“Commence the execution.”
The spectating mob roared as the official in-charge commanded. Shouts filled the air as they cussed, “Bastard!”
“Monster!”
“Yeah, serves him right!”
Gao Meng’s associates were watching the execution as well, each of them fuming with rage with clenched fists and gritted teeth. If they could, they would have volunteered to conduct the execution, slice him to ribbons and avenge their leader.
The executioner received the command. He raised a jar of wine, took a large gulp, then sprayed it over the giant blade in his hand.
As the alcohol splashed onto Zhang Daqi’s face, the cold sensation jolted him awake. He opened his hollow eyes just in time to see that giant blade raised in the air. The edge gleamed with a chilling, silver light under the sun. It would only take a second for him to die. Fear gripped his heart as reality finally set in, he struggled against his bonds but it was too late. He could only watch with eyes filled with fear and wait for the blade to fall.
The spectators held their breath in anticipation, waiting for the blade to fall and execute that crazy, twisted, serial killer. With an experienced eye, the executioner took aim at the criminal’s neck and positioned his sword. He took a deep breath, tightened his grip and swung down. The sword was about to reach Zhang Daqi’s neck…
In the nick of time, a sword shot out from the distance and hit the executioner’s blade. It was a solid hit with perfect aim.
“Huh?” The collision sent shockwaves through the executioner’s blade and caused him to stagger. His wrist went numb and the large blade dropped to the ground, missing Zhang Daqi save for a few strands of a hair.
Everyone was shocked by the turn of events, even the official overseeing the execution. “Who dares to obstruct justice?”
The guards around the perimeter of the execution grounds drew their swords and formed a circle around Zhang Daqi.
……
There was a loud hiss from a horse, and everyone turned towards its source. They watched as Lang Po hopped off the horse, pushed through the crowd and sprinted up the execution deck. He held up a badge of order and showed it to the official. “By Prince Rong’s words, stop this execution!”
His voice was as loud as a tolling bell. The official froze at his spot.
15 minutes later, at the Yi estate.
Jing Yi was enjoying a beautiful cup of tea. He had already won by a large margin. The moment Zhang Daqi’s head falls to the ground would be the final card that would seal his victory and end the game. He turned the delicately painted cup in his hand, and his lips curled with glee.
“Jing Rong, Jing Rong. No matter what you do, no matter how much you fight, you are always destined to lose to me.”
“Congratulations in advance, Your Highness,” said Wen Shisan, who sat opposite him.
Jing Yi laughed, “Shisan, half of the credit goes to you. Without you, I would not have secured Zhang Daqi so smoothly. And the report you wrote, even His Majesty can’t find a single fault in it, forcing him to order the criminal’s execution.”
“It is my honour to be of help to Your Highness.” Such a silver-tongued man.
Jing Yi lifted the teapot and poured more tea into Wen Shisan’s cup, almost till it overflowed.
“Come, let me use the tea in place for wine and give a toast to you.”
Wen Shisan held up his cup, “I should toast to you instead, Your Highness. I would still need your care and guidance in the future.”
“Relax, you will have whatever I promised you, I would not go back on my word.”
The pair drank together and completed the toast.
Jing Yi said to Wen Shisan, “After Zhang Daqi dies, I’ll head into the palace first thing tomorrow morning and speak to His Majesty regarding the position of the Disciplinary Officer. Then, I’ll recommend you for that position, it will be done by then.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Jing Yi laughed heartily in response.
However, Wen Shisan’s eyes darkened instead, as if he had only been playing along with Jing Yi. Ultimately, he was still uncomfortable with “winning by default”. How can he prove his skills if he won against Ji Yunshu using underhanded methods? But he kept this unhappiness close to his heart, and away from Jing Yi’s presence.
Suddenly, a shout came from outside. “Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!”
“What?”
“The execution… They stopped the execution.”
Ugh! Jing Yi’s teacup slipped from his fingers and dropped to the table. The tea spilled all over his decadent robes as the cup rolled away and smashed when it hit the ground. Dou Quan shuddered while Wen Shisan stood up and backed away in silence.
They waited in suspense. After what felt like forever, Jing Yi asked with knitted brows and darkness in his eyes, “Where is he?”
“He’s still at the execution grounds, but the overseeing official has already sent someone to notify His Majesty.”
Boom! Jing Yi slammed his fist on the table as his eyes glowed with rage and he growled, “There’s absolutely no way that Jing Rong could have found evidence to prove Zhang Daqi’s innocence in a single day!” He could not believe that.
Dou Quan answered, “But Your Highness, Prince Rong would never have stopped the execution if he did not have any evidence.”
“It doesn’t matter, no one is allowed to disrupt my plans at this point.” He ordered, “Keep your eyes on the palace, report to me the moment His Majesty has made a decision.”
“Yes!” Thus, Dou Quan left.
The previously celebratory mood in the room had vanished, replaced by a tense, stifling atmosphere. Wen Shisan kept his head low, concealing his complicated expression. He almost seemed relieved. Meanwhile, Jing Yi stewed in his rage. Just one last step and he would have won. “Jing Rong, you’re really a sore loser. Even at the bitter end, you still want to keep fighting against me. Fine, let’s see just what you have planned for me this time. Hmph.”
Then, he turned to Wen Shisan, “Shisan, if Jing Rong really did find evidence that proved Zhang Daqi was not the murderer, what do you think I should do?”
Wen Shisan raised his head and answered calmly, “In my case report, I have already written in detail the evidence and witness testimony we have. Zhang Daqi himself signed the confession, then tried to evade punishment by biting off his own tongue, thus nearly costing his own life. As long as Your Highness zooms in on this point, it would not implicate Your Highness.
“Should Prince Rong really find evidence and prove Zhang Daqi’s innocence, this had nothing to do with you. After all, Zhang Daqi himself confessed to the crime, and the execution was ordered by His Majesty. Your Highness merely submitted what you have learned in your investigation, whatever that happened afterwards was out of Your Highness’s control.”
Incredible. He really does have a way with words; he could even talk the dead back into life.
JIng Yi mulled over his words then nodded, “That’s right. You do think faster than me.”
“It is simply what I should do for Your Highness.”
“However… If Jing Rong didn’t find anything, then I will end him this time.” A sinister light gleamed from his eyes.
Wen Shisan remained silent, his thoughts opaque and impenetrable.
Unfortunately, it was then that a young maid ran into the room screaming, “Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Side Consort, she, she…” The maid panted as she dropped to her knees in a panic.
Jing Yi was already vexed by the previous news, this second set of bad news made him even more exasperated. He grabbed that pot of hot tea on the table and threw it at the maid.
The boiling hot liquid splashed on the back of her hand and she cried out in pain. She covered her burns immediately and lowered herself even further. Her head knocked resoundingly against the ground as she kowtowed again and again. “Forgive me, Your Highness. Spare me, Your Highness.”
“Scram!”
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