The Evil World of Peony Chapter 91 Playing the Pipa

  In a separate cell of the Ministry of Justice's great prison, one person was hung upside down in mid-air, their clothes disheveled and stained with blood.

  Outside the railing, Zheng Yoon-ho seemed to smile and glanced inside before turning around and walking away. Woo-jin carefully followed behind him, taking small steps. As soon as they turned a corner, Woo-jin couldn't help but ask, "Lord Zheng, the Third Prince is still the Emperor's son; is it really okay for us to do this?"

  Zheng Yunhao smiled slightly and comfortingly patted his shoulder, "What's there to be afraid of? Now that the jade seal has been found in the Ling Wang Fu, we're just following the law to interrogate him. Moreover, with the support of the official and Prime Minister, you can use those torture methods to make him confess and sign."

  "However, just in case someday..."

  His eyes narrowed, Zheng Yunhao's face sank immediately, and he threatened: "It's too late for you to clear your name now. Do you think he will let you go after seeing these scars on his body?" His tone softened, and he continued to persuade: "Today is the best opportunity. As long as you get his confession of usurpation and rebellion, you will be the first meritorious subject of this dynasty. The Prime Minister will never treat you unfairly."

  The prison officer thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "I understand, I'll go and use torture again."

  "Hmm." Zheng Yunhao smiled again, "I've heard that you've recently invented a new form of punishment. I wonder if it's effective?"

  The prison officer couldn't help but smile, "I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of you, sir. This set of punishments is called 'plucking the pipa'. What's meant by plucking the pipa is using the sharpest dagger to 'pluck' the person's two sides, making them suffer unbearable pain, sweat profusely, and beg for life but unable to die."

  "As expected, I'll be waiting quietly for your good news."

  With a bow and a salute, a fierce glint flashed in the jailer's eyes, "Please rest assured, sir."

  Yuan Longlin and his entourage arrived at the General's mansion only to find out that Xia Jingting had taken Xia Feng to the military camp, leaving behind only Xia Yang who was still recovering from his illness and resting in the mansion.

  After hearing the cause and effect of things, Xia Yang was really angry, and when he saw Xia Tian's pitiful appearance, his resentment towards Yuan Longqiao also dissipated a lot. He stroked her long hair with a heartache, regretting that he couldn't protect her well enough to let her suffer from shock and grievance. "Don't worry, the third prince will be fine, I've already sent Jingchu riding fast horses to inform Father. Tian'er, you're tired, why don't you go rest for a while?"

  Jing Fei personally brought the maids to serve tea to everyone, and when she glanced at Xia Yang's eyes, she saw his reluctance and worry. Although she had mentally prepared herself, she couldn't help but feel uneasy in her heart, and she couldn't help but give a stern glance at Feng Lai standing beside her.

  Phoenix Orchid's body trembled, and she silently lowered her head. A pair of hands hidden in her sleeves stirred restlessly, as if only this could slightly alleviate the unease and struggle in her heart.

  In the summer, where would she be willing to go and rest? After hearing someone report that Yuwen Qiming had arrived, she became even more unwilling to leave.

  Yuwen Qiming's foot injury had not healed, and he still needed to use a crutch when walking. After exchanging greetings with the others, they hastily invited him to take a seat. Yuan Longbi looked at his crutch apologetically and said, "Originally, you were still ill and shouldn't have been disturbed, but Third Brother..."

  "The Seventh Highness is right." Yuwen Qiming waved his hand to interrupt him, "The Third Highness has caused such a big commotion, how could I not know about it and pretend nothing happened? Even if you didn't send someone to find me, I would have come anyway."

  Yun Wuqi nodded slightly and took over the conversation: "Just before I came here, I went to the Ministry of Justice's prison."

  Everyone's eyes lit up at once, and Yuan Longlin couldn't wait to ask: "Have you seen Third Brother? Is Third Brother all right?"

  Yun Wuqi shook his head gloomily, "I didn't see the Third Prince, the prison guard stopped me and said that His Majesty had ordered that no one was allowed to visit."

  "This matter is quite suspicious." Yuwen Qiming said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty's reaction is somewhat strange. Whether or not it was the Third Prince who did this, according to Your Majesty's temperament, you wouldn't be so ruthless towards the Third Prince."

  "That's right, the emperor won't even see my face, and all matters are handed over to Zhen Fei and Zhang De Shun. By reason, arresting the prince, searching the palace and interrogation should not be so hasty." Yuan Longlin also followed with analysis.

  The more she listened, the more anxious her heart became. Yuan Longqiao was at least a prince, yet those people could burn, kill and loot freely in the mansion, which was enough to prove that there must be someone behind this incident who wanted him dead. Unable to bear it, she stood up from her chair and asked with concern: "Will he die?"

  "Tian er......" Xia Yang was about to speak when he heard someone outside reporting: "Young Master, the Fifth Prince has arrived."

  "Big Brother Wu?" Yuan Longlin looked at Yun Wuxi and Yuwen Qiming with a puzzled expression, then shifted his gaze back to Xia Yang.

  "I'll go take a look."

  Yun Wuji hastily stood up and intercepted him, "General, please wait. Since the Fifth Prince has come at this time, it must be related to the Third Prince. Why don't we invite him in as well? Whatever the matter is, we can respond accordingly."

  "Good." Xia Yang nodded refreshingly and stepped out to welcome him.

  "Miss, have some hot tea." Feng Li brought a newly refilled cup of tea to Xia Tian's face.

  She suddenly turned her head, her black hair flying up in a small arc in the air, and her eyes opened instantly to reveal grayish-white eyeballs.

  The phoenix and the pomegranate were so startled that they trembled with fear, and a cup of tea slipped from their hands and fell to the ground.

  "Ah!" Xia Tian let out a soft cry, and the teacup fell straight onto her knees.

  Yuan Longlin rushed forward a few steps, pushed aside the phoenix orchid, quickly picked up the teacup with an extremely swift movement, and hastily asked: "Is anyone scalded?"

  Qing Ming furrowed his brow, then closed his eyes again, slightly tilting his head to listen to Xia Tian's casual responses of "It's fine, it's fine." His eyebrows couldn't help but wrinkle again.

  "Feng Lian, how careless! Go with Fourth Sister to change her clothes." Jing Fei subtly pulled Feng Lian back to Xia Tian's side, his gaze lightly sweeping over Yuan Longlin's face as he continued in a calm tone: "Get Qin Daifu to take a closer look at Fourth Sister, don't let her get seriously scalded. Otherwise, we won't have the face to see Third Prince again."

  Yuan Longlin stood up straight and took a look at Jingfang, who was calm and composed. He couldn't help but feel that her words had an air of awkwardness to them.

  As they spoke, Yuan Longqi had already entered side by side with Xia Yang, his eyes scanning the crowd one by one, and when he fell on Xia Tian, he obviously let out a sigh of relief.

  "What's wrong?" Sensing that something was amiss in the crowd's expressions, Xiaoyang's first reaction was to shoot a warning glance at Jingfei.

  Jing Fan didn't show any weakness and glared back, taking a step back, looking away as if it had nothing to do with him.

  With a thud, Feng Liu fell to the ground on her knees, bowing her head and whispering: "Slave... slave knows her fault."

  Yuan Longlin didn't dare say anything more and, worried, glanced again at Xia Tian's skirt which was wet in one spot, then silently returned to his own seat.