Chapter 633: No One Can Erase Her Trace

"My father is already making arrangements," Qian Fanji said.

Zhan Yi nodded. "Chi’er, for this journey, I’ll have Da Chun and his men accompany you."

"Alright." Zhan Chi knew the journey would be perilous, so he did not refuse.

Ye Qianning listened to their conversation, gaining a better understanding of the current situation. The Emperor had exiled Consort Yuan, but she knew that nine times out of ten, it just meant spending a few years on the frontier living in comfort.

She was the Crown Prince’s mother. In the future, once the Crown Prince grew up and distinguished himself, there would be plenty of opportunities to recall the consort. As for the punishment of the medicine-refining family, that was mostly for show as well.

The imperial decree had been issued. To argue further, even with good reason, would just seem like splitting hairs.

’It’s good that he can be met on the road back to the capital,’ she thought. ’I’m sure the Dean will talk some sense into him. Otherwise, if Father just charges in headfirst, he’ll easily anger the Beili Emperor.’

’Besides, she really didn’t believe the Beili Emperor would let her master and the Qian family leave Beili so easily after revoking their citizenship.’

’I have to find a way out of this predicament as soon as possible. That way, when something happens, I won’t be helpless and just have to listen.’

"Father, can Qian Ning really not be entered into the Zhan family’s records?"

Zhan Chi’s voice sounded again.

"Pangtuan is a child of the Zhan family. Whether the Emperor permits it or not is his business. Our family’s records are our own to decide. I will add Pangtuan to the Zhan family’s official records," Zhan Yi said solemnly. "She is the eldest granddaughter of the Zhan family. No one can erase that fact."

Zhan Chi walked to the coffin, his large hand gripping the wood tightly. He was filled with regret. When she had first arrived, he had failed to fulfill his duties as a father.

Things had just started to get better. He thought he could make amends, but he never imagined... The debt he owed was one he could never repay in this lifetime.

——

「Beili Imperial Palace」

When Consort Yuan learned she was being exiled to the frontier and the direct line of her sect was being banished to Northwest Rock Mountain, she nearly fainted. She rose to her feet, intending to find the Beili Emperor.

She couldn’t believe the Emperor would treat her and her sect this way. ’They already killed my senior brother,’ she thought, ’and his body is still in the General’s manor. Isn’t that enough?’

"Your Highness," an Imperial Guard at the door said, blocking her path, "the Emperor has given an order. You are not permitted to take a single step out of your bedchamber."

"How dare you block my path? Move!" Consort Yuan snapped.

"The Emperor’s command is absolute. Please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for us."

"I said, move," Consort Yuan repeated, a monstrous rage simmering within her.

The Imperial Guards stood their ground, unmoving.

Consort Yuan reached out, drew the saber from an Imperial Guard’s waist, and began slashing wildly at the guards. "Move! All of you, get out of my way!"

"Forgive us, Your Highness." An Imperial Guard dodged her attack and struck her arm with a sharp chop of his hand.

Consort Yuan cried out in pain, her hand flying open and releasing the saber’s hilt.

The saber fell to the ground with a loud CLANG.

"My, my, what is all this, sister?" The Empress drawled, strolling into the courtyard. She had arrived just in time to witness the frantic scene.

Consort Yuan whipped her head around and glared viciously at the Empress.

The Empress met her murderous gaze and laughed even louder. "Such a temper, sister. Perhaps the fire on Four-direction Mountain wasn’t quite hot enough for you?"

"Get out! You have no right to speak here," Consort Yuan snarled.

"Heh," the Empress sneered, stopping just a step away from her. "Sister, do you still think you’re the favored one? The Emperor didn’t even have you executed for treason and colluding with a foreign enemy. If you think about it, that in itself is a sign of his great favor."

Having been in the palace for so many years, Consort Yuan had never suffered such mockery. With a furious cry, she lunged at the Empress like a wild beast.

Several matrons standing behind the Empress intercepted her, roughly forcing her to the ground.

Consort Yuan struggled, but one of the matrons slapped her hard across the face. For a moment, she was completely stunned. "You... you dare strike me?"