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

"Yes, yes, of course. I’ll see to it immediately." Lord Song clutched his head, staggered as he tried to stand, and then collapsed back onto the floor. The dizziness was agonizing. He looked at the two guards. "Just... just drag me away."

"..."

The two guards flanked him, lifted him, and dragged him out the door.

"Guards! Summon the Third Prince to the palace," the Beili Emperor called out.

A eunuch outside the door acknowledged the order and departed.

"My dear consort, you and the Crown Prince may withdraw for now."

"Imperial Father, if Dean Chen is leaving Beili, then what will happen to Lou Mountain Academy?" Sang Qi asked.

"Someone will take over the academy. And tomorrow, you need not go to the General’s estate to pay your respects. I will have someone escort you back to the academy."

"I just want to go take a quick look."

"She is no longer a citizen of Beili. Tomorrow, I will proclaim it to the world. There’s no need to see a simple country person."

Sang Qi’s young face froze. "And what about Mother’s treason? Imperial Father, will you punish her?"

"This matter is not for you to question. Now go."

Sang Qi pressed his lips together, remaining silent for a moment before finally saying, "I will take my leave."

Consort Yuan reached out to grab him, but he dodged her and left the hall on his own.

"Qi’er!" Consort Yuan cried, chasing after him.

Sang Qi exited Dragon and Qilin Hall and walked down the steps before turning around, his expression displeased. "Mother, you colluded with East Shu. And your senior brother killed Ye Qianning, didn’t he?"

"Qi’er, none of that is true! Ye Qianning’s death was an accident."

"Mother, stop making excuses! I’m not a fool. I heard everything clearly back in the hall. All I want from you now is the truth."

A flicker of anxiety crossed Consort Yuan’s face. She grabbed his shoulders and knelt before him. "Qi’er, everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you. Your father is punishing me, but as long as you are safe and well, none of it will have been in vain."

Seeing the determination in his mother’s eyes, Sang Qi’s resolve began to waver. ’She did all this for me,’ he thought. ’How can I send my own mother to suffer for the sake of someone else?’

"Qi’er, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. For you, I would give my life without a single complaint." Consort Yuan pulled Sang Qi into a hug.

Sang Qi’s resolve crumbled, bit by bit.

「Inside Dragon and Qilin Hall.」

The Beili Emperor was seething. ’Dean Chen, Qian Fu... renouncing their citizenship... How could I possibly let them leave Beili?’

"Your Majesty." Mr. Li approached, holding an imperial decree.

The Beili Emperor’s gaze landed on the decree, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "Leave it. Go have a bowl of ginseng soup prepared for me."

"Yes."

Mr. Li placed the decree on the desk and withdrew from the hall.

"Du Zhong," the Beili Emperor called out.

A black-clad figure materialized in the empty hall. "Your Majesty."

"Send the Shadow Guard to the General’s estate. Keep a close watch on Dean Chen and the Qian family. The moment they leave the Capital City... I don’t want them getting out of Beili alive."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will see to it at once."

A vicious aura radiated from the Beili Emperor. No matter how capable Dean Chen was, Beili was his domain. If he wanted someone dead, it would happen in an instant.

—

「Outside the Palace Gates.」

Zhan Yi hurried out of the palace gates, taking a few quick strides to catch up with Dean Chen. "Dean, are you truly taking my granddaughter away from Beili?"

"That girl has no attachment to Beili. If it weren’t for Xiang Minghou’s attitude when he claimed her as kin, she would have left long ago." Dean Chen knew Ye Qianning quite well.

Someone with her talent and knowledge yearns for freedom. She would be a shining pearl no matter where she went.

If Minghou had been like those other families, would a girl like her ever have been content to stay here?

"But the blood of the Zhan family flows through her veins..." Zhan Yi understood what the Dean was saying, but he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.