Chapter 21: Knowing the Truth

  I watched Liang Wan, and to capture her, I spent a lot of thought and arranged many ambushes. Finally, I discovered the location where they were hiding the princess. After they fell into my trap, I surrounded them with military formations and used strong force and threats against the princess's safety to coerce them into surrender. Although it seemed simple and smooth, I had put in too much thought. To force Liang Wan to confess, I made her feel helpless by using this method, making her lose all confidence, which was the only way to make her confess obediently. Otherwise, if she saw through me, I would not have wanted to harm the princess, and that would have been a disaster.

  Li Wei said blandly: "What is your relationship with her?"

  I said faintly, "Fengxiang and I had a lifelong agreement. The day before she died tragically, she was at my place, but unfortunately, in order to begin and end well, she couldn't bear to refuse Yan Niang's request, so she died unjustly."

  Li Ru looked at the people in front of her, quickly searching through her memories, thinking about anyone related to Liu Piaoxiang. However, although Liu Piaoxiang had many admirers, none of them matched the behavior of the person in front of her. She thought again about the scene when Liu Piaoxiang was dying. At that time, she walked into the room and saw Liu Piaoxiang taking a bath, with a fiery anger on her beautiful face. When she saw Li Ru, she coldly said: "I didn't expect Princess Mingyue to be so despicable, deceiving and humiliating me, a lowly woman." Li Ru still remembered her gentle persuasion, but Liu Piaoxiang's expression was icy as she said: "You are high-ranking and powerful, I have nothing to say. Even if I report this to the authorities, it would be useless. You can rest assured, I will live my own life." She seemed to be showing tolerance, but Li Ru felt a chill in her heart. She didn't believe that Liu Piaoxiang, who had dared to publicly humiliate King Zhao Delong of Han, would let this matter go. If Liu Piaoxiang spread the word, Li Ru's reputation would be ruined. If she lost her foothold in Southern Chu, everything she had worked hard for would be destroyed. In the end, Li Ru made a poisonous move before Liu Piaoxiang left.

  I saw Liang Wan's contemplation, and a surge of indignation rose in my heart. If she hadn't killed Piao Xiang, why would she be so deep in thought? I coldly said: "Do you remember now?"

  Li Ru looked at me and thought to herself, "So it turns out that Liu Piaoxiang was willing to compromise and not seek revenge because she wanted to reunite with her lover. It seems that her lover's status shouldn't be too high, otherwise Liu Piaoxiang wouldn't have agreed not to take revenge."

  Just as she was thinking, the black-clad man with an icy voice walked up to her, grabbed the front of her clothes and pulled, causing her clothes to scatter. Liang Yu felt a chill in her chest, her breasts half-exposed. She let out a cry of shame and anger, knowing this was a warning to herself. "Since it's come to this, I believe you already have enough evidence," she said. "Yes, Liu Piaoxiang was killed by me."

  She admitted it, I stared at Liang Wan fiercely and asked: "Alright, then tell me, who is the bastard that bullied Fei Xiang and made you apologize for him?"

  Liang Wan suddenly realized that the key to saving her own life was here. She was originally a clever woman, and now she had an opportunity, how could she not take advantage of it? She smiled and said: "So you want to know about this matter, but only I know about it. What price are you willing to pay to exchange for this information?"

  I said calmly, "I knew you would do this, but if I didn't have enough confidence, how could I take action? Miss Liang, no matter how important your identity is or how prominent your position is, today you fell into my hands. I can do whatever I want. If you are willing to tell me that person's name, I promise to let you die peacefully. If you refuse to say it, I have thousands of ways to make you die with your eyes open."

  Li Ruolan smiled coldly and said, "I know that for a woman, there are many ways to hurt her. You can let all the men in this room insult me, you can use torture on me, and you can even destroy my appearance. But you should believe that I, Li Ruolan, have an iron heart. No matter how much you hurt me, as long as I refuse to speak until death, it will be you who dies without a clear conscience in the end. If you are willing to negotiate with me fairly, then I promise that one day I will tell you the identity of this person."

  I gently clapped my hands and smiled: "Good, you are indeed the leader of the Da Yong spy agency. You tell me, was my caution at the beginning justified?"

  Chen Yin said coldly: "Young master is indeed talented and intelligent, I am inferior and pay my respects."

  I walked up to Liang Wan, saying coldly: "I knew you'd do this. You have a conviction that's worth dying for, and I believe you can endure all sorts of torture. With my expertise in medicine, I can make you experience the greatest pain and humiliation of your life. These people are your subordinates; I can make you beg for mercy in front of them. By then, what face will you have left to be their leader?"

  Liang Wanqiang suppressed the fear in her heart and said, "I know you can do it. I've heard that some people are skilled at making potent aphrodisiacs. If a woman takes it, the consequences would be unthinkable. But as long as I remember that I'm being controlled by drugs, I won't lose my head over it."

  I sneered: "Afterwards you can kill them to silence them, and then no one will know about your ugly deeds, right?"

  Li Wei said faintly: "How could I be like this." But her eyes were filled with shock, which was exactly what she had planned.

  I smiled lightly and said, "You have kept your chastity intact until now, but I believe you are not a woman who is content with being alone. So why don't you have a lover? Is it that you look down on all the men in the world, or do you already have someone special in mind, or is being a virgin very important to you?"

  Xiao Shunzi suddenly said, "Young master, the martial arts she practices should not require her to guard her chastity as a woman. I think she must have someone in mind or her goal is to be someone's wife or concubine, so she has to maintain her virginity."

  I looked at Liang Wan's expression and smiled: "Maybe it's really like that, come on, bring wine, let her drink it."

  Dao Huai carried a jug of wine and walked over with Bai Yi, who pinched Liang Yu's nose shut. Dao Huai gently poured the wine down her throat, their movements practiced and smooth. Liang Yu had no room to resist, but still about half the liquid spilled onto her chest. When they released their grip, she coughed several times, feeling a chill on her chest, but her throat was burning hot. Her face was flushed red from lack of air. She felt like everyone's eyes were on her, and though she was ashamed, she knew that her fate hung in the balance at this moment. So she steeled herself and lifted her head to look at the black-robed scholar, thinking to herself that if she lost control, she would bite off her own tongue rather than be stopped.

  Before long, Liang Wan didn't feel her heart fluttering, but she felt refreshed and invigorated, as if she were in a paradise. She gradually became somewhat languid and wanted to lie down and sleep, but as soon as she moved, she was tightly bound. At this time, a gentle voice came from beside her ear: "Miss Liang, do you want to rest now?"

  Liang Wan let out a low moan and said: "I'd rather take a nap."

  That voice asked again: "You've been in Southern Chu for so long, I suppose you've bought off many high officials and have many spies under your command?"

  Li Wei's expression was hazy, and she replied: "Yes, the Duke of Yong sent me to protect the princess, and later had me take charge of espionage in Jiangnan. Unfortunately, I can only disappoint his kindness. My master said that the Crown Prince is the true destined emperor."

  "Who is your master?" The voice was still asking her.

  Li Ruoyu said impatiently: "My master is naturally the master of Fengyi Gate."

  "Oh, so who told you to invite Miss Liu to Mingyuelou?"

  Liang Yuangang uttered a "yes", and suddenly came to, her eyes shooting cold glints as she said icily: "What did I say?" At this point one of his subordinates spoke up coldly: "You said you betrayed the Duke of Yong and defected to the Crown Prince. Ah--" A black-clad man's iron fist struck him in the abdomen, rendering him unable to speak further.

  I looked at Liang Wan's pale face and said, "You've already revealed the betrayal, so what else can you hide?"

  Li Ruoleng sneered, "Although I misspoke and said some things, at worst I'll openly support the Crown Prince in the future. As for the person you want to know about, they are my only bargaining chip. If you're not willing to pay the price, I absolutely won't reveal their identity. Why bother going to such great lengths for a courtesan? There are countless good women in the world, and many talented and beautiful sisters in the Fengyi Sect. If Your Excellency is interested, Li Ruoleng is willing to act as matchmaker."

  I said calmly: "Although Fragrance has unfortunately fallen into the dust, her heart is as bright and clear as the moon in the ninth heaven. But although Liang's surname is 'Bright Moon', her actions are not even as straightforward as those of a woman of the wind and dust."

  Liang Wan's face turned iron-green with anger, but I let out a soft sigh. Liang Wan was indeed difficult to deal with. I started intentionally bringing up the topic of aphrodisiacs, making everyone think that I had spiked her drink with it. However, what I actually added to the wine was a dose of poppy extract, a potent hypnotic drug. The biggest drawback of this drug is that if the person taking it is prepared, it's hard to take effect. I once made some captured spies from Da Yong take this drug, but they remained silent even without preparation. So, I first let Liang Wan understand my intentions, making her lose her guard. Then, I had her drink what she thought was an antidote for the "aphrodisiac", which was actually the hypnotic drug. As expected, Liang Wan revealed some information under its influence. Unfortunately, she was too cautious about life-and-death matters, so it wasn't a complete success. However, I didn't get discouraged - this was just one step in my plan. By now, Liang Wan had understood how much I cared about this matter. When the time comes for me to make my move, she will agree to exchange terms with me.

  I lightly laughed and said: "It seems that Miss Liang really doesn't want to say it, in that case, I'll just have to offend her."

  Liang Yu said with a smile: "I'd like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."

  I said faintly, "I'd like to invite the young lady to watch a good play." After that, I waved my hand and Chi Ji gave me a salute before pushing open the stone gate behind my seat. At the moment the stone gate opened, everyone's gaze fell upon a large bronze mirror placed sideways, with flickering lights visible in it, showing a large bed with flowery curtains, and on the bedside sat a girl in plain clothes - it was Princess Chang Le. From the angle of the mirror, Princess Chang Le should be in the room behind the stone gate. Chi Ji walked in, then the stone gate closed. All the spies from Da Yong looked at me with a terrifying gaze, seemingly they had already guessed my plan. I waved my hand again, and someone pulled out a copper tube hidden on the stone gate. At this moment, everyone heard the sound coming from the copper tube.

  "What kind of person are you, why are you bullying me?"

  "No, don't come over, don't come over." Then came the sound of tearing fabric and the girl's crying and struggling.

  "Stop, stop." All the big men were shouting. Only Liang Wan still had a pale face and did not make a sound.

  I signaled for the trumpet to be closed, although no sound could be heard, but those people became more anxious, they started struggling desperately, some began to shout and scold.

  I coldly said: "Miss Liang, if you are not willing to tell me what I want to know, then Princess Chang Le will suffer the consequences. You will understand that if Emperor Da Yong finds out that his beloved daughter has been tortured because of your fault, how he will treat you, how the Crown Prince will treat you, and how King Yong will treat you."

  Li Wei helplessly raised her head, she knew she had fallen into the deepest trap. This person was as terrifying as a devil, from his tactics in dealing with her, it could be seen that he was an evil demon with deep thoughts. He would absolutely do such things, there was only one thing he wouldn't do, which was to harm himself, because he couldn't bear the consequences of her refusing to yield until death.

  She said bitterly: "Tell your subordinates to stop. If the princess is unharmed and you promise not to harm me, I'll tell you."

  "I said calmly, 'Speak quickly, my subordinates are not in a hurry, you speak out, it's still just in time. As for your life, I promise, today I will not take your life, nor will I harm you again.'"

  Liang Wan said calmly: "I can only believe you, that person is Crown Prince Li An."

  I furrowed my brow and said coldly, "Are you talking nonsense? Why would the Crown Prince of Da Yong come to Nan Chu?"

  Li Ruozheng said, "The King of Qi promised the ruler of Southern Chu that he could be called Emperor, but after defeating Shu, he would go back on his word. If there wasn't someone with a higher status to calm things down, this matter would spread and the great Yu's face would be lost. So, the Crown Prince secretly arrived in Southern Chu and only saw Zhao Jia, no one else. Before leaving, the Crown Prince said that he heard from the King of Qi that Liu Piaoxiang was someone he had to meet. I thought Liu Piaoxiang was just a courtesan, but after meeting the Crown Prince, she didn't follow him willingly. Unexpectedly, after Liu Piaoxiang arrived, she only sang one song and then wanted to leave. The Crown Prince, in a fit of anger, used force, and afterwards asked me to take care of things. I had no choice but to kill Liu Piaoxiang." Li Ruozheng let out a small sigh. Although Li An had asked him to take care of things, he hadn't told him to kill anyone. He thought that as long as he gave her some gold and silver, it would be fine. But Li Ruozheng was afraid that Liu Piaoxiang would spread the word about what happened, ruining his reputation and causing trouble for the Crown Prince. That's why he killed her. For Li Ruozheng, Liu Piaoxiang's life or death was just a fleeting thought.

  I looked at Liang Wan, and upon finally learning the truth, I was almost despairing. How could I avenge myself on the crown prince? Liang Wan seemed to notice my change in demeanor and said: "Your Excellency, if you are willing to put aside past grievances, I guarantee that you will rise to great heights."

  "I said coldly: 'Are you telling the truth?'"

  Liang Wan said coldly: "You can only believe me. If you don't trust me, of course, you can turn against me and kill me."

  I didn't make a sound, and I won't kill her until I've confirmed that what she's saying is true. Liang Wan also knows this, which is why she dared to speak out.

  At this time, a big eunuch whispered: "Your Excellency, you haven't let go of the princess yet."

  I didn't speak, Chen Yin opened the stone gate, and everyone saw that in the copper mirror on the other side, the princess was still sitting there, only with a slightly different posture. Chi Xi walked out and closed the door.

  I gave them a glance and explained, "Everyone can rest assured, the princess's fate is precarious, how would I make things difficult for her? As someone skilled in verbal techniques, I've made you all laugh."

  Those people all let out a sigh of relief, the princess hadn't been hurt at all, which made them very happy. But Liang Wan looked at me with malice and said: "So it's you, I know who you are now, Jiang Zhe, you're Jiang Zhe."

  Her words were like a cold wind blowing by, and everyone fell silent. My people naturally did so because of the exposure of my identity, while the people of Da Yong did so in shock, for they all knew that I was this number one scholar.

  "I coldly said: 'How did Miss Liang recognize me?'"

  Liang Wan said with a smile: "Your voice, I finally remembered where I heard your voice before. Also, when you mention the princess, your eyes are gentle and full of sympathy and pity. When you met the princess for the first time, I saw this look in your eyes."

  I couldn't help but glance at Liang Wan and say, "Indeed formidable, Miss Liang is truly a top-notch spy in the Da Yong Empire, to have actually seen through my identity despite not having much contact with me."

  Li Wei's expression was somewhat strange, and she said coldly: "Jiang Zhe, you have kidnapped the princess and committed a great crime. In the future, if you are willing, I can recommend you to enter the imperial court of Da Yong, where your prospects will be bright. Why must you make things difficult for yourself and your future for the sake of one woman?"

  I gave a cold smile and said, "Miss Liang, you are really too terrifying. As the saying goes, 'The green bamboo's snake-like mouth, the yellow wasp's needle-like tail, both are non-toxic, but the most toxic is the heart of a woman.' I only believed it today. No, I won't kill you, nor will I harm you. I just want your memories and wisdom."

  Xiao Shunzi walked over, stuffed a red pill the size of a longan into Liang Wan's mouth. Liang Wan wanted to struggle, but Xiao Shunzi's icy hands made her lose the courage to resist. I gazed at her fearful eyes and said, "I didn't kill you, nor did I harm a single hair on your head. After taking this pill, you'll forget everything. Although I'm not sure how much you'll forget, I can guarantee that you won't remember anything that happened today."

  Li Wei looked at me with fear, she thought I might not let her off so easily, but she never expected me to do it this way. She cried out: "I was lying to you, what I told you wasn't true."

  I coldly said: "Miss Liang, if you want to cover up for someone, is it necessary to use the Crown Prince as a shield?"

  Li Wei only felt that scene after scene of memories surged up from the bottom of her heart, the joy of childhood, the hard work of practicing martial arts as a young girl, the surprise and excitement when she first saw Prince Yong's mansion, and all sorts of intrigue in Southern Chu. In the end, what appeared was the look full of regret in Liu Piaoxiang's eyes before she died. Then everything gradually dispersed. By the end, Li Wei had a childlike smile on her face, so innocent and carefree.

  I said calmly: "You killed my wife, I ruined your life. Although it's not even, but you've paid for your crime. Liang, if we don't meet again, then live a good life. If unfortunately we meet again on the road, I'll have to take your life to comfort my beloved wife in heaven."

  I raised my eyes and looked around, except for Xiao Shunzi, everyone's eyes were filled with fear, even Chen Yin and Chi Jue, they had seen me use medicine to erase the memories of those children who were sent away, but at that time I used a small amount of medicine, so it only made them lose two or three years of memory. None of them had ever seen a scene like today's Liang Yu. I smiled slightly, and their hearts were filled with fear, which was not bad. Looking at the spies from Da Yong, I said calmly: "You know my identity now, sorry, can't let you leave like this."

  Someone said: "Do you want us to take this medicine too?"

  I shook my head and said, "This medicine is worth more than its weight in gold. I won't use it casually. Your lives are mine to take away. You've been in Southern Chu for many years, so killing you isn't excessive."

  Those people's eyes flashed with a tragic expression, and one of them said: "Your Excellency is a high-ranking official in Southern Chu, with national enmity towards our Great Yong above and personal hatred below. You killed us, originally we had nothing to do with you, but since Your Excellency has taken pity on the Princess, please don't hand her over to the people of Southern Chu. Please send Her Highness to the face of the King of Yong, and even in death, we will have no regrets."

  I glanced at the man and said, "Today's matter cannot be told to heaven or earth above, nor can it be told to parents below. Once you know these secrets, even if I don't kill you, you won't survive the prince's pursuit. If you are willing to keep your promise, I can return your swords and let you escort the princess to Duke Yong's place, but afterwards, you will have to take your own lives to keep the secret."

  The man's eyes flashed with surprise and he said, "You're willing to believe us."

  "I believe in the promise of the great warrior, if you break your word, it will only make me look down on King Yong. You have seen my methods today, and you should know that if I want to assassinate someone, it's not a difficult task. At that time, King Yong will be the price of your betrayal."

  That big Han thought for a moment, and said: "Your methods are so ruthless and cunning, and your plans are so tight. If you were to secretly assassinate Prince Yong, you would indeed have a 50% chance of success. Well, our lives are not important, completing the task is the most important thing. It's just that we ask you to promise us one thing: we want to report to Prince Yong about the conspiracy between the Crown Prince and Liang Yu."

  "I said calmly: 'Alright, but you can't mention anything about us or my wife.'"

  The big fellow readily promised, I smiled slightly and turned to leave, the rest of the matters would be handled by Chen Jin. Xiao Shunzi followed behind me and asked: "Will they keep their promise?"

  I nodded and said, "I won't misjudge people, they are all brave warriors."