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“What’s wrong? Has Mr. Yun forgotten who I, Song, am…?”
Xiao Linjia ultimately did not rush to the imperial prison to interrogate the captives.
The events of the day had unfolded too quickly. After the city gates were cleared by the Twelve Guards, Li Yunli and several involved generals all entered the palace to report the details to the emperor.
By the time they emerged, night had already fallen, the palace gates were shut, and curfew was in effect.
By the next day, the matter had already spiraled out of control.
Though there weren’t many officials present at the city gates the day before, unfortunately, a censor was among them. He was known for his inflexible nature and had been terrified amidst the clash of swords at the gate. During the morning court session, he immediately accused the imperial guards of negligence in their patrol duties.
Following this, the blame quickly shifted to Xiao Linjia. He was accused of mobilizing troops without authorization, citing how he had managed to summon the Xiao family army in such a short time—a clear sign of habitual disregard for imperial authority.
Xiao Linjia’s temper flared instantly. He stepped forward, ready to refute the accusations with a sharp retort, but before he could speak, Prince Changling stepped out.
Xiao Linjia paused.
Prince Changling, unhurried and composed, finally lifted his memorial tablet and spoke:
“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I believe these accusations merely scratch the surface. What should truly be investigated is the negligence of Princess Nian’an, which allowed the remnants of the Wei Kingdom to cause this disaster. That prince of Wei was originally detained in the Grand Princess’ residence—how did he have the power to summon the Wei army? If not for General Xiao’s timely intervention, that traitor might have stormed the palace gates and overrun the imperial court!”
Xiao Linjia’s heart wavered.
With those words, Prince Changling had turned him into a hero who had saved the emperor. However, something about his phrasing seemed off.
Li Yunli let out a cold laugh.
Because of the previous day’s events, she had attended the morning court session as well. Upon hearing Prince Changling’s words, her tone turned icy:
“So, Uncle, what you mean to say is that Yun Chu’s rebellion was secretly supported by me?”
“Is that not the case?” Prince Changling turned leisurely, his gaze sharp as he looked at Li Yunli. “That traitor was originally imprisoned in the imperial dungeon. It was you who took him out two years ago, promising lifetime detention in the Grand Princess’ residence. But last year, you took him to Yongzhou, granting him an opportunity. If not for your negligence and indulgence, would today’s catastrophe have occurred?”
His eyes narrowed. “Or should I say, Princess Nian’an was not negligent, but had planned this all along?”
This was an outright accusation of treason!
The young emperor slightly moved his fingers but had yet to speak when the Empress Dowager, who was overseeing court affairs, interjected.
“Enough, Prince Changling. If you claim that Nian’an was not negligent, do you have evidence? Be careful not to falsely accuse her in court.”
Prince Changling immediately turned and bowed toward the throne. “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I currently have no concrete evidence. However, I have heard that the Third Prince of Wei and his remaining forces have been captured alive. If they are subjected to rigorous interrogation, I refuse to believe we won’t get any answers.”
Xiao Linjia looked up, even more astonished than before.
He glanced at Li Yunli, searching for an explanation in her expression.
Why was Prince Changling so confident? Hadn’t he previously claimed that the so-called Wei army was actually under his own command?
Who should he believe now?
Li Yunli remained composed, gazing at Prince Changling with a calm expression.
“Very well.”
Behind the pearl curtain, the Empress Dowager responded.
“Since that is the case, hand the prisoners over to the Three Judicial Offices for strict interrogation. The truth must be uncovered to clear Nian’an’s name. Emperor, do you have any objections?”
The young emperor clenched his fist, barely restraining his frustration.
He had already learned the truth from his sister the previous night. Now, the Empress Dowager and Prince Changling were working in tandem, clearly targeting her.
Yet, given the seemingly reasonable handling of the matter, he could not find a way to oppose it.
“I have no objections. Mother’s decision is proper. Proceed as planned.”
“Speaking of which,” the Empress Dowager continued, “I recall that when Nian’an was in Yongzhou, the Emperor entrusted her with the northern border’s military token. Given that, she does indeed possess the potential for rebellion. Since we are conducting an impartial investigation, Nian’an should refrain from leaving her residence in the meantime to avoid suspicion.”
“Oh?”
Li Yunli’s tone was light, drawing out the sound as she raised an eyebrow at the Empress Dowager.
She then let out a low chuckle, turned, and left without another word.
Deep within the prison, the innermost cell—known as the “Heaven Cell”—held only those destined never to regain freedom.
The interrogation chamber was lined with horrifying torture instruments. The dried blood on the racks had been scrubbed off only to be stained again, over and over.
The place rarely housed prisoners, but whenever someone was sent in, the air would be filled with screams, striking terror into the hearts of the other inmates.
Today, however, it was silent.
The guards stationed here were not ordinary men. They specialized in the cruelest torture techniques, and their psychology had long since twisted into something inhuman.
“An entire night has passed, and the interrogation hasn’t even started. That’s unusual.”
One of the guards glanced at the prisoner inside and sighed.
“You don’t get it,” said his shorter companion. “This one was personally brought in by Lord Song. You think he’s going to have an easy time? He’ll experience every single one of our eighteen tortures before he’s done.”
The taller guard smirked. “Well, I wonder how tough this one really is!”
“None of the prisoners in the Heaven Cell ever lasted long without begging for mercy. But this one hasn’t said a word since he got here. He’s tough.”
“Tough? You know who he is?”
The shorter guard leaned in, eyes gleaming. “He’s that Wei prince—the one the Grand Princess took from the imperial dungeon to keep as her plaything.”
The taller guard’s eyes widened before his expression lit up with excitement. “Seriously?!”
“Of course! Lord Song personally brought him in. He was safe in the imperial prison before, but now that he’s here? He’s as good as dead.”
The taller guard couldn’t wait any longer. He kicked the iron door, making the chains clatter.
“Hey! Boy!”
Yun Chu slowly closed his eyes.
Dressed in a tattered prison uniform, his wrists and ankles were shackled with heavy chains, dragging him down with every movement.
But he had neither sat nor lain down all night—he had simply stood there, unmoving.
The taller guard sneered and unlocked the cell.
As they forced him onto the torture rack, the guards sneered.
“Let’s see if you still act tough after we’re done with you!”
Just as the first blade was about to cut into his flesh, a voice rang out:
“Stop!”
The two guards froze.
Song Tunan had arrived.
He approached slowly, voice steady.
“Have you forgotten who I am?”
Yun Chu’s breath caught.
Song Tunan smiled slightly.
“Gag him. Use the heavy whip.”