What does it feel like to secretly admire someone?

For Qi Shuo, it was sweetness, it was pain, it was the cautiousness of fearing that one wrong step would mean forever missing that person.

For this, he could endure, using the greatest patience to wait for the day when everything would fall naturally into place.

But when she was injured, and he could only learn of her condition from another man’s mouth, unable even to visit her openly, that endurance became a torment that gnawed at his heart and corroded his bones.

He was having difficulty enduring it any longer.

Cheng Shu noticed Qi Shuo’s silence and, assuming he was pondering the criminals’ identities, volunteered, “I’ve thought about it for a long time and keep feeling this matter wasn’t aimed at the General’s Manor.”

Qi Shuo reined in his emotions and looked toward the nearby Jinlin Guard yamen, “Once we determine those two people’s identities, it will become clear.”

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was flying into a rage.

“How did you arrange this? Why were the men who acted subdued by Second Miss Lin?”

Wang Gui was grabbed by the collar by the Crown Prince, his breathing somewhat labored, “Your, Your Highness, please calm your anger. Who would have thought Second Miss Lin knew martial arts!”

A young lady who appeared delicate and frail had actually subdued two skilled fighters—this was something beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.

“Didn’t expect, didn’t expect! Last time when you arranged for ruffians to harass Second Miss Lin and she was bitten by a donkey you didn’t expect it, this time when you arranged for people to abduct Miss Lin and she was rescued by Second Miss Lin you didn’t expect it again—what exactly can you expect?” The Crown Prince flung his hand away and paced back and forth in the room.

The original plan had been to arrange for people to abduct Miss Lin, keep her overnight, then release her. Miss Lin’s reputation would be ruined, and his objective would be achieved.

As for those two men, as long as they left quietly, they would be like fish swimming into the ocean—even an immortal descending from heaven couldn’t find them.

Yet the result was so absurd—the abductors had instead fallen into the hands of the two young ladies they’d abducted.

“Those two have already been taken by the Jinlin Guard. If their origins are revealed, it will inevitably implicate me!” The Crown Prince’s expression was twisted, truly terrifying, “Tell me what I should do!”

Wang Gui’s face turned pale as he tried to comfort the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, rest assured. This servant has already contacted Zhao Helin.”

Zhao Helin was Cheng Maoming’s deputy. Seeking long-term prospects, he had long ago secretly curried favor with the Crown Prince, and within the Jinlin Guard had constantly competed with Cheng Maoming in secret.

There was only one Jinlin Guard Commander—who wouldn’t want to be it?

Hearing Wang Gui mention Zhao Helin, the Crown Prince’s violent mood improved somewhat, “What did he say?”

Wang Gui lowered his voice, “As long as they’re in the Jinlin Guard prison, there’s an opportunity to make them silent forever.”

If the people died, their origins couldn’t be traced. Even if someone guessed in the direction of targeting Prince Wei, who could say it was the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince and Prince Wei were hardly evenly matched competitors. The Crown Prince sat securely in the position of heir apparent—would he be so idle as to go after a brother who posed no threat?

So the key still lay with those two men.

“Keep watch on the Jinlin Guard’s side. Report any developments immediately.”

Wang Gui secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly answered yes.

In the cold and grim interrogation room, Cheng Maoming’s expression was dark as he stared at the two disheveled men.

“The Jinlin Guard is not the Shuntian Prefecture. If you’re smart, you’ll explain your origins clearly early on and suffer less.” The Jinlin Guard in charge of interrogation spoke coldly.

The two men had numb expressions, showing no reaction.

The Jinlin Guard glanced at Cheng Maoming.

Cheng Maoming frowned, “Do I need to teach you? First serve them a small appetizer to whet their appetite.”

“Yes.”

The red-hot branding iron slowly approached, meeting the two men’s terrified eyes before being pressed down hard. Soon heart-rending screams rang out.

Cheng Maoming didn’t even blink, his face expressionless as he watched the two men’s reactions.

Another Jinlin Guard walked over, “Chief Commander, the Heir of Prince Jing and Young Master Cheng from the General’s Manor request an audience.”

“Continue the interrogation.” Cheng Maoming dropped this statement and walked out.

When he met Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu, the cold-faced King of Hell from before the criminals vanished, replaced by a smiling face.

“Young Master Cheng, we meet again. May I ask what brings the Heir and Young Master Cheng here?”

Qi Shuo was equally courteous, “We wish to see the two criminals who abducted Miss Lin yesterday. We ask Chief Commander Cheng to grant us this convenience.”

Cheng Maoming’s face showed difficulty as he gestured upward respectfully, “Those two are criminals His Majesty is concerned about. It’s not very convenient for them to have much contact with people. I hope the Heir will understand.”

Though his words were polite, he actually wasn’t intimidated by Qi Shuo’s status.

If he had to be wary even of an idle prince’s son, then he needn’t continue as Jinlin Guard Commander.

Facing Cheng Maoming’s refusal, Qi Shuo still wore a smile, “Actually, I’m accompanying Young Master Cheng.”

Cheng Maoming looked toward Cheng Shu.

He had some favorable impression of this young man, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate interference in interrogation matters.

Cheng Shu was somewhat embarrassed, “Actually, I find the taller criminal somewhat familiar—”

Cheng Maoming’s expression immediately changed, “Truly?”

Cheng Shu quickly explained, “But I have no impression of having seen him. I just thought perhaps I might remember something, so I came to take a look.”

Cheng Maoming deliberated for a moment, then made his decision, “In that case, you two follow me.”

A look wouldn’t cause any harm, and if they could actually provide some clue, his pressure would be much lighter.

Unable to find Daoist Mingxin for so long, if this matter also couldn’t be investigated, his position as Jinlin Guard Commander would be in danger.

Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu followed Cheng Maoming into the interrogation room. A faint unpleasant smell of burnt flesh drifted to their nostrils.

The two men’s faces were deathly pale, already unconscious.

Cheng Maoming was somewhat displeased and instructed his subordinate, “Mind your measure.”

The subordinate quickly assented.

“Young Master Cheng, look carefully and see if you can remember anything.”

Cheng Shu nodded and examined the burly man closely.

The burly man had a square face, with eyes, eyebrows, and nose all lacking any distinguishing features. The more he looked, the less even the initial sense of familiarity remained.

Cheng Shu couldn’t help but step forward, then step forward again, unconsciously walking right up to the burly man.

The Jinlin Guard at the side placed his hand on the scabbard at his waist, secretly on alert.

Just as Cheng Shu was about to get right in the burly man’s face, the man suddenly moved his head and opened his eyes, startling Cheng Shu into hastily backing up several steps.

The sound of blade scraping scabbard rang out as that Jinlin Guard drew his knife halfway.

Cheng Shu embarrassedly shook his head at Cheng Maoming.

“Keep a close watch on them.” Cheng Maoming left this instruction and led Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu out.

“I really can’t remember.”

Cheng Maoming still wore his smiling expression, “No matter. If Young Master Cheng thinks of anything later, just contact us.”

“We’ve imposed on you.” Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu took their leave.

Unexpectedly, that afternoon, a Jinlin Guard knocked on the General’s Manor’s door, requesting that Cheng Shu come again.

Completely baffled, Cheng Shu went to the Jinlin Guard yamen and met Cheng Maoming, whose expression was extremely ugly.

“May I ask why Commander Cheng has summoned this humble one?” Cheng Shu guessed it was related to that morning’s visit and said embarrassedly, “I still haven’t remembered—”

“Young Master Cheng must remember!” Cheng Maoming’s face was ashen as he spoke word by word, “Those two men are dead.”