Qiu Dongfang’s expression darkened instantly.
“This is bad,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “I know this secret chamber—it’s the one Feng Sheng used to hide children. It can only be opened from the outside, but the mechanism is in Feng Sheng’s hands…”
And now, Feng Sheng was trapped inside as well.
The switch was gone.
These kinds of secret chambers were designed like city gates—breaking through by force would require hundreds of people working together… and they didn’t have that many.
Mo Jin frowned and turned to leave. “I’ll report to His Highness. Prince Ping will surely have a solution.”
Fu Yu sighed quietly and went to settle the women.
Qiu Dongfang was filled with regret. “How could I forget to warn Jiu Yue about this… I hope she’s alright.”
…
Inside the chamber.
Jiu Yue was, in fact, perfectly fine.
Before Feng Sheng could react, she had already yanked the lower half of his sleeping robe and tied him up tightly.
The chamber was pitch black, and she didn’t dare let go, fearing Feng Sheng might try something… so Jiu Yue simply broke his legs and dragged him around as she explored the room.
At first, Feng Sheng had indeed planned to scheme.
This was his secret base, after all—he knew it best. He had intended to ambush Jiu Yue in the darkness, but he never expected her to be so ruthless. In an instant, she dislocated both his arms and then broke his legs.
Now, as she dragged him across the floor like a dead dog, his limbs scraping painfully against the ground, the agony was unbearable. Feng Sheng abandoned all thoughts of resistance.
He even started cooperating: “…Move forward a bit. There’s a candlestick there, and a flint next to it.”
Jiu Yue eyed him skeptically but moved forward anyway, her hands soon finding the candlestick. Beside it, stacked like a small hill, were flints.
With the candle lit, her vision finally returned. Jiu Yue looked up and saw the walls lined with all sorts of tools.
Chains, whips, silk ropes, handcuffs, shackles…
Jiu Yue turned slowly, sitting on the table as she gazed at Feng Sheng’s pained expression. A faint, unreadable smile played on her lips. “You old eunuch… you’re into some twisted games, huh?”
The candlelight flickered in her eyes, casting shadows across her delicate features. She looked like a fragile beauty, but Feng Sheng couldn’t help but feel a surge of terror.
“A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!” Feng Sheng stammered, sweating profusely as he forced a smile. “His Highness Prince Ping must have the wrong idea about me… We’re on the same side, aren’t we? Family, even…”
Jiu Yue’s expression didn’t change. She tilted her head, resting her chin on her hand. “Who sent those children here?”
“S-Song…” His face suddenly twisted in realization. “You’re not Prince Ping’s subordinate!”
Jiu Yue smirked. “To be precise, I’m Prince Ping’s…”
Feng Sheng froze.
“…enemy,” she finished.
Feng Sheng: “…”
Fury overtook him. “Then go after Prince Ping! What have I ever done to you?!”
Jiu Yue couldn’t be bothered to listen. “Birds of a feather. Today’s your reckoning.”
With that, she turned and plucked a glossy whip from the wall. She tested it with a casual flick—the sharp crack of air was almost musical. Raising a brow, she looked at Feng Sheng and asked coolly, “How do we get out?”
Feng Sheng recoiled in fear, his voice pitiful. “We can’t! Unless His Majesty sends men to tear this place down… Stay back! What are you—?!”
Jiu Yue sighed and shook her head. “Lying again? No matter. I’ve got all the time in the world to play with you.”
“Since you love games so much, let’s play properly today!”
The whip lashed through the air, followed by Feng Sheng’s agonized scream.
“Ah—! You vicious woman! When I get out of here, I’ll make sure you die in agony! Ah—!”
Jiu Yue scoffed. “Relax. You’re already fifty—you won’t live much longer. I’ll definitely outlast you.”
Feng Sheng: “…”
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Hey! Watch where you’re spitting!” Jiu Yue wrinkled her nose in disgust and whipped him again. “Disgusting old man. Take this!”
Feng Sheng: “…”
Maybe death would be better.
…
When Sima Qing received the news, he was momentarily speechless.
“What? Trapped in a secret chamber with no way out?” Sima Qing rose from his wheelchair again.
Mo Jin nodded nervously. “The mechanism is complex, and only Feng Sheng had the switch… but Jiu Yue dragged him inside too, so the mechanism is…”
Now locked inside with them.
Sima Qing: “…”
He fell silent, unsure whether to praise Jiu Yue’s dedication or her greed.
Was she that afraid of Feng Sheng escaping???
Were fifty taels of silver really worth trapping herself inside???
Sima Qing rubbed his temples and sighed deeply.
“It’s dawn. Send for craftsmen in the city—have them assist immediately.” He paused. “If there’s no progress within a day, report back to me.”
“Understood!” Mo Jin hurried off.
Outside, Jiu Yue remained unaware of the situation, but she was never one to wait idly.
By now, Feng Sheng was barely clinging to life—his inner strength kept him from dying too easily.
Jiu Yue tossed aside the silk rope and continued inspecting the chamber. Near the entrance, she found the switch Feng Sheng had dropped.
It looked like a bear trap.
She tried several times, but the switch no longer worked—the chamber remained sealed.
From the floor, Feng Sheng sneered. “Save your energy. I built this chamber myself. Did you really think—”
Since begging didn’t stop Jiu Yue from beating him, Feng Sheng had given up, adopting a defiant, infuriating attitude.
Jiu Yue ignored him.
She pressed against the walls, searching for any hidden mechanisms, but there seemed to be no way out…
Jiu Yue began considering the possibility of digging a tunnel.
Just as she was deep in thought, Feng Sheng suddenly let out a shrill shriek.
“Ah—! A rat! It’s biting me—!” Bound hand and foot, Feng Sheng writhed like a spinning top.
Jiu Yue blinked.
Walking over, she spotted a rat’s tail poking out from beneath him.
Jiu Yue: “…”
No wonder the old man was terrified.
Without flinching, she yanked the rat out and studied it for a long moment before asking Feng Sheng, “Did you keep rats in here to torment the children?”
Her voice was icy.
Feng Sheng trembled, desperate to defend himself. “Why would I keep something so vile?!”
He seemed genuine.
Jiu Yue smirked and tossed the rat aside.
It squeaked and scurried away, with Jiu Yue following closely, candle in hand… until she found the hole it had emerged from.
If Feng Sheng hadn’t kept the rat, it must have come from outside.
Jiu Yue stared at the rat hole, a slow smile spreading across her face.
So… this was the exit.
