Chapter 1188: Chapter 1024: Interrogation

The prison chief was unaware that You Shaofeng had already begun to despise him. But even if he knew, he wouldn’t mind. Perhaps before 5 PM yesterday, he would have been wary of this person.

But after 5 PM, he no longer bothered with this person. Could he really quarrel with someone on the brink of death?

The Crown Prince glanced at You Shaofeng but did not acknowledge him, proceeding straight inside.

Gu Chengyu and the Crown Prince passed by the cell where Xia Qing was held. At this moment, Xia Qing’s expression still appeared composed and calm, as if he was not worried about being imprisoned.

However, his tightly clenched hands holding the hem of his clothes and his slightly trembling beard revealed his inner turmoil, which was far from calm.

Seeing the Crown Prince pass by his cell, Xia Qing hurriedly knelt and bowed, "Your humble servant greets His Highness, the Crown Prince!"

The Crown Prince was initially just going to pass by, but hearing Xia Qing’s respectful salutation, he turned his head.

He glanced at Xia Qing who was kneeling on the ground and noticed that most of his hair had turned gray. The plain white inner clothes he wore bore some wrinkles, slightly disheveled, yet he still maintained a composed demeanor.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration, for Xia Qing had once been a First-Grade Official, and his poise was not something ordinary officials could compare with. Speaking of which, the difference between him and You Shaofeng was vast.

He couldn’t help but recall that despite Xia Qing’s fondness for gold and silver, he had made significant contributions to the court.

Back when Xia Qing had just been promoted to Grand Secretary, he had done some practical things, such as increasing taxes on merchants and closely monitoring iron mines.

However, as Xia Qing gradually gained influence and grew arrogant under the Emperor’s favor, he began to lose his sincerity, no longer prioritizing the court’s interests and instead focusing on forming factions for his own gain.

The Crown Prince sighed and turned away, heading towards the inner cells, saying nothing after all.

Gu Chengyu furrowed his brows, troubled by the Crown Prince’s ambiguous attitude towards Xia Qing, which inevitably made people feel that Xia Qing still had hopes of a comeback.

Even taking a step back, even if Xia Qing didn’t know the true nature of Tianji Taoist, he still recommended him to the Emperor, and ultimately, the Emperor died because of Tianji Taoist’s elixir.

As the recommender, how could Xia Qing escape responsibility? If it were any other official, they would have long been stripped of their positions and have their families exterminated.

Even considering Xia Qing’s previous contributions to the court, he would still have his official’s hat taken away and be demoted to a commoner, ensuring his descendants for three generations are barred from office, which is a huge mercy.

However, the Crown Prince’s current delaying in handling Xia Qing raises doubts if he plans to bring Xia Qing back to the court? How could such a decision convince the public?

To commit such grave mistakes and be let off easily is far too unjust.

Xia Qing saw the Crown Prince walk away and slowly climbed up. Seeing Gu Chengyu still gazing at him in contemplation, he snorted coldly and sat on the straw mat to rest his eyes.

Gu Chengyu turned to look at the thriving bonfire within the prison; these guards indeed liked to indulge themselves. Otherwise, in such cold weather, with thin and dirty bedding in the cell, Xia Qing dressed only in a single garment would have long frozen to death.

Not paying heed to Xia Qing, Gu Chengyu also stepped towards the inner cells.

Xia Qing opened his eyes and watched Gu Chengyu’s back with furrowed brows. Many people were captured today; could they be the assassins?

At this moment, he was certain that these Da Xing traitors had deceived him; they had clearly agreed to wait, but who knew they would breach trust.

Not only did they not act as agreed, but after he was imprisoned, they didn’t even attempt to rescue him, clearly neglecting him.

He recalled the people captured today and found none of them were the Map Master or the cloaked individuals, indicating those captured were merely Death Warriors following orders.

This slightly reassured him, thinking Death Warriors know nothing, as long as the Map Master is not caught, he remains safe for now.

When Gu Chengyu stepped into the inner cells, the prison chief was leading the way for the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness! The people you’re looking for are held in these cells. Commander Zhou is on the west side; whom do you want to interrogate first?"

The prison chief smiled ingratiatingly, his face full of flattery. This was the Crown Prince himself, about to ascend the throne in a few days; he dared not slack off.

Perhaps if he serves well, the Crown Prince might regard him differently! As long as he makes a presence in front of the Crown Prince, satisfies him, and perhaps receives an official position, he could escape the humble guard status and await a brilliant future!

The Crown Prince’s gaze first landed on a ragged, filthy beggar, and he couldn’t help but frown. Was this person truly Zhou Yuancong?

In his impression, Zhou Yuancong emanated a robust aura, stood like a pine tree, sat like a bell, exuding a great general’s demeanor. How could this foul and rundown old beggar be Zhou Yuancong?

He cast a puzzled look at Gu Chengyu, who promptly stepped forward to clarify.

"Your Highness! When I apprehended Zhou Yuancong, he was disguised as a beggar, intending to assassinate me. Are you interested in interrogating him now?"

Just as Gu Chengyu finished speaking, Zhou Yuancong lifted his head, casting a pair of fierce eyes towards Gu Chengyu.

Zhou Yuancong now deeply regretted, if only he had listened to his master, he wouldn’t find himself in this predicament.

He intended to capture the Crown Prince to command the feudal lords, but alas, due to Gu Chengyu’s intervention, he failed.

Subsequently, his master repeatedly instructed him to stay hidden for a period, but he found Gu Chengyu’s existence troubling, thus devising a plan to remove him.

He knew many of his master’s plans were foiled by Gu Chengyu, otherwise, they would have succeeded long ago. With such a stumbling block, success was difficult.

Thus, he acted independently, intending to assassinate Gu Chengyu. However, Gu Chengyu’s martial arts were formidable and alert, rendering the assassination unsuccessful and implicating himself.

"Zhou Yuancong, I ask you, why did you betray the court?"

The Crown Prince, upon Zhou Yuancong raising his head, confirmed his identity. Back when the Emperor was still alive, they would meet daily at court, making Zhou Yuancong’s eyes familiar.

Zhou Yuancong closed his eyes; at this point, words were futile. Entering the Heavenly Prison meant he would never leave.

He wished to end it with suicide, but the cell walls were surrounded by straw and cotton; trying to end his life by crashing into them was futile.

Many had attempted suicide by crashing into walls in the Heavenly Prison, so the Dali Temple learned from experience. These cells were arranged in this manner specifically for detaining serious offenders.

No matter how they question him, he would not divulge anything. He hoped his master would consider his silence and grant his descendants a chance for survival.

The Crown Prince furrowed his brow; Zhou Yuancong had turned into a string-tight gourd, seemingly unwilling to speak.

However, this matter must be interrogated and clarified swiftly. He couldn’t allow anyone to lurk in the shadows, eyeing his throne hungrily. How could he tolerate such when his bed was at stake?

If he didn’t expose the mastermind soon, he would be restless, unable to eat or sleep in peace.

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