Zhou Weizhao followed him directly to the Imperial Guard Prison. All the documents were complete. The official charge against the Marquis of Guangping’s heir, Fei Zhan, was colluding with bandits to harm Prince Gong. After reading through them once, he reached out and tossed the entire stack of documents to Qing Zhuo. “Organize these and take them back for Xiaoyi to look at.”
Qing Zhuo acknowledged the order. Zhou Weizhao then asked Lai Chenglong, “What about Vice Minister Wang?”
Vice Minister Wang was being tortured. When Zhou Weizhao saw him, his snow-white inner robe didn’t have a single bloodstain on it, yet his entire person was already contorted with pain, even his features twisted.
The Imperial Guard’s methods of interrogation had always been varied and never repetitive, which was why Fei Zhan had been able to have his throat slit earlier. Thinking of this, Zhou Weizhao had a sudden thought and looked back at Chen Ping. “The person who killed the Marquis of Guangping’s heir—have they been found?”
The Marquis of Guangping’s heir had died swiftly and cleanly. The person working in coordination with Hongfa from the inside deserved much credit. If they hadn’t been caught, whether Vice Minister Wang would similarly die without illness in a moment was uncertain—although Chen Ping and the others were watching fairly closely now.
Chen Ping gestured to the jailer beside him to open the door, respectfully inviting Zhou Weizhao inside, while explaining, “Hongfa is an Imperial Guard, but Dazhi isn’t. After a bit of pressure, he confessed, but he doesn’t know much. Hongfa isn’t stupid—he knew Dazhi was an ordinary person and made thorough preparations.” This further proved that Hongfa’s actions weren’t impulsive but that he had been bought off long ago.
According to Dazhi’s account, Hongfa had only begun having him pass messages to the Marquis of Guangping’s wife in the past half year. Calculating the time, it was exactly when Prince Gong and the Yang family returned to the capital.
Princess Consort Gong, née Yang, truly didn’t pass up anyone who could be utilized. Given her way of recruiting people, who knew how many hidden dangers still remained unresolved.
Although they had now arrested the squad leader who had passed the dagger to the Marquis of Guangping’s heir for suicide, this squad leader didn’t know much either. The order for him to pass the dagger to the Marquis of Guangping’s heir had been issued by Vice Minister Wang. Beyond that, even torturing him half to death wouldn’t yield more information.
Chen Ping sighed and frowned with some worry. “But Vice Minister Wang has a foul and stubborn temper. Even after bringing his wife and children before him, he still won’t speak. He’s truly a formidable character.”
Those who followed Han Zhengqing—it would be strange if they weren’t tough and easy to handle.
Zhou Weizhao was mentally prepared. Upon entering the room, he saw Vice Minister Wang looking toward him. Though his features were twisted and his face deathly pale, his eyes were still piercing and startlingly bright, gazing at him with hidden excitement.
Like a madman. Chen Ping couldn’t bear to see such eyes. He looked back at Zhou Weizhao. “That Madam Yang is also acting like she’s gone mad. Even with the person already in our hands, she’s still dreaming some impossible dream. She wasn’t even afraid of being tortured, acting crazy and delirious. Although we eventually extracted some information from her, it wasn’t anything useful. The real key still lies with this man surnamed Wang.”
There must be something supporting these people.
Zhou Weizhao leisurely took a seat behind the long interrogation table, his face showing no anger. He didn’t avoid the somewhat unsettling gaze Vice Minister Wang cast at him, staring directly back at him for a while. When Vice Minister Wang involuntarily looked away first, he smiled and finally spoke. “What benefits did Prince Gong promise you and Han Zhengqing that made you willing to board his ship with Han Zhengqing?”
The room became frighteningly quiet, with only the occasional crackling sounds from the burning charcoal in the brazier. Chen Ping waved his large hand, and everyone retreated, leaving only himself to assist Zhou Weizhao.
Vice Minister Wang said nothing. A nail board was placed beneath his feet. As long as he didn’t keep his feet curled and arched, the soles of his feet would be bloody and torn. But a person couldn’t maintain a state of high tension forever. From last night until now, the soles of his feet had already been pierced through. Both feet were swollen and enlarged, their shapes no longer distinguishable. Now he smiled slightly. This smile relaxed his vigilance, and his feet involuntarily stepped on the nail board again. The pain immediately made him cry out and furrow his brow.
He hadn’t closed his eyes for a full day and night. As soon as he closed his eyes, these Imperial Guard people would find every means to make him open them. Now his eyelids were so heavy with exhaustion they stuck together uncontrollably. The nail board’s stab jolted him awake again. He gritted his teeth and endured the pain, refusing to speak.
Even Chen Ping couldn’t help but remark that he was tough—truly tough. No wonder the Imperial Guard had used so many methods on him to no avail.
Zhou Weizhao stood up and paced to stand before him, staring intently at his eyes. “I recall that previously you were reprimanded for colluding with the Bureau of Astronomy and for slandering the Song family together with the villainous monk Yuanhui of Imperial Enlightenment Temple. Who Imperial Enlightenment Temple later attached itself to—you and I both know clearly. That being the case, I’m also somewhat curious. Following the Eastern Palace at least means following legitimacy. As long as the Eastern Palace doesn’t fall, your future would be guaranteed. But following Prince Gong, such a rebellious traitor—what benefits can you possibly gain?”
“I searched your study and your secret chamber.” Seeing Vice Minister Wang suddenly raise his head and widen his eyes, Zhou Weizhao said with satisfaction what he had discovered. “Your people’s trips to Yingyang have been quite frequent. If I haven’t guessed wrong, you’re not following the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace at all, but rather Marquis Jinxiang Han Zhengqing, aren’t you?”
Chen Ping set down the brush in his hand, looking thoughtful.
Vice Minister Wang bit his own lip and said nothing.
“You do have some of a scholar’s integrity.” Zhou Weizhao was unconcerned and even praised him once. Afterward, he stopped pursuing this question relentlessly. He began asking Chen Ping about Vice Minister Wang’s wife and children, from his wife and children to his parents and paternal uncles, asking about each one in meticulous detail.
A hint of struggle and reluctance flashed between Vice Minister Wang’s brows, but he immediately forced it down, adopting an attitude of a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.
This person was quite ruthless. Either he had some tremendous weakness held in Han Zhengqing’s hands, or Han Zhengqing had given him tremendous favors. Zhou Weizhao looked down at him and offered his terms. “You should know what situation you’re in now, regardless of your reasons. Here’s the deal: if you tell me every detail about the relationship between Han Zhengqing and the Fan clan, and report on their operations in Xibei, I’ll leave you a complete corpse and spare your family’s lives. How about it?”
Vice Minister Wang let out a scornful laugh, clearly unmoved.
Zhou Weizhao didn’t force him either. He looked back and instructed Chen Ping, “Although you brought Vice Minister Wang’s family members before, you haven’t properly entertained them. How about this—bring them to reunite with Vice Minister Wang. Especially his newborn grandson, who seems to be less than two months old? Bring him along to show Vice Minister Wang. It’s been a long time since he’s seen him—he must miss him terribly.”
After all, some people truly wouldn’t shed tears until they saw the coffin. Verbal threats meant far less to them than actually seeing it with their own eyes.