Chapter 65

At the palace gates, Eunuch Ruan, who was adjusting his headpiece, had only just been released from prison.

The past few days had been so harrowing that this rootless man was already terrified by every sound or shadow.

Now, just as the Grand Tutor roared in fury, Eunuch Ruan’s hand shook, and his hat rolled off his head.

If not for the young eunuch beside him holding him up, he would’ve collapsed onto the ground right then and there.

His eyes darted around in panic to make sure the shout wasn’t directed at him, and only then did he relax slightly.

He hurried into the main hall, only to be stunned speechless by what he saw.

The Grand Tutor’s handsome, almost immortal-like face was filled with a murderous chill, phoenix eyes narrowed as he glared fiercely at the princess.

And the princess? She was astonishingly bold.

Even under such a glare, she had her chin raised high, wearing a righteous expression that showed she had already cast life and death aside!

Oh dear…this Princess Yong’an must’ve spent too long in temples and monasteries and didn’t know that the Grand Tutor beheaded people as easily as chopping potatoes! Yet here she was, glaring right back at him, as if she didn’t even understand her own situation.

Rumor had it that back when the Grand Tutor was said to have died in Li county, she heartlessly married Ge Qingyuan, bowed before Heaven and Earth, and entered the bridal chamber… What did that say about the Grand Tutor’s former affections for her?

Such an openly bold act of betrayal—who would dare slap such a green hat on the Grand Tutor? And yet this foolish princess had done just that.

The Grand Tutor had set aside the past and brought her back to the palace, so what had she said now to provoke him this much?

But affairs between men and women weren’t as straightforward as politics, where one plus one equaled two.

Though the Grand Tutor shouted for the princess to be thrown into the Sky Prison, the guards below all hesitated.

The Grand Tutor was utterly enraged.

Even after he shouted, that lazy wretch remained as arrogant and composed as ever.

It nearly burst his lungs.

But when he saw the guards respond and start to reach for her, he gave them a hard glare and instead ordered Nanny Shan to take the palace maids and escort the princess into the Sky Prison.

At that, Eunuch Ruan finally understood…ah, so they’re just fighting and taking it into the prison.

The jailers there would probably have a chaotic night ahead…

Sure enough, the princess followed Nanny Shan out of Fengchu Palace without hurrying.

The Grand Tutor stared fixedly at her frail figure, and one could vaguely hear the sound of his teeth grinding.

It took him a long time to suppress his fury and return to his usual immortal-like demeanor before saying aloud, “Eunuch Ruan.”

Eunuch Ruan quickly shuffled forward in small steps, bowing as he waited for the Grand Tutor’s orders.

“Rebel Ge has disrupted the court. Many loyal ministers and valiant generals have been thrown into the Sky Prison these past few days. Sorting out the court and distinguishing the loyal from the traitorous will take some time, but in the meantime, we cannot let virtuous officials suffer. In a while, take the Inner Service Bureau and go replace the bedding in the Sky Prison, what they have now is too rough and might injure the skin. Use something softer. Also… the prison is damp and filled with yin energy. Dig more earth dragons that don’t require open flames to help dry out the moisture. Any prisoners who are gravely ill or emit foul air, have the jailers isolate them immediately and don’t let the place get contaminated. Burn some jasmine-scented incense, and as for food and water… assign someone to taste-test them first. We must guard against anyone trying to harm any important prisoners inside.”

At this point, the Grand Tutor narrowed his eyes again and gave a special warning to the eunuch: “This Marquis’s benevolence is fair to all. All prisoners in the Sky Prison are to be treated equally. Do not let anyone get the wrong idea and think I’m giving ‘her’ special care!”

Eunuch Ruan strained to remember every instruction clearly.

When he heard that last sentence, his heart sank.

In the entire Sky Prison, who else but that one would have such delicate skin that a rough blanket might injure them? Yet the Grand Tutor insisted on pretending it wasn’t favoritism and demanded no one have crooked thoughts… Duties in the palace were truly getting harder and harder…

The Sky Prison of Great Wei was located in the northern corner of the city, the area with the densest concentration of troops.

Built beneath the military barracks, the Sky Prison was a massive underground passageway meant for housing the most dangerous criminals.

Once inside, it was nearly impossible to come out alive.

Thus, stepping into the Sky Prison meant being immediately hit by a wave of damp darkness, the foul air so thick it made one wrinkle their nose.

Eunuch Ruan covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, frowning as he glanced at the warden beside him, who was bowing and scraping.

Speaking slowly and carefully, he said, “Lord Wang, I’m not trying to criticize you, but this prison houses both nobles and officials, inside and outside the palace. Who’s to say one of them won’t survive this ordeal and rise again? But look at this place… not a single decent cell! Good heavens, this moisture, this stench! What do you expect me to say to that?”

Lord Wang wore a flattering smile, but in his heart he was full of complaints: it was indeed shortsighted of him not to have prepared a refined and elegant private chamber in this underworld of death-row prisoners, but… a dignified princess of the empire, the late emperor’s own sister…shouldn’t she be locked up in some Cold Palace annex instead? Even if the annex had been burned down, wasn’t there still the Royal Punishment Bureau meant specifically for imperial family members? What was she doing here in the Sky Prison, joining the chaos and stirring up trouble?

But of course, those thoughts remained buried in his heart.

He wouldn’t dare say a word of them aloud.

All he could do was command his subordinates to prepare a cell right next to the exit, the one with the best ventilation.

All nearby prisoners were removed.

Quicklime was sprayed to disinfect the area. Earth dragons were dug out, and copper smoke ducts were installed. Charcoal braziers were placed in the cell. The ground was paved with planks of fragrant camphorwood oiled to a smooth finish. Soon, the cell became warm and cozy enough to walk on barefoot.

(T/N: Earth dragons were dug out= unearth or open the underground heating flue system)

As for the bed, it was a low couch raised just one inch above the ground. Since the prison cell wasn’t big enough for a proper bed, they kept it small and close to the ground, afraid that the princess might not be used to it and accidentally roll off in her sleep.

Once the soft silk bedding was all laid out, Eunuch Ruan glanced at the incense burner that was giving off a fragrant smoke and said, “Her Highness is currently in the front hall writing her confession. In a while, send a presentable female jailer to escort her here. As for the princess’s meals, Lord Wang need not worry. Nanny Shan will handle arrangements with provisions from the palace…”

After these detailed instructions were given, the princess’s “interrogation” finally concluded, and she was escorted into the Sky Prison.

Nie Qinglin stepped into the cell and saw that the quicklime-covered walls were relatively clean.

The wooden planks under her feet exuded a faint fragrance and warmth.

Her body, still aching from the torment of that man the night before, felt weak again.

She collapsed onto the soft white silken bedding without even undressing.

But no matter what, she couldn’t sleep soundly.

The memories of the previous night kept flashing through her mind.

So that’s what the union of a man and woman is like… It was truly shameful to death.

The Grand Tutor’s stamina was surprisingly good—aside from his initial tenderness when she couldn’t bear the pain, the five rounds that followed came like a rainstorm pounding on leaves. If the medicine hadn’t worn off and dulled her senses toward the end, he might never have stopped…

People always say that promises whispered in bed are fleeting illusions, turns out, that’s absolutely true.

Just yesterday, he was embracing her, kissing her endlessly, their bodies joined so intimately and today, she was thrown straight into the Sky Prison…

Nie Qinglin gave a faint, bitter smile.

What was wrong with her, thinking about such foolish things that had nothing to do with her? From a very young age, she understood that by giving up extravagant hopes, she could live freely and indifferently.

What kind of man was Wei Lenghou? He was a true strategist and power player—destined to climb to the highest ranks of power.

For a man like him, only endless stimulation and challenge could hold his interest.

Power itself was his one true obsession, the treasure he would pursue and cherish for life.

As for women, they were mere distractions.

If they were obedient, they could be pampered and kept in a golden chamber to amuse him.

But if they were defiant…well, the end was right here in prison.

She always reminded herself never to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

The moment you truly fall in love, it becomes an endless abyss, day and night, staring out the window, hoping the man lying in another woman’s bed of silk and fragrance still remembered the one waiting alone in a lonely palace.

Yet, who would have thought her ending would be even worse than her mother’s? She didn’t even make it to the Cold Palace—straight into the Sky Prison!

Mother… your daughter lost control for a moment. I’ve failed your earnest teachings. Now this punishment comes as retribution.

But after this moment of foolishness, I must remember the lesson and guard my heart well.

Even if I die, at least I’ll be free of attachments…

As she quietly reflected and steeled her resolve, wails suddenly erupted from afar, cries of the other prisoners echoing through the Sky Prison like ghosts weeping.

It turned out that, following the Grand Tutor’s orders, Eunuch Ruan had improved the living conditions of all the prisoners.

The Sky Prison, once like hell, was suddenly transformed into a heavenly sanctuary.

This section of the prison housed only female inmates.

Some of the more emotionally fragile ones became suspicious and thinking the sudden comfort meant they would be executed the next day, and this was just a last kindness before death.

Immediately, the prison was filled with hysterical crying and wailing.

Lord Wang grew nervous at once.

He hurriedly ordered the female warden to remove all other prisoners from Cell No. 1 immediately, making absolutely sure they wouldn’t disturb the princess in her specially prepared “suite”.

When all the prisoners were being led away one by one, one of them, a young woman in prison clothes, hair in disarray, eyes vacant—suddenly turned her head slightly and caught sight of Princess Yong’an lying on the bed.

At once, her eyes widened.

She broke free from the female warden beside her and lunged forward, grinning in triumph as she shouted:

“So it’s you, Princess Yong’an! What’s this? Lost favor after just one night? Ended up in the Sky Prison too? Regret it now, don’t you? What use is it that your brother is the emperor? In the end, he still couldn’t protect you! And now you’re remembering how good my brother was to you, aren’t you? Too bad, you’re not a virgin anymore. He wouldn’t want you now anyway! Hah! Do you know what happens in here after dark? Men pay silver just to sleep with you. You—mmf! Mmm—!”

The female warden had already turned pale and quickly shoved a wooden stick sideways into Ge Yun’er’s mouth, gagging her tightly and dragging her out.

What Ge Yun’er had just shouted was indeed one of the Sky Prison’s darkest secrets.

The female prisoners brought into the Sky Prison were usually those who had already been interrogated and would be executed in a few days.

Their pale, tender bodies were destined to be destroyed by the executioner’s blade.

Since the time of the late emperor, the women’s section of the Sky Prison had been secretly involved in a flesh trade.

Wealthy men with particular tastes would bribe their way in and get first access to “fresh goods” in the prison.

High society was always fickle.

Someone could be a noble lady today and have her entire household executed tomorrow.

If some noblewoman or official’s daughter were thrown into the death row wing, these merchants would jump at the chance to ravish a woman who used to be a high-born lady, enjoying what brothels could never offer, even if it cost them dearly.

Ge Yun’er had only been in the Sky Prison for half a day, but she was considered premium stock.

A virgin from a prestigious family could fetch a high price.

What’s more, she had been tossed in here only as a formality under the Grand Tutor’s instructions and was scheduled for execution the very next day.

That meant no one had to worry about the consequences.

Before she could even change into her prison clothes, her hands were bound, and she was dragged into a private cell.

There, a bearded merchant from Shandong pinned her to the bed and, lifting her silk skirt, took her by force.

If not for the sudden arrival of someone from the palace, the brute would’ve spent the whole night with her, cursing as he pulled up his pants after being interrupted.

After all, for a thousand taels of silver for one night, he meant to enjoy every moment.

When she was scolded by the female warden, still weeping and clutching her torn clothing, and told to change into prison garb, she heard the woman mutter, “You’re lucky today, girl. If not for a princess coming to the Sky Prison, you’d be getting cleaned up for three more ‘visits’ tonight.”

The warden was grumbling about losing three excellent business deals because of a noble coming to “sample the goods” in the prison.

But Ge Yun’er thought nothing of it—she simply assumed the princess fetched a higher price, so those lustful men had decided to buy time with the fallen royal instead.

At least it saved her from the next round of abuse.

While the other prisoners sobbed in their cells, Ge Yun’er just sat dumbly on the floor.

Her tear-reddened eyes brimmed with hatred.

It was all Princess Yong’an’s fault that she had ended up in this wretched state!

She had once overheard an argument in her father’s study.

Her father and brother had quarreled about Princess Yong’an.

Her father had been opposed to the match, but her brother insisted that the princess had helped him during the imperial exams and that, with some patience, he could turn her into a loyal wife and daughter-in-law of the Ge family.

At the time, she only half understood the argument.

She couldn’t figure out how a princess from a monastery could have helped her brother’s career.

But her father’s words stuck with her: “The Grand Tutor also has feelings for that princess. I fear she’s a seductive fox who’ll bring ruin to the family!”

Back then, she had thought her father too harsh.

But when news came that Wei Lenghou was storming the city, her father had already arranged for her brother to flee.

Yet when her beloved brother—bloodied and breathless, returned to the mansion, he didn’t even glance at her.

All he cared about was taking his new bride from the wedding chamber and escaping with her.

Her father had been adamantly against it, warning that the Wei traitor was still alive and bringing the bride would only attract pursuers.

It was better to kill her right then in the bed and distract the enemy.

But for the first time ever, her obedient brother defied their father, refusing to leave without his bride.

If her father hadn’t secretly signaled to a subordinate to knock him unconscious and carry him away through the secret tunnel, her brother might’ve run straight into Wei Lenghou himself.

“You’re a woman—stay behind. If you leave with your brother, you’ll only drag him down.”

That was the last thing her father ever said to her.

From that moment on, her life as a carefree young lady of the Ge family was over.

Her father died a horrible death.

Hiding beneath the wooden steps of the corridor, she had to bite down on her own fist to keep from screaming.

She watched as the Wei traitor murdered old Nanny Shen and barged into the bridal chamber.

The door shut tight behind him.

Even from her hiding place, she could hear the ragged breathing and low moans of men and women entangled in lust echoing through the cracks.

Her father was right.

“Seductive fox” wasn’t wrong at all.

What kind of princess was that desperate for a man? Did she not see the fires raging and the blood running through the streets? Yet she had still dragged Wei Lenghou into her bed with such urgency!

And her brother…he only had eyes for that natural-born enchantress! No one had spared a thought for her, trembling beneath the steps, left to face her fate alone.

Eventually, the guards found her and dragged her out of hiding.

She was thrown into the Sky Prison and violated by a foul-smelling brute reeking of garlic…

But none of it mattered anymore.

Now that Princess Yong’an was in the Sky Prison too!

As she imagined the fallen princess being passed between several men through the night, even with the gag still jammed in her mouth, Ge Yun’er’s eyes gleamed with manic excitement.

“Serves you right, you vixen from the Ge family! Your end won’t be any better!”

Nie Qinglin watched as Ge Yun’er, eyes crazed with hatred, was dragged away by the female jailer, and she couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness.

She had always kept her distance from others since she was young, afraid of the pain that comes when friendships fall apart.

In truth, her only true friend among the noble girls had been Ge Yun’er, who was close to her in age.

Back then, when she saw Ge Yun’er at the Ge residence, she had thought about pleading with the Grand Tutor for her sake.

After all, she wasn’t like that weakling emperor in the palace—she was just a woman.

As long as she brought it up cleverly when the Grand Tutor was in a good mood, there might have been a chance to spare Ge Yun’er from the death sentence or the fate of becoming a government courtesan.

But she hadn’t expected Ge Yun’er to go straight to the Grand Tutor and spill that earth-shattering secret.

With such hatred and damning knowledge now exposed, even if she smashed her head in supplication, there was no way the Grand Tutor would let someone like Ge Yun’er, who knew the truth and harbored such resentment, continue to live.

Nie Qinglin felt a throbbing pain in her head.

Holding her forehead, she collapsed back onto the bed.

…But what did Ge Yun’er mean by “men will come at night”?

While dragon pearl twisted and turned sleeplessly in the dungeon, the Grand Tutor was also feeling tormented.

After dealing with another pile of messes in the study and sending men to arrest Ge Qingyuan, his thoughts kept drifting back to that cold little face.

All his life, the Grand Tutor had charged ahead without regrets, brushing off any catastrophe with ease. But now…he actually felt regret.

Why had he shouted “to the prison” earlier?

Maybe digging too long in the mountains of Li County had made his mind foggy.

That little thing had never thought highly of him, even choosing to stay in a temple rather than accept his affection.

So why, after getting provoked just once, had he lost control and banished her to the dungeon?

Back during the coup in the palace, others had been so terrified they wet their pants, but that dragon pearl had shown no fear whatsoever.

She really wasn’t afraid of death.

That little free-spirited fairy always seemed calm no matter the situation.

Even in the prison, she probably wouldn’t break.

She’d just stubbornly refuse to yield.

And yet… just last night he had finally gotten what he wanted.

The tension he had carried for so long had barely begun to ease, and now he had thrown her into that hellhole.

If she never came out, wouldn’t it drive him mad with frustration?

He had asked Eunuch Ruan about the situation in the dungeon with seeming nonchalance, but since then, the Grand Tutor’s expression had remained gloomy.

Still, he was not the kind to dwell long in regret.

Tossing and turning in bed until deep into the night, he finally sprang up, filled with bold resolve.

The Ge family’s treason case still had many suspicious points—how could they waste time? Of course, the main culprit needed to be interrogated thoroughly!

With that righteous-sounding excuse in mind, the ever-busy Grand Tutor decided to conduct a surprise visit to the dungeon that very night.

When he entered Cell No. 1 of the women’s wing, the place was already cleared of other prisoners.

By the flickering torchlight on the wall, he saw the little figure inside the wooden bars, seemingly fast asleep.

Truly a heartless thing, able to sleep so deeply in such a gloomy place.

Waving a hand, he signaled everyone behind him to leave.

Then he gently pushed open the unlocked cell door and stepped inside.

The soft, delicate form under the thin blanket was the same one he had ravished the night before.

She was even sweeter than he had imagined.

Once he’d had a taste, it was like being drugged—he only wanted more.

He wanted every inch of her to be marked with his presence, to let the world know that this dragon pearl was the woman of Wei Lenghou.

No one else could even dare to dream about her!

As the craving rose again, the Grand Tutor’s gaze grew intense.

He lay down beside her and reached out, intending to slip his hand into her collar.

But just then, the woman, who had seemed fast asleep, suddenly turned and drove a sharp object with full force at his chest.

Caught off guard in the heat of the moment, the Grand Tutor had let his guard down.

Though he instinctively dodged, the sharp object still slashed across his handsome face.

“Nie Qinglin! You’ve really grown bold, haven’t you?!” the Grand Tutor roared, feeling a sharp pain.

He reached up and felt warm blood—he was bleeding!

He had survived countless battles with barely a scratch, but now this delicate little thing had scarred his face.

Where was the dignity of a war god?

Nie Qinglin stared at the Grand Tutor’s now-twisted face, gripping tightly the rusty iron nail she had struggled to pry from the floor using the oil lamp.

She was utterly stunned.

Where was the midnight pervert she had been warned about?