Is Liu Yu dead?
Madam Jia fainted immediately.
Shen Yu's eyes instantly blurred with tears, and she asked in a trembling voice, "The palace is full of imperial guards, how could he have been assassinated?"
As soon as she said it, she realized that something terrible was going to happen: the emperor first sent Mu Nanfeng and Prince Jing to the northern frontier, and then summoned Liu Yu to the palace. This was to cut off her escape route and eliminate her completely!
Presumably, the Emperor will next target Ping'er.
With Liu Yu dead, Ping'er is the only remaining direct descendant of the Liu family. Currently, conflicts are raging, with many factions clamoring to support the descendant of the Liu family as king.
It is likely that someone is secretly plotting to deliberately target the Liu family's direct line.
Shen Yu cried out in alarm, "Quickly, return to the Hundred Herbs Garden!"
The carriage stopped outside the west gate, where heavy guards were stationed, checking every passerby and vehicle.
The lead guard, holding a notice, shouted: "Liu Yu plotted a rebellion and attempted to assassinate the Emperor. His crimes are heinous. His body will be displayed at the city gate for three days and three nights as a warning to others."
Having said that, the lead guard handed the notice to the city gate guards and instructed them: "Liu Yu's wife, Mu Chenyu, poisoned the Second Prince and was also involved in the rebellion. Distribute her portrait to all city gates and make sure she is arrested and brought to justice."
Hearing the commotion outside, Chen Yu lifted the curtain to look and saw a long queue in front of her, with everyone looking up at something.
She looked up and saw what was that patchwork of white and red hanging on the city wall?
The driver exclaimed in terror, "That's a corpse!"
Shen Yu squinted and looked closely; a man covered in arrows was hanging from the city wall.
A white robe stained with blood fluttered in the wind, and the thin body and fair, delicate oval face—wasn't that Liu Yu?
With tears blurring her vision, Chen Yu staggered off the carriage.
Cuiwei and Feicui quickly grabbed her, whispering, "Girl, this is a trap to lure you out."
Yes, if you were arrested, who would save the Empress, who would save An'er and Ping'er?
At this moment, a man in black strode over, his flowing sleeves embroidered with an eagle. He was none other than Kong Ying, the son of Kong Xiang.
Kong Ying was ordered to lead men to the Hundred Herbs Garden to execute the entire family, but the Hundred Herbs Garden was deserted.
Hearing that Chen Yu had gone to Putuo Temple with Madam Jia to offer incense, he decided to wait for her at the west gate. Sure enough, Chen Yu appeared.
Chen Yu stared blankly at Liu Yu's corpse, tears streaming down her face, refusing to leave.
Cuiwei surveyed the surroundings and spotted Kong Ying walking towards them. She grabbed Chenyu and pulled her away.
[Girl, the Kong family is here! Hurry up!]
Just as Shen Yu was about to board the carriage, Kong Ying leaped up and blocked her way.
[Mu Chenyu! Liu Yu has rebelled, and the Emperor has ordered the execution of Liu Yu's entire family. However, considering your elder brother's outstanding military achievements, the Emperor will spare your life. Tell me, where is Liu Yu's son?]
Upon hearing this, Shen Yu was overjoyed. It must be that Yanran and Rong Mama had taken An'er and Ping'er and escaped. But how could they have known this beforehand?
Shen Yu looked at Kong Ying and saw that dozens of guards had surrounded them. There was no way they could escape now.
With a whoosh, she instinctively crouched down to dodge, but an arrow struck Kong Ying in the chest, instantly throwing the scene into chaos.
[There's an assassin!]
Don't let Mu Chenyu escape! A hefty reward awaits those who catch her!
Taking advantage of the chaos, Cuiwei and Feicui escaped with Chenyu.
Looking up, their carriage was nowhere to be seen.
A carriage sped towards them, and a masked man in black leaned out and shouted: "Quickly, get on! Someone has already escorted Madam Jia away."
Shen Yu naturally dared not believe it easily, and continued to flee with Cui Wei and Fei Cui. The carriage followed the three of them, and they kept shooting arrows backward to block the pursuers.
Shen Yu looked in confusion, and inside the window, the man in black pulled off his mask, revealing himself to be He Man.
He Man put on his face mask, reached out, and pulled Chen Yu and the other two into the carriage one by one...
Midnight (11 PM - 1 AM).
Shen Yu suddenly opened her eyes, gasping for breath. Why was there such a strong smell of blood?
She turned her head and saw only darkness. It was as if something was pressing on her face. She couldn't move her hands, and her feet were also bound. The ground beneath her was hard and cold. She had no choice but to twist her body and turn over. She saw that Madam Jia, Cuiwei, and Emerald were lying to the side, also bound.
Where is this?
Looking up, two braziers with blazing fires were placed in front of me, and various instruments of torture, such as finger-crushing machines and whips with tassels, were hanging on the wall.
Could this be a torture chamber used to torment prisoners?
Shen Yu's heart leaped into her throat. It was over; she had fallen into the hands of her enemy.
indeed.
The door opened, and He Man led Kong Xiang slowly in, standing beside the brazier.
Kong Xiang waved his hand, and two guards came in, picked up Chen Yu, and tied her to the iron frame.
Tell me, where is Liu Yu's son?
Chen Yu lowered her head and ignored her.
Unexpectedly, Kong Xiang strode to the brazier, grabbed a branding iron, and rushed towards Chen Yu.
【ah! 】
A scream rang out, and Shen Yu looked up to see Kong Xiang's branding iron landing on He Man's shoulder.
He Man knelt down in fear and pleaded, "Prime Minister Kong, you said that as long as the direct descendants of the Liu family are not to harm Chen Yu."
Shen Yu was furious. She glared at He Man and began to scold him, "Your uncle is honest and upright, and your aunt is dignified and virtuous. How could they have a son like you who can't distinguish right from wrong and is so eager to curry favor with the powerful?"
He Man was also furious. He suddenly looked at Chen Yu and retorted: "The late emperor chose me as his son-in-law, which was also a way to break up a good marriage. Everyone knows that Xinyue likes Liu Yu and I like Sister Chenxiang."
However, due to the late emperor's decree, I had no choice but to marry Xinyue. Xinyue was arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable. She not only forbade me to touch her, but also forbade me to take a concubine.
Entering the court as an official was out of the question, but fortunately, the late emperor passed away, and Prince Songhua ascended the throne, allowing me to serve in the court. Now that someone has rebelled, I naturally must serve the emperor.
[Cousin, you're being foolish! The court is in turmoil, officials protect each other, and the people are oppressed. Are you going to be so blind as to collude with these treacherous officials? Chenyu advises you to turn back as soon as possible and not to aid and abet evil.]
"Ha!" Kong Xiang snorted coldly, examining the branding iron as he said, "Lord He, since you intend to serve the Emperor, then find out Ping'er's whereabouts. I've heard that Miss Chenyu is just like the deceased General Mu—unyielding and impervious to reason. Without some hardship, I'm afraid we won't get a single word out of her."
With a whoosh, Kong Xiang threw the branding iron in front of He Man.
He Man shuddered in fright, hesitated for a moment, and then stood up shakily, still holding the branding iron.
He placed the branding iron into the brazier, then picked up another red-hot iron and slowly walked to Chen Yu, his voice trembling. "As long as you tell me Ping'er's whereabouts," he said, "I will not make things difficult for you."
My cousin disregarded family ties; I would never betray my own flesh and blood…
Before Chen Yu could finish speaking, Kong Xiang snatched the branding iron with lightning speed and branded it onto Chen Yu's chest.
【ah……】
The fish screamed in agony, its voice piercing through the walls and chilling the heart...
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