Taizi (Novel)

Chapter 1

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• Translator: Blinker
• EN Proofreader: Shizaya Heiwahara

Uwaaaaaaaah~ Finally, finally, finally!!!! (ﾉ>ω<)ﾉ(╯✧∇✧)╯After editing lots of times, finally bringing you the first chapter of Taizi’s novel~!! Hahaha! So happy~

Yong Shan, you are my boy~ ♡♡♡ Ugh.

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, too, though it is the same as our first release of the manhua (Chapters 1-3). Just that this is way more detailed.

Ciao~

Edit (7/1/18): Just a quick notice. Jump-to-page links have been added. To get to Translation Notes quickly, just click on the number beside the word/phrase/sentence, then click on the number again to jump back up to the novel.

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The sky was overcast with dark clouds.

Along the outskirts of the city of Jing, the withered grass and yellow reeds are quivering in the cold wind. Due to it being in the middle of winter, the small yet thick rain that became slanted with the north wind felt like pricks of ice on their skin. However, the Internal Punishment Court, which was deeply located inside the Palace, felt as cold as the outskirts.

This is the Palace’s coldest and most terrifying place.

Rumors of the Ice Palace[1] spread by the community was that it was a place used to keep the abandoned imperial concubines, that it was more or less still part of the Palace; all meals, and daily uses will still be provided.

But the Internal Punishment Court is actually a place specifically used to detain members of the imperial family who have committed a heavy crime. To put it simply, it is a jail, and it is a jail equipped with all sorts of torture equipment.

Amongst the people living in the Palace and the community, the mere mention about the place causes their color to be drained from their faces.

On this north wind-filled day, under the escort of a group of elite soldiers, a horse carriage covered by thick curtains entered the Palace silently through the small west gate, and stopped at the entrance of the Internal Punishment Court.

Upon reaching the destination, the captain that was in charge and protecting the carriage, leapt off the horse, walked to the front of the carriage and stopped there.

Perhaps it is due to the identity of the person who was sitting inside——this carriage draped with thick curtains looks simple and ordinary, but it gave people a strong sense of pressure.

A thread of heavy sadness hung around the surrounding like air, rendering the captain incapable of uttering out a single word.

Only after a long time then did he spoke using a deep and heavy tone, “Your Highness, we have arrived.”

The curtain was lifted up by someone.

A long and thin silhouette exited the carriage while bending down. As though he has been in the darkness for too long and could not take even the faintest amount of light, he narrowed his eyes and slowly stood up straight.

“We have arrived?” he mumbled to himself, he raised his head and stared at the “Internal Punishment Court” signage in front of him. He felt a bit uneasy as he glanced at the endless path lined with overcasting trees, a trace of fear swept past his handsome and young face, but it was quickly, owing to his natural reservedness, suppressed down, and he asked “So this is the Internal Punishment Court?” His voice was as clear as water, which was the splitting image of the quiet and calm image he gave off.

“Yes.”

The captain replied with a low voice, not bearing to look at the abandoned prince who is in his prime, but got dragged into the pits of hell by the turbulent court.

The eldest son of the Emperor Yan, Yong Qi, who is only 16 this year, has already been titled as the Crown Prince, but he got deposed by the 6th month.

This is a very charming young man.

Bright eyes and white teeth, delicate features. Forward looking, elegant and unrestrained. Dark eyes that light up whenever, clear like crystals, soft gazes and always with kindness.

He remembers looking at the Prince from afar last year when he was conferred in the Main Palace hall, the him last time was not as fragile, and after losing a lot of weight, he appeared so skinny that it even looked pitiful.

“Your Highness, please proceed. There are already people waiting in the Internal Punishment Court.”

“Who is interrogating me?”

“Servant[2] does not know.“

“I… wish to see my father.“

“I want to see the Emperor, help me make a presentation[3].” Softly, it doesn’t sound like an order, doesn’t sound like a plea too.

“… Your Highness, matters that are handed over to the Internal Punishment Court, does not allow to have presentations. But, Your Highness can request for the Internal Punishment Court members to present for the Emperor.”

What followed after was silence, as if a stone has been placed on top of his heart.

After a long moment, Yong Qi’s delicate eyebrows furrowed, and with a bitter smile, he muttered, “It seems, that I can only hope for a simple death.” He sighed, took a step forward, and advanced towards the steps leading to the Internal Punishment Court.

A group of ill-looking people were standing beyond the gate with shackles and chains in their hands, awaiting for the arrival of Yong Qi.

Upon seeing the arrival of Yong Qi, the leader of the Officials who appeared with a stoic face dryly said, “Servant is a Court Official from the Internal Punishment Court, Zhang Cheng. Your Highness, please forgive this servant for being rude, but once you have passed through this gate, servant won’t be saluting to you anymore.” He pointed to the bright yellow line across the gate. “It’s not that servant is being brazen or ruleless, but this yellow line lining the gate was personally drawn by Emperor Tai Zu Lie, Emperor Tai Zu Lie ordered, that this is a place specifically used to punish sinners from the imperial family, as long as you are deported in, no matter what your status; golden branch, jade leaves[4] or the grandson of nobility, once you are here you are a sinner. Does Your Highness understand?”

“What is there to not understand?” Yong Qi bit his bottom lip, proudly raised his head, and coldly said, “Since I am here, trample on me as you like.”

“Your Highness, we won’t dare to carelessly trample on you, servant is only following orders.” Zhang Cheng’s previous five generations were all members of the Internal Punishment Court, they have seen many unlucky grandsons of nobility fall since young, but this is the first time they have seen an banished Prince, although Yong Qi looks fragile but still gave off an imposing feel, so he does not dare to be too disrespectful, gestured with his hand and said, “As accorded by the rules, please use the chains Your Majesty.”

Two officials appeared from behind Zhang Cheng, one holding a cangue[5], one holding a chain, and stepped across the gate.

Yong Qi, who has always been treated with utmost respect,and despite the recent unlucky accidents this year, always had at least 2 or 3 eunuch or palace girls by his side, has never seen before this kind of lock.

He stared at the cold instrument in front of him and his heart continued to sink. He clenched his pearly white teeth, and slowly extended his hands out.

Clink, clink.

Two clear metal sounds were heard. And On the slim and white wrists of Yong Qi, were two heavy iron locks.

A feeling of immense humiliation that was almost dizzying, rushed up Yong Qi’s eyes, and almost dripped down.

Only then did Zhang Cheng let out a satisfied smile. He turned around, and extended his hand towards the Court “Your Highness, please.”

Emperor Yan’s rule: the treatment towards people of the imperial family and ministers not of the imperial family are different.

If ministers not of imperial lineage commits a crime, fairly, it will normally be a joint hearing from the three judicial chief ministries[6].

However, if it is a sinner from within the imperial family, it is normally carried out in secrecy to prevent the family from losing face, and there is only one main judicial chief.

Maybe it is because this issue is a big one, and the one being judged was previously a Crown Prince, Emperor Yan’s broke the norm, and requested for 2 judicial chief ministries, one of them being Zhang Cheng.

As for the other one, no matter how hard Yong Qi guesses, he will never be able to guess it.

While he was wearing the cangue with shackles, he was feeling a heavy sense of despair as he walked along the long and dark path lighted up with yellow lanterns. When he entered the hearing hall, a face suddenly jumped into his view, and caused him to freeze on the spot.

Sharp and defined brows, a nose bridge that is straighter than most people, proud and handsome, a pressing luxurious and calmness.

This lips, eyes, mouth, nose, all are rather familiar.

Familiar to the point where it can cause feelings that were repressed at the bottom of his heart, to be let out, seething up to his mind, he can’t help it but let out his voice, “Yong Lin?”

The person sitting there who was not as excited as Yong Qi, raised his lips and smiled, “Wrong, it’s not Yong Lin, it’s me.”

Upon hearing his voice, all the previous shock and excitement on Yong Qi’s face, disappeared immediately.

“Oh, Yong Shan, it’s you.”

What’s wrong with him? He actually got his two brothers mixed up.

Although they are twins, Yong Qi who is their older brother, will never get this two, who was born by Shu  Fei[7] and at least 2 hours younger than him, mixed up.

Yong Lin, he was such a magnificent younger brother. Smart, eager to learn, kind, a little naughty, he——he is different from Yong Shan.

Yes, Yong Lin, he never had this kind of forced smile expression.

Yes, Yong Lin, he never had this kind of forced smile expression. He is not like his twin brother Yong Shan, who always had an aura hanging around that made Yong Qi feel uneasy, an occasional sharp light will flash across his eyes, as though it can stab through someone.

“That’s rare, you are still concerned about Yong Lin.” Yong Shan’s robes bore 4 groups of dragons, his feet were covered by a pair of purple embroided shoes, elegant and unrestrained just like a jade tree[8] and his expression was calm.

Sitting behind a tall table, Yong Shan’s gaze can be considered as unharmful, calmly looking upon Yong Qi. Not knowing why, Yong Qi still felt from the bottom of his heart that this gaze was resentful.

Yong Qi slightly tilted his head away, “Yong Lin… How is he now?”

“Yong Lin… Hmph, today, I am not here to chit chat with you.” After saying these words hatefully, Yong Shan stopped and did not continue, he seems to be satisfied looking upon Yong Qi from the high table, he turned his head to look at Zhang Cheng, “Father has sent me to supervise. Zhang Cheng, what should be asked, you shall ask.”

The heartless tone left Yong Qi in a daze.

They were brothers who were borned together in the Palace, studied together, had fun together, although he secretly favored Yong Lin more, he has never been cold to Yong Shan.

At this place that meets no light, although they do not share the same mother, there should at least be a little affection left, why is he using such a cold tone, and not even sparing him a good phrase?

Where did he offend Yong Shan? Yong Qi does not understand at all.

The fire which was burning in the hearing hall behind Yong Shan brought warmth down their spine, driving away the chill, but the prisoner standing on the other side, felt a chill so deep that even his soul could feel it.

Zhang Cheng opened the scroll, coughed, and started to question.

“March in the 20th year of Qing Dynasty, were you having unauthorized contacts with ministers outside the palace, intending to join them?”

“No.”

“What “no”? Before March, you and Chen Jing met with the ministers, had a long talk for half an hour, for whatever reason? And you still privately accepted the minister’s gift?”

“Yes.” Yong Qi’s handsome face was very pale, his vision was stuck to what’s in front, as though his soul was not around, but he did not lack systematicity, and slowly said, “I got conferred as the Crown Prince when it was the 20th year of Qing Dynasty, the minister prepared the gift as congratulations, and according to etiquette, it would be irreverent to not accept it.”

“Did you instigate eunuch Wu Xiao San, to the Internal Affairs Court to obtain the birth records of each Prince?”

“No.” Yong Qi replied simply, while sparing Yong Shan a quick glance.

Yong Shan remained very solemn throughout. Seated quite a distance away, the fire behind his back made him look like a sitting statue. Yong Qi can sense that his gaze was on him only—sharp, deep, a type of observation and exploration that people could not understand, and a few other things, that causes one’s heart to beat quickly…

“You still dare to quibble?” Zhang Cheng snorted, and raised his voice “Eunuch Wu Xiao San is the one that serves you, the one who serves you has already confessed, that he did it based on your orders. How do you explain this?”

“Back then I was the Crown Prince, there were many people who served me.” Although he should do his best not to stir things up, his arrogance as a Prince couldn’t help but seeped out a little. Yong Qi gently glanced at Zhang Cheng “You said that he acted based on my orders, but under the threat of severe punishment, why didn’t he ask not to do it? And why would I need to retrieve my brothers’ birth records?”

“Retrieving the birth records, of course it would be to unleash nightmares on the Princes, by using evil techniques.”

“I did no such thing.” Yong Qi coldly answered, his pair of dark eyes staring at Zhang Cheng. “This case has been investigated before, and proven to be a frame, even Father knows this. Why are you digging this up to ask again?”

Speaking of which, he glanced at Yong Shan from the corner of his eyes, feeling a slight movement in his heart.

He remembers now.

Back then when there was this case, under the instructions of his mother Li Fei and uncle Song Nan, the blame got directed towards Yong Shan, Yong Lin and their mother Shu Fei.

During that time, although Yong Shan, Yong Lin and Shu Fei successfully escaped the blame and got proven innocent at the end, Mama Mu[9], who has taken care of Yong Shan since young, was sentenced to death.

“Then is then, now is now.” Zhang Cheng said, “The Emperor has given me orders, and that is to find out your involvement in this case. This case…”

The Yong Shan who has been sitting in silence, suddenly coughed softly, “This case from the past, put it on hold for now, ask other questions first.”

Zhang Cheng froze for a moment, but upon seeing Yong Shan open his mouth, of course he wouldn’t reject it, and answered with respect, “Yes.”

Putting down the scroll in his hands, he reopened a new scroll, and clearly asked, “Then let me ask you. In the 20th year pf Qing Dynasty on December, you had already been deposed, the Emperor carried out a favor, and appointed you as King of the South Forest, appointing you so that you can carry out self-cultivation and study in there, but why did you still have to contact the ministers in Jing City to meet up in private, and scheme against the law?”

December in the 20th year of Qing Dynasty, that was actually just a month ago.

Yong Qi got deposed in June, got appointed to the South Forest in July. Because he didn’t want to stir up trouble, he didn’t even dare to step out of the mansion gates, he has been this careful, but still managed to be framed by others, got accused falsely in front of the Emperor, and was escorted back to the Palace for interrogation.

Listening to Zhang Cheng’s forceful words, he deeply sighed for a while, and asked back, “Which ministers did I contact?”

“Cai Xin, Lei Tao Wu, Song Nan, did you not write letters to them?”

“I did.” Yong Qi nodded in response “Cai Xin, Lei Tao Wu, they are the Taifus[10] that my Father appointed; Song Nan, he is my blood related uncle. Can’t I write them letters?”

“Writing letters are acceptable, but writing about unlawful scheming, wanting to form a group with them, that is a big crime.”

A simple greetings letter, filled with very little words, can actually build up to such a big crime, even the calm Yong Qi also got angry at this point.

“Who says that I am unlawfully scheming and wanting to form a group with them? Have you seen those letters personally?”

“I did not!” Zhang Cheng looked at him insidiously, smiled maliciously and said, “That’s why I am interrogating you, to ask you what you exactly wrote in the letters? What is the plot written inside? And those accomplices? You went to the South Forest, Li Fei also sent you a few letters in private, what was written inside? You contacting the ministers is your own idea, or is it Li Fei’s idea?”

As a bunch of questions came tumbling down, Yong Qi’s heart grew cold along with it.

How is this an interrogation? This is clearly looking for a chance to kill off their whole family, not only the Song family, even the ministers that sympathize with the Song family are also not let off.

Ever since he has been deposed, his mother Li Fei has been sent into isolation. Although there really was the usage of money in order to get a few familiar faces to deliver the letter, it was only just a connection between mother and son, missing each other, asking about each other.

But only now did he know, the reason why the letters could make it to him, it was not based on luck, but permitted on purpose, all for the sole purpose of today.

The vicious feelings of people, it has already fallen to this point, why are they so anxious to kill?

“Hurry up and answer. Your Highness, servant does not have the best patience, you know it, too, interrogating, and quibbling will only cause you to suffer at the end.”

No, he cannot relax.

Let them defame him, but without his confession, it is difficult to be satisfied about it.

Yong Qi then decided, raised up his head, and answered plainly, “I don’t know anything. The letters were all written by me, what was written in the letters are all normal family greetings, writing to my tutor and uncle, I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Hehe, I see Your Highness is trying to drag time now?” Zhang Cheng has a lot of experience in interrogating prisoners, and Yong Qi is a pampered prince who has never seen the jail cell, seeing a change in Yong Qi’s attitude, he has already guessed this much.

Before he accepted this case, he has already gotten hold of the situation in the Palace, the second Prince Yong Shan seated behind him, will be crowned as the Crown Prince in the next few days.

The situation has already been set, and this is for the success of the future Emperor.

The reason why Shu Fei Niangniang[11] purposely called him over yesterday, was it not because she was worried that the Li Fei and Song family will get resurrected?

Putting everything aside, the main point is to get rid of the current Crown Prince and Li Fei, removing the thorn on their path.

To kill off Yong Qi, the quickest method will be using corporal punishment. Wooden pole, iron staff, any of them is fine, they just have to use sinister energy when executing the punishment[12], and this Prince who has been stripped off from his honor will definitely die.

So Yong Qi’s attitude favored Zhang Cheng’s intentions. He looked down on Yong Qi’s fragile body, and smiled crudely “Your Highness, please have a look.”

Moving away, he pointed to the wall, “This stuff on the wall, they are bestowed upon us by the previous Emperors, they are specially used on princes, aristocrats and those of nobility, who have sinned and are not afraid of death. The bestowed instruments are in our hands, meaning that we are punishing those of the imperial family in place of the Emperor, even if you get tormented to death, it will not add on to our crime. Previous year’s Prince Wu who sent out troops in secrecy, died in this very place. There are so many nice things here… Your Highness, which one would you like?”

Yong Qi glanced up at the walls, there are a lot of old and weird looking stuff hanging on the wall, sinister and bizarre, black, shrouded with the scent of thick blood, there’s no knowing how many people’s blood has been splattered on them.

Since he is only 16, he has never experienced any sort of mistreatment on his body, and now, this will all happen due to a puff of inherent arrogance.

Anger, sadness, fear, these feelings are reflected and tossed around in his clear, shiny and watery eyes.

The fear that envelopes him continues to get heavier, Yong Qi couldn’t help, but to direct his confused gaze at the Yong Shan, who was sitting high up by the side.

Even the brother who was only younger than him by 2 hours, got a shock when he met with his gaze.

But in a blink of an eye, Yong Shan coldly diverted his gaze to other places.

Yong Qi’s heart felt as though it got hammered ruthlessly by a siege hammer.

If… If Yong Lin was sent to supervise, then maybe…

“Your Highness, are you done considering?”

“Don’t you just want to carry out the punishment?” Turning his head in grief and anger, Yong Qi looked at Zhang Cheng in disdain, “Carry on.”

Zhang Cheng was waiting for this sentence, and couldn’t wait to add a sentence to his scroll “Yong Qi, who was quibbling and being unreasonable, was forcefully punished” After hearing Yong Qi’s words, he giggled and said “Good, my Prince[13], you’ve got guts.”

Raising his hand, not needing to turn around, the steel staff, which was covered in spots of blood, was already chosen.

That thing, as long as the person using it has enough skills, one hit will not cause the skin to break and bleed, but will cause serious internal, and shatter the internal organs, two hits, thirty hits, at that moment it may not seem like a big thing, but after two days the prisoners will breathe their last[14], unable to grasp onto any hopes, this was the most effective way to manage the number of prisoners in the jail.

Zhang Cheng hasn’t opened his mouth, and a voice that is neither light nor heavy came from behind him, “Wait.”

Zhang Cheng froze, quickly changed his expression, and turned around to face Yong Shan.

“Your Highness?”

“Zhang Cheng, I have something to say.” Yong Shan stood up, moving his wrist comfortably. “Let us find a place to speak.” Not waiting for Zhang Cheng’s reply, he turned around and stepped out of the hall gates.

Zhang Cheng couldn’t figure out what this current Prince was singing, so he could only rub his nose and followed him out.

Yong Shan was at a corner where there were no people, waiting for him while holding his onto arm.

“Yesterday, you went to visit Mother?”

“Yes.”

“She said something to you right?”

“Yes, Shu Fei Niangniang, she…”

“I can guess what she said.” Yong Shan coldly intercepted him.

The North wind blew through the hall, when it blew onto someone it felt as though a knife was cutting through, Zhang Cheng wore two layers of leather cloth, but he was still cold enough to tremble.

Why did this weird Prince choose such a place to chat? He complained in his heart, but even if he was given a hundred courage he won’t dare to make an opposition, he only could stare at Yong Shan, hoping for him to finish quickly.

On the contrary, Yong Shan remained unfazed against the harsh North wind. Facing the wind, it was as though it made him more energetic, he stood up straight, his face bearing a small smile in which the depth cannot be fathomed, after a while did he turn to ask Zhang Cheng, “Say, if she has no son, can an imperial concubine become an Empress?”

Zhang Cheng froze. This question, it seems a bit silly. Seeing Yong Shan’s shining eyes looking at him, he then realized that Yong Shan was waiting for his answer, and quickly answered, “This… I fear it is impossible.”

“Smart.” Yong Shan glanced over him satisfyingly, turned around, his vision going through the high walls, shooting towards the distant and night-falling horizon, as though he could sigh any moment, but looking as though he is meaning something else, “A son is a Mother’s key. If there is no me, Shu Fei Niangniang will not be able to be the Empress. That, you understand?”

“Servant understands.”

“Whose words hold more weight, do you understand?”

“Servant understands.” Not knowing why, standing at this wind crazed place, Zhang Cheng’s back has already developed a sheen of sweat.

Although this cold and indifferent youngster standing in front of him is only 16, his straight back as he stared into the distance, his almost flat tone but a few clear isolated phrases, causes even adults to develop a shiver.

“Zhang Cheng, listen to this sentence carefully.”

A type of shapeless fear, accompanied Yong Shan’s deep voice, causing Zhang Cheng to shroud up. He unconsciously bowed his body, and pricked up his ears to listen.

Yong Shan crossed his arms behind, and said the sentence word by word.

“If, Yong Qi gets into any mishaps in the Internal Punishment Court, I will take your life.”

The interrogation afterwards, carried on as though it turned into a dignified sounding.

Under the questioning of Zhang Cheng, whatever Yong Qi can use to support himself, he has used it all, but if it contains the involvement of others, Yong Qi turned into a sawed gourd[15], not speaking a single word.

Yong Qi himself also found it a little weird, the equipment that causes people to tremble in fear are still hanging on the wall, Zhang Cheng appears malevolent, spouting out intimidating words, appears impatient in every possible way, but never has he once pointed back to the equipment on the wall, nor has he mentioned the punishment.

The truth is when Yong Shan and Zhang Cheng went out to have a private meeting, he was in the hall, shivering in the dark with his shackled body.

Scared, really, who wouldn’t be scared?

Words that were briefly mentioned by people around him then, words that were stopped in the middle of the tragedy, are now in front of him, befalling onto himself.

Even a shrimp dares to dupe the dragon when it is in the shallow water[16], the vulgar men in front of him are all like tigers watching its prey, vicious and merciless, any form of honor in the past, once arrived here, will very likely cause an even more vicious torture.

“Your Highness, after half a day[17], you are refusing to admit?” Zhang Cheng closed the scroll heavily, and glanced at him with narrowed eyes.

“The questions you asked, I have answered them truthfully, and there is nothing I am refusing to admit.” Yong Qi no longer pursed up his lips, this movement greatly shows that he is starting to panic.

After answering Zhang Cheng for an hour, his mouth and tongue are dry[18], the shackles pressing down on him causing his shoulders to ache. Yong Qi stared at the bright flame on the other side, his gaze looking concentrated and yet not, seemingly looking a little out of it.

As though he is getting used to the darkness and light here, he no longer felt as frightened as before.

Even if he feared, what use would that be?

“The words you have said, I will have to present it to the Emperor.”

“Present it as you please.”

Yong Qi’s brows are too overly delicate, even if he smiles coldly, it does not seem harsh. Even if that pair of eyes carried anger, it also seems gentle.

This point, he can never compete with Yong Shan.

Even if Yong Shan smiles while appreciating something, the light that flashes in his eyes, will cause people to develop fear.

During the process of interrogation, even though he stayed in silence, but the silent gaze causes Yong Qi to be on pins and needles[19].

What is he looking at?

Not just the face, not just the hand, not just the leg or the body, clothes, demeanor, Yong Shan’s gaze was like a net that was formed using an ice sword, once thrown over will engulf Yong Qi from head to toe, from inside to outside, cutting him into a few thousand pieces.

Subconsciously, Yong Qi turned his face away, avoiding Yong Shan’s gaze once more.

By his ear, it was as though he heard a cold laughter from Yong Shan.

“Your Highness, today’s interrogation has roughly been completed. These are the recorded scrolls, may I trouble Your Majesty to look over them.” Zhang Cheng gathered the scrolls, and carefully presented them in front of Yong Shan.

“Take them away.” Yong Shan did not even spare the scrolls a glance, a forced smile still present on his face “I am here to see the person, what does the scrolls have to do with me?” He said it as he stood up, not one thread loose on his clothing.
Seeing him walk towards the hall gate, Zhang Cheng led two officials and followed over, “Your Highness has worked hard today, it is cold, why not prepare a warm palanquin…”

“Who says I’m leaving?” Yong Shan did not turn back “I have seen the interrogation area, the jail? Lead me to see.”

Zhang Cheng who saw Shu Fei yesterday, was eager to kill off Yong Qi, and only prepared a small worn down house. But after seeing Yong Shan’s intentions, Yong Qi cannot be ill-treated. 

He is a smart person, while following Yong Shan to the jail, he already has an idea, he did not lead him to the small prepared jail, but led Yong Shan straight to the biggest and best single jail room in the Internal Punishment Court, smiled and said, “It is this place, Your Highness, what do you think?”

“Mm, the place is big enough.” Yong Shan continued, “But it is a little cold.”

“It won’t be cold. The fireplace has already been prepared, it’s just that it’s not lit yet because the prisoner has not arrived. Oh! This servant shall light it up now…”

Yong Shan did not express any opinion, circled around the jail, and said, “Whatever I say, you shall remember it. First, do not use a fireplace, dig a hole out, and start a fire down below to obtain warmth[20].”

“Yes.” Zhang Cheng replied, but rose his head up in doubt, “Actually… The fireplace has never been tried…”

“The fireplace will not work. That is an open fire, with simmering coal inside it.” Yong Shan does not show any ounce of emotions. “You have so many people under you, with 3 days given, don’t tell me you still can’t open a small underground tunnel for warm air? If that is the case, are you not suited to handle matters?”

“What are you talking about Your Highness? This… This does not need 3 days, a day and a half will be sufficient.” Sensing that there is something wrong with Yong Shan’s tone, Zhang Cheng hurriedly changed his tone of speech, following his intentions and said, “Please be at ease, in no ways will I let His Highness Yong Qi get chilled. Servant was being fierce towards His Highness Yong Qi, but that is merely following for the rules of interrogation, it cannot be helped. In reality who wishes to make things difficult for him? Even the people below us feels that way, let’s not mention how the kindhearted Your Highness would feel. In the end you are still brothers who share the same Father, why would you stand by and watch His Highness Yong Qi suffer? The Emperor also dotes on this humane side of you. Servant understands now.”

“You do not understand.” Yong Shan coldly replied, in the darkness of the jail, a piercing and sharp gaze occasionally flashed pass his eyes, as though a lightning has pierced through a path in the sky, but the gaze was gone in a flash, pursing his lips lightly, with calculated and unhurried steps[21], and said with a loud and clear voice, “This is my brother, he is soft on the inside despite appearing to look tough, once caught up in things, it is difficult for him to get out of it. You… have to watch him carefully.”

This sentence was said in a very soft tone, and the last few words, as soft as it can get, if you don’t prick up your ear and listen, you will not catch it at all.

Instead, a heavy sense of danger has appeared for no reason.

Zhang Cheng froze for a while, violently shuddered, and finally understood.

This sophisticated and deep Prince is actually afraid of Yong Qi dying!

Sneakily, he raised his eyes and glanced upon the handsome youngster in front of him.

His Highness Yong Shan is the second oldest in the Palace, although there is not much contact with him, the rumors from the servants of the Palace, said that he is famous for being grim and cold hearted, harsh and relentless, difficult and hard to fathom.

After interacting with him for nearly 3 hours, he is definitely not easy to serve.

Let’s take his attitude towards his brother Yong Qi for an example, if you say that he is kind towards Yong Qi, in midst of the whole interrogation process, he has never said anything good about Yong Qi, not only that, he did not even give Yong Qi a smile; but, if you say that he is not good towards Yong Qi, not only is he afraid that Yong Qi will get harmed by the people in the Internal Punishment Court, he is also afraid of Yong Qi dying.

What on earth is happening?

Zhang Cheng’s mind has been consistently turning, not forgetting to bow down, he said with restrained eyebrows, “Your Highness, servant has… really understood. Not just the fireplace, even the other places this servant will carefully clean up, not a single needle will be left behind.”

Only then did Yong Shan smile slightly, and commanded again, “Second, on the wall, ask someone to make a few more rings.”

“Rings?”

“Those that cannot be moved even when 2 or 3 people is pulling it. Hm? What are you zoning out for?” Yong Shan noticed Zhang Cheng’s confused gaze, and mildly swept him a glance, “You are always using big punishments to scare the prisoners, if the prisoners do not listen, grapple and struggle, how do you normally restrict them? You actually dare to feign ignorance.”

Zhang Cheng only understood then, replied in understanding, and explained while smiling, “Your Highness was initially talking about the fireplace, this servant thought that you would continue talking about it, for a moment my mind couldn’t catch up, so I did not think about the equipment. Heh, please relax Your Highness, we have tons of rings with us, we can immediately put up 5, 6 of them, it is certainly robust, as long as someone is tied to it, even a gorilla also cannot break free, if it loosens by a bit, you can go ahead and twist servant’s head off without hesitation. Not just the rings, even the different chains used for the rings, servant shall gather them up for you immediately.”

“No need for the chains. Find something softer, to tie up the hands and legs, something good to use and not easy to break.”

“Huh?”

“What, is there none?” Yong Shan gave him a glance, a forced smile on his face.

“No, no, Your Highness has requested for it, why would there be none?” Zhang Cheng replied, but his heart cannot help but feel a little cold. No wonder torture was not allowed, and he was preventing his death, he actually wants to…

Li Fei and Shu Fei has been fighting non-stop ever since they are in the Palace, today that one of them has dismounted, and is being insulted by others, is just a normal thing.

But blood related brothers, not even wanting to lend a hand from outsiders, but wanting to end it with his own hands, this ruthless and vicious heart is certainly too surprising.

To top it off, the rings and ropes that should be used are all soft, it is used for patient people with calculated unhurried steps, and it seems that it is preparation for slow humiliation.

He is only 16 years old, a child who is a half adult, both of them grew up in the same Palace, and he is already this cruel? Already this vicious?

Even Zhang Cheng who is heartless, also cannot help but tremble, for a moment, this Prince in front of him who is like a jade tree in the wind was as scary as a Demon King from Hell, causing those who spared him a second glance to feel palpitations.

No wonder the famous Prince Dun Hou could not compete with him, and ended up in a miserable state.

Zhang Cheng lowered his head, swallowed his throat squeezed out a smile, carefully and flatteringly said, “Servant has a set of soft binds, it was brought here by a faraway friend, the workmanship is excellent and delicate, and it is of supple and strong quality, I do not know what it’s made out of, but even a knife cannot cut through it, using that to tie up people, it is soft and useful. If Your Highness does not dislike it, I will let the servants present it up, how about that?”

“You are an experienced person, if you say it’s good, it will definitely be good.” A slight smile appeared on Yong Shan’s stern face, “I will reward you with 500 silvers, you can collect it tomorrow from the treasurer in my Palace.

“No no! This is merely a form of respect from this servant, why would I dare to ask for rewards? No no no!”

“You should accept the reward.” Yong Shan held back his smile, and said, “I do not like others going against my orders—rewards, punishments, rising, falling, birth, death, all of them have to abide by my wishes, this is my disposition. Understand?”

“Understood, servant gives thanks for the reward.”

Yong Shan glanced at him satisfyingly, and looked around the room one more time, seemingly looking satisfied, before walking towards the room door. While strolling, he did not turn back, and told Zhang Cheng that was behind him, “I only pointed out 2 points, there was actually a third point, but seeing that you are so smart, I do not need to say it anymore.”

“Yes,” Zhang Cheng blindly followed behind Yong Shan, and replied. “Beside this big jail room lies a smaller jail room, there is one prisoner living inside, servant shall move him to another place immediately, or else when Your Highness is interrogating Yong Qi, there are disturbances from the side, and also to prevent him from spouting nonsense afterwards. The officials taking care of the Royal prisoners in the Internal Punishment Court, all of them knows the rules, not a single one of them is a big mouth, there is no need for Your Highness’ orders, the things that happen here, not a single word of it will be spoken out. And… all kinds of necessary equipment, thought, and ointment for application, servant will prepare it for Your Highness.” Zhang Cheng’s voice got deeper as he continued on.

“What all kinds of necessary equipment? What ointment?” As Yong Shan listened till the end, he turned around to look at Zhang Cheng, not being able to suppress the corner of his lips “You think that I am going to personally torture Yong Qi? What a joke.”

Shaking his head, he turned around yet again.

This time he said nothing, being accompanied by Zhang Cheng out of the Internal Punishment Court, he sat in the palanquin and left without a word.

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TRANSLATION NOTES:

[1] Ice Palace is referring to the Internal Punishment Court.

[2] 小的 Xiaode is an “I” you use when speaking to a superior or someone of higher status. “Servant” is used in place of it in this novel.

[3] In olden China, presentations often refer to a form of official communication to the Emperor done as formal affairs by the Officials. What is presented is normally a scroll consisting of what the other party wants to say to the Emperor, and it is read out to him by the Officials.

[4] Golden branch, jade leaves is an idiom used to describe someone who is of blue-blooded nobility, meaning that they were noble since birth.

[5] A cangue is a large, flat, square or rectangular device that was used for public humiliation and corporal punishment in China and some other parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia until the early years of the twentieth century. It was also occasionally used for or during torture. (Refer to manhua chapter 01 for illustration)

[6] The three judicial chief ministries refers to how the judging system (known as 三省六部 San Sheng Liubu) works in the past. In hearings, there will be representatives from the 3 main departments/ministries. There will be a Secretariat who is in charge of drafting out the rules and policies, a judge responsible for giving out executions, and a Chancellery that serves as an adviser to the judge or Emperor if he is present.

[7] 妃 Fei means imperial concubine.

[8] Jade tree is a plant that bears leaves/flowers similar to jade (elegant) and it’s able to bloom in all sorts of weathers (unrestrained).

[9] 嬤嬤 Mama is a term used to address an elderly woman or a wet nurse.

[10] 太子太傅 Taizi Taifu, or simply Taifu, is a tutor for the Crown Prince. The Taifu’s role is to teach and prepare the Crown Prince to take up the role as an Emperor. In some cases where the Emperor is absent when his presence is needed, the Taifu is able to stand in for the Emperor.

[11] 娘娘 Niangniang is an olden way of addressing beautiful women or women of high status in the Palace (an imperial concubine). It could also be used refer to an Empress or Mother.

[12] Corporal Punishment is an official punishment for crime by inflicting pain or injury, it includes flogging, branding and even mutilation, and was practiced in most civilizations since ancient times.

[13] 太子爷 Taiziye is a name given to children whose parents are of high status, such as government officials, people with riches and/or power. Since there is no exact English equivalent, “my Prince” is used in place of it.

[14] Breathe the last is an idiom for die.

[15] The saying “sawed gourd” came from a novel called Officialdom Unmasked by Li BaoJia, it is phrase that states that the sawing of the mouth of the gourd is equivalent to sawing the human mouth, thus not being able open their mouth and speak.

[16] “Even a shrimp dares to dupe the dragon when it is in the shallow water; a tiger may even be teased by a dog when it leaves the remote mountains and comes to the bright and flat area” is an old folk saying stating that those who lose their advantages or power over others will be belittled and defeated.

[17] After half a day is a phrase meaning that a long time has passed.

[18] Dry mouth and tongue is an idiom for talking too much.

[19] On pins and needles is an idiom for being anxious.

[20] During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a ground heating system was used indoors, which was built by concreting circular flue underground. The charcoal fire smoke would flow through channels to the whole room and raise the temperature indoors. The ground heating system enabled the room heat up evenly and mildly.

[21] Calculated and unhurried steps is an diom for being slow and deliberate.

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Chapter Index