CHAPTER 420: 331. WHOSE PERSON

Thud, thud, thud.

Lin Chaoqing knocked on the iron gate of the Imperial Prison. The Yulin Army had their hands tied behind their backs and were escorted by the Jiefan Guard to stand outside the iron gate.

A small window opened on the iron gate, the prison guard glanced out, ignoring the python robe on Lin Chaoqing: "Waist tag."

Lin Chaoqing took out the waist tag from his bosom and held it in front of the small window. Only then did the prison guard open the iron gate, and then knocked on the second iron gate with uneven lengths.

Accompanied by rumbling sounds.

Lin Chaoqing walked down the dark stone steps, nonchalantly saying, "This Imperial Prison, others may never come their entire life, but once they do, it’s for a lifetime. Dr. Chen has just returned to the Imperial Capital for a few days and is already here for the second time."

Dr. Chen, a long-lost title, even made Chen Ji feel a bit dazed for a moment.

The Jiefan Guard behind him pushed him: "Keep up!"

A cold wind surged up from the passage, Chen Ji followed behind Lin Chaoqing and said, "Lord Lin, I don’t want to come to this Imperial Prison either. I just happened to encounter this rebel and conveniently took him down. We are just doing our duty; it is the Wang Family who are the main culprits and should be executed."

Lin Chaoqing didn’t believe his nonsense and instructed the prison guard expressionlessly: "Separate them for detention to prevent collusion. This affair involves treason. If they have a chance to collude, you will share the same crime as treason. Additionally, following Lord Wu Xiu’s command, today no one other than the Jiefan Guard is allowed here, and no plea is permitted."

The prison guard quickly complied humbly: "As you command."

Lin Chaoqing turned back to look at the Yulin Army, teasingly saying: "These are all children of officials and nobles in the Imperial Capital. Last time, they easily left the Imperial Prison; this time, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy."

With that said, he raised his hand, pointing at Chen Ji and Wang Huan: "Escort these two to the Pipa Hall, I will interrogate them personally."

Seeing Chen Ji about to be taken for interrogation, Qi Zhenzhuo angrily said: "We’ve already said the treason has nothing to do with us, why question our people? The crossbow arrows aren’t ours!"

Qi Zhenzhuo twisted his body, trying to break away from the Jiefan Guard’s control, but to no avail.

Lin Chaoqing, with great interest, said: "Then tell us whose crossbow arrows they are. If you can provide evidence of whose arrows they are, I can refrain from interrogating you for now."

The Yulin Army looked at each other, not knowing whose crossbow arrows they were.

Lin Chaoqing waved his hand: "Take them away."

The Jiefan Guard pushed the struggling Yulin Army into the prison cell, then pushed Chen Ji and Wang Huan deeper into the Imperial Prison.

They walked all the way to the end, into a spacious room, where they were greeted by the stench of blood, even the crevices between the floor tiles were filled with old blood stains.

Upon entering, they saw a wooden rack standing on the opposite side, used for binding and fixing prisoners.

Beside the rack was a stove, with several red-hot branding irons placed on it.

The walls of the Pipa Hall were covered with blades and torture instruments.

Lin Chaoqing pointed at the red-hot branding irons: "These are the famous Red Embroidered Shoes in my Imperial Prison, you two will get to try them later."

A Jiefan Guard whispered: "My lord, who should we interrogate first?"

Lin Chaoqing’s gaze wandered between Chen Ji and Wang Huan, then he looked down to find the ground under Wang Huan’s feet already wet: "Interrogate this fat man first, let him wear the Red Embroidered Shoes."

Wang Huan instantly collapsed to the ground: "I’ll confess everything, don’t interrogate me, I’m just a nobody, I’ll tell you whatever you ask."

But Lin Chaoqing turned a deaf ear.

He sat down at a square table, pointing at the chair opposite to indicate Chen Ji: "Sit down."

Chen Ji had his ropes untied, rubbed his wrists, and sat down: "Lord Lin, the treason has nothing to do with us, truth be told, we of the Yulin Army even have merits for suppressing the rebellion."

Lin Chaoqing didn’t waste words, he picked up the white porcelain pot on the table, and poured a cup of tea for Chen Ji.

He slowly pushed the cup to Chen Ji: "Have some tea."

Chen Ji picked up the cup and turned his head, only to see Wang Huan being stripped naked and hung on the wooden rack.

The Jiefan Guard didn’t ask anything, and started by branding the soles of his feet with two branding irons, so this was what it meant to wear the Red Embroidered Shoes.

Wang Huan was shouting: "I’ll confess! I’ll confess everything..."

Before he finished speaking, he passed out.

The Jiefan Guard took down the long knife hanging at his waist and hung it on the wall, then turned to pick up a bucket of cold water and splashed it on Wang Huan’s pale body.

Wang Huan came to again, crying out: "I’ve said, I’ll confess everything!"

Lin Chaoqing didn’t mind, he just smiled and asked: "Dr. Chen, do you know why this place is called the Pipa Hall?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "I don’t know."

Lin Chaoqing pointed at Wang Huan and said: "Strap the prisoner on the rack exposing the ribs, then use an iron hook to repeatedly scrape and pluck against the ribs, earning the name because the action resembles playing a pipa. The sufferer’s bones and flesh rot, unable to live, unable to die."

Chen Ji calmly said: "It seems Wang Huan already has a record at the Ritual Supervision, so his details are known without interrogation. Lord Lin uses him to frighten me into losing courage, does he really think I’m involved in the treason and plans to pry open my mouth?"

Lin Chaoqing poured himself a cup of tea: "I’ve dealt with you before, I know you’re a tough nut who won’t just submit, so putting in a little more effort is justified. Anyone entering my Imperial Prison never leaves whole, so Dr. Chen should give up hope early and say what needs to be said."

Chen Ji curiously inquired: "The matter of the crossbow arrows?"

"Other matters." Lin Chaoqing tapped his fingers on the table: "The crossbowman might be from the Chen Family, or the Wang Family, could be the Crown Prince, or Prince Fu, but since they’re dead with no proof, pushing the Wang Family serves the purpose. So, let’s talk about other things."

Chen Ji remained calm: "If it’s not the crossbow arrows matter, then what does Lord Lin want me to talk about?"

Lin Chaoqing smiled slightly: "Previously you worked for Jiao Tu and Yun Yang, last time it was Jin Zhu who got you out, so you likely know many secrets about the Twelve Signs. Lord Wu Xiu has ordered, this time the Yulin Army has caused an immense disaster, if you’re willing to drag down one zodiac sign, he can step in to keep you alive."