Chapter 3 Interrogation Facing this person, she felt a tremor run through her from the inside out. ...

The morning dew stopped crying.

She chose her words carefully before speaking: "The situation was extremely chaotic at the time. In order to save my life, I grabbed the lamp next to me in a moment of desperation. After that, as you can see, by the time I came to my senses, that person was already dead in front of me..."

The person above said, "Your words are not sincere."

He took a step forward, and a corner of his robe slipped from Chaolu's hand, followed by a sharp pain in her shoulder.

The soldiers who were questioning her bound her from behind and pressed her firmly to the ground.

"Tomorrow I will hand you over to the authorities. Since you are innocent, once the authorities investigate and the truth comes out, you will not be wronged."

Chaolu turned around: "My lord, no, the other side is too powerful and bullying us..."

"Even if that person is powerful, the law still applies! Under heaven, how can the emperor's decrees be disobeyed? If you are innocent, the government will surely give you justice!"

"This matter ends here. I will take you to the authorities tomorrow morning."

A final decision, leaving no room for argument.

The officer's gaze was sharp and piercing, a warning and a threat.

Firewood was lit inside the hall, its crackling sound lingering in the quiet.

It was past midnight when Chaolu sat alone in the corner, her back pressed against the cold wall, still thinking about the soldier's words.

The soldiers cleared out a clean place for the nobleman to rest, some applied medicine to him, others patrolled the palace at night, and they took turns guarding the palace gates.

Her face and clothes were covered with a layer of foul-smelling blood, which congealed her into a stiff clay sculpture.

Chao Lu wiped the dirt off her face, gave a cold laugh, and then wiped her eyes to show them so that her crying would be more moving.

But that person never looked at him once.

The nobleman, who was treated with great wealth and honor, was always attended to by several people when he traveled. The jade pendant hanging from his waist was enough to cover the expenses of her family for several years. This was a man from a different world than her.

Not only him, but his subordinates were equally cold-blooded. Indeed, in the Northwest, those who obeyed Helan Yi all acted with the same ruthless and autocratic style.

As Chao Lu looked up, she saw the Buddha statue enshrined in the main hall, seated cross-legged on a Sumeru pedestal, with a plump, solemn, and benevolent face.

Do gods and Buddhas truly have mercy on humankind?

Why then was she forced to struggle in a pool of blood and swamp, living in an abyss every day since she was fifteen?

She will not leave her fate to fate.

They were like tigers and wolves blocking her path, showing no mercy whatsoever. So she had no choice but to fight her way out on her own...

She overheard the group of officers seemingly discussing the nobleman's injuries, suggesting that he needed bandages to stop the bleeding.

She suddenly spoke, and everyone turned around.

“I heard from the soldiers that they need clean gauze? I know the palace has some…”

All eyes fell on her. They exchanged glances, seemingly discussing for a long time, before someone finally spoke up: "Do you know where?"

"Yes, there used to be craftsmen repairing the temple here, but the work was stopped halfway through. The craftsmen were often injured while carving murals and Buddha statues, so gauze and ointment are kept in the hall."

The morning dew always hung its head low, feeling the deep gaze cast upon it from above.

"Are you very familiar with this temple?"

"I was previously in charge of delivering meals to the craftsmen. I've watched them work and know a little about their skills. If you don't mind, sir, I'll go and fetch them."

After he finished speaking, the Buddhist hall fell into a deathly silence.

That's right. She's an unknown person. How could those people feel comfortable using her when she asked to get gauze and ointment?

Especially after just witnessing her approach to a powerful figure.

But they desperately need clean gauze.

Chaolu was betting on this. She stood up abruptly, and the moment she did, the expressions of the soldiers present changed drastically, and they placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

She walked toward the cabinet not far away, her gazes, which seemed almost tangible, almost burned holes in her clothes, but the soldiers ultimately made no move.

She took out a medicine jar and gauze from the cabinet and handed it to the nearest officer.

The officer took the medicine, ran his knuckles over the cotton cloth twice, checked it, kept the gauze, and casually tossed the medicine bottle aside, waving her away.

He didn't say a word more than once, and remained wary throughout.

With faltering steps, Chaolu slowly returned to the corner and sat down. However, she now held two small jars in her palm, which she had taken from the shelf when she picked up the gauze.

One of the bottles contained animal glue powder.

Animal glue is made by boiling the hides, flesh, and bones of animals. It is a glue used by Aye when mixing pigments for painting murals, and it can increase the adhesion of the pigments.

However, the animal glue retains the fresh aroma of the animal, and the venomous snakes that live in the nearby mountains often come to it by following the scent.

In the past, when Ah Ye repaired temples and murals, she inevitably had to use fish glue. She had to be constantly on guard against venomous pythons that could crawl out of nowhere and cause trouble. She worried about this day and night.

Tonight, these ferocious creatures will become her chance to escape.

She wanted to use animal glue to lure out poisonous snakes.

When she returned from the nobleman's side, she walked very slowly, having secretly sprinkled animal glue powder along the way.

The girl raised her blood-stained face, like a restless beast, observing the distance.

The firewood burned brightly there, and the flickering flames blurred the figure and appearance of the nobleman.

He was surrounded by several guards who served him medicine. After the medicine was administered, the guards left one by one to patrol the outer room, leaving only the most solemn officer to guard him alone and not allow anyone to get close.

A perfect opportunity—

She quietly twisted open the can, sprinkled the animal glue powder on the gap in the corner of the wall, then quietly stepped back a little distance, carefully opened another can, poured out realgar powder, and sprinkled it in a semi-circle around herself.

Venomous snakes fear the scent of realgar, so when they come in from the corner, they will instinctively avoid her.

A rustling sound arose, mingling with the sound of rain outside the window.

She had killed two people tonight, and was about to kill a third when her hands started trembling again.

Wen Amu and the servants conspired to send her to a ghost marriage; she deserved to die, and had nothing to feel guilty about.

These officers in the Northwest should also be under the command of Helan Yi.

Once she is taken away by Helan Yi's men, she will face inhuman treatment.

Will they be tortured to death or imprisoned?

They won't let themselves off the hook.

As she pondered, she heard the sound of loose bricks coming from the corner of the wall beside her.

It's a poisonous snake.

They have crawled in from one of the dilapidated corners.

Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.

Chaolu raised her hand and brought the bone whistle hanging from her neck to her lips—the whistle was no bigger than a fingernail. When she put it to her lips and exhaled, it produced a few barely audible vibrations.

She never took this pendant off; it was a keepsake left to her by her mother and could be used to tame animals.

It took her a long time to beg her mother to teach her some animal taming techniques.

Even the fiercest beasts would bow down before this whistle.

She will naturally be able to tame these snakes tonight.

The venomous pythons flicked their tongues, responding to the rhythm, and suddenly darted out, following the scent of the animal glue, like wisps of ghosts heading straight forward.

Even the most astute hunter would not be able to detect this slight movement here.

Even now, she is still using what her mother and father taught her to survive.

Chao Lu's heart leaped into her throat; her fingers clenched tightly around her robes. After the venomous python moved, she lowered her head, anxiously awaiting the outcome...

This move is extremely dangerous; its success or failure depends entirely on fate. It's a gamble on whether those people can detect the presence of the venomous python.

They won't find it...

However, soon after, the nobleman whispered some instructions, and then a commotion broke out.

Footsteps were chaotic, and then the clang of a sword rang out.

"Guards, protect the emperor!"

The morning dew raised its head.

The venomous snakes that were just now raising their heads and flicking their tongues were all cleaved in two by the guards, blood splattering everywhere, their severed limbs still writhing desperately, staining the ground red.

Chao Lu's heart sank suddenly.

They may not be able to find out that it was her who did it.

But the next moment, the noblewoman whispered in the officer's ear, and the officer's expression changed drastically. He gripped the hilt of his sword and strode toward her.

One step, two steps...

The sound of military boots stomping across the ground was like a death knell.

A flash of cold light from a sword pierced into their eyes.

Chao Lu slowly raised her gaze.

The newcomer's face was frosty, and a long sword in his hand was pressed against her brow, with venomous snake blood still flowing from the tip of the sword. With a "thud," the sword struck her nose.

If it were just one inch forward, the sharp tip of the sword would mercilessly pierce her forehead.

"Your lord has summoned you to speak with him."

Chaolu's body stiffened, and she felt a chill rising from her feet, tapping her calves little by little.

After a while, he slowly got up and walked towards the pile of firewood.

The ground was littered with the severed limbs and carcasses of venomous snakes, scattered haphazardly, still dripping blood and emitting a pungent stench.

She knelt before the nobleman, her knees touching the floor tiles.

A cold, stinging sensation gradually traveled from my knees to the tip of my heart.

And in sight, a corner of the nobleman's robe also came into view.

The magnificent black robes were piled on the ground, embroidered with dark gold patterns in gold thread, with a faint shimmering light floating on them, as if moonlight were wandering across them, exquisite and extraordinary.

She obeyed the warning, keeping her eyes lowered, but the scene of this nobleman strangling his confidant remained vivid in her mind—

The dull thud of the rope digging into his neck, the purplish-red face with bulging veins, and those eyes that remained wide open until his death.

Each scene was like a needle piercing her eyes. He could kill even his own blood relatives without blinking, so what about himself?

Don't panic, they can't produce any evidence.

But her brow kept twitching.

"Your Excellency summoned me here. What are your orders? ... Just now, those poisonous snakes suddenly appeared in the palace. I was terrified..."

Everyone was dismissed, leaving only the highest-ranking, solemn officer standing beside him.

This long silence was agonizing.

She waited for the other person to speak, but after a long time, all that could be heard was silence and the sound of bamboo slips turning.

He was flipping through Buddhist scriptures on the dilapidated table in front of him.

The Buddhist scriptures and bamboo slips, which had been piled up in the corner for years without maintenance, were now infested with insects, dilapidated, and many of the bamboo strips were broken.

He, however, flipped through the pages slowly and deliberately.

On his slender finger bones was a silver ring, which gleamed coldly in the moonlight. It should have been a precious ornament, but at this moment it looked like a living venomous snake, slowly crawling along his cold knuckles.

Despite the humble and dark room surrounding him, this person exuded an air of nobility.

This was a completely different situation from when he was facing that group of officers.

The officers were suspicious of her, wary of her, and interrogated her directly with clear objectives. Yet, this man summoned her to his side but hesitated to make any further moves. What was his true intention?

Now that things have come to this, she has no regrets; she has simply failed in her attempt to find a way out.

The only thing to blame is that the person we encountered happened to be able to see through all of this.

In the almost suffocating atmosphere, he finally spoke.

"You brought in the poisonous snake because you are extremely dissatisfied with the treatment of my officers?"

Chaolu's shoulders trembled slightly: "Why do you say such a thing, Your Excellency? How could I possibly have the ability to lure a poisonous snake? When that venomous python entered the palace, I cowered in a corner, truly terrified, not daring to even breathe... How could I possibly have the slightest complaint about Your Excellency's handling of the matter..."

Her voice was barely audible, as if she were truly terrified.

The man laughed and said, "I wouldn't dare, how could that be?"

His voice was as clear and gentle as the first snow melting, as if he were talking about everyday things.

“You must be full of resentment and unwillingness. Otherwise, you would not have made a false oath before the Buddha in order to escape.”

"A distinguished person?"

He realized she was lying in front of the Buddha.

"When you killed someone, you used the pigments from this Buddhist temple. When you lured the venomous python, you used fish glue, which is used to aid in painting. You are extremely familiar with this place?"

Chaolu had not expected that he knew so much about painting, and she opened her mouth to argue.

"Don't put on airs in front of me. The reason you lied to me is simply because if we traced your identity along the temple, we could definitely find it, but you don't want to reveal it to others. Am I right?"

"Full of lies, audacious and reckless, not hesitating to speak falsely before gods and Buddhas, and not afraid that the Buddhas will notice?"

The action of wiping away tears with her sleeve froze.

She was already extremely cautious, not wanting to reveal her relationship with the Buddhist temple, but this person was so meticulous that he remembered her few words so clearly and even noticed the subtle flaws in them.

She slowly straightened up.

“I truly know nothing of the matter of the poisonous snake. You said I am not afraid of the Buddha’s discovery. Yes, I am bold and presumptuous, but I am innocent. Why should I fear the poisonous oath coming true? If the gods and Buddhas punish me for this, then heaven is truly blind.”

"I don't believe in gods or saints. Only those who can save me are gods or saints."

With swords hanging over her head, how could she prevent them from falling?

"I have been driven to my death by evil men. Please, sir, have mercy on me and spare my life. If you do, you will be my second parents, my saints and gods. Although I come from humble beginnings, I am a grateful person and I am willing to serve you as your servant in the future."

Even at this moment, she was still trying to find a way to survive.

Her eyes were bloodshot and her voice trembled.

He was sizing her up.

After those words were spoken, his gaze shifted from the bamboo slip to her. Her face was covered in dust and blood, making it difficult to discern her original appearance.

He changed his posture, resting his cheek on his hand as he looked at the view.

What kind of person would dare to let the person who was about to assassinate him get close?

Like cheetahs and wolves, they fearlessly confront weak beasts that offer no resistance, for they have everything under control and thus can look down upon those below them.

Chao Lu felt a chill run down her spine. She had never dealt with someone like this before. Even He Lan Yi couldn't do that. He could see right through her in just a few words.

In the tense atmosphere, he finally spoke.

"Can you tame animals?"

Chao Lu's eyelashes trembled slightly. "A distinguished person?"

"Where did you learn your animal taming skills to make those venomous snakes obey you?"

As Chaolu opened her mouth to deny it, his calm voice came from above her head: "Taking your head is easy, but my patience is limited."

The morning dew trembled slightly at the knuckles, “I…”

He was not joking.

If her next words fail to satisfy him, she will be beheaded on the spot.

Should we disclose the truth?

Amu's caravan had traveled the trade routes of the Northwest and Western Regions, and each time it returned with a full load of goods. It was a leader among many caravans and was the most trusted by the trading company.

The reason is simple: Mother possesses a unique skill in taming beasts, enabling her to transport rare and exotic animals from thousands of miles away without any mishaps.

But if he admits it, will he let go of the person who tried to kill him with a poisonous snake?

Chao was covered in a cold sweat, and she could hear the huge heartbeat echoing in her chest. Two forces were tearing at her, making her suffer terribly.

The oppressive force above her head prevented her from lifting it, as if she were trapped in a spider's web, which was tightening little by little, forcing her to surrender in an extremely torturous way.

The officer beside him, whose hand was resting on his longsword, suddenly flicked his fingertips away from the scabbard.

She began, “My family members used to work for caravans and had the skill of taming animals. I heard about it from a young age and learned some of it. I use a whistle to imitate the sensitive sounds of various animals, making those wild beasts obedient and submissive.”

The moment she said those words, she felt as if a piece of her heart had been emptied.

His life was completely in his hands.

She truly had no way out.

The person above seemed to have heard something amusing and chuckled softly.

She had prepared for the worst, expecting the other party to be furious upon hearing this, but she hadn't anticipated this reaction.

"Can you tame birds of prey like leopards and tigers?"

Leopard and tiger?

Yes, it will!

Chaolu subconsciously wanted to look up, but then lowered her face: "In my younger days, I also followed a caravan from the Western Regions to transport birds of prey, so I naturally know a thing or two. If Your Excellency needs anything, I will certainly do my best to help you!"

no.

Of course she wouldn't. Her mother had only taught her a few basics and never allowed her to get close to those birds of prey. As for venomous snakes, that was something she had researched and taught her father to use for self-defense, out of fear for his safety in the temple.

But his own life and death were entirely in his hands.

Why would the other party ask this?

But in any case, it is necessary to demonstrate the value that can be utilized.

"OK."

His tone was languid, and his voice contained a hint of laughter, but it was by no means friendly.

“I’m currently lacking an animal trainer, and I do need someone with exceptional courage.”

He took off the silver ring from his hand, and when he saw the ring flash in the air, he quickly reached out and took it.

"In half a month, go to the Anxi Protectorate, give your name, and say that you are a tamer of beasts for a nobleman. Someone will receive you."

"A distinguished person?"

The officer beside him lowered his body, seemingly sensing something was amiss and wanting to say something.

The esteemed person had already raised his hand, "At that time, I can guarantee you a life of luxury."

"As for your crime tonight—" He paused, his tone softening.

"I'll think of a way to repay it next time."

Such a dramatic change in such a short time left Chaolu speechless. After regaining her senses, she quickly bowed and thanked him.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

The man's gaze didn't linger on her face for even a moment longer before he gestured for her to step back.

Chaolu returned to her corner and sat down.

The silver ring in his palm still retained his warmth, heavy as a hot potato.

Although their conversation was brief, she felt as if she had entered a perilous ordeal.

Who exactly is this person?

He could raise exotic birds and beasts, and could decide the life and death of high-ranking soldiers on the front lines at will. Moreover, in his speech, it seemed that everything in the world was under his control, and he could even trust the person who had tried to assassinate him a moment ago to use him...

Is he the son of the Protectorate of the Western Regions?

Such a person is far beyond her ability to handle.

At that moment, she subconsciously raised her hand and touched the bone whistle around her neck.

Mother is right, she is very lucky.

Today, I was able to defend myself before that important person and survive; it was a sliver of hope that I fought for.

Since fate has spared her, she will certainly not let this opportunity slip by and will surely turn the world upside down.

Make those people from the Helan family pay the price.

Her face was hidden in the darkness, her long eyelashes trembling with tears. She raised her knuckles and slowly wiped away the falling tears, little by little.

Those moist eyes gradually turned deep and melancholic.

She was planning how to survive, how to climb the ranks, who to kill, how to kill, and what to use to kill...

Finally, she looked at the indistinct figure in the distance.

Even if you really don't want to meet this person, they are still a benefactor who spared you.

If they meet again in the future, she will repay him.

The sound of rain outside the palace continued incessantly.

As the morning dew falls, I lean my head against the wall, listen to the sound of rain, close my eyes, and rest for tomorrow.

**

The rain poured down, raging across the land.

Rain in the Northwest never lasts long; by the next morning, the rain has gradually stopped.

Light streamed in through the windows as the soldiers methodically packed their belongings, preparing to leave.

A soldier approached his superior officer and reported, "Your Excellency, the woman secretly climbed out of the window at daybreak."

The man he referred to as the Duke was only twenty-three years old, extremely young, but if placed in the army, who wouldn't know his formidable reputation?

This man is Jia Li, a founding father of the current empire, who followed the late emperor and the current emperor in their campaigns to overthrow the old dynasty and was granted the title of "Duke of the Founding Dynasty".

The founding duke, who should have been in the imperial court in the capital, is now in this dilapidated temple.

Because this battle on the front lines was of great importance, and it was the first time since the emperor ascended the throne that he had launched a large-scale military campaign to the west, with the intention of conquering the barbarians, he personally came to the front lines to supervise the battle.

This secret trip was known to few and should not be publicized.

Jia Li frowned upon hearing from his subordinates that she had left, indicating that he was aware of it.

If that woman knew that the important person she faced last night was the current emperor, she probably wouldn't dare to assassinate him even if she were given a hundred heads.

As he waited for his master, the figure emerged. Jia Li bowed respectfully and followed.

The soldiers stood solemnly and in perfect order, and everything was quiet.

Jia Li looked at the figure in front of him. He had grown up with the emperor and they were childhood playmates. However, the emperor had become a noble figure and his behavior had become increasingly cold and austere over the years.

There were some things Jia Li wasn't sure whether she should say.

He hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Your Majesty is merciful, but it is really inappropriate to give that silver ring to that woman of unknown origin. This is one of the tokens used to dispatch the imperial guards. I am afraid that if it falls into the wrong hands, it will cause unnecessary trouble."

"Besides, Your Majesty's woman is as cunning as a fox, and she is only pretending to be pitiful. She may not actually go to the Protectorate to take up her post. Your Majesty's decision to let her go is an act of mercy, a wish to spare the lives of your subjects."

The young man strode along, showing no signs of being tired from his journey.

The Emperor smiled faintly: "Whether it is a token or not is in my hands. If I use it, I will wield power over the world; if it is in someone else's hands, it is nothing more than a fine thumb ring."

"It's just an inanimate object, not worth mentioning."

The young emperor, with a profound and unassuming demeanor, tall and dashing, mounted his horse with a flourish.

Jia Li followed behind.

The horses kicked up dust as they headed west, the sun rising high at the edge of the mountains, illuminating the path ahead for the group.

A note from the author:

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For reference on the use of animal glue, see: *Kaogongji* and *Yingzao Fashi*.

The next chapter will cover Chaolu's wedding.