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

"Third Brother, go back and tell the Emperor that if he doesn’t deal with the alchemy families and Consort Yuan within a day, then I will be the next to commit treason." A madness swelled within Sang Zhi. "Everyone involved in the ambush on Ye Qianning at Four-direction Mountain will die."

But treason was far from the end of it; what he truly wanted was for the man on the throne to die without even a grave.

"Eighth Brother, that’s outrageous!" Sang Yan’s face paled.

’How could a prince say something like that?’

"Third Brother, just report my words as they were spoken." Sang Zhi’s voice turned cold, and he stood without moving.

The people from the General’s household standing behind him were stunned. The concubines took in his words, their eyes fixed on his small frame. He radiated a cold resolve, showing no sign that he was lying.

’For him to protect the little girl so fiercely, their own girl’s efforts weren’t in vain after all.’

Sang Yan didn’t understand what gave him the audacity to say such a thing. What made him so confident that their father, the Emperor, would actually obey?

’Based on their father’s temperament, if these words reached him, Eighth Brother wouldn’t survive the day.’

Lord Song’s mind reeled. ’When did the Eighth Prince become so headstrong? This is like pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth—he’s courting death.’

Dean Chen watched Sang Zhi, shaking his head with a slight sigh. ’This boy... I’m afraid his temperament will be forever changed after this.’

’He looks composed, but he’s holding it all in. When that finally breaks, it will be dangerous.’

Even though Qian Fu and Zhan Yi held a grudge against the Eighth Prince, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity. He was a tragic figure in his own right, and those eyes of his were destined for a future that would be anything but ordinary.

Destined to cause a great storm across the nations.

Qian Fanji watched coldly, his heart filled with nothing but hatred for the imperial family. This extended even to Sang Zhi, despite him being someone the little girl protected.

Gu Shuo’s expression was just as frosty. The imperial family owed him a debt as well.

Zhan Chi’s face was twisted in fury. From his perspective, no matter what Sang Zhi said, the person was already dead. Even if the prince paid with his own life, it wouldn’t bring their child back.

"That’s right! We support the Eighth Prince!"

"Well said! If they don’t punish treason, maybe I’ll be next!"

"So treason isn’t a capital offense in the Emperor’s eyes! Is that it? A traitor can make more money than an ordinary person could earn in ten lifetimes."

"Why are the rest of us even trying to make an honest living? We might as well all become traitors!"

"Exactly, that’s what I’m saying..."

Instead of condemning these seditious words, the crowd of onlookers began to praise them, loudly threatening to follow suit.

Sang Yan watched the scene spiral completely out of his control. ’If Father doesn’t punish Consort Yuan, Beili will fall into chaos.’

"Back to the palace."

He ordered coldly, turning to leave.

When Lord Song saw the Third Prince leaving while the Eighth Prince and the party from the General’s household stood their ground, he lost his nerve completely. The crowd of onlookers was growing, and he felt his resolve crumble.

The crowd had already choked the entire street, and more people were still pouring in. Feeling he had no other choice, he made his way toward Dean Chen.

"Dean, you are a venerable and respected elder. I beg you, please take control of this situation."

"Lord Song," Dean Chen said, "as of a few moments ago, I am no longer a citizen of Beili. The affairs of Beili are for you to decide on your own."

"But... but..."

Dean Chen glanced over the onlookers, then turned and walked away from the prefectural court.

Seeing Dean Chen leave, Qian Fu and Zhan Yi exchanged a look and also pushed their way out of the crowd. They still had no idea how they were going to explain to their families that the little girl had been exiled from Beili.

Qian Fanji, Gu Shuo, and Zhan Chi had already dealt with Yuan Yintang. Seeing Dean Chen leaving, they were all desperate to find out what had happened at the imperial mausoleum. The three of them broke away from the crowd and followed him.