Horse hooves thundered through the long street, sweeping past like a gust of wind. Feng Zhiwei was about to board her sedan chair when she turned to look, smiling. “Eh, seems like they’re heading toward my residence. Looking at how murderous those Imperial Forest Army soldiers are, I wonder whose family is about to suffer misfortune.”
The Second Prince laughed dryly, his gaze flickering. The two separately boarded their sedan chairs heading to court. Along the way, the atmosphere was somewhat strange. Early that morning, soldiers from the Imperial Capital Prefecture and Nine City Military Command were stationed every three steps and every five steps along the streets. The teahouses that normally opened early for business, which by this time should have been full of scholars, had opened as usual today, but sitting inside were many keen-eyed, vigorous men who seemed to be leisurely drinking tea while actually carefully scrutinizing everyone who entered.
Feng Zhiwei lowered the sedan curtain, a trace of cold smile crossing her lips.
All the way to before Chengyang Gate, a line of Imperial Forest Army soldiers also stood there. Officials gathered in groups of three or five, whispering among themselves.
“I heard the Ministry of Rites was robbed last night!”
“It wasn’t robbery! Something happened with the spring examination questions!”
“How come I heard from the Nine City Military Command that there were no losses?”
“Originally they said no losses—just that a Vice Director was stuffed in a sack and thrown in the Ministry of Rites cellar. Later, a Ministry of Rites Vice Minister felt uneasy and went to check the secret vault again. He felt something was wrong and was about to report to his superiors when the Imperial Capital Prefecture arrested a street vendor. At dawn, this person had arranged to meet several scholars at a secluded corner alley in the south of the city, sneaking around doing who knows what. When questioned, he turned out to be selling spring examination questions!”
“Ah!”
“Must be fake!”
“The Imperial Capital Prefecture also thought it must be fake, but matters involving spring and autumn examination questions have always followed the principle that it’s better to believe they’re true than to believe they’re false. According to convention, it must be immediately reported to the cabinet. Last night Grand Secretary Wu was on duty and immediately reported to His Majesty. When the questions were brought out for examination, His Majesty smashed his teacup on the spot!”
A chorus of gasps, though gasped with some delight—people always felt both the relief of ‘this doesn’t concern me’ and the secret pleasure of schadenfreude toward others’ misfortunes.
Especially when that person had risen to prominence so dazzlingly early on as to arouse jealousy and resentment.
Inside the sedan chair, Feng Zhiwei listened, thinking that Imperial Capital officials were indeed formidable. The speed at which this news spread was truly outrageous. If she as the Ministry of Rites chief official hadn’t been tipped off beforehand, at this moment she would truly be sitting at home minding her own business while disaster fell from the sky.
She deeply reflected on her underestimation of the Imperial Capital’s officialdom and the inadequacy of her information network preparation, then lifted the curtain and exited the sedan.
She had come in the Second Prince’s manor’s sedan chair. When the curtain lifted, the officials who had just been chattering like at a marketplace all instantly became mute as sealed gourds.
In the eerie silence, Feng Zhiwei seemed completely oblivious, smiling as she greeted them. “Greetings to all you lords… Ah!”
“Clang!”
Two brilliantly gleaming long sabers crossed before her, the blade light reflecting the Imperial Forest Army’s habitually iron-gray rigid faces. Their tone was colder than the blade light. “Minister Wei, His Majesty has decreed—please accompany us to the Ministry of Justice.”
“Please accompany us to the Ministry of Justice”—it sounded polite, but for Tiansheng’s court and countryside, this was the most terrifying phrase. When a current high official couldn’t even see the sacred countenance or was given no opportunity for courtroom self-defense but was directly sent to the Ministry of Justice’s great prison, it could only mean a capital crime.
Amid the officials’ schadenfreude came several degrees of shock. They had originally thought that given Wei Zhi’s illustrious achievements and overwhelming imperial favor, His Majesty would at least give him a chance to defend himself before the throne. Perhaps with that person’s silver tongue, though leaking exam questions was hard to escape responsibility, at least there would be a chance for vindication. Now he was being directly sent to the Ministry of Justice—His Majesty was truly enraged about this matter!
Grand Secretary Yao Ying stood to the side with furrowed brows, exchanging glances with Hu Shengshan. Ever since his son’s life was saved by Wei Zhi, Grand Secretary Yao’s impression of this young man had improved considerably. This was him asking old Hu whether they should speak again to His Majesty?
Dried-walnut old man Hu Shengshan slowly shook his head—His Majesty was a callous ruler. Whoever remonstrated at this time would suffer. Better to let things cool down first.
The old man also had another private calculation. Since entering office, Wei Zhi had been too smooth sailing, which wasn’t good for a young person. Might as well take this opportunity to let him suffer some hardship. In the future, when the Prince provides timely assistance at his most critical moment, it might even be an opportunity to win him over.
The crowd each had their own calculations, thoughts surging, silent as crows.
Over there, Feng Zhiwei slowly raised her eyes, looking at the coldly gleaming blade edge before her.
Her gaze that was always clouded and veiled suddenly flashed with brilliant light, bright as lightning, stabbing at the several Imperial Forest Army guards who were watching her grimly. Their gazes jumped. They exchanged glances, pressed their sabers down slightly, and their tone softened a bit. “Lord Wei, please.”
Everyone held their breath watching, speculating how this first-rank high official who had never suffered setbacks and whose Minister of Rites seat hadn’t even warmed up yet would react. Force his way into the palace hall? Proclaim injustice? Plead tearfully? Lament the emperor’s callousness? Have his unrivaled guard take direct action?
However, the officials waiting to watch a good show were disappointed.
No one expected that beneath the crossed long sabers, Feng Zhiwei would raise her eyes to glance at the palace hall once, then suddenly step back and kneel down, bowing three times toward the dragon throne above the Golden Hall.
Prostrate on the ground, she removed her official hat and placed it properly to the side, saying solemnly, “Just now in the sedan chair, this official vaguely heard about last night’s incident at the Ministry of Rites. This official unworthily serves as Ministry of Rites chief official yet was completely ignorant of such a major matter. This itself is this official’s crime. This official is willing to accept the crime of ten thousand deaths. Whether right or wrong, the fault lies with this official alone. It’s just that His Majesty is advanced in years. If because of this, rebellious fire rises and harms the dragon body, this official could not atone even with a hundred deaths. This official only asks that His Majesty temporarily suppress his anger and cherish the dragon body—that would be this official’s and all the people’s blessing.”
Silence fell all around. The officials listened intently to her measured words, all silently exclaiming in their hearts: Admirable!
Several Grand Secretaries exchanged glances, their expressions stern.
A current first-rank official suddenly encountering impending great calamity, intercepted by the Imperial Forest Army before the palace gates in front of all officials, immediately sent to the Ministry of Justice’s great prison—so sudden and without any face-saving, abruptly falling from heaven to earth—who else could endure it? In the past, some collapsed on the spot, some lost control of their bladders, some wept rivers of tears. At best, they trembled with hands and gritted teeth, maintaining face while barely leaving.
Who else could be like this youth—unangered when wronged without cause, unalarmed when suddenly confronted? In a short passage, dignified and upright, he both vindicated himself as completely innocent in this matter while earnestly and without complaint expressing concern for His Majesty. Though in dire straits himself, he still worried that His Majesty shouldn’t injure himself with anger—His Majesty was advanced in years, and elderly people most cared about such things. No matter how great the anger, hearing this measured yet affectionate remonstrance that didn’t make excuses for himself yet cleverly declared his true feelings, the fire would probably be doused somewhat.
Such composure and determination, such matchless wisdom in responding—even Grand Secretaries who had floated and sunk in the bureaucratic sea for decades, rising and falling, might not be able to achieve this.
Wei Zhi had achieved success at a young age, never suffered any setbacks, and should be most high-spirited and aggressive—where had he learned this natural depth of character and astonishing self-control?
“Lord Wei is thoughtful.” Hu Shengshan was first to speak. “Your words—we will certainly convey them to His Majesty.”
“Then many thanks.” Feng Zhiwei smiled, turning her head to say to Gu Nanyi, “Don’t follow.”
“That won’t do.” The Imperial Forest Army squad leader who had come to escort them said. “Last night among those who broke into the Ministry of Rites, one had superior martial skills and was skilled at sealing acupoints. Such profound martial arts—Lord Gu reportedly also possesses them. So please also accompany us to the Ministry of Justice to explain clearly.”
Feng Zhiwei said nothing, only smiled apologetically at Gu Nanyi. “It’s my fault for implicating you.”
Young Master Gu calmly removed his sword and handed it to the Imperial Forest Army captain, turning back to say to the servant who had followed, “Go fetch a cloak. Your master’s back isn’t good—for sleeping.”
The servant replied with trembling legs. The officials looked at each other—so this one thought he was going on vacation?
“Tell the young miss that her father is on vacation. Two times sleeping together are owed.”
“…”
The officials bit their lips, wanting to laugh but not daring—truly on vacation.
Some with impure thoughts pondered that statement—could it be that if this father didn’t go on vacation, he would sleep with his daughter? Sleep? Together? With? Daughter?
Ahhhhhh… such moral corruption…
“Send pigeon soup at noon, vegetarian snacks in the evening.” Young Master Gu continued calmly arranging his vacation menu. “She can’t sleep well if she eats too much meat at night.”
The officials began sniffling… ahhhhhh such deep affection between this cut sleeve pair…
A sedan chair with a gold-topped green felt roof was slowly carried over. The person inside was about to lift the curtain and exit when hearing this statement, his hand paused.
Over there, Feng Zhiwei also seemed to remember something, instructing, “Many things were burned last night. Buy new bedding to send in—use that Jianghuai-produced feather cloud silk cotton, the highest quality kind that’s like a cloud.”
The officials’ eyes glowed green—ahhhhhh like a cloud, ahhhhhh making waves of red passion even in prison.
“Also bring… eight pounds of small walnuts.”
“Lord Wei.” The Imperial Forest Army captain had long been listening in a daze and finally reacted, quickly stopping her. “Other things are fine, but walnuts are not allowed. I heard Lord Gu has extremely high martial skills and is good at using walnut projectiles.”
“Shell them and only send in the walnut kernels.” Feng Zhiwei immediately instructed, turning her head very gently to say to the Imperial Forest Army captain, “Walnut kernels are too light to serve as projectiles. Don’t worry.”
“…”
After the two going on “vacation” finished their arrangements, they calmly followed the Imperial Forest Army out. Out of consideration for Wei Zhi’s status, they weren’t bound hand and foot with cangue and shackles, yet a full thousand men were deployed for escort.
A prince’s sedan chair stopped by the roadside, its curtain half-drawn. The hand lifting the curtain was slender and white as jade. Behind the curtain, the person’s gaze shifted like the deep sea.
Feng Zhiwei smiled at the person in the sedan and bowed slightly. “Your Highness.”
“Lord Wei, take good care of yourself.” Ning Yi looked at her, saying slowly, “Minister Peng of the Ministry of Justice came from your Ministry of Rites and is most upright and impartial—a true gentleman. You can rest assured. As for your case, since everything is still unclear, there’s no need to worry. Soon His Majesty will issue a decree. The Three Judicial Offices and we several brothers will inevitably become involved.”
Feng Zhiwei’s gaze flashed. She bowed again. “Many thanks for Your Highness’s concern.”
Ning Yi’s words revealed much information. By saying Minister Peng was “upright and impartial,” he hinted that this person might, because he was too “zealous against evil,” take action against Feng Zhiwei. By saying the Three Judicial Offices and several brothers would all become involved, he meant this was a serious case—he would find ways for the Three Judicial Offices to jointly try it to prevent the Ministry of Justice from manipulating things alone. But His Majesty also didn’t fully trust him, the prince in charge of the Three Judicial Offices. The Second Prince and Seventh Prince might also participate. And the current Three Judicial Offices, due to the Emperor of Tiansheng’s shake-up earlier this year, were no longer Ning Yi’s trusted allies. So she needed to be careful herself.
Their gazes touched. Feng Zhiwei suddenly smiled softly.
This smile was unlike her usual distant coolness, like seeing flowers through mist—seemingly close yet actually far. Instead, it was warm and gentle, eyes like water, carrying a trace of faint relief and joy. Ning Yi’s heart trembled at the sight. In a daze, he thought this kind of gaze had been absent for so long. The last time he’d seen it seemed to be over a year ago in Nanhai, when she was seriously ill in bed and he personally attended to her medicine. Each time after feeding her medicine and wiping her mouth, she would smile softly like this.
That smile had softened the sunset and rippled the stars and moon, making one’s heart soar into floating clouds, swaying and enveloping—even into night and dreams, it was sweet.
Later, that smile became memory, recalled again and again in the cool night wind. By the end, he even began to doubt whether that smile had ever truly existed or was merely his imagination.
Now, finally seeing it again.
Though that smile amid layers of encirclement was as brief as a spark, the corners of his lips couldn’t help curving slightly. He gently lowered the sedan curtain and in the darkness, smiled faintly.
Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi separately entered the Ministry of Justice’s specially made iron carriages, heading toward the Ministry of Justice. A thousand guards escorted them all the way. The carriages only had a narrow gap for ventilation. When they’d traveled halfway, Feng Zhiwei heard three light taps above her head.
She tapped her fingers on the iron carriage roof in response. Above, a wind sound swept past.
Zong Chen had brought people to protect her along the way, but they couldn’t immediately enter the Ministry of Justice’s great prison. Zong Chen inquired whether she wanted them to try mixing in among the guards now. Feng Zhiwei indicated refusal.
After a while, bird calls came again. The carriage traveled another stretch. When turning a corner, it suddenly tilted to one side.
The Imperial Forest Army first tightly protected the two carriages, then gathered to see what was wrong. They discovered one iron pin on the carriage’s side wheel had come somewhat loose and quickly used their sabers to hammer it tight.
A group of men bent over looking at the carriage bottom, not noticing someone above descending like a falling leaf, borrowing the branches of a roadside large tree to drift down leisurely. Like a spring, rising and falling once, two small bottles had already dropped through the gap in the carriage roof.
Feng Zhiwei hid the small bottles in her sleeves.
The carriage soon arrived at the Ministry of Justice. Without exiting, it went directly inside, then downward. Judging by the sounds, they had actually entered the Ministry of Justice’s underground death row—the most severe prison.
The corners of Feng Zhiwei’s lips revealed a trace of cold smile.
By rights, with her status as equal rank to the Minister of Justice, the usual phrase would be—”please come for tea.” Though not actually drinking tea, providing a private room with complete amenities should be expected. At most, one would lose freedom. When interrogation began, they would politely invite you out. No one would give you a hard time.
All were high officials with deeply entrenched power networks behind them. Who knew if they might someday make a comeback and settle accounts thirty years later? Who knew if there were still powerful forces backing them? Even if immediately heading to the execution ground, they’d send you off with good food and drink on your last journey. This was the routine way Three Judicial Offices capital officials navigated officialdom.
But when it came to her, there was an exception.
Wei Zhi was a lone wolf, without support on any side, yet with shocking prestige. Ultimately he relied on the Emperor of Tiansheng’s favor. Once the Emperor of Tiansheng showed the slightest sign of displeasure, naturally it would be a case of everyone pushing when the wall falls.
The Emperor of Tiansheng might not necessarily decree to make things difficult for her, but in officialdom there were too many instances of superficial compliance while secretly opposing. As long as someone with intentions delayed for several days, once fallen into the Ministry of Justice’s hands, wouldn’t she be like fish or meat for slaughter?
Moreover, this Minister of Justice was precisely the former Minister of Rites. Her return had been too coincidental, ruining his plans. This person probably also bore resentment toward her.
All the way down, the carriage finally stopped. When Feng Zhiwei exited, Imperial Forest Army guards waited at the entrance, politely yet coldly saying, “Your Lordship, Ministry of Justice rules—please bear with us.” They waved a black cloth strip.
Feng Zhiwei had no objections and let him blindfold her eyes. They walked deeper and deeper, leading her into a cell. She suddenly stopped and said, “Where is Brother Gu being held?”
“Your Lordship, you should know the rules. Co-defendants must be held separately.” Someone answered rigidly.
“What co-defendants?” Feng Zhiwei suddenly reversed her cooperative attitude throughout the journey, saying coldly, “The Three Judicial Offices haven’t tried the case yet. I haven’t been stripped of office. His Majesty hasn’t decreed my crime. Where is the case? Where is the defendant?”
Silence fell all around. Faintly there seemed to be some commotion. Then that same voice, slightly softened, said, “This subordinate misspoke. Please forgive me, Your Lordship. But Lord Gu has superior martial skills. His Majesty personally instructed that you cannot be held in the same cell. Please don’t make things difficult for us.”
“Fine then.” Feng Zhiwei said. “Hold him across from me. I need to be able to see him at all times.”
Gu Nanyi suddenly said, “If not agreed, kill immediately.”
That person was startled. Looking at Gu Nanyi’s expression, he knew this type of person wouldn’t lie or yield. He seemed somewhat hesitantly to turn his head to request instructions from someone. After a long moment, he answered, “Then Lord Gu must wear heavy shackles. Otherwise, this subordinate cannot possibly agree.”
Feng Zhiwei frowned. She worried the jailers would tamper with the shackles to harm Gu Nanyi. Just as she was about to say forget it, Gu Nanyi immediately said, “Bring them.”
After a while, several jailers came over, the sound of shackles dragging on the ground behind them. Judging from their panting sounds, these were the Ministry of Justice’s heaviest dark iron shackles. Millennium-forged dark iron—several men could barely lift them. Once these shackles went on, an ordinary person would be exhausted to death in one night. Even a master would inevitably become lamb for slaughter.
Feng Zhiwei absolutely didn’t want Gu Nanyi kneaded by this group of petty people. She immediately said, “Forget it. Hold Lord Gu wherever you please.”
She thought as long as he didn’t wear these shackles, with Gu Nanyi’s martial skills, whether within her line of sight or not, he shouldn’t be harmed by anyone.
But Gu Nanyi immediately said, “No, across from me.”
Then Feng Zhiwei’s hand warmed. Gu Nanyi had already grasped it. Heaven knew how, with so many people and him blindfolded, he so accurately found her hand. Gu Nanyi tightly gripped her fingers, using some force. Heat penetrated through her skin. Feng Zhiwei heard a thin, low voice pressing into her ear.
“Last time I wasn’t there. This time I want to accompany you.”
Feng Zhiwei paused, then understood he was referring to that time she was interrogated in Pucheng’s dark prison. Not being by her side that time must have made him deeply regret and blame himself. Now listening to his tone, there was actually some celebration and joy in it.
Joy that this time when she was in danger, he was present and could accompany her to prison together.
Feng Zhiwei pressed her lips together, warmth rising slightly in her heart. She also squeezed his warm fingers, quietly saying, “Be careful—”
Gu Nanyi didn’t answer but released her hand. Beneath the black cloth, the corners of his lips curved slightly upward.
Feng Zhiwei listened to the heavy sound of those shackles, somewhat alarmed. Yet Gu Nanyi remained silent throughout. The Imperial Forest Army squad leader who had escorted them then removed Feng Zhiwei’s blindfold and pushed her into the cell. Layer after layer of chains wound around the iron cell door. Judging by appearances, they wanted to wrap all the iron bars with door locks.
Feng Zhiwei opened her eyes, first looking at Gu Nanyi across from her. The light was poor, pitch black on all sides. She could vaguely see this person with heavy shackles hanging from his neck, binding his hands. The long chains were as thick as a forearm, yet he still sat straight, facing her, gaze unblinking. It seemed that as long as no one disturbed him, he could stand guard like this for a lifetime.
Sitting so straight while wearing those heavy shackles was very tiring. Feng Zhiwei knew Gu Nanyi was afraid she’d worry. She quickly said, “Brother Gu, sitting so straight blocks my light. Lie down a bit.”
She knew advising him not to do that was useless. Only by saying it this way would Gu Nanyi listen. He always placed her interests as highest importance, never discounting them.
Sure enough, Gu Nanyi blinked his eyes, looked around somewhat puzzled, thinking where was the light and how was he blocking it, while obediently lying down.
Feng Zhiwei watched with a smile, thinking—my little dummy is so obedient.
Suddenly she saw Gu Nanyi crawl up and hang the long chains of the shackles on his hands onto the iron bars at the front of the cell. This way some of the weight was borne by the iron cell bars. Only he could accomplish this movement. Anyone else wearing this outfit would long be unable to move.
Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly, thinking—my little dummy is so clever. Then she heard Gu Nanyi across from her say, “See, not tired anymore.”
Feng Zhiwei made an “mm” sound, saying gently, “Yes, not tired anymore. I’m relieved.”
Gu Nanyi nodded, looking very satisfied. Feng Zhiwei looked at those chains hanging on the cell bars that kept wanting to fall, requiring Gu Nanyi to secretly support them with his hands, thinking—how is this not tiring? It’s probably even more tiring. The weight of the dark iron is all on the neck and hands. The weight distributed by those chains is limited. You still have to fear the chains will fall, not daring to close your eyes or rest, constantly supporting the chains while bearing the weight of your whole body.
Isn’t it all because he’s afraid I’ll worry?
Feng Zhiwei closed her eyes and sighed softly, feeling that this youth who was gradually stepping out into his own world made progress that delighted yet also saddened her.
In the past, when had he ever thought so much? When had he ever concealed or disguised anything for anyone? He acted without scruple, being only himself, striding forward in his one foot three inches of space—between heaven and earth, completely free.
The him of now had broken his own world, forcibly emerging from over ten years of chaos. All emerging from cocoon to butterfly required bloody struggles and transformations. Feng Zhiwei didn’t believe he had never felt confused or pained. Yet that youth didn’t speak, didn’t complain. Silently by her side, he forced himself to use reality’s blade, stroke by stroke, to violently tear that membrane separating his world.
She didn’t believe the blade fell without blood. Yet that blood only flowed in his heart alone.
Across from her, those shackles hung heavily, as if pressing on her heart—she knew for someone like him, all confinement was more sensitive and harder to accept than for ordinary people. But she couldn’t say anything aloud—everything he endured for her, which one didn’t seem simple to others yet was as difficult as climbing to heaven for him?
What others gave her was one portion of feeling. What others sacrificed was one portion of sacrifice. Only what Gu Nanyi gave was immeasurably many times more.
Feng Zhiwei withdrew her gaze, not daring to let her eyes linger longer. She feared her gaze would reveal too much pity, making that person sensitive and self-blaming. Gu Nanyi was no longer the completely indifferent him of the past.
She turned back to examine her own cell and saw rotting straw and rats everywhere. In the distance, oil lamps flickered miserably. Nearby, torture instruments stood coldly. She couldn’t help sighing, murmuring, “All the world’s prisons are equally lacking in character.”
“Our Ministry of Justice also has a water dungeon with some leeches and water snakes added.” Someone laughed coldly. “Or would Lord Wei like to try the flavor?”
That person stood on the stairway—high cheekbones with an enormous, vivid black mole on the cheekbone sprouting black hairs. Under the oil lamp’s illumination, the mole’s color shifted. His face was full of sinister cold laughter. Behind him near the entrance was another shadow standing at the entry, face outside, only the hem of a blue precious flower-patterned robe and black official boots visible.
Feng Zhiwei casually glanced at the black-mole man. She knew that in the Ministry of Justice’s great prison, some very low-ranking prison officials stayed underground year-round facing various human evils, gradually developing sinister and vicious natures. She’d heard before of a prison official named Gui Jianzhou, nicknamed “Even Ghosts Dread Him.” Whatever kind of notorious bandits or heroes of the rivers and lakes fell into his hands, they’d inevitably be tormented into muddy messes, confessing whatever they were told to, leaving only a breath for the execution ground. He was the Ministry of Justice’s treasured asset. This was probably him.
With a very good-natured smile at that treasured asset, Feng Zhiwei said, “Is this Lord Gui? Your Ministry of Justice’s water dungeon—I’m afraid my frail body can’t endure it. Better skip it.”
“You think you can skip it just because you want to?” Gui Jianzhou smiled darkly.
“If I want to skip it, naturally I’ll skip it.” Feng Zhiwei said lightly. “I won’t use your torture to serve me. Whatever you ask, I’ll confess. Torture is prepared for hard-mouthed people. My bones are soft, my mouth even softer. I won’t trouble you to expend effort.” With that, she arranged the straw herself, finding cleaner pieces to spread out, lying down comfortably.
“You—” Gui Jianzhou was accustomed to people in the great prison either cursing loudly or begging for their lives. He’d never seen anyone so directly lazy. Choking on his breath, he was pondering which torture instrument left no scars yet could pain someone to death and would be most suitable for this person, when the person hidden in shadows behind him spoke a few low words.
Gui Jianzhou half-turned, listened respectfully, then laughed sinisterly and called two jailers down. He sat at the table before the cell, tapping a bald writing brush. “Lord Wei seems to be a straightforward person. By rights, this subordinate isn’t qualified to interrogate you. It’s just our Ministry of Justice’s rule—anyone who enters, regardless of who, must go through preliminary interrogation. This helps prisoners understand their crimes so they won’t speak nonsense on the Ministry of Justice’s main court. Since it can’t be helped, please talk with Lord Wei now.”
“Oh?” Feng Zhiwei smiled slightly. “Talk about what?”
“Nothing much.” Gui Jianzhou smiled craftily. “No one enters prison without crime. Once in prison, it’s best to honestly confess. Here is your crime statement. Lord Wei had better press your seal early.”
A confession was passed in. Without Feng Zhiwei needing to speak, the crime statement was written clearly—even using her tone of voice, describing how she had accepted bribes and agreed to sell exam questions, how last night during the drinking banquet at Feast of Spring she had obtained both Vice Ministers’ keys, how she had directed Gu Nanyi to enter the Ministry of Rites at night, abduct Ministry of Rites night watch officials and throw them in a cellar, then sneak into the secret vault cabinet to copy exam questions, hand the questions to so-and-so, and how so-and-so, seeking profit, had copied the questions several times intending to sell them to several wealthy scholars, only to be caught red-handed by the Imperial Capital Prefecture, and so on.
This confession statement was logically clear with airtight testimony. The twisting plot details were even more detailed than what Feng Zhiwei, the “person involved,” knew.
By this point, if Feng Zhiwei still didn’t understand how the other side had set up to deal with her, she’d be stupid. The other side knew she was drinking at Feast of Spring last night and deliberately sent Six Ministries officials there under various pretexts. On one hand, to have more witnesses in the future. On the other hand, with the Ministry of Rites’ two Vice Ministers present there, it was very natural. Last night many people came to toast Feng Zhiwei. In such a lively occasion, the two Vice Ministers saying their keys were inadvertently copied by so-and-so was quite possible. Then the other side found masters to imitate Gu Nanyi’s style of action, deliberately abducting the Ministry of Rites Vice Director, circling around and throwing him in the Ministry of Rites cellar, deliberately letting him hear sounds and leaving him alive, then using keys to unlock doors and copy exam questions to pass them out, then coming out to lock the doors. It looked like the secret vault was undisturbed, yet the exam questions had already been stolen. What kind of person could most likely steal questions without lock-picking marks, silently and undetected? What kind of person best understood the Ministry of Rites’ internal arrangements and various guards? Naturally, it was the Ministry of Rites Minister himself committing internal theft.
As for not having Feng Zhiwei’s key, how could the other side open three locks—the Emperor of Tiansheng still had one key. Others couldn’t approach it, but certain people could.
Feng Zhiwei scanned the crime statement from top to bottom, smiled and nodded. “Admirable, admirable.”
“This subordinate also greatly admires Your Lordship.” Gui Jianzhou pointed at the end. “If there are no errors, please confess early to spare yourself some physical suffering. Otherwise, according to rules, we’ll inevitably have to use some methods to help Your Lordship think more clearly.”
Two jailers brought over ink paste, waiting for Feng Zhiwei to press her seal.
“There are errors.” Feng Zhiwei flicked the crime statement, answering solemnly.
As expected, with a sinister laugh, the black mole on Gui Jianzhou’s face quivered excitedly. “Oh?”
In his heart, he knew Feng Zhiwei would certainly refuse to confess. Refusing to confess was best—
“How can it be such a simple matter!” Feng Zhiwei indignantly threw the case file aside, furious and unable to contain herself. “What selling exam questions? What greed and bribery? I’m not criticizing you all, but you’re too kind! Your investigative agencies are too incompetent! You’re too much underestimating my ambitious Wei Zhi! This is clearly a case of sinister intention, malicious purpose, profound implication, and intent to destroy the Tiansheng dynasty—a great traitorous case!”
“Ah?” Gui Jianzhou’s mouth opened, hissing and leaking air. He couldn’t even round out his words.
On the stairway, that hem of blue precious flower-patterned robe stirred uneasily, as if also shocked by someone’s earth-shattering “self-confession.”
Feng Zhiwei didn’t even glance at these people who were stunned into clay and wooden sculptures. Pointing at the case file, she spoke torrentially. “The general outline is reasonable! The plot details are reliable! The character arrangements are appropriate! But the motive is way off!”
She stood up, waving the case file, slapping it on the cell bars with a bang. “Generals inevitably die on battlefields. Since I accepted that task, I knew there would be a day of sacrifice. When great enterprises are to be accomplished, what fear is there of sacrifice? Now that I’ve already entered the Ministry of Justice, I’m not afraid to tell you the truth. I am originally a Da Yue secret agent, directly under Da Yue’s Prince An’s Thousand Mechanisms Guard Third Division Fourth Squad—squad leader with code name ‘Climb Higher and Higher.’ My so-called capture at Pucheng and painstaking escape were all stratagems to gain your Emperor of Tiansheng’s trust, steal a position as important minister, then disrupt your Tiansheng’s once-every-three-years national talent selection ceremony. Using the exam question leak case to incite student unrest, assault your Tiansheng’s various government offices at all levels, organize rebellion, disturb your nation’s public security and people’s livelihood. When your emperor is overwhelmed and uses capital troops to suppress, then unite with Tiansheng border military commanders. They, under the pretext of purging court traitors, will march straight to the Imperial Capital while my Da Yue dispatches a million troops to the northern frontier as support… By then, the great enterprise can be accomplished, and the realm will be entirely in Prince An’s hands!”
Feng Zhiwei clenched her fist, tearful, gazing north, incomparably regretful as she punched the cell door. “What a pity it falls short at the final step! The great enterprise is difficult to accomplish! Your Highness, Wei Zhi’s loyal heart turns to azure blood—I only hope you know!”
Sorry, Prince Jin, borrowing you for use again…
Far away in Da Yue, Jin Siyu suddenly sneezed repeatedly…
“That’s how it is.” Feng Zhiwei slapped the case file onto Gui Jianzhou’s face with a smack, instantly calming from her incomparably impassioned emotions just moments ago. Patting her hands, she said matter-of-factly, “Hurry up and record it.”
“…”
Gui Jianzhou was directly stunned into a daze by Feng Zhiwei’s speech. He’d seen all kinds of desperate denials but never anyone who sought their own death. A perfectly good exam question leak case was actually twisted round and round by this person with a few words into a great treasonous spy case intending to overturn the dynasty’s foundation. This this this this Wei Zhi—what exactly was she trying to do?
He, a lowly petty official, didn’t understand. But some seasoned bureaucrats understood.
The hem of blue precious flower-patterned robe that had been sunk in shadows was precisely the former Minister of Rites, current new Minister of Justice Peng Pei. He had originally also been shocked into a daze by Feng Zhiwei’s words, his heart pounding wildly with instinctive joy. But after thinking for a while, he finally reacted—Wei Zhi was using advance as retreat, deliberately wanting to blow things up big so that his Ministry of Justice couldn’t handle it and could only submit the case file upward!
Once elevated to a traitorous spy case, with his status and the case’s severity, the Three Judicial Offices wouldn’t have enough authority to preside over the trial, let alone the Ministry of Justice. This would necessarily require the Emperor of Tiansheng himself to personally interrogate!
By then, his Ministry of Justice couldn’t keep Wei Zhi even one extra night. He’d immediately have to be wrapped in imperial yellow silk and sent to the palace!
Wei Zhi feared being silently killed in this Ministry of Justice prison. He simply removed the firewood from under the cauldron, forcibly turning the exam leak case into a traitorous treasonous case, forcing it to where everyone had no authority to interfere with his case. Naturally, he could preserve himself. When he reached before the Emperor of Tiansheng, with his silver tongue, he could probably easily and lightly overturn the case!
This person’s scheming, wisdom, responsive planning—truly horrifying. Matchless pillar of state—reputation well deserved!
Peng Pei’s heart rose with stern apprehension. After sternness came a surge of anger—if this brat hadn’t appeared from nowhere, clearly a dead person who suddenly returned from Da Yue, then insisted on promotion in place as Minister of Rites, why would he now be forced to such ruthless measures?
With the spring examinations imminent, various parties’ notes had long been stuffed through. In order to both maintain his lord while not offending various power factions and not letting His Majesty see through, the arrangements could be said to have taken painstaking effort. The Ministry of Rites up and down—they’d started working on it a year ago. The mental energy and entanglements involved were hard to fully describe. Now with this brat suddenly returning, everything had gone down the drain!
Even this was tolerable. But there was another matter involved too deeply, forcing him and his lord to risk dealing with Wei Zhi, famously difficult to deal with and most favored by the emperor.
Originally he had also been Wei Zhi’s superior. It was just that Wei Zhi’s time actually serving in the ministry wasn’t much. After one term as Vice Minister, he’d gone on a diplomatic mission to Nanhai. Returning from Nanhai, he’d disappeared, suddenly running off to battlefields. Coming back again, he’d disrupted his plans. Previously, he’d almost never worked with Wei Zhi day and night. He’d heard he was formidable but also didn’t think an eighteen-year-old youth could be formidable to what extent. Left and right, he’d just had good luck. He hadn’t expected that today’s exchange would reveal the true colors!
Peng Pei gritted his teeth, his cheek muscles distorting. Having reached this point, he’d already offended to the end. Hesitating forward and back wouldn’t be a man’s action!
Steeling his heart, he came down one step, summoned Gui Jianzhou, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Gui Jianzhou was stunned, then excitement bloomed in the depths of his eyes. He quickly came down, shouting sternly, “Wild words, absurd nonsense! Looks like you won’t shed tears until seeing the coffin, yet you don’t know that under the three trees of torture, what confession cannot be obtained? Men—bring up the Ten Thousand Snakes Barrel!”
Feng Zhiwei stood with hands behind her back, coldly silent. After a long moment, she slowly said, “Peng Pei—think it through carefully.”
She didn’t look at Gui Jianzhou but pointed directly at Peng Pei. Peng Pei above could no longer hide. He leaned down, saying coldly, “Lord Wei should think through yourself! This official is merely following regulations.”
“What kind of regulations are you following? Whose orders are you carrying out?” Feng Zhiwei smiled grimly. “You want to arrest me—I’ve been arrested. You want to imprison me—I’ve entered prison. You want me to confess—I’ve confessed. Confessed more clearly and in more detail than you. What other reason do you have to torture me?”
“You call that a confession?” Peng Pei retorted sarcastically. “Wild words!”
“Whether wild words or not, you have no authority to judge!” Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly. “Only when His Majesty says so is it so!”
“His Majesty…” Peng Pei smiled sinisterly. “You want to see him? Fine. After these ten thousand snakes, then see him.”
“These little darlings.” Gui Jianzhou laughed eerily at the side, his large black mole vividly jumping. “Soon they’ll all be placed in your crotch. Tie both pant legs tight, then use fire to roast from below. The snakes fear heat and will thrash wildly in your pants… hehe, excellent flavor!”
Two bailiffs carried over a barrel containing fully dozens of snakes. Others carried over a brazier. Several fully armed guards stood at the cell’s side. Above, figures moved—who knew how many people were there.
Peng Pei stood with hands behind his back, laughing coldly.
Wei Zhi had been on battlefields and had Gu Nanyi, such a guard, by his side. He must know some martial arts. He wasn’t afraid Wei Zhi knew martial arts. He hadn’t given him any restraints precisely to make him take action.
As long as he took action in the cell and injured any bailiff, he could immediately charge him with a crime. Setting aside traitorous rebellion for the moment, the crime of killing someone would be enough to demand his life!
Having forced him to this point, how could the hot-blooded young Wei Zhi possibly allow others to slaughter him like fish or meat?
The cell door opened. Two heavily armored guards stepped forward, pressing down on Feng Zhiwei’s arms. Nearby bailiffs lifted the snake barrel—snakes swarmed inside. Their slippery bodies emitted a ghastly light under the lamplight, oozing green sticky fluid that made one want to vomit just looking at it.
Seeing this thing alone was nightmarish. If these were to be placed inside one’s body to have ten thousand snakes gnaw and bite…
Feng Zhiwei’s face seemed to pale slightly.
Gui Jianzhou’s nostrils flared with excitement. This was his first time torturing a first-rank high official. The perverted prison official who loved blood and screams—all the blood in his body was now boiling, ready to dance.
“Clang!”
“Ow!”
Suddenly a scream. A bailiff clutched his hand and jumped away, nearly overturning the snake barrel he was lifting.
He howled, holding up his hand. Under the oil lamp’s illumination, that finger hung limply down like a snake. Clearly already broken.
On the ground was a small stone stained with some blood.
Peng Pei suddenly turned back, pointing at Gu Nanyi who had already stood up across the way, roaring, “Pierce his shoulder blades!”
“Yes!”
Bailiffs grabbed enormous shoulder-piercing bent hooks. The hook tips gleamed coldly. Once these things pierced through shoulder blades, even a peerless master would become a cripple.
Gu Nanyi slowly stood up from the back of the cell. His full set of heavy shackles emitted heavy tinkling sounds. The dark gleam of those heavy irons in the black depths was like countless grimly staring eyes, coldly watching the opposition.
Feng Zhiwei frowned, a grim color sweeping through her eyes.
Peng Pei was actually so bold!
Triumph showed in Peng Pei’s eyes—Wei Zhi might be able to endure, but this guard certainly could not. He would definitely take action. Once he took action, it would be the same!
Taking a deep breath, a look of determination flashed through Feng Zhiwei’s eyes as she raised her fingers—
“Pierce your head!”
Voice arrived, person arrived. From the entrance above, a black whirlwind tumbled down in a fury—a pair of twin sabers danced brilliantly bright, rolling down like snowflakes. Without a word, a saber struck down from above at the bailiff holding the shoulder-piercing hook!
The saber light and killing intent surged fiercely without hesitation. That bailiff looked up to see saber light already at his head. Heart and gall both shattered, he released the hook and fled. The heavy hook fell and crushed another person’s toes. He howled and hopped in pain.
That person swooshed and sheathed her sabers, standing tall. Under long brows, eyes bright as birds. In the dimness, her black clothing was actually vivid. She stood imposingly before Gu Nanyi’s cell door, loudly declaring, “Broad daylight, abusing private torture—Peng Pei, you’re shameless!”
Hua Qiong.
The Twin Sabers Black Widow had arrived first.
“Who are you! How dare you trespass in the Ministry of Justice’s great prison!” Gui Jianzhou strode over, whipping out his chain. “Get out!”
Hua Qiong looked at him, her gaze sweeping over Feng Zhiwei in the cell, then looking at those snakes and the brazier. Anger flashed in her eyes.
She sized up Gui Jianzhou from top to bottom. Seeing his prison official attire, she immediately knew his identity. Suddenly, she sheathed her twin sabers and smiled. “You’re Prison Official Sir? I’m not trespassing in the prison. I merely came to visit a good friend.”
“If not trespassing, then put down your sabers and retreat—” Gui Jianzhou, seeing her tone had softened, felt reassured and walked close to her side. Just about to berate her to get lost, before his shout finished, Hua Qiong suddenly grabbed him, whooshed and pulled him before herself, placed her twin sabers in his hands—Gui Jianzhou instinctively grasped them. Before he could react, Hua Qiong grabbed his hands holding the sabers and suddenly drew them across her own arm!
Blood splattered!
Gui Jianzhou was sprayed with a faceful of blood, shocked into stupefaction. Everyone around opened their mouths wide, not understanding why Hua Qiong had grabbed Gui Jianzhou to injure herself. Hua Qiong had already shouted loudly:
“How dare you! You, a mere sixth-rank prison official, dare attack and attempt murder on a fourth-rank meritorious Assistant General!”
In her shout, she grabbed the stunned-as-a-wooden-chicken Gui Jianzhou in a stranglehold, her blade flashing across his neck!
Blood sprayed!
More blood than before, spraying more urgently—gushing fountain-like half a person’s height, then pattering down. A rain of blood fell everywhere.
In the rain of blood, everyone’s faces were colorless. Peng Pei staggered back several steps, supporting himself against the wall to avoid collapsing. The hem of his robe seemed vaguely damp.
In the rain of blood, Hua Qiong casually wiped her face, turning her originally delicate face even more grotesquely terrifying. She spread her hands and Gui Jianzhou’s corpse, filled with shock unto death, fell like a sack to the ground, emitting an empty, eerie echo.
“Everyone saw it.” Hua Qiong laughed sharply, spreading her hands. “This Ministry of Justice prison official was insane, addicted to torture, and suddenly attacked me, an innocent person who came to visit a friend. This subordinate, out of necessity for self-defense, mistakenly killed this person. Truly sorry, sorry.”
Her face covered with Gui Jianzhou’s fresh blood, standing on Gui Jianzhou’s corpse with blood dripping down her arm without changing expression—under the dim oil lamp, like an evil ghost saying “sorry.” Never mind those bailiffs—even several prison officials who specialized in guarding heavy prisons and were accustomed to seeing blood and death trembled with knocking knees and chattering teeth.
Hua Qiong turned her head, smiling at Peng Pei.
Scholar-born Peng Pei rolled his eyes and fainted from fright…
“Why did Lord Peng faint? My wound is nothing.” Hua Qiong stood there smiling cheerfully, directing the bailiffs. “Come, move out those snakes and that brazier for me. Just looking at them is disgusting.”
Actually, looking most disgusting right now was herself. But who still dared say another word? Killing someone was nothing, but this method was too ruthless, too shocking. The entire prison’s bailiffs were all shocked. The chief official had also fainted. No one issued orders. Everyone feared that if they didn’t listen, this famous female general would grab them over, give herself another slash, then “kill in self-defense.” She’d bleed a cup, others would bleed an entire skull.
The snake barrel was moved out. The brazier was moved out. Hua Qiong picked up the case file from the ground, looked at it, smiled contemptuously, and casually tossed it into the brazier.
Then she shouted loudly, “I was stabbed and injured by your prison official. Call someone to treat my wound!”
“General Hua…” A Ministry of Justice Vice Minister who had rushed over upon hearing the news hurriedly arrived. First glancing at the wide-eyed-in-death Gui Jianzhou, his expression changed. He endured and said, “General, since you need wound treatment, please accompany this official upstairs first.”
“Oh dear, I can’t. I’m dizzy.” Hua Qiong immediately extended her hand, supporting herself against the cell door, “swaying unsteadily.” “I can’t walk. Let’s do it here.”
Just moments ago, she had resolutely killed, full of energy commanding bailiffs to remove torture instruments, her voice loud and spirits high. In the blink of an eye—weak willow supporting wind.
The Ministry of Justice Vice Minister stared wide-eyed, not knowing what to do. Hua Qiong wasn’t the currently accused Wei Zhi. This General Hua was a hero of the Battle of Baitou Cliff, currently the most red-hot only female general in the Heavenly Dynasty. It was said she’d soon be dispatched to guard a southern frontier region. Her husband’s family was also said to be the fabulously wealthy Nanhai Yan clan. Such a figure couldn’t be lightly offended. Moreover, seeing her ruthless actions, what wouldn’t she do if truly provoked?
“I’m dizzy.” Hua Qiong leaned her back against Feng Zhiwei’s cell door, facing Gu Nanyi’s cell. She dragged over two square tables the bailiffs used for drinking and eating. Finding bedding from the rest room herself, she spread and padded it, climbing up as if no one else existed.
Loudly proclaiming:
“I was stabbed and injured by your Ministry of Justice’s person. I’m dizzy. I can’t walk. Starting now, I’m recuperating my wounds here.”
She lay down comfortably, ignoring the blood flowing from her arm.
She lay sleeping between the two cells.
Everyone in the entire great prison stared dumbfounded.
Hua Qiong lay with closed eyes, ignoring the blood flowing from her arm. Her hand slowly reached back, touching the hand Feng Zhiwei extended through the iron bars of the cell door behind her.
Gripping tightly.
In the darkness, the women bonded by life and death—crystalline light flashed in their eyes.