The dim oil lamps, the sticky and heavy stone walls, the muddy and moss-stained corners, the turbid air, the suffocating smell of blood, and the scarred and bloodstained prisoners with their hands and feet bound in chains all prove that this is a hidden, gloomy, and terrifying prison.

Zhu Yi walked in slowly, and the empty stone room still echoed with the "crackling" sound of the whip hitting the flesh, and occasionally the low panting and rough breathing of the man when he was extremely patient.

"Stop." The deep voice of the torture stopped the wanton abuse for a while.

The man who was tied to the stone pillar raised his head, and a pair of bloodshot eyes stared at Zhu Yi viciously through the messy hair. The flesh and blood were blurred, and the face with the scars of the whip was full of resentment.

Zhu Yi didn't care, but said quite kindly: "Duan Ling, this king admires you for being a man. But what's the point of you continuing like this? The master you are loyal to is already terminally ill, and seeing that you don't have two days to live, do you still expect a little boy under the age of seven to give you an official rank and a knighthood, and glorify your ancestors? ”

"Phew" Duan Ling spat out a mouthful of bloody spit in his face fiercely, and gasped: "What a little brat, that's the rightful crown prince, the only heir to the throne." I, Duan Ling, am not loyal to the serious master, can I not be a chaotic minister and thief who disturbs the court, harbors evil intentions, hides his head and hides his tail, and a despicable villain wagging his tail and begging for mercy? ”

Although Zhu Yi dodged away from this spit, this provocative move completely angered him. There was a thick tyranny in his alcohol-stained eyes, but the corners of his mouth began to slowly rise. A vicious smile that made people palpitate appeared on his distorted face.

He took out a piece of brocade and slowly wiped it on his cheek, and said sarcastically: "You are so insistent, but you are waiting for Guo Chengsi to lead the troops back to the court." Can it save your life? ”

Duan Ling stubbornly tilted his head and did not speak. Zhu Yi showed a strange expression that seemed to be sad and joyful, he threw away the Jinpa, snatched the cowhide whip stained with black blood in the hand of the secret guard, and roared while whipping wildly: "This king tells you that your savior is dead. Died on the wide grassland outside the fortress, died under the butcher's knife of revenge of the aliens, and did not even save the corpse. Turned into a handful of black ash. No one can save you, and no one will ever come to save you"

The leather whip crackled like raindrops on Duan Ling's body, and every swing would take away the flesh and blood on his body, but such a sharp pain could not withstand the huge cold that came out of his heart. Not bad. The reason why he has been gritting his teeth and struggling to support it. is waiting for Guo Chengsi, the only life-saving straw.

The account book is extremely hidden, except for himself, only Guo Chengsi and Zhu Fei know. And Zhu Fei has not read the contents of the account book, and knows that Zhu Yi is Mr. Mu's, only himself and Guo Chenghei. If Guo Chengsi knew that he was missing after returning to Chang'an, he would immediately understand where to find him.

They had all read the account books and knew that Zhu Yi's underground forces were terrifyingly strong. The point is. Judging from the account books, Zhu Yibu's chess game has been a long, long time. Almost since the death of the previous emperor, the current emperor has succeeded to the throne.

In order to avoid Zhu Xian's suspicion, Zhu Yi acted ignorant of the world on the surface, only cared about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, chasing beauty all day long, attracting bees and butterflies. Secretly, he used various means to make a lot of money, win people's hearts, eradicate dissidents, and do many dark deeds to seize the throne. And Guo Chengsi is so close to him, he didn't even see a trace of it, which shows the depth of this person's scheming and viciousness.

Duan Ling took a few of his cronies and subordinates to disguise themselves and escort the account books into Chang'an. I don't know how many times I was hunted down openly and secretly along the way, so that before he even stepped into Chang'an, all his subordinates were killed. When Duan Ling finally entered the palace alone and covered with scars, he was completely relieved.

It's a pity that it is in this seemingly safe and empty side hall that Zhu Xian is under his nose. Duan Ling, who was slackening, was put down by a cup of tea served by a seemingly loyal middle-aged eunuch. When I woke up, I found myself in this cold stone prison. It is also a shame that he kept an eye on it before, and did not carry the account book with him. If it weren't for this, his little life would have been saved a long time ago.

Zhu Yi's crazy roar made him frightened for a while, if Guo Chengsi was really dead, then he was in this stone prison, and he really called the heavens and the earth ineffective.

Thick blood continued to flow out from the new scars, sliding through his bloody limbs and falling to the ground, Duan Ling trembled violently, and the muscles on his face continued to twist and twitch. Such unspeakable pain, coupled with the sudden bad news, continued to hit his originally tough nerves. Finally, his head, which had always been arrogant and high, slowly drooped down, and his blood-red eyes slowly closed.

The sound of the tooth-sore leather whip, accompanied by Zhu Yi's roar, still echoed in the stone prison, showing no signs of stopping. Xing Da frowned, and finally grabbed the whip that Zhu Yi swung out again, and said in a deep voice: "Lord Wang, you can't fight anymore, this person's physical state has reached the limit." If I continue to fight, I am afraid that I will die and I will not be able to find the account books. ”

Xingda's words made Zhu Yi, who was in a state of madness, finally regain a trace of sanity, he frowned and threw away the cowhide whip in his hand, looked at Duan Ling, who was almost inhumanoid in front of him, and coldly said to a few secret guards in the stone prison, "No matter how strong a person's willpower is, there will always be a time to reach the limit." Guo Chenghe's death was the last straw that crushed his willpower, and what to do next is up to you. In short, he did not ask for a day of the whereabouts of the account books, and you were here with him. If someone else finds the books, you will die with him. ”

The secret guards shuddered in unison, clasped their fists and said, "Please rest assured, your subordinates will definitely ask for the whereabouts of the account books." ”

Zhu Yi snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked out.

After leaving the stone prison, watching the two heavy bookcases slowly close, cutting off the disgusting bloody gas, Zhu Yi slowly breathed a long sigh of relief. He paced under the window and looked up. A cold crescent moon hung high in the distant sky, so bright and so lonely.

Zhu Yi's fierce eyes suddenly became a little confused, and he muttered, "Inheritance." Don't blame me for being ruthless. It is important to know that every path to success requires a myriad of white bones. When it comes to the day of the great achievement, I will definitely leave a way for you to live, and it will not be in vain for you and my brother."

Suddenly, Zhu Yi's eyes narrowed and his nose twitched. The smell of blood had been obscured by the smell before, and it was only at this time that he noticed a faint aroma of fat powder. Recently. There was once a woman in the study who left this fat powder. Unfortunately, the smell was so faint that he couldn't tell who had come. Zhu Yi's eyes couldn't help but flash a trace of annoyance and vigilance.

His study has always been a forbidden place in the house, and no maid dares to trespass without permission. It's just that the criminal university who was originally in charge of guarding has taken his subordinates to stay in the stone prison these days, could it be that the secret guards outside have been lax, so that people can take advantage of the weakness?

The stone dungeon is hidden deep underground. Excellent sound insulation. But he still didn't dare to take it lightly. Because at such a tense time, although Zhu Xian was still breathing, he was also actively looking for evidence that he could take down in one fell swoop. And the account book is his dead end, and he cannot tolerate the slightest negligence.

Zhu Yi strode out of the door of the study and shouted in a deep voice: "Come out!" ”

Three or four black shadows flashed out from the shadows, clasped their fists at him and saluted, "My subordinates have seen the prince. ”

Zhu Yi's cold eyes swept over their faces like knives, and only after seeing them cold all over their bodies did he ask coldly, "Do you know?" Who had entered the king's study before? ”

A look of surprise appeared on the faces of the secret guards, and someone stubbornly said, "The subordinates have been secretly guarding the study. Except for the prince, I didn't see anyone else entering. ”

Zhu Yi raised his legs, kicked one of the secret guards to the ground, and scolded: "Useless things, you can't even hold a room, what use do you want!" ”

The rest of the guards hurriedly lowered their heads, not even daring to take a breath of air.

Zhu Yi suddenly burst into tears: "Don't check it yet!" If you can't find out, you're done on this errand. ”

All the dark guards were shocked, and after a busy salute, they bowed their heads and retreated.

"A bunch of useless trash!" Zhu Yi walked angrily. Suddenly, he stopped his steps and looked back. Under a huge wisteria tree, there was a resting stone table, and on the table was a small porcelain bowl with red plum on a white background, and inside was half a bowl of egg custard that had long been cold.

Zhu Yi was expressionless on his face, and his half-squinted eyes were as black as thick ink, as if they had been shrouded in dark clouds. He was silent for a moment, and immediately a secret guard noticed and rushed over, he stared at the bowl of egg custard and said in a deep voice: "Go to the kitchen to check, who asked for this bowl of egg custard tonight"

Liu Yuqing copied half of the "Diamond Sutra" again, and the dim candlelight blurred her vision, so she slowly put down the brush in her hand and asked softly, "What time is it?" ”

Mingyue was originally leaning on Caixia's shoulder and was drowsy, but when she heard this, she hurriedly straightened up and replied, "Miss, it's the end of the day, it's time to rest." ”

Liu Yuqing covered his mouth and yawned, and said tiredly: "You are also tired after a busy day, so you don't need to accompany me here to rest." ”

Caixia put away the various colors that she had played today, and said softly: "Miss, these Luozi Ming'er asked Sister Cai Yin to help take them out and sell them, and they should be exchanged for a good price." ”

Liu Yuqing nodded and said apologetically: "It's really hard for you!" ”

Caixia said briskly: "It's just a few strings, what's the hard work." After a pause, she bit her lower lip and said, "It's just Miss, when will such a day be the end!" ”

Liu Yuqing smiled bitterly and said blankly: "I don't know either"

From the first day Liu Yuqing married into Prince Rui's mansion, he was left out in the cold and luxurious courtyard. Only later did she know that on the wedding night when she was left alone in the empty room, her groom held the maid she brought and rolled the sheets all night.

The next day, Baoqin was promoted to a concubine and brought someone back to move her belongings. At that time, Baoqin looked at her with guilt and shyness in her eyes. But as time passed, maybe it was Zhu Yi's sole favor, maybe Zhu Yi's promise, maybe it was because of those wealth and luxury, and the ambition of holding the qin began to grow like a weed.

Baoqin has slowly regarded her, the former young lady, the empty name of Prince Rui, as a thorn in her eye and a thorn in her flesh. She began to make waves in the backyard, making things difficult for Liu Yuqing, who was already in trouble.

And Liu Yu was already heartbroken early in the morning, plus the dowry she brought was all locked into the treasury on the wedding day, and a big brass lock fell on it, but the key was kept by the housekeeper himself, so she couldn't even use her dowry.

The courtyard of Nuoda depends on Caixia, and Mingyue and the two of them take care of it, and even a rough maid can't be moved. Under the secret instruction of Baoqin, the meals sent to the kitchen every day are bland vegetables and thin porridge. If they want to eat some meat, they have to buy it with money.

Of course, it is impossible for Zhu Yi to be merciful and give Liu Yuqing's master and servant three monthly money and silver. The three masters and servants who were empty-handed and in embarrassment once fell ill after eating thin porridge for three days in a row. Caixia, Mingyue had nothing to do but cry, and in the end, Cai Yin couldn't see it, so she secretly found a doctor to treat Liu Yuqing, so she saved her life.

But no matter how kind Cai Yin is, she is just a maid, and her ability is limited after all. So Caixia began to try to tie the rope and asked Cai Yin to take it out and change some silver coins. It is also her excellent craftsmanship, there are several ready-to-wear shops willing to accept her goods, and with some money in hand, this life can be regarded as surviving.

But such a hopeless day is too long and too bitter, although Liu Yuqing is already dead, and he only relies on copying scriptures every day to pass the time. But Caixia, Mingyue is still young after all, and the flower-like age should not accompany her to endure in this exquisite cage.

Just when Liu Yuqing was full of thoughts, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Zhu Yi broke in with two secret guards. This is the first time Zhu Yi has stepped into his courtyard after worshipping the church. Liu Yuqing was shocked, and hurriedly got up with the support of Caixia and Mingyue, and got up to salute: "I've seen the prince!" ”

Zhu Yi squinted his eyes and looked up and down at the woman in front of him with a withered face and a thin face that only a handful of bones remained. I couldn't help but snort coldly in my heart, this is the end of loving vanity and delusionally clinging to power by deception.

Under the gaze of his cold gaze, Liu Yuqing half-hung his head, trying to calm the panic in his heart. She didn't know why Zhu Yi came today, but she wouldn't be naïve enough to think that he had a conscience to find, so she would come to visit herself who had been neglected for a long time.

At this moment, Zhu Yi's gloomy voice came: "This is your dowry girl?" ”

Liu Yuqing said in a low voice: "Yes!" ”

"Who is Mingyue?" Liu Yuqing was stunned for a moment, raised his head and glanced at him suspiciously.

Mingyue hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied: "The slave is it!" (To be continued.) )