[Wuxia] The Number One Ding Under Heaven (Complete) - 15

Chapter 110 Prison Ordeal

"Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhhh!" Inside the cell, heart-wrenching screams echoed with relentless punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes.
Blood splattered everywhere, covering the floor. The prison guards, who should have intervened, stood far away, their bodies turned away as if they hadn't seen anything.
The other prisoners, without exception, huddled in the innermost part of their cells, cowering and afraid to look up, lest they see something they shouldn't and incur death.
"Sigh, prison violence, it really is the same throughout history,"
Pang Yu sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hey, you there, hit harder, go all out, hurry up, Fourth Grandfather doesn't have time to wait."
The punches and kicks intensified.
The one being beaten was a scarred man, the leader of the seven or eight men preparing to beat him; those beating him were obviously his subordinates.
He was originally a minor leader in the "Hung Hing Society." He'd taken bribes from the Prince of Anding's mansion and infiltrated the prison, intending to find an opportunity to cripple Pang Yu. However, he ended up in the wrong cell. His brothers were surrounded by rats, cockroaches, and fleas, while Pang Si, just a few feet away, ate, drank, and slept well, even having a cup of tea served by the jailer—living like royalty.
He thought he'd failed his mission, his time in prison was wasted, and the remaining reward was gone. But then, Pang Si was taken out for interrogation and returned to their cell.
It was a windfall! No need to think twice—beat him up! A gang fight! Beat him to death! Mission accomplished! Back to collect the reward—a full ten strings of cash!
Without a word, the scarred man led his men to surround Pang Si. To demonstrate his bravery and set a good example, he grabbed the shackles he'd been issued when he entered the prison and smashed them over Pang Si's head. Before the person even touched him, Pang Yu pulled out his small dagger and lightly tapped it... a crisp "ding." The sturdy shackles instantly split into four pieces.
Four pieces? Yes. Not two pieces, but four pieces. One cut, four pieces. Otherwise, how could it be called a divine weapon!
In the blink of an eye, the situation was completely reversed. Pang Yu suddenly became the leader of these people—which of these thugs dared to disobey? The outcome... well, just like the scarred leader now. His brothers, threatened by Pang Yu's Fish Intestine Sword that could cut through iron like mud, turned around and beat him to death!
Did he think that hiring a few thugs would cripple Fourth Grandfather in prison?
Dream on!
Pang Yu increasingly felt that Zhao Shiqing's intelligence was too low. A complete idiot. Taking him seriously was an insult to his intelligence.
But sadly, for the next whole day, he was insulted countless times.
The food was poisoned; a piece of silver was nearby, and dipping it in turned it black—a sure sign of the poison. Water was mixed with sleeping potion; a random henchman was forced to drink it. He fainted—another sure sign of
the poison. Two more groups of thugs were sent to beat him up—well, without exception, the ringleaders were always the ones who got beaten. The others were completely submissive, becoming Fourth Brother's henchmen. Of course, expecting these bastards to be loyal was impossible. Fourth Brother had calculated that someone would betray him in his sleep, so he imitated the cunning Cao Cao, using a "dream murder"
tactic. He first dislocated the shoulder of the boldest one who tried to take advantage, and the one slept soundly all night, no one daring to approach. And so, the day passed. Fourth Brother was unharmed. The Eighth Prince's scheme to make him suffer and be forced to submit, sending Di Xiuxiang away, failed!
This is a great victory for Fourth Brother, representing justice; it's true love bravely displaying its brilliance in the face of the oppression of power and the coercion of official positions; it's the passionate love between the Pang family servant and the orphaned woodcutter who moved heaven and earth… I'll just sigh a little, don't hit me, Fourth Brother is in prison with rats and cockroaches. He's having a very tough time!
Pang Yu was very aware; he knew his cunning father-in-law wouldn't let any opportunity to torment him pass, and Zhao Yunbi, who wished he could skin him alive, wouldn't let it go so easily.
So when he was summoned to the main hall by Bao Zheng the next day, recounting the whole story of how he castrated Zhao Shiqing, and learned upon his return that he was going to be moved to another cell, Fourth Brother wasn't surprised at all.
Two jailers escorted him, one on each side, and led by the jailer Wei Ning, they walked deeper into the prison.
So what if they're going? What's there to be afraid of?
Wei Ning took out a key and opened the iron gate that stood before them… no. There were three gates. Three massive iron doors stood before him. Pang Yu peered inside and was immediately struck
by the sheer size of the Kaifeng Prefecture prison. The number of cells inside was at least twice that of the outside! But that wasn't all.
The four of them traversed over a dozen cells deep within the prison, without seeing a single soul. Ahead lay another enormous iron door, two people high and half a foot thick, with bars as thick as a calf. Just looking at it exuded a chilling aura. Behind it, the dark, gloomy corridor stretched as far as the eye could see.
Pang Yu began to feel a chill.
This…this is a prison?!
It looks more like a research center for abnormal humans!
With a burning urge to curse, Pang Yu followed the warden and his men through the narrow, drafty passage. The further they walked, the more breathless they felt, the walls and the soles of their feet damp with cold.
An underground prison?
"Uh, no wonder the Kaifeng Prefecture dungeon doesn't look very big from the outside, but it seems like you can't walk to the end inside.
Why are there three doors separating the underground cells? Three iron doors, who are they keeping out of? There's no one inside!"
Pang Yu wondered. Then another door appeared ahead, actually made up of four doors: an iron door, a wooden door covered in cotton, then another iron door, and then another cotton-covered wooden door. Pang Yu was even more puzzled. What's going on? Why are there cotton and wood sandwiched between perfectly good iron doors? "Damn it!"
Pang Yu suddenly realized.
He'd read plenty of martial arts novels. This scene—could it be that some kind of... top-tier martial arts master is imprisoned inside?! The cotton is used to absorb the force of palm strikes and internal energy to prevent the door from being blown open.
If it were just a top-tier martial arts master, Fourth Brother might not be afraid.
People with high martial arts skills are usually not very bright; they can be easily fooled.
What he feared… no, it wasn't so much fear as a feeling. He felt like he was Stephen Chow from Kung Fu Hustle, slowly making his way into the Center for the Study of Abnormal Humans. And inside, they were imprisoning that mentally unstable, half-mad, half-epileptic, and personality-split Fire Cloud Evil God…
"Bang!" The door slammed shut again, heavy and slamming. Only then did Pang Yu's heart finally relax.
The cell was empty; there was no sign of life except for him, and of course, no Fire Cloud Evil God. He was the first person "imprisoned" here.
However, watching Wei Ning and the others carefully lock the door layer by layer as they left, Fourth Brother still felt a pang of unease, a pretty strong unease.
He looked around. This cell had no windows; only a few vents in the ceiling. No natural light could get in; the lighting relied entirely on the candles burning inside.
What… what's going on here? Is this some kind of isolation program?
Even the ancients knew that confining someone in a sealed place, providing only three meals a day, keeping them from knowing the time, and forbidding them from communicating with others—this kind of solitary confinement was the best torture for a person's spirit and will!
Fourth Brother thought so too, but he wasn't afraid.
He was indulging in fantasies to strengthen his body and his country; with no one to disturb him, he could plan how to take in the three famous courtesans—Nangong Qinyi, Zou Xiyun, and Hua Xiangrong—and incidentally, bring the little princess, Ding Yuehua, home to properly train her. Oh, and there was also the fairy sister… How could Fourth Brother's harem be without her? Hehehe.
Pang Yu was happily fantasizing when suddenly he heard the prison door clang open, and another person was locked in.
The moment Pang Yu glanced at this man, his expression changed.

Chapter 111 Zhao Yunbi's Shocking Poisonous Plan

"Bang!" The prison door slammed shut, and the escorting guards quickly retreated, swiftly closing all the doors along the way… The empty underground cell fell silent, save for the figure standing at the cell door and Pang Yu, who had been leisurely lying down daydreaming, now stood up with an indescribable expression.
The man who had been brought in slowly turned around.
Pang Yu's eyes narrowed instantly, his breathing quickening.
In this world… there could actually be such a despicable person!!!
About twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, a rather young man, his appearance completely unlike handsome or dashing, only exuding a nonchalant air. He sported two extremely lewd mustaches, a small tuft on his chin, and a smile before he spoke, a hint of spring in his lips—clearly the kind of self-proclaimed charming rogue who couldn't resist the allure of women.
"Hey, newbie," Pang Yu began. "Height, weight, age, occupation, and measurements. I'll decide whether to leave a lifelong scar on you based on your answers."
"Measurements? What are measurements?" The lewd man stared at him, his lewd eyes full of question marks. Pretending to be cool, huh?
Looking at your sleazy face, you think you don't know this?
Despite his contempt for his affectation, Pang Yu, with an unyielding spirit, gestured to the lewd man: "Look, it's this, the front, the middle, and the bottom—."
"Oh, oh, oh!" The lewd man feigned sudden understanding. "I understand, I understand, that… hehe, my wife… she… hehe." He mimicked the gesture, meaning a curvaceous figure, very voluptuous.
Pang Yu remained utterly disdainful.
Come on. With your lewd appearance, looking like you have neither status nor money. You're lucky any woman would marry you. You want to marry a wife "like this—"?
Pah. You're even more of a fantasist than me!
What does it mean to be utterly shameless? Look at this sleazy man!
Pang Yu continued with his disdain.
"Tell me honestly. Height. Weight. Age. Occupation. Measurements. And... how did you end up here?"
The sleazy man scratched his head. It was unclear whether he had heard correctly or was deliberately avoiding the question. He sighed, "Sigh... It's rare to leave the palace... cough. Leave the residence. Who knew..."
"Leaving the palace? You must be leaving to relieve yourself." Pang Yu looked him up and down, sneering sarcastically. For no other reason than that with that incredibly sleazy face, could he possibly work in the palace?
Bah, even if he were castrated and became a eunuch, he would still be a disgrace to the Song Dynasty!
"I came from the... Princess's residence." The sleazy man blushed and looked at him with a forced laugh.
"Yeah, and then I was wandering the streets. I did something wrong and got arrested."
The sleazy man paused, his expression full of surprise: "Oh, right, right, little brother, you guessed right. My name is Ren Huang, and I do some odd jobs at Princess Huanyu's residence..."
Ren Huang? The Human Emperor? I'm the Moon Demon, damn it.
Pang Yu was annoyed just hearing the name. How dare a sleazy guy share the same name as his fourth brother's idol (the Emperor Sky, ask Baidu if you don't know him?), he deserved a beating!
He didn't notice Pang Yu's expression of wanting to punch someone. Ren Huang continued talking to himself, "Brother, I came out for a stroll and heard that a new courtesan has arrived at the famous Pianxian Pavilion in the city. Her surname is Hua, something like Hua."
"Hua Xiangrong."
"Yes, yes, that's her. I heard that she was a beauty that the Yaksha Mama searched all over the world and found in hundreds of prefectures. She's only been on stage for a few days, and Pianxian Pavilion is packed with customers. She's not only overshadowed the other famous brothels, but she's even stolen the limelight from Nangong Qinyi!"
Ren Huang looked like a lecher, his eyes gleaming with lust, and he was practically drooling. "Brother, I finally have some free time, so I sneaked out of the Princess's residence. How could I not go and see her..."
"Wait a minute!" Pang Yu suddenly interrupted him.
"Do you know who I am? Do you recognize this face?" He pointed to himself.
Ren Huang stared at him for a while, then shook his head: "Young man, you look unfamiliar. This... I really don't recognize you."
"Don't recognize me? Fine. Then I'll tell you!" Pang Yu was annoyed that someone was acting so arrogantly in front of him, and he really disliked hearing the guy keep calling him "Brother Pang." He had to teach him a lesson. "I, I am the one who's been making waves lately, the most famous and well-known servant in the capital—Pang Si, the first-class servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion!"
"Ah!" Ren Huang was greatly surprised. "You're the little...little hero who castrated the Prince of Anding?"
Pang Yu originally wanted to teach him a lesson—acting arrogantly in front of his fourth brother was just asking for trouble! He was overjoyed by being called a "little hero," and patted his chest, saying, "Haha, I wouldn't dare call myself a 'little hero.' Just call me Fourth Brother from now on. With Fourth Brother protecting you, I guarantee no one in prison will dare to bully you."
"But I seem to be more than ten years older than you. Calling you Fourth Brother, this..." Ren Huang hesitated.
Pang Yu thought about it and realized that was true; one shouldn't be too shameless.
"How about Fourth Master? I think you're quite clever. Why don't you quit working at Princess Huanyu's residence and come with me? I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury, enjoying the good life for the rest of your days. Oh, by the way, how did you get in here? You didn't take bribes from those two bastards, Zhao Yunbi and Zhao Shiqing, and deliberately went to jail to make things difficult for Fourth Master, did you?"
"How could that be? I just... hehehe, sneaked into Pianxian Pavilion... and just happened... to bump into Hua Xiangrong... taking a bath, and then... I didn't mean to... I just... glanced inside... and ended up... being caught red-handed... and taken to Kaifeng Prefecture... hehe, hehehe."
"Damn it, you're spineless!" Pang Yu cursed him, almost poking him with his finger. "Hua Xiangrong, Rongrong, right? Fourth Master's old flame. Let alone bathing, every part of her body has been...wait a minute, you're a bastard, why are you locked up here? There are plenty of prisons outside. No, no, you're definitely up to something!"
Pang Yu stared at her suspiciously, his hand reaching for his knife. With that thing to his neck, threatening him, if he didn't tell the truth, he'd be stabbed. Few people would dare not confess.
"The outer prison is full, completely full." Ren Huang spread his hands, shrugging his shoulders in a lewd manner. "Don't you know? As soon as Lord Bao took office, he started arresting people all over the city. In the past month, anyone who has committed a crime, regardless of whether they were sentenced before or not, regardless of their background or connections, has been forcibly arrested and brought back to Kaifeng Prefecture for retrial. Little brother, I saw you've been squatting here for a while now. What? Haven't you noticed that there are more and more prisoners lately?"
"What do you mean 'already been here'? Huh! What do you mean 'little brother'?" Pang Yu was furious and almost grabbed a brick to hit him on the head, but then he thought about it. Well, given Lord Bao's style, it's not surprising that he launched a "crackdown" as soon as he took office.
"It's not just a month, I heard they're even investigating back to half a year ago. Damn it, even I, your old brother, got arrested for peeping at someone taking a bath, it's too damn ridiculous." Ren Huang was still muttering, and he was completely oblivious when he suddenly saw Pang Yu walking towards him, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. His smile grew even more ferocious. "What...what are you going to do?"
"Hmph, even if there aren't enough cells outside..." Pang Yu said, while reaching into his pocket—uh. He was touching lime powder. Heaven knows if this sleazy man was an assassin sent by Zhao Yunbi, deliberately pretending to be like this to dispel Fourth Brother's suspicion. Hmph, it's better to have this stuff on hand for self-defense.
"There are so many cells in the dungeon, which one isn't empty? Why did you have to be locked up in Fourth Brother's cell? Hmph, Fourth Brother isn't stupid. Don't think I don't know what you're up to."
"Hey, hey, hey. I'm wondering the same thing! Who wants to share a cell with you? It's so comfortable to live alone...Hey, hey, hey! Don't..." Sweeping her with his fierce eyes, Ren Huang was so frightened that she retreated repeatedly, her legs showing signs of weakness.
The more he acted this way, the more suspicious Pang Yu became. He held lime powder in his left hand and the Fish Intestine Sword in his right, ready to strike at any moment.
Unexpected events often happen at times like these! "Bang!" A deafening crash suddenly echoed through the dungeon. Pang Yu's pupils dilated, as if frozen in place. His limbs stiffened instantly, unable to move. Ren Huang laughed, a lewd laugh, his eyes glancing towards the door. "I told you the dungeon was full, but you didn't believe me. Look, another one's been brought in." Pang Yu stared intently at the man being escorted in by the guards. "Bang!" He slammed his foot heavily on the cell door, rushing forward and grabbing at the iron bars, wishing he could break free! "Ren Youxian, what are you doing here? Ah! You bastard!!!" He kicked with all his might. The entire cell shook. Ren Huang jumped in fright, and Ren Youxian trembled violently. He almost collapsed. Collapsed? I'm being kind by not knocking you down!!! Pang Yu practically lunged out to pin Ren Youxian down and kick him—if it weren't for the iron gate. "You damn bastard! If it weren't for this scoundrel's tattling, would all this have happened? Rongrong, Yunyun, my good wife—I haven't been to any of them these past few days, and now he's come in alone, leaving Xiuxiang all alone in the mansion! It's all this bastard's fault!!!" His burning rage made Ren Youxian look like he wanted to devour someone, terrifying him so much that his legs trembled uncontrollably, and he looked like he was about to wet himself. His cell was right across from Pang Yu's, and despite the two iron bars separating them, the guy was terrified, crying and begging to get out, but no one paid him any attention. The guards responsible for escorting him shut the door and left, leaving him alone in his cell howling. Pang Yu appeared furious, but he had been secretly watching Ren Huang. Sure enough, the guy was hiding nearby, observing him furtively, his eyes darting around, his fearful gaze never leaving their side. "This kid needs to be watched!" Pang Yu calmed down and asked Ren Youxian, "Hey, weren't you the one who complained? How come you're locked up too?" "I..." Ren Youxian was still trembling, but dared not not answer, "I... Yesterday, Judge Bao interrogated me, asking about the case that happened that day. He just called me in for questioning again, and then... he said there were doubts about the case, and he's going to detain me and retry me another day... I told you the truth, sob----sob----" He touched his nose and started crying. The truth my ass! Pang Yu really wanted to curse. The truth? The truth was that I led people to your house to burn, kill, and plunder? Kill your parents? Steal your wife? The truth my ass, the truth my ass!!! If Ren Huang hadn't been there, Pang Yu might have impulsively thrown a silver brick at him. But with this guy around... he had to endure it, what else could he do! The cunning uncle had made it clear—"The cat that truly knows how to catch mice doesn't usually meow," don't think that just because Zhao Yunbi didn't intervene, he didn't do anything! In the cold underground prison, more than ten hours passed in a flash. Ren Youxian seemed to be a true professional mourner, spending half the day crying—first his father, then his mother, then his wife. Then his wife, then his younger sister, then his daughter, and so on…over and over again, longer than Wu Dalang crying for Pan Jinlian—no, longer than Pan Jinlian crying for Wu Dalang. Well, with his incessant wailing, neither of them could sleep. And if they couldn't sleep, they wouldn't have to worry about Ren Huang causing trouble. Pang Yu, who had once climbed over the wall to skip school for seventeen consecutive nights, only dozing off during English class, could easily sleep through the night without anyone calling him, like it was child's play. But unexpectedly, Ren Huang was also in exceptionally good spirits, pulling him aside to chat about this and that, talking about all sorts of lewd things, showing no signs of fatigue. Birds of a feather flock together, Pang Yu was happy to play along, though he remained wary. Always prepared to masturbate. Uh, I mean, to defend himself. Time ticked by, and it was almost noon on the fourth day. Pang Yu was growing increasingly agitated. They'd agreed to be back in three to five days when they were arrested. This was already the fourth day, and instead of being released, they were being held deeper and deeper into the prison. The most shameless thing was that they weren't even providing enough food; each time it was just a small basket, barely enough to fill the stomachs of the three of them. Fourth Brother was an upright man, and also very proud; he wouldn't do something as tasteless as pointing a sword at someone and yelling, "Leave the food, I want some!" So, his stomach was growling, his limbs were weak, and he was mentally exhausted, watching his strength dwindle without any recourse. Starvation, damn it, was the most effective form of torture! Pang Yu guessed that this was most likely the work of the cunning uncle; otherwise, while Bao Zheng was fair and impartial to the point of being almost perverse, he wouldn't deliberately torture prisoners. As for Zhao Yunbi being the mastermind… humph, did he have that kind of ability? The Imperial Concubine, the Grand Tutor's Mansion, the Grand Commandant's Mansion, the Prince of Dongping's Mansion, and the officials of Grand Tutor Pang's faction scattered throughout the court and the countryside—all united to put pressure on the prison. Which jailer dared to collude with him and deliberately make things difficult for Fourth Brother? While silently grumbling about the shameless and immoral uncle, with a loud "bang," the dungeon door opened again. Pang Yu looked closely and was overjoyed! Holy crap , weren't these the clothes of servants from the Grand Tutor's Mansion? They were carrying two food baskets ! Oh my god. That face was so familiar. Of the hundreds of servants in the mansion, besides Chuixue and Wanrendi, Fourth Brother, with his forgetful nature, had never forgotten him. —That day in the woodshed, across the haystack, he and the maid had an affair, staging a erotic drama in front of Ding Yuehua—his acting skills were worthy of a Japanese AV Oscar! "Fourth Brother!" Pang Dayou was even more excited than Pang Yu. Upon seeing him, he dropped his food basket and rushed over, grabbing the iron bars and shaking them wildly. "It's good you're alright, it's good you're alright! We were so worried about you!" "Worried about you my ass! Quickly, bring the basket over! Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!" Pang Yu could smell the aroma of the basket from afar. Having only eaten one bowl of rice all day, his stomach was growling with hunger. He didn't care about his image anymore and kicked Pang Dayou, sending him sprawling on his back. Pang Dayou was actually pleased to be kicked—being kicked by Fourth Brother meant he was being treated well! He readily agreed, quickly picked up the food basket, and handed it in with a beaming smile (the cell had a pass-through hole). The food sent from the Pang family was, of course, exceptional. Both food baskets were filled with delicacies personally prepared by Chef Long Kunbao of Yuluxiang Restaurant. Although the ingredients couldn't compare to the finest dishes like minced meat and sashimi or bear's lip at his father-in-law's house, this was about filling one's stomach, not judging cuisine. Being full was the priority. For example, the roast chicken in the left basket—Pang Yu tore off a leg and gnawed on it, thinking it tasted even better than the wild camel's hoof at the cunning uncle's house. "Come, come, Brother Ren, stop drooling, eat, eat, eat, let's eat together." As a cultured, well-mannered, and ethical servant, Pang Yu generously tore off half a chicken to share with him, though he had already stuffed the plump chicken leg into his own mouth. Ren Huang's eyebrows twitched, but he didn't take it. "Take it, don't be so polite. There are only a few of us here, no one will see if we eat improperly." Ren Huang snatched it and started eating. "Hey you over there... Ren Youxian, come on over, come on over—Dayou. Give him some too." Pang Yu was quite generous, inviting Ren Youxian to eat with him. What else could he do? Hold a grudge, seek revenge, and not share with him? What if he starved to death? If they caught that tall, fat guy impersonating him, who would identify Ren Youxian after he was killed? This guy was the only witness!

So even though he wanted to strangle him, Pang Yu still had Pang Dayou send over a portion of
the food. However, there was only one pot of wine, the finest Osmanthus Wine, which he kept for himself and Ren Huang to enjoy. "By the way, why are you the one bringing the food? Where's Chuixue? Where's Wanrendi?" Pang Yu asked while eating.
"Brother Ximen was called out by Third Master and Fourth Master (Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai), apparently to discuss something… the Great Song… some weekly magazine, and the matter of getting Fourth Brother out of prison. Brother Wan went with them. I heard… hey. I heard Yan'er say that Madam is very compassionate and cares about us servants in the manor. Knowing that Fourth Brother was arrested, she was quite worried, afraid you'd suffer some injustice inside, so I volunteered…"
Volunteer my foot! You saw an opportunity to flatter me and quickly sent food to curry favor. Did you think Fourth Brother didn't know that Yan'er was the girl you were having an affair with!
Pang Yu, too lazy to even despise him, asked again, "Where's Xiuxiang? How is Xiuxiang?"
"Miss Di...Miss Di, she..." Pang Dayou stammered.
"What's wrong? Tell me quickly!" Pang Yu rushed over, grabbing the fence and shaking it frantically. His concern was palpable.
Ren Huang was engrossed in eating chicken, his lewd eyes occasionally glancing at him.
"Miss Di moved in with the Third Madam, I can't see her." Pang Dayou's face fell, ashamed that he couldn't answer his fourth brother's question, "But I heard..."
"Heard what?"
"Miss Di is worried about her younger brother...and you, Fourth Brother, you've lost weight!"
"Bang!" Pang Yu, heartbroken, kicked the fence hard. Pang Dayou and Ren Youxian, who was engrossed in eating opposite him, nearly jumped up in fright.
"Hey, little brother, little brother, don't be angry." Having finished the half-eaten roast chicken without a leg, Ren Huang burped and reached over with his right hand, taking another bite of pork knuckle. "Since you're here, make the best of it. Judge Bao is a brilliant judge. Your case will surely be solved soon."
Solve my foot! Zhao Shiqing was castrated by me, and Fourth Brother would admit it anywhere! The only problem is that Judge Bao won't dare to pursue the case! What crime did this commoner girl commit? Exile! When that bastard Zhao Yunbi framed my lord for stealing that guy's wife and sister, he kept shouting about killing Pang Yu to appease public anger. Now that it's his turn, hmph, he doesn't dare utter a single fart! Pang Yu grew increasingly furious, his throat nearly dry from shouting. He grabbed the wine jug, intending to gulp it down,
but only managed half a mouthful before it was gone—Ren Huangren, a lecherous and greedy man, had secretly downed several cups while Pang Yu was questioning Pang Youxian, further enraging him. He smashed the wine jug on the ground.
"Bang!" The porcelain jug shattered into pieces. Pang Youxian's legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground in fright. Ren Youxian swayed and simply fell to the ground as well.
"Hey, hey, don't be such a coward, get up, get up!" Pang Yu called out, but there was no response. Looking closer, he saw Ren Youxian clutching his stomach, his face contorted in pain, rolling around on the ground.
"What's wrong? What happened?!" Pang Yu was shocked and shouted from a distance, but Ren Youxian could only groan and couldn't even speak. He suddenly looked at Pang Dayou and saw that the man's face was pale and he was backing away, supporting himself on the ground! "
You bastard, you poisoned the food?!"
Pang Yu had just cursed a couple of times when he suddenly realized something was wrong.
The food Ren Youxian ate was from the same plate as him and Ren Huang, so how come he was the only one who was down while the other two were... He turned to look at Ren Huang, who was also looking at him. Both of them were fine, without any problems.
"Hehe...hehehe...hahahahahahaha----" Pang Dayou suddenly laughed, a strange laugh with a kind of hysterical madness, "Poison you...poison you...hahaha...hahahaha..." He
had definitely been bribed!
Pang Yu felt a chill run down
his spine. What nonsense about Chuixue being called away by Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai!
He was bribed by Zhao Yunbi to send in poisoned food to kill him!
After realizing this, he was more shocked than anything else.
Both of them ate it, so why are they both fine?!
"Hehehe... ah hehehehehehe... hehe..."
Ren Youxian clutched his throat, coughing up large amounts of blood, his eyes rolling back, his breathing gradually weakening.
Pang Dayou's eyes were unfocused, as if he had gone mad. Suddenly, he lunged forward, grabbed the iron bars, and laughed loudly inside: "Hahahaha, you surnamed Ren, you're poisoned, poisoned, you won't live much longer... hahahaha..."
Ren Youxian looked at him in despair, his expression filled with resentment and venom. He wanted to pounce on him and fight to the death, but his strength was gradually drained from his body with the gushing blood. In the end, he couldn't even utter a dry "hehehe" anymore. His body convulsed uncontrollably, his hands and feet clenching and flexing, his whole body gradually bending into a bow shape.
"My lord summoned me to kill you... Hahaha..." Pang Dayou laughed maniacally, his face trembling uncontrollably, gesturing wildly as if he were on drugs, his words even becoming slurred, "You're dead... Hahahaha... The Li Family Village case... without witnesses... can't identify the murderer... Hahahaha..."
Lord Marquis, you son of a bitch!!! Marquis Anle... I'm right here!!!
Pang Yu almost cursed, but then his peripheral vision caught sight of the shattered wine bottle on the ground, and a chill ran through him.
He understood, he understood everything!
The food was poisoned, but the wine contained the antidote. Zhao Yunbi knew he would save the wine for himself, so the poison didn't kill him... And Ren Youxian... Think about it, the people from the Grand Tutor's mansion brought in the food, the servants ate it without incident, but Ren Youxian died. Wasn't it Marquis Anle who ordered the poisoning and murder to cover it up... Caught red-handed, the Li Family Village case naturally falls back on Marquis Anle!
As a servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion, and one of the few survivors who escaped the poisoning, no one would believe his testimony. And the so-called "truth"... if Pang Dayou, who delivered the food, were also dead, wouldn't everything be left to Ren Huang, who had been imprisoned beforehand to "witness" this scene...
to decide?!
Pang Yu suddenly realized this.
Just then, Pang Dayou, who was laughing wildly, suddenly stiffened and fell straight down.

Chapter 112 The Poisonous Plot Succeeds

Pang Yu stood frozen in place, his body ice-cold, his heart feeling as if he had plummeted from the highest heavens to the deepest depths of hell. And
it was Zhao Yunbi, the lowest of the eighteen levels of hell
—he wouldn't act unless he was truly ruthless, but when he did, he would be utterly destroyed!
All along, Pang Yu had been cautiously wary of Ren Huang, never letting his guard down for a second since Ren Huang entered. Even while drinking and eating chicken, Pang Yu's hand was always ready to draw a knife!
But he was wrong, completely wrong!
Because Ren Huang didn't need any connection to Zhao Yunbi, he could genuinely be a servant of the Princess's residence. All he needed to do was recount what he saw.
That was enough for everyone to believe that the Marquis of Anle had murdered him to cover it up, enough to completely reverse the previously overwhelming majority in favor of the Crown Prince's faction, making Zhao Yunbi innocent and Pang Yu guilty!
Ren Huang was merely a decoy, a manipulated decoy, or rather, just a tool to attract Pang Yu's attention, exhaust his energy, and make him preoccupied with his suspicions. Seeing Pang Yu, he would be less suspicious, and after a few simple questions, Pang Yu would consider him one of his own!
Pang Yu was filled with regret.
The cunning uncle had clearly warned him, yet he still fell for it…
Ren Huang slumped to the ground, his face pale, probably terrified.
A mere servant of the Princess's residence. What knowledge could he possibly have? Two lives! Living and breathing. Right before his eyes. Gone in the blink of an eye. How could he not be afraid?!
“Young brother. What… what… what happened… he… he ate something… I… we…”
Ren Huang’s hands trembled. His body shook. His face was as white as paper.
“Young brother. Young brother. What do we do? What… what do we do?” He lunged forward, his oil-soaked hands clutching Pang Yu’s sleeve. His face was filled with panic. He was almost crying. “Will we die… will we die? My poor, beautiful wife…”
This is the expert I’ve always been wary of!
Pang Yu really wanted to kill him. “Swish---” The Fish Intestine Sword was drawn without hesitation.
A cold light suddenly flashed in the dimly lit cell, blinding Ren Huang, who instinctively shrank back.
“Young brother… no, big brother, big brother! What are you doing? Don’t kill me! I didn’t see anything, really, I really don’t know anything…”
Without a second’s hesitation, the Fish Intestine Sword slashed down from the sky.
" Aaaaaaahh
... His crime of "castrating a member of the imperial family" was already a serious offense, punishable at the very least by exile and military service, or, if punished further... beheading, or even worse, immediate execution without waiting for the autumn harvest. Therefore, he wouldn't use the Fish Gut Sword unless in a critical situation; using it would be a do-or-die situation. But now, he had no choice but to take a desperate gamble! Pang Yu rushed out, heading straight for Pang Dayou and helping him up. "Dayou, why did you betray me? Who told you to do this!" Pang Yu shouted, partly to get to the bottom of things, and partly to ensure that Ren Huang behind them could hear. He didn't want the testimony to be completely one-sided during Bao Zheng's interrogation. Pang Dayou was barely breathing. But perhaps due to a final burst of energy, his consciousness cleared. "Fourth...Fourth Brother, I...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Prince Zhao...the Prince of Beihai arrested my whole family...forced me...to bring food in...harmed you...otherwise...otherwise...they would have killed them...and sold my little sister to...a brothel...she's only eleven years old, Fourth Brother...I'm so sorry..." Pang Dayou was in tears, whether from regret for harming Pang Yu or from hatred for not being able to save his family. "Bang!" Pang Yu slammed his fist on the ground, venting his anger. "Fourth Brother, I...I..." Pang Dayou's eyes gradually dimmed, blood seeping from his seven orifices, but one hand gripped him tightly, "Please, help me tell Yan'er, I...I really like her...I want to marry her, but...I can't abandon my family...abandon my sister...The Prince of Beihai gave me one hundred strings of cash...I didn't touch a single penny...I saved it all...to treat my parents' illnesses...I...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry, Lord Marquis...I'm so sorry..." His head lolled to the side, and he died instantly, but his eyes were still wide open. Pang Yu knew he died with his eyes wide open, so he bent down and wiped them with his hand. This man had ruined him, causing him to face a completely one-sided crisis. But Pang Yu didn't hate Pang Dayou at all; he even decided to rescue his family at all costs, providing excessive, double the compensation, sending people to treat his parents properly, and taking care of his poor sister… so that Pang Dayou could rest in peace in the afterlife! Zhao Yunbi, you have guts! You 've been holding back for so long, just to bribe the people around me, devising such a vicious scheme! Pang Yu stood up, his eyes flashing with fierce flames. Pang Dayou's manipulation by Zhao Yunbi certainly hadn't been a recent development; there were likely many more servants in the Grand Tutor's mansion who, for various reasons, had become pawns of the Prince's faction. If it weren't for his strict prohibition against anyone except Chuixue and Wanrendi entering Chunmanyuan to conceal his identity, his every word and action might have already been exposed to Zhao Yunbi's surveillance. A cat that catches mice doesn't meow. That's absolutely right. Since the Kaifeng incident, Zhao Yunbi hasn't made a single public appearance. While he does nothing publicly, he's been secretly plotting, scheming, and using underhanded tactics, engaging in countless shameless acts to gradually pull the advantage back to the Prince's faction. He doesn't act unless he's absolutely sure of it, and when he does, he completely turns the tables! This is Zhao Yunbi's true method. Pang Yu turned back to look at Ren Youxian, who was already dead, manipulated from beginning to end, and died without ever understanding what was happening. His eyes suddenly narrowed. " The one who killed me is Marquis Anle!" Beside his body, six large characters were clearly written in blood. Ren Youxian's last words, written with his last breath, were his death message! Pang Yu was stunned, a wave of despair washing over him, like being surrounded on all sides and pushed off a precipice. How could he let such a thing live? He became enraged, grabbed his Fish Gut Sword, and rushed forward, trying to smash open the cell door and erase these words that would condemn him to certain death. But it was too late… The dungeon doors suddenly opened, and countless jailers surged in like a tide. This, of course, was also arranged by Zhao Yunbi beforehand. Chapter 113 Death Row “My lord! The cause of death of Director Ku Youxian in the Li Family Village massacre has been determined!” In the Kaifeng Prefecture Hall, Song Cizu, the Chief Justice of the Capital Region, looked at Bao Zheng with a serious expression. “Speak quickly!” “This matter…” Song Cizu paused slightly, looked at the bailiffs standing on both sides, and Pang Yu, who was tied up like a dumpling with more than a dozen ropes, “This matter is of great importance. Please, Lord Bao, dismiss everyone so that I can speak clearly.” “Speak freely.” Bao Zheng waved his hand. It seems that this guy’s integrity has gone awry. He thinks that nothing needs to be hidden and can be laid out casually. "Please, Lord Bao, dismiss the yamen runners!" Song Cizu repeated. As the most capable, technically skilled, and experienced judicial officer of the Song Dynasty, he was a man of considerable influence. If it weren't for the Emperor's decree to concentrate the most elite forces in the capital to cooperate with Kaifeng Prefecture in investigating the Li Family Village massacre, Song Cizu, with his reputation for being arrogant, would probably have already walked away. "Judge Song, speak frankly. I have no secrets to hide in my investigations!" Bao Zheng's already charcoal-like face darkened further. He stubbornly insisted on his so-called "fairness." He cursed his ancestor Pang Yu, but unfortunately, his mouth was stuffed with two rags, and he couldn't utter a word. Song Cizu remained expressionless and coldly said, "This matter involves the private affairs of the Imperial Household. Please, Lord Bao, dismiss everyone!" Bao Zheng still didn't give the order. "Otherwise, if word gets out, it may damage the dignity of our Great Song Dynasty! " Bao Zheng's expression finally changed. "Judge Song, are you serious?" "Lord Bao doesn't have to believe me."

Bao Zheng's face darkened further. He waved his hand: "Step back. You all." His gaze turned to Pang Yu, who was bound hand and foot. "You. Stay. Hear with your own ears what Chief Censor Song has deduced. I want you to be convinced and not deny it anymore!"
"Lord Bao, I'll stay too. I'm an eyewitness. I can testify." Ren Huang jumped up and down in the back, shouting excitedly. He looked like a lewd person, purely curious and wanting to watch the show. They were in the same cell. Pang Yu was tied up like a dumpling, while he was perfectly fine. And Bao Zheng actually agreed. He nodded, allowing him to listen in. "Now you can speak."
The empty hall was left with only four people. Bao Zheng patiently said again in a deep voice.
"Ren Youxian died of poisoning." Song Cizu answered cleanly.
Nonsense, everyone knows that!
Stared at by three pairs of eyes, Song Cizu remained unhurried and slowly said: "Based on the judgment of the deceased's body..." Based on the witness testimonies, the deceased suffered severe stomach pain after consuming food brought by another deceased person, namely Pang Dayou, a servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion. This caused uncontrollable convulsions, leading to him collapsing and vomiting blood. During this time, his head and feet were bent like a bow, sometimes swaying forward and sometimes backward, until finally his head and feet intertwined, resulting in death, resembling a tethered loom. Therefore, I believe the poison he was given was…”
Song Cizu took a deep breath, as if making a great decision, and under immense pressure, he barely managed to say, “The poison… was a tethered loom.”
“A tethered loom!?” Bao Zheng leaned on the table and suddenly stood up.
“You mean the poison that Emperor Taizong used to poison Li Yu… cough, the tethered loom that caused Li Yu’s death?”
“Exactly. A tethered loom is a secret palace medicine, extremely difficult for ordinary people to obtain, so…” Song Cizu glanced at Pang Yu, his expression becoming more solemn than ever before. He took a step towards Bao Zheng and said in a low voice, “Lord Bao, I am not exaggerating.” Emperor Taizu poisoned Li Yu, the last emperor of the Southern Tang dynasty, causing widespread controversy and resentment among the people of Jiangzhe, a former territory of the Southern Tang, nearly leading to a catastrophe. Now, the massacre at Li Family Village has shaken the entire city, and everyone in the capital is watching closely. If they learn that the poison has been used again, and the victim has died tragically… Lord Bao, if this matter leaks out, the consequences will be unimaginable. Not only will our Great Song imperial family lose face, but if some people instigate it, it could lead to a popular uprising…”
“Chief Judge Song!” Bao Zheng interrupted him. Out of the corner of his eye, he was looking at Ren Huang, probably afraid that he might know something he shouldn’t, and that it would get out and cause uncontrollable consequences—well, Pang Yu couldn’t escape anyway, and the dead wouldn’t say a word.
“Are you sure Ren Youxian was poisoned with the poison?” "Bao Zheng asked each question with utmost caution.
Emperor Cizu of Song replied solemnly, 'Nothing in prison is more serious than capital punishment; nothing in capital punishment is more important than the initial investigation; and nothing in the initial investigation is more important than the examination. I, Cizu, have dedicated my life to criminal justice for thirty-seven years without a single mistake. If Ren Youxian's death was not caused by a trigger mechanism, I, Cizu, am willing to relinquish my official hat and
appear before the Emperor to plead guilty!' Hearing his resolute tone, Bao Zheng felt a pang of embarrassment. 'Chief Judge Song… well, Chief Judge Song has served as an official for many years, with clear judgment in hearing cases and decisive action. I have long admired him. But as far as I know, although the Imperial Palace has a storehouse specifically for storing various poisons sent as tribute every three years from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Sichuan, His Majesty, being wise, has stated that these were used to kill disloyal officials in previous dynasties. If an envoy truly has an unforgivable crime, he should be punished according to the law. How could such a trigger mechanism poison have leaked out and ended up in Ren Youxian's food?'" "
Emperor Cizu glanced sideways at Pang Yu: "In the whole world, if there is one person besides the Emperor who is most likely to obtain the secret weapon, then it must be..."
"It must be Consort Pang." The lewd Ren Huang interrupted.
"Bullshit!" Pang Yu finally spat out the rag and shouted, "Ren, use your brain! If it was Consort Pang... Consort Pang who stole it, wouldn't my Marquis be planning to poison me too!"
"Killing someone to silence them, killing you too, that would truly leave no evidence." Ren Huang, whether he had taken the wrong medicine or what, inexplicably jumped to Zhao Yunbi's side.
"Didn't you hear Pang Dayou's dying words?"
"I heard them, he spoke in fits and starts, talking about his sister and his parents."
"He also said that he was coerced by Zhao Yunbi to send poisoned food to poison us!" "
I..." Ren Huang shrank back, still looking shaken. "I was too scared at the time, hiding in the cell and didn't hear clearly, but I know that the victim wrote it clearly before he died—'The one who killed me is Marquis Anle!'"
Pang Yu couldn't explain that he was Marquis Anle, that he was just bored and had someone send him food mixed with a tether to masturbate, cough, poison himself. He could only tell the truth and try to make Ren Huang realize the truth.
"I am the Marquis's most valued servant. He couldn't possibly kill me."
"Tch—once the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; once the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked. He valued you before because you were useful, but now that you're no longer. Why not just kill you to end it all and save on your monthly salary?"
"The case has nothing to do with my Marquis. The one being questioned is Zhao Yunbi!"
"Killing someone in advance to prevent unforeseen circumstances, Marquis Anle's move is brilliant."
"The food was indeed poisoned, but the antidote is in the wine. Drinking the wine will make you fine. " "
Hmm, you're from the Grand Tutor's mansion, so naturally you know this. That's why you hoarded the wine pot and drank it all by yourself, refusing to share with anyone else. I only managed to survive by secretly sucking a few sips." Ren Huang seemed truly shameless. He was the one who stole the wine, yet he blamed it all on Pang Yu. "Oh, and also, if you had died from the poison this time, people might have thought... uh, two of Anle Marquis's men died in one go, so it definitely wasn't him who did it. They would have become even more suspicious of the Prince of Beihai, which is why Anle Marquis could have done it." Damn it
, how could anyone twist the truth like this!?
Pang Yu wanted to slap this lewd little mustache guy to death. "Criminal Pang Si. You say that the poison wasn't administered by Anle Marquis, do you have any evidence?"
"Yes, there is. The antidote for the poison was in the wine pot. When Chief Judge Song investigated..." Pang Yu stopped halfway through his sentence, smashing the wine pot to pieces in a fit of anger. What investigation ?
Especially since Chief Judge Song had already taken over the matter: "Those poisoned by the poison will surely die, there is no antidote." "
Then why am I fine after eating it?"
"You weren't poisoned, were you?" Ren Huang rolled his eyes.
"What!?"
Ren Huang continued to mock him: "There are two food baskets, one with poisonous food and one without. You must have given the poisonous one to Ren Youxian and kept the non-poisonous one for yourself."
Pang Yu was almost furious and shouted: "Ren, did you eat everything in both baskets? Yes, the roast chicken, the roast chicken was from Ren Youxian's basket."
"I was so busy eating that I don't remember anything, I only remember that you stole my half of the roast chicken. You shameless bastard!" Ren Youxian jumped up and down cursing. His two little mustaches curled up and down, he was simply disgusting.
You shameless bastard
! Pang Yu was almost going crazy! He wanted to pounce on him and stab him twice.
"Slap!" Bao Zheng slammed his gavel again. Standing up, he pointed his spear and shouted, "Ren Youxian's death was caused by the poison of the 'Qianji' (a type of poison used in traditional Chinese medicine). The poison of the 'Qianji' is only found in the Imperial Palace. Food laced with the poison was delivered to the prison by Pang Dayou, a servant of the Grand Tutor's household. All this evidence points to Marquis Anle. Pang Si, what else do you have to say!"
"Bao the Blackie, didn't you see that Pang Dayou, who delivered the food, is also dead? There must be something wrong here!"
"The problem is that Marquis Anle wanted to kill you to silence you, but you were lucky enough to escape." Bao Zheng's face was grim. He stroked his beard and sighed, "Alas, what a pitiful man, being used as a pawn by his master and still defending him in court."
"Lord Bao!" Emperor Cizu of Song walked to the table, leaned over, and lowered his voice, "To protect the dignity of our Great Song Dynasty, the matter of the 'Qianji' must not be leaked." In my humble opinion, Ren Youxian's death should be attributed to the Miao-style poison, the Heart-Corroding Powder. It was likely that one of his servants, Da Pang, was poisoned by it
. This poison initially causes no symptoms, but after a certain period of time, it suddenly takes effect, causing the poisoned person to become delirious, laugh uncontrollably, and eventually die. Bao Zheng pondered without speaking.
"Lord Bao, please reconsider. This matter not only concerns the national system but also involves the private affairs of the inner palace. If you judge impartially without any concealment, I fear..."
*Crack!* The gavel slammed down for the third time, Bao Zheng seemingly unfazed by the fatigue in his hand.
"Guards! Take Pang Yu to the death row! Sentencing will be announced at a later date!" The voice was deafening, easily carrying throughout half of Kaifeng Prefecture. The yamen runners, like wolves and tigers, rushed in.
Emperor Song Cizu's face paled instantly: "Lord Bao, you!"
"Take him to the death row! No one is allowed to visit him!"
"Stop disturbing me, Chief Judge Song! I will go to the palace immediately to see the Emperor and request His Majesty's judgment!"
Pang Yu sat inside, having lost count of how many times he had heard this commotion.
The Kaifeng Prefecture death row, a place that Wu Gongzheng, when he was prefect, could buy his way out for a hundred strings of cash; but from the very first day Bao Zheng took over as prefect...
entering here meant certain death!
Yes, that's how history has been. No criminal sentenced to death by Bao Zheng has ever escaped execution. This applies to Chen Shimei, the son of Prince Chai, and even the Empress Dowager was forced to hang herself.
Pang Yu's imprisonment is practically a death sentence.
Zhao Yunbi's move was ruthless and vicious. He sacrificed Pang Yu alone to completely overturn the situation, shifting the blame for the Li Family Village case entirely onto the Marquis of Anle. Add to that the fact that his fourth brother castrated the Prince of Anding, and the palace's attempt to cover up the truth about the "tethering" incident—if his fourth brother were truly just a servant in the Grand Tutor's mansion, no matter how favored or valued by his master, he would have met
a gruesome end! He doesn't act unless he's sure of a kill.
That's Zhao Yunbi!
Pang Yu was imprisoned, awaiting his death sentence.
The empty death row cell held only him; he remained silent, and the surroundings were deathly quiet. It seems even Bao Zheng is overwhelmed by these two major cases that shook the capital and were ordered to be handled strictly by imperial decree. He has no energy or time to solve other cases, nor can he arrest a few death row inmates to keep his fourth brother company.
It's the fifth day now, and the day he agreed to meet Xiu Xiang has arrived.
Pang Yu is desperate to get out. He doesn't care about the consequences of escaping, or the additional sentence if his crimes are proven. He just wants to see Xiu Xiang as soon as possible and stop her from worrying. He can forget everything else! If only he had thought
this way earlier.
Pang Yu pounded on the iron bars of the door, filled with regret.
When he was locked in the death row, he was forced to wear a prison uniform with a large "prisoner" written on it.
So, the lime powder was gone, the silver bricks were gone, and the Fish Intestine Sword was gone too. In this heavily guarded and heavily fortified death row, how could he possibly get out empty-handed!
"Bang!" Pang Yu kicked the door, venting his anger.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" Pang Yu grew increasingly enraged, kicking the subway railing repeatedly without warning. The railing vibrated loudly, then snapped open with a "crack!"
Pang Yu looked at his feet in confusion.
Was this a joke? Had Fourth Brother never practiced martial arts? He'd kicked open the cell with just a few kicks…
Regardless of whether it was a joke or not, Pang Yu was determined to escape, following in the footsteps of Michael and Lincoln, heading towards freedom and ideals… Bah! Freedom my foot! He'd go out, return to the Grand Tutor's mansion to see Xiu Xiang, and then, damn it, gather his henchmen to escort him back to Kaifeng, reveal his identity, and expose Zhao Yunbi's entire conspiracy.
No one was stupid enough to think that Marquis Anle had lost his mind, ordering his men to bring in a poisoned rice dish to kill him.
That's settled then, time to get out!
Pang Yu had just made up his mind, and before he could even slip out, "bang!" the prison door opened.
Damn it, why now of all times?
From afar, Pang Yu saw two figures peeking through the door. Without a doubt, another death row inmate had been brought in.
Without hesitation, he darted out, fists raised, ready for hand-to-hand combat.
"Who's brought in here? To be Fourth Brother's cellmate? Don't you know what's good for you? Bringing in any gifts?" he shouted, trying to cover his footsteps.
"Just a prison visit. I didn't come to this death row to keep you company."
A cold laugh rang out; it was Zhao Yunbi speaking.

(Chapter 114: Dungeon Inducement, Wolfish Ambition

) "Pang Si, Pang Si, you really have a death wish."
Outside the cell, Zhao Yunbi watched him with a smile. Inside, although Fourth Brother wasn't fully bound, his neck was shackled and his legs were bound, rendering him immobile.
"The crime of castrating the Prince has just been confirmed, and you dare to attempt a prison break? One death isn't enough, is it?"
Pang Yu said expressionlessly.
"Didn't Lord Bao order that no one is allowed to visit me? How come you, Prince... Oh, right, you managed to get a ticket even in the inner palace, let alone visit me in prison?"
Zhao Yunbi laughed.
"If you're trying to trick me, you're mistaken. There's no one else here. I've already sent jailers to guard the death row. No one else will hear our conversation."
Although he wished he could strangle Zhao Yunbi, Pang Yu tried his best to remain calm—at least verbally.
He couldn't move now, and getting angry would be useless. At most, Zhao Yunbi would just be watching the spectacle from behind the iron bars, so why get worked up—it wouldn't be worth hurting himself.
So, although it was clearly two mortal enemies exchanging barbs, there was no cursing, shouting, banging on the iron bars, or smashing the cell door. An outsider would have thought it was two close friends saying their final goodbyes before execution.
"Your Highness, did you come here specifically to find an environment where no one else could hear, so you could speak with Pang Si alone?" Zhao Yunbi clapped his hands and laughed, a wicked glint flashing in his eyes before disappearing.
"Speak your mind. Spit it out. I'm busy. Don't waste too much time without an appointment."
Zhao Yunbi glanced at him: "Don't worry. I only have one thing to say. I won't delay you from your death."
"What is it?"
Zhao Yunbi stared at him. He really only said one thing: "Boy. Do you want to live?"
"Live?" Pang Yu's mind raced. In an instant, he knew what Zhao Yunbi was planning.
"Yes, I do. I'm not a saint. I'm afraid of death."
"I have a way to keep you alive."
Pang Yu pretended to be surprised, then said dejectedly: "Your Highness is joking. I am currently being punished for multiple crimes." "Not only did he castrate the Prince of Anding, but he was also caught red-handed escaping from prison. Now he's dragged into the Li Family Village case, and he might even be implicated in the poisoning of Ren Youxian. If he's really sentenced, he'll probably have to die three or five times to atone for his crimes."
Zhao Yunbi smiled faintly: "I'll put in a good word for you with Shiqing, and I guarantee that he and the Prince of Chu won't pursue the matter any further. The prison break hasn't been reported yet, and the few guards who know about it can be bribed at any time to make it seem like nothing happened. As for the Li Family Village case and the poisoning of Ren Youxian..."
He looked at Pang Yu, a smile curving his lips: "You can report and expose them. You can atone for your crimes through meritorious service."
"Report to whom? Expose whom?"
Zhao Yunbi raised an eyebrow imperceptibly: "Of course, it's the Marquis of Anle."
"You want me to betray my master?"
"Hahaha!" Zhao Yunbi laughed loudly, "A wise man submits to circumstances. Between loyalty and survival, I think most people don't need to consider it."
“Uh, no need to consider.” Pang Yu started touching his nose.
“Great! You do as I say and report to Lord Bao, and I guarantee…”
Pang Yu interrupted him coldly, “I can tell you without needing to consider that I’m not going to betray the Marquis!” Right, betraying oneself would be the only option.
Zhao Yunbi was startled, clearly not expecting this servant to be so fearless, refusing him without even thinking at a time like this. However, being the leader of the Prince’s faction and a man of great importance, Zhao Yunbi hesitated for a second or two before reverting to his usual composed demeanor: “You’d better think this through. This is your last chance.”
“Fourth Brother has thought it through very well. I’m not doing this kind of thing!” Pang Yu glanced sideways at this prominent young master, who was at least second to none in the capital, and suddenly spat a mouthful of phlegm in his face from a distance.
If anyone saw this scene, they would be dumbfounded, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets. A mere servant dared to humiliate the leader of the Prince's faction like this? This wasn't just a matter of being tired of living; it was a case of someone with an insatiable thirst for torture, someone who wouldn't mind dying a thousand times over, someone who wanted to experience every form of torment and cruelty
imaginable. Zhao Yunbi's facial muscles twitched stiffly. Even with his deep-seated composure and ability to keep his emotions hidden, his face hardened. He had known this guy was lawless, but he never dreamed he would be so arrogant and domineering. This spitting was worse than a direct slap in the face!
"Your lover is named Di Xiuxiang. Right? You even castrated Shiqing for this woman, you must love her very much and cherish her dearly. Isn't that right?" Unexpectedly, Zhao Yunbi laughed again, only five seconds later. There was no anger, no humiliation, no significant emotional fluctuation, not even a calm tone of voice, like a joke between acquaintances. Pang Yu had witnessed his arrogance, his forbearance, and his ability to conceal his brilliance. This time... Pang Yu began to think he was somewhat like the Eighth Prince, his smile containing a hidden sharpness that sent chills down one's spine.
"What are you going to do?"
Zhao Yunbi took out a silk handkerchief and slowly and gently wiped the thick phlegm from his face. A wicked glint flashed in his eyes, and a cold smile played on his lips: "There are more than just Pang Da in the Grand Tutor's mansion who are willing to serve me. As for the traps from the palace, hehehe, there just happen to be some left."
"You're going to poison Xiuxiang!?" Pang Yu's breath caught in his throat, and he lunged at the iron bars.
Seeing his reaction, Zhao Yunbi knew he had the right leverage, and his smile grew increasingly sinister: "I told you, you're clever. See, you guessed it right away, impressive."
"I don't believe you dare to use it," Pang Yu replied coldly. "Oh, why?"
"You went to great lengths to pin the crimes of stealing the 'Qianji' and poisoning people on my Marquis. What if someone in the Grand Tutor's mansion also died because of this?" Pang Yu glared at him.
"Do you think that if I used the 'Qianji' a second time, it would be like playing with fire?" Zhao Yunbi laughed.
"You can try if you don't believe me. We'll fight to the death and see who's afraid of whom!"
"Alright, let's try." Zhao Yunbi stood up, turned, and walked out, laughing as he went. "I really don't believe it. A weak woodcutter was raped by Marquis Anle and unfortunately became pregnant with his child. To cover up his evil deeds, Marquis Anle had her poisoned. That doesn't make sense."
"You!"
"Don't worry, there's more than just Pang Da in the Grand Tutor's mansion who's willing to serve me. Getting a will or two, or getting someone to testify in Kaifeng Prefecture, is a piece of cake."
"Is it finished?" Outside the cell, Zhao Yunbi asked with a faint smile.
"Writing, writing." Forced to surrender to protect Xiuxiang from harm, Pang Yu was lying on the cell floor with pen and paper, writing a confession as Zhao Yunbi had demanded. The confession essentially accused Anle Hou of orchestrating all the conspiracies, including the massacre at Li Family Village, the poisoning of Ren Youxian, and ordering his subordinate Pang Si to castrate the Prince of Anding…
"Are you done yet? I've been waiting for you for half an hour," Zhao Yunbi urged impatiently. He could handle the jailers, but if Bao Zheng, in a fit of rage, came to interrogate Pang Yu, it would be troublesome.
"Oh dear. Haste makes waste. Just wait a bit, it'll be done soon." Pang Yu thought for a moment, then wrote a few strokes, then thought again, then wrote a few more, displaying the meticulousness of a literary master.
Finally, as Zhao Yunbi bided his time, waiting for the opportune moment, Pang Yu finished his masterpiece.
"Oh, it's done! Your inspiration flows like a spring, your writing flows like a god's!" Fourth Brother exclaimed, shaking his head in admiration, thrilled that he could produce such excellent writing after so many days of not writing.
"Let me see it." Zhao Yunbi quickly reached in and snatched it.
The current evidence wasn't enough to make Marquis Anle truly unforgivable; Pang Si's "confession" was the key to defeating the Crown Prince's faction. No wonder Zhao Yunbi was so impatient.
Upon receiving the confession, Zhao Yunbi initially couldn't contain his excitement. But when he looked down… he
was almost
driven mad with rage by what Fourth Brother had written in a flurry of strokes. What he had waited a full hour to produce was this: "
Let the heavy iron shackles rattle beneath my feet,
let you raise the whip high,
I need no confession,
even with a bloodstained sword at my chest!
A person cannot lower their noble head;
only cowards beg for 'freedom' from beasts.
What can torture and torture achieve?
Death cannot make me speak!"
I laughed out loud at death, and
the mansion of the Prince of Beihai trembled with my laughter;
this is my confession—the cultured, refined, and ethical servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion, Pang Sidi.
Singing triumphant songs, I bury the wicked Prince's faction.
Uh, it seems Fourth Brother didn't really do much. He just borrowed some revolutionary maxims and slightly modified them. Even
Zhao Yunbi, with his excellent self-control, turned pale with anger upon seeing this.
This is what he condescended to go to the Kaifeng Prefecture death row, using threats, negotiations, and discussions about the benefits and conditions of surrender. He talked until his throat was hoarse before getting what he got.
"Hey, whoever it is," Pang Yu called from inside, clearly addressing him, but before he would call him "Your Highness," how did it suddenly become "whoever it is"?
Disdain, contempt—it was all in the way he addressed him.
"Hey you, if you're upset after seeing this, don't tear it up! This is Fourth Brother's masterpiece; it's going to be published and make money later,"
Zhao Yunbi's stiff face twitched, his gaze unreadable, a mixture of anger and rage.
"You really...aren't you afraid I...will kill Di Xiuxiang?" He struggled to hold back, barely managing not to explode.
"Hey you, do you think I just entered the Grand Tutor's mansion today? My Grand Tutor has enemies everywhere, countless adversaries in the court. If the kitchen were so easily poisoned, would the Grand Tutor still be alive today?" Pang Yu picked his nose, looking disdainfully at the man who thought his scheme was about to succeed but had instead been outmaneuvered.
Threatening him with Xiuxiang? That was something only a fool would do.
Why? It's very simple. The former Marquis of Anle committed numerous evils, and his enemies were everywhere. The servants Grand Tutor Pang selected to serve his son at Chunman Garden were all extremely loyal. Otherwise, if the only heir of the Pang family were poisoned or assassinated, who would continue the Pang family line?
Di Xiuxiang now lives in Chunman Garden; if not 100% safe, at least 99.99999%. Otherwise, if Zhao Yunbi had the "secret weapon," he could have simply given it to the Marquis of Anle; why bother framing him?
Pang Yu wasn't worried about what Zhao Yunbi could do to Xiuxiang. He figured being in prison was boring enough, so he might as well play along and have some fun. Poor prince, thinking he'd pulled off a clever scheme. He could use this opportunity to harm Marquis Anle and wipe out the Crown Prince's faction in one fell swoop. But tragically, he'd been tricked, manipulated, and toyed with by Pang Yu, wasting so much time and torturing himself!
Zhao Yunbi threw down his "confession," stood up angrily, and walked silently towards the door.
"Hey, you there, leaving already? Won't you stay for a chat or some tea?" Pang Yu shouted after him, deliberately trying to provoke him—playing mind games with Fourth Brother would only make him suffer.
Zhao Yunbi took two steps and suddenly stopped. She half-turned and glanced coldly at him out of the corner of her eye: "The Emperor has already decreed that tomorrow the Three Judicial Offices will hold a joint trial to decide the cases of the assassination of the Li Family Village and the Prince of Anding. If I'm not mistaken, your fate will only have three words—immediate execution. Alright, cherish your last night of life. Tomorrow, the Marquis of Anle will be finished too, and there won't even be anyone to collect your corpse."
"Bang!" The door slammed shut, the echo reverberating in the death row.
The next day. The sky was high and the clouds were light, the air was crisp and refreshing—perfect weather for a romantic outing.
However, on such a fine day, no one in the city was in the mood to go out, because the largest public trial since the founding of the Song Dynasty was being held at Caishikou.
According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, in the trial of major and difficult cases, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate (which was renamed the Censorate in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty) would jointly try the cases, known as the Joint Trial by the Three Judicial Offices. The Ministry of Justice was one of the Six Ministries. The Three Judicial Offices (三司) were in charge of law and criminal justice. The Dali Temple (大理寺), equivalent to the modern Supreme Court, was originally the Court of Justice (廷尉) during the Qin and Han dynasties, but was renamed the Dali Temple during the Northern Qi dynasty,
a name retained throughout subsequent dynasties. It was responsible for adjudicating criminal cases. The Censorate (御史台) was the highest supervisory, impeachment, and advisory body. Previously, joint trials by the Three Judicial Offices (三司) were for extremely difficult and serious cases, often involving the deaths of hundreds of people or the embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of strings of cash. This time, however, it was merely a minor murder and robbery case in a village outside the city . In the four hundred prefectures
of the Song Dynasty, dozens of such cases occurred daily. Yet, it not only alarmed Emperor Renzong, who ordered the Three Judicial Offices to jointly investigate with the Kaifeng Prefecture. The imperial relatives, nobles, and officials of all ranks who came to observe the trial were incredibly distinguished! The Song Dynasty revered the left side as the most prestigious. The first seat on the left was occupied by the head of the imperial clan, the Eighth Prince, who was still carrying a golden whip. Opposite him, on the right, the first seat was reserved for a different person. No one dared to sit there, as Grand Tutor Pang was absent. Although Chancellor Lü Yijian held a high position, without the backing of imperial relatives, he could only sit in the second seat. Behind him were, in order, Yan Shu, the Vice Chancellor and Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; Gao Xingzhou, the Grand Commandant (Gao Ya's father); and Gao Ruona, the Censor-in -Chief…
In short, all the important officials of the court, except for Grand Tutor Pang and all the military generals, were present today.
Behind the Eighth Prince on the left, the second-ranking member of the imperial clan, Prince Zhen, Zhao Yuan, should have been seated. However, because Zhao Shiqing, who had been castrated by Pang Yu, was the son of Prince Chu, Zhao Shouxun, and Prince Chu was the most prominent victim in both cases, he was chosen to sit in the second seat. From the moment he sat down, he kept shouting that he wanted to kill Pang Si to avenge his son. The Eighth Prince, annoyed, snorted, took out his golden whip, and placed it on his lap. Instantly, all the princes behind him fell silent.
On the high platform erected in the center, two tables were arranged in a row, with Bao Zheng seated in the middle, flanked by Kong Daofu, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Song Qi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Zhang Fangping, the Censor-in-Chief.
Eight thousand imperial guards formed three concentric circles, protecting the entire execution ground and preventing the massive crowds—at least one hundred thousand—from disrupting the trial due to their agitation.
"Bring in the prisoner!"
With everything prepared, Bao Zheng slammed his gavel, and the bound and gagged Pang Yu was brought in.
"Fourth Brother—" a hurried cry rang out from the crowd; it was Chuixue and Wanrendi.
Well, these two still had some conscience.
Not seeing Di Xiuxiang brought Pang Yu a slight sense of relief.
No matter what, he couldn't let Xiuxiang come to the scene and worry about him, right?
As for his fate… no, fate is a derogatory term; to be precise, as for his destiny, Pang Yu wasn't worried at all
. He saw the cunning uncle approaching with a golden whip. He knew it was prepared for him. If he were truly sentenced to immediate execution, once this thing was revealed, even the most ruthless and impartial Bao Zheng wouldn't be able to touch a hair on his head.
Even if the cunning uncle didn't help, he had his own trump card:
revealing his identity.
As mentioned before, as long as he stood up and admitted that he was the Marquis of Anle, Zhao Yunbi's hard-won situation, his elaborate schemes of framing and pinning down, would all be ruined in an instant.
Because no one would be foolish enough to send their subordinates to deliver poisoned food to kill themselves.
The Marquis of Anle was a playboy, but he wasn't that stupid.
In this way, the conclusions about the deaths of Ren Youxian and Pang Dayou would be completely overturned. What crime could he have committed?
The only consequence of revealing his identity was that his ruthless father would severely punish him when he returned to the manor, and he would never again be able to approach and flirt with Nangong Qinyi, Zou Xiyun, and Ding Yuehua as a lowly servant. Therefore, the fourth brother wouldn't do this until the very last moment before his death.
After Emperor Renzong's decree was read aloud, the public trial began.
Although the positions of the Grand Justice Kong Daofu, the Vice Minister of Justice Song Qi, and the Censor-in-Chief Zhang Fangping were all higher than Bao Zheng's position as Prefect of Kaifeng, and Kong Daofu and Zhang Fangping were staunch confidants of Grand Tutor Pang, none of the three dared to speak up, as the case involved both the Grand Tutor's household and members of the imperial family.
Only Bao Zheng dared to preside over the trial and make the judgment!
The trial procedure was simple.
All the direct witnesses in the Li Family Village case were dead. A few neighbors were summoned for questioning, and it was confirmed that a group "very much like" the Marquis of Anle and his men had committed arson, murder, and looting at Ren Youxian's house.
This immediately provoked a chorus of curses from the surrounding people; if it weren't for the Imperial Guards keeping a distance, rotten eggs and vegetable leaves would have been thrown in. Then came the matter of poisoning Ren Youxian.
Song Cizu stepped forward, solemnly testifying that, according to his judgment, Ren Youxian had died from "Heart-Corroding Powder," and the poisoned food he had eaten was delivered by another deceased man, Pang Dayou, on orders from the Marquis of Anle. It seemed Bao Zheng had already met with the Emperor, and the higher-ups had decided to cover up the existence of the "trap," thus the poor servant Pang Si became a scapegoat, forced to pay the price for the poison leak from the Imperial Poison Depot due to his negligence.
Before Bao Zheng could decide whether Pang Si was guilty or how to sentence him, a chorus of curses erupted from the crowd. Some cursed Pang Yu, some cursed Pang Si, and some cursed both master and servant together; the common people of that era were indeed foolish. They believed everything they heard, easily swayed and losing all reason.
"Lord Bao, I have something to say,"
Zhao Yunbi stepped forward, his voice booming, instantly drawing all attention.
"What instructions does the Prince of Anding have?" Bao Zheng asked calmly and loudly.
"Lord Bao's judgment is inappropriate in my opinion!" Zhao Yunbi's words were startling, causing an uproar throughout the hall.
"Oh, what's inappropriate?"
"His Majesty is wise. He wants Lord Bao to try both cases together. Can't Lord Bao see the hidden meaning?" Zhao Yunbi stood arrogantly in the center, his gaze fixed intently on the stage. His smile was somewhat sinister.
Bao Zheng pondered for a moment and asked, "What do you mean by that
, Your Highness?" "I humbly believe that His Majesty intends for you to combine the two cases into one, not for you to try them one by one. Otherwise, Lord Bao, think about it." Zhao Yunbi pointed at Pang Yu and sneered, "Such a lowly servant, you can tell from his face that he's no good. How could he possibly castrate the Prince of Anding for a woman?"
Pang Yu was incredibly clever; how could he not understand his meaning?
This was Zhao Yunbi's final warning to him, urging him to betray his master.
Bao Zheng frowned, clearly finding some merit in Zhao Yunbi's words.
Well, people of that era, limited by their experience, couldn't understand his fourth brother's true feelings. Zhao Yunbi walked to Pang Yu's side, squatted down, and said in a very low voice, "Well, this is your last chance to live. Whether you seize it or not is up to you."
"You hate me!" Pang Yu gritted his teeth, regretting that he was tied up otherwise he would have pounced on him and kicked him. "I only chopped that little beast Zhao Shiqing once, and you had to retaliate like this, taking me and my lord down with you..."
"You think I formed the Prince's Party simply to compete with your master and see who is the number one young master in the capital? You're wrong! I intend to emulate the Eighth Prince, using the Prince's Party's growth to gradually win the admiration and support of the younger generation of the various branches of the imperial clan, and ultimately lead the imperial family to power." Zhao Yunbi's words were filled with barely suppressed passion and excitement, and the fervor in his eyes revealed his naked pursuit of power. "Since Zhao Shiqing has sworn allegiance to me as his elder brother, he is a pawn for me to gain the trust of the imperial clan. Whatever trouble they cause, I will take care of it for them." "Damn it ! Whoever hurt them, I will avenge them tenfold, a hundredfold! That way, the various branches of the royal family will feel that I have the courage to lead them and support me so that they won't let their wealth be wasted!"
Finally, faced with the last chance to completely defeat the Crown Prince's faction, Zhao Yunbi's true nature was revealed. However, Pang Yu had neither the energy nor the time to be shocked by the burgeoning ambition hidden behind this man's apparent concealment. Because the moment Zhao Yunbi uttered those words, a sudden flash of inspiration struck him, and he finally understood the mystery that had been lingering in his mind for days! The mastermind behind the Li Family Village massacre was Zhao Yunbi—no, to be precise, the one who committed the Li Family Village massacre was someone from the Crown Prince's faction. After Zhao Yunbi returned from the ancestral worship and learned of this, instead of trying to clean up his mess and appease Ren Youxian who was complaining everywhere, he took the opportunity to instigate and push the whole thing onto Marquis Anle! Killing two birds
with one stone, how insidious!
So it wasn't something Zhao Yunbi had planned beforehand, hiring someone to impersonate him and commit evil in Li Family Village; nor was it something he fabricated out of thin air to falsely accuse Ren Youxian.
Both initial judgments were wrong; he had overcomplicated things and ended up in a dead end!
"Lord Bao, I know! The massacre at Li Family Village was actually..."
Pang Yu, excited, desperately stood up and shouted impatiently.
Suddenly, as he opened his mouth, Zhao Yunbi flicked his wrist and threw a red pill into his mouth.
Pang Yu was so focused on shouting that he forgot to be careful. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, causing a sharp pain in his throat, as if it were burning, and he couldn't utter a single word.

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