Chapter 594: Investigate to the End
"Your Majesty, what about them?" Dean Chen asked, looking toward Zhan Chi and the others who had been stopped.
The Beili Emperor glanced over, his eyes darkening. "Throw them all in the imperial dungeon."
"Your Majesty, about this matter..."
"Say no more, Teacher. As subjects of Beili, they dare defy the word of their monarch. If such people are not severely punished, what future can Beili possibly have?" the Beili Emperor said gravely, leaving no room for discussion.
’For them to defy an imperial command so brazenly... not having them executed on the spot is already an immense act of mercy.’
Dean Chen knew the Beili Emperor’s temperament and said no more.
Held fast by the Imperial Army, Zhan Chi struggled. "Let go! Let me go! If you want your subjects to be obedient, then you must possess a majesty that can command their respect! My daughter died tragically saving the Eighth Prince, and she hasn’t received a shred of justice! With such a hasty verdict, Beili won’t have a tomorrow—!"
"Zhan Chi!" Zhan Yi shouted furiously.
Zhan Chi left the rest unsaid, letting out only a cold, humorless laugh.
Without another word, Zhan Yi walked up to him, still holding the small child. Freeing one hand, he slapped Zhan Chi hard across the face. "In Beili, the Emperor is heaven itself! Without a ruler, how could the common people ever live and work in peace? If you dare spout such treasonous nonsense again, the Zhan family will have no place for you."
Zhan Chi couldn’t hear a word of it. His heart was filled with nothing but roiling rage and a bone-deep chill. Never had he loathed a monarch so intensely. ’An imperial command? Utterly laughable.’
The Beili Emperor’s eyes narrowed, not wanting to look at him for a second longer. "Take them away."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Imperial Army dragged the men away.
Qian Fanji’s gaze remained fixed on Ye Qianning. He only looked away when her body was no longer visible, casting his eyes downward, lost in thought.
"Take Yuan Yintang into custody. We are returning to the palace." With a flick of his sleeve, the Beili Emperor strode into his carriage.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two Hidden Guards who had appeared earlier now flanked Yuan Yintang.
The Imperial Army followed in a vast procession.
Yuan Yintang remained expressionless, not having uttered a single word from start to finish.
The calmer he appeared, the more insulting it was.
’He murdered someone, yet he acts with such impunity. Could he possibly be this calm without powerful backing?’
Cradling the child, Zhan Yi stared coldly at the departing royal procession. His heart turned to ice. ’Such an emperor... Is it truly worth pledging loyalty to a man like that?’
’The Zhan family—his parents and brothers—had all died tragically on the battlefield. Was the peace they had secured with their lives really worth this?’
He had never considered this question before, but now, he couldn’t help but think...
Qian Fu approached, his expression grim.
Once the Beili Emperor’s procession was gone, Dean Chen could no longer contain himself. He stumbled over to Zhan Yi, his hand trembling, afraid to touch the little girl’s cold body.
"Little one... little one... How could this happen...?"
"Dean Chen, my granddaughter’s death was an injustice! A terrible injustice!" Zhan Yi cried, his voice muffled with grief. "That foolish child... Why did she have to throw her life away for people who meant nothing to her...? They’re heartless... They aren’t worth it..."
Tears welled in Dean Chen’s eyes. "I will get to the bottom of this. No matter who the other party is, I will see them pay the price, even if it costs me my own life."
"The Qian family will also investigate this to the very end. We will not let anyone go unpunished," Qian Fu added, each word heavy with his resolve.
"Chancellor Qian, Dean Chen, Old Master Zhan, if you can trust me, please leave this matter in my hands. Once I return to the palace, I will be sure to conduct a thorough investigation," Sang Yan said, stepping forward.
Qian Fu refused without a moment’s hesitation. "There is no need to trouble the Third Prince with this."
"Chancellor Qian, it is difficult for you to investigate matters within the palace. I am in a much better position to act," Sang Yan insisted. "If I find anything, I swear I will not conceal it. I will send word to all of you at the first possible moment."