Chapter 143: Go Again

What does it feel like to secretly love someone?

To Qi Shuo, it was sweetness, it was pain, and it was the cautious trepidation that a single wrong step might mean losing that person forever.

For this, he could endure, using the utmost patience to wait for the day when circumstances naturally aligned.

But when she was injured, and he could only learn of her condition from the mouth of another man—unable even to visit her openly—that endurance turned into a bone-deep, heart-gnawing torment.

He was reaching his limit.

Cheng Shu noticed Qi Shuo's silence and assumed he was pondering the identity of the villains, so he took the initiative to speak: "I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I have a feeling this matter wasn't aimed at the General's Mansion."

Qi Shuo reined in his emotions and looked toward the Jinlin Guard headquarters right before his eyes: "Once we find out the identities of those two, everything will be clear."

***

Inside the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was in a towering rage.

"How did you arrange this? Why was the person who moved being subdued by the Second Miss Lin?"

Wang Gui was being gripped by the collar by the Crown Prince, making it difficult to breathe: "Your... Your Highness, please calm your anger! Who could have guessed that the Second Miss Lin would know martial arts!"

A young girl who looked as fragile as a flower had actually subdued two skilled fighters; it was something one wouldn't even dream of.

"I didn't guess, I didn't guess! Last time you arranged for a loafer to harass the Second Miss Lin and didn't guess she'd be bitten by a donkey; this time you arranged for someone to kidnap the Eldest Miss Lin and didn't guess she'd be rescued by the Second Miss Lin. Just what exactly are you capable of guessing?" The Crown Prince flung his hands aside and paced back and forth in the room.

Originally, the plan was to have someone kidnap the Eldest Miss Lin, keep her for a night, and then release her; the Eldest Miss Lin's reputation would be ruined, and his goal would be achieved.

As for those two men, as long as they left quietly, they would be like fish swimming into the ocean—even if a deity descended to earth, they wouldn't be found.

Yet the result was so absurd: the kidnappers had instead fallen into the hands of the two ladies they were meant to kidnap.

"Those two have already been taken away by the Jinlin Guard. If their origins are questioned, it will inevitably lead back to me!" The Crown Prince's expression was distorted and terrifying. "Tell me, what am I to do!"

Wang Gui's face turned pale as he comforted the Crown Prince: "Rest assured, Your Highness, this servant has already contacted Zhao Helin."

Zhao Helin was Cheng Maoming's deputy. Seeking a long-term future, he had long since secretly shown his favor to the Crown Prince and had been constantly competing with Cheng Maoming within the Jinlin Guard.

There was only one Commander of the Jinlin Guard; who wouldn't want that position?

Hearing Wang Gui mention Zhao Helin, the Crown Prince's irritable mood improved slightly: "What did he say?"

Wang Gui lowered his voice: "As long as they are in the Jinlin Guard's dungeon, there is a chance to make them shut up forever."

If the people were dead, their origins could not be investigated. Even if someone suspected they were targeting Prince Wei, who could prove it was the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince and Prince Wei were not in an equal competitive relationship. The Crown Prince sat firmly in his position as the heir; would he be so idle as to deal with a brother who posed no threat?

Therefore, the key still lay with those two people.

"Keep an eye on the Jinlin Guard side. Report immediately if there is any development."

Wang Gui breathed a secret sigh of relief and hurriedly complied.

***

In the cold and grim interrogation room, Cheng Maoming's face was dark as he stared at the two disheveled individuals.

"The Jinlin Guard is not the Shuntian Prefecture. If you are smart, you will confess your origins early to avoid unnecessary suffering," the Jinlin Guard in charge of the interrogation said coldly.

The two individuals looked numb, showing no reaction.

The Jinlin Guard glanced at Cheng Maoming.

Cheng Maoming frowned: "Do I have to teach you? Give them a little appetizer first to whet their appetite."

"Yes."

A red-hot branding iron approached bit by bit, and as it was pressed down hard against their terrified eyes, agonizing screams soon rang out.

Cheng Maoming didn't even blink, watching the two men's reactions expressionlessly.

Another Jinlin Guard walked over: "Grand Commander, the Prince of Jing and Young Master Cheng of the General's Mansion request an audience."

"Continue the interrogation." Cheng Maoming left a single sentence and walked out.

When he saw Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu, the cold-faced Yama who had been before the prisoners vanished, replaced by a smiling face.

"We meet again, Young Master Cheng. May I ask what business the Prince and Young Master Cheng have here?"

Qi Shuo was also very polite: "We wish to see the two villains who kidnapped the Eldest Miss Lin yesterday. We ask the Grand Commander to grant us this convenience."

Cheng Maoming showed a look of difficulty and cupped his hands toward the upper level: "Those two are key suspects of interest to the Emperor. It is not convenient for them to have much contact with others. I hope the Prince will understand."

Though his words were polite, he was not actually intimidated by Qi Shuo's status.

If he had to be wary of every son of a leisure prince, then there would be no point in him being the Commander of the Jinlin Guard.

Facing Cheng Maoming's refusal, Qi Shuo remained smiling: "Actually, I came along to accompany Young Master Cheng."

Cheng Maoming looked at Cheng Shu.

He had some degree of goodwill toward this young man, but that did not mean he would tolerate him questioning interrogation matters.

Cheng Shu said somewhat sheepishly: "Actually, I thought the taller villain looked a bit familiar—"

Cheng Maoming's expression changed instantly: "Truly?"

Cheng Shu hurriedly explained: "I don't have a clear memory of him, I just thought that in case I could remember something, I should come and take a look."

Cheng Maoming pondered for a moment and made a decision: "In that case, please follow me."

Taking a look wouldn't hurt; if they could actually provide some clues, his pressure would be much lighter.

He had been unable to find the Perfected One Mingxin for a long time. If this matter couldn't be investigated, his position as Commander of the Jinlin Guard would be in danger.

Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu followed Cheng Maoming into the interrogation room, where a faint, unpleasant smell of burnt flesh drifted through the air.

The two men were pale and had already fainted.

Cheng Maoming was somewhat dissatisfied and instructed his subordinate: "Watch your restraint."

The subordinate hurriedly complied.

"Young Master Cheng, take a good look and see if you can remember anything."

Cheng Shu nodded and carefully observed the burly man.

The burly man had a square face, and his eyes and nose were nothing special. The more one looked, the more the initial sense of familiarity vanished.

Cheng Shu couldn't help but take a step forward, then another, unconsciously walking close to the burly man.

The Jinlin Guard nearby placed a hand on his waist scabbard, becoming secretly alert.

Just as Cheng Shu was about to press close to the burly man's face, the man's head suddenly moved and his eyes snapped open, startling Cheng Shu into taking several steps back.

The sound of steel scraping against a scabbard rang out as the Jinlin Guard drew his blade halfway.

Cheng Shu shook his head embarrassedly at Cheng Maoming.

"Keep a close watch on them," Cheng Maoming instructed before leading Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu out.

"I really can't remember."

Cheng Maoming still maintained his smiling demeanor: "It's fine. If Young Master Cheng thinks of anything later, just contact us again."

"Thank you for your trouble." Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu took their leave.

***

Unexpectedly, by the afternoon, a member of the Jinlin Guard knocked on the doors of the General's Mansion, requesting Cheng Shu to visit once more.

Cheng Shu went to the Jinlin Guard headquarters in a state of confusion, only to see Cheng Maoming, whose expression was extremely grim.

"I wonder what business Lord Cheng has calling this junior here?" Estimating it was related to the morning's visit, Cheng Shu said sheepishly, "I still haven't remembered—"

"Young Master Cheng, you must remember!" Cheng Maoming's face was ashen as he spoke one word at a time, "Those two are dead."

(End of Chapter)