Chapter 133 (1/2)
Chapter 133: Secret Meeting
The man's reaction was too strong and his expression too nervous; it was evident that he had ulterior motives. Qi Chen's pupils contracted. He had been deceived by this petty liar!
Furious, he hit the table with his palm and stepped on the man's back, pinning him to the floor.
”Who sent you? What are you trying to do?” He applied so much force that the man was almost flat on the ground. The man's silence further angered Qi Chen. He kicked the man in his back. The man face-planted into the floor with a pained grunt.
”You better be honest with me,” Qi Chen said in a murderous tone. ”Otherwise you won't see the sun tomorrow.”
It was obvious that Qi Chen would go through with his threat, and the man had never been particularly brave. He stammered, ”Please spare my life, Your Highness. It's… it's the fourth prince! I… I'm the fourth prince's spy… A week ago – no, a couple days ago, the fourth prince sent a message to me, telling me to break the trust between the crown prince and his strategist. This servant was coerced! He took my family hostage as leverage. This servant has no other choice…”
Jun Huang narrowed her eyes. The man was clearly lying. He couldn't even get his story straight.
She walked up to him and took out a silver needle with a smirk, showing it to the man. ”It's best that you stop lying. If I find out you have been dishonest, I will put this needle into your vein. Do you know what will happen then?”
The man startled trembling uncontrollably, curling into himself and gulping as he stared at the needle. ”I… I've been telling the truth! If the gentleman doesn't – ”
Before he could finish, Jun Huang seized his arm and drove the needle in a few inches. The man was on the verge of tears. Jun Huang gave him a bright smile. ”This needle has been immersed in poison for a year, soaking the poison up. If I push it in further, you'll feel like you are being eaten alive by hundreds of insects. In the end you'll die with blood coming out of all seven of your orifices.”
”No… stop! I'll talk! I'll tell you the truth!” The man was almost scared to death. He didn't dare to keep on with his lies. ”It's the third prince! He paid me to do this – ”
With a push of her finger, Jun Huang drove the needle further in. The man widened his eyes before losing consciousness.
Jun Huang took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands clean. She turned to Qi Chen with cool eyes. ”Your Highness has heard what the man said.”
Qi Chen nodded. ”I thought he was being dishonest. It turns out that my suspicion is right.” He spat. Who or what has given third brother the confidence to oppose me?
”What does brother Feng think of this?” Qi Chen asked, looking up to meet Jun Huang's gaze.
Jun Huang hummed. ”The third prince is now trying to gain support from the courtiers. Before, we never considered him a potential rival. Therefore this gentleman does not know yet why the third prince would do such a thing.”
Qi Chen huffed. ”What else can his reason be? He wants the throne! He should look into a mirror. It's laughable that someone like him dares to even try to go against me.”
”This gentleman believes the best thing to do is to wait and see what his plan is. It doesn't mean that we are to do nothing. We should put more people to keep watch on the third prince.”
Qi Chen nodded. ”Brother Feng is right. I will give the orders later.” Thinking back to how he had suspected Jun Huang, he tried to make amends. ”I was deceived by this petty man. It's not that I don't trust brother Feng. I hope brother Feng won't take offence.”
”Of course not.” Jun Huang put on a fake smile. She could hear the warning underlying Qi Chen's benevolent words. No matter how little, there was some doubt in Qi Chen's heart. She cupped her hands and bowed at him. ”This gentleman has sworn my loyalty to the prince, and time has proven that your wish is my command. No one is in the place to say otherwise. My only goal is to continue serving Your Highness as your strategist and help you become the emperor.”
She had injected all the genuinity she could muster into her words. It hit Qi Chen deep in his heart.
”I am fortunate to have gained a strategist like brother Feng. I know you're loyal to me. Things like this will never happen again.” Qi Chen helped her up. It looked as if he truly trusted her with all his heart.
Jun Huang lowered her eyes and contemplated how she should explain away her visit to Nan Xun's place. Something came to her mind.
”Nan Xun has saved my life, Your Highness, but he is a stubborn man who is difficult to sway,” said Jun Huang. ”It may be better if we stop trying to gain his support and turn to other people.”
Qi Chen fell silent. So Jun Huang had been trying to sway Nan Xun still. Nan Xun was impossible to persuade, though. He refused to take anyone's side. It was a waste of time to continue trying. Qi Chen nodded.