Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Learning the Truth
I looked at Liang Wan . I had spent much time thinking of how to capture her and I had dispatched numerous operatives . Finally, I had found where she was planning on hiding the Princess . After she had entered the trap, I had surrounded and entrapped her using military formations before using superior martial arts and threats on the Princess’s life to ultimately capture them . Although the entire process seemed simple and smooth, I had, in actuality, spent too much thinking about this . In order to force Liang Wan to confess, the method I used was to have her feel like she was helpless . Only by having her lose her confidence, could I have her obediently confess . Otherwise, if she were to see that I was not willing to harm the Princess, everything would be useless .
Gloomily, Liang Wan asked, “Who is she to you?”
“Piaoxiang and I had promised to wed,” I replied indifferently, “The night before she died, she was with me . Unfortunately, in order to finish things, she agreed to the madam’s request and died an unnatural death . ”
Liang Wan looked at the men before her, quickly searching through her memory, trying to think of everyone who had ties with Piaoxiang . Although there were many officials who visited Piaoxiang, none of them matched with the behavior of the man before her . She once again thought back to the scene right before Piaoxiang’s death . At the time, she had entered the room and found that Liu Piaoxiang was bathing . Piaoxiang’s beautiful appearance carried a burning anger . When she saw her, Piaoxiang coldly said, “To think that Princess Bright Moon is only so-so . To one’s surprise, you would deceive and humiliate a lowly lady like myself . ”
Liang Wan remembered that she had tried to tactfully mollify Piaoxiang . Liu Piaoxiang replied in an ice-cold voice, “There is nothing that I can say about those of you with high status . It would be useless even if I were to file suit . You can be relieved . I have my own life that I will live . ”
Piaoxiang was clearly expressed her forbearance, and yet in Liang Wan’s heart, she felt a chill in her heart . She did not believe that Liu Piaoxiang, who had previously insulted the Prince of Han, Zhao Delong, would let the matter go . If this matter was spread by Liu Piaoxiang, then her own reputation would become sullied, causing her to lose her ability to have standing in Southern Chu . To lose such standing would cause her to lose the enterprise that she had painstakingly built up to someone else . She had ultimately acted, killing Liu Piaoxiang before she could leave .
Seeing Liang Wan search her memories, a monstrous rage bubbled forth from my heart . If she had not killed Piaoxiang, then she would not think so much . I coldly said, “Have you remembered?”
Liang Wan looked at me, thinking in her heart, “So the reason Liu Piaoxiang was willing to compromise and was willing to not retaliate was because she wished to reunite with her lover . It seemed like her lover’s status wasn’t too high . Otherwise, Liu Piaoxiang would not be willing to agree to not retaliate . ”
Just as Liang Wan was continuing to think, the black clothed man with an ice cold voice stepped forward and walked in front of her . In one move, he ripped apart her bodice . Liang Wan felt cold air against her chest, as half of it was revealed for all to see . Liang Wan cried out in shame . Understanding that this was a warning, she could only speak, “Since it has reached this point, I believe that sire has sufficient evidence . Correct, I killed Liu Piaoxiang . ”
She admitted it . I ferociously looked at Liang Wan and continued to ask, “Good . Tell me who is the bastard who had you humiliate Liu Piaoxiang and then deal with the aftermath?”
Liang Wan only now understood why she was still alive . She was originally an extraordinarily intelligent woman . Now that she had an opportunity to take advantage of, she smiled faintly and replied, “So sire wishes to know about this . I am the only one who know about this matter . May I ask sire, what price you are willing to pay for this information?”
“I knew long ago that you would make this a transaction,” I replied indifferently, “But why would I act if I did not have sufficient confidence? Lady Liang, regardless of how important or illustrious your status, you have fallen into my hands today . I can do as I please . If you are willing to reveal that person’s identity, I promise you that you will die peacefully . But if you are unwilling, I have a thousand ways of having you die with regrets . ”
Liang Wan coldly laughed and replied, “I know, against a woman, there are many ways to harm her . You can allow every single man in this room to dishonor me . You can use all kinds of torture upon me . You can destroy my appearance . But you should know that I, Liang Wan, possess a state of mind like iron . Regardless of how you harm me, as long as I refuse to speak, then the person who dies with regrets will be you . If you are willing to fairly negotiate, then I promise you that I will one day reveal that person’s identity . ”
I lightly clapped my hands, replying with a smile, “Good . Truly deserving of being the leader of Great Yong’s intelligence network . ” Turning to my subordinates, I asked, “Tell me, was my original caution correct?”
In a cold voice, Chen Zhen replied, “Young master indeed possesses extraordinary intelligence . This subordinate admiringly pays our respects . ”
I walked to Liang Wan’s side and in a cold voice, said, “I knew long ago how you would react . You have the conviction and willingness to die . I also believe that you would endure all of the cruel tortures . This one is knowledgeable in medicine . I can allow you to experience life’s greatest suffering and humiliation . These people are all your subordinates . I can have them come satiate their lust upon you . When that time comes, what face do you have to be their superior?”
With difficulty, Liang Wan endured the dread in her heart . She replied, “I know that you can accomplish such a deed . I have heard that there are those who are skilled in the use of aphrodisiacs . Women who have taken these drugs suffer a fate too horrible to contemplate . But as long as I remember that I was drugged, then I would not have to lower my head in shame . ”
I coldly replied, “You can kill everyone to silence them anyways . After that, no one will know about this, right?”
Liang Wan indifferently replied, “How could I?” But from her eyes, one could see that that was her intention .
I smiled faintly and continued, “You are still a virgin, but I believe that you are not a woman who has avoided immorality . 1 If that is the case, why do you not have any lovers? Is it that you view all men with contempt? Or is it that you already have a sweetheart? Or is it that to you, being a virgin is extremely important?”
Suddenly Xiaoshunzi said, “Young master, the martial art that she has trained in should not require her to be a virgin . I believe that she has a sweetheart or her purpose is to be a specific individual’s wife . As such, she must protect her virginity . ”
Watching Liang Wan’s expression, I replied, “Maybe that is the case . Come, bring the wine . Have her drink it . ”
Carrying a jug of wine, Daoli and Baiyi stepped forward . Baiyi pinched Liang Wan’s nose, while Daoli poured the contents of the jug down her throat . Their movements were practiced, leaving Liang Wan no chance of resisting . But still, almost half of the wine poured down her throat to her chest . Liang Wan waited for them to release their hands and then coughed several times . While her chest was freezing, her throat was scorching hot . Her face was red from almost suffocating from the wine . Liang Wan could feel everyone’s eyes fall upon her . Although she was ashamed, she understood that whether life or death, honor or disgrace all rested on this moment . As such, she persisted in staunchly raising her head to look at the black clothed scholar . In her mind, she thought that if she could not control herself, then she would swallow her throat to commit suicide . Even if she was stopped, these people would know her resolve .
After not much time had passed, Liang Wan did not feel the effects of an aphrodisiac . Instead, Liang Wan felt her spirit bright and vivacious, as if she was in the realm of the immortals . Gradually, Liang Wan felt lazy, itching to lie down and sleep . But just as she moved, she could not do anything because of her bindings . At this time, a gentle voice whispered into her ear, “Lady Liang, do you wish to rest?”
Liang Wan moaned lightly and replied, “I wish to sleep . ”
The voice continued to ask, “You have been in Southern Chu for so long . You must have bribed many high ranking officials and have many spies under your command?”
Her expression misty, Liang Wan replied, “Indeed, the Prince of Yong sent me here to protect Her Highness, the Princess . Afterwards, he had me take command of the intelligence network in Jiangnan . It is a pity that I could only disappoint his deep favor . Master has said that the Crown Prince is the rightful Son of Heaven . ”
“Who is your master?” the voice continued to ask .
Impatiently, Liang Wan replied, “My master is of course the Sect Master of the Fengyi Sect . ”
“Oh! So who was it that had you invite Liu Piaoxiang to Bright Moon Pavilion?”
Liang Wan only said, “It was,” before she suddenly awoke . With a cold light in her eyes, she looked at me and coldly said, “What did I say?”
Just then, one of her subordinates coldly replied, “You said that you betrayed the Prince of Yong and threw in your lot with the Crown Prince . Ahhhh …” A black clothed man punched the subordinate in the lower abdomen, silencing him .
I looked at the deathly pale face of Liang Wan and said, “You have even revealed your betrayal, what else is there that you can hide?”
Liang Wan flashed a cold smile and replied, “Although I indiscreetly revealed that matter, at most all I need to do is to overtly serve the Crown Prince . My only bargaining chip is the identity of that person . So if you are not willing to pay the price, I will absolutely not reveal that man’s identity . In fact, why are you wasting so much effort on a mere prostitute? There are innumerable beautiful women in this world . My Fengyi Sect has many beautiful, extraordinary senior and junior apprentice sisters . If sire is willing, Liang Wan is willing to play matchmaker . ”
I indifferently replied, “Although Piaoxiang had the misfortune of falling into prostitution, her heart was like the brightest moon of the highest Heavens . Although Lady Liang has usurped the title of Bright Moon, but your very actions cannot even compare to that of a prostitute . ”
Liang Wan was so angry her complexion became ashen . I sighed lightly . Liang Wan was indeed difficult to deal with . I had deliberately mentioned aphrodisiacs . As a result, everyone believed that he had forced her to drink an aphrodisiac . In reality, the wine was laced with a hallucinogen . This kind of hallucinogen’s greatest weakness was that if the user was prepared then it would be useless . I had previously allowed captured Great Yong spies take this hallucinogen, but even without any preparation, they did not utter a single word . Therefore, I first misled Liang Wan as to my motives to reduce her vigilance . Subsequently, while she was defending against an aphrodisiac, I had fed her a hallucinogen and had her answer several questions . Unfortunately, Liang Wan strictly guarded against matters of life and death . Ultimately, I was unsuccessful . But I was not discouraged . This was only one step in my original plans . To this point, Liang Wan had already understood my interest in the matter . Thus when I revealed my trump card, she would be agreeable to change conditions . ”
I laughed lightly and said, “It looks like Lady Liang is unwilling to speak . If that is the case, I can only offend you . ”
“I want to see what other methods you have,” replied Liang Wan arrogantly .
I faintly replied, “I want to invite Milady to listen to a good performance . ” Thus speaking, I waved my hand . Chiji bowed before turning and opening the stone door behind my chair . Behind the door, everyone could see a copper mirror placed on one side . From the flickering light reflected in the mirror, one could see a large bed with tasseled screen curtains . On the bed sat a young lady in white . It was the Princess Changle . From the angles, Princess Changle must be in the room behind the stone door . Chiji walked into the room and closed the stone door behind him . All of the Great Yong spies looked at me with hideous looks in their eyes . It seems like they understood what I was planning to do . With a gesture, a hidden copper tube on the stone door was revealed . At this moment, everyone could hear the voices being transmitted through the copper tube .
“Who are you? What are you trying to do to us … me?”
“No, don’t come over here, don’t come over here . ”
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