Even Gu Boyuan and his soldiers, who were seasoned on the battlefield, couldn't help but be shocked when they saw this scene. They had long heard that General Tian Ce was tyrannical, ruthless, and bloodthirsty, and seeing him today, they found him to be just as vicious as the rumors suggested.

Xie Yizhi glanced at the timid Jiang Luoluo, whose body was as fragile as a piece of paper swaying in the wind, ready to crumble at the slightest touch. On such a cold night, she wasn't wearing shoes. Did she really have to act so realistically?

He frowned slightly, abruptly rose from the armchair, and walked a few steps to Jiang Luoluo. With a flick of his black robe, he concealed the bloody scene and coldly ordered, "Take Miss Jiang back to her room to rest."

Gu Boyuan lifted his foot to walk over, but Yao Shiyu's icy hand tugged at his clothes. Gu Boyuan saw the unease and fear in Yao Shiyu's eyes, and he stopped abruptly.

Dingdang rushed over to help Jiang Luoluo up. Jiang Luoluo, whose body was swaying, curtsied to Xie Yizhi and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for upholding justice for my parents."

Xie Yizhi's expression was cold and his voice sharp, "General Jiang devoted his life to serving the country, but was framed by a traitor. I am here on the Emperor's orders to thoroughly investigate this matter. Miss Jiang, there is no need for you to be so polite."

These words, seemingly spoken to Jiang Luoluo, were in fact a declaration to everyone.

The soldiers who came to put out the fire, the captain, several military doctors, and the remaining deputy general—everyone who usually received care from Jiang Chengfeng and Duanmu Ling—felt uneasy upon hearing that there were other hidden reasons behind their deaths.

Liu Dayong usually appears to be an honest and simple person. He used to be a beggar. Jiang Chengfeng took him in and sent him to the army. Through hard work and training, Liu Dayong made many meritorious contributions on the battlefield and was promoted to deputy general. It can be said that without Jiang Chengfeng, he would not be where he is today. I never expected him to do such a heinous thing.

Everyone sighed and shook their heads in dismay.

Jiang Luoluo was helped back a few steps by Dingdang. She felt her legs were sore and weak, and she really wanted to rest. Xie Yizhi was good at using torture to extract confessions, so teaching him was a good choice.

Looking around, all that could be seen was charred blackness, with only broken walls and ruins remaining. There were no houses at all. Xie Yizhi seemed to realize this as well, and he spoke again in a cold voice, "Mo Yang, take Miss Jiang to the carriage to rest."

Mo Yang accepted the order and led Jiang Luoluo and Dingdang outside. Everyone's eyes turned to Jiang Luoluo, and then to Xie Yizhi. Was the ruthless and decisive Prince Yi showing concern for someone?

He actually cares about people?

However, Jiang Luoluo was truly pitiful. Just a few days ago, she was a carefree young lady from the General's Mansion, but overnight, her father and mother died, and both of their bodies were reduced to ashes.

That body, so fragile that a gust of cold wind could knock it to the ground, would break anyone's heart.

The moonlight, like water, enveloped the surrounding fields in a cool, clear light.

Gu Boyuan watched Jiang Luoluo's desolate figure, his heart aching. He hadn't wanted Jiang Luoluo to go to Xie Yizhi's carriage; what kind of situation was it for his betrothed to go to another man's carriage?

But right now, apart from that armchair, there's nothing else there; there's nowhere to rest.

A ebony carriage with a gleaming, mirror-like finish was parked at the entrance. Dingdang helped Jiang Luoluo into the carriage.

"Mo Feng, shave it off one by one, until you tell the truth." Xie Yi's tone was cold and unyielding, making people hold their breath.

No one dared to make a sound, only lowering their heads and exchanging glances. The courtyard was silent, save for Liu Dayong's wails and curses.

If it were Jiang Luoluo interrogating him, Liu Dayong would still have hope of living. But now that he's in Xie Yizhi's hands, Liu Dayong only wants to die.

He stubbornly insisted, "No one instructed me. I took it upon myself to poison Jiang Chengfeng and his wife. I wanted to take the position of Grand General."

"Mo Feng, let's try something more direct." Xie Yizhi walked with unhurried steps, as if he had trampled all the hardships under his feet. His robes silently brushed against the bluestone ground as he walked back to the grand master's chair and sat down.

Having received his orders, Mo Feng sheathed his longsword, took out a packet of salt from his pocket, tore a small opening in it, and sprinkled the salt grains onto Liu Dayong's wound.

"Ah~", Liu Dayong cried out hysterically, his clothes were soaked with blood and his whole body was drenched in sweat.

"Why did you burn down the mourning hall?" Xie Yizhi asked coldly.

"Because I poisoned the General and his wife, and I was afraid that someone would find out," Liu Dayong said, his lips trembling.

Upon hearing this, several military doctors immediately knelt down. "Your Highness, please spare our lives! We beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly. After repeated examinations, we have found that the General and his wife are not poisoned."

Several military doctors were already kneeling on the ground, trembling. They said it was poisoning, but they couldn't find the cause. Wasn't this pushing them into a fire pit? They were afraid that Xie Yizhi would chop off their heads if he was displeased.

Gu Boyuan sensed that Yao Shiyu was trembling slightly beside him, so he quickly took off his cloak and draped it over Yao Shiyu.

Yao Shiyu looked at Gu Boyuan with misty eyes. At that moment, she was secretly delighted, knowing that Gu Boyuan had feelings for her.

As night gradually receded, the faint rays of dawn spilled into the charred courtyard.

Xie Yizhi didn't expect to get anything out of Liu Dayong. He had already achieved his goal for the night, so he instructed, "Mo Feng, take him back to the dungeon."

Mo Feng flicked the salt off his hands and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Young General Gu, bring out the ashes of the General and his wife." Xie Yizhi's sharp words, like a blade, pierced Gu Boyuan's eardrums.

Gu Boyuan hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, this is probably inappropriate."

"Inappropriate? Isn't the young general Miss Jiang's fiancé?"

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