Chapter 18: Burn the Boats
Threats, naked threats! Xiao Mingzheng is definitely not a good person!
Zhong Min knew Xiao Ming wasn't trying to scare her. Perhaps being able to talk to her for so long was a blessing. If she hadn't been a credit to him yesterday, she would have been tortured. If he could get some useful information, he would get it. If not, he would just execute her. There was no need to go to such lengths.
In front of such a person, there seemed to be no better solution than to confess directly. But the problem was, Zhong Min simply couldn't tell the truth; it would be tantamount to suicide. She must have thought Xiao Mingzheng was an undercover agent sent to Prince Mu's mansion. But no matter what, she simply couldn't admit or confess anything.
For a moment, the room was eerily quiet. Zhong Min felt the air was so oppressive she could barely breathe. She could even faintly feel the sweat on her forehead, despite the freezing weather. She forced herself to remain calm, but in reality, her body had already subconsciously reacted to the lurking danger.
Scenes of torture flashed through her mind, and despite her strong mental state, her heartbeat quickened. She was a person of faith, not a coward, but her so-called perseverance depended on specific circumstances.
If anyone had tried to extract the secrets she was responsible for in the past, no amount of torture would have made her surrender. But now, such meaningless resistance and endurance were simply not worth it.
Unfortunately, even if she wanted to, she couldn't. What kind of situation was this? Zhong Min couldn't help but feel even more depressed. For a moment, she really didn't know what to do to protect herself.
Time passed by minute by minute, and Zhong Min still stood there without saying a word. Although Xiao Mingzheng did not urge him, it was obvious that he was waiting until his patience had reached its limit.
Suddenly, an extremely dull sound of fingers tapping on the table was heard in the silent room. Although the sound was not loud, it seemed so terrifying at this time and place.
Once, twice… Xiao Mingzheng tapped seemingly casually, his gaze sweeping across Zhong Min, delivering his final ultimatum. Zhong Min finally raised her eyes, her gaze shifting to Xiao Mingzheng's tapping fingertips. Her expression remained unchanged, but her mind was unusually active, as if all her potential had been forced to erupt at this moment. An astonishing concentration transformed into a strange light that reflected inadvertently from her eyes.
Three, four, five... Xiao Mingzheng instantly noticed the peculiar light emanating from Zhong Min's eyes, which surprised him greatly. Honestly, this was the first time he had seen someone so calm under such overwhelming pressure. Zhong Min's unique approach to handling things truly surprised him.
However, he did not show any emotion, but continued to knock on the table, six times, seven times,... He suddenly had a premonition that within ten times, the woman in front of him would definitely behave in a way that he did not expect.
Eight, nine... the knocks echoed with perfect accuracy. Just as Xiao Mingzheng raised his finger again, preparing to knock the tenth time, Zhong Min, as if relieved, breathed a long sigh of relief and said decisively, "Your Highness, there is no need to burden others because of me. I will do as you wish and confess everything."
Even after saying this, Xiao Mingzheng still struck out the last time, and then said with a hint of meaning, "Sure enough, it won't be more than ten. I hope your answer won't disappoint me."
Seeing this, Luo Jiaxing couldn't help but look at Zhong Min, seeming a little surprised by Zhong Min's timely confession. However, he didn't say anything, just continued to watch quietly.
Seeing this, Zhong Min smiled slightly and said to Xiao Mingzheng calmly, "Your Highness, in truth, I'm not entirely sure of my true identity. Three days ago, I accidentally fell and was unconscious for nearly four hours. After waking up, I have no recollection of anything that happened before. Concubine Zheng scolded me for this. While I'm not completely sane, as the Concubine scolded me for, I certainly don't have any recollection of what happened before. That's why there's such a huge difference between now and then. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can ask Concubine Zheng and her maid, Xi'er, to verify it."
"Of course, the prince might say that even if I've lost my memory, it's just that I can't remember the past, not that my personality, perspectives, or understanding have completely changed. We servants would admit that, but we can't explain it ourselves."
She said seriously, "Because I myself don't know exactly what happened, I honestly don't know who I was in the past, nor do I know if I have done anything to harm the prince or the Mu Palace. But I can promise that no matter what I was like in the past, now or in the future, I will never do anything that would harm the Mu Palace or harm the prince."
"If Your Highness still refuses to believe, then I really have no other recourse. However, Your Highness said yesterday that if I could help you escape, I would definitely reward you. I know Your Highness is a man of his word, and I also know that He is very clear about rewards and punishments. Therefore, I dare to ask Your Highness to consider what happened yesterday and give me a quick death, no matter what you do."
She paused, then smiled as if she had given up everything, then continued in one breath, "I am a common person. Although I fear death, I fear being half-dead, a life worse than death. I know that no matter what, I cannot provide any valuable confession. So, I ask Your Highness to keep his promise. Even if you would rather kill someone by mistake, at least give me a quick death."
"You'd rather kill someone by mistake than by mistake. You seem to understand my mind quite well." Xiao Mingzheng smiled with a hint of sarcasm, but even that smile was fleeting. He then said, "Putting oneself in a desperate situation in order to survive? That's not a very clever trick."
"Your Highness, you're overthinking it. For me, what I just said was the most helpless, yet also the best solution I could think of. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I think everyone would cherish life, and I've never denied my desire to live."
Zhong Min said bluntly, "If Your Majesty can show mercy and grant me a chance to live, I will be deeply grateful. I will be even more loyal to Your Majesty in the future and will never do anything to rebel."
"Why should I believe you?" Xiao Mingzheng suddenly stood up, and it seemed that it was time to make the final announcement and decide Zhong Min's fate.
"There's no reason for that. My life is already in the hands of the prince. No matter what I say, I can't influence the prince's thoughts, so I have to accept it calmly and let nature take its course." A hint of stubbornness flashed in Zhong Min's eyes. Having said that, she really didn't want to say anything more.
After saying that, she closed her mouth, as if she didn't want to say another word. She even looked away, waiting for the final decision.
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