The Double

Chapter 173: Private Prison

On the fifth day after Princess Yongning was demoted to commoner status, another major incident occurred in Yanjing City.

The county magistrate Xue Huaiyuan, who had been wrongly imprisoned in the Tongxiang case—or rather, the former Minister of Works of Northern Yan, Lord Xue Lingyun—went to Chang'an Gate early in the morning to strike the grievance drum against the stone lions.

The stone lions before Chang'an Gate had remained silent for many years, yet within just half a year, they were awakened twice. Interestingly, the plaintiffs in both cases appeared to be the same person.

Unlike the previous occasion, this time the Hongxiao Emperor paid great attention to the case. Given the significance of the earlier Tongxiang case and the revelation during the Imperial Council that this unfortunate county magistrate was once a high-ranking official of Northern Yan, the emperor personally received him.

Soon, the grievances Xue Huaiyuan sought to redress became known. First, he accused the current princess—now a commoner—Yongning, and the former Imperial Secretariat Writer, Shen Yurong, of secretly colluding a year ago. They conspired to murder and eliminate heirs, falsely accusing Xue Fangfei of adultery to serve their selfish desires.

Second, Xue Huaiyuan also accused the current Capital Prefect of colluding with Princess Yongning to harm his son, Xue Zhao—Xue Fangfei’s younger brother—by having him killed and disguising the murder as the work of bandits, then destroying the evidence.

These two accusations immediately caused an uproar in Yanjing City. The scandal of the Top Scholar's Wife, Xue Fangfei, committing adultery had once spread throughout the city, known to everyone. Now, with Xue Huaiyuan stepping forward to explain the truth behind the case, the citizens of Yanjing began to discuss it with great interest.

If the accusations were false, that would be one thing, but if they were true, then Yongning and Shen Yurong would be revealed as utterly heartless, cruel, and devoid of humanity. Although the truth had not yet been fully uncovered, the public largely believed the accusations were likely true. Setting aside the spectators, the earlier scene in the Golden Luan Hall had already confirmed the illicit relationship between Shen Yurong and Yongning. If Shen Yurong had truly been as devoted to his deceased wife as he appeared, how could he have been with Princess Yongning? This only proved his hypocrisy, and given that, it was no surprise he would commit such acts against his own wife.

On another note, people quickly recalled that during the Tongxiang case, which had stirred Yanjing, rumors had circulated that Feng Yutang, who framed Xue Huaiyuan, was acting under Yongning’s orders. At the time, the royal family had ordered a gag, forbidding further discussion, and there was no solid evidence. Moreover, it seemed unnecessary for Princess Yongning to trouble a county magistrate with whom she had no connection. Now, however, it appeared there was much more to the story.

Xue Huaiyuan was Xue Fangfei’s father, and Xue Zhao was her younger brother. The Xue family suffered one misfortune after another. Had it not been for the second young lady of the Jiang family, who rescued Xue Huaiyuan on her way back to Xiangyang, none of the three members of the Xue family would have survived, and the Xue lineage would have vanished. In just a year and a half, the Xue family encountered such misfortune; no one believed it could have happened without someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. Regardless of the case’s final outcome, as soon as Xue Huaiyuan’s accusations were made public, the people of Yanjing saw the situation clearly. Once the stakes were understood, the truth became almost self-evident.This was clearly a case of Imperial Son-in-Law Shen wanting to climb the social ladder by attaching himself to the princess. Unfortunately, his original wife was both beautiful and virtuous, leaving him no grounds for divorce. So he decided to take the most extreme measures—directly causing the death of his wife and their unborn child, not even sparing her elderly father and brothers back home. It was truly an act of utmost cruelty.

People couldn't help but recall the talented beauty Xue Fangfei, who had once captivated the capital with her charm.

Thinking back now, that gentle and beautiful Lady Shen was among the top in both learning and character in Yanjing City. Any noblewoman who had interacted with her felt as if bathed in a spring breeze. That Imperial Son-in-Law Shen would abandon such an excellent wife to curry favor with Princess Yongning only showed how greedily he coveted power. Moreover, having shared a bed as husband and wife, he could still ruthlessly plot her murder—what kind of heartless monster must he be?

For a time, the streets of Yanjing were filled with voices cursing Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong as an adulterous couple. Yet one couldn't help but wonder if these very people now cursing with such fervor were the same ones who had once vigorously condemned Xue Fangfei.

Since this case was of grave importance—if the charges were proven, it would constitute the murder of an official's family—the principle that "the son of heaven is bound by the same laws as commoners," though often meaningless in practice, proved exceptionally useful when beating a drowning dog. Princess Yongning was no longer a princess, and Shen Yurong was no longer a court official. The Hongxiao Emperor naturally had no qualms about "severely punishing" them once more. Public sentiment was a delicate thing; the common people's current condemnation and disgust toward Princess Yongning would naturally transfer partly to Prince Cheng, greatly hindering his future ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Hongxiao Emperor could further endear himself to the people, allowing the citizens of Northern Yan to see clearly that he was a just and enlightened ruler.

Both publicly and privately, the Hongxiao Emperor would show no leniency toward Princess Yongning in this case. Even when Consort Liu came weeping to plead for mercy or when Prince Cheng made indirect inquiries, the emperor simply had Eunuch Su deal with them, refusing all audiences.

The case was jointly tried by the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate.

When Xiao Deyin received this news, she was equally astonished. She had remained secluded in her residence all these days without venturing out. Upon hearing that Princess Yongning had fallen out with the Li family, she was delighted. When news came that Princess Yongning had been demoted to commoner status, her joy grew. But it wasn't completely foolproof—fortunes could always change. Though Princess Yongning had lost power now, if she ever made a comeback, Xiao Deyin would still be in danger.

It was at this moment that Xue Huaiyuan's lawsuit arrived like timely rain, reviving Xiao Deyin's spirits. If Xue Huaiyuan's accusation succeeded, according to Northern Yan's laws, Princess Yongning would face certain death. This way, what Xiao Deyin had done would remain unknown, and Princess Yongning would be in no position to silence her forever. She could finally rest easy.

Xiao Deyin simply hadn't expected that Xue Huaiyuan—long rumored to have become a useless madman—would regain his senses. She had assumed Jiang Li would be the one to step forward, never imagining that Jiang Li would remain completely silent while Xue Huaiyuan took action.

But it didn't matter. Xue Huaiyuan didn't know her anyway. Whether it was Xue Huaiyuan or Jiang Li who brought the accusation, she would serve as a witness—giving Princess Yongning an extra push on her road to hell, hastening her journey.

Xiao Deyin smiled as she plucked the strings of the zither before her, the gloom of recent days completely swept away.

...While Yanjing City was thrown into chaos by Xue Huaiyuan's drumbeats of injustice, Princess Yongning's residence was also sealed off. The guards stationed at the entrance dozed off at night, all the gold and treasures inside had been packed away, and the servants had been dismissed—it was now merely an empty mansion. The once lively and magnificent princess's residence had been abruptly abandoned, evoking a sense of melancholy.

However, the officials tasked with confiscating the property of the princess's residence felt no such sentiment. The sheer wealth inside was truly staggering. Although Princess Yongning, as a princess, naturally possessed more silver than most, her riches even surpassed those of first-rank officials, which was rather thought-provoking. If a princess had amassed such wealth, what about Prince Cheng? And those behind him? Did it imply that Prince Cheng's silver might even exceed the national treasury's reserves?

Some eyed the wealth with envy, while others regarded it as worthless. For instance, Wen Ji and Zhao Ke, who were crouched on the eaves of the princess's residence, were waiting for the guards at the entrance to get drunk.

Although they could accomplish their task even if the guards remained sober, it would be more troublesome. Resolving matters effortlessly without being detected was precisely the kind of clever work expected of the Duke's estate.

Several other figures in black, all from the Duke's estate, were positioned on the surrounding eaves, waiting to provide support. Zhao Ke said, "They're here."

At the same moment, the two guards at the entrance slumped against the doorframe with a "thud," hugging wine jars as they fell into a deep slumber.

It wasn't entirely the guards' fault for neglecting their duties. After all, the princess's residence had already been emptied, and with nothing left inside, there was little reason for anyone to return.

Zhao Ke and Wen Ji exchanged a glance, then swiftly moved along the eaves. When they reached the inner courtyard, they flipped down and landed on the ground. There, Ji Heng was already waiting for them.

He had finally shed his opulent attire, now clad in simple and practical black robes, though his striking face made him stand out nonetheless. He walked to the innermost room, a tea house with only a low table—even the teapot and cups had been removed, leaving nothing behind.

Ji Heng circled the room, running his hand along the walls. When he reached a particular spot, he paused. Pressing firmly inward, a faint "click" sounded as the brick sank, and the entire wall began to shift slowly, revealing a hidden door.

Ji Heng entered first, followed closely by Wen Ji and Zhao Ke.

Inside was a long secret passage, illuminated by torches along the way. The torch holders were exquisitely ornate, giving the impression of an underground palace. Faint sounds of flowing water could be heard until they reached the end of the passage, where the space suddenly opened up, revealing the entire secret chamber.

It was a private prison, with iron-barred cells everywhere, making it resemble the dungeons of the Ministry of Justice. Yet, even the ministry's prisons might not compare to the brutality here. The ground was stained with blood, and the stench of decay filled the air. Some figures behind the iron bars remained motionless, clearly dead for a long time. No one had bothered to remove them, leaving them to slowly decay into unrecognizable masses—so disfigured that even their closest kin would struggle to identify them.Bloodied hooks hung on the walls, while red-hot branding irons lay scattered haphazardly on the ground. In the water dungeon, rats squealed incessantly as they gnawed with relish on a mangled, bloody mass. Whips soaked in saltwater, spiked wooden horses, and silver needles coated with drugs—every imaginable tool of torture was present. Even seasoned guards like Wen Ji and Zhao Ke, who had witnessed much in their line of work, couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust at the sight before them. As guards, they were accustomed to such scenes, but Princess Yongning was a princess. It seemed she harbored no profound grudges against these people, yet she subjected them to such cruel torment.

"Find Jiang Youyao," Ji Heng commanded. "If she's conscious, drag her out and dump her at the Jiang family's doorstep. If she's lost her senses, force one of Situ's pills down her throat—don't let her die."

Zhao Ke and Wen Ji accepted the order. Locating Jiang Youyao among the multitude of dead and half-dead prisoners was no easy task. Everyone here was grimy and reeked of filth, making identification difficult in the short time they had. As Zhao Ke and Wen Ji began their search, Ji Heng strolled slowly through the prison.

Their faces had been slightly altered, so they weren't worried about being recognized at a glance. Those imprisoned behind the iron bars, aside from the dead and the unconscious, were either driven to madness by torture—singing and dancing erratically—or had lost all will to live. Even as Ji Heng passed by, the latter merely stared vacantly, silent as fools who no longer knew how to plead for help.

After prolonged exposure to such conditions and Princess Yongning's torment, these prisoners had long abandoned hope. Their greatest desire now was likely for someone to end their suffering with a swift blade.

Ji Heng wandered through the prison with an air of indifference, his composure unshaken by the hellish surroundings, as if he were merely attending a nighttime banquet, entirely unaffected.

He paused only when he reached one particular cell.

The prisoner inside seemed to have heard his approach, inching his way from the depths of the cell toward the bars. "Inching" was the apt term, for two distinct trails of blood marked his path from the back of the cell to the front. His knees were a mess, the blood already dried and clotted. Kneeling on the ground, his entire body appeared drenched in blood, his features indistinguishable beneath the grime.

Yet, among all the prisoners in the princess's private prison, he was the only one who showed signs of life, who still resembled a living person. Despite his terrifying appearance, his eyes were remarkably clear and stubborn. Gripping the bars with hands covered in wounds, he reached through as if to clutch Ji Heng's boot, but then hesitated, perhaps fearing to soil it with his blood, and halted just short of touching it.

Ji Heng looked down, meeting the prisoner's gaze directly.

The man's face was a mask of scars and blood, rendering it unrecognizable, but his eyes remained untouched by filth. He even managed to force a faint smile at Ji Heng, though in the grim setting of the private prison, the expression was more chilling than comforting.

Just then, Wen Ji had located Jiang Youyao, and Zhao Ke approached, noticing Ji Heng halted before an unfamiliar prisoner. "Sir, this person...?" Zhao Ke inquired.The man struggled to open his mouth, trying to speak, but whether due to being force-fed the mute drug or because his throat was temporarily unable to produce sound, no words came out. Yet, one could still clearly see his lips form approximately four syllables.

He said: Please, save me.

"Take him back," Ji Heng said. "See if Situ can treat him."

"Huh?" Zhao Ke was somewhat puzzled. Ji Heng was never a benevolent person, let alone one to intervene in others' troubles. The people in this private prison were all Princess Yongning's enemies, with no connection to Ji Heng whatsoever. Their visit today was solely at Second Miss Jiang's request to find Jiang Youyao. As for the others, it wasn't that the Duke's household lacked compassion, but rather that even if rescued, most of these people would likely be beyond recovery. For them, the best release was death.

"Once he's healed, he can keep you company," Ji Heng said.

Zhao Ke replied, "...Sir, this man's legs are probably beyond repair."

As martial artists, Zhao Ke could tell at a glance that both of the man's legs had likely been broken long ago. Too much time had passed, making recovery impossible. Even if rescued, he probably wouldn't be fit to serve as a guard in the Duke's residence.

"It doesn't matter," Ji Heng said. "As long as he's useful."

Upon hearing this, the blood-soaked man immediately showed a grateful expression. Currently, the only way to discern his emotions was through his eyes. Fortunately, his eyes were naturally expressive. As Zhao Ke watched, he suddenly found the man's gaze somewhat familiar, bearing a resemblance to the Second Miss of the Jiang family. Gentle and composed, in the dim, filthy private prison, they shone like the sun, illuminating this corner of hell.

"He seems different from the others," Zhao Ke remarked. "Who knows what offense he committed against Princess Yongning to end up in such a state."

"Investigate his background when we return," Ji Heng said, then turned as Wen Ji approached from behind. Wen Ji reported, "Master, Jiang Youyao has been found, but she appears mentally unstable and is currently unfit for purpose. As per your instructions, she was given Miss Situ's medicine and won't die within the next few days."

Zhao Ke said to Wen Ji, "Lend a hand. The master wants this man rescued."

Wen Ji showed a flicker of surprise but said nothing as he pulled the man out of the cell. Only then did they notice that a corner of the man's clothing was white. He wasn't wearing reddish-brown garments but a white robe entirely soaked through with blood.

And he was still alive?

They had seen determined individuals before, but surviving after losing so much blood was truly astonishing. Ji Heng glanced at the man, pondered briefly, and said, "Princess Yongning's doing. She deliberately kept him alive to prolong his suffering."

Zhao Ke and Wen Ji understood: Princess Yongning, fearing the man would die too easily, had intentionally administered medicine to sustain his life, ensuring he wouldn't perish quickly so she could torment him gradually.

"Yet he seems quite lucid," Zhao Ke noted. "Remarkable. Most people would have gone mad or lost all will after such prolonged torture, but he still has vitality. It's just that he can't speak or move now. Tsk, if his legs weren't ruined, he'd look like promising material."Hearing this, the man's eyes dimmed briefly before quickly concealing it. Ji Heng noticed this and seemed thoughtful.

"I wonder how he offended Princess Yongning," Zhao Ke muttered under his breath as he hoisted the bloodied figure onto his shoulder. The man was likely starved to the point of being light as paper, so Zhao Ke carried him without feeling burdened, adding, "What a pity."

The three exited the private prison of the princess's residence. As they left, Ji Heng and Zhao Ke went first. After the two departed, Wen Ji crouched outside the tea room by the prison door and lit a smoke bamboo.

With a loud "bang," the sound echoed powerfully through the night in Yanjing City. Two drunken guards at the entrance were startled awake, leaping to their feet and shouting, "What's going on?" as they rushed toward the tea room.

Wen Ji's figure vanished into the darkness.

...

Meanwhile, at the Duke's residence, Zhao Ke, following Ji Heng's orders, rushed back and placed the bloodied man he had been carrying outside Situ Jiuyue's alchemy room, calling out, "Miss Situ, Miss Situ!"

The door swung open with a sharp "thud," and Situ Jiuyue appeared at the entrance, asking impatiently, "What is it?"

"His Lordship rescued someone from outside. We're not sure if he can be saved. If you're free, Miss Situ, could you please take a look?" Zhao Ke wiped the sweat from his brow. Ji Heng hadn't returned to the Duke's residence after leaving the princess's estate, likely attending to his own affairs, but Zhao Ke didn't dare ask. However, he couldn't neglect the man on his back—this was someone Ji Heng had personally ordered to save, so he couldn't handle the matter carelessly.

"Ji Heng saved someone?" Situ Jiuyue frowned slightly, her delicate brows knitting together. "What kind of joke are you telling?"

"It's true," Zhao Ke said, worried that Situ Jiuyue might refuse to help. This young lady was extremely willful; if she disapproved of something, she'd even dare defy an imperial decree. Only Ji Heng's words could somewhat sway her. Zhao Ke continued, "Miss Jiuyue, this man is severely injured. His Lordship isn't sure if he can be saved, but he's quite interesting. Please take a look first, then decide whether to save him or not."

"I've told you, I'm not a physician," Situ Jiuyue said displeased, but she still stepped aside, signaling for Zhao Ke to carry the man in.

The phrase "quite interesting" had caught her attention. There weren't many truly interesting people in the world, and if she encountered one, of course, she would save them—because that, in itself, was an interesting thing to do.

Zhao Ke carried the man inside and laid him flat on a small cot in the alchemy room, just big enough for one person to sleep on. Situ Jiuyue approached and saw that the man was still conscious, though unable to move. He gave her a faint smile.

Situ Jiuyue was taken aback.

In her life, she had seen many faces—gratitude and fear when she practiced as a physician, and disgust and hatred when she worked as a poison master. Regardless of the expression, whether saved or doomed, no one had ever remained so calm. When faced with matters of great importance concerning themselves, people simply couldn't maintain such composure.

But this man could still smile at her—a calm, composed, even gentle smile. It reminded her of the sunlight in March, precious and beautiful.

"Who is he?" Situ Jiuyue asked.

"I don't know. His Lordship wants to investigate his background," Zhao Ke didn't hide it from Situ Jiuyue. "He was found in Princess Yongning's private prison."

"Princess Yongning?" Situ Jiuyue raised an eyebrow. "Her again? Ji Heng must be helping Jiang Li out, isn't he?"Zhao Ke scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. What could he say about his master's affairs? It was best to just smile.

Situ Jiuyue reached out and lifted the man's clothing. The fabric had nearly fused with his flesh, making a tearing sound as it separated.

The man on the bed trembled, clearly in excruciating pain, yet he endured it silently.

Zhao Ke gasped sharply.

The man's entire body was covered in scars, without a single patch of unbroken skin. It seemed Princess Yongning had subjected him to every conceivable form of torture.

"Miss Situ," Zhao Ke couldn't help but feel pity as he watched, asking, "This person is quite severely injured... I think his leg might be broken, will he recover?"

Situ Jiuyue glanced at the person's knee and said, "Impossible."

(End of Chapter)