TPATTHU Chapter 54
by VolareThe iron chains were unlocked, and Shen Zhejiang lost his support. However, as he fell, two prison guards on either side grabbed his shoulders.
The bamboo and wood clattered as a finger-thick wooden clamp was displayed before Shen Zhejiang.
“A father’s debt is repaid by his son; this is the natural order. Since Shen Jinmo is already dead, you will take his place in admitting fault and atoning for his crimes to this governor. Kneel!”
Governor Yang flicked his sleeves, turned around, and sat down on the circle chair that the prison guards had moved in front of the interrogation table, leisurely crossing his legs.
Shen Zhejiang refused to kneel, saying disdainfully, “You are abusing your power for personal revenge.”
Governor Yang sneered, “So what? Even if it spreads, people will only say that this governor is impartially enforcing the law, interrogating a stubbornly unrepentant criminal. Besides, this world…” Without saying more, he commanded, “Apply the torture!”
Two prison guards pressed Shen Zhejiang to the ground. Shen Zhejiang stubbornly resisted, refusing to yield. The prison guards kicked the back of his knees, causing him to lose his balance momentarily, choosing to fall prone rather than kneel.
His slender, pale fingers were forcibly inserted through the gaps in the bamboo and wood, and the rope was suddenly tightened, squeezing and deforming them.
Shen Zhejiang’s eyes widened abruptly, and his breathing stopped suddenly.
Immediately afterward, a piercing pain spread throughout every inch of his body almost instantly. He clenched his back teeth, suppressing the pained groans in his throat, his mouth filled with the taste of blood.
Pain…
Xiao Zhinian, it hurts so much…
Can you hear me?
The cold sweat that oozed out soaked Shen Zhejiang’s forehead hair, and even his eyelashes were damp. Through the blur, he seemed to see Xiao Zhinian, also being tortured, his expression twisted, in extreme pain.
“Xiao Nian…”
Governor Yang held the freshly brewed hot tea that the prison guard had made, picked up the cup lid, and while drinking, admired the scene before him, as if he were in a theater watching a delightful play.
“What a beautiful pair of hands. Playing the zither, painting, writing calligraphy, Shen Zhejiang, I’m afraid you won’t be able to do any of that in the future.”
The jealousy and hatred also gradually eased for a moment in the increasingly rich bloody smell in the air. He felt unprecedentedly refreshed, and even greedily took a sniff, feeling clear-headed and refreshed.
What’s missing?
“This governor isn’t so unreasonable. Seeing you like this, it does please this governor. So, this time, this governor will be merciful and let you see your lover,” Governor Yang nodded to the prison guard guarding the prison door. “Go, bring him over.”
The bamboo and wood were loosened, and Shen Zhejiang seemed to have all the strength drained from his body, covered in sweat, looking as if he had just been fished out of water.
His lips moved, and he murmured, “Xiao Nian…”
A person was pushed into the prison, a black cloth bag covering his head. The prison clothes were already stained red with blood, and his legs were no longer able to move, his tendons severed, lying lifelessly on the ground, unable to utter a sound.
“Xiao Nian! Xiao Zhinian!”
Shen Zhejiang’s heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, a thousand times more painful than the finger torture he had just suffered. He no longer cared about propriety, propping himself up on the ground with his arms, moving toward Xiao Zhinian, leaving a long trail of blood behind him.
“Cough, cough… Xiao Nian, say something…”
Just one step away, a distance that was clearly so close, but he could no longer hold on.
A surge of sorrow welled up in his chest, like a vast river, engulfing him.
Shen Zhejiang bit his teeth, reaching out with his bloodied hands, trembling, toward the deathly silent Xiao Zhinian.
Just an inch away…
His vision became blurred, as if shrouded in a layer of mist.
He couldn’t hold back any longer. Finally, a sob broke out from his throat, like a cry of blood.
“Xiao Nian… answer me…”
The instant his fingertips touched the hem of Xiao Zhinian’s clothes, a foot suddenly kicked Xiao Zhinian away, sending him flying like a polo ball.
Everything in front of him was completely blocked by the swaying hem of the scarlet official robe.
Shen Zhejiang froze.
Governor Yang looked down from above, his tone fierce and triumphant, “What a loving and devoted couple. It’s truly a sight to behold for this governor.”
“He is the Emperor of Yan Country, how can you… how can you treat him like this.”
Shen Zhejiang choked, staring blankly at the spot where Xiao Zhinian had just been.
Governor Yang snorted coldly, “Him? A mere child. If it weren’t for his involvement in the death of this governor’s nephew, this governor wouldn’t have been so ruthless. A pity.”
“…”
“Speaking of which,” Governor Yang squatted down, grabbed Shen Zhejiang’s hair, revealing his face, pinched his neck, and smiled, “This governor sees that you have some beauty, seven times more beautiful than Ziyun. Your crying appearance is truly pitiful. How about this, after this period of time, this governor will take you as a concubine. I don’t mind that you’ve been played with by that boy. Shen Jinmo offended this governor, so this governor will take it back from the son he raised. That’s not too much, is it? As long as I poke out those eyes, this governor can taste what the champion scholar is like in bed.”
Like family, like people, same low-life scoundrel.
Shen Zhejiang did not hear his words at all, his heart only concerned with Xiao Zhinian, tears rolling aimlessly in his eyes.
Governor Yang did not get the reaction he expected from his words, and felt it was meaningless, so he let go of Shen Zhejiang, stood up, and threw the confession casually.
“If you can’t sign, then put your fingerprint on it.”
A page full of absurd words, lightly pressed down on Shen Zhejiang’s back.