Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Ushering Fan Sizhe out of the bookshop, Fan Xian had a sudden thought. He turned and spoke sincerely with Ye the shopkeeper. “Could you deal with the things we’ve talked about the past few days? I don’t want too many people to know.” 

  Although Shopkeeper Ye did not understand why his young boss was interested in the people who had plundered Qingyu Hall, he nodded in response. Those seventeen shopkeepers had long gotten used to life in the capital, following the orders of the princes’ estates; although they had no way of doing their own business, they lived lives of riches and honor. 

  “Deal with what?” asked Fan Sizhe curiously. 

  “Do you know what Qingyu Hall is? 

  “Of course I do.” This shopkeeper Ye was the one that Fan Sizhe had spent a large sum of money on to invite back. Of course he knew. “This is a shopkeeper from the former Ye family. I can go into business and have a team of capable people under me. It’ll be better.” 

  Fan Xian was surprised, and increasingly felt that he had been acting too cautiously. It seemed that the name of the Ye family had become ancient history, and that the people of the capital no longer saw it as taboo. When the carriage came to pick him up, he found that Ruoruo was sitting inside it. Fan Xian blamed himself. “If I’d known you were coming, I’d have left sooner.” Fan Sizhe looked at his sister and felt an inexplicable fear. “I just came to look,” he explained. “The business has nothing to do with me. Don’t tell father.” 

  Hearing this, a smile broke out across Ruoruo’s cold face. “We are family,” she said. “Who would want you to get in trouble?” 

  Dongchuan Road had quieted down after its noonday bustle. The Fan estate carriage rolled along toward the east side of the city with the family’s three children inside it. The sun set in the west, and the carriage’s shadow lengthened, spilling out onto the paving stones. Springing up from the tiny undulations of the paving stones, a slight chill seemed to struggle to escape from the slates, throwing itself into the fiery twilight. 

  There was one more thing. Fan Xian felt that his family life had been happy as of late. When one has grasped a few strands of happiness, one must hold on tight. So when it came to the attempt to assassinate him, Fan Jian—Count Sinan— was bound by his status as an official. It was not possible to find out the truth, so there was no choice but to endure it for the time being. And Fan Xian was a free and unfettered soul, so he had no misgivings. 

  In order to achieve the three goals that he had set for himself after his rebirth, he could not accept being in a dangerous environment. In his previous life, the United Nations had once said that people had the freedom to live without fear. Although Fan Xian did not understand politics, he thought that even if he had passed through to the next life, there had to be some sort of human rights. 

  Wang Qinian sat ashen-faced at a table. The building was a place rented with Fan family money before leaving the city; it was in an unremarkable location, where no one would pay any attention to it. 

  Fan Xian quickly gave him some tea. “My apologies.” 

  He noticed that he was using formal language. Wang Qinian did not dare accept. It was his duty to report immediately. “As the master expected, as the group with Si Lili returned to the capital, they were intercepted on the road. But the state had prepared for that. The enemy was defeated. According to the master’s instructions, after they came out of Cangzhou, the subordinates had followed the state’s troops and were pretending to be highwaymen, but after their retreat they found evidence that they were soldiers.” 

  Fan Xian was shocked. He wondered how soldiers could have gotten in. “Was it soldiers from the state capital or someone else?” 

  Wang Qinian thought for a moment. “We aren’t sure. According to the master’s instructions,” he continued, “they were only tracking them, and finally found that the officer in charge had escaped to Wuzhou.” 

  “Wuzhou?” 

  “Correct. That night that officer met with the army in Wuzhou.” Wang Qinian suddenly thought of something else he had to explain. “There was someone else following them at that time,” he hurriedly continued. 

  “Who?” 

  “Zong Zhui.” 

  Fan Xian suddenly realized. “You were talking about him before. At the time, Zong Zhui was just as well-known as you. Didn’t you say he was always by Director Chen’s side?” Suddenly, he understood. It seemed just the same as him. The Overwatch Council had used Si Lili as a pretense to track down clues behind the scenes. 

  “Correct. That day I saw Director Chen’s carriage from afar. The Black Knights were also there. If they weren’t, they would have been unable to hold back the cavalry.” Wang Qinian was somewhat uneasy as he asked. “Master Fan, since the state has already tracked them down, shall we continue?” 

  “Mm. Do not worry too much about them. Which official joined the army at Wuzhou?” 

  “Be careful. His surname is Fang and his given name is Xiu. He has no background; he is just a distant relative of General Fang of the city guard.” 

  \r \r \r 

  Fan Xian frowned as he thought. This official of the city guard had indeed acted disgracefully in this matter, but how could he dig himself out of this hole? Or rather, should he really dig himself out of this hole? If too many people were implicated, matters would come to a difficult end. Someone who had been commended by the palace for his bravery such as himself might be forced to play the role of someone else. 

  He sighed deeply. His lips went slightly pale. “When will Si Lili arrive?” he asked quietly. 

  “Tomorrow.” Wang Qinian looked at him and suddenly opened his mouth to speak. “The Director will also return tomorrow. Master Fan, do you wish to ask the Director for advice first? Si Lili will face the death penalty.” 

  “And Master Fei?” 

  “It seems he was not present.” 

  Hearing that Fei Jie had not returned to the capital, Fan Xian felt slightly disappointed. But when he thought about Chen Pingping’s imminent return to the capital, he was inexplicably worried—although his mother had single-handedly created the Overwatch Council, it had been many years, and men’s hearts might have since changed. But the scene that he saw when he was reborn into this world and the careful teaching that he had received from Fei Jie had convinced Fan Xian that the Council was neither an enemy nor a friend…… but they were their own people. 

  He felt like a bullied, motherless child after fighting with a group of strong older boys, a young child wiping away tears and thinking: screw you all, who would dare to bully me when I come to the capital? 

  At that moment, Wang Qinian suddenly laughed. “Congratulations, sir.” It seemed that even someone who had just returned to the capital was aware of the news that Fan Xian being given the title of Functionary of Taichang Temple. But most people did not know the person inside the palace that he was to marry. Fan Xian had no choice but to smile. He said nothing. 

  There was a saying amongst the bureaucracy in the Kingdom of Qing: “There’s nothing that the Overwatch Council can’t find out; even if it’s money hidden in a chamber pot.” Fan Xian could believe it. His father hadn’t found the slightest clue, but if there was anyone else left who could find out, it was Chen Pingping. For the purpose of safety, Fan Xian allowed Wang Qinian to temporarily cease his activities so he could gather some manpower. He closely followed every movement of the estate. 

  When Director Chen returned to the capital, the entire bureaucracy responded. The night they heard that Chen Pingping was to return, they were hurriedly called to the palace by official decree. They discussed matters long into the night as an already somewhat weary Director Chen returned to the capital. The civil and military officials envied how Director Chen remained a favorite of His Majesty. On the one hand, they silently cursed the old man for how his labors had led to sickness. They thought that he should retire. 

  When the Director was in the palace, the Overwatch Council’s activities were meticulously carried out to the letter. Later that evening, a large team of Overwatch Council officials burst into the office of the city guard ferociously and began to search the premises, and another team headed directly to Fang’s official residence. 

  Outside the official’s residence stood a tall tree. Fan Xian firmly grabbed onto a branch. The zhenqi flowed slowly throughout his whole body, quietly fading into the many leaves as he hid himself among them. His eyes looked coolly upon the chaos inside the house. 

  Not long after, the activity ceased. 

  Disappointed-looking Overwatch Council officials came out of the manor. They carried with them a dispiriting sight: city guard official Fang had committed suicide to escape his punishment, just half an hour before the Council had arrived, by hanging himself from the roof beams. 

  Fan Xian sighed and waited for them to disperse, then slipped down from the tree. On the quiet street at night, his mind was preoccupied. Fang was a military general. Even if he had colluded with Northern Qi and had decided to kill himself after his plot was discovered, a knife to his own throat seemed a more appropriate method for a military man. Hanging was too much for a palace grievance. Perhaps he hadn’t wanted to do it. 

  His heat skipped a beat, and he had no way of controlling it. He headed directly to the address that Wang Qinian had left. Wang’s house was in the south of the city in an alley full of commoners. At night, old men would lie around outside to cool off and sip tea while their wives remained indoors. Fan Xian slipped away from the street unnoticed, found the right place, and disappeared into the shadows of the alleyway. 

  Although Wang Qinian was only a low-level official, he was still a member of the Council. The reason he had seemed so destitute after leaving his job was because all of his savings had been used to buy this house. 

  When Fan Xian entered, Wang Qinian was lovingly watching over his son with a large palm-leaf fan in one hand. He heard something unusual and turned his head sharply. When he saw Fan Xian’s handsome face, he couldn’t help but feel shocked. 

  “Shh!” Fan Xian gestured with his hands, and quietly moved into the peaceful space. 

  Wang Qinian did not think that his young master had come to discuss his performance during the day, but unexpectedly, he had come to find him immediately. “Master, what has happened?” he asked, filled with suspicion. 

  Fan Xian told him about Fang’s suicide. Wang Qinian frowned. “You are quick indeed. It will be difficult to handle.” 

  “Take me to the prison,” said Fan Xian. “I want to see Si Lili.” 

  “There’s an ongoing investigation. If we get involved, won’t it cause misunderstanding?” Wang Qinian was more thorough in his way of thinking than Fan Xian. 

  Fan Xian thought about it for a while. “Director Chen was summoned to the palace,” he said grudgingly, “I’m worried something might have happened in the prison.” 

  Wang Qinian wanted to establish the truth more firmly first. “Master,” he said respectfully, “you don’t want to dirty your hands with such matters. Let a subordinate take care of it.” 

  Fan Xian shook his head. “Let’s go together,” he said. To tell the truth, he had always been curious about the prison of the Overwatch Council. Of course, he was also curious about Si Lili. 

  Night had already fallen upon the capital. The ink-black darkness was sprinkled with bright glowing lights, and the Liujing riverside looked magnificent, even more so than Wanong Alley. And in the darkest part of the pitch-black darkness was the Overwatch Council. That evening, Wang Qinian led a mysterious man, clad head to toe in dark-grey robes, into the prison of the Overwatch Council.

  Chapter 98: Torturing a Frail Woman in the Celestial Prison 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Due to the Overwatch Council operating directly from the emperor’s orders, the Celestial Prison was no longer located in the Ministry of Justice building, nor was it in the Supreme Court. It was located near the Council itself, right around the corner, to keep serious offenders behind bars. The security was exceptionally tight; due to its close proximity to the Council, if something happened, help would arrive immediately. Although Wang Qinian was no longer a part of the Council—on the surface, at least—he and Fan Xian were trusted by the guard thanks to Fan Xian’s badge. Together the two of them entered the Celestial Prison. 

  The two iron doors opened silently; not the rusty creaking sound Fan Xian had been expecting. The guard on duty inspected the badge carefully before respectfully inviting the two inside. The guard then closed the doors from the outside. 

  Behind the iron doors was a long corridor. Dim oil lamps were lit on the walls on either side lit. The stone steps felt slightly damp and slippery, but there was not a single bit of moss, a sign that the place was carefully taken care of every day. As they proceeded, for every set distance they walked, they saw a warden. While those wardens didn’t look to be too fearsome, Fan Xian eyed them carefully and discovered each one was a fourth-ranked official. 

  After walking for a while, the air became stale and musty, blending in with the dim lights. The environment was enough to make anyone feel sluggish, as if this place was no longer part of the world of living, but the underworld. 

  “Please show your official documents or permit.” A head jailer with murky eyes looked at Wang Qinian. 

  Wang Qinian was very respectful towards this head jailer and gave him Fan Xian’s badge. The head jailer had a very weathered look; the wrinkles on his face looked like ridges of dirt that had been washed over by water. Receiving the badge, he looked at Wang Qinian suspiciously. “Did you get a promotion, Wang?” 

  Wang Qinian politely moved aside, showing Fan Xian who had been hidden behind Wang Qinian’s frame. “I’m accompanying His Highness today to investigate a case.” The head jailer couldn’t make out Fan Xian’s face, but he nevertheless knew the significance of the badge in his hand. Nodding to show his permission, the head jailer took out his keys and opened the door next to him. With a gesture of his hand, he invited the two to proceed inside. 

  Fan Xian had a troubled expression. Would they be questioning Si Lili from behind a barrier? He didn’t want to let too many people hear his voice, so he turned and winked at Wang Qinian. 

  Wang Qinian shook his head with a smile. 

  After the door behind them closed, Fan Xian expressed his curiosity. “Why are you afraid of him?” Wang Qinian replied with a bitter frown, “He was the former boss of the Seventh Bureau; spent his whole life watching over the prison. Even after he passed the age limit, he willingly came back to be the head jailer. He says he likes the smell of blood and gore here. Your Highness, how could I not be afraid of someone like that?” 

  Fan Xian shuddered. It seemed like this Overwatch Council was a nest full of freaks like that. What was his mother thinking, spending money to create this monster of an organization? 

  As they had asked for the directions previously, they easily found the cell holding Si Lili. Seeing the beauty inside the cage made Fan Xian frown. Despite being locked up in such a terrifying place, the frail woman was sitting calmly. At first, Fan Xian thought Northern Qi must have disciplined her well. But then he thought she wouldn’t be that impressive, or else she wouldn’t have attempted to escape the capital. Anyone more capable would have willingly submitted and dragged down some higher-ups with them in order to cause as much unrest in the Imperial court as possible. 

  Unbeknownst to Fan Xian, his theory was largely in agreement with the theory of the official who was in charge of bringing Si Lili back to the capital. He took off the grey robes from his head and looked at Si Lili while gently calling out, “Miss Lili.” 

  Si Lili knew someone was there. She had just arrived back in the capital today; for her to be questioned so soon, she thought for a moment that she was quite important, so she intentionally showed a haughty expression. But to her surprise…… it was the esteemed son from Fan Manor! 

  “Sir Fan?” Si Lili was beyond bewildered, but managed to keep herself from shouting out. 

  “Miss Si, it’s been a few months since we bid farewell at the Drunken Immortal. I didn’t think we would meet again, especially not under such circumstances.” Back on the day when they shared a bed, they had been so intertwined. Back then, nothing would have made Fan Xian believe she was a spy from Northern Qi. 

  Si Lili thought of something as her expression darkened. She said, “I never imagined you would be so secretive.” 

  Fan Xian sighed slightly. “Thin bamboo is reflected on the banks of the Yi River, just like the cold, crisp autumn night. If a crane were standing proudly by the side, it would be an incomparable scene. I suppose it was fate that brought us together, although I don’t understand, how could you plot against my life?” 

  Fan Xian had quoted that Qian Weiyan poem in order to show his refinement. As Si Lili was a prolific courtesan in the capital, she had been adored by the public all her life as a woman of civil virtues. Due to that, Fan Xian believed she would have at least some virtue to her. His sigh was also intentional. It was his attempt to weaken the spy’s mental defenses. Unexpectedly, Si Lili only lowered her head, seemingly unmoved. 

  Fan Xian sighed again. “Such a pretty woman; why choose to be a criminal?” 

  \r \r \r 

  Si Lili gave him a charming smile. She was a pretty woman indeed, “Since you were able to come here to see me, you must command some status. We each serve our masters with our lives. What else is there to say?” 

  Fan Xian’s display of civility had been all for naught. Smiling bitterly, he realized that not every woman would fall for that kind of show; he was being absurd by expecting results. Calming his nerves, he took out a small bottle. 

  Throwing the bottle through the bars, he said coldly, “It’s poison. Eventually someone will come to force you to confess. If you don’t want to suffer, take it.” The bottle rolled on the straw on the ground before stopping next to Si Lili, who picked it up and gripped it tightly. She never imagined this gentle and endearing young man would turn into a demon in the blink of an eye, enticing her to kill herself. 

  If she was willing to die, she wouldn’t have tried to escape the capital in the first place. 

  Fan Xian predicted this. Looking into her eyes, he said softly, “What? You tried to kill me, am I supposed to pamper you? Don’t be ridiculous. Since I just provided you with an easy way out, why not be grateful? You’re not worthy of being a spy if you’re this afraid to die.” 

  Si Lili gritted her teeth in anger and stood up. Her dark gaze pierced through the messy hair, focused on Fan Xian’s face. 

  Fan Xian’s face was at ease. “No need to talk more about life and death. You are no idiot; you knew even if you exposed whoever it was that conspired with Northern Qi, you would still die. That’s why you’d rather say nothing.” 

  Suddenly, Si Lili felt the young man’s voice was getting more and more distant, more and more weightless, and more and more terrifying. 

  “I don’t belong to the Imperial court, I purely wanted to find that person to exact my revenge.” 

  “I want to make a deal with you.” 

  “Other than trusting me, you have no other choice.” 

  Fan Xian spoke without emotion, but his words were beyond chilling and got lower and lower. Eventually he sounded like he was talking to himself. “I’m reluctant to torture women. But you did try to kill me. Because I’m a proponent of women’s rights, I believe men and women are equal, especially in this struggle of life and death.” 

  He had been digging graves since he was a child; his refinement on the surface couldn’t completely hide the chilling horror underneath which would occasionally burst out. Wang Qinian left to find the head jailer to prepare some torture tools without saying a word. 

  A woman’s countless screams resounded throughout the Celestial Prison! 

  A long time later, Fan Xian looked at Si Lili, who was passed out on the pile of straw. Looking at the bloody pulp which used to be her fingers, Fan Xian showed no emotion. The one who did show emotion, however, was Wang Qinian, who had been standing nearby in silence. He didn’t think such a refined young gentleman would be so unshaken at the sight of torture; he didn’t know exactly how merciless Fan Xian could get under his gentle mask. 

  “In order for torture to be effective, you need to cycle at least once every five days,” Wang Qinian swallowed nervously. He then explained in a low voice, “As we just saw, this Si Lili is new to this, which was how we managed to force some information out of her. But in the end, she is still disciplined. Once it involves information she must keep hidden—plus the unbearable pain— it’s no wonder that she fainted.” 

  By the time the frightening head jailer came, Fan Xian had already put on his grey robe and hid his face. As he started gathering up the torture tools, he said while shaking his head, “Your Young Highness, torture is also a trade. If you made her confess in such a short period of time, you would shame every one of us professionals.” 

  In frustration, Fan Xian made may for the head jailer to leave. Once the head jailer was far away, he turned to Wang Qinian with a bitter smile. “I guess it’s better to leave it to the professionals. Let’s come by again after a few days to get an update. Judging by the guards, I don’t think anyone will be able to sneak in to eliminate her.” As they were about to leave, Si Lili woke up. Feeling the wounds on her hand, she let out a chilling scream. Back during her days on the entertainment boats, she had entertained countless men with her hands and lips. Today, those hands had been ruined, and those lips could only scream out. 

  Fan Xian stopped for a bit. He turned to look at Si Lili behind the bars. 

  Si Lili bit her bottom lip, all color drained from her face. Cold sweat drenched her hair, and her two eyes were like those of a wounded lioness. She stared at Fan Xian’s face maliciously, as if wanting to imprint his appearance into her mind. 

  Fan Xian continued to stare at her, standing silently still. Taking the hint, Wang Qinian distanced himself. 

  “Take care of that bottle. Next time, if you really can’t endure the torture, take it.” Fan Xian tested her with death for the second time, his tone full of indifference. 

  This time, Si Lili cried out. She hatefully stared at Fan Xian with a gaze that was venomous without equal.