Chapter 45

Chapter 45

◎ He, too, could be terrified of pain in this life. ◎

Luo Wanqing remained silent. The man before her seemed like a venomous snake with vibrant colors. She had never known that Jiang Shaoyan could have such a side to him.

Jiang Shaoyan's features were not striking; he was gentle by nature. It was said that his maternal grandmother was from the southern region, and he inherited her softness and grace.

His gentle demeanor carried a touch of familiarity and warmth akin to that of a friendly older brother. Compared to Xie Heng's sharp, refined looks, he appeared much less threatening.

In his youth, he didn't smile often, and there was always a hidden melancholy in his eyes. Only when looking at her would he crack a smile, making her feel for a while that she was the most unique existence in his life.

She saved him from life-threatening peril, and he wiped away all memories of his past. He would only smile for her and guard her alone.

He was polite yet distant to everyone else, but with her, he showed emotions—whether tenderness or anger—only in her presence.

Even when serving her, looking up at her with devout admiration, she couldn't help but vainly imagine that she was a deity-like figure in his life.

He would never betray her.

But later on, she realized how pitifully naive that thought had been.

Now, observing this person, who shared her familiar features yet displayed such a cold demeanor from another perspective, she suddenly found their past affection laughable.

Everything was an illusion.

Even this person was fake.

Lowering her gaze, she suppressed her emotions and spoke calmly, "I have injuries today and am not fit to engage in a physical confrontation. He is my Shadow Servant and must stay here. I hope Your Highness can understand."

"If Envoy Liu is injured, why not let someone else take over?"

"The Inspectorate belongs to Young Master. It's not up to a suspect to decide who conducts the interrogation," Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze to emphasize. "Since I've been appointed as the lead interrogator today, you must answer my questions, not negotiate terms with me."

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu chuckled softly. "Very well. If Envoy Liu insists on taking on this troublesome task despite the risks to your career, I won't object. But Envoy Liu should ponder why I'm here."

Closing his eyes, Li Guiyu said indifferently, "Proceed with the interrogation."

Luo Wanqing understood the implications of Li Guiyu's words.

Unfazed by his provocations, Luo Wanqing flipped open the dossier and lowered her gaze to study all the information on Li Guiyu. The file meticulously detailed Li's life history.

The Emperor had only assigned him to the Censorate as a temporary appeasement to the Empress, not with any genuine intention of interrogating him.

She could do nothing substantial to him; any sign of injury on him might jeopardize her career and bring the Censorate down with her.

She calmly scanned his past, contemplating how to subtly lure Li Guiyu into realizing she was Luo Wanqing without leaving a trace.

Direct revelation would undoubtedly arouse Li's suspicion. Only if he discovered it himself would he believe it irrefutably.

And only if he found out that she was Luo Wanqing would he truly believe she was capable of killing him, thus prompting him to find any means necessary to escape.

This was the perfect opportunity for Xie Heng to undermine the Crown Prince, just as it was the easiest moment for Li Guiyu to strike.

With the Crown Prince assaulted, whether severely or lightly injured, the Imperial Hospital would undoubtedly attend to him in shifts, with medicinal ingredients flowing in like a stream. This might be Li's best chance to eliminate the prince.

All the elaborate traps set up at the Fragrant Pavilion were to distance himself from suspicion. Yet, with the Crown Prince unharmed, though there was no direct evidence implicating Li in the attack, the Empress was no fool – she must have seen through it, which was why she insisted on his imprisonment.

If the Crown Prince survived, Li's future path would only grow more treacherous.

He was already at a crossroads, deciding whether to risk another assassination attempt or wait for a more opportune moment. Now, all he needed was a gentle nudge to make his choice.

And she was about to be the one to push him.

"Procurator Liu isn't inquiring yet?"

Perhaps her silence had been too prolonged, as Li Guiyu grew impatiently expectant.

He spoke up, his voice soothing yet tinged with impatience.

Luo Wanqing composed herself and signaled Cui Heng to begin the record. As she pondered, she studied his life story and softly asked, "Where was His Highness last night?"

Luo Wanqing strived to be an excellent interrogator.

At the onset of an interrogation, one couldn't ask the most pressing questions.

It was necessary to dismantle the subject's defenses and break their will. Only when they least expected it would they reveal the truth.

Thus, the true intentions had to be concealed within the lines of questioning.

"The Zheng residence."

Li Guiyu answered truthfully.

"When did you leave and when did you return?"

"I left at night and didn't come back until the Central Protectorate Manor sent people to arrest me."

"Which street did you take?"

"Peaceful Path."

"Which vendors were operating on Peaceful Path that night?"

"There was a wonton vendor at the street corner. I passed by when he was in the middle of a fight with someone."

Li Guiyu understood what Luo Wanqing was planning - she intended to expose his lie through meticulous details. He smiled and simply asked, "Does the Envoy wish to investigate?"

There was no need to investigate.

Given Luo Wanqing's understanding of him, he must have had a thorough plan in place. The Qingping Road incident was genuine, the fight did occur, and there was indeed a possibility that "he" left for the Zheng residence at that specific time.

Whatever Jiang Shaoyan uttered, she knew he could guarantee its certainty.

Moreover, these details mattered little to her.

"Your Highness, did you inherit your martial arts from Sword Saint Jiang Fengwan?"

Luo Wanqing glanced at the file from a different perspective.

The records clearly stated that after Li Shangwen's birth, Lady Wang had completely left Li Guiyu to fend for himself, entrusting him to the care of his master.

Jiang Fengwan had been by Li Guiyu's side since birth, serving as his protector and mentor. The time they spent together far exceeded that with Lady Wang or even the Emperor.

Realizing that the dagger Li Guiyu had bestowed upon her came from Jiang Fengwan, Luo Wanqing understood that he held immense significance in Li Guiyu's life.

Targeting Jiang Fengwan as a point of entry indeed changed Li Guiyu's demeanor.

He lifted his gaze to meet Luo Wanqing's, softly saying, "This is not a question you should be asking."

"Jiang Fengwan has been in the palace since your birth and became your mentor. It seems he doesn't have any other disciples."

"Oh?" Li Guiyu was puzzled. "He doesn't have any other students?"

"No," Luo Wanqing replied, glancing at the records. "So, Your Highness, how do you explain the sword marks in the Fragrant Blossom Pavilion?"

"How would I know?" Li Guiyu chuckled softly. "How can you be sure my master didn't teach anyone else martial arts?"

"He entered the palace from the day you were born and has been by your side ever since," Luo Wanqing said, looking at his life story. "Your birth was very timely. The Wang family was accused of harboring witchcraft to curse the Empress Dowager, which led to your mother's exile. Yet, after two months in the cold palace, she showed signs of pregnancy and was allowed back into the palace."

Li Guiyu listened to her recount his past with a detached expression.

Luo Wanqing continued, "Then you were born, and you instinctively held the Emperor's finger. He was overjoyed, and it was later discovered that the Wang family had been framed. Believing your destiny was responsible, the Emperor promoted your mother to Empress on the spot. Afterward, Jiang Fengwan entered the palace and declared you an exceptional material for swordsmanship. The Emperor entrusted your upbringing to him, and he spent a great deal of time with you, especially after Li Shangwen was born."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Li Guiyu grew impatient.

Luo Wanqing smiled. "I'm simply curious. You treat your mother kindly, who became a noble concubine because of you, and you offered yourself as a hostage to make her Empress. You even made your younger brother the crown prince. With such gratitude towards your mother, how have you shown appreciation to your mentor?"

The records didn't mention Jiang Fengwan's final outcome.

After Li Guiyu went to Beirong, he vanished without a trace.

Though the files didn't include this, Wan Qing knew that Li Guiyu returned to Dongdu, battered and bruised, eventually returning that dagger to her.

That dagger belonged to a Wang Family assassin. Such daggers were never parted from their owners until death. Li Guiyu giving it to her indicated that Jiang Fengwan was a Wang Family assassin, and that he had perished.

Luo Wanqing tried to provoke him with Jiang Fengwan's name, but Li Guiyu paid no heed.

He lifted his gaze to meet Luo Wanqing's, saying calmly, "What does this have to do with the case?"

"It's up to me to determine the relevance. I've said it before, I ask, you answer," Luo Wanqing emphasized. Then, she softly repeated her question, "What about Jiang Fengwan? How did you repay him?"

"Li Xiniang," This time, Li Guiyu finally reacted. He looked at her seriously, "I advise you to cherish your life."

"There's nothing worth cherishing about my life."

Luo Wanqing ignored Li Guiyu and continued coolly, "Your Highness, if you don't speak, I have plenty of means. Don't make things harder for yourself."

"Are you going to torture me?"

"Do you think I'm afraid?"

Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze coldly.

Li Guiyu stared at her. After a long while, he asked in confusion, "Did we have any grudges in Yangzhou?"

"Your Highness," Luo Wanqing persisted, "Where has Jiang Fengwan gone? Is it something you can't speak of?"

Li Guiyu chuckled upon hearing Luo Wanqing's words. "Liu Xiniang, just ask straightaway if there's something you want to know. I'll tell you what I'm willing to, but not a single extra word will come out of my mouth for what I don't wish to share."

"Is that so?"

Luo Wanqing's tone was flat. "Guanlan."

"Cui Heng, the supervisor," replied Cui Heng, seemingly having waited a long time, with a smile.

Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes to look at Li Guiyu and coldly spat out three words, "Tie Jia Guan."

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu's demeanor turned icy cold.

Luo Wanqing shifted her position in the chair and commanded in a chilly tone, "Begin."

Cui Heng stepped forward at the sound of her words, carrying water and mulberry bark paper.

The 'Tie Jia Guan' was a punishment specifically designed for scholars. The soaked mulberry bark paper would be placed over the person's face, layer by layer, until they suffocated to death.

He lifted the wet paper gently and said, "Your Highness should understand the rules. If you wish to confess, you can kick your legs."

"What is your name?"

Li Guiyu fixated his gaze on Cui Heng. Cui Heng smiled and replied, "My name is Cui Heng, with the courtesy name Guanlan."

"Cui Heng?"

As he spoke, Cui Heng placed the mulberry bark paper over Li Guiyu's face, his tone indifferent, "You may remember me."

Soaked in water, the mulberry bark paper adhered to his face, obstructing any chance of breathing.

It leaves no marks, not even causing the victim to choke as in waterboarding.

It simply rests on one's face, inflicting agony from the inability to breathe.

At first, it's just holding one's breath, then the struggle against impending death begins. After futile efforts, the lungs feel like they're bursting with pain, surrounded by a cacophony of ringing sounds. The body convulses desperately, gasping for air, inching ever closer to death.

This sensation of being on the brink of death is more terrifying than immediate execution, making most confess under such duress.

But not Jiang Shaoyan.

Luo Wanqing knew his character.

Be it the Iron Mask or even a simple grooming, he wouldn't utter a single word if he didn't wish to.

He had absolute control over both his mind and body, likely a result of the rigorous training he received as one of Jiang Fengwan's loyal followers.

Originally, she had no intention of extracting a confession through torture. The Iron Mask merely served to cloud his senses.

This way, she could more easily extract the information she sought.

...

The secret desire within her heart to witness his torment.

She watched calmly as Cui Heng affixed sheet after sheet of mulberry bark paper onto the man's face, anticipating his struggle and agony, just like all the other convicts.

One sheet, two sheets, three...

She observed the stack of paper rising incrementally, yet he remained utterly still.

Was he not in pain?

Luo Wanqing furrowed her brow, unwilling to accept this. She rose and approached Li Guiyu's side.

Cui Heng, keeping track of time, caught sight of her and glanced over, shaking his head slightly to indicate that they couldn't prolong this any further.

Luo Wanqing understood that they couldn't actually kill him here, so she nodded in agreement. Cui Heng removed the layers of paper, revealing the young man's purplish complexion beneath. In that very moment, he began gasping for air, his eyes fluttering open in a daze. Upon seeing Luo Wanqing standing before him, he couldn't help but let out a strained laugh.

"Supervisor Liu," Li Guiyu panted, his gaze seemingly wishing to slice her into a thousand pieces, "What else do you want?"

"It seems that Jiang Fengwan is a taboo subject for His Highness. He's quite stubborn. Let's change the question then."

Luo Wanqing smiled, feigning composure. "Since Prince Jiang Fengwan didn't repay the favor, how did His Highness, known for his gratitude, repay the Luo Family?"

Li Guiyu remained silent. Luo Wanqing raised her hand to summon Cui Heng. "Bring me 'Ghost Shackles'."

Cui Heng gave them a glance before turning to fetch the medicine.

Ghost Shackles was a torture drug that heightened one's sensitivity to all sensations. Under its influence, even the slightest touch could cause excruciating pain.

Hearing this, Li Guiyu surprisingly calmed down. He watched as Luo Wanqing took the drug from Cui Heng's hands, lifted his chin, and forced it down his throat. Then, she instructed Cui Heng, "Keep applying the plaster."

Cui Heng lowered his head and dipped the mulberry bark paper back into the water. Li Guiyu observed Luo Wanqing and suddenly spoke, "What's your relationship with the Luo Family?"

As soon as he asked, the mulberry bark paper covered his face again.

"His Highness was rescued by the Luo Family," Luo Wanqing ignored him. She waited a while, watching the paper seal his face. After a moment, his chest began to rise and fall.

The effects of Ghost Shackles should be kicking in now, amplifying all his senses by countless times.

She gazed at him, her tone detached. "The Luo family's reputation has always been impeccable. Yet, after Princess was exposed by Miss Zheng, you suddenly became a smuggler. Doesn't this arouse any suspicion in you? Five years, after all."

Luo Wanqing stepped forward, her fingers grazing through his hair before fiercely grabbing a handful, pulling his head down closer to hers.

The intensity of the pain made his entire body tremble. With her other hand, Luo Wanqing tore off the mulberry bark paper. She watched as Li Guiyu's eyelashes fluttered, struggling to raise his gaze to meet hers.

Fixated on those familiar eyes, her hand holding his hair couldn't help but quiver.

Cui Heng glanced at her, wanting to say something, but ultimately held back.

Luo Wanqing's stare remained locked onto Li Guiyu. To conceal her trembling, she tightened her grip on his hair, using the pain to distract him from anything else. She smiled softly and inquired, "Did His Highness never come across any clues about the Luo family's salt smuggling activities? Or did you discover it and choose to protect the criminals, not reporting them?"

"Are you here to seek justice for the Luo family?"

Li Guiyu's lips quivered into a smile.

He seemed to be in immense pain but maintained his composure. "Or is it simply because you have a grudge against me, and you want revenge?"

"Do as you please," Luo Wanqing replied, noticing that he was drifting away from the main topic. Reaching for a steel comb beside her, she pressed it against his neck, slowly scraping it downward.

It was a steel comb used for grooming, typically requiring scorching boiling water to first soften the flesh before brushing it off with this tool.

Now, although his flesh wasn't boiled away, and the smooth comb wouldn't leave any marks on Li Guiyu's body, the pain under the Ghost Shackles wouldn't be alleviated in the slightest.

Li Guiyu's face turned pale as he clenched his fists, feeling as if his flesh were tearing apart piece by piece. He listened to Luo Wanqing's relentless questioning, "Who placed the contraband salt to frame the Luo Family? Who made that decision? Was it you, Zheng Biyue, or Zheng Pingsheng?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. These matters have nothing to do with me."

Breathing heavily, Li Guiyu spoke calmly.

"Nothing to do with you?" Upon hearing his denial, Luo Wanqing's anger flared up. She taunted, "The Luo Family saved you. At the very least, Miss Luo is your betrothed, someone you've loved for years. How can their affairs be unrelated to you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu lifted his gaze. In his muddled state from the pain, he stared intently at her. "What authority do you have to question me?"

"I am the lead interrogator..."

"What case are you interrogating?!"

Li Guiyu suddenly became assertive, interrupting her as he raised his voice sharply, "Are you investigating the Crown Prince's case or the Luo Family's? If it's the Luo Family, let me tell you," he leaned closer to emphasize, "I have absolutely no connection to this case."

It doesn't matter.

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but laugh at his words. "It has nothing to do with you? Then how did Luo Quanshu," she emphasized each syllable, "die?"

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu froze in place.

"You were the last person to see him," Luo Wanqing traced his face with the steel comb, and a fine ache spread across his skin. She maintained her smile, her lips quivering slightly. "Why did you want him dead?"

"Who told you that?"

Li Guiyu stared at her blankly, blurting out the question.

No one knew that he had seen Luo Quanshu before his death.

Except for...

Luo Wanqing.

However, as soon as this thought crossed his mind, he immediately suppressed it.

The thought dared not cross his mind. He quickly shifted his line of reasoning, speculating, "The Inspectorate? Are you trying to find my flaws and ruin me?"

Luo Wanqing's movement paused. She didn't respond verbally, effectively acknowledging the statement through silence.

Feeling as if the tight grip on his heart had finally loosened, Li Guiyu chuckled. "The Inspectorate seems to know everything, doesn't it?" Fixing his gaze on Luo Wanqing, he taunted and pressed on with his question, "Then you should know that he took his own life. Care to speculate why he chose to die?"

Luo Wanqing was speechless. As she listened to him, it was clear that the one undergoing the torment was right before her, yet she felt as if she was the one being pierced by a thousand arrows.

Li Guiyu raised his voice: "If he were innocent, why would he take his own life? !"

He felt no regret.

She gazed at the unrepentant figure before her and spoke calmly, "You have no remorse for what you've done, is that right?"

"Why should I have any remorse?"

Li Guiyu posed the question as if he was entirely in the right, his gaze fixed on her face as he countered, "Lu Quanshu brought his own demise upon himself, and his family suffered the consequences of his actions. It is he who should have regretted his deeds, not me. What remorse do I owe?!"

As his words faded, Luo Wanqing abruptly drew her blade, pressing it against Li Guiyu's throat.

The blade pressed against the skin of his neck, and Luo Wanqing gritted her teeth. "If you were to die here today, would you have any regrets?"

"In this world as a cauldron, we are the fuel. Living for the boil, why should death be feared?"

Li Guiyu laughed through his labored breath. "Death is but a release. But I wonder, Inspector Liu," he gazed intently at her, "would you be willing to sacrifice your life for me?"

No sooner had he spoken than Luo Wanqing, without hesitation, exerted more force, allowing the blade to slice into Li Guiyu's neck.

She was determined to kill him.

In that moment, nothing else existed in her mind.

She must kill him!

Her intent to kill was palpable, but as the blade descended, Cui Heng seized it with a firm grip, his voice cold and urgent. "Inspector!"

Luo Wanqing abruptly halted the knife.

Panting, she stared unblinkingly at Li Guiyu.

Blood trickled down, causing Li Guiyu's face to turn pale from the pain.

He gazed back at Luo Wanqing, suppressing the astonishment in his eyes.

He scrutinized her, not missing a single detail, etching each strand of hair and every line on her face into his memory.

The woman before him wore an unmasked intent to kill. The hatred that flared in those familiar yet subtly distinct eyes was genuine, overlaying the image of the woman who had pretended to be insane on the ground in Yangzhou Prison.

"Who are you?"

At this moment, he seemed to finally realize something was amiss.

If she were just an ordinary person... just Liu Xiniang, she wouldn't have been willing to risk her life like this.

Reacting abruptly, his eyes filled with shock as he exclaimed emotionally, "Who exactly are you?"

Luo Wanqing remained silent, knowing that he had perceived her true identity.

She looked at him and revealed a captivating smile. "What do you think, Your Highness?" She whispered, "Good and evil will always reap their consequences. I spared you, not because I lacked the courage to kill."

Speaking softly into Li Guiyu's ear, she leaned closer, "No, I want to make you suffer a slow death. I am willing to sacrifice my life for yours."

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu chuckled softly.

Luo Wanqing paid no attention and whispered firmly, "Less talk!"

Li Guiyu's eyes flickered slightly, his amber gaze turning towards her with a hint of murderous intent.

Unfazed, Luo Wanqing stood her ground, not budging an inch.

"Enough," Cui Heng intervened after a long moment, forcefully removing the blade from Luo Wanqing's hand and pulling the two apart.

Positioning himself unobtrusively between Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu, he adjusted her clothes and said, "That's enough for today."

Luo Wanqing remained still, her fists clenched tightly.

"Cenquisitor," Cui Heng raised his hand, placing it on her shoulder. Hearing his voice, Luo Wanqing's reason gradually returned. Raising her gaze, her eyes met the masked face. Cui Heng seemed like an ancient bell at dawn, his voice piercing through the haze with a gentle chill, "Let's go."

Hearing Cui Heng's words, Luo Wanqing lowered her head, exerting all her effort to suppress her murderous intent. She turned around and replied, "Mm-hmm."

Li Guiyu stood behind her, silently observing her.

Noticing Li Guiyu's gaze, Cui Heng gave him a casual glance before quietly walking behind Luo Wanqing and placing his hand on her shoulder.

In an instant, Cui Heng's scent enveloped her.

It was a cold fragrance akin to pine and cypress, evoking images of verdant mountains, ancient temple bells, morning mists, white cranes spreading their wings, and swirling green smoke around the hills.

Luo Wanqing's mind was in disarray. Confused, she lifted her eyes, and Cui Heng met her gaze with a gentle smile. "Let's leave quickly."

Half-guided and half-pulled by him, Luo Wanqing was escorted out of the gate.

Li Guiyu watched the receding figure that didn't even turn back, his lips curving into a slightly insane smile.

Trying to deceive him.

A counterfeit, nurtured by the Inspectorate specifically to provoke him, to find his flaws, dared to try to deceive him?

Impossible.

How could he have been deceived by an imitation?

His lady was gone, deceased on the long journey of exile to Lingnan, forever clean and accompanying him in his heart.

She wasn't.

He chuckled softly in the darkness, leaning against the torture rack as he slowly closed his eyes.

Recalling the woman from last night, raising her knife and gazing up at him with eyes strikingly similar to Luo Wanqing's, filled with nothing but him in that instant.

A twinge of regret stirred within him.

He should have killed her last night. Why hadn't he succeeded?

What had occupied his mind when he let go of the bowstring?

It seemed to be the memory of the night he received news of Luo Wanqing's death.

He carved her memorial tablet, his hands soaked in blood.

It was unbearably painful.

During his time in Beirong, he had endured countless tortures.

His sense of pain had long since become numb compared to the average person.

But as he released the bowstring, he realized that for the first time in his life, he could be terrified of pain.

This imitation... was truly lifelike.

Author's Note:

"Short Scene"

Xie Heng: "In this chapter, I keep crawling between them two, I hate it!!"