Knock, knock, knock.

Lin Zhaoqing knocked on the iron gate of the Imperial Prison. The Imperial Guards, with their hands tied behind their backs, were escorted by the Grievance Guards and stood outside the iron gate.

A small window opened on the iron gate. A jailer looked out from inside, ignoring Lin Zhaoqing’s python robe. “Your waist token,” he said.

Lin Zhaoqing took out his waist token from his pocket and held it up to the small window. Only then did the jailer push open the iron gate, then knocked on the second iron gate with varying rhythms.

A rumbling sound followed.

Lin Zhaoqing walked down the gloomy stone steps and casually remarked, “Most people rarely come to this Imperial Prison in their lifetime, and when they do, it’s for life. Physician Chen has only been back in the capital for a few days, and he’s already here for the second time.”

“Physician Chen”—the long-unheard address made Chen Ji feel a momentary daze.

The Grievance Guard behind him pushed him. “Keep up!” he ordered.

A cold wind swept up from the passage. Chen Ji followed behind Lin Zhaoqing and said, “Lord Lin, I didn’t want to come to this Imperial Prison. I just happened to encounter this rebel and apprehended him. We were simply doing our duty. The Wang family is the main culprit and should be executed.”

Lin Zhaoqing didn’t believe his nonsense and expressionlessly ordered the jailers, “Hold them separately to prevent collusion. This matter involves rebellion. If they have a chance to collude, you will be guilty of the same crime as the rebels. Furthermore, by order of Lord Wu Xiu, no one other than my Grievance Guards is allowed in this Imperial Prison today, and no one is permitted to intercede on their behalf.”

The jailers quickly and humbly replied, “As you command.”

Lin Zhaoqing turned back to face the Imperial Guards and mocked, “These are all prominent officials’ and nobles’ children from the capital. Last time, they left the Imperial Prison easily. This time, it probably won’t be so simple.”

With that, he raised a finger and pointed at Chen Ji and Wang Huan. “Take these two to the Pipa Hall. I will interrogate them myself.”

When the Imperial Guards saw Chen Ji being taken for torture, Duobao angrily exclaimed, “We already said that rebellion has nothing to do with us! Why are you interrogating our people? The crossbow bolts aren’t ours!”

Duobao twisted his body, trying to break free from the Grievance Guards’ grip, but it was futile.

Lin Zhaoqing said with interest, “Then tell me, whose crossbow bolts are they? If you can reveal whose they are and provide conclusive evidence, I can postpone interrogating you.”

The Imperial Guards exchanged glances; they didn’t know whose crossbow bolts they were either.

Lin Zhaoqing waved his hand. “Take them away.”

The Grievance Guards pushed the struggling Imperial Guards one by one into the cells, then escorted Chen Ji and Wang Huan deeper into the Imperial Prison.

They walked to the very end and entered an empty room. A strong smell of blood assailed them, and even the cracks in the bricks underfoot were stained with years of dried blood.

Just inside the door, they saw a wooden rack standing opposite, used for binding and securing prisoners.

Next to the rack was a brazier with several red-hot branding irons on it.

The walls of the Pipa Hall were covered with knives and torture instruments.

Lin Zhaoqing pointed at the red-hot branding irons. “These are the famous ‘Red Embroidered Shoes’ of my Imperial Prison. We’ll let the two of you try them later.”

A Grievance Guard quietly asked, “My lord, who should we interrogate first?”

Lin Zhaoqing’s gaze swept between Chen Ji and Wang Huan. Looking down, he discovered that the ground beneath Wang Huan’s feet was already wet. “Let’s interrogate this fat one first. Give him a pair of ‘Red Embroidered Shoes’.”

Wang Huan instantly collapsed to the ground. “I’ll tell you everything! Please, my lords, don’t interrogate me! I’m just a small person. I’ll say whatever you ask.”

But Lin Zhaoqing paid him no heed.

He went to an octagonal table and sat down, gesturing to the chair opposite for Chen Ji. “Have a seat.”

Chen Ji’s ropes were untied. Rubbing his wrists, he sat down. “Lord Lin, the matter of rebellion has nothing to do with us. In fact, our Imperial Guards even have merit in suppressing the rebellion.”

Lin Zhaoqing didn’t waste words. He picked up the white porcelain pot from the table and poured a cup of tea for Chen Ji.

He slowly pushed the teacup towards Chen Ji. “Have some tea.”

Chen Ji picked up the teacup and turned his head to look, only to see Wang Huan stripped naked and hanging on the wooden rack.

Without asking anything, the Grievance Guards immediately applied two branding irons to the soles of his feet. So, that was what “wearing a pair of Red Embroidered Shoes” meant.

Wang Huan was screaming, “I confess! I confess everything…”

Before he could finish, he fainted.

The Grievance Guards unhooked their long knives from their waists and hung them on the wall, then turned and picked up a bucket of cold water, splashing it onto Wang Huan’s pale body.

Wang Huan regained consciousness and cried out, “I already said I want to confess!”

Lin Zhaoqing ignored him, only smiling as he asked, “Physician Chen, do you know why this place is called Pipa Hall?”

Chen Ji shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

Lin Zhaoqing pointed at Wang Huan and explained, “The prisoner is tied to the rack with their ribs exposed, then iron hooks are used to repeatedly scrape and pluck at the ribs. It’s named because the action resembles playing a pipa. Those tortured suffer festering bones and flesh, unable to live or die.”

Chen Ji calmly said, “It seems this Wang Huan was already on the Directorate of Ceremonial’s blacklist, so you know his background without needing to interrogate him. Lord Lin, you’re trying so hard to use him to break my will. Do you really think I’m involved in rebellion and want to force a confession out of me?”

Lin Zhaoqing poured himself a cup of tea. “I’ve dealt with you before and know you’re a difficult person who won’t surrender easily, so it’s only right to put in a little extra effort. No one who enters my Imperial Prison leaves unscathed, so Physician Chen, you’d better give up hope early and just say whatever you have to say.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “About the crossbow bolts?”

“Other matters.” Lin Zhaoqing tapped his finger on the table. “The crossbowmen might be from the Chen family, or the Wang family, or the Crown Prince, or Prince Fu. But they are dead, so there’s no way to verify, and we can only blame the Wang family to close the case. So, why don’t we discuss other things?”

Chen Ji calmly said, “Since it’s not about the crossbow bolts, then what do you wish me to say, Lord Lin?”

Lin Zhaoqing smiled slightly. “You previously worked for White Rabbit and Cloud Sheep, and last time, Golden Pig got you out. I suppose you know many secrets of the Twelve Zodiacs. Lord Wu Xiu has ordered that since your Imperial Guards have caused such a grave disaster this time, if you are willing to implicate one of the Zodiac members, he can intervene to save your life.”

Chen Ji suddenly understood. No wonder the Grievance Guards were so eager to handle this matter, rather than the Five City Patrol and Gendarmerie.

He asked doubtfully, “Only save my life?”

At that moment, a Grievance Guard rushed over, handing him a folded sheet of Xuan paper.

Lin Zhaoqing glanced at it and pushed it in front of Chen Ji. “This was copied from before His Majesty. Some court officials have presented memorials overnight impeaching the Imperial Guards for armed private brawling and unauthorized deployment of official troops, according to our Great Ning Law… Bring the Great Ning Law.”

A Grievance Guard brought the Great Ning Law from the next room and found Volume 14, “Military Law.” The first article stated that unauthorized deployment of official troops was punishable by one hundred strokes with a rod and exile for three thousand li.

Before he could speak, another Grievance Guard delivered a stack of Xuan paper. Lin Zhaoqing unfolded one sheet and read aloud, “The Ministry of War’s Director impeaches the Imperial Guards for unauthorized absence from duty and private possession of military equipment, punishable by one hundred strokes with a rod and exile for three thousand li.”

“The Ministry of Rites’ Vice Minister impeaches the Imperial Guards for attempted rebellion. This, one knows even without looking at the Great Ning Law, is a death penalty…”

Before Lin Zhaoqing could finish reading what he held, more Grievance Guards brought in stacks of Xuan paper, all memorials copied from before His Majesty.

He patted the thick stack of Xuan paper in his hand. “Physician Chen, so many people have impeached you overnight. If it weren’t past midnight, dozens of court officials would probably be waiting outside Meridian Gate right now, ready to condemn you to death. It’s already fortunate that Lord Wu Xiu can keep you alive; flogging and exile are unavoidable. As long as you implicate any one of the Zodiac members, you can live.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “Those two crossbow bolts, they weren’t shot by your Grievance Guards, were they?”

Lin Zhaoqing laughed. “My Grievance Guards aren’t that bold. Physician Chen, that’s how it is in the capital. Normally, everyone diligently goes about their duties, avoiding mistakes. But once trouble befalls someone, everyone springs into action, thinking about what they can gain from the situation.”

Chen Ji shook his head. “Lord Lin, I have no intention of getting involved in the internal power struggles of the Directorate of Ceremonial.”

Lin Zhaoqing stood up and signaled the Grievance Guards to untie Wang Huan, making space for Chen Ji. “Since talking nicely isn’t working, we’ll have to resort to torture.”

The Grievance Guards threw the limp Wang Huan aside and led Chen Ji towards the wooden rack.

Lin Zhaoqing calmly said, “Perhaps Physician Chen, having just returned to the capital, doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation. To still have the appetite to eat wontons after committing such an enormous error—that was probably the last time you’ll ever eat wontons in your life…”

As he spoke, Lin Zhaoqing felt something was amiss.

He lowered his head and pondered for a moment. “Strange, you’re not someone who doesn’t understand the gravity of things, so why were you brazenly sitting by the roadside eating wontons?”

Chen Ji did not reply.

Lin Zhaoqing turned to the Grievance Guards. “How many Imperial Guards did you bring back?”

The Grievance Guard reported, “Forty-nine people were captured, including over a dozen Imperial Guards from Chen Wenren’s command.”

Lin Zhaoqing extended his hand. “Where’s the roster?”

The Grievance Guard pulled out a piece of paper. “It’s all recorded here.”

Lin Zhaoqing read it for a moment, then frowned. “Where are Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo?”

He suddenly turned to Chen Ji. “You led so many people ostentatiously through the streets just to distract my Grievance Guards and buy time for Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo? But you’re mistaken. The Qi family won’t get involved in this matter. Up to this point, not a single person from the Qi family has intervened.”

Chen Ji still did not reply.

Lin Zhaoqing calmly said, “Begin the torture.”

The Grievance Guards tied Chen Ji’s hands to the rack, pulled open his upper garment, and took off his boots.

Lin Zhaoqing turned and walked to the brazier, placing the branding irons just used on Wang Huan back into the flames, waiting for them to turn red-hot.

Baishun Alley, White Jade Garden.

Grandfather Qi sat in the pavilion, with five burly men from the Three Mountains Society standing menacingly behind him.

Opposite them at the table, Paoge and Erdao were devouring their food, oblivious to their surroundings. The roasted chicken on the table was reduced to bones, and only fish bones and spines remained from the fish.

After a long wait, a Three Mountains Society man standing behind Grandfather Qi angrily said, “Are you ever going to finish eating?”

Paoge continued to wrap a few slices of roast duck in a thin spring pancake and stuff it into his mouth. While chewing, he scanned the leftovers on the table, completely disregarding Grandfather Qi and the Three Mountains Society men opposite him.

Grandfather Qi stroked his beard, a little impatiently. “Are you two reincarnated starving ghosts?”

Paoge casually wiped his mouth. “We’ve been waiting here for you all night, Grandfather Qi. The Three Mountains Society is a big organization. Surely it’s not a problem for us to eat a little?”

Grandfather Qi frowned. “What exactly are you two here for? You’re the one trying to establish power; why aren’t you in Li Shamao Alley? Why come to my Three Mountains Society?”

Paoge extended his hand. Erdao immediately put down his chopsticks, took a brass pipe from his shoulder bag, carefully packed it with tobacco, lit it, and handed it to Paoge.

Paoge took a deep drag and then contentedly exhaled a plume of grayish-white smoke.

Grandfather Qi fanned the smoke in front of him. “Now all your people have been taken by the Grievance Guards. Do you still have an appetite to eat?”

“That’s the master’s business, it has nothing to do with us,” Paoge said, looking up at him. “Grandfather Qi, we’ve already driven away the Heji gang. Will all the protection money from the Eight Great Alleys now go to us?”

Grandfather Qi scoffed. “Dream on! According to the agreement, you only get Li Shamao Alley, nothing else. And even if the Three Mountains Society agreed to give it to you, could you really take it? The Heji’s leader was only injured, not killed. Their master behind them is still around.”

Paoge raised an eyebrow.

Grandfather Qi looked at the leftovers on the table. “At this very moment, who knows how many different factions are mixed in, all wanting to eliminate the people behind you. If they’re wiped out, the Wang family collapses, and Furui Xiang is forced out, then all the businesses that Heji and Furui Xiang have controlled for years will fall into other hands, potentially earning tens of thousands of taels of silver annually.”

Grandfather Qi continued, “But the most important thing isn’t the business; it’s the plotting behind these people. It absolutely cannot be quelled without a few deaths. Young man, I advise you to flee for your life now, before they trace it back to you.”

Paoge took another deep drag from his pipe and said with a smile, “The Three Mountains Society is so powerful, can’t you help my master?”

Grandfather Qi’s eyelids drooped. “My Three Mountains Society is no different from Heji or Furui Xiang. In this world, it’s good enough just to protect ourselves. We don’t have the foundation to protect others. Don’t think about saving your master, because no one will save you either.”

At this point, Grandfather Qi waved his hand behind him, and a man from the Three Mountains Society handed him a string of Buddhist coins.

Grandfather Qi tossed it to Paoge. “There are five hundred taels of silver in here. Go, take a boat with the River Transport Gang. There’s still time if you leave now. This is a gesture of friendship from my Three Mountains Society, we’ve done all we can.”

Paoge shook his head. “I can’t leave.”

Grandfather Qi sighed softly. “When your master sells you out in the Imperial Prison, it’ll be too late for you to leave.”

Paoge casually put the string of Buddhist coins on his wrist. “He won’t sell me out.”

Grandfather Qi looked up at him. “As far as I know, you two only just met, didn’t you?”

Paoge grinned. “Well, that’s why they say the Three Mountains Society is so powerful – you even know this, old man? But you’re wrong this time; we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Grandfather Qi was taken aback. “What exactly are you doing here tonight?”

Paoge tapped his pipe on the sole of his foot. “My master told me to stay here at the Three Mountains Society to inform Grandfather Qi that if he can escape unharmed today and the Heji gang is uprooted, then the Eight Great Alleys and Liulichang, which Heji controls, will all belong to him from now on.”

Grandfather Qi looked puzzled. “Where does your confidence come from?”

Paoge thought for a moment. “Before sending me here, my master said something. He said someone taught him that in the capital, rules don’t matter, business doesn’t matter; who you belong to is what matters most.”

Grandfather Qi narrowed his eyes. “Those crossbow bolts weren’t shot by you, were they? If you really did it, you’d be trying to utterly destroy the Wang family.”

Paoge laughed heartily. “Grandfather Qi, don’t accuse us wrongly. Who would dare bear the burden of a capital crime like that? Those two crossbow bolts have nothing to do with us.”

Grandfather Qi pondered for a moment. “Then I’ll wait here with you and see if he can get out unscathed.”

In the Pipa Hall, the dark, iron branding irons were gradually turning red-hot.

Lin Zhaoqing rolled up his right sleeve, personally picked up a branding iron, and slowly approached Chen Ji. “Physician Chen, have you thought it over? Even if Golden Pig helped you, surely you can hand over Cloud Sheep and White Rabbit?”

Chen Ji calmly said, “Handing over White Rabbit and Cloud Sheep isn’t difficult. The difficulty lies in how to face the Grand Secretary’s retaliation.”

Lin Zhaoqing grunted. “Then we’ll have to use extreme measures. I know you’re not someone who just gives up, but it seems you’ve bet on the wrong horse this time. The person you’re counting on won’t be able to save you.”

With that, he raised his hand, intending to press the branding iron.

Just then, an urgent voice came from outside the Pipa Hall. “By Imperial Edict!”

Lin Zhaoqing’s heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly turned to look outside the Pipa Hall.

In the gloomy passage, a young eunuch rushed over, loudly repeating, “By Imperial Edict! Imperial Guards Junior Officer Chen Ji is summoned to audience!”