The world is in chaos

  Xiao Congrong raised her eyes and saw Zhou Pei and some prison guards holding torches coming in. As they walked, they laughed and said: "Third Highness, don't bother, this woman is not worth your kindness, let me handle it! I'll see how many times she can hold on!"

  The firelight once again illuminated the prison cell, still filled with gruesome torture instruments. The women had all been taken away, and a well-fed Zhou Pei returned with fierce-looking jailers to "play games"!

  It's just playing games! Interrogating prisoners, watching their will being tested under torture, this process is more stimulating than gambling. These days in the heavenly prison, there's nothing to do, Zhou Pei has already fallen in love with such a game!

  Lao Houye and the men of the Xiao family had all played this game before, nothing new, but when it came to Xiao Zongrong, a female stream, she didn't yield under torture, which made him feel very fresh. Especially in front of the three princes, he couldn't tell whether it was to curry favor or show off, anyway, there was a special urge that made him want to make an appearance!

  Kan Wu Mingyuan saw Xiao Congrong's finger still bleeding, his body covered in bloodstains, his hair disheveled, looking utterly ravaged.

  Compared to her previous spoiled and arrogant self, he actually found the current her more lovable! Full of energy and vitality, she would always accompany him everywhere with enthusiasm, as if as long as he was by her side, she could conquer the world.

  This is something that He Dongxiu can't compare to. Xiao Xi's body is weak, and she also holds the status of a young lady, so wherever she goes, it's by sedan chair. How would she know how vast and open the scenery on horseback is?

  He likes her gentleness, but too much gentleness is also powerless. Even the maids in the mansion dare not shout at him loudly!

  Xiao Wei was not even as good as those concubines, who at least knew how to please him. She lay in bed with the reserve of a lady, shy and timid like a fish waiting to be slaughtered!

  In comparison, Xiao Cong Rong is much more interesting! At least when she's not happy, she dares to yell at him loudly. Now that she's been beaten like this, she still doesn't yield... I wonder if she'll be just as wild and untamed in bed?

  Wu Mingyuan thought to himself, and suddenly felt that his body had an unusual reaction. He looked at Xiao Congrong again, although he was wearing a blood-stained prisoner's uniform, but couldn't hide his slender and delicate figure...

  His throat was parched for a moment, only to realize that he had almost missed a beautiful scene. When she was his concubine, what had blinded him, and yet he had endured without touching her!

  With a hint of annoyance, he stopped Zhou Pei from approaching and said in a hoarse voice: "I'll try to persuade her again, you wait aside for now!"

  Zhou Pei stopped and thought for a moment before walking back. He had his subordinates bring wine, and he drank while waiting. The long night was tedious, but watching the play was also a way to pass the time!

  "Rong Rong... why be so stubborn? The evidence of Xiao family's betrayal is solid, even I, the king, cannot help you even if I want to consider our relationship as husband and wife. What's the point of insisting?"

  He gently pulled up her hand, this time Xiao Zong had no strength to pull it out again. Hungry and painful, her consciousness was a bit dizzy, so let him take advantage of it!

  "Have you seen General Zhou's torture devices? Can you bear with him pulling out your fingernails one by one before confessing?"

  Wu Mingyuan lovingly and pitifully stroked her slender fingers, how come he hadn't noticed that her fingers were so perfect before!

  There is still talent... His eyes stared at it in confusion, did those paintings really come from her hand? Chu Qingxian had treasured that painting and he happened to have seen it, she could actually paint out that painting with a glance, how did she do it?

  He has such skills, how come he never knew!

  Is it his neglect of her for too long or is she good at hiding? How did the rumors that she was untalented and immoral spread around?

  "Rong Rong, don't be stubborn anymore! As long as you report your grandfather's treason to the emperor, I'll plead with my father on our marital relationship and spare your life. Listen to me... aren't you always obedient to Brother Yuan? Just listen to Brother Yuan this one time!"

  He didn't mention that sentence, but as soon as he did, Xiao Zong's expression changed as if he had been drenched in ice water, and his mind suddenly cleared. With a loud whoosh, he withdrew his hand and spat a mouthful of blood onto Wu Mingyuan's face: "Wu Mingyuan, don't come here with your hypocritical nonsense! You know whether the Xiao family is innocent or not. If you want us to die, then do it quickly, don't resort to these sinister tricks!"

  She stopped and panted heavily, glaring at him with a stern expression: "What kind of crap is that, Yuan Gege? Only the blind would like you! I'm not the Xiao Congrong from before, think you can make me listen to your nonsense? Get out of here, who do you think you are?... Cough... cough..."

  Everyone in the prison was stunned by her sudden anger, and the men in the room stared at the third young lady of the Xiao family with wide eyes, watching as she scolded the noble Third Highness with language that only a man would use. It was impossible not to be shocked - could this really be something that a dignified young lady from a noble family would say?

  Long Rongguang, the personal bodyguard of Wu Mingyuan, also had a look of astonishment on his face. This third young lady's personality was so overbearing, he had followed Wu Mingyuan for so long and knew his personality well, and he was absolutely certain that no one dared to scold him like this and still be able to live!

  Xiao Cong Rong hadn't thought that much, after catching her breath, she continued to scold: "Colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, wanting to add crimes to us, thinking that we can die easily? My Xiao family will be a good family again in twenty years! Although I'm just a woman, I know what it means to be strong and unyielding! Dying is okay, but do you think I'll falsely accuse my grandfather and father? No way... Not possible! Even if you pull out all my fingernails, I will still say that the Xiao family has no traitors... The Xiao family has no traitors...!"

  A majestic and fierce anger reverberated in the air above the prison, a silence so profound that one could hear the sound of a needle dropping on the ground. Above, Xiao Lidie's face was already streaming with tears, salty tears seeping into his mouth through his gagged lips, allowing this general, who had never known the taste of tears before, to savor it for the first time...

  Just now, Xiao Zongrong endured the torture of having his fingernails pulled out and couldn't help but scold Zhou Pei. As a result, he was so angry that he stuffed something into his mouth. He felt some regret, thinking that he should have endured the scolding just now, and now he could say to his beloved daughter: "Rong'er, you are Daddy's good girl, you and your mother are the people Daddy loves most in this life, Daddy... is proud of you!"

  The old master's eyes, filled with red threads, also had a glimmer of water, looking at his granddaughter crawling on the ground below, feeling relieved that the wrinkles on his face were all smoothed out, and he actually felt that although she was in a sorry state, she was more majestic than anyone standing below.

  "Foolish child, the Xiao family has misjudged you... Fortunately, Grandfather... did not make a big mistake!"

  A thread of kindness, couldn't bear the bones and blood of the Xiao family being trampled on by others, so I brought you back... You have such a performance, it's not in vain that Grandpa has borne so much blame and humiliation for you...

  His former friends and subordinates didn't say it outright, but intentionally or unintentionally revealed their disapproval of his granddaughter, Xue Rong. They had reservations about him bringing her back with him in secret. He was wise all his life, how could he not hear that?!

  He just believed that this stubborn and proud Xiao was a malleable talent if she could change her direction... but did he still have the chance to personally instruct her?

  After a hundred turns and a thousand thoughts, I let out a long sigh, but slowly made a decision. For the only pardon of the Xiao family, I chose a master. Whether it's good fortune or bad luck in the future will depend on her fate!

  Under the gaze of everyone, Wu Mingyuan was spat with blood and phlegm, loudly scolded. Even though he had feelings for Xiao Congrong, he couldn't bear such humiliation. He was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and slapped him without hesitation.

  With a "slap", Xiao Zong felt his face swell immediately, and his mouth was full of blood. He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with his hand, and coldly said: "You're getting to the point, aren't you? You're so angry that you can't pretend anymore, stop pretending to be tired, it's tiring just looking at you!"

  "Stubborn...!" Wu Mingyuan stood up, took out a handkerchief to wipe off the blood and phlegm on his face, threw the handkerchief at her, and turned back to Zhou Pei: "Didn't she say that pulling out all her fingernails wouldn't work? Then let's pull them out one by one. I'll see how long she can be stubborn! Hmph...!"

  He walked back and sat down at a table opposite Zhou Pei, poured himself a cup of wine, and settled in to watch the show.

  Zhou Pei hesitated for a moment, did these three princes really want to watch their former women being punished? He glanced around quietly and saw that Wu Mingyuan was waiting with an icy expression on his handsome face.

  He stiffened his scalp, and Zhou Pei didn't dare to take action this time. The holy mind is hard to fathom, and the third prince, although not the emperor, would be careful not to offend him, lest he bear a grudge and suffer consequences in the future.

  He waved his hand to let a trusted aide go up, and the prison guard Zhang Shi really had an iron heart, expressionless, took the bamboo slip and grabbed Xiao Congrong's hand, and ruthlessly pierced it in.

  The piercing pain made Xiao Cong's eyes turn black, but this time she had mentally prepared herself and didn't want to let Wu Mingyuan look down on her. She gritted her teeth and endured the pain without making a sound. Only her violently trembling body and the large beads of sweat on her face could reveal the kind of suffering she was going through.

  Rong Guang stood behind Wu Mingyuan, looking at the scene in shock. He knew that the Xiao family had been arrested, but he hadn't expected Xiao Congrong to receive such a punishment.

  The prisoners brought by Zhou Pei were mostly from the military camp, not real prisoners. At least they had fought in dozens of battles, and most of those killed were men. Some torture methods were not unheard of, but this was the first time they had seen such treatment of a woman.

  At first, there wasn't much of a feeling, but after twice seeing Xiao Zong being so calm and yet in pain that he fainted and was splashed awake to continue, the woman's lips were bitten through, her whole body shaking like a sieve, also stubbornly propping herself up not to let out a miserable cry, it moved this group of men.

  Rong Guang was particularly moved, the last time Xiao Zhen had calmly received thirty strokes of the cane, he was present at the scene, and didn't expect that after not a long time, he would again have to witness this woman being punished, what kind of flesh and blood is she made of, to be able to endure such torture!

  There were a few who didn't dare look again, quietly lowering their eyes. Even Zhang Shi was hesitant to make a move, and the inquiring gaze shifted towards Zhou Pei.

  Zhou Pei was also slightly moved, he didn't expect that the third miss who had a notorious reputation outside would be so kind and generous, which made him feel conflicted.

  If the third prince wasn't here, he would have lost interest and given up already! Tormenting a man is a sense of accomplishment, but tormenting a woman as a soldier still feels somewhat uncomfortable, especially in front of his subordinates... If Xiao Zong had surrendered, it would be understandable, but this kind of stubborn refusal to surrender is just embarrassing!

  But now the third prince is in charge, and even the use of torture is at his discretion. He won't call a halt, dare he?

  He cast a sidelong glance at Wu Mingyuan, only to see his gloomy face almost the same color as the wall of the cell, his hand clutching the wine cup with visible bones and bulging veins, staring at Xiao Zongrong with an expression that seemed to devour her...

  Are you so stubborn that it's so hard for you to utter a plea?

  Wu Mingyuan's heart was like a stormy sea, and the figure that kept flashing before his eyes was not Xiao Congrong, who was being punished in front of him, but rather the little servant girl who had fought for him, been locked in the woodshed for several days without admitting her mistake, and was only released after he begged the Emperor to plead on her behalf at the Xiao Mansion.

  It was that silly girl who pulled the reins of the horse and shouted "Yuan Gege, you jump quickly, I can't hold it anymore, the horse is going to fall off the cliff..."

  It was he and He Dongxiu who stood on one side, gritting their teeth, the stubborn boy with tears in his eyes, secretly wiping them away.

  It was the stranger in a wheelchair who shouted at him, "Dare to love, dare to hate, dare to lose... Even if you are rich and powerful, high-ranking and influential, there is no regret..."

  Is this really the end of their love story?

  His eyes were a blur, his heart aching slightly, only to realize that he wasn't completely immune to her either. It's just that her love seemed too easily attainable... That's why he indulged himself in neglecting, disappointing and trampling...

  She thought that silly and lovely girl couldn't leave him, anytime he turned around, she would be waiting for him at the original place!

  As long as he beckons her with a wave of his hand, she will come running to him without hesitation, even if it means becoming his concubine.

  What was he relying on? It was just her love for him!

  In the end, he was nothing to her! She didn't even bother to beg him... She would rather die than ask him...

  My heart is filled with sorrow and anger, I feel a surge of resentment growing inside me, getting bigger and bigger. I'm tempted to rush forward, grab Zhang Shi's hand and strangle that woman myself. Are you so eager to leave me?

  Just looking at her trembling body, worn out like a willow in the wind, it seemed that she had no strength to bear his anger, and with one blow of the wind, she might disappear into thin air... In the silence, I could no longer hear her breathing sound...

  "Your Highness, it's getting late, shouldn't we be leaving?" Rong Guang finally couldn't bear the torture and reminded him in a low voice. This was no longer Xiao Congrong being punished, but these men being silently condemned by her. His conscience made him understand Zhou Pei's gaze, the third prince didn't leave, he wanted to stop but didn't dare to stop, so regardless of whether it would annoy Wu Mingyuan or not, he couldn't help but speak!

  Wu Mingyuan was startled by his sudden voice, and only then did he realize the abnormality in the room. Everyone was staring at him, and Zhang Shi also stopped what he was doing.

  And under his feet, Xiao was crawling quietly and motionlessly, her face pale. The water had washed away the dirt, revealing a clean and pure complexion, but the pair of eyes that once sparkled with life were now tightly closed, while the slender fingers he had just praised were now mangled and bloody in front of her, the blood from her fingertips flowing gently into the water, growing fainter and fainter...

  "Bang" Wu Mingyuan crushed the wine cup in his hand, the shattered pieces of the cup cut his hand, he didn't care about the pain and jumped up, just wanting to rush over, but suddenly stopped his footsteps, his face twitched a few times, and suddenly turned around: "This king is tired, go rest first, General Zhou you slowly interrogate..."

  He fled in a panic, only to realize that Rong Guang was not following him. He pulled his collar, letting the cool breeze help him clear his head. What had gotten into him, losing his composure in such a public place?

  After a while, Rong Guang led the horse over, he mounted it in one swift motion, and rode all the way back to the mansion. Rong Guang silently followed behind him. When they dismounted at the entrance of the mansion, he suddenly called out: "Rong Guang, do you think that I, the king, am being too heartless towards Xiao Congrong?"

  ——

  Rong Guang was taken aback, and lowering his head, said: "Your Highness is overthinking this, it's Zhou Jiangjun who is being interrogated, what does it have to do with Your Highness? Moreover, Your Highness has already given Third Miss a chance to confess, but she herself didn't know how to cherish it. Your Highness has been benevolent and righteous towards her, I understand!"

  "Righteousness is exhausted... haha... haha!" Wu Mingyuan threw the whip to Rong Guang, shook his head and laughed as he walked inside.

  Rong Guang stared at his back, suddenly feeling a little disgusted with himself for speaking out of turn! Compared to Xiao Zuo's unyielding and heroic attitude earlier, he felt that he was not even like a man!

  The horse was led back to the stable, and when it came out again, the sound of a guqin came from He Dongxiu's room, playing "Spring River Flower Moon", a tune favored by the Third Prince.

  The sound of the zither is elegant and beautiful, with a beauty by its side, accompanied by the hazy moonlight, it is indeed the supreme enjoyment of heaven and earth.

  Glory looked at the moon, alone and solitary in the sky, with no stars beside it, shining eerily bright, also eerily cold...

  Only newcomers laugh, who hears the old man cry...

  Listening to the moving melody by his ear, and thinking of Xiao Congrong who was imprisoned in Tianlao and didn't know whether he was dead or alive, Rong Guang suddenly didn't know what the meaning of his own existence was!

  Wu Mingyuan, who had always been by his side, was not as majestic as he had imagined, but instead had a brain full of that Third Miss whom he used to despise.

  Her frowns and scowls, her face covered in bloodstains, were somehow more beautiful and moving than the elegant and refined Princess He...

  This world is messed up! What on earth is he thinking?!

  Rong Guang passed through the kitchen and unexpectedly did something he never thought he would do in his life... stole a few cans of wine!

  He won't be able to sleep tonight if he doesn't get drunk!

  Tonight I won't get drunk, how can I drive her out of my mind...