Chapter 632: An Extremely Perilous Journey

The concubines didn’t understand what was happening, and they didn’t dare speak out of turn. With Consort Yuan’s faction punished, they had no choice but to return to their residences to get a clearer picture of the situation.

"Eighth Prince, the Emperor has ordered me to escort you back to the palace," Mr. Li said as he approached.

"I am going to the General’s residence," Sang Zhi said coldly.

"Your Highness, please come back to the palace with me," Mr. Li urged.

Sang Zhi turned and started walking toward the crowd.

Mr. Li was in a bind. He had his orders from the Emperor and couldn’t just let the prince go. With a wave of his hand, two Hidden Guards suddenly appeared at Sang Zhi’s side and forcibly escorted him back to the palace.

Seeing that the prince had been taken away, the official in charge ordered the guards to begin dispersing the crowd from the streets.

For a time, the common people all praised the Emperor for his swift and decisive action. What did it matter that Consort Yuan was once so favored? She had committed treason, and now she had fallen from power in the blink of an eye.

In the imperial court, fortunes could be made and lost in an instant.

After the morning court session, the civil and military officials all rushed back to their manors. Many of them, already aware of the outcome, ordered their entire households not to discuss the matter of Four-direction Mountain.

No one wanted to invite trouble at a time like this.

「The General’s Residence」

No one was particularly surprised to hear of the Emperor’s decree. Beset by enemies both within and without, the Emperor valued power above all else. A monarch’s personal feelings were never part of the equation.

"Exile to the frontiers? She’s getting off easy," Zhan Chi said furiously.

"Do you really think the Emperor will actually exile her to the frontiers?" Qian Fanji shot him a cold look.

Zhan Chi froze, stunned. "What? You mean he won’t?"

"Hah," Qian Fanji scoffed coldly.

"What’s that supposed to mean? How can an exile to the frontiers be faked?" Zhan Chi demanded.

"It’s merely for show," Gu Shuo said.

"What?" Zhan Chi’s shock turned to fury. "Then is the part about the apothecary families just for show, too?"

"Whether it’s for show or not, they still have to be sent to the frontiers," Zhan Yi said as he walked in through the door. "The Emperor’s decree made no mention of the child. Furthermore, during morning court, all the officials learned that Dean Chen and the Qian family have renounced their Beili citizenship. The Emperor’s stance on that was resolute."

"Even if he wanted to win us back, the Qian family will not remain in Beili." Qian Fanji could never pledge his loyalty to such an emperor.

"Our most pressing task is to transport the child’s body out of Beili. Dean Chen wants to set out tomorrow. The longer we delay, the hotter the weather will get." Zhan Yi walked to the coffin, his gaze falling upon the person resting inside with their eyes shut.

Tears welled in his eyes, impossible to hold back. ’Every time I look, it’s like a knife twisting in my heart. The pain makes it hard to breathe.’

"Tomorrow? Aren’t we waiting for Xiang Minghou to return to the Capital City?" Gu Shuo asked.

"I’ve already sent a messenger to Xiang Minghou. If we leave the Capital City and head north, we should be able to intercept him on his way back. We can decide how to meet then. With Xiang Minghou’s volatile temper, he might do something treasonous if he returns directly to the city."

Gu Shuo thought for a moment. "I’ll head back to my estate now and prepare."

"Keep a close eye on your grandfather, too. His spirits are low, and his pulse is unstable," Zhan Yi added.

"I will. Thank you, Uncle Zhan."

Zhan Yi then turned to Qian Fanji. "The Qian family is large. Your father, you, and Zhan Chi will accompany the procession. Don’t worry about the rest of your family. The Zhan family will dispatch an escort to see them out of Beili and rendezvous with you on the road."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhan." ’It would certainly be difficult to travel with the entire family in tow.’

"There’s no need for thanks. This is the least the Zhan family can do. If not for my many obligations here, I wouldn’t stay in this Capital City for a second longer," Zhan Yi sighed. ’I want to leave, but I can’t.’

"Uncle, please be careful from now on."

"Ai, don’t worry. After what happened at Four-direction Mountain, I see things much more clearly now." Zhan Yi sighed again. "Your journey is unlikely to be peaceful. Make sure you pick plenty of skilled martial artists for the escort."