"Your Majesty is saying Grand Tutor Zeng developed disloyal intentions? That is indeed a possibility. If our speculations are correct, the people left by the late emperor were at Grand Tutor Zeng's command. A person accustod to making his own decisions, suddenly one day having to relinquish the power held in his hands... he certainly wouldn't have done so willingly."
Shen Yu recalled the mysterious force that appeared beside King Yue in his previous life. He had always thought that force intervened because King Yue had saved the Young Master He. It seed he had been mistaken from the beginning.
That force intervened solely because Shang Junyue was King Yue. Young Master He was rely an excuse to fool them. Even to fool King Yue himself.
In his previous life, he had followed King Yue, handling matters both major and minor for him. He could confirm that the mysterious force never revealed its true face from beginning to end, and the mastermind behind it never appeared even once. Moreover, judging from King Yue's attitude, it was not difficult to see that he was extrely respectful towards that person, mixed with a trace of barely detectable apprehension.
Shen Yu felt that perhaps even in the end, King Yue never knew who the true master of the mysterious force helping him was.
"To determine whether this is the case, we will know when we et the man," Shang Junlin said calmly.
The visit to the Ministry of Justice was scheduled for three days later. During these days, Shen Yu had the Yinghuo ssengers monitor the movents of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, especially those of Shen Qingran. As the "protagonist" of the storybook, Shen Yu would not let his guard down.
The Zhenbei Marquis Mansion showed no abnormalities for the ti being.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Shen Yu changed into informal attire and boarded the carriage to the Ministry of Justice with Shang Junlin.
This trip was made with minimal fanfare and few people knew about it. The Minister of Justice had made preparations in advance. When they arrived, he directly guided the carriage to the vicinity of the prison.
"Which official is in that carriage? Why is the Minister himself receiving them?" Under the eaves, several minor officials who saw this scene showed curiosity.
"Whoever it is, it's not sothing we can casually discuss."
Shen Yu sat inside the carriage. Outside, the Minister of Justice reported the progress of the case to Shang Junlin.
Shang Junlin took Shen Yu's hand and whispered close to his ear, "I will avenge you today."
"What?" Shen Yu didn't react imdiately.
"Will Ah Yu be afraid?" Shang Junlin did not answer Shen Yu's question, instead posing another.
Shen Yu was even more confused. "Afraid of what? Does Your Majesty an what might happen later?"
"Yes. Interrogating prisoners might involve torture."
"Does Your Majesty think I'm soone with such a small nerve?" Shen Yu pressed his fingertip against the man's broad palm. "Your Majesty need not worry about ."
"Ah Yu's nerve is indeed not small," Shang Junlin touched a scar on Shen Yu's palm—one Shen Yu had inflicted upon himself.
His palm felt a bit ticklish. Shen Yu withdrew his hand slightly. "Your Majesty should do whatever you wish. My coming with you is not ant to restrict Your Majesty's actions."
"I understand. Whatever happens later, Ah Yu must not be afraid of because of it," Shang Junlin tightly grasped Shen Yu's hand.
"I won't be."
Not long after, the carriage stopped. As before, Shang Junlin alighted first, followed by Shen Yu.
Shang Junlin lifted him out of the carriage, ignoring the Minister of Justice's astonished gaze. "Take there."
The Minister of Justice hurriedly controlled his expression. "Yes."
He knew His Majesty was coming, but he hadn't expected His Majesty to bring the Noble Consort along. Upon first seeing Shen Yu erge from the carriage, his imdiate reaction was shock.
Why did His Majesty bring the Noble Consort?
Everyone in the court now knew of His Majesty's favor towards the Noble Consort, discussing major court affairs with him. The ministers were not without desire to oppose, but Shen Yu maintained the perfect balance, leaving them no reasonable grounds for objection.
If they were going elsewhere, the Minister of Justice could understand His Majesty bringing the Noble Consort. But why bring him to the Ministry of Justice prison?
Suppressing his myriad thoughts, the Minister of Justice obediently lowered his head and led the way. He was rely curious in his heart; he certainly dared not voice the question.
The structure of the Ministry of Justice prison differed from that of the secret dungeon. The Minister of Justice led the two through the cells to the innermost section, where prisoners convicted of capital cris were held.
The jailers stationed here were selected in advance. Knowing Shang Junlin's identity, they dared not show the slightest neglect. Producing the keys, they opened the cell door and escorted the prisoner to the interrogation area.
Grand Tutor Zeng was bound. Two jailers stood on either side of him, guarding against any sudden violent attempt to injure others.
"There's been quite a commotion in the prison these past few days. I wondered what was happening. So it was Your Majesty's personal arrival," Grand Tutor Zeng looked up at the man sitting opposite.
"I am not here to reminisce."
"I know," Grand Tutor Zeng nodded. "Your Majesty handles myriad affairs daily. Being able to spare ti to see is truly remarkable. However, Your Majesty coming yourself is one thing, but why bring your bedmate along? The prison is unlike other places. It would be unfortunate if he were frightened."
The Minister of Justice stood respectfully behind Shang Junlin. Hearing this, he was about to rebuke the other for his insolence when the Noble Consort spoke:
"You know my identity?"
Grand Tutor Zeng snorted a laugh. "Who doesn't know of the Noble Consort Shen, favored throughout the inner palace?"
"Knowing is good, saves the trouble of introducing myself. Since you know who I am, perhaps you can resolve a doubt in my mind. Why did you target repeatedly?"
"Who made the Noble Consort catch His Majesty's eye?"
"Was this also the late emperor's wish?"
"The Noble Consort may think so."
"Since you are so obedient to the late emperor's words, why didn't you hand over the forces left by the late emperor to King Yue? When the late emperor chose you, did he ever consider that even a loyal hound might one day turn on its master?"
"The Noble Consort is truly sharp-tongued," Grand Tutor Zeng turned to look at Shang Junlin. "Does Your Majesty just let him climb over your head like this?"
"Matters between the Noble Consort and myself are not the concern of a prisoner. As long as the Noble Consort is happy, I can indulge him in anything," Shang Junlin said calmly.
"As long as Your Majesty is willing," seeing that sowing discord had failed, Grand Tutor Zeng withdrew his gaze, displeased.
"Can't even save yourself, yet you worry about others' affairs?" The Minister of Justice couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
After the initial part, Grand Tutor Zeng's attitude was relatively cooperative. He answered every question Shang Junlin asked. These were all matters for which Fang Jun had already obtained results during interrogation. Shang Junlin asking again was to lower Grand Tutor Zeng's guard.
To make him think that this was all they wanted to know.
Finally, Shang Junlin stood up. "I have always been curious. During his lifeti, the late emperor showed no special regard for Shang Junyue. Why, near his death, did he leave him so much? If he truly intended to establish Shang Junyue as emperor, he could have simply nad him Crown Prince."
"Naturally, it's because King Yue is the late emperor's son," Grand Tutor Zeng replied without hesitation.
"The late emperor had many princes. Why was King Yue the only exception?" If Shen Yu rembered correctly, besides Shang Junlin and Shang Junyue, there were other living princes before the late emperor's death.
Shang Junlin had only executed a few who contended fiercely for power. Those who lacked competitiveness or were still young were left untouched.
"How could we, as re ministers, guess the late emperor's thoughts? I rely acted upon his commands."
"I'll take it that you truly don't know," Shang Junlin slowly paced to the rack holding torture instrunts and picked up a cat-o'-nine-tails1. "Now I ask you: was it you who ordered harm upon the Noble Consort?"
"Don't use the late emperor as an excuse. The late emperor is dead. He couldn't possibly have foreseen the Noble Consort's existence. I ask only: was it you who gave the order?"
"...Yes," facing the imposing man, Grand Tutor Zeng closed his eyes.
"Very good."
As the words fell, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
Crack!
The cat-o'-nine-tails had barbed tips. A single lash tore flesh and skin.
No one expected Shang Junlin to strike so suddenly.
The Minister of Justice widened his eyes, staring in shock at the man wielding the whip.
Shen Yu suddenly rembered what Shang Junlin had said on the way here about avenging him.
The scent of blood spread. Grand Tutor Zeng had beads of sweat rolling down his forehead from the pain.
"Three tis. I have rembered each one," Shang Junlin's tone was icy.
Grand Tutor Zeng, extrely close to him, clearly felt the chilling killing intent emanating from the man, as if he cared more about the harm done to his Noble Consort than the rebellion itself.
The barbs had been soaked in saltwater. Under the excruciating pain that pierced to the bone, all his consciousness was used to resist the agony.
After being imprisoned, to extract useful information, those people had subjected him to considerable torture. But none had caused such unbearable, intense pain as today.
The wounded area burned fiercely. Shang Junlin used a skillful technique, targeting the spots that would cause the most pain. His goal was precisely to make the other suffer unbearable agony.
"Your Majesty truly is a man of deep passion," Grand Tutor Zeng clenched his teeth, his voice slightly trembling.
"I warned you before not to lay hands on the Noble Consort. It seems Grand Tutor Zeng paid no heed," Shang Junlin said coldly.
Grand Tutor Zeng rembered the miserable ends of those arranged to deal with Shen Yu and fell silent.
"Noble Consort, this..." Wasn't this about interrogating the rebellion? Why wasn't His Majesty concerned with the crucial matters? The Minister of Justice couldn't help but whisper.
Shen Yu was only stunned for a mont. Hearing the Minister of Justice's question, he rose and walked to Shang Junlin's side, hooking his finger. "Your Majesty."
Shang Junlin disdainfully threw aside the cat-o'-nine-tails and took Shen Yu's hand.
His fingers were slightly cold.
Shang Junlin turned, looking at Shen Yu for a while. Seeing no fear on his face, he relaxed slightly.
"You received the late emperor's command to assist King Yue in ascending the throne. But after holding power for many years, you changed your mind midway. Rather than serving King Yue wholeheartedly as your emperor, you preferred to slightly alter the situation. You would still assist King Yue to the throne, but the one truly in control would beco you, the one holding the forces left by the late emperor."
Shen Yu's detached voice struck Grand Tutor Zeng's chest. Most of his mind was seized by pain, leaving him little energy to respond to Shen Yu's questioning.
"Yes, you are not wrong. Those forces were all in my hands. Why should I be inferior to King Yue? In fact, let tell you: the late emperor chose for this task simply because he believed I would not be moved by power. But he never asked whether I was willing!"
"I was not willing! I had a bright future ahead. Why should I beco a dead man who cannot see the light?"
The resentnt suppressed for years erupted. Staring at Shang Junlin's face, which bore so resemblance to the late emperor's, Grand Tutor Zeng almost lost control of his emotions.
"If you truly didn't want to, you could have refused at the ti," Shen Yu's tone remained calm, unaffected by Grand Tutor Zeng's attitude.
"It was useless. As I said, the late emperor was the ruler, I was the minister. If I refused, I would have truly died. Everyone says the late emperor was furious over my death. How laughable! How many know that those sent to kill were not treacherous ministers, but the late emperor himself?"
"The late emperor wanted his own bloodline to beco the masters of Da Huan's realm. I defied him. Unfortunately, he never completely let down his guard against until his death. If not for that, why would I have gone to such lengths, wasting ti on King Yue?"
"Now the forces under my command are mostly eradicated, and I myself am imprisoned. I know I cannot escape this calamity. Perhaps from the beginning, I shouldn't have chosen this path. Dying cleanly would have been better than this."
Grand Tutor Zeng glanced at Shen Yu. The young man, dressed in white, his deanor like bamboo, stood in the dim prison, incompatible with everything around him—just like his forr self, who, amidst a court overrun by corruption, could still preserve his integrity.
He lowered his head, looking at Shen Yu. He recalled his once high-spirited self, able to maintain his own integrity in a materialistic officialdom, undisturbed by external temptations, renowned far and wide—who wouldn't praise such fine character? In the end, he had beco the kind of person he once despised most.
"You want to know the late emperor's other arrangents, don't you? I can tell you what I know. In exchange, I ask only one thing: the mistakes I committed were mine alone. They have nothing to do with Grand Tutor Zeng. A dead man should not appear in the world again."
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