ll leave the matter of the edict in your hands."
"Fan Ji, I know what to do," Qian Fu replied, instantly guessing that his son had something else planned. "Just remember not to act rashly."
Qian Fanji nodded.
Gu Shuo’s eyes swept over them; he seemed to have pieced things together.
"Your Highness, you should return to the palace with me as well. We mustn’t keep the Emperor waiting," said Mr. Li.
"I will be going back, but not right now," Sang Zhi said coldly.
"Your Highness..."
Before Mr. Li could finish his words of persuasion, Sang Zhi turned and walked toward the main hall.
"Mr. Li, let’s head to the palace now," Dean Chen said with a hint of urgency.
Mr. Li pulled his gaze away. "Yes. After you, Dean."
Dean Chen was the first to head toward the main gate.
Qian Fu and Zhan Yi also set off. Zhan Chi hurried to follow them.
"You stay put at home," Zhan Yi said, turning back to him.
"Father, just let me go." Zhan Chi knew this trip to the palace would undoubtedly infuriate the Emperor.
"You’ll only make things worse if you go. If you want to protect the Zhan family, you’ll behave yourself," Zhan Yi scolded.
’He had already earned the Emperor’s wrath with his insolence on Four-direction Mountain. If it happened again, no one would be able to save him.’
’Besides, this situation was completely different from what had happened on Four-direction Mountain.’
Zhan Chi watched helplessly as his father and the others left. He raised his hand and slammed it against a nearby tree. ’I can’t accept this! I just can’t!’
"A fist should land where it’s needed, not be used to harm yourself," Gu Shuo said coldly from behind him.
"What did you say?" Zhan Chi snapped, whirling around as his anger flared.
"Yuan Yintang has left the palace."