Chapter 613: The Rejected Posthumous Title
"We’re coming too."
The servants and maids of the General’s Estate all crowded forward.
Peony swept her gaze over them, her heart full of gratitude. "Alright. Let’s go."
The group all walked out of the main hall.
"Wait," Sang Zhi called out.
Huaihua and the others turned back.
"I’ll go with you."
Everyone was stunned.
Sang Zhi clasped his hands behind his back, pushed through the crowd, and strode out the door.
Peony and the others snapped out of it and hurried to follow. With the Eighth Prince accompanying them, they felt more confident. After all, no one would dare drive away a prince, and the common people were more likely to believe his words.
Madam Zhan followed them for a few steps, watching the impassioned group. Her heart was filled with both gratitude and emotion. ’The General’s Estate may be small, but every one of its people has spirit.’
"Madam, it might be good for them to cause a stir. With the Eighth Prince present, no one will dare to be reckless," a maid said while supporting her.
"Have the household guards follow them, just in case anything happens."
"Yes, I’ll see to it at once."
Madam Zhan sighed, slowly turning back to the main hall. She collapsed over the coffin, gazing at the small figure lying within as tears streamed endlessly down her face.
"Grandma never got the chance to spoil you properly..."
Ye Qianning listened to Madam Zhan’s sobs, the fury of the other ladies, her master, Gu Shuo, Qian Fu, Zhan Yi... so many people were grieving for her.
’It seems this life was worth living after all.’
She wasn’t too worried about her master. Qian Fu and Zhan Yi understood the Imperial Family well; even if they argued, they wouldn’t truly clash head-on.
She was, however, worried that Zhan Chi and Qian Fanji might impulsively do something irreversible.
Of course, she could feel their emotions—Gu Shuo and the others. Death makes one see people more clearly. The resistance in her heart toward Qian Fanji and the others was gradually fading.
Ye Qianning felt the warmth on her cheeks. She wanted to force her eyes open, to move even a single finger, just so she could feel her own body.
But her consciousness was merely draped over her body. She couldn’t move. She was as rigid as if she’d been frozen solid.
After struggling for some time, she had no choice but to retreat to her pocket dimension and sit by the Spiritual Spring. Even though her "blessing value" had surged twice, she wasn’t in the mood to even look at it.
She raised her hand and began flipping through a booklet in the dimension, trying to find a way to get out.
—
「Night fell on the Beili Imperial Palace.」
In Dragon and Qilin Hall, the Beili Emperor reclined on a soft couch, looking weary.
Since the Old Ancestor of the Zhong family had intervened, he had no choice but to posthumously ennoble Ye Qianning. Allowing her to be interred in the imperial mausoleum as the Crown Princess Consort was an unparalleled honor. It would also serve as an explanation for Xiang Minghou when he returned to the Capital City.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yuan requests an audience."
"Admit her."
The Beili Emperor pressed his temples. Ever since returning from Four-direction Mountain, there had been an endless stream of troublesome matters and people. What gave him the biggest headache, however, was Sang Zhi’s attitude. He had thought taking his eyes would be simple.
He had underestimated his eighth son, and he had underestimated the boy’s affection for that child from the General’s Estate.
Consort Yuan rushed in, forgetting all etiquette. "Your Majesty, I heard you sent Mr. Li to the General’s Estate to decree that Ye Qianning is to be interred in the imperial mausoleum as the Crown Princess Consort. Is it true?"
"Yes."
"She’s already dead, why do you still have to involve her with the Crown Prince?"
"Did you think what happened at Four-direction Mountain could be kept secret? The Old Ancestor of the Zhong family, who hasn’t left his home in years, managed to investigate the matter thoroughly in a short time. It’s only a matter of time before the rumors spread. When they do, everyone will point their fingers at the Imperial Family—at you, and at your senior apprentice-brother. The Old Ancestor of the Zhong family, Prince Changyang, Prince Helian, the Qian family, the Zhan family... they are all determined to have Yuan Yintang’s life. If I wish to protect him, I must grant the General’s Estate some glory and a posthumous title."