Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

Translator: マイ

[Yes, I’m picking up this novel too. I see chapter one had been published by another translator, but since I’m going to pick it up, I did this chapter one again (in my style). I’m not sure how it will be, because this is a total opposite of what I’m currently translate (Modern vs Historical), not to mention the text is in all traditional Chinese too (¯∇¯٥). I can’t write as novelty as them, ’cause my English words ars limited. Andddd, this is all honorable royal family words, I’m so dead. I can only use simple and easy to understand wording, but if it’s too simple and boring, I apologize. Please bear with me.]

(Manhua ch 1 to 3)

The sky on the outskirts of Jing City, was covered by the dark and gloomy clouds. The raindrops that were left during the midwinter and were yet to dry up were still shivering hanging on the leaf, as well as the withered grass and the yellow reed that were shaking swaying back and forth in cold breeze blown by the North wind.

The cold breeze that was blowing once in a while was so cold, so cold that it felt like an icy array piercing through people’s flesh. Yet, the coldest and scariest place for people out there right now was none other than the deepest path inside the Internal Punishment Court.

The rumor known by ordinary people about the Cold Palace was that it was just a palace built to confine the Emperor’s concubines who had lost his favors but still provided food and daily uses.

However, the Internal Punishment Court was a place where the Imperial members who had committed major crimes were detained. The place which was full of cells and chains which no different from a jail; the jail where it was full of all many kinds of torture equipment.

The talk about the Internal Punishment Court, no matter whether it be inside or outside the Royal Palace, it would immediately bring fear to all the listener’s ears.

On the day that the wind was blowing hard from the north, a horse carriage that was densely covered by thick curtains was escorted by a group of elite soldiers, entering quietly from a small West gate of a Royal Palace and stopped in front of the entrance of the Internal Punishment Court.

Upon reaching the destination, the captain who was in charge of guarding and protecting the carriage, leapt off the horse and walked to stop at the front of the carriage.

Perhaps because of the identity of the person sitting inside—this carriage needed to be cloaked with thick curtains which seemed very simple and not very noticeable. However, at this moment it gave off a huge oppression.

The air was heavy, the surrounding atmosphere was filled with sorrowful and sadness, making the captain unable to speak a word.

Only after a long while did he speak using a serious and heavy tone, “Your Highness, we have arrived.”

The curtain was lifted from inside.

A tall and thin shadow of a person, bent down and got off the carriage. It might be due to the fact that he had been in the darkness for too long; he couldn’t stand the sudden bright of light, narrowing his eyes and gradually stood up straight.

“We’re here?” He murmured these two words to himself and lifted his head to look up at the “Internal Punishment Court” signage hanging up high in front of him. Sensing the deep invisible ghastly inside and beyond this door surprised him. There was a trace of fear on his young and handsome face, but soon, with a natural noble restraint, he calmly asked, “Is this the Internal Punishment Court?” His sound was light, as light as water and quiet and calm; which was the exact same image he gave off.

“Yes.” The captain replied in a low voice, unable to look at the young man whose talent was overflowing, yet was abandoned and dragged into the pit of hell by the court.

The eldest son of the Emperor Yan who was merely sixteen years old this year; Yong Qi, was granted a title as a Crown Prince last year, yet was disposed of by the sixth month.

He was a very handsome teenager. Bright eyes, white teeth. His eyebrows were well shaped, delicate features and elegant appearance. His dark black pupil which was always as bright as crystal, soft and always gazing everything with kindness.

The captain remembered himself seeing the Prince from afar when he was first crowned as the Crown Prince in the Main Palace hall a year ago. At that time, he wasn’t as fragile as he was now. After losing a lot of weight, the Prince became so skinny to the point of a miserable.

“Your Highness, please proceed. The people of the Internal Punishment Court are already waiting inside.”

“Who is questioning me?”

“Servant does not know.”

“I… want to see Father Emperor.”

“I’m going to meet the Emperor. You can help me prepare the procedures.” He said gently; it didn’t sound like either an order or a request.

“… Your Highness, everything that was handed to the Internal Punishment Court is never allowed to make a present in front of the Emperor. However, Your Highness can ask the Internal Punishment Court to present to the Emperor on your behalf.”

What followed after, was only silence, as though a heavy stone was pressed deep in his heart.

After a long while, Yong Qi frowned. With a bitter smile, he murmured, “Look like, I can only look forward to a mercy death.” He signed, raising his feet and stepped forward toward the Internal Punishment Court.

A group of ill-intent people holding shackles and iron chains, standing at the threshold waiting for Yong Qi’s arrival.

Seeing Yong Qi arrive in front of them, one of the leading Officials whose looks was as cold as ice, yet voice was as dry as sand, said, “This servant is the Officer of Internal Punishment Court, Zhang Cheng. Your Highness, please forgive servants for being rude, but once you pass this threshold, servants will not pay respect to you anymore.” He said, pointing at the bright yellow line near the front door. “It is not like servants are being ruthless or unruly but this yellow line of this threshold was personally drawn by the Emperor Tai Zu Lie and as the Emperor Zu Lie’s order, beyond this line is a place where to punish the sinners of the Imperial family. As long as they are brought in, regardless of their identities, whether they are blue-blooded nobility, imperial kinsmen or peerless beauty or even descendants of Emperor, coming here will all be treated as prisoners. Your Highness, do you understand?”

“What is there not to understand?” Yong Qi bit his lower lip, raised his head up proudly and coldly said, “Since I am here now, it’s up to you however you deal with me.”

“Servants merely follow the imperial orders and never dare to deal with Your Highness as however we want.” Zhang Cheng’s previous five generations were always members of the Internal Punishment Court.

Since childhood, he had seen many nobles as well as Emperor’s descendants had fallen, but this was the first time he had seen an abandoned Prince. Although Yong Qi appeared to be fragile, after all he was still an Imperial son whose Majestic aura was still lingering around him, which was why he didn’t dare to be disrespectful in terms of speech. “According to the rules, please use this shackles, Your Highness.”

Two minor officials stepped out from behind Zhang Cheng; one was holding a wooden yoke, while the one was holding a row of chain.

Yong Qi had always been treated as precious as gold and beautiful jade in all his life. Even if there were misfortunes in the past year, he at least had two or three eunuchs and maids waiting by his side, and never once had he seen all these chains and shackles. Facing the cold torture equipments in front of him, Yong Qi gritting his snowy-white teeth and slowy stretched out his hands.

Clack, clack.

The two crispy sounds of metal iron clicking and the heavy wooden yoke locking onto slender and fair white wrists were heard. A sense of humiliation that could make one feel like dying, rushed into the Yong Qi’s eyes, almost staggering him to fall.

Only then did Zhang Cheng smile with satisfaction. He tilted his body, stretching out his hand to let Yong Qi proceed. “Your Highness, please.”

There were two different rules made to judge the crime committed by the Royal family and the Minister Officers outside Royal bloodline. The crimes committed by the Ministers; in order to show fairness, were usually and formally judged by judges of three divisions. Crimes within the Royal family often involve royal privacy. In order to avoid family shame to the outsiders, oftenly only one chief judge was used.

Perhaps this time matters were majorly important, so before the trail, Emperor Yan broke the rules and appointed two people to be the judges in this case. Of course, Zhang Cheng was also one of them.

However, Yong Qi was unable to guess who the other judge was.

Yong Qi was in an extremely heavy and desperate mood as he stepped in the interrogation hall while being chained and shackled on his neck. Walking through the long pitch black path with yellow headlights, a face that jumped into the eyes suddenly made him stiff on the spot.

With sword eyebrows, eyes that sparkle like a vast star, bridge nose that was straighter than the average person, luxurious and calm; proud and handsome kind of imposing man.

His lips, eyes, mouth, and nose were so familiar.

Too familiar to the point that his heart was pressed tightly, all their encounters were boiled in his head, and he couldn’t help crying out, “Yong Lin?”

The person who came to see Yong Qi yet wasn’t receiving Yong Qi’s excitement, raised his lips and smiled, “Wrong, it’s not Yong Lin, it’s me.”

After hearing the sound, the surprise and excitement on Yong Qi’s face suddenly disappeared.

“Oh, Yong Shan, it’s you.”

What’s wrong with him to actually confused their two brothers?

Although they were twins, as the eldest son, Yong Qi had never once mistook these two younger brothers who were born by Shu Fei*, only two hours later than himself.

[*妃 fei; imperial concubine.]

Yong Lin, he was a great little brother.

Smart, easygoing, eager to learn, kind, and a little naughty; he—he was very different from Yong Shan.

Yes, Yong Lin didn’t have this kind of forced smile on his face.

Unlike his twin brother Yong Shan, Yong Lin never had a scent that made Yong Qi uncomfortable, or eyes that occasionally flashed a sharp light, as if he wanted to pierce people from front to back.

“It’s rare, you still remember Yong Lin.” Yong Shan was wearing a four-claws dragon gown and on his feet wore a pair of purple brocade shoes. His handsome and elegant posture was just like a Jade tree expressing a clam and composure manner.

Sitting on the high platform, his eyes could even be said to be harmless looking calmly at Yong Qi. But for some reason, to be seized up by those eyes like this, Yong Qi was a little afraid in his heart.

Yong Qi avoided his gaze and looked away, “Yong Lin… how is he now?”

“Yong Lin… heh, but I’m not here for a chat today.” After throwing these hateful words, Yong Shan stopped talking. He seemed to be satisfied measuring at Yong Qi with his eyes from above. Later, he turned his head to Zhang Cheng: “Father Emperor sent me to supervise the trail, Zhang Cheng, you should ask whatever you want.”

This one ruthless tone made Yong Qi terrified.

The brothers, who were born and raised together in the Palace, studying together and playing together. Although he was bais and secretly loved Yong Lin a little more, he had never been cold or indifferent to Yong Shan.

Staying at this place where the Sun wasn’t visible, even if they weren’t born from the same mother, there should be a bit of affection after all. How could he say such indifference; not one bit of concern even at this moment?

Where had he offended Yong Shan? Yong Qi had no idea no matter how much he thought.

The fire in the interrogation room that was burning behind Yong Shan, washing away the chill and warmed up to even their backbones. However, the prisoner standing on the other side of the prison, could feel a thrilling chill from the body to his soul.

Zhang Cheng opened the reported scroll, coughed, and started questioning.

“March, Year 20th of Qing Dynasty, have you ever contacted the Minister outside the palace without authorization to form a party?”

“I have not.”

“What ‘have not’? In March, you and Chen Jing met with the Council Ministers and had a long discussion for half an hour. Did such a thing happen? Moreover, did you receive a gift privately from the Minister?”

“Yes.” Yong Qi’s handsome face was very pale. He was gazing straight ahead, as if his soul was out of tune, yet his speech was well-ordered; he gently and slowly said, “I was conferred as a Crown Prince by the Father Emperor in the Year 20th of Qing. The Council Ministers sent gifts to congratulate me. They came according to the costume, and there wasn’t necessary to turn them down.”

“Did you instigate eunuch Wu Xiaosan to go to the Internal Affairs Court to take the birth record of each Princes?”

“I did not.” Yong Qi replied briefly while glancing at Yong Shan.

Yong Shan had been silent all this time.

Sitting in a far distance with burning fire shadowing from the back, made him look like a statue.

From the start of the trail until now, Yong Qi could feel his sharp, deep eyes staring at himself, with inexplicable exploration and observation, making people hard to understand; coupled with other things which could make his heart beat quickly…

“Still dare to argue?” Zhang Cheng snorted and raised his tone. “The eunuch Wu Xiaosan is the one who is always by your side and serving you. He has already confessed that he was indeed instructed by you at that time. How do you explain?”

“Back when I was still a Crown Prince, there were many people serving me.” Although he tried hard not to cause trouble, as for the Prince who still had his pride, he couldn’t help but showing his arrogance. Yong Qi calmly sweeped Zhang Cheng a glance. “You said that he confessed that he did it under my orders, but knowing there will be severe punishment, why would he still confess? And why should I get my brother’s birth records for?”

“Taking the birth records, of course to perform an evil spell on the Princes by using evil magic.”

“I didn’t do such a thing.” Yong Qi responded coldly, a pair of black pupils looked straight at Zhang Cheng. “This case has been investigated already, and it turned out to be framed; even Father Emperor knew it. Why do you insist on asking it again?”

Speaking to this point, the corner of his eyes swept towards Yong Shan, and his heart moved slightly.

Now he remembered.

During that case, with the instruction of his Mother Li Fei and Uncle Song Nan, the blamed turned directly to Yong Shan, Yong Lin and their Mother Shu Fei. At that time, although Yong Shan, Yong Lin and Shu Fei escaped the calamity, and they finally clarified their injustice. However, the old Granny who had taken care of Yong Shan ever since he was young; Mu Momo*, was tortured to death.

[*Granny or Nanny.]

“Back then was back then, now is now.” said Zhang Cheng. “The imperial edict given to me by the Emperor is to thoroughly investigate all cases related to you, this case…”

Yong Shan, who had been sitting silently, suddenly coughed, “Put on hold the previous case, and ask other questions first.”

Zhang Cheng froze for a moment, but hearing Yong Shan already spoke, of course he wouldn’t dare to reject it, respectfully said, “Yes.”

Putting down the scroll in his hands and reopening a new one, clearing his throat and asked, “Then I ask you. In December, Year 20th of Qing, you had been deposed, yet the Emperor showed leniency, appointed you to be the King of Nanlin, and let you study and cultivate well over there. Why did you want to contact the Ministers in Jing Capital and go in private with bad intentions?”

Qing, Year 20th in December was actually a month ago.

Yong Qi was deposed in June and went to Nanlin in July. Because he didn’t want to cause trouble, he didn’t even take a step out of the Palace. He was being this much careful, but unexpectedly still suffered a murderous scheme. He was accused wrongly before the Emperor and immediately sent back to the Jing capital for a trial.

Listening to Zhang Cheng’s aggressive questioning, he pondered for a while and asked, “Which minister did I contact?”

“Cai Xin, Lei Taowu, Song Nan, did you not write letters to them?”

“I did.” Yong Qi nodded and admitted, “Cai Xin and Lei Taowu are the Tutors appointed by Father Emperor; Song Nan is my relative. Can I not write to them?”

“Writing a letter is okay, but writing a letter with a scheme and privately wanting to form a party is a sin.”

Ordinary letters, with few words of greetings, turned out to be guilty and such a big crime. No matter how good nature Yong Qi was, he gradually became angry.

“Who said I was scheming to form a private party? Did you read them with your own eyes?”

“I did not!” Zhang Cheng stared insidiously at him, smirking and said, “Because I didn’t read it, that’s why I’m questioning you what was written in those letters? How did they plan? Who are the other accomplices? You went to Nanlin, Li Fei has sent you several letters in private. What’s written in it? Is it your idea to contact the Minister or Li Fei’s idea?”

A series of questions smashed down on him all at once; Yong Qi’s heart suddenly became very cold.

How was this called a trail? They were clearly deliberately taking this chance to set his whole family to death, not only the Song family, but also the ministers who symphashy with the Song family would not let go as well.

Since his position as a Crown Prince was deposed, his mother Li Fei had been put in the Cold Palace ever since. Although it was true that they had used familiarity and bribed some Palace maids in the past just to pass on the letter. However, it was just the greeting letter between mother and child, who really missed each other.

Only now did he know that for those letters that could be passed on to him was not by any chance, but deliberately indulgent, just for today’s frame. People’s hearts and souls had already fallen to this point. Why are they in such a rush to kill?

“Hurry up. Your Highness, servant’s patience is running out. You should also know that when you are being trialed, to quibble will only make you suffer even more.”

No, he must not yield.

Being defamed was one thing, but without his confession, it would be difficult to raise a lawsuit again.

Determined Yong Qi, raised his head, and lightly said, “I do not know anything. Those letters were indeed written by me and the contents were all of the family’s greetings. Moreover, I did nothing wrong just to write to my tutors and uncle.”

“Hehe, looks like Your Highness meant to want to spend more time with me here?” Zhang Cheng had a lot of experience in trailing prisoners, while Yong Qi was a fragile noble prince who had never been in a prison cell before. One look at the change of Yong Qi’s expression on his face, he could already guess his fear to some degree.

Before he took over this case, he had already gotten hold of the current situation inside the Palace Court. The second prince, Yong Shan, who was sitting behind him, would be officially conferred as a new Crown Prince in the next few days at most.

The whole situation had been decided, and it should be the time to make contributions for the future Emperor.

The reason Lady Shu Fei called him yesterday, wasn’t it because she didn’t rest assured and worried that Li Fei and the Song family could raise from their falls once again? To sum it all, it was necessary to quickly remove both former Crown Prince and Li Fei, and pluck out the needle in their eyes once and for all.

The fastest way to kill Yong Qi was to use punishment. Either a wooden stick or an iron chain, anything was fine. When they start, they could use a little heavy energy to ensure that the noble abandoned prince would be dead instantly.

Therefore, Yong Qi’s stubborn behaviour was just like what Zhang Cheng wanted. He looked at Yong Qi’s delicate slender body and laughed an unpleasant laugher, “Your Highness, please look.”

He turned his body to the side, pointing to the wall, “These things were bestowed by the previous Emperors, and they were specially used to punish guilty princes and nobles who are not afraid of death. The torture equipments that was granted by the Emperor, it is tantamount to teach the Royal family in place of the Emperor. Even if we torture them to death, the crime will not befall us. Prince Wu, who had secretly plotted to recruit soldiers in previous years, also died in this place. There are so many good things… Your Highness, which one would you like to choose first?”

Yong Qi looked up at all kinds of strange things hanging on the wall; eerier spooky sharp things, pitch-black and covered with thick blood, and unable to tell how many people had been infected. After all, Yong Qi was only sixteen years old. In all his 16 years old life, he had never been so close to physical mistreatment, all was because of his innate pride.

His twinkling shining eyes that were like clear Spring, were now full of anger, sadness, and fear.

The fear that shrouded continued to aggravate; Yong Qi could not help but he turned his complicated gaze toward Yong Shan, who was sitting so high above him.

His brother, who was only two hours younger than him, met his gaze and froze. But soon, Yong Shan turned his gaze away coldly.

Yong Qi’s heart seemed to be severely slammed by the siege.

If… if it was Yong Lin who was sent to supervise him, maybe…

“Your Highness, have you decided yet?”

“Don’t you just want to start the punishment?” Turning his head in sorrow and anger, Yong Qi gave Zhang Cheng a scornful look, “Go ahead.”

Zhang Cheng had been waiting for this sentence and couldn’t wait to add a sentence of “Yong Qi, who was being arrogant and unreasonable, was forcefully tortured.” in his report. After that he laughed and said, “Very well, Prince. You are brave.”

He raised his hand, pointing accurately to the blood-stained iron chain on the wall even without looking. To use that thing, as long as the user was trained enough skill, he could hit without breaking the skin and bleeding, but still secretly hurt your muscles and shatter the internal organs with 20 or 30 hits. It wouldn’t look like a serious injury either, but after two days, the tortured prisoner would breath his last breath and die unable to have any last hope. This way of torturing was very useful to manage the life of prisoners.

Zhang Cheng had not yet said a word, when a cold indifferent voice sounded at him: “Wait.”

Zhang Cheng froze, quickly changed to his official expression, and turned to look at Yong Shan.

“Your Highness?”

“Zhang Cheng, I have a few words to say.” Yong Shan stood up and moved his wrists gently in a proper manner. “Let’s find a place to talk.” Without waiting for Zhang Cheng’s response, he turned and walked out of the hall.

Zhang Cheng couldn’t figure out what the current Holy Prince would call upon him about, so he could only turn his nose and follow.

Yong Shan was waiting for him in a corner where there were no people, folding his arms.

“Yesterday, did you see my Mother?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Did she tell you anything?”

“Yes, Lady Shu Fei, she…”

“I can guess what she said.” Yong Shan coldly intercepted him.

North wind was blowing throughout the hall, passing on people as if cutting a knife. Zhang Cheng was wearing only two layers of fur clothing, and still fluttering in the cold.

Why did this hard-to-understand prince choose such a place for a private chat? Zhang Cheng was complaining in his heart, but even if he was given a hundred guts, he wouldn’t dare to say that out loud. He just watched Yong Shan hoping that he would finish his words quickly.

On the contrary, Yong Shan was not afraid of the North wind. Facing the wind, it seemed to make him more energetic. He straightened his body, and a slight smile yet unable to make people guess how deep the meaning of it, appeared on his face. It took him a while before he turned around and asked Zhang Cheng, “You tell me, can a concubine become an Empress without a son?”

Zhang Cheng froze. This question was really a bit sloppy; with no head or tail. Seeing that Yong Shan was looking at him with his bright pupil eyes, he realized that he was waiting for him to answer and replied quickly, “This… I am afraid not.”

“Clever.” Yong Shan gave him a glance with satisfaction. He turned his head, glancing through the high wall, and went straight towards the distant yellow beaming sky; he sighed, either as if downing with sorrow emotion, or as if to implying something, “Son, is the root of all mothers. Without me, Lady Shu Fei would not be an Empress either. Do you understand?”

“Servant understands.”

“Whose words weight more importance, do you understand?”

“Servant understands.” Somehow, standing in a place where the wind was this raging, Zhang Cheng’s back had already exuded a thin layer of fine sweat.

Although this cold and indifferent teenager in front of him was only sixteen years old, with his straight back as he stared into the far away distance, and his voice speaking of those words; plain but gentle and very clear, which could make adults tremble.

“Zhang Cheng, listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you.”

With Yong Shan’s deep and heavy tone, an invisible string of fear rushed toward Zhang Cheng. He couldn’t help lowering his body, and raised his ears to listen carefully.

Yong Shan folded his hands behind his back, saying one word at a time.

“If there was any mistakes interrogating Yong Qi in the Internal Punishment Court, I will take your life.”

The next interrogation that followed afterward, was nothing more than a soundly walking through the hall scene.

According to Zhang Cheng’s questioning, Yong Qi would confess everything related to himself, but whenever anyone else was involved, Yong Qi became a gourd and refused to answer anything.

Yong Qi felt strange, the tortured equipment was still on the wall, Zhang Cheng looked pale and hadious, his mouth was panic and impatient, but he never pointed to the back wall and mentioned the use of torturing again at all.

To be honest, when Yong Shan and Zhang Cheng went out to talk secretly, his shackled body was trembling in fear.

Afraid, of course he was afraid. Who wouldn’t be afraid?

The tragic incident that was just mentioned by the people around him in a few words a moment ago, and the tragedy that was stopped halfway, was now coming down to him.

The Dragons trapped the shoal and the Shrimp played; when the power was stripped off, it was understandable to be bullied by the vallians. The gazes of those ruthless men in front of him were like a tiger preying its prey. No matter how honorable he was in the past, once he tossed in here, the tortoure would occur to be even more merciless.

“Your Highness, we have talked for half a day and you still refuse to admit?” Zhang Cheng zhong closed his scroll, narrowing his eyes at him.

“What you have asked, I have already answered them truthfully one by one, and there is nothing to deny.” Yong Qi no longer pursed his lips, but this movement showed he was too nervous.

He answered Zhang Cheng for an hour, his mouth was dry and his wrists and shoulders were hurt by those heavy chains and shackles. Yong Qi stared at the blaze of flame firing on the other side, his eyes seemed be cold, a little unfocused.

He seemed to gradually adapt to the darkness and firelight here, and no longer felt the as trembling as before.

Then again, what’s the use of being afraid?

“I have to conclude and summit the words you said to the Emperor.”

“Just show it.”

Yong Qi’s eyes and eyebrows were very dedicated, even with a sneer, he was not appeared any mean. His eyes would always look very gentle, even if he was angered.

In this regard, he was nothing better compared to Yong Shan.

Yong Shan, even when he smiled and admired something, his eyes would flash a light that would make people feel fear. Although he was silent during the interrogation, his silent attention make Yong Qi feel like a thorn in his back.

What had he been looking at?

Not only the face, the hands, the feet or the body, clothes, but also his expression; Yong Shan’s eyes were like a net made of icy swords, which could trap and cut him into thousands piece from head to toes and in and out.

Subconsciously, Yong Qi turned his face away and avoided Yong Shan’s line of sight once again.

He heard Yong Shan sneer from where his seat, yet as though it was right next to his ears.

“Your Highness, today’s trial is almost over. These are the recorded files during the trail, please Your Highness to give pointers for guidance.” Zhang Cheng organized the files and carefully and respectfully presented them to Yong Shan.

“Take them away.” said Yong Shan, without giving a glance at those reported scroll. His face was still presenting a forced smile as he said, “I’m here to see people. What do these records have to do with me?” He said as he stood up; his clothes was still neat tidy despite sitting for a long time.

Seeing him about to head out of the hall, Zhang Cheng led the two court officials to follow him. “Your Highness has worked hard today. It’s cold, it is better to prepare a small warm sedan carriage for Your Highness…”

“Who said I’m leaving?” said Yong Shan; his head was not even turned. “I’ve seen the place where the interrogation took place. What about the cell? Show me.”

Because Zhang Cheng had gone to meet Shu Fei yesterday, the idea of Yong Qi would sooner or later die, was very possible to him. Which was why, what he prepared afterwards was just a shabby cell. But just thinking back to what Yong Shan had said just now, Yong Qi could not be mistreated.

Zhang Cheng was a smart man. He thought of something for a long time along the way he accompanied Yong Shan to the prison. Not only did he not led him to where small cell was, but he led him directly to the largest and best single cell in the Internal Punishment Court instead. “Here is the place. Your Highness, what do you think?”

“Un, the place is big enough,” said Yong Shan. “But it’s just a bit cold.”

“It won’t be cold. The fire stove has been prepared, but because the prisoner hasn’t arrived yet, that’s why it hasn’t fired. Oh! Servant shall start the fire now…”

Yong Shan didn’t mind his restlessness as he walked around the cell, and said, “I’ll say a few points, you can write them down. First, dig out a hole, and make a tunnel for fire underneath for warming.”

“Yes.” Zhang Cheng answered, but looked up with some doubt. “Actually… I haven’t tried it with a stove before…”

“Don’t use stove. Make it an open fire with red charcoal in it.” said Yong Shan; his face showed no little expression as he talked. “You have so many people under your hand, for three days, can’t you dig a hot little tunnel? If that’s the case, you won’t be able to do anything else either.”

“What are you talking about Your Highness? This… It does not need to be three days; a day and a half is enough.” Sensing something was not right about Yong Shan’s mood, Zhang Cheng quickly change his tone and said what he meant: “You can rest assured, Your Highness. His Highness Yong Qi shall not be left cold. Seeing my fierce face while doing his trail, I was just following order to be ruthless towards his Highness. There is way I really want to do that. In fact, who wants to make things difficult for him? Everyone below us think so, not to mention how kind-hearted His Highness is. After all, you two are still brothers of the same Father, how can you stand watching His Highness Yong Qi suffer? Even the Emperor also feels touched of how kind your heart is. Servant understands.”

“You don’t understand.” Yong Shan coldly gave him a sentence. In the dark prison full of iron cells, the deep pupils occasionally flashed a sharp light, tearing a gap in the sky like lightning, but disappeared in a blink of an eye. Yong Shan slightly pursed his thin lips; slowly and logically said, “This older brother of mine, he’s strong outside but fragile inside. Once he faces difficulties, he may appear as though to be fine, but in fact, it’s hard for him to get over it. You have to… watch him carefully.”

The tone he used to speak out that sentence was very light. The last four words spoken was also very soft light that they could hardly be heard without concentration.

Instead, there seemed to be a trace of unexplainable serious danger.

Zhang Cheng froze and was shocked for a moment, before he came to understand.

The righteous Prince who was known as a cold and always indifferent, was actually worried about Yong Qi’s death!

Zhang Cheng secretly raised his eyes peeking at the handsome teenager in front of him.

His Royal Highness Yong Shan, who ranked second in the palace, although Zhang Cheng hadn’t been under his commands much, he still had heard from people who have served in the Palace that he was famous for his coldness, ruthlessness, and unpredictable.

He had been together with him for less than three hours today, and he was indeed hard to serve.

Take his attitude towards his brother, Yong Qi. To say that he had good intentions for Yong Qi, in the whole interrogation process, he had never said a good word for Yong Qi’s sake. Not only that, he did not even smile at Yong Qi; however, it was hard to say that he wasn’t looking out for Yong Qi either. Was he not only afraid that Yong Qi would be tortured to death by the people of Inner Punishment Court, but also worried that he would kill himself.

What exactly happened?

While his mind kept spinning, Zhang Cheng still bowed his head, furrowed his eyebrows saying, “Your Highness, this… servant understands. Not only the stove, but other places will be carefully checked, not even a needle will remain.”

Yong Shan smiled slightly, and then commanded: “Second, you let people make more rings attached to the wall.”

“Rings?”

“The kind that can’t be pulled by two or three people. Un? Why are you in daze?” Seeing Zhang Cheng’s inexplicable look, Yong Shan gave him a glance. “You scare the prisoner whenever you use heavy punishment, what if when they are not obedient and struggle grabbing anything they can to let loose, how do you usually deal with it? To prevent such thing, install the hard to break rings possible.”

Only then did Zhang Cheng understand and let out an oh, explaining with a slight smile, “Your Highness first began to talk about the stove, servant thought the following would be something like bedding or quilt. But suddenly you talk about the torture equipment and my mind couldn’t catch up for a while. Heh, Your Highness can rest assured, there are so many rings here, we can nail five or six immediately and keep them securely. As long as a person is tied to it, even a King Kong cannot break it. If it’s loosened a little bit, Your Highness can twist this servant’s head right away. Not only the rings, but also the various thick and thin iron chains used with the rings are also here. Servant shall prepare them for you immediately.”

“Don’t use chains. Find something soft but can bind hands and feet; easy to use but not easy to break.”

“Un?”

“What, you don’t have?” Yong Shan glanced at him with a forced and scary smile.

“No, no, as long as it’s Your Highness wish, how could I not have?” Zhang Cheng replied, a little cold in his heart. No wonder had he not to allow the punishment, and also prevent death, so it turned out he wanted to…

Ever since Li Fei and Shu Fei entered the palace, they kept fighting with each other. It was normal for the one who was dismounted and got humiliated today. But the blood-related brother refused to let anyone else take action, and insisted he would end it by his own hands. This ruthless and poisonous heart was really shocking.

The ring and ropes that were used to bind hands and feet were not only soft, but also used by the people with high patience, which showed that he was preparing to make humiliation slowly.

But at the age of sixteen, he was a already a half-adult. The two of them were still born and raised in a Palace. How could he be this cruel? This vicious?

Even Zhang Cheng, who was so ruthless in his heart, couldn’t help shivering. For a moment, the outstanding Prince whose appearance was as handsome as Jade tree was as terrible as the devil from Hell, making people tremble in fear the longer they looked at him.

No wonder that the honest and well-known honour Yong Qi, would not be able to compete with him and ended up in such a miserable end.

Zhang Cheng lowered his head, swallowed in his throat, squeezed out a smile, and exclaimed with respect, “Servant has a set of soft bindings; it was brought by friends from afar and and work is extremely delicate, and the texture is even more rare and flexible. It’s unknown what’s it made from but even a knife can’t even cut, and to use that to tie someone up, it would be soft and practical. If Your Highness doesn’t dislike it, I’ll let the servant bring it up, how about that?”

“You are experienced. Since you said good, it must be good.” A faint smile appeared on Yong Shan’s cold and stern face. “I’ll reward you with five hundred silver. Go to my Palace to retrieve it tomorrow.”

“No, no! This is a form of respect of servant, how dare I take rewards? No no no!”

“It’s a reward you should accept it.” Yong Shan restrained his smile, his words was either light or heavy. “I don’t like other people’s disobedience; reward, punishment, ascension, surrender, life, death, all must follow my wish, This is how I do things. Understand?”

“Understood, servant thank you for the rewards.”

Yong Shan glanced at him with satisfaction, and looked around the room again. It seemed that he was finally satisfied, and walked towards the door. As he paced, he didn’t look back, and said to Zhang Cheng behind him, “I just said two points, and there was a third one, but I’m not going to tell you because you are so smart.”

“Yes,” Zhang Cheng followed behind Yong Qi, and replied, “There is another smaller cell next to this big one, where a prisoner lives. Servant can immediately ordered him to move to another place, so that when Your Highness interrogate Yong Qi in person, he wouldn’t be disturbed by screaming noises, also to prevent him from talking nonsense in the future. The people in the Internal Punishment Court know how the rule for Royal family’s prisoner works, so none of them has big mouth. There’s no need for Your Highness’ command, it won’t leak out. And… all kinds of needed equipments, thoughts, and good ointment, Servant will prepare for Your Highness.” Zhang Cheng’s voice was getting lower and lower.

“What equipments are needed? What ointment?” Yong Shan heard those word from his back, turned around to meet Zhang Cheng. He could not help raising his lips, “Do you think I will torture Yong Qi in person? What a joke.”

Shaking his head, he turned away again.

He didn’t say anything more this time, accompanied by Zhang Cheng out of Internal Punishment Court’s gate, sat on a warm sedan and left.

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