Feng Quan couldn't understand how Feng Luan could still walk normally after such torture, nor why Feng Luan would deliberately endure it.
Just then, the deafening sounds of fighting came from the direction of the window and the prison gate.
Feng Quan felt as if his mind had been struck by a heavy hammer, his completely muddled thoughts shattered by a single blow. Had she deliberately endured the punishment to give the Regent a reason to attack the Ministry of Justice?
And her objective was to draw out the Emperor?
So today was...
Ignoring his pain, Feng Quan struggled to crawl out. His limbs were broken, so he could only use his head to push against the ground, inching his way out. The edge of the dry grass scratched his face, and the gravel on the ground cut his skin. Blood left a long trail on the ground. Seeing Feng Quan desperately crawling out as if he had gone mad, Nan Shiying contemplated for a moment and finally understood the reason behind his actions.
She had to admit, he was truly a loyal dog, so loyal that she couldn't help but want Xuan Yi to kill him.
However, the sounds of fighting outside left Nan Shiying somewhat bewildered. Had the Demon Hunting Army and the Black Armored Army truly engaged in combat?
During the incident in the imperial palace, the clash between the two armies had been restrained. So what about this time?
How many would die?
Did Ji Jinmo and Ji Hong already have an estimate?
Nan Shiying turned her head and ordered Xuan Yi, "Keep a close eye on him!"
With that, she waved to Lu Wan. Lu Wan tied Qin Qianyu to a wooden cross. Nan Shiying walked to the long table where the torture instruments were placed and asked Qin Qianyu with a smile, "Young Master Qin, which torture device would you like to choose first? This nail-pulling plier? Or this knife used for Ling Chi? Or perhaps this whip covered in chili paste, studded with thorns?"
"The Ministry of Justice's torture instruments are still too limited. Young Master Qin, have you heard of flaying? Have you heard of burning with red-hot irons? Have you heard of snake pits? I truly wish for Young Master Qin to experience some novelties, but it's a shame."
"Or, how about this, Young Master Qin, you must grit your teeth and say nothing later, and you will get to experience those tortures I mentioned."
"So now, let's start with the gentlest punishment, shall we?"
As Nan Shiying spoke, she picked up the whip. It was a soft leather whip, with raised thorns along each stripe. Wei Wu had specifically soaked the whip in chili water before interrogating her. With one strike, not only would the flesh be torn open, but the chili water would also seep into the wound, doubling the pain.
Before Qin Qianyu could say anything, the long whip sliced through the air, its tip landing heavily on his chest.
With a "crack," his chest garment was instantly torn, and a long wound appeared on his chest. Qin Qianyu cried out in agony.
Nan Shiying gave Qin Qianyu no chance to speak, whipping him repeatedly. The tip of the whip landed on him everywhere, and the skin and flesh on both sides of the originally not-too-deep wound began to curl outwards.
Perhaps tired from the beating, Nan Shiying stopped and nodded approvingly, "Young Master Qin, you are truly remarkable. Keep it up, and we'll move on to another torture device!"
Qin Qianyu struggled violently, emitting whimpers like a trapped beast. As he whimpered, he shook his head with all his might, tears and blood mixing together, smearing his entire face.
"What, you won't say anything even if you die?"
"Fine, I understand!"
Nan Shiying nodded as if she understood and picked up the knife beside her.
As she walked, she said to Qin Qianyu, "Ling Chi is a skilled task. It requires cutting a full thousand strokes without letting the person die. Many people cannot accomplish this. After a few hundred strokes, the victim is already finished. But don't worry, although my skills are average, I know medicine. Even if I cut off a lot of flesh, I will definitely let you survive the thousand strokes."
A smile played on her lips, but to Qin Qianyu, it looked like a demon's grin.
"Wuwuwuwu~"
Qin Qianyu shook his head desperately, shaking it without regard for anything else.
Nan Shiying's knife landed on his skin, paused slightly, and then she suddenly patted her head and asked him, "Ah, could it be that you don't mean to die without confessing, but rather you are willing to speak?"
Seeing that the other party had finally made a move, Qin Qianyu nodded vigorously.
Then, he felt the pain of the knife cutting through his flesh and skin. Qin Qianyu's eyes widened in disbelief. Nan Shiying raised her hand with a look of apology, and a thin piece of flesh slid down the blade.
"Sorry, sorry, my hand was too quick!"
She dropped the knife, reset his jaw, and took a few steps back.
"Speak up!"
"I..." Qin Qianyu's voice was incredibly hoarse. "Just now, the Empress Dowager sent a message, instructing me to take advantage of the chaos to go to the Zou family and bring Rong'er's child out."
"Qin Xiaorong's child?"
Nan Shiying was slightly taken aback. She had considered countless possibilities, but this was not one of them. She let out a cold laugh, "Are you lying to me?"
Qin Qianyu hurriedly explained, "No, I'm really not. The instructions I received were indeed this."
He was truly scared. The other party was like a pervert, a pervert who relentlessly destroyed his nerves and ravaged his body. Qin Qianyu even felt that she didn't care about the information she was getting from him; she simply enjoyed the feeling of tormenting people.
Qin Qianyu did not believe that she had not understood his meaning earlier.
"Oh, right, the instruction was sent by carrier pigeon. I didn't burn the note; I put it under the pillow on my bed in my cell. You can have someone look for it; it's still there!"
Nan Shiying glanced at Lu Wan, and Lu Wan left to go to Qin Qianyu's cell.
Soon, they found the note he mentioned.
Is that all?
Just asking for a child?
If the Empress Dowager wanted to raise this child, why use such a method? If she had just asked, wouldn't the Zou family or Qin Xiaorong have agreed? The Empress Dowager personally raising him would be an immense favor.
She only used this method for one reason: she didn't want to raise the child, but she needed the child. This child would never appear in public again, and might even leave this world. That's why she couldn't let anyone know that she had taken the child.
But what could a child do for the Empress Dowager?
In other words, what did she want the child for?
"Why did the Empress Dowager tell you to bring Qin Xiaorong's child to her?"
"I don't know!" Qin Qianyu truly didn't know.
"For the glory and wealth of the Qin family, you are truly willing to do anything."
"What do you mean?"
"What does the Empress Dowager want a child for?"
"Of course, she wants to raise him. After all, my sister is imprisoned now, and Zou Yunming is a scoundrel. The Empress Dowager must feel sorry for my sister, so she..."
"Heh, fool!"
"The Empress Dowager wants the child's life!"
Qin Qianyu did not speak; he even fell silent.
He had guessed it!