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

「The Beili Imperial Palace, Dragon and Qilin Hall.」

The Beili Emperor had just lain down when he was disturbed by the sound of an argument outside. He sat up in irritation. "Who is causing a commotion out there?"

"Father Emperor, it is I."

Outside the door, Sang Yan pushed Mr. Li aside and announced loudly.

The Beili Emperor was silent for a moment, then rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Come in."

Sang Yan pushed the door open and strode in. "Greetings, Father Emperor."

"Didn’t We order you to handle the matter with Old Eighth? You’re back so soon? Where is he?"

"Father Emperor, regarding the incident at Four-direction Mountain, irrefutable evidence has spread throughout the Capital City. A large crowd has gathered at the prefectural yamen, proclaiming that if you do not punish the traitors who colluded with the enemy, Beili will see thousands upon thousands of traitors in the future."

"Thousands upon thousands of traitors? Such audacity from a group of rabble! Anyone who dares to make such a statement is to be dealt with on the spot. Kill one to warn a hundred! We shall see who else is tired of living and dares to spout such nonsense," the Beili Emperor snapped.

"Father Emperor, this matter is more serious than you imagine. Killing is not the solution. It might incite public outrage. I implore you to consider this carefully," Sang Yan said.

"In Our opinion, that rabble has simply been incited by others. They don’t have the guts to oppose the royal family. Old Third, you are too soft-hearted to handle things properly."

Sang Yan lowered his gaze, his lips tightening before he suddenly looked up. "Father Emperor, while the people may have been incited and are wrong to speak so recklessly, it is also a fact that Consort Yuan colluded with East Shu to lure Eighth Brother to Four-direction Mountain, causing Ye Qianning’s tragic death. Treason is an unforgivable capital crime. If you continue to shield her, you will lose the hearts of the people..."

"Insolence!" The Beili Emperor’s expression turned grim. "Are you suggesting We execute Consort Yuan?"

"I implore Father Emperor to act in accordance with the laws of the nation," Sang Yan said, kowtowing.

"In Beili, We *are* the law. If you cannot handle this matter, then you can stop being a Prince," the Beili Emperor said gravely.

Sang Yan froze. With his head still bowed, a flicker of light crossed his eyes. He looked up again and said, "Yuan Yintang is dead."

"What? Dead?"

"He died a horrible death, stomped to death by the angry crowd. If I hadn’t arrived in time, his body would have been torn to pieces on the spot."

Anger drives people to madness. At that moment, killing one person, or even ten, would have been useless. It would only have made the enraged crowd lose their faith.

Their reverence for the royal family would have vanished. The common people may seem weak, but united, their power is immeasurable.

The Beili Emperor was stunned. He gritted his teeth and cursed, "This rabble."

"Your Majesty."

A Hidden Guard appeared outside the hall.

"Enter."

The Hidden Guard, covered in blood, knelt respectfully. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The Beili Emperor’s gaze swept over the blood-soaked man as he asked grimly, "We sent you to protect Yuan Yintang. Who wounded you so severely?"

"Your Majesty, we were obstructed by the Helian Royal Mansion and Prince Changyang’s mansion, so we were unable to reach Mr. Yuan. Please forgive us, Your Majesty."

The Beili Emperor was inwardly shocked. "The Helian Royal Mansion and Prince Changyang dared to strike you so heavily?"

"The two Prince Mansions only obstructed us. Our casualties were not heavy. However, on our way back to the palace to report, we were intercepted by a youth in red. He was young, but his Inner Strength was immense. Of the four Hidden Guards sent by Your Majesty, I am the only one left."

"A youth in red?"

’A single youth can kill three Hidden Guards? When did such a person appear in the Capital City?’

Confusion also flickered in Sang Yan’s eyes.

"Did that youth have any message for you to deliver?"

"He did not."

’I can’t figure out their intentions. To deliberately leave one person alive to return, yet send no message... Is this meant as a show of force against the royal family?’