TPATTHU Chapter 60
by VolareChapter 60: Even if you Scold Me
Governor Yang suddenly stopped, turning his eyes to stare at Shen Zhejiang, a fierce glint in his eyes: “That’s right! It’s a good thing Shen Jinmo died one step ahead of this Governor. From now on, the most capable meritorious official by the master’s side will be none other than this Governor! You should all die!”
He raised his saber and slashed down at Shen Zhejiang.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhinian reacted quickly, raising his arm to protect Shen Zhejiang. In the nick of time, they heard a sharp scream.
“Ah!”
Blood splattered!
The saber fell to the ground.
“Anyone who moves will be killed without exception! Quickly drop your weapons and surrender!”
Everyone was shocked, and they all looked towards the direction of the voice behind them.
Yang Shihui clutched the wound where his arm had been pierced by a long spear, turning back in terror, only to see a young man in fish-scale armor walking slowly out of the darkness towards them.
“Who are you?”
The young man had a clear face with a hint of battlefield austerity. His gaze, however, fell on Xiao Zhinian and Shen Zhejiang in the corner. He casually and carelessly cupped his fist in salute, saying, “Your subject has arrived late to rescue Your Majesty. Is His Majesty alright?”
Xiao Zhinian looked at him and gave a light hum: “You are a bit late. Where’s your sister?”
“She encountered some tricky matters on the way, and my sister asked me to come ahead.”
The young man answered respectfully, as if he were chatting with close friends about the weather, not taking the rebels around him seriously at all.
Shen Zhejiang found him a bit familiar, but he wasn’t entirely sure: “Young Master Wang?”
The second young master of the former Minister of War’s residence, Wang Chengming, no less.
Three years ago, because Xiao Zhinian swapped Shen Zhejiang’s arranged marriage, the Minister of War was implicated and also imprisoned. His children were also awaiting punishment. At this moment, the late Emperor died suddenly due to illness. The new Emperor ascended the throne and issued a general amnesty, which spared the Minister of War’s family from punishment.
To fulfill his promise, Xiao Zhinian allowed Wang Xiuyi to go to the border to muster troops. Her younger brother, Wang Chengming, followed her, and to his credit, he established great achievements.
Now he should be addressed as Vice Envoy Wang.
Wang Chengming nodded, acting improperly, and said, “Mr. Shen, long time no see. You’ve actually suffered such serious injuries. Tsk tsk, His Majesty must be heartbroken.”
Xiao Zhinian said, “Enough nonsense. Take action, just leave one alive.”
“Ignoring the immensity of heaven and earth, this Governor’s place is not for you to reminisce! Kill them all for this Governor!”
Yang Shihui completely exploded, his eyes wide with anger.
Wang Chengming waved his hand, and soldiers dressed like him poured out from behind him, saying coldly, “Did you hear that? His Majesty ordered to leave only Yang Shihui alive. Kill!”
“Kill—!”
The prison seemed to shake like an earthquake.
The flames of war were difficult to extinguish day and night.
Until dawn, a ray of sunlight lightly scattered through the iron window, illuminating the darkness.
The smell of blood was strong.
Wang Chengming, holding a long spear, pressed on Yang Shihui’s back, bringing him to Xiao Zhinian and throwing him on the ground.
Xiao Zhinian sat behind the desk for interrogation, the chair that Governor Yang had once sat on when interrogating Shen Zhejiang. Behind him was a temporary three-fold screen, and behind it was a wooden bed where Han Weiwei was treating Shen Zhejiang’s wounds.
“Kill me if you want! This Governor won’t say a single word about the master’s affairs!”
Yang Shihui was ready to die.
Xiao Zhinian placed his hands on the edge of the table and chuckled, saying coldly, “Do you think it’s so easy to die? Every wound on Our teacher will be repaid from your body. Bring up the torture instruments.”
Hearing this, Yang Shihui intended to bite his tongue and commit suicide. Just as he made a move, Wang Chengming quickly pinched his cheeks and stuffed a ball of white cloth into his mouth, stopping his action.
“Ugh! Ugh!!”
Yang Shihui was dragged onto the torture rack. He was, after all, someone who clung to life and feared death. At this time, he was extremely frightened, unable to scream, and actually left a puddle of liquid in his original spot.
The sound of whips echoed in the ears, bringing great satisfaction.
At this moment, a spirited woman dressed in tight-fitting clothes rushed over. When Wang Chengming saw her, his face immediately lit up.
“Sister!”
Wang Xiuyi nodded to him and walked quickly to Xiao Zhinian, her expression solemn: “Your subject greets Your Majesty.”
“Rise and speak,” Xiao Zhinian said.
“Yes, on the way here, your subject encountered the man in black mentioned in His Majesty’s letter. Your subject chased him all the way, but he still escaped. However, this item fell from his body,” Wang Xiuyi took out a talisman from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Zhinian, “It looks like a tiger tally for recruiting troops.”
Xiao Zhinian took it and looked at it. It was indeed as she said, and his eyes became even colder: “Recruiting troops, he really is audacious.”
Wang Xiuyi said, “Your subject will immediately lead people to search the city, determined to catch this criminal and atone for my mistake.”
“Wait,” Xiao Zhinian stopped her, “Now we have already alerted the enemy. Luo City is vast and complex, and the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. I’m afraid it will be difficult to catch this person again.”
“What’s so difficult about that? Your subject will lead people to search every household. I don’t believe he can fly out of Luo City!” Wang Chengming suggested.
“Adults are talking, what are you interrupting for, little kid? Shut your mouth for me!” Wang Xiuyi turned her head and scolded Wang Chengming.
Wang Chengming’s face fell. Okay, whatever his sister says is what goes. Who told him…
Xiao Zhinian rubbed the dragon scale ring on his index finger, thinking to himself, “Lure the snake out of its hole.”
Wang Xiuyi and Wang Chengming said in unison, “Use Yang Shihui as bait.”
“Not bad, let’s gamble on how deep their master-servant loyalty is.”
Xiao Zhinian looked at Yang Shihui, who was tied to the torture rack and almost out of breath, and snorted coldly.
“Cough cough…”
A low cough came from behind the screen.
Xiao Zhinian’s expression tensed, and he immediately got up to check on Shen Zhejiang’s condition. He saw Shen Zhejiang supporting half of his body and leaning on the bedside, coughing painfully while covering his mouth, which was heartbreaking to hear.
When Han Weiwei saw Xiao Zhinian come in, she made room for him and retreated to the side with the blood-stained gauze.
“Zhejiang, do you still feel uncomfortable?”
Xiao Zhinian used himself as a cushion for Shen Zhejiang, gently patting his back to soothe him, and asked.
“I… Cough cough!”
Shen Zhejiang wanted to reply that he was fine, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he coughed even more violently, even coughing up blood.
Xiao Zhinian took out a handkerchief to wipe it for him, wishing he could suffer in Shen Zhejiang’s place, and was anxiously pacing around: “What can be done?”
Han Weiwei shook her head and sighed, “Mr. Shen is covered in injuries. This humble daughter doesn’t dare to easily administer acupuncture.”
“Then what can be done!”
Xiao Zhinian really hated himself.
Why did it have to be like this?
Shen Zhejiang had become like this because of him!
Wang Xiuyi and Wang Chengming stood silently outside, at a loss.
“Zhinian…” Shen Zhejiang finally recovered. Each of his fingers was wrapped in gauze. Moving them would affect the wounds, which was very painful, but he raised his hand and touched Xiao Zhinian, his voice hoarse, “Cough… I’m fine. Don’t be sad, and don’t blame Miss Han. I know very well what my body is like. It’s fine.”
Xiao Zhinian held his hand, not daring to use even a bit of strength, and leaned over to kiss Shen Zhejiang: “Teacher, don’t say that anymore. Don’t say you’re fine. Even if you scold me, I’ll feel better. You being like this… It’s all my fault!”