Chapter 97 Out of Control

Hangzhou, the Prince of Dingxi's Mansion.

The main courtyard was quiet, the night was still and quiet.

It was located far from the main courtyard, in a side courtyard on the other side of the garden, heavily guarded and brightly lit.

Cen Yan sat in the chair, leaning back, with one hand supporting his chin, looking extremely casual and relaxed.

Liu Qi waited quietly by the side, along with Xu Si, who had already returned to the mansion, without saying a word.

Yes, wait.

As for what to wait for...

Liu Qi slightly raised her head, looked at the bloodstains on the ground, and thought to herself: It's almost over.

Soon, the interrogation can officially begin.

Once the blood has flowed another half a foot or so and reached the drawn boundary line, it can be bandaged, and further action can be taken later.

Suddenly, another sharp scream came from the side, accompanied by the sizzling sound of burning flesh, but Liu Qi remained calm.

The bandit leader was imprisoned nearby, but the red-hot branding iron wasn't used on him. Instead, his two henchmen were interrogated first, and they were made to watch from the sidelines to dampen their spirits—a psychological tactic.

However, the governor was not so lucky.

Governor...

Liu Qi looked up and saw that right in front of them, the governor was bound hand and foot to a wooden frame, unable to move, and there was a sharp arrow stuck in his left shoulder.

Cen Yan shot the arrow himself when he stepped into this courtyard.

Actually, I was standing quite far away.

But the bowstring was drawn taut, and the arrow pierced his arm, embedding itself in the wooden board behind the governor.

Whether by accident or intentional, compared to Zhuang Dongqing's injury, the arrowhead had moved two inches into the arm. And since the arrowheads from the Prince's Palace were all made of fine iron, piercing through the body, the bones in the Governor's left arm should have been completely shattered.

Blood was flowing profusely.

It flows down.

Cen Yan refused to have the governor's mouth bandaged. Instead, he ordered that the governor's mouth and tongue be tightly bound, not wanting to be annoyed by the groans and also to prevent the governor from biting his tongue and committing suicide.

As for when to bandage them, they'll wait until the governor's blood flows to them.

Cen Yan gave the instructions personally, and he also drew the lines.

If Liu Qi's prediction is correct, Master Zhao's apprentice will arrive again soon...

Looking at the governor, who had been splashed awake again, Liu Qi knew that this was only the beginning.

It seems that Cen Yan didn't take the other party's statement very seriously.

After all, whether they were bandits or private soldiers might not be so important to their master anymore.

After a few moments of thought, Liu Qi lowered his eyes again and waited silently.

"Master, you've fainted again."

According to a report by the health department.

Cen Yan didn't even open his eyes. "Wake him up with a splash."

Splash—

A bowl of clear liquid was splashed onto the governor's face, and a strong aroma of wine spread. When it splashed on his face, it didn't seem like much, but as the liquid dripped down his cheeks and onto his wounds, the governor began to tremble uncontrollably.

As he sobbed in pain, Cen Yan tapped his long fingers lightly on the armrest, his expression a lighthearted one that seemed to contradict the tragic scene.

Cen Yan: "Have they revealed the merchants over there?"

He asked the question suddenly.

His voice also carried a hint of leisure.

Xu Si: "I'll go take a look."

Cen Yan waved his hand.

A short while later, Xu Si returned: "The one we interrogated is half-crippled, but the other one who was watching from the sidelines couldn't hold on and confessed everything he could, including the bandit leader's background and family."

Cen Yan became interested. "This kind of person even has a family?"

Xu Si: "It is said that there was a blind mother and a sick brother who confessed that they had worked under the leader for nearly two years. During that time, they helped him deliver letters and kept a close eye on things, which is how they found out about it."

Cen Yan reached out, and Xu Si handed over the confession. Cen Yan read it word by word and nodded: "Not bad. Then there's no need to rush to interrogate the bandit leader tonight. Send someone to pick up his family. Once they arrive, the whole family can gather together, and we can proceed slowly."

This is the key to winning hearts and minds.

Liu Qi glanced at the governor and deliberately said, "That's excellent. If he can testify, then it won't matter whether the governor speaks or not."

Cen Yan, however, did not care at all and said: "It's alright. I heard that the Governor's concubine also has a young son, who is about the same age as Cen An. We can bring him over as a guest."

"Waaaaah, waaaah, waaaah."

The bound person suddenly began to struggle.

Cen Yan called out a name, and his personal guards stepped forward, raised their arms, and slapped the governor twice across the face, saying fiercely, "Quiet, I didn't ask you anything."

Cen Yanyi said, "Are you so eager to see your youngest child?"

As the governor struggled, he was slapped twice more.

He fainted, but was then revived by being splashed with alcohol.

Cen Yan looked at the bloodstains that were almost reaching his feet before he spoke, "Please call a doctor."

They only invited two apprentices, but it was Master Zhao who came.

There was no other reason than that he was genuinely worried about Cen Yan's current condition, fearing that his disciples' medical skills were insufficient and that they might not be able to keep him alive, but instead cause him to die.

Cen Yan glanced at Master Zhao but didn't say anything more.

After examining him, Master Zhao said, "His left arm bone is broken, but it can be set. The wound is deep and needs to be stitched up. The wound area is large and there is a lot of bleeding, so he needs immediate medical treatment."

Cen Yan nodded, resting his chin on his right hand, and said calmly, "Then let's begin."

He only gave one instruction: "Make the stitches close together."

Master Zhao understood and agreed.

Cen Yan then said to his guards, "Gag him tightly so he doesn't disturb Master Zhao later. Replace him with a few stronger men, and we'll use them according to their strength later."

This means that even if the governor is not given anesthesia, he will still be sewn up directly.

Moreover, the governor was not poisoned and was still clear-headed, which would probably be more difficult for him than for Zhuang Dongqing.

Of course, this was also Cen Yan's original intention.

After finishing his explanation, he made no mention of interrogating the governor, but instead asked about the situation with the bandit leader. He instructed his men to leave the bandit leader out of the loop, not to give him food, but only some water. He said the one who had been crippled was a tough nut to crack, and they should be slowly ground down, while the one who had confessed should be fed the best food possible.

"No need to arrange another room, just set up a bed next door for them and lock them up in one place."

"Maybe he can even persuade the bandit leader."

Cen Yan gave the instructions.

After sitting for another half hour, watching Master Zhao set the governor's bones and begin stitching them up.

As the governor struggled in agony, Cen Yan's expression grew increasingly cheerful, as if he had almost thoroughly enjoyed the entire process. After his apprentice finished speaking, Cen Yan went over to take a look, and Master Zhao asked him if he could administer medicine to the governor to prolong his life.

Cen Yan: "Of course, choose the best ones and don't let him leave."

Master Zhao: "Understood."

Cen Yan looked at the governor's semi-conscious face for a while, then had someone splash water on him to wake him up again.

The alcohol stung the wound.

The governor's face was ashen, deathly pale under the lamplight, making him appear almost inhuman.

Liu Qi: "Should we untie the bandages and interrogate him?"

Those who talk about gagging.

Cen Yan watched with interest for a while, then the governor heard two words that filled him with despair: "No need."

Suddenly, a fierce fear arose from the depths of my bones.

Through his clouded vision, he saw Cen Yan smile faintly for a moment, "Whether he says it or not, it's the same."

The governor felt as if he had fallen into hell.

He could tell that Cen Yan was telling the truth.

The other party seemed to enjoy the entire process of torturing him more than obtaining a confession...

The governor trembled uncontrollably.

She tried to say something, but Cen Yan stopped her with a smile, "Shh, an adult must have some integrity."

"I haven't even used the tricks from the Dali Temple's prison yet,"

"You can't spoil my mood like that, please."

*

Back in the main house, even though there was no blood on him, Cen Yan washed himself from head to toe before going to see Zhuang Dongqing.

"Your Highness," Liu Fu, who was guarding the bedside, called out, "Young Master is sleeping quite soundly, and his temperature has not risen."

Cen Yan nodded, reached out to test it, touched it with his hand, and then used his eyelid to press it against the skin. Only after confirming that there was no change did he feel relieved.

"Your Highness, you..."

Cen Yan: "I'll sleep on the bed tonight, you can go out, I'll keep watch."

Liu Fu wanted to say something, but Cen Yan waved his hand.

After a moment's thought, Liu Fu withdrew.

After Cen Yan lay down, listening to Zhuang Dongqing's steady breathing, he fell asleep instantly.

I slept without any dreams.

The next morning, Zhuang Dongqing's temperature was basically normal.

Cen Yan then consulted Master Zhao, and only after receiving confirmation did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that Zhuang Dongqing was tired, Cen An was not allowed to come over for breakfast. Instead, Cen An fed Zhuang Dongqing and they ate together.

The wound needed dressing changes, as did the abrasions on his body. Cen Yan helped him with all of them. Zhuang Dongqing wanted some fresh air, so he talked with Cen Yan for a while on the recliner and then dozed off.

Liu Fu set up a blanket for someone, and Liu Qi had something to report.

Liu Qi said in a low voice, "The Sixth Prince has come to see Master."

Cen Yan raised an eyebrow.

I was somewhat surprised, yet it seemed perfectly reasonable.

"Take me to the living room and tell them I'll be there in a bit."

Liu Qi should be the one.

After a short while, Cen Yan appeared in the living room. Liu Qi served tea and pastries. After chatting for a few minutes, Cen Yan chuckled and said, "Are you the only honest person in your family?"

Li Yang hesitated.

Actually, he wanted to ask Cen Yan about the handling of the "mountain bandits," as something felt off, and he wanted to confirm it.

But before he could finish speaking, Cen Yan understood his true intentions and revealed his deeper purpose.

After a moment of silence, Cen Yan suddenly said, "I thought you would never come to me about this."

It was somewhat playful, yet also somewhat amusing.

Li Yang was speechless.

Before he could speak and clumsily try to win him over, Cen Yan added, "It's not impossible."

Cen Yan looked straight at him, his eyes cold as he stated, "I cut off three of the prefect's fingers and crippled the governor's left shoulder. The prefect is recovering, but whether the governor can save his life is uncertain."

Li Yang choked on her tea before she could swallow it.

His eyes widened as he exclaimed, "That's a third-rank official in the imperial court..."

Cen Yan ignored him and said directly, "I need a reason."

"Colluding with mountain bandits, this kind of interrogation is clearly too lenient a charge."

"Does the Sixth Prince have any leads?"

Li Yang was bewildered.

Their eyes met, and Cen Yan did not back down. Li Yang suddenly realized something and asked in surprise, "You mean to..."

Cen Yan: "Mm."

"I can handle it myself, but it would be even better if the Sixth Prince were willing to help."

"Before you speak, you always have to show some sincerity, otherwise who would believe something that's just said? What do you think?"

Li Yang's breathing became rapid.

After a long pause, Li Yang said, "But what about private soldiers...?"

Cen Yan: "I have other plans for this. I'll put it aside for now and won't report it."

Li Yang remained silent.

After a moment of eye contact, Cen Yan's tone became more relaxed, "If you're unsure, you can go back and think about it..."

Li Yang originally had this plan.

But seeing Cen Yan's slightly contemptuous expression, as he stood up, he had a feeling that if he didn't agree today and left through this door, he would never have such a direct opportunity to negotiate or win over the Prince's Mansion again.

He...can't afford to gamble.

"No need, let's do as Your Highness wishes."

In the end, Li Yang made a desperate decision.

Cen Yan didn't speak, his expression remained unchanged, and he quietly drank another cup of tea.

*

"What?! Li Yang suffered at the hands of bandits and has a persistent high fever?!"

Li Zhuo was incredulous when he heard the news.

"Didn't you say you were fine yesterday?"

The scout reported: "They said it started in the middle of the night, and it came on very suddenly; it's poisoning."

Li Zhuo: "..."

The spy reported: "The prince has been murdered. Currently, the prefect and governor are being held in the prince's mansion. Merchants from all over Hangzhou who were close to the prefect and governor have also been taken away by the prince's personal guards. They say they are searching the whole city for an antidote."

"The document to be sent to the capital has been dispatched, and His Majesty should be able to learn about it the day after tomorrow."

Li Zhuo felt something was wrong and sat down, exhausted: "Is Lao Ba really that impatient?"

I feel like I shouldn't have.

But it wouldn't be unreasonable to actually take Li Yang's life.

Li Zhuo had a headache.

It felt like everything was spiraling out of control.