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

"Imperial Father, I implore you to act in accordance with the laws of the state. Otherwise, Beili will become the laughingstock of the other three kingdoms, and you will lose the hearts of the people." Sang Yan pressed, striking while the iron was hot.

This time, the Beili Emperor did not object. He lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

If word of this truly spread to the four kingdoms... even if he could keep Beili in check, what about the other three?

The rumors would grow more and more vicious. In their mouths, Beili’s name would be dragged through the mud.

With Princess East Shu running so rampant in Beili, and with his blatant protection of her, it was highly likely East Shu would think Beili feared them and wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.

"Imperial Father, I urge you to reconsider."

"You are dismissed. I will consider it."

"Imperial Father..."

"You are dismissed."

"Yes."

Sang Yan kowtowed, then rose and exited. A hint of anger flickered in the depths of his eyes.

"Did the Eighth Prince say anything seditious at the capital prefecture today?" the Beili Emperor asked.

"The Eighth Prince has been standing at the entrance to the capital prefecture. He hasn’t said anything. The only exception was when the Third Prince arrived. He asked the Third Prince to deliver a message to you, Your Majesty: if you do not deal with Consort Yuan within a day, he will be the next one to commit treason and collude with the enemy."

"He dares!"

The Beili Emperor roared.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, what Consort Yuan has done is no longer a secret. It is impossible for you to absolve her of her crimes. To sacrifice the dignity of the imperial family—and all of Beili—for a single consort... the loss far outweighs any gain."

The Beili Emperor suppressed his fury. "I know. Have our people investigate further. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Beili Emperor stared into the empty palace hall. In all his years on the throne, not once had he felt so agitated and vexed.

’The secret in Sang Zhi’s eyes must never be revealed to the world. If he truly gives it to another nation out of revenge against Beili, the consequences will be unimaginable.’

’Consort Yuan...’

’I’ll wait one more day and see. I still don’t believe a reclusive family would meddle in the affairs of the world.’

***

「General’s Residence」

When Madam Zhan learned that Ye Qianning’s body was forbidden from being buried in Beili, she fainted on the spot.

Old Man Gu was already on edge, and his nerves had only just begun to settle. When he walked to the door and heard the news, his head swam. He was lucky a servant caught him before he could fall.

"This is too much! The imperial family has gone too far..." Old Man Gu gasped, leaning on the servant as he was helped into the main hall.

Gu Shuo’s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

Qian Fanji felt no strong emotions upon hearing the Emperor’s decision. Instead, he felt a sense of release. At this point, the old accusations from years ago no longer mattered in a country like this.

This country no longer held anything they cherished or were committed to protecting.

"We will have our revenge, sooner or later," Qian Fanji said coldly.

Zhan Chi was deeply shocked. When he came to his senses, he spun around and headed for the door.

"Stop! Where are you going?" Zhan Yi called out.

"To the palace."

"You will not."

"Father, how can we be loyal to an imperial family like this? Is a man like that fit to be Emperor?"

"Silence! Do you have a death wish?" Zhan Yi stepped forward and grabbed him.

"I’m not afraid to die! They murdered my daughter, and now she can’t even be buried in Beili! What is it, exactly, that the Zhan family has been protecting?" In that moment, Zhan Chi’s faith was shattered.

"You may not be afraid to die, but have you thought about the entire Zhan family? Have you thought about your second sister?" Tears streamed down the old general’s face. ’Afraid to die? None of us are afraid to die!’

’But the lives of the more than one hundred members of the Zhan family are not something to be trifled with.’

Zhan Chi was silent for a long moment. Having calmed down, he said, "Father, disown me from the Zhan family."

"What did you say?"

"Once I am no longer part of the family, my actions won’t bring ruin upon you all."

"You... snap out of it."