Cruel Interrogation

Wu Wenhu let out a blood-curdling scream:
"Ah... ah... ah!"

Shi Yi abruptly pulled the dagger out, and a stream of bright red blood gushed forth. Blood splattered onto her face and clothes, but she didn't even blink.

His flesh felt as if it were being torn apart; his entire body was in excruciating pain.

She clicked her tongue:
"You certainly are stubborn."

Next, she took a small vial from her sleeve, opened the cap, and sprinkled the powder onto his wound.

It stung! It stung so much it felt as if his flesh were rotting, as if tens of thousands of insects were devouring his body. The wound festered and widened under the layer of medicinal powder she continuously applied.

His face turned pale, and sweat poured down like rain. He gritted his teeth, trying to endure the prolonged agony. Blue veins bulged on his face, and his expression was hideous.

The pain pierced his very soul, and his screams grew louder. Finally, he had to give in:
"I'll talk... I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! I beg of you... stop!"

Only then did she flash a murderous smile. That smile held no warmth, only cold indifference.
"Wouldn't it have been better to be obedient from the start? If you had spoken sooner, you wouldn't have been tortured like this."

At this moment, Shi Yi seemed like a completely different person.

Prince An stood in a dark corner, watching everything intently. The sight of such brutal torture filled him with dread. It wasn't the agonizing punishment he feared, but the person standing before him.

"A young woman not yet twenty, how can she carry out such a cruel interrogation? Her gaze doesn't waver at all, like the eyes of a predator waiting to pounce on its prey."

His hands were clenched tight, yet his face remained calm. He had underestimated her. His gaze remained fixed on her.

Wu Wenhu wheezed:
"A month ago... a masked man came to find me. He said he could give me wealth and glory, thousands of taels of gold, as long as I cooperated and followed his arrangements. He required me to intercept and attack Prince An at the edge of the forest, and then he wanted me to steal the military tally. Both tasks failed, so I had to attempt to assassinate Prince An again, but the five men I assigned were captured by you."

She asked curiously:
"Who is that person? Where did you meet him?"

"I don't know. This person's movements are mysterious; I've never seen his face. Furthermore, his status is likely very noble. From his speech and mannerisms, I could tell he is also a member of the Imperial Family."

She asked again:
"How do you contact each other? Where?"

"Tanjia Inn, in the east of the Capital. On the second floor, the room on the left. Step inside and you will see an exquisite porcelain vase. Simply rotate the vase to open the entrance to a secret passage. I met this person there every time."

Shi Yi fell into deep thought, her mind a chaotic mess.

"The Imperial Family? Who could it be? The factions in court have always fought one another. Besides Prince An and the Eighth Prince, there are also the Heir Apparent, the Prince Regent, the Empress Dowager's people... all are of royal blood. But who could exude such an imperial aura...?"

She shook her head and sighed. The situation was becoming extremely difficult. The enemy was in the dark while they were in the light, a very disadvantageous position.

A moment later, she spoke:
"Do you remember his face behind the mask? I will have an artist draw it according to your description."

After a period of describing his features, the artist completed the portrait. When it was shown to Wu Wenhu, he nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, yes! It's this person."

The artist handed the painting to her for inspection. Looking at the drawing, she saw a man roughly the same age as Prince An. Although only the nose, lips, and sharp eyes were visible, one could tell his appearance was extraordinary. Even behind a mask, he exuded a divine aura.

Her eyes suddenly widened, and her mind went blank. A surge of memories spiraled deep into her head, causing a sharp pain. In her ears, four words echoed: "Brother Murong."

She grimaced in pain, dropping the portrait to the floor. Collapsing onto the ground, she clutched her head and screamed:
"Ah... ah... ah!"

Wu Wenhu didn't know what was happening and watched in confusion. Seeing that the situation was dire, Prince An rushed out from the shadows to catch her as she slumped on the ground.
"Are you alright?"

At this moment, she had no mind to see who was in front of her. Embracing the pain, her face suddenly turned deathly pale. Her vision blurred, and his image gradually faded until it went completely dark. She fainted before him.

Prince An was shocked and tried to wake her:
"Shi Yi!? Shi Yi!?"

He hurriedly picked her up and rushed out of the dungeon. Reaching the door and seeing Bei Zhencheng standing there, he shouted:
"Summon the Imperial Physician!"

Shi Yi lay on the bed, in a state of coma. The physician took her pulse. Prince An stood to one side, pacing back and forth restlessly, his face filled with worry.

A long time later, the physician withdrew his hand. He asked urgently:
"How is she?"

The young physician replied respectfully:
"Reporting to Your Highness, this young lady is merely suffering from overexertion and exhaustion. There is nothing serious."

"Then why has she not woken up after several hours?"

"The lady needs more rest and nourishment. I will prescribe a restorative tonic; she will recover soon."

"Then I shall trouble the physician."

The physician withdrew, leaving him standing there alone. He sat down beside her, stroking her soft hair. Looking at her sleeping face, his heart remained uneasy and worried.

At this time, countless fragmented and disjointed memories appeared in Shi Yi's mind. They must be the memories of the original owner of this body. Since transmigrating here, her memories had become clearer. This time, she saw a handsome man, whom her mouth kept calling "Brother Murong!"

The two words "Murong" sounded very dear. The relationship between the two was very good. Murong Qing was the Heir Apparent, and also the older brother of Commandery Princess Yingning, whom she had met this morning. Unlike Yingning who stayed in the manor all day, the Heir Apparent had entered the palace since childhood and was highly trained under the late Emperor.

The two had been close since childhood, meeting frequently; they could be considered childhood sweethearts.