Shen Qingping was imprisoned on suspicion of smuggling salt, a development that caught all the court officials off guard. One by one, they scrambled to distance themselves from the Shen Family.
On his way out of court, Shen Mingwen walked alone, a solitary figure. Courtiers hurried past him, afraid he might stop them and drag them into a case that could doom their entire clans.
Only Gu Zheng approached Shen Mingwen, sighing heavily as he spoke:
"Grand Tutor Shen, there’s no need to despair. I know what kind of young man your third son is. The Emperor will surely get to the bottom of this."
Shen Mingwen forced a bitter smile. "No one who enters the Imperial Prison leaves unscathed. His mother and I... we never let him suffer hardships before."
Those sent to the Imperial Prison were all involved in major cases—who among them escaped torture?
The thought made Shen Mingwen’s head spin.
Though he knew the truth behind the matter, recalling how Shen Qingping had been dragged away still wrenched his heart.
"The Prince and the Princess will return soon, Grand Tutor Shen. Take heart."
Gu Zheng glanced at the officials rushing away and deliberately stepped closer to Shen Mingwen.
Hmph.
Others might not believe in Shen Qingping.
But Gu Zheng did.
......
At the Shen Family residence.
"That Shen Qingping is nothing but a scourge!"
Shen Pu stomped in fury. "To blurt out such a secret while drunk and land himself in the Imperial Prison—what a disgrace, an utter disgrace!"
"Elder Brother, since you’ve always despised Shen Qingping, why not seize this chance to eliminate him and reclaim the business he stole? Two birds with one stone."
"Fool!" Shen Pu glared at Second Master Shen. How could his brother be so witless?
"If Shen Qingping confesses and the Emperor sends men to investigate the salt smuggling, what happens to us?" Shen Pu’s nostrils flared so wide one could stuff chopsticks in them. "Have you forgotten? He used the same salt transport routes as our family!"
"Then... what do we do?" Second Master Shen panicked.
"Now that he’s in the Imperial Prison, we must ensure he dies before he talks." A cold glint flashed in Shen Pu’s eyes. He had sent multiple assassins, all unsuccessful. But inside the prison? A bribed interrogator could easily "accidentally" end Shen Qingping’s life.
"Let’s do as you say, Elder Brother."
Second Master Shen’s blind obedience earned him another glare before Shen Pu called out to the servants outside.
......
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Prison.
Shen Qingping was forced into a prisoner’s uniform.
As he walked past rows of cells, agonized screams echoed around him, yet he remained composed, striding deeper into the prison as if deaf to the cries.
"Here’s your cell."
The jailer’s voice rang out. "You’ll be interrogated tomorrow. If you cooperate, you’ll spare yourself some pain."
With that, the cell door clanged shut. Shen Qingping curled into a corner, idly picking at the straw mat as he wondered whether Song Yu and Song Shihuan were already on their way back to the capital.
Would the Princess look at him with disdain if she saw him like this?
......
The next morning, Shen Qingping was roughly awakened.
"Wake up!"
A bucket of cold water splashed over his face. Two jailers hauled him up, dragging him to a torture rack where he was bound.
"Master Shen, long time no see."
A strange laugh sounded. Shen Qingping slowly lifted his head. "So it’s Lord Chu Wuliang interrogating me."
"Yesterday, you accused me in court of smuggling salt. Today, you’re my interrogator. If I confess everything now, will you report back to your superiors?"
Chu Wuliang’s eyes flickered at Shen Qingping’s words.
Shen Pu’s orders were clear—Shen Qingping must only admit to smuggling salt. The details? He wouldn’t live to reveal them.
"Silver-tongued devil. This prison isn’t a place where your words hold weight. Guards! Twenty lashes first—truth only comes after pain."
As Chu Wuliang barked the command, jailers stepped forward with whips in hand.
"Wait. Use this one instead."
Chu Wuliang handed over a barbed whip. The jailer hesitated. "My Lord, he hasn’t been convicted yet..."
Did Chu Wuliang forget whose man this prisoner was?
"Useless fool. I’ll do it myself!" Chu Wuliang shoved the jailer aside, raising the whip high. Ever since Shen Qingping entered the court, he had relentlessly suppressed the Chu Family. Now that he had Shen Qingping at his mercy, why hold back?
Crack!
The first lash sent veins bulging across Shen Qingping’s forehead and hands, sweat beading on his skin.
Chu Wuliang’s eyes gleamed with madness.
As he raised the whip again, a shadow darted forward—a hand clamped around his wrist like a vise.
"Who dares interfere with official business?!"
"Commander... Commander Shen Xiao."
The whip clattered to the ground. Chu Wuliang’s arrogance vanished, replaced by sheer terror.
"By the Emperor’s decree, this case is now under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guards. You are dismissed, Lord Chu."
Shen Xiao tightened his grip slightly, and Chu Wuliang’s wrist nearly snapped. He fled the prison in disgrace.
"Had you arrived a moment later, Commander, I’d have been tortured into a false confession." Shen Qingping’s voice was weak, his arms limp.
"I’ve been here. I just waited for you to take one lash before showing up."
"You—" Shen Qingping winced, the wound throbbing harder at the sight of Shen Xiao’s impassive face.
"Without some suffering, how else would Master Shen earn a promotion?"
Shen Qingping smirked. This Imperial Guard Commander was interesting.
They thought alike.
No pain, no gain—one lash would serve him far better than none.
......
That night, Song Yu and Song Shihuan arrived at the capital, their lips cracked from the journey as they galloped straight for the city gates.
"Your Highness, Princess. Yesterday, Master Shen was accused of smuggling salt in court and is now imprisoned in the Imperial Prison." Shen Xiao appeared silently. "This morning, Chu Wuliang struck him once with a barbed whip."
Instantly, Song Yu and Song Shihuan’s expressions turned icy.
"Inform His Majesty on my behalf. Since this involves a member of the Qin Prince’s Mansion, I will investigate personally."
A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Song Yu’s eyes.
"Not just any stray dog gets to interrogate my people."
