Chapter 640: Midnight Vigil

"Then does that mean I can’t even come to pay my respects in the future?" Nanxiang cried even harder.

"Xiang’er, kowtow to Pangtuan."

Tears welled in Princess Changyang’s eyes. ’If this child hadn’t appeared, my daughter might have ended up just like the first two. She saved my Xiang’er’s life, yet I was powerless to save hers.’

Sobbing, Nanxiang performed a solid kowtow toward the coffin. "Pangtuan, my mother says that when kind people die, they become stars. You must be the brightest one in the sky."

Prince Changyang lit incense to pay his respects, placing the sticks in the incense burner. The child had done the Changyang Prince Mansion a great service, a debt he would remember and never dare forget.

"Old Prince, you’ve come as well?" Zhan Yi strode forward to greet the arrivals.

Prince Helian and the Princess Consort supported the old Prince as they walked through the gates of the General’s Mansion.

"This child did me a great service. How could I not come to pay my respects now that my benefactor has passed?" Old Prince Helian was nearly ninety, and his movements were a little slow.

Everyone in the main hall was rather surprised to see Old Prince Helian arrive, and they all bowed in greeting.

"Dispense with these formalities. Today, I am merely here to see the little girl off." The old Prince gestured for everyone to rise.

Qian Fanji lit incense sticks and handed them to the old Prince.

The old Prince took the incense and paid his respects toward the coffin. ’The memory of the little girl who saved me is as clear as if it were yesterday. I never could have imagined she would pass away so young.’

’To die and not even be allowed a proper burial... The sins of the imperial family are truly piling up.’

Prince Helian and the Princess Consort also offered three sticks of incense to pay their respects.

"Old Prince, Your Highnesses, you cannot stay long at the General’s Mansion," Dean Chen reminded them, his heart filled with gratitude.

"I am not afraid. I will not only pay my respects today, but I will also personally escort the child out of the Capital City tomorrow. As for that one in the palace, let him do as he pleases." Old Prince Helian was completely unafraid, only furious. ’How can they forbid people from paying respects to the dead?’

’Commit too many sins, and retribution will come sooner or later.’

"For both Princes to come at a time like this... I will remember this kindness. However, matters have progressed to this stage, and many have already been implicated. Beili will still need both of you to maintain stability in the future," Dean Chen said.

"Hmph." Old Prince Helian snorted coldly.

Prince Helian and Prince Changyang understood Dean Chen’s meaning. Their immense resentment and dissatisfaction melted into a sigh. Their opponent was the Emperor; being forced by pressure to deal with Consort Yuan and her sect was already the greatest concession he would make.

To continue pushing against the tide would only be counterproductive. An enraged lion recognizes no one.

"To hell with him. Tomorrow, I will personally see the little girl out of the city." The old Prince had lived to his age only to finally see people’s true colors.

A chill settled in his heart, and he found he could no longer see a future for Beili.

Dean Chen sighed softly. "Let me see you out, Your Highnesses."

"Dean Chen, allow me," Qian Fanji stepped forward.

"Very well."

"Old Prince, Your Highnesses, if you’ll please follow me." Qian Fanji bowed before gesturing for them to proceed.

Prince Helian and the Princess Consort supported the old Prince as they stepped out the door.

Princess Changyang, leading the still-crying Nanxiang, followed her own Prince out the door as well.

Nanxiang kept looking back, and the thought that she would never see Ye Qianning again made her sob even more violently.

"Qian Fanji, your Qian family has been stripped of its citizenship. What are your plans for the future?" the old Prince asked as they walked.

"We have no plans for now. We’ll decide what to do after we’ve seen the child’s remains out of Beili," Qian Fanji replied.

The old Prince was quite surprised to hear this. "It seems the Qian family holds this child in very high regard. Good, very good. People as loyal and honorable as your Qian family are a rare find these days."

Qian Fanji fell silent.