Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Gao Lu, it's been a while since we've been together, hasn't it?" As I spoke these words, I suddenly recalled the opening lines of a Hong Kong gangster film where the mob boss interrogates a brother who has betrayed him.
Gao Lu couldn't grasp my true intentions for summoning him and hesitated, "Yes, Young Master."
I glanced at Azure Thorn and Xiao Quanzi, then said in a deep voice, "You two can leave for now." Turning back, I smirked slightly and added, "I have something to discuss with Chief Eunuch Gao. Right, Chief Eunuch Gao?"
"Um..." Gao Lu's expression was somewhat perplexed.
I picked up the teapot and brewed two cups of hot tea, handing one to him. "This is Osmanthus Green Tea that I just made. Give it a try." I took a sip myself first.
Seeing me drink, he hesitated before taking a sip. In this world, the more cunning and shrewd a person is, the harder it is for them to trust others. Paranoia nearly ruined Cao Cao's ambitions. However, this time his suspicion was warranted, but that didn't mean he could escape unscathed.
"Chief Eunuch Gao, I remember you mentioned that my mother conspired with my aunt and Madam to harm me."
Gao Lu was surprised; hadn't this already been stated? Though astonished, he still respectfully replied, "Yes, Young Master."
"But I've never understood why my aunt and father, being siblings, would help an outsider kill someone their own brother loved. I've thought about it endlessly and can't make sense of it. It doesn't add up, does it? What do you think?"
"Well, Servant does not know."
"Is that so?" I didn't refute him; I simply took another sip of the green tea—fragrant and delicious, truly good tea.
"By the way, a few days ago I visited my aunt and met a man." Noticing his face turn pale, I ignored it and continued, "I believe Chief Eunuch Gao must know who he is."
Cold sweat broke out densely on his forehead as Gao Lu trembled and said, "Servant does not understand what Young Master is referring to."
With a loud crash, I slammed the porcelain cup onto the table, producing a resounding noise. My gaze turned icy as I coldly stated, "Chief Eunuch Gao, usually I might indulge in circles with you, but today I'm not in the mood for that. I'll ask you just once: will you speak about Consort Xie's matter or not?!"
Gao Lu stubbornly replied, "The servant does not know."
I let out a cold laugh and suddenly said something unrelated, "Chief Eunuch Gao, do you know what you just drank?"
Gao Lu trembled but still knelt on the ground, insisting, "Young Master, the servant truly does not know."
"Does not know?" I took out a small drum from my pocket. If he had been fortunate enough to see "Eastern Condor, Western Success," he would recognize what it was. I casually tapped it lightly.
Gao Lu clutched his stomach and cried out in pain.
I watched him, his face contorted in agony, beads of sweat dripping down. I smiled cruelly and suddenly struck the drum hard.
"Ah—" he screamed in despair, rolling on the ground. Seeing my devilish grin, he struggled to ask, "What is this?"
I laughed, a dazzling smile full of allure. Noticing his confusion, I tapped the drum again. Amidst his painful groans, I kindly explained to him, "In ancient times, there was a secret technique in Miaojiang called Gu." At this, his face turned even paler. I maliciously continued, "Out of curiosity, I researched it a bit. Just a few days ago, one of the insects I raised matured and was looking for a host. Today seemed like a perfect opportunity to experiment on Chief Eunuch Gao." His complexion shifted from pale to green and then back to ashen. I teased him further, "Have you heard of a certain insect? It's very small, almost invisible to the naked eye. It particularly enjoys burrowing into people's hearts for fun and loves music. As soon as it hears the sound of drums, it becomes excited and starts moving around. I wonder if one day it will jump into your brain while dancing. Then little by little," I poked at his head to demonstrate, "it will eat away at your brain matter until it grows rapidly. After staying in such a small and enclosed space for too long, it will struggle its way out through your temple. At that point, it will reproduce and look for its next host. However, this is still part of my experiment; I don’t know if it will be so mischievous." His face had completely stiffened now. His pupils dilated, likely from sheer terror.
"Chief Eunuch Gao, do you know what it feels like to wish for death?" I glanced at him and praised, "You are quite clever. That's why after drinking the tea you tried to channel away the imagined poison. But you were too clever for your own good. When dealing with intelligent people like you, I always make them regret their arrogance. Do you understand? Gu is different from poison; the more you try to channel it away, the more you help the insect invade your heart chamber and reach your insides—even your heart."
"Are you curious about the outcome?" I opened my eyes wide and asked like an inquisitive child: "Why don't we find out together? Let's look forward to seeing what it looks like when it reproduces."
Gao Lu was so shocked that he forgot to sweat; he remained frozen for a long time before regaining his senses. Struggling to get up while kneeling again, he pleaded, "Young Master, please show mercy. The old servant truly cannot endure this torment. It is not suitable for me to be your test subject."
I tapped the drum several more times in a rhythm reminiscent of my memories and said coldly, "I only want to hear the truth. You only have this one chance to choose; otherwise, I will make sure you won't even have the option of wishing for death." I looked as if I meant every word.
He was in so much pain that he could barely speak; all that escaped him were cries of despair. Finally, I understood what true suffering looked like.
Outside the room, Xiao Quanzi listened to the increasingly distorted cries within and felt goosebumps rise and fall all over his body. He felt cold as if he were standing in an icy wasteland.
Until this moment, he still understood that the master was not incapable of fighting back, nor was he unaware of being harmed, nor did he not know that there was poison involved. It wasn't weakness or incompetence; it was simply that he didn't want to, didn't wish to, or was too lazy to do so. He never expected that provoking the master would lead to such a dire outcome; Xiao Quanzi felt a chill run through his bones.
Chen Anyuan remained calm and collected. After experiencing various deceptions, when he saw her on the brink of death, Chen Ningyuan seemed to undergo a transformation overnight. He only knew that whatever the master intended to do was undoubtedly correct, and for some reason, he trusted unconditionally.
"I've had enough fun," I said as I put away the flower drum and returned to my seat. Taking a sip of tea, I leisurely remarked, "Go ahead." It was as if the evil person from earlier was not me at all.
He struggled to kneel properly. "Xie De Fei and he were childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree. Gradually, feelings blossomed, and they secretly vowed to be together in this life. Later, when the master sought to seize a position among the Four Great Families, he devised a scheme to separate them and forced Xie De Fei into the palace, tearing her away from her beloved. From then on, Xie De Fei harbored resentment; she hated the master. Xie De Fei participated in the murder of Ruan Ruan as an act of revenge, wanting the master to experience the pain of losing her beloved just as she had. It's just—"
"Just what?" I asked.
"Just didn’t expect him to be so infatuated that he followed Consort De into the palace. They unexpectedly formed a secret bond after meeting again in the palace."
I paused for a moment before asking, "Does the Emperor know?"
"The Old Servant does not know. Although I have served the Emperor for so long, I have never truly understood him. It seems like he knows everything yet nothing at all. I cannot grasp his thoughts."
I scoffed; how could an emperor's mind be easily fathomed by ordinary people?
"Are you done?" Seeing his nodding seemed less than reserved, I stood up and said, "Alright, you can leave now. Rest assured, when the time is right, I will help you with your predicament. Only those who cast curses can lift them, so there's no need for you to struggle looking for someone else; that would only waste time. I will decide whether or not to lift your curse based on your performance."
His face turned pale; having his thoughts laid bare like this on stage made no one feel comfortable.
"Young Master, the Old Servant takes his leave."
A slight smile tugged at my lips.
Gao Lu left for quite some time while I remained seated quietly sipping my tea. Eventually, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes in exhaustion. Taking a deep breath, I sighed softly, "Azure Thorn, do you think I'm too cruel?"
Chen Ningyuan smiled lightly and said, "I know you don't really want to hurt anyone."
I opened my eyes and replied with a smile, "But I still did."
Chen Ningyuan remained calm as he said, "That was something you had to do."
"You always speak for me. By the way, do you like the medical clinic I built for you?"
"The young master is too indulgent towards his subordinate."
"Well, I'm glad you like it." I smiled at him gently. "That was a gift for the family. It couldn't be done carelessly. Have you met Little Seven?"
"Yes. He treats his subordinates very well." Thinking of that chubby-faced boy who turned out to be the renowned Vermilion Bird King Mai Qi, I still found it hard to believe. But considering that I had suddenly acquired the most luxurious and widespread chain of medical clinics in the world overnight, Chen Ningyuan chuckled. As her family, she wanted all of them to live their best lives and fulfill everyone's wishes. Remembering Mai Qi's unusual enthusiasm, which could be considered passionate, Ningyuan felt a bit overwhelmed.
I watched his ever-changing expressions and could imagine how delighted Mai Qi would be upon seeing him. Little Seven had always hoped for more companions.
As I reached the door and gazed at the darkening sky, I realized how unusually unpredictable this day had been.
Comment 0 Comment Count