Chapter 642: Mourning at Night 3

"My lord, spare me! I’ll never do it again, my lord..."

"Drag him away."

"My lord... Young Master, save me! Young Master..." The servant was dragged away.

Gao Qi watched the servant being dragged away. "Father, I’m the one who threatened him into driving the carriage! It wasn’t his fault. Let him go!"

"As of yesterday, a strict rule was established in the Prime Minister’s estate: anyone who dares to let you leave will be severely punished, no exceptions," Prime Minister Gao said gravely. "These people have been treating the estate’s rules as mere suggestions. If I don’t make an example of him, he won’t understand who’s in charge of this household."

"Father... You can’t kill him! I’m the one who forced him to drive... Father!"

"Back to the estate."

Prime Minister Gao completely ignored Gao Qi’s frantic cries and pleas, stepping into the carriage.

An attendant placed Gao Qi in another carriage, and they drove off, leaving the street of the General’s estate.

In the Capital City, many students who had graduated from Lou Mountain Academy came in the dead of night to burn incense and pay their respects. ’The academy’s headmaster only ever had one personal disciple, and she died after just a few months. Such a shame.’

"WHOA—"

Just past midnight, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the General’s estate.

A woman in a cloak stepped out of the carriage. Seeing her, the General’s household steward rushed inside to announce her arrival.

Before long, Zhan Yi, Madam Zhan, and Zhan Chi hurried out of the main gate.

"Qin’er."

Madam Zhan called out first.

"Mother, be careful," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, stepping forward to meet her.

"Qin’er, why are you here?"

"Second Sister, the palace gates were locked long ago. How did you get out?" Zhan Chi asked, his face full of worry.

"The captain of the palace gate guards is Yanyan’s brother, Chen Zheng. I can’t stay long, or I’ll get them into trouble."

"How could you take such a huge risk? You need to go back, quickly."

"Mother, I wanted to come and say goodbye to the child," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, taking Madam Zhan’s hand.

Madam Zhan squeezed her hand tightly. She had so many worries, so much she wanted to say.

"Mother, I’m already here," said Noble Princess Consort Zhan.

With a hint of worry in her eyes, Madam Zhan sighed softly. "Let’s go."

"Second Sister, watch your step." Zhan Chi moved to support her.

"I’m fine. I’m not that fragile."

Zhan Yi, also looking worried, stepped into the estate.

Some onlookers were inwardly surprised to see the Noble Princess Consort. ’For a member of the imperial harem to dare leave the palace alone at a time like this... the Zhan family truly is audacious.’

The crowd began to bow, but Noble Princess Consort Zhan stopped them.

"Today, I am here as a daughter of the Zhan family, and as the child’s aunt," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, her eyes rimmed with red.

Hearing this, the onlookers set aside any thoughts of palace etiquette. Zhan Chi lit a stick of incense and handed it to her.

Noble Princess Consort Zhan gazed at the enormous coffin, her heart aching. "Qian Ning, it was my fault for not looking after you. I’m the one who caused your death."

’If I hadn’t seen her off from the palace that day, she never would have gone to Four-direction Mountain. It’s all my fault.’

"It’s my fault, it’s all my fault." Tears streamed down Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s face.

"Second Sister..."

Zhan Chi’s swollen eyes began to sting again, and he couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

"My girl..." Old Man Gu, having come to his senses, was helped into the main hall.

A large crowd of the Gu family followed closely behind him.

After offering the incense, Noble Princess Consort Zhan was helped to one side by Zhan Chi.

Old Man Gu rushed to the coffin. "Little girl, this old man has nothing left to live for. Take your great-grandpa with you. I want to hold your hand, even on the road to the underworld."

"Father, you can’t think like that."

"Grandfather, the dead can’t be brought back. Please, you must moderate your grief."

"Father, the child would have wanted you to live a long and healthy life. You need to calm down."

Hearing this, the sons and grandsons of the Gu family were terrified. They rushed to surround Old Man Gu, watching him at every moment, afraid that in a fit of delirium he might smash his head against the coffin and kill himself.