Chapter 127: A Relentless Enemy (2/2)
Empress Lu suddenly felt that this adopted daughter of hers was smart. She was initially worried that Lu Yaozhu hadn't made a good choice of a wife but not anymore.
Empress Lu's prolonged silence made Su Liya feel like she had said something wrong. ”I_please don't take my word. Your high_”
”I thought I told you not to call me that?
”Oh, sorry your_imperial mother”
”Don't be so formal with me, Liya. We are family after all. About the evidence, You raised a reasonable point. will take it to heart, don't worry” Empress Lu replied
”Thank you, Imperial mother” Su Liya turned to Baozhai and instructed her to bring in the box of evidence handed to her by Wu Yao. She passed the box to the masked guard that came out of the shadows.
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3 DAYS LATER, AT THE ICE PRISON.
Prime Minister Shi was relentless in his search for the ”truth” every day he sent soldiers to bring Lu Yaozhu for questioning. four soldiers walked in silently and took Lu Yaozhu out. They always brought him back hours later bloody, they wanted to keep him alive as long as possible so some days they dragged Lu Yingjie in place of him.
Madam Lu's heart broke every time her sons were taken away but in the end, there was nothing she could do to stop it. Prime Minister Shi didn't care one bit and neither did the guards, her tears just fell to dead ears. Madam Lu could barely sleep for fear that she might lose a son and just at close to the door.
Today, as usual, the guards came in to bring Lu Yaozhu in. Madam Lu's hand shook as she held on to the cold wall beside her and pushed herself up. Her complexion was dull and her eyes puffy because of all the crying. At this point, she had lost all sense of pride, she didn't feel self-conscious. Madam Lu rushed forward but was held back by Lu Yiling.
As much as it hurt her to do this, she had no other choice. The guard from the previous day was among the four guards that came in. Lu Yong supported his elder brother up as the guards unlocked the door. He tried to help Lu Yaozhu to the door but Lu Yaozhu slapped his hands away and walked calmly to the door. He was careful not to make his limp show.
The Guards walked in, took hold of his hands and dragged him out. They dragged him back to the interrogation room from yesterday and trapped him in the chair. Prime Minister Shi was seated on a comfortable seat facing him, with both arms folded on his shoulders.
”You look worse than before, General Lu. Good, this is how I want you to always look. Did you have a pleasant night, General? Are you now ready to talk?”
He did not respond and just looked away. He knew what this sycophant was up to, Chief investigator Mu Yitze must have discredited the evidence submitted by Deputy Sun on grounds of the report being submitted by a criminal under investigation. Since the only evidence, they had on him was discredited.
They wanted to get a confession out of him through any means necessary. Lu Yaozhu didn't want to give them that satisfaction, he decided to prey on Prime Minister Shi's short temper and buy more time for Su Liya to arrive in the capital with the evidence.
Prime Minister Shi didn't mind torturing Lu Yaozhu again, he was all for making him surfer after the amount of money he lost thanks to Lu Yaozhu's actions earlier. He nodded to the guards standing behind Lu Yaozhu, they were under his pay. He had paid them enough to handle this as harshly as possible.
The two guards raised the plank and began to hit Lu Yaozhu, Prime Minister Shi just sat back and watched them silently. He was looking forward to hearing Lu Yaozhu's cries. The door opened with a bang shocking both the Prime Minister and the two guards. They all turned to the door, Chief Investigation Mu walked in with some guards.
”How dare you badge in Chief Investigator Mu when I am carrying out a questioning?” Prime Minister Shi shouted, he stood from the seat and walked to Mu Yitze