C17 (1/2)

Yan Xiaoxi's words immediately woke the officials up. If Nangong Lin really wanted to kill Minister Lin, then why didn't he do so before he presented the imperial report and evidence? Since this matter had already been exposed, why bother doing so?

Anyone would know that with Nangong Lin's intelligence, he would definitely not do such a foolish thing.

Nangong Lin was shocked. He never imagined that he would be asked such a question by Yan Xiaoxi. However, he had seen the world after all, so he quickly came up with another logical answer.

”Prince Lin has only one reason for doing this: to hide it from others.” A simple word was indeed enough to explain Nangong Lin's actions.

”Deception? This Concubine has read very few books, so she only understands the meaning of 'cover up'. ” As she spoke, Yan Xiaoxi held her head in her hands. Her gaze was pure, as if she really didn't understand the true meaning of the phrase 'trying to deceive people.'

However, her words once again gave everyone a reminder, causing their original thoughts to waver unconsciously.

When Nangong Zhen saw the ministers nod their heads, he could guess that these people had long been divided into two factions. One agreed with Yan Xiaoxi's nonsense, while the other supported him.

Nangong Xiao had been staring at Yan Xiaoxi. Her words, eyes and actions just now were extremely similar to a single person. It allowed him to once again overlap Yan Xiaoxi's face with the one in his memories.

However, thinking about Yan Xiaoxi's identity, he felt that all of this was impossible.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, we have captured the assassin.” At this moment, the leader of the guards walked in with an assassin dressed in black. It was breaking Nangong Xiao's reverie.

The guard in charge was half-kneeling on the ground. The assassin beside him had long tied up all sorts of hemp rope around him. At the same time, his entire body had been pierced with holes. There was nowhere for him to run to.

”Speak, who sent you?” Before Nangong Xiao could say anything, Nangong Zhen impatiently pressed her.

The black-clothed assassin's gaze was sharp as he tightly shut his lips, not saying a single word.

He looked unyielding, as if he would never utter a single word even if he was beaten to death.

”Imperial Father, I think that this assassin's tone is very hard. Why not use torture?” Nangong Zhen was surprisingly positive and gave his suggestion again.

Nangong Xiao and Nangong Lin glanced at Nangong Zhen simultaneously. The two of them seemed to have understood something.

”Kill me, I won't say anything.” The assassin expressed his determination.

”You refuse a toast only to be punished by a forfeit. Men, begin your punishment!” Immediately, ten different types of torture were put on display.

This was the first time that many people had seen so many strange torture devices. There were all kinds of them, and they were all extremely cruel.

The guards first used a forceful method, using a wooden stick to catch the prisoner's fingers and then pulling the rope to the sides. The pain of having one's fingers connected to the heart was not something an ordinary person could endure.

”This prince will give you one last chance.” The torture instruments had already been placed in the assassin's hand, and the form became one that could be released at any moment.

The assassin clenched his teeth. He would rather die than submit.

”Alright, I admire your courage.” As he spoke, Nangong Zhen gave a look to the guards on both sides of him.

When the guards received the order, they immediately made their move. At the same time, another scene sunk into a tense atmosphere.

After the punishment was completed, the assassin remained indifferent. Following that, under Nangong Zhen's command, the assassin basically used all of his strength to torture the assassin. However, even though the tough faced assassin's face was pale and riddled with wounds, he did not scream out in pain nor did he hear a single word from his mouth.

Everyone present couldn't help but admire his sincerity and his endurance.

”Men, let's see if he will say anything.” Immediately, the guards took off the black clothes on the outside of the assassin's corpse. However, he was still wearing the same clothes on the inside that belonged to the Southern Water Country.