PC Chapter 20

Su Cen’s face was pressed against the cold purple sandalwood desk, and he suddenly became fully alert. He realized he had been too carefree, like a rabbit boasting under a tiger’s nose.

Li Shi placed one hand on the back of his neck, and although the motion could be described as gentle, Su Cen felt as if he were pinned to the desk, unable to move at all.

“One day,” Li Shi assessed Su Cen from above, “I’ll give you one day. If you don’t find me another culprit, I’ll use him to pacify the public.”

Su Cen was stunned, trying to rise but was pressed back down. Li Shi’s voice was slow and measured: “If you regret it, you can leave.”

Leave?

Where could he go? With just a twitch of his finger, Gao Miao’s life could be over. He had no leverage to negotiate, even standing up and facing Li Shi seemed impossible; he was pressed against the desk like a mere beast.

Su Cen gritted his teeth: “I want full authority over this case. The three provinces and six ministries must cooperate with me.”

Li Shi smiled, “Quite the bold statement.”

“I also need to borrow someone, one of your guards, to deal with that assassin from that day.”

Li Shi remained silent, only gently pinching the tendon at the back of Su Cen’s neck, as if contemplating or perhaps angry enough to pull his tendons out.

Under Li Shi’s control, Su Cen dared not make a sound, only awaiting his fate.

After what felt like a long time, Li Shi spoke: “Don’t use incense in the future.”

“Hmm?” Su Cen’s response was cut short as a hand yanked down the collar of his clothes, pulling them off. His bare skin was exposed on the purple sandalwood desk.

Su Cen’s pupils dilated in shock, catching his breath and then slowly releasing it.

Was this an agreement?

Li Shi’s finger traced lightly down Su Cen’s straight spine, his jade thumb ring cold against Su Cen’s skin, causing him to shiver.

“First time?”

Su Cen was momentarily stunned. These high-ranking figures scrutinized every detail. Closing his eyes, he replied in a deep voice: “Rest assured, my lord, I am… still virgin… quite clean…”

“I’m not referring to that,” Li Shi’s hand moved to the back of Su Cen’s neck, locking him between two fingers. “Afraid of pain?”

Su Cen bit his lip: “I—ah!”

The person behind him did not wait a moment longer, closing in!

Su Cen felt his body being forcibly torn apart. Reflexively, he tried to evade, but his straight spine arched up sharply, only to be pressed down on the desk because his neck was locked.

“Endure it.” The person behind him spoke slowly, his breath steady and unperturbed.

He was wrong; he wanted to escape, but the overwhelming pain was crushing him. He couldn’t bear it!

Yet, he was like a fish stranded on dry land, opening his mouth but unable to make a sound. The raw, metallic taste deep in his throat completely stifled any cry for help.

What did Gao Miao… what did the culprit have to do with him?

It was just a few lives… just… a few lives…

……

Documents and scrolls were scattered on the floor, and the inkstone had been overturned, spreading ink across the purple sandalwood desk and staining the jade-like side of Su Cen’s face.

Li Shi looked at the dazed face, observing the long eyelashes quivering with what seemed to be either sweat or tears. He dabbed a bit of red ink from Su Cen’s face onto his own lips.

He straightened his clothes and left.

The hand that had been holding him down finally lifted. Su Cen slid down from the desk corner onto the floor, unable to distinguish between pain and other sensations, staring blankly at the complex curtains overhead, indifferent and unaware.

He only felt… embarrassed.

Li Shi ordered from outside the door, “Clean up after a stick of incense.”

Qi Lin bowed.

Su Cen couldn’t help but smile bitterly. At least he was considerate, giving him time to prepare. As he lay on the floor waiting for feeling to return to his body, Su Cen slowly got up and began to put on his tattered clothes.

Exactly after a stick of incense, Qi Lin entered the room. He found Su Cen already dressed, though looking disheveled. His face was still marked with red ink, like fresh blood. Although his face was miserable, his cold eyes were the same as when he just led him in.

Qi Lin glanced at him slightly: “Mr. Su.”

Su Cen bowed in return: “Tomorrow, I will trouble you, Guard Qi.”

“The guest room is ready for you, please follow me.”

Su Cen was stunned, “I can leave…”

“Are you leaving just like that?” Qi Lin looked him up and down. Although his clothes and hair were obviously groomed, they were torn after all. There was still cinnabar on his face that had not been washed off, and it was as red as blood.

Qi Lin looked at him without any hint of offense, but Su Cen still frowned uncomfortably. Qi Lin immediately turned his gaze away: “Come with me. This is also the lord’s wish. He will fulfill his promise to you first thing tomorrow morning.”

Under the moonlight, Qi Lin guided Su Cen around most of the Dragon Pool. Qi Lin deliberately slowed his pace, still observing Su Cen’s labored steps through the reflection in the water, with one hand resting on his waist to support himself.

Since returning to the capital, the lord had become increasingly measured in his actions. How long had it been since he had been so harsh?

Qi Lin brought Su Cen to his quarters and then wisely withdrew. The room was already prepared with hot water and food. Su Cen eagerly undressed and got into the water, hoping to wash away his disheveled state.

Leaning against the edge of the tub, he examined the room: intricately carved beams and pillars, elegant and antique, but upon closer inspection, the window drapes and mirror stand had a feminine touch.

There was also a lingering, faint fragrance, gradually clouding his mind, and soon he felt drowsy.

Sliding into the water, which covered him completely, he felt as if he was drowning, unable to call for help.

Why was it this dream again?

A hand reached out to him, but this time, it was even more beautiful. A jade ring, warm and lustrous, lifted him out of the water.

Coming up from the surface, there was no Gao Miao, no bloody face. The person looked at him with a relaxed and refreshing demeanor.

He slept deeply and soundly through the night, without dreams or nightmares.

The next morning, there was a jade ring on the bedside, pure black and flawless.

Today, he had to clear Gao Miao’s name and catch the real culprit.

Getting up, he found that the herbs added to his bath the day before had eased the pain considerably. After a quick bite of the snacks brought the night before, Qi Lin was already waiting for him outside.

Su Cen instructed, “First, find someone for me.”

He went straight to the Dali Temple, where, as expected, Song Jiancheng was waiting early. Seeing him return empty-handed, Song raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Su Zhuangyuan, where is the culprit?”

Su Cen smiled back and took out the jade ring. “I’m handling this case now.”

“You… Su Cen, you…” Song Jiancheng was stunned. He recognized the prince’s token but still couldn’t believe it as he reached out to take it. “What is this…”

Su Cen quickly pulled it back into his bag. “Immediately find a doctor to examine Gao Miao. As for Lord Song…” Su Cen gave a slight smile, “You’ve been working hard these days. Please take the day off.”

“Su Cen, you…” Song Jiancheng was momentarily speechless but finally managed to say, glaring at Su Cen, “Be careful not to cut your tongue when licking honey on the edge of a knife!”

“My tongue is perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern, Lord Song.”

Song Jiancheng left in a huff.

After he departed, Su Cen sat down in the main hall and addressed the assembled crowd: “Bring back all the gatekeepers from the night of April 8th and the neighbors from Guiyi Ward, including those related to Wu Deshui. Question them one by one, focusing on whether Wu Deshui has any enemies, who he had contact with on April 8th, where he drank, when he arrived at the Eastern Market, and when he left.”

The crowd exchanged glances for a moment before responding, “Yes.”

Once they dispersed, Su Cen turned to Xiao Sun serving tea and water and said, “Come with me to the Ministry of Rites.”

 

---