The Hall of Purple Radiance.
"Are these all the ones without guarantors?"
Emperor Yuanyou scrutinized the names on the list, his authoritative tone sending an involuntary shiver down the spines of those present.
The list contained about a dozen names—officials painstakingly filtered out after days of sleepless nights by Shen Mingwen and Shen Qingping.
"Your Majesty, indeed. These individuals have already been detained pending investigation," Shen Mingwen replied with lowered eyes. Then, recalling the Xiao family, he added pointedly, "Among those in the capital without guarantors, only Vice Minister Xiao remains."
"Xiao Bingsheng, the Vice Minister of Rites." Emperor Yuanyou's gaze lingered on one name. "I remember him—a man of cold demeanor but well-versed in ceremonial protocols."
As an emperor who rose from humble origins, he had always held those knowledgeable in rites in high regard.
A sharp glint flickered in Emperor Yuanyou's eyes as a thought crossed his mind.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Then, to Shen Mingwen's astonishment, Shen Qingping spoke up. "Your Majesty, you may not be aware, but Vice Minister Xiao was personally apprehended by me just days ago."
"Oh?" Emperor Yuanyou set down the list and fixed his piercing gaze on Shen Qingping.
"Vice Minister Xiao is a cautious man. His second son, Xiao Zhang, inherits much of his temperament—except when facing Prince Qin or me. Then, he cannot help but reveal his contempt."
"Thus, I believe Vice Minister Xiao is the most suspicious name on this list."
At the mention of disrespect toward Song Yu, a faint aura of anger began to emanate from Emperor Yuanyou.
Most would fall silent upon sensing the emperor's wrath, but Shen Qingping did the opposite—pouring fuel onto the flames.
"Xiao Zhang never hesitates to fling the word 'wastrel' around, even going so far as to mock Prince Qin to his face. The prince, heartbroken, could only endure it silently, never retaliating."
"If the Xiao family truly bowed to Your Majesty's authority, why would Xiao Zhang dare act so brazenly? It is clear their loyalty to Great Qi is but a facade, and their involvement in rebellion is highly probable."
By now, Shen Mingwen stood frozen, his aged legs trembling.
Heavens, had his reckless son grown a spine of steel?
Emperor Yuanyou, however, was now thoroughly enraged. To bully his son and force him into silent suffering—did they think him already dead?
"Shen Qingping, I command you to investigate the Xiao family thoroughly. Leave no stone unturned," Emperor Yuanyou declared, his voice brooking no dissent. "Additionally, determine whether any others on this list have covert ties to the Xiao family. If found, arrest them immediately and bring them to the capital."
"Your servant obeys."
As his forehead touched the ground, a shadow of calculation darkened Shen Qingping's eyes.
Once outside the hall, Shen Mingwen opened his mouth, but the words died on his lips. Instead, he simply patted Shen Qingping's shoulder.
"My son, proceed with boldness."
Shen Mingwen had to admit—Shen Qingping's reasoning was irrefutable.
A ruthless smile curled at Shen Qingping's lips.
"Father, don’t dirty your hands with trash like the Xiao family."
"Leave them for me to handle."
The falling snow lent Shen Qingping’s retreating figure an air of solitary grandeur, as if standing too high brought only cold loneliness.
A sigh escaped Shen Mingwen as snowflakes melted on the back of his hand, icy against his skin.
The Shen family had risen from common cloth, earning renown as paragons of integrity.
Now, it seemed, they would produce a king of hell.
......
That very night, Shen Qingping penned a letter himself. A courier raced toward Yong'an County with it, and the thought of the father and daughter’s reactions upon reading it drew a low chuckle from him.
Yong'an County.
"Your Highness, the investigation is complete. Yong'an County shows no signs of trouble," Shen Xiao reported respectfully. After days here, he had grown utterly convinced of Prince Qin and Princess Song Shihuan’s capabilities.
Their skill in winning the people’s hearts was nothing short of terrifying.
At that moment, Song Yu held Shen Qingping’s letter in hand. Suddenly, he leapt from his chair, his star-bright eyes blazing with fury.
"I knew it!"
Anyone who dared mock Song Yu was no good!
Worse still, that villain Xiao Zhang had taunted him with classical allusions—ones he, poorly educated, couldn’t even understand!
Had he known, would he have let Xiao Zhang walk away unscathed?
Song Yu was not that forgiving.
"Commander Shen, new intelligence from the capital demands we re-interrogate Ma Liang," Song Yu relayed the letter’s key points. Shen Xiao’s expression turned grave, and the two hurried toward the prison.
This time, Song Yu stopped Shen Xiao before he could speak.
"Commander Shen, let me handle this. Consider it a test of my interrogation skills."
Shen Xiao nodded and stepped aside.
Hearing movement, Ma Liang struggled to lift his head. Confined in the deepest cell, where only the sound of dripping water broke the silence, he was on the verge of madness.
"Ma Liang, I’ve come to see you again."
Song Yu cheerfully approached, but before he could continue, Ma Liang shut his eyes, refusing to acknowledge him.
Song Yu’s temper flared instantly.
"Guards! String him up and give him twenty lashes—with saltwater on the whip!"
Hearing this, Shen Xiao felt an absurd sense of inevitability.
Of course. The prince was always better off starting with a beating to vent his anger...
......
Screams echoed as Ma Liang thrashed, his rust-stained hair swaying wildly.
"Your Highness! Your Highness... I’ll talk, I’ll talk—!"
Yet despite his pleas, Song Yu didn’t call off the punishment. He watched coldly as Ma Liang passed out, then ordered him doused awake.
"Open your damned eyes. Close them again in my presence, and I’ll make you endure every torture a second time."
The moment Song Yu spoke, Ma Liang’s eyes flew open, wide with fear.
Only then did Song Yu smile in satisfaction before dropping his bombshell:
"Xiao Bingsheng has given you up."
"Impossible!" Ma Liang blurted without hesitation—then froze, realizing his mistake.
Song Yu grinned.
Sauntering back to Shen Xiao, he mimicked the commander’s earlier manner. "Commander Shen, my interrogation is complete."
"Your Highness’s skills are... remarkable," Shen Xiao managed, stunned.
In such a short time, the prince’s interrogation techniques had advanced leaps and bounds.
A true prodigy.
Meanwhile, in another residence, Song Shihuan had just returned to her manor and unfolded Shen Qingping’s letter. Her eyes went straight to the bottom, where the words glared up at her:
"His Highness need only say one thing to Ma Liang."
"Tell him: 'Xiao Bingsheng has given you up.'"
