Chapter 593: Dean Chen Kneels for the Second Time
"Qian Fu, you have left the secular world to cultivate your mind. You should speak less of court affairs," the Beili Emperor said, staring down at him. "Every single one of their actions today is a crime punishable by the extermination of their entire clan. I have already shown great mercy by not implicating their families. Do not test my patience further."
"Every action has a consequence. As for why they have acted this way, Your Majesty knows full well."
"Enough." The Beili Emperor had no desire to hear another word.
The Emperor’s elite Hidden Guards took action, and it wasn’t long before Zhan Chi, Gu Shuo, and Qian Fanji were grievously wounded.
"Stop! All of you, stop!" Dean Chen and Du Yi arrived at the foot of the mountain, leading a group of men.
Qian Fanji and the others showed no signs of stopping. To them, the imperial decree was a bitter, laughable irony. ’Justice is something we have to seize for ourselves.’
"Du Yi, the rest of you—go and stop them," Dean Chen ordered, his voice fraught with urgency. He had already pieced together what was happening.
Du Yi shot a cold glare at the Beili Emperor, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.
"Du Yi," Dean Chen repeated, his tone sharp.
Du Yi’s gaze shifted to Dean Chen. Only then did he leap forward to intercept Qian Fanji and the others.
"Your Majesty, I have heard what has transpired," Dean Chen began, his voice heavy as he suppressed his own simmering anger. "This situation is shrouded in suspicion. To act so rashly is far from wise. Qian Fanji, Zhan Chi, and Gu Shuo—they watched their child die with their own eyes. They are distraught. While their disrespectful words are an offense, it is not a crime punishable by death!"
"So being distraught gives them the right to challenge my imperial authority?"
"Your Majesty is worried for the Eighth Prince, but are they not just as worried for their daughter? Forgive my impertinence, but if it were the Eighth Prince who had died today, how would Your Majesty react?"
The Beili Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
"The Eighth Prince is merely missing, yet Your Majesty had the entire General’s household arrested. Surely, you can understand how they must feel. Furthermore, I’ve heard that my young apprentice only rushed out after hearing news of Sang Zhi leaving the palace. She went to save someone! She risked her life to rescue a person from villains, only to die at the hands of Beili’s own soldiers! If no one will demand justice for such an act, what choice do they have but to take it for themselves?" Dean Chen grew more furious as he spoke, each word ringing out loud and clear.
A large fire had been burning for two straight days at the foot of the mountain near Four Directions Town, drawing a large crowd of onlookers. When the Emperor himself arrived, the magistrate of Four Directions Town led a contingent to welcome him.
The assembled crowd heard every word from Dean Chen. Combined with the arguments they had faintly overheard earlier, they now understood the gist of the situation.
A wave of disappointment toward the imperial family washed over them.
’The girl took an arrow for the Prince and lost her life, but not only was the imperial family ungrateful, they framed her and even protected the real culprit...’
’Is there any justice left in Beili?’
"Your Majesty, I implore you to launch a full investigation into the incident on Four-direction Mountain! Find the culprit who targeted the Eighth Prince, and grant my apprentice the justice she deserves!" With his eyes bloodshot, Dean Chen’s legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees.
The Beili Emperor was furious. But upon seeing Dean Chen kneel, although his anger had not subsided, his tone lost some of its earlier harshness. "This is the second time you have knelt before me over a matter concerning Ye Qianning, Teacher. Do you truly believe she is that innocent?"
’Ye Qianning only left the palace after she knew the Eighth Prince had?’
’I, the Emperor of this nation, was unaware, yet she knew? How could it be such a coincidence unless it was all prearranged?’
"I would stake my life on it," Dean Chen said, his voice grave. "I implore Your Majesty to investigate."
The Beili Emperor stared at him.
Seeing this, Sang Yan strode forward and knelt as well. "I beg you, Father, please launch a full investigation."
"My granddaughter’s death was a terrible injustice! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!" Zhan Yi wailed, dropping to his knees.
After a long silence, the Beili Emperor finally spoke. "Fine. I will conduct a thorough investigation upon my return to the palace."