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

"I find this child amusing. I’d like to take her for a bit of... research." The old Daoist didn’t even glance at the surrounding crowd, his drunken eyes fixed on the chubby baby inside.

Research?

The words sent the crowd into an uproar. Researching a dead person!

To block the road in broad daylight and spout such outrageous claims—he was clearly picking a fight with the General’s family.

"Madman," old Prince Helian scoffed.

"Surround him."

The accompanying guards immediately swarmed forward.

"Senior, please tell us what you desire. As long as it is within the Qian family’s power, we will do it. We only ask that you not disturb the deceased child." Qian Fu stepped forward.

He was no martial artist, but he knew that for someone to instantly immobilize his son, Zhan Chi, Gu Shuo, Du Yi, and a dozen others proved this man’s strength was extraordinary—far beyond even the Royal Family’s elite Hidden Guards.

The old Daoist dug a finger in his ear. "What can a stateless family possibly do?"

"Name your price. As long as you don’t touch the child, the Zhan family will meet your demands."

"Senior, our Lou Mountain Academy can also contribute," Tutor Zhang said nervously.

"However much money you want, the Gu family will pay it! Just please, don’t touch the child!" Old Man Gu, looking faint, was supported by others as he rushed over from a carriage at the rear.

The old Daoist’s gaze swept over the crowd before landing back on the chubby baby. "Tsk. I must say, you’re quite the lucky one. Look how many people are willing to bankrupt themselves for you."

If Ye Qianning could speak right now, she would have jumped up and cursed him out.

All she had asked the old Daoist to do was deliver a message, and he’d gone and pulled a stunt like this.

"You’ve got the manpower and the money... so how about you all help me become emperor?" the old Daoist asked, looking up with a grin.

"..."

The scene fell into a stunned silence.

Dean Chen, Qian Fu, Zhan Yi... everyone from the two Prince Mansions was stunned beyond belief.

To declare his intention to become emperor, right here in the Capital City?

Was this old Daoist publicly challenging imperial authority and showing contempt for the emperor?

"What audacity," Prince Changyang was the first to react.

"What, can’t be done?" the old Daoist clicked his tongue. "If you can’t do that, then there’s nothing more to discuss."

The moment he finished speaking, the old Daoist raised a hand and laid it on the crystal coffin. The coffin instantly shattered.

Shards of crystal and chunks of ice flew everywhere, pelting the surrounding people like hidden weapons.

Zhan Yi and the others raised their arms to shield themselves. In the blink of an eye, when they looked up again, the child was gone from the shattered crystal coffin. The old Daoist had vanished as well.

The pressure on Qian Fanji’s body suddenly vanished. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth; he had forcibly broken through the man’s restraint.

At the same moment, Zhan Chi, Gu Shuo, and the others also broke free. Their eyes shot past the empty coffin, scanning the area.

"Where is she... Where is our Little Senior Sister..."

"Quick, find her! Someone, go!"

The retinues of the two Prince Mansions and the tutors were thrown into chaos.

Qian Fanji leaped onto a nearby roof, his face a mask of desperation and fury.

"Hahaha! I heard you can make perfume from the corpse of a small child. I’m quite curious, so I’ll use this one to try my hand."

As the voice rang out, everyone turned to look.

The old Daoist was standing on the roof of a pavilion, dangling Ye Qianning from his hand.

Seeing this, everyone below leaped into the air. By the time they landed on the pavilion roof, the old Daoist had already vanished. The only thing that remained was the clear sound of his laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA..."

The laughter seemed to echo from near and far all at once, making it impossible to pinpoint its direction.

"Guards! Seal the city gates at once!" Prince Changyang bellowed.

"After him! We must get her back!"

"Da Chun, gather our men! Search the city!"

"Investigate that man’s origins..."