The faint torches flickered on the stone walls, casting distorted shadows.
The walls were covered with mottled moss and dark red bloodstains. The ground was damp soil mixed with sewage and unknown dirt. You could feel the sticky resistance with every step you took.
The cell is surrounded by heavy iron bars that are covered with rust. Inside the cell, there is moldy hay, which is the only "bed" for the prisoners to sleep on.
From time to time, mice squeaked in the corners, darting through the darkness in their reckless pursuit of food. Occasionally, cockroaches scurried by, giving one the creeps.
Jiang Zhuo looked at Shangguan Qian who was tied to a wooden frame in front of him, eating food and drinking wine calmly.
"Shangguan Qian, why did you resort to such a trick on me?"
For three days, Shangguan Qian had given up and only said that he was instructed by Chu Ting, and he refused to say who was behind Chu Ting.
"My patience is limited."
"You, kill me." He said weakly.
Jiang Zhuo sighed and put down his chopsticks.
"Shangguan Qian, I've always been kind and merciful. If you confess now, I can show some leniency and let you see your family before I send you to the Dali Temple."
Shangguan Qian's eyes flashed but he said nothing.
"But now you are in this state, which makes it difficult for me to deal with you."
Changfeng walked in from outside and saluted Jiang Zhuo.
"Sir, the Zhou mother and son have been apprehended, and anyone who tried to take them away has been eliminated."
Shangguan Qian suddenly raised his head upon hearing this and looked at Changfeng, "You arrested her! The harm won't come to my wife and children, so let them go!"
Jiang Zhuo nodded to indicate that he understood. He stood up, walked to Shangguan Qian, and straightened his clothes.
"You know my methods. Alas, you are tough, but I wonder if your wife, a woman of virtue, is tough as well."
Shangguan Qian looked at Jiang Zhuo pleadingly, "Master Jiang, please, let them go!"
"That depends on whether what Patriarch Shangguan is going to say next is enough to give you leverage in your negotiations with me."
"I'll tell you everything!"
"That day, a man in black came to me and said he was a descendant of the Murong family and Murong Sheng's younger brother."
Jiang Zhuo looked at Shangguan Qian with complicated eyes.
How come he doesn’t know that Murong Sheng has a younger brother?
"He said his name was Li Xin. When Murong Sheng ascended the throne, he was still young, so Murong Sheng didn't kill him. Instead, he sent him to the north, changed his surname, and sent someone to raise him."
"Just because he said it, you believed it?" Jiang Zhuo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You haven't seen his face. He looks exactly like Murong Sheng." Shangguan Qian's eyes were a little frightened.
The face is the same, could it be a human skin mask?
"Any other evidence?"
"No, not anymore." Shangguan Qian shook his head. "I've only met him twice. Once when he revealed his identity and tried to win over the Shangguan family. And once when you came. He told me not to reveal his identity."
"Why did you kill Bai Xian?"
"Because he intends to take action during the court ceremony of all nations, kill the emperor, and regain the throne."
As expected, they went there for the worship ceremony.
The remnants of the previous dynasty are nothing but dogs that have lost their homes.
There is still less than half a month before the ceremony. In a few days, envoys from various countries will arrive in Beijing one after another, and there will definitely be people who will sneak in among them.
"Changfeng, take Zhou and prepare to return to Beijing."
"yes."
Capital city.
Chunye arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity and glanced at Hua Qiufeng, who was expressionless beside Shen Qing.
Running so fast, is he a dog?
"Your Majesty." Chun Ye bowed perfunctorily because Shen Qing would not even look at him.
"Go to Qingzhou." Shen Qing said without even looking up, "Go check on the Qin family."
"Investigate the Qin family? What's there to investigate about his family?" Chun Ye scratched his head.
Qingzhou is too far away and he doesn't want to go.
"You've been too idle lately. If Feng Sheng wants to transform, it can't just be me and Jiang Zhuo doing the thinking, right? Are you really just going to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor?"
"What about the young lady?"
"I let Qiu Feng go."
"Ah? The young lady won't like him."
He's like a dog.
Shen Qing tutted softly and looked at Chun Ye, "Young Miss likes you?"
"Of course!" Chun Ye said proudly, "I'm not bragging, Miss's mood has gone from depressed to happy recently, that's all thanks to me!"
"Why is she unhappy?" Shen Qing frowned.
"Because someone named Wen came to see her."
"Why don't you come and tell me?"
Chunye paused for a moment, he had forgotten.
"Um..." Chun Ye's eyes flashed, his mind working rapidly, "Because Your Majesty has been very busy recently, I thought I would not cause you any more trouble."
I don't believe you.
"I understand. You take people to Qingzhou immediately." Shen Qing leaned back and said, "As for Runyi, I will go there myself to take a look."
"You're guarding it yourself?"
"Are you okay?" He hesitated.
Chunye shook his head violently, bowed and retreated.
After Chun Ye left, Shen Qing changed into casual clothes, left the palace through the back door and went to Bai Mansion.
…
"Miss, I really have to go on a long journey." Chun Ye came to Bai Runyi's yard, sat on the stone bench and sighed, "The emperor said he would send someone to protect you."
"Okay, have a safe journey." Bai Runyi nodded with a smile.
"Don't you feel reluctant to part with me?" Chun Ye asked unwillingly.
"Yes. If you leave, I'll see who will act like a bitch."
She had never seen anyone more despicable than Chun Ye.
After being caught and beaten for wearing Jiang Zhuo's clothes last time, he didn't learn his lesson. While Jiang Zhuo was still not back in Beijing, he stole his clothes every day and spent his money everywhere.
"That's true. My swordsmanship is amazing!" Chun Ye said with a smile, "It's all Chen Qing's fault. She insisted on letting me go. Why did she say it had to be me? No one else can compare to me..."
"Really?" Shen Qing's voice sounded from behind him.
"Hey, why do these two words you said sound so similar to her voice?" Chun Ye was startled, and suddenly turned his head to look at Shen Qing who seemed to be smiling, and his legs softened and he knelt down.
"Oh, such a great gift?"
"Qingqing!" Bai Runyi ran over and hugged Shen Qing, "Why are you here?"
"I'm here to see you." Shen Qing followed her to the stone table and sat down, looking at Chun Ye who was lowering his head beside him, "Get up, Master Chun."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Bai Runyi couldn't help laughing.
Chunye glanced at Bai Runyi. Why didn’t she remind him?
"Wen Xingzhi came to see you?"
"Yeah." Bai Runyi's smile froze and he nodded, "I've already told him not to come."
Shen Qing looked at Bai Runyi and sighed.
"Go out and relax more, or you can come to the palace to find me."
Bai Runyi shook his head. Chen Qing was already very busy, and if she went again, it would only cause more trouble.
Chunye's eyes suddenly lit up.
"How about I take the young lady to Qingzhou to relax?"
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