Chapter 46 Clash: Xiao Yin allowed the boy to use him as a human cushion...
Perhaps Feng Tan had discovered Xiao Yinshi's most deeply hidden identity, so Zhu Qi, who was usually carefree and cheerful, became solemn and serious the whole way when he escorted her to the underground torture chamber.
Xiao Yinshi's mansion was not very large. After passing through the caisson ceiling and eaves, Feng Tan was blindfolded.
Zhu Qi held the hemp rope in front of her and said coldly, "Lord Feng, there are steps ahead."
Feng Tan tentatively stepped on it, but Zhu Qi, impatient with Feng Tan's cautious movements, reached out and grabbed her, leaping down the steps. A stench of dust and decay, mixed with the smell of blood, rushed towards them.
Feng Tan felt a little heavy-hearted as Zhu Qi placed her on a chair. Zhu Qi then produced a rope from somewhere and tightly bound Feng Tan to the cold iron chair.
After Zhu Qi finished doing everything, he removed the black cloth from Feng Tan's eyes, clasped his hands in a salute to Xiao Yinshi, and said, "Master, the person has been brought down."
Xiao Yinshi stood with his hands behind his back in the dim candlelight, casting a shadow on Feng Tan. His voice was unreadable, "You may leave."
Seeing his master's unpredictable expression, Zhu Qi gritted his teeth and said, "My lord, this person must not be allowed to live!"
The master had always been exceptionally lenient and kind to the boy in front of him. During the days when the boy was away in the Linzhang sea area, the boy developed some inexplicable feelings for him. Although the master kept it a secret, the boy had been by the side of adults since he was a child and was particularly sensitive to these emotions that appeared in the master.
"Zhu Qi, you have overstepped your bounds." Xiao Yinshi turned around, his aura exuding a solemn and icy aura, heavy and cold, keeping people at a distance.
Zhu Qi's heart tightened, and he bowed as he left the underground cell.
Feng Tan surveyed the sealed cell, noting its exceptionally sturdy construction. The walls were made of sheet metal, and while the various torture instruments weren't as elaborate as those in the imperial prison, each one was enough to make one wish for death.
The atmosphere was heavy, dark, and bloody, sending chills down one's spine. However, none of this was as unsettling as Xiao Yinshi's current state. Looking into his lifeless eyes, Feng Tan's heart, which had already sunk to the bottom, sank even further.
Xiao Yinshi's eyes were as dark and unfathomable as ink, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he were condemning someone to death. "A dagger, a white silk ribbon, or poison, or any other way you find a quick and easy way to die, choose one."
Feng Tan has a strong will to live. Rescuing Feng Youming to fulfill her deceased mother's last wish is a mission etched into her life. How could she easily die in such a dark and hopeless prison?
Feng Tan's fingers, bound behind her back, twitched slightly. She knew that Xiao Yinshi was truly going to kill her this time, and there was no room for maneuver. If she died, Uncle Meng would die too; he would leave no survivors.
Feng Tan's mind raced. He looked up at Xiao Yinshi and said, "My lord, since you have taken Menghe Nabul as a hostage, I will not utter a single word while you are in the Huang Dynasty."
Xiao Yinshi said, "I don't believe you."
The man stood in front of Feng Tan, his figure tall and straight, his imposing aura pressing down on Feng Tan.
A layer of cold sweat soaked Feng Tan's back. The cold iron chair made her body somewhat numb, and her fingers were not very nimble. However, she could not stop her mental battle. She pursed her lips and chose to sacrifice a piece. "My lord only captured Meng Henabul, but little did he know that he was not the only one who knew my whereabouts tonight. If I disappear from the Xiao residence tonight, the Imperial Guards will traverse every corner of the Xiao residence tomorrow."
Xiao Yinshi chuckled softly, his voice deep and drawn-out, "Feng Tan, you're just a fifth-rank official. Do you really think you're someone no one can do anything to?"
"He holds the rank of fifth grade, but Feng Tan is the beloved of the only legitimate princess of Da Huang." Feng Tan knew that her every move was being monitored by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so Xiao Yinshi must know that she was getting close to Feng Qinghuang. "If I die, the princess will not let it go, especially since the princess may already be carrying my child."
Feng Tan admired herself greatly. When her life was hanging by a thread, she dared to say anything. Looking at Xiao Yinshi's unwavering figure, she said, "You must have heard about the temper of the newly returned Princess Yongle. Why should you lose so much because of me?"
The dim light spilled across the man's resolute jawline and thin lips, landing on his eyes, which held a hint of mockery. Xiao Yinshi lowered his head, the cool, woody scent permeating Feng Tan's nostrils. "Lord Feng is indeed enjoying a prosperous official career. He has seduced the princess in just two months since returning to the capital."
Xiao Yinshi chuckled softly and said slowly, "The Huang Dynasty has a clear decree that the empress dowager must not interfere in politics. I will kill you tonight. So what if she is a princess? She has no real power. Do you think she can bring me down just because she is favored by Emperor Chongming?"
Xiao Yinshi's fingers caressed the smooth face of the person in front of him. From a distance, their intertwined shadows resembled lovers' whispered murmurs, but only upon closer inspection did one realize the resolute intent to kill. "Stop wasting your time. Choose a way to die. Don't make me do it myself, hmm?"
Feng Tan didn't know that, according to Xiao Yinshi's usual methods, he would never waste so much time talking to people, nor would he be so 'kind' as to let someone choose their own way of dying. These were just some feelings of pity he had for Feng Tan.
On the opposite side of reason, those still-forming, hazy emotions compelled him to act against his nature. However, he was not deeply afflicted by the poison, and Feng Tan's life was not as important as his ambition for the throne. After years of scheming, he only believed that the dead would not reveal secrets.
Therefore, Feng Tan must die tonight.
Feng Tan quietly used a knife to cut the hemp rope. The moment the rope came off, she used a very inelegant tiger-pouncing posture, firmly gripping Xiao Yinshi's body with both legs and feet, and pinning him upside down on the hard iron ground.
The young man acted decisively and ruthlessly, lowering his head to pry open Xiao Yinshi's thin lips with his lips and tongue. His tongue tip skillfully probed in, rolled over Xiao Yinshi's tongue and pressed down, transferring the pill into his mouth. Finally, to prevent Xiao Yinshi from spitting it out, he held Xiao Yinshi's tongue with his tongue tip, not allowing him to move.
Only after feeling his Adam's apple move slightly and him swallow the pill did Feng Tan slowly leave the man's thin lips, releasing the force that had been restraining Xiao Yinshi's body. Feeling utterly exhausted, she rested her head on his shoulder and slowly regulated her breathing.
The boy's breath brushed against Xiao Yinshi's ear. He felt the fragile strength of the person in his arms. The tide rose and fell beneath them, and the soft halo blurred the man's handsome face, making it even harder to discern the emotions in his eyes.
Xiao Yinshi let the boy use him as a human cushion. When Feng Tan pushed him down just now, he could have easily twisted his neck, but for some inexplicable reason, the hand that was originally going to twist Feng Tan's neck did not move, allowing the smooth lips and tongue to invade his lips.
A thrilling chase suddenly unfolded on his lips, the boy's fresh scent filling every inch of his teeth. The vibrant, tingling pleasure made him crave more, and he let an unknown pill pass to him.
Even after the boy swallowed the pill, he was still not at ease. His nimble tongue held the tip of the boy's tongue, not allowing him to spit it out. In such an extreme entanglement, no man could handle it.
Xiao Yinshi let the pill go down his throat, and let the farce continue. When he was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he could execute hundreds of people in a single night without batting an eye, but tonight, he was actually outmaneuvered by this little wolf.
After working non-stop for most of the night, Feng Tan rested for a moment in the most dangerous chest before slowly raising his head. Looking down at the chilling and fierce aura on Xiao Yinshi's face, he smiled apologetically, "I resorted to this desperate measure because my life was at stake. I may have offended you unintentionally, my lord. Please don't upset yourself."
The young man smiled suavely, landing on his hands from Xiao Yinshi's arms. He straightened his disheveled clothes and said, "My lord, what I just fed you was a Yin Poison Pill. You need to take the antidote every seven days until the forty-ninth day. I also promise that I will not reveal what I heard and heard tonight to anyone."
The pill that Feng Tan fed Gao Yu in the Floating Hell was actually just an ordinary tonic; the real Yin Poison Pill was hidden between her teeth. Unexpectedly, it came in handy today.
Although the method was disgusting... at least it saved her life, right?
Xiao Yinshi's eyes were dark. He had been so soft-hearted that he had been manipulated. He laughed bitterly, feeling helpless against this wolf cub. He walked over to Feng Tan, looked down at her, and said, "Meng Henabul will be kept here as a hostage."
"Deal." Feng Tan smiled gently, then turned away awkwardly, noticing his less-than-pleasant expression.
“Feng Tan,” Xiao Yinshi looked at Feng Tan’s back without turning around, his lips curving coldly and indifferently, and warned her one last time, “If you provoke me again, even if you are a man, I will still do what I want to you.”
Feng Tan paused, lingering fear in her eyes. She tried to control her trembling fingers and forcefully opened the hidden door to the cell.
Seeing that Feng Tan had actually emerged alive from the underground torture chamber, Zhu Qi drew his knife and stepped forward to block him, baring his cold white teeth as he demanded, "How did you manage to come out alive?"
Feng Tan's voice was neither happy nor angry as he spoke to Zhu Qi in the slow, deliberate tone his master was used to, "Take good care of my Uncle Meng. If even a single hair is missing, I'll cut out your tongue."
Zhu Qi: "...?"
***
The next day, news of Feng Dai's miscarriage and death spread throughout the capital. As the emperor's beloved youngest daughter, she was beaten to death by her husband. This news caused a sensation among the people, and hundreds of eyes in the court were watching the development of this incident.
The cabinet office was eerily quiet. The morning sunlight streamed through the window frames, illuminating the worried faces of the cabinet elders. At today's cabinet morning meeting, Gao Yu, being involved in the case, had been asked to leave by Zheng Guanhe, and Xiao Yinshi was unable to leave the Censorate. Therefore, the meeting was still held by the same few senior officials.
Zheng Guanhe has recently fallen ill, coughing occasionally as he speaks. “This is a major case, involving the Emperor’s authority and the law. According to His Majesty’s will, the verdict must be convincing to the public! Gentlemen of the cabinet, the cabinet will recommend two officials to attend the hearing. Please speak your minds without reservation.”
After saying all that in one breath, Zheng Guanhe coughed heavily twice, drank the teacup handed to him by the servant, and seeing that they were looking at each other without saying a word, he slammed the teacup to the ground. "I, Zheng Guanhe, have never been a dictator, so what are you all worried about?!"
Minister of Works Tu Dechang pondered for a moment, then said, "I recommend the Prince of Chu and Feng Tan, the Vice Minister of Justice."
Minister of Revenue Yue Yuda picked up where he left off, agreeing, "His Highness Prince Chu belongs to the faction that upholds imperial power, while Feng Tan, the Assistant Minister of Justice, is decisive and upright in judging cases, and also..."
That's how things are in official circles. No one will say things too explicitly, but you can always understand the implication. It's an open secret that Feng Tan and the Gao family are at odds. Sending him there would prevent Gao Yu from having any opportunities to interfere.
Zheng Guanhe said, "In that case, we will invite these two to come over."
......
The streets outside Dali Temple were packed with carriages and horses today. With such a big event happening in the capital, people from all sides wanted to come and see the excitement. There were also vendors selling pancakes and other snacks along the street. Because the crowd was too dense, the Imperial City Guards had been ordered to station five men each on both sides of the street early in the morning to prevent any disturbances.
Compared to the bustling noise outside the Dali Temple, the main courtroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The Dali Temple Minister, Nie Yanghong, sat high in the hall, while the Vice Minister, Zheng Qingru, and the Ministry of Justice official, Feng Tan, sat to his left. To his right, the Prince of Chu, holding a folding fan, tapped the table listlessly.
A plaque reading "A Clear Mirror Hangs High" hung in the presiding judge's courtroom. Two rows of soldiers with swords stood in neat rows outside the courtroom. Seeing that all the important officials for today's trial had arrived, Nie Yanghong slammed the gavel down and announced, "Summon Gao Zhizhen!"
Gao Zhizhen was an official, and the Dahuang government had decreed that officials could be removed from their shackles during trial. So his handcuffs and leg irons were removed, and he looked as if he had lost his parents. He bowed to the crowd and performed an official salute.
Author's Note: Lord Xiao has revealed his true identity, and Lord Feng's identity is also in grave danger!
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