Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 34 : Interrogation

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“You… What exactly are you…” Ji Lei pressed himself against the bars, looked at Shen Zechuan’s smile, and swiftly moved back. “What exactly are you up to?!”

“You’re asking me?” Shen Zechuan said cheerfully. “You’re asking me, huh?”

Shen Zechuan’s gaze turned malicious as he beckoned haughtily to Ji Lei. Ji Lei did not move. He leaned back against the wall and refused to budge even a fraction closer to Shen Zechuan.

Shen Zechuan said, “Prisoners are all livestock waiting to be slaughtered. Shishu, how dare you ask me?”

Ji Lei countered, “What else can you do? Kill me?”

“It’s not often us uncle and nephew get the chance to meet. There’s not even enough time for us to play, so how could I kill you so quickly?” Shen Zechuan slid his thumb across the bars and softened his tone. “You aren’t saying a word because you feel that it’s something you can exploit. With those secrets in your hands, no one would bear to lay their hands on you. Your days in prison become more comfortable, and you don’t have to worry about food and clothing, nor fear for your life. There’s Pan Rugui to accompany you, and you have plenty of leisure time. How carefree and happy.”

Ji Lei broke out in cold sweat. He stuck to the wall, no longer looking into Shen Zechuan’s eyes. 

“But happy days are all fleeting. As long as the tongue is still there, it’s not a big deal if a leg is missing, an arm is broken, or both eyes are gouged out. A few months ago, shishu treated me to donkey roast. I didn’t get to taste it at that time. But now that the night is long, it’s a good time to dine with wine.” Shen Zechuan slipped the thin blade out between his fingers and tapped it between the bars. He said, “Ji Lei, time to serve you up to go with my wine.”

“You. Are. Insane!” Ji Lei stretched his neck out and enunciated each word, “Shen Zechuan, you’re insane!”

“I’m insane.” Shen Zechuan stared at him and answered in the affirmative. 

“How would you dare to lay a hand on me?’ Ji Lei said furiously, “Your life is in the Empress Dowager’s hands. How would you dare to even touch a strand of my hair?!”

Shen Zechuan cheered up again and said with a smile, “Shishu, why do you always have to keep saying such hilarious words tonight? Who else do you think sent me here?”

Enraged, Ji Lei said, “Don’t even think of hoodwinking—”

“Shen Wei is dead.” Shen Zechuan quickly cut off Ji Lei’s words. “The day Shen Wei set himself on fire, I heard that the Prince of Jianxing Manor in Dunzhou was ablaze in raging flames. He was burned beyond recognition when the Imperial Bodyguards dragged him out of the ruins and hung him atop Dunzhou city walls to be reviled by all. I didn’t see that scene with my own eyes, but I kept attempting to imagine it over the years. After turning it over in my mind, I finally realized something.”

Ji Lei swallowed his saliva.

“His grand plan to collude with the enemy has succeeded. Isn’t defecting right before the battle much better for him? Duanzhou had already fallen into the enemy’s hands. If he led his troops forth to receive and welcome them, he could join the Biansha Cavalry and hurry to take down Qudu before the Libei Armored Cavalry crossed the River of Ice. However, he was so scared that he recoiled from advancing and only dared to retreat.” Shen Zechuan stood up. “He had already succeeded. It’s only by advancing that he would have a chance to survive. But he kept withdrawing. Even if he was a good-for-nothing, he should have known that retreating would only lead him to his doom.”