Chapter 591: Those Who Deserve to Die Are Standing Fine
"Your Majesty, shouldn’t this be thoroughly investigated? Who is the true mastermind? To let a child take the blame like this... aren’t they afraid of becoming a laughingstock to the whole world?" Zhan Chi said, seething with injustice.
"Zhan Chi, you and your group killed so many elite soldiers. As members of the imperial family, you of all people should understand the gravity of this situation." The Beili Emperor’s mind was consumed by thoughts of the Eighth Prince; he had no desire to escalate the matter.
"They dared to shoot an arrow at a member of the imperial family. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to kill them?"
"You..."
"If only we had been faster that day and stopped her. If we had just stopped her, she wouldn’t have rushed to Four-direction Mountain to save someone. She wouldn’t have died. Heh... What does the Eighth Prince’s life or death have to do with her? She’s a fool. A complete fool. So foolish she took an arrow for someone, only to have them turn around and frame her. Such a fool... HAHAHAHA..." Gu Shuo laughed, the sound wild and unhinged. He stood, still holding Ye Qianning, his crazed smile twisting into a snarl. "She isn’t the one who should be dead. The one who *deserves* to die is standing here perfectly fine."
"Insolence! This is treason! Guards, seize Gu Shuo!" the Beili Emperor roared.
"Your Majesty, you have yet to investigate the many suspicious aspects of this case. Ye Qianning saved a life, only to have her name tarnished like this. If this story spreads, it will chill the hearts of your subjects." Qian Fu moved to stand in front of Gu Shuo. "Your Majesty, when the members of the Zhan and Qian families arrived, Yuan Yintang was leading soldiers and opening fire on them. Do you not owe your ministers an explanation for this matter?"
"Your refusal to investigate... what are you trying to hide? You know the answer in your own heart, Your Majesty," Qian Fanji said coldly.
The Beili Emperor’s rage instantly reached its boiling point.
"Father, please calm your anger." Sang Yan rushed forward and bowed. "Father, I have already taken Yuan Yintang into custody. It would not be too late to interrogate him before making a final decision."
Before the Beili Emperor could respond, he turned and ordered the guards to bring Yuan Yintang forward.
Two soldiers brought Yuan Yintang forward.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Yuan Yintang knelt and kowtowed.
The moment Zhan Chi saw the man, his entire body radiated killing intent. If Zhan Yi hadn’t been holding him back, he likely would have already charged forward to kill him.
The Beili Emperor glared at Yuan Yintang and demanded, "Tell me what happened."
"Your Majesty, when I arrived at Four-direction Mountain, a large fire was already raging. It was only after I captured several bandits that I learned the Eighth Prince had been taken up the mountain by kidnappers. It seems Miss Xiang was also connected to these criminals."
"You’re spouting nonsense!" Zhan Chi roared.
The Beili Emperor shot him a cold glare. "Guards, gag him."
Members of the Imperial Army stepped forward, restrained Zhan Chi on both sides, and stuffed a gag in his mouth.
"Continue."
"I suspected that Miss Xiang had conspired with the criminals to abduct the Eighth Prince. Therefore, upon encountering the Eighth Prince in her presence, my men took action. Princess Zhan and her party offered no explanation and began to brawl with the soldiers. As for Miss Xiang’s death, it was entirely an accident." Yuan Yintang recounted his version of events in a calm, unhurried tone.
Zhan Chi struggled against his restraints, muffled cries escaping the gag. His eyes bulged, nearly bleeding with rage.
"You all heard him. Ye Qianning conspired with criminals. Her death was well-deserved. If anyone speaks another word on this matter, I will see them severely punished." The Beili Emperor’s deadly gaze swept over everyone present.
Zhan Yi clenched his jaw so hard he could taste blood, but he had to swallow his fury.
’Imperial power. This is what it means to have imperial power!’
’A single word from him can turn everything on its head, and no one can defy him.’
Sang Yan had never seen his father so enraged over anything concerning his eighth brother. ’What on earth happened?’ he wondered.
SWOOSH—
A silver light flashed from Qian Fanji’s hand, hurtling toward Yuan Yintang.
It happened so suddenly that no one anticipated it—a flash of light, and then—
CLANG!
The sword was knocked aside by a shadowy figure.