Chapter 113: Torture in the Imperial Prison
Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Torture in the Imperial Prison
’No, that’s not right. He would never do something so risky just to test me.’
’Besides, the assassin tried to kill herself, and he was the one who stopped her. That shows he had nothing to do with it. But if he knew all along that I wouldn’t use poison at the banquet, then why did he bring me? Clearly, the ’test’ theory doesn’t hold up...’
Lu Xiu watched Liang Wan, her brow furrowed in confusion, and just shook his head with a faint smile. ’That much hasn’t changed,’ he thought. ’Still so full of energy.’
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Don’t tell me you knew all along—"
A sudden warmth on her lips made Liang Wan freeze. He had leaned down, his lips stopping the rest of her words.
His soft lips touched hers only lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface. Yet for some reason, her heart fluttered in chaos.
Lu Xiu leaned back in his seat as if nothing had just happened.
Liang Wan quietly averted her gaze and steadied her breath.
’It was true she’d noticed the assassin early on. She didn’t expose her because she wanted to see if the assassin could kill Gao Qian. But the assassin never made a move, probably waiting for Gao Qian to try to kill me so she could strike at that moment. In that case, there was nothing to be done but to play along and use the opportunity to win Gao Qian’s trust...’
’But what about Lu Xiu?’
Liang Wan looked over again, but he had already closed his eyes, feigning sleep.
She lowered her gaze. ’Killing the Emperor... it’s not as simple as I thought.’
The female assassin was a living example.
After the Qianqiu Festival, funerals became more frequent in Jinye City, but they were all handled hastily. Liang Wan had little interest in going out.
Unwilling to go out, she rolled up her sleeves and tended to her flowers and plants, pulling out many of the poisonous ones and keeping only a few that she found pleasing. She no longer forbade anyone from approaching her small building and would even bring her maids inside to plant flowers with her.
The "autumn tiger" of the past few days was hotter than usual. Liang Wan had the kitchen staff brew a job’s tears and red bean soup, distributing it to everyone to combat the autumn heat.
Liang Wan selected a few pots of thriving autumn chrysanthemums and ordered someone to send them to the Grandmaster.
A maid brought a basin of clean water for Liang Wan to wash her hands, which felt very cool and refreshing.
Qiuxi handed over a cloth towel, her face clouded with worry. "Ever since we entered the mansion, I’ve seen how harmonious you and Liang Ji are, like a well-tuned qin and se. It made me so happy. But next month, His Lordship is going to marry his new wife—"
She sighed softly as she spoke, the worry on her brow plain to see.
Liang Wan dried her hands, tossed the cloth into the basin, and patted her shoulder. "You’ve just reminded me. It’s about time we prepared a wedding gift for the new madam."
Liang Wan turned to look at the pots of flowers, but none of them seemed quite right. As she fretted, she spotted the ’Yao’s Yellow’ peony she had recently acquired in the corner. It would be suitable, but unfortunately, it wasn’t its blooming season. Sending it like this wouldn’t have the right impact...
’Oh well,’ she thought. ’I’ll think of something else.’
Liang Wan sat down and picked up a bowl of the job’s tears and red bean soup. After drinking about half of it, she asked, "Has Chun’er been by again these past few days?"
Qiuxi was a little surprised. Chun’er had asked to see her several times, but Liang Wan had always refused, sending her away with some money. She had thought her mistress no longer wanted to meddle in Chun’er’s affairs, yet here she was, asking about her.
Liang Wan put down the small bowl. "I promised to help her before. It’s not that I’m breaking my word, but the time wasn’t right. It would have been useless to see her then. Now, the time has come."
"She’s been here a few times. Her belly is as big as a bushel basket; it looks like she’ll give birth by the end of the year," Qiuxi sighed. "Cui Xiaolang has gained Prince Guangping’s favor and even secured an official post as he wished. Why is it so hard for him to just acknowledge Chun’er and his child?"
Liang Wan gestured for a maid to clear the soup bowl before saying, "It’s precisely because his career is taking off and he has always maintained a righteous image in public that he doesn’t dare let Chun’er move in with him. Think about it—taking a concubine and having a child before marrying an official wife? Wouldn’t that be a slap in his own face?"
Qiuxi understood, but then her thoughts turned to Liang Wan. "Then what about you—"
Liang Wan looked at her. "It’s different. People of lower status who want to climb the ladder must abide by the rules set by the upper class. As for the upper class, they only need to follow the Emperor’s will, not the rules."
"That’s true. You were personally promised to the Grand Commandant by His Majesty himself. What could anyone else say?" Qiuxi thought for a moment, then added, "Last time at the Duke Mansion, I noticed Miss Cao seemed rather hostile toward you. I just hope that in the future, she’ll understand you’re not the type to vie for position."
Liang Wan lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. ’In my heart, I only want to get my revenge soon. When the three years are up, I’ll leave without a second thought. As for Cao Luyun, she can just focus on being the Great General’s Wife. There’s no conflict between us at all.’
Liang Wan stood up. "Let’s go look at the dresses and jewelry we’ve prepared. See if anything is unsuitable."
Qiuxi agreed. Just as Liang Wan turned, Yuan appeared at the door.
"Liang Ji."
Yuan glanced at her once, then lowered his head without another word.
Liang Wan said, "One moment."
When they left again, Liang Wan had changed into the attire of an attendant. Lu Xiu had been investigating the matter of the assassin for the past few days.
After getting out of the carriage, Liang Wan followed Yuan south. The Imperial Prison was guarded by layers of heavily armed soldiers. From a distance, she could see Lu Xiu standing at the entrance with his hands behind his back, staring lost in thought at a distant palace.
When Liang Wan and Yuan approached, she first bowed to Lu Xiu. Only after Yuan presented a warrant did the guards at the gate let them pass.
The Imperial Prison was under the direct control of the Emperor.
The moment she stepped inside, a sudden, sinister chill made her shiver uncontrollably. Before she had taken two steps, she was assaulted by shrill screams, low moans, and the sounds of whips and angry curses...
The hair on Liang Wan’s arms stood on end, and her heart clenched tightly. This place was far more terrifying than the Dali Temple Prison.
She lifted her eyelids and glanced to the side. Thankfully, she hadn’t seen any gruesome scenes yet. ’I don’t get why Lu Xiu brought me here. Some things can just be described with words; there’s no need to see them in person...’
A Prisoner Supervisor came forward, bowed to Lu Xiu, and began reporting on their progress as he walked alongside them.
Resigned to her fate, Liang Wan lowered her head and continued to follow Lu Xiu deeper inside.
Fragments of their conversation drifted into her ears, raising goosebumps all over her skin. ’So this is what they call torture. Death is better than suffering here, especially for a woman.’
Just as they reached a cell door, she heard a woman’s suppressed cry. Liang Wan peeked cautiously inside. The female assassin was naked, hoisted up in a humiliating position. Her breasts, legs, and lower body were covered in wounds from all manner of tortures designed for women, a shocking and gruesome sight.
After one hasty glance, she didn’t dare look a second time.
After entering, Lu Xiu didn’t begin the interrogation immediately. Instead, he sat to one side and watched them administer the torture.
Liang Wan stood behind him, head down, eyes squeezed shut. But the woman’s agonized screams were like a demonic sound boring into her brain, ravaging not just her ears but her very soul. Her clothes were nearly soaked through by wave after wave of cold sweat.
Liang Wan clenched her fists, biting her lip so hard it hurt. She didn’t know how much time had passed—so long that her legs grew weak and she could barely stand—before Lu Xiu finally ordered them to stop.
She couldn’t hear what Lu Xiu asked, nor what the woman answered. Her stomach just churned and churned until she couldn’t take it anymore and leaned against the wall, dry heaving.
Lu Xiu dismissed everyone and walked over to her.
He didn’t reach out a hand, just stood quietly in front of her.
Liang Wan lifted her eyes. His expression was as normal as ever, completely unaffected.
"Did you make me watch this on purpose?"