In the Beizhen Fushi, Imperial Prison.
It was getting late, and the dew was heavy. Shen Qingzhuo, wearing a black cloak, slowly stepped into the heavy stone door under the guidance of the Jinyiwei jailer.
Regarding the imperial prison, historical records have recorded that “the prison was strictly guarded, water and fire could not enter, and the air of epidemic disease filled the prison.”
The further Shen Qingzhuo walked inside, the colder he felt, as if the chill came from deep underground, chilling him to the bone. This place didn’t feel like early spring at all; once you entered, you felt like you were falling into an icy cave.
Torches were hung, and there were cells on both sides of the narrow road. As he walked along, he could hear all kinds of screams. Prisoners in shackles clung to the iron bars and cursed, “I want to see His Majesty! I am a Grant Secretary of the Palace appointed by His Majesty, what qualifications does the Beizhen Fushi have?”
Wei Changping pulled out the spiked whip wrapped around his waist, and with a “swish” sound, it broke through the air and hit the prisoner right in the face, causing him to fall to the ground wailing.
Shen Qingzhuo frowned unconsciously.
“Having Lord Zhenfu frightened.” Wei Changping put away his whip and laughed, “There are always one or two traitors who were still restless even after being imprisoned.”
Shen Qing glanced at him and said, “No problem.”
As the two were talking, the cell where the assassin was imprisoned was right in front of them.
In the brightly lit cell, the half-conscious assassin was nailed in the middle in a spread-eagle position. His tattered clothes had long been soaked with bright red blood. There was not a single piece of good flesh on his body, and he exuded an extremely strong smell of blood.
“Why is it so bloody?” Shen Qingzhuo raised his hands to cover his mouth and nose, with a look of disgust.
When Wei Changping heard this, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes, but he still smiled and replied, “My Lord has specifically instructed that this is a serious criminal and he must be interrogated in person. The brothers have already shown mercy.”
What Wei Changping said was true. The punishments in the imperial prison were extremely cruel, including pinching fingers, skinning, scrubbing, frying in oil, playing the pipa1It’s just the name, but in fact it’s a torment with the prison being held to prevent them from moving, and the interrogator will use the tip of the sharp knife to pluck the prisoner’s ribs back and forth., etc. There were eighteen kinds of torture, each of which could make the prisoner unable to live or die.
In the history of Dayong, there were only two or three people who walked out of the imperial prison alive.
Shen Qingzhuo barely suppressed the nausea that was rising from the bottom of his heart and sat down on the chair, “Wake him up.”
“Yes, My Lord.” The Jinyiwei received the order and immediately stepped forward to pour a basin of cold water on the assassin’s bloody face.
The assassin’s limbs twitched as if reflexively.
Shen Qingzhuo: “Give him some medicine so he can stay awake and answer questions.”
After a while, Shen Qingzhuo stood up, walked to the assassin, and asked, “Who ordered you to assassinate Concubine Yuan?”
The assassin hung his head, silent as a dead man.
Wei Changping said, “My Lord, except for screaming, this assassin didn’t utter any other words.”
He felt disdainful in his heart. Even the Jinyiwei couldn’t pry open the prisoner’s mouth. This Young Master Shen, who was so weak that he would fall down at the slightest gust of wind, was probably just here to go through the motions.
“Not bad, he’s a tough guy.” Shen Qingzhuo stared at the assassin’s face and asked, “Do you have parents, wife, and children at home?”
The assassin remained motionless.
Shen Qingzhuo understood and continued, “Your assassination mission failed. Concubine Yuan and her child are safe. You only injured my arm.”
Finally, the assassin’s eyelids moved slightly.
“Therefore, if you reveal the mastermind behind Concubine Yuan’s assassination, I will release you from the imperial prison.” Shen Qingzhuo said calmly, “I will give you gold and silver and send you out of Shengjing. You can live the rest of your life in anonymity.”
Wei Changping couldn’t sit still any longer. “Lord Zhenfu…”
Shen Qingzhuo raised his hand with his back to him, signaling him to shut up.
“I’ll give you two days to think about it.” Shen Qingzhuo calmly said, “You can choose between being trapped in the dark prison where you can neither live nor die, or living a carefree life in the wild. It’s your choice.”
The assassin swallowed hard.
Shen Qingzhuo turned around and asked casually, “Lord Wei, how many of the eighteen kinds of punishments in the imperial prison were used?”
Wei Changping smiled and said, “We have only used four types. It’s still early, My Lord.”
“Alright, just don’t kill the person.” Shen Qingzhuo coughed twice. “I’ll come back in two days.”
After saying that, he brushed off his cloak and prepared to leave the prison.
“Wait.” Just as he was about to step out of the door, a faint, hoarse voice came from behind him.
Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyelashes and turned around. “You change your mind?”
The assassin raised his face, revealing dull eyes. “How can I trust you?”
“I am the Beizhen Fushi Envoy appointed by His Majesty. I am in full charge of Concubine Yuan’s assassination case. If I say I will let you go, then I will let you go.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled slightly, his tone becoming gentler. “Besides, the worst outcome is just death. Why not fight for your life?”
When he stepped out of the imperial prison, the sky was hazy and dawn was about to break.
He felt a sharp pain in the wound on his arm. Shen Qingzhuo took a breath of fresh air, holding the confession with the assassin’s bloody fingerprints.
He turned around and went straight to the imperial study to report to Emperor Guangxi.
Unexpectedly, he met the Crown Prince, who had just returned from court.
“Qingzhuo, no, Gu should call you Lord Zhenfu.” Xiao Yichen was wearing a dragon court robe, looking very handsome and decent.
“The minister apologizes to Your Highness the Crown Prince.” Shen Qingzhuo bowed and saluted. “But the minister only does things for His Majesty.”
“Gu see that you look pale. Did you not get enough rest last night?” Xiao Yichen took a step closer to him, his face showing concern. “Gu got a hundred-year-old ginseng a few days ago. Gu will send someone to deliver it to Jiyue Pavilion later to nourish your body.”
If Shen Qingzhu didn’t know exactly what kind of person he was, he would have been moved by the Crown Prince’s willingness to let bygones be bygones.
“Thank Your Highness the Crown Prince for his kindness.” Shen Qingzhuo took a step back. “The minister has something to see His Majesty, so the minister will take his leave first.”
Xiao Yichen asked tentatively, “Is there any progress in Concubine Yuan’s assassination case?”
Shen Qingzhuo’s expression remained unchanged: “To be honest, the assassin kept his mouth shut. The minister was still thinking of a solution.”
Xiao Yichen added: “The Imperial Prison of the Beizhen Fushi is well-known. It is said that whoever that was sent to the Imperial Prison will have their bones softened no matter how hard they are.”
Shen Qingzhuo sighed: “I hope so.”
Xiao Yichen comforted him hypocritically: “Qingzhuo, don’t worry, take your time, maybe there will be a turn for the better soon.”
“I would like to thank Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his good wishes.” Shen Qingzhuo bowed and continued to walk towards the imperial study.
When he stepped into the imperial study, Emperor Guangxi was sitting on the dragon throne, listening to the Ministers of the Ministry of Works and Revenue arguing with each other.
Shen Qingzhuo kneeled down and said, “The minister pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
“Get up.” Emperor Guangxi opened his eyes and waved his hands at them impatiently. “Zhen doesn’t have the time to listen to you guys shirking responsibilities. Go down and sort it out by yourselves. Then submit a memorial on where the missing eight million taels have gone!”
The Ministers of the Ministry of Works and Revenue looked at each other and had to withdraw for the time being.
Emperor Guangxi took a sip of ginseng tea and asked slowly, “Qingzhuo, have you found out who is the mastermind?”
“Answer Your Majesty, the assassin has revealed the mastermind behind the incident.” Shen Qingzhuo took out the bloody confession from his arms.
Eunuch Su, who was serving at the side, quickly took the confession and raised both of his hands in front of Emperor Guangxi so that the emperor could read it.
Emperor Guangxi glanced at it and asked, “Why does this matter involve the Ministry of War?”
“The minister has ordered Lord Xue to arrest the Minister of the Ministry War, Fang Jian, overnight.” Shen Qingzhuo replied respectfully, “The right and wrong are complicated, the minister will interrogate him later.”
“Cough, cough.” Emperor Guangxi started coughing, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
A moment later, a report came from the eunuch outside the door: “Your Majesty, Lord Xue of the Jinyiwei requested the audience.”
Emperor Guangxi: “Allow!”
Xue Shihang hurried into the imperial study and kneeled down to plead guilty: “The subordinate failed to do his job well, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Fang Jian, has committed suicide out of fear of punishment!”
Shen Qingzhuo’s heart sank.
Fearing that the night would prolong and bring more trouble, he interrogated the mastermind overnight and immediately asked Xue Shihang to arrest the person. He thought that the Jinyiwei had acted fast enough, but he did not expect that the Crown Prince’s party would still get there first.
“Absurd!” Emperor Guangxi was furious. He slammed his palm on the table, and his cough suddenly intensified. “Cough, cough, cough.”
Eunuch Su hurriedly picked up the teacup and said, “Your Majesty, calm down. It is more important to take care of the dragon’s health!”
“Your Majesty, the Minister of the Ministry of War, is Concubine Chen’s uncle, His Highness the Crown Prince’s concubine. This matter involves many people.” Shen Qingzhuo lifted his robe and kneeled down. “Fang Jian was so bold and reckless that he ordered assassins to enter the imperial camp to assassinate. He must have someone to rely on behind the scenes. The minister thinks that this case must be investigated to the end.”
Emperor Guangxi leaned back in his chair, panting, his eyes unfocused. After a long while, he spoke again: “Since the Minister of the Ministry of War has committed suicide out of fear of punishment, this case can be closed.”
Shen Qingzhuo hesitated to speak: “Your Majesty…”
Emperor Guangxi’s face turned pale, and his tone was gloomy: “Who do you want to investigate further?”
Shen Qingzhuo knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty: “The minister knows his crime.”
“The Minister of the Ministry of War, Fang Jian, plotted to murder the heir to the throne. His crime is unforgivable, and his entire clan will be implicated.” Emperor Guangxi slowly came to a conclusion. “As for the assassin in the imperial prison, Zhen cannot vent his hatred unless Zhen cuts him into pieces!”
Early in the morning, Xiao Shen squatted at the door of the palace, staring into the distance.
Last night, his master woke up from a nightmare, got up, dressed, and went to the Beizhen Fushi Prison.
He really wanted to go with him at that time, but his master said that the imperial prison was not a place for children to go. No matter how he acted like a spoiled child, his master ignored him, so he had no choice but to wait at home.
But it’s already past noon, why hasn’t his master come back yet?
“Your Highness the Seventh Prince, you should go inside and wait.” Xiao Dezi advised earnestly, “The servant is afraid that the Young Master won’t be back for a while.”
Xiao Shen didn’t even look at him: “Don’t bother me.”
The youth was getting more and more impatient as he waited, and just when he couldn’t help wanting to take some action, a touch of elegant sky blue came into his sight.
A bright light suddenly burst out from the dark eyes. Xiao Shen suddenly stood up and quickly ran towards his master.
Shen Qingzhuo also saw his little disciple. His frosty face slowly warmed up, and he smiled faintly from afar.
“Master!” The enthusiastic little puppy rushed towards him.
Shen Qingzhuo nimbly dodged the hug by turning sideways.
Xiao Shen missed and hurriedly stopped, with a look of surprise and grievance on his face. “Master?”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled and said, “Master’s arm still hurts, I can’t stand your bump.”
Hearing this, Xiao Shen pounded his head in annoyance and cursed, “What a pig brain!”
“How could that be? Our Xiao Qi is very smart.” Shen Qingzhuo coaxed him and started walking towards Jiyue Pavilion. “Let’s go in first.”
The youth followed his master and asked him attentively, “Master, you haven’t had breakfast yet? Are you hungry? How about I get you something to eat?”
“Master is not hungry. Let me change my clothes first.” Shen Qingzhuo stepped into the bedroom and immediately took off his coat.
His body was stained with the smell of blood, and he always felt as if he was still in the imperial prison.
Xiao Shen took the cloak and followed him with his eyes. “Master, how is the trial going?”
“The assassin confessed and gave away the name of the Minister of the Ministry of War. The Minister of the Ministry of War committed suicide out of fear of punishment.” Shen Qingzhuo explained in a few words.
“The Minister of the Ministry of War?” Xiao Shenwei raised his eyebrows. “Is he also the Crown Prince’s party?”
“Just a pawn.” Shen Qingzhuo sneered, “The real big fish was still hidden in the water. It’s a pity that your Emperor Father doesn’t allow me to continue investigating.”
Xiao Shen was puzzled: “Why?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “Your Emperor Father knows it very well. If this matter is investigated further, it will definitely lead to the Crown Prince. But he obviously doesn’t want to touch the Crown Prince yet.”
“Why?” Xiao Shen blurted out, and then he figured it out: “I understand, he wants to use the Crown Prince to fight against the Empress Dowager.”
“Well said.” Shen Qingzhuo nodded approvingly, “The most important art of being an emperor is the art of balance. In fact, during this period, various factions have been making subtle moves, and your Emperor Father has seen them all. But on one hand, your Second Brother is still the best candidate for the Crown Prince, and on the other hand, His Majesty knows exactly what the Empress Dowager is thinking.”
Xiao Shen blinked: “So this matter is over?”
“How is that possible?” Shen Qingzhuo sneered, “The Minister of the Ministry War implicated three clans. Do you know which three clans were executed?”
Xiao Shen shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know.
“The radish was still covered with dirt when it was pulled out. This incident is not only a warning to the Crown Prince’s party but also a big blow.” Shen Qingzhuo patiently analyzed to his little disciple, “Besides, His Majesty has always been suspicious. This time your Emperor Father and your Crown Prince Brother have a rift. In the future, it only takes a small spark to easily detonate it.”
Xiao Shen suddenly realized, “I understand.”
Shen Qingzhuo sighed softly: “It will take time to completely overthrow the Crown Prince. For now, we still have to use the opponent’s strength to fight against him.”
However, since he has become the Beizhen Fushi Envoy, he at least holds some real power, and many things will be much easier to do.
“En.” Xiao Shen responded obediently and suddenly reminded, “Master, there seems to be something on your face.”
“En?” Shen Qingzhuo was stunned, raised his hand, and touched his cheek. “What’s on it?”
“It’s red, here.” Xiao Shen pointed at the spot, and seeing that he couldn’t find it, he simply took two steps closer and wanted to wipe it off for his master.
At this moment, Shen Qingzhuo quickly realized what was on his face.
He grabbed the youth’s strong wrist and quickly said, “Master will do it.”
Xiao Shen frowned imperceptibly and said in a low voice, “Master, I just want to wipe the stuff off your face.”
Shen Qingzhuo didn’t know how to explain to his little disciple why his master’s face was stained with blood. He didn’t want the youth’s hands to touch the blood, so he whispered, “It’s very dirty, let’s just wipe it with a handkerchief.”
“It’s not dirty.” The youth looked into his eyes stubbornly and emphasized, “As long as it was Master, it’s not dirty.”
The master and the disciple confronted each other for a while, and finally Shen Qingzhuo compromised first and let go of the youth’s hand.
Xiao Shen slowly raised his hand and moved closer to the pale and beautiful face.
His thumb touched the jade-smooth skin and he paused slightly. Then he applied a little force with his fingertips and wiped away the drop of dried blood under his eye.
With just this rub, the small area under his eyes turned completely red.
Xiao Shen stared at the ink-like eyebrows and eyes blankly and unconsciously applied force with his fingertips, rubbing them repeatedly a few times.
The touch is wonderful, so smooth and comfortable…
Shen Qingzhuo suddenly lifted up his long raven-feather eyelashes, and a little moisture appeared in his peach blossom eyes. He asked softly and gently, “It hurts a little, haven’t you gotten rid of it yet?”
“Ah…” Xiao Shen suddenly came to his senses and withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted.
What’s going on?
He clearly didn’t intend to use force…
The author has something to say:
The Little Wolf Cub: I am exposed to my master’s unconscious charm from a close distance everyday. It is such a sweet torture…
Young Master Shen: innocent.jpg
Don’t worry, babies, the little wolf cub will soon become enlightened, hahaha!
