Chapter 117 Living is more painful than dying

In the dungeon of Yang County.

After leaving the Wei family, Wei Ziming was locked up here. His legs were still intact, but the more this was the case, the more panicked he became.

It felt as if a knife was hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment, but it just wouldn't, clearly meant to keep him on edge.

Just like what was done to Ji Shu back then.

I don't know how much time had passed, but I could see through the crack in the window that it was already dark.

He sat on the ground, no longer the aloof and superior young master of the Wei family he usually was. Suddenly, the sound of a lock being opened came from the doorway.

Wei Ziming slowly looked up and saw a pair of official boots embroidered with python patterns stopped in front of him.

It's finally here!

Marquis Yan looked down at him coldly. In truth, he didn't need to come in person; he could have left it to Wu Yang to deal with.

But whenever he thought about how he had coerced Shuer and how he had locked her up in that dark and gloomy place, his anger surged uncontrollably and he could no longer suppress it.

The candlelight cast a dim glow, making Pei Yanzhi's face appear somber and gloomy. Wei Ziming spoke first: "These days I've been thinking about when Uncle first developed feelings for Ji Shu."

"If this were in Chongzhou, she would be flattering Xingjian while secretly having an affair with you. I only regret that I didn't expose you to Xingjian sooner."

"While Xingjian was still foolishly thinking about his so-called Lady Ji in Chongzhou, how could he have imagined that in just a few days, he would recognize Ji Shu as his mother?"

"Hahaha, how ridiculous!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi suddenly chuckled, the sound particularly eerie in the cold prison, his tone utterly contemptuous: "So you resort to such despicable tricks just to highlight your own nobility?"

"What was the result? Despicable and filthy, nothing more!"

Wei Ziming seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and roared with eyes wide with rage: "That's still better than you guys! Do you dare to tell Xingjian yourself? Then why did you insist on getting married in front of his city?"

Perhaps finding it too ridiculous, he said with undisguised provocation, "Uncle probably doesn't know yet, but what I did to Ji Shu these past few days while I kept her locked up."

Pei Yanzhi's expression suddenly turned cold, his gaze fixed intently on him, "Do you know what you're saying?"

“On the first day, she did struggle a lot.” Wei Ziming tugged at the corner of his lips.

"But Uncle should know that a man like me has spent years in brothels and has been with all sorts of women."

As soon as he finished speaking, his next words turned sinister and cold: "Wouldn't it be a pity if I couldn't have a taste of such a beauty?"

Pei Yanzhi knew that at this moment, he wanted to provoke him, to make him kill him, so as to announce to the world what he had done.

Unfortunately, his plan backfired.

He raised an eyebrow, pulled over a chair with interest, sat down calmly, and raised his chin, saying, "Go on, I want to see what other tricks you can come up with."

How could he not know whether Ji Shu had any marks on her body? He had inquired about them one by one when the doctor examined her.

Sure enough, Wei Ziming's expression changed, realizing that he couldn't be fooled.

He gave a mocking laugh and looked at him defiantly: "If I remember correctly, Madam Ji has a red mole on the left side of her chest, right?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi, who had been sitting in his chair, suddenly stood up, his face frosty, and his voice extremely low and slow: "What have you done to her?"

"explain!"

He took two steps forward and gripped his throat tightly with his five fingers. When Wei Ziming saw that he was finally angry, he actually managed a smile.

The grip on his neck tightened, making it difficult for him to breathe. His face flushed red, and he stammered, "Guess... why she wanted you to kill me... isn't it because..."

Pei Yanzhi was furious. He knew all too well that this was just a trick, but he still couldn't control the murderous intent that surged into his heart. Had he really touched her?

She slowly released her hand, watching his labored breathing, and for a moment, she couldn't think straight.

But as long as she's alright, he can overlook all of this.

The intense killing intent came and went quickly. Wei Ziming stared at him in disbelief. Did he not care at all?

"Why? I've tasted every inch of her body, inside and out, why won't you kill me? Why!"

Wei Ziming screamed it out with all his might, his eyes filled with despair.

Pei Yanzhi just smiled faintly. How could others know his feelings for Ji Shu? He never bothered to argue with such a person.

Seeing him looking like a stray dog, he said in an unusually calm tone, "Shu'er wanted one of your legs, and I agreed, but I didn't promise that I would not touch anything else about you except your leg."

His gaze swept over him from top to bottom, finally settling on the crotch of the other man's robe, as he tried his best to suppress the surging anger in his chest.

That smile sent chills down Wei Ziming's spine. His lips trembled as he asked, "What do you want to do?" His gaze involuntarily followed Wei Ziming's eyes.

It landed on the bulge of his own robe.

"No! Absolutely not!" That's the last vestige of a man's dignity. If that's the case, it's better to let him die in the dungeon.

"Kill me! Kill me!"

"Someone come here!"

Wu Yang came out from next door and respectfully greeted, "My lord!"

Pei Yanzhi remained expressionless and said coldly, "Do you understand what I mean?"

Wu Yang followed his gaze downwards and was shocked. His lord was actually going to...

"Yes." He waved his hand, and soon two people came forward to drag Wei Ziming away.

Wei Ziming struggled fiercely, shouting hoarsely, "Let me go, let me go! Do you know who I am?"

Pei Yanzhi said calmly, "I want you to understand that sometimes living is more painful than dying."

Fear seeped into his limbs like a torrent of icy water. Wei Ziming's eyes widened in horror: "Pei Yanzhi, let me tell you, your future queen was not only... um..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Yang shoved a dirty strip of cloth into his mouth.

Pei Yanzhi stood in the shadows, his expression unchanged, and suddenly said, "Since he loves to gossip so much, then there's no need for him to gossip."

Wu Yang: "..."

"yes."

The lord truly hates this person to the bone.

Moments later, heart-wrenching screams echoed from the prison.

...

Ji Mansion in Yongning Lane.

It wasn't until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) that Pei Yanzhi returned to the mansion, carrying a faint scent of blood.

At that moment, Ji Shu was taking out the flower dew she had made earlier, rubbing it on the back of her hand and smelling it carefully. When she saw him return, she stepped forward and took the cloak from him.

As soon as she got close, she could smell his scent. She took several steps back without making a sound before asking, "Why are you back so late? Didn't you say an hour?"

Pei Yanzhi reached out and pulled her back, gazing at her approaching face. The closer she got, the clearer he could smell her delicate fragrance, a scent that reassured him.

He took her hand and said somewhat absentmindedly, "It's nothing. There have been some troublemakers causing chaos in the city recently, so I went to interrogate them."

Ji Shu did not press the matter further, seemingly unaware of what kind of petty person had caused the Lord of Yanzhou to personally interrogate him.