The imperial court fell into a hushed silence. Ji Jinmo surveyed all the officials, civil and military, and after a moment, he let out a low chuckle, "Good, very good!"
He flung the remonstrating official aside and declared, "Since you all are so eager to see Madam Liu, I shall have her brought here!"
Brought?
At the word, a collective dread struck the hearts of the courtiers. Had His Highness already tortured Madam Liu?
Ji Hong’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. The thought of his imperial aunt’s methods sent a shiver down his spine. Seeing his uncle’s current attitude and his willingness to concede so easily, he surmised that Madam Liu would not survive.
Suppressing his thoughts, he ordered the Imperial Guards to proceed to the Prince’s mansion.
"Your Majesty, my humble wife is merely a lady of the inner chambers. I fear she might commit a breach of etiquette before the court, therefore…"
"Prime Minister Nan, I advise you not to push your luck. Yesterday, you used the skeletal remains of your King's Consort’s mother as a threat to force her to your manor. If she refused, you threatened to desecrate her grave. Do the officials impeaching me in this court today know of your contemptible actions? Do they know of your venomous heart? Why don't you peel away that facade of uprightness and show everyone your soiled soul?"
Upon hearing Ji Jinmo's words, the gazes of the assembled officials shifted towards Nan Chaoyin.
While it was true that great undertakings often overlooked minor details, the King's Consort's mother had served him as a concubine for many years. To use the remains of the deceased as leverage was, to say the least,卑鄙 (bēibǐ - despicable).
If it were a villainous minister behaving this way, it would be understandable. But who was Nan Chaoyin? He was the leader of the upright officials, a prime minister of the realm. If such a man was ruthless and unprincipled in achieving his goals, how would he differ from the likes of Ji Jinmo?
Their gazes followed him like shadows, prickling his back. Nan Chaoyin, however, remained unperturbed, as if oblivious to the unspoken criticism and speculation. He addressed Ji Jinmo, "I know the Consort is kind-hearted, and the Consort knows I had no ill intentions."
Nan Chaoyin did not deny his actions but offered an explanation.
The implied meaning was: I know my daughter is kind and compassionate, and she knows that my threat using her mother's remains was a desperate measure, not something I would truly do. It was merely words spoken in anger!
This was a masterstroke of diplomacy. Nan Chaoyin understood that he could not deny such an action. The more he denied it, the more it would solidify his image as a cruel, unscrupulous, and ruthless individual. It was better to frame the threat as an argument between father and daughter, a clash of angry words.
When people are enraged, what words might they not utter?
Such cunning!
Ji Jinmo and Ji Hong both let out cold sneers.
Ji Jinmo cast a deep look at Nan Chaoyin and applauded, "Prime Minister Nan, you are truly eloquent and cunning. As expected of the head of all officials, your silver tongue can even whitewash such sinister and wicked deeds as mere family squabbles. I am truly impressed. However, Nan Chaoyin, even if you can turn white into black, the things you have done will one day be exposed to everyone."
"I eagerly await that day."
Nan Chaoyin cupped his hands in a bow towards Ji Jinmo, "I fear I may disappoint Your Highness."
Ji Jinmo waved his sleeve and turned away, paying him no further attention. Ji Hong, uncharacteristically, did not reprimand Ji Jinmo but ordered the Imperial Guards to proceed to the Prince's mansion to rescue Madam Liu.
When the Imperial Guards arrived at the Prince's mansion, Jia Huan informed Nan Shiying of their purpose.
"Officials impeaching?"
That old fox, Nan Chaoyin, was truly something. He wanted to save Madam Liu? Very well, she would return Madam Liu to him!
"Jia Huan!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Go and find me a large vat!"
Jia Huan inquired, "How large a vat does the Consort require?"
"Large enough to hold an adult!"
Jia Huan understood.
In the dungeon, Xiao Man felt a twinge of regret. Yesterday… no, it should be early this morning. The wound she had bandaged had not yet healed. Even if she tore off the bandages, she couldn't tear off Madam Liu's flesh. This form of torture, dying from festering all over, was a process she had not been able to make her experience. It was practically letting her off easy!
Jia Huan brought a large vat, its size just right.
Xiao Man had people buy a vat of inferior wine from outside and poured it into the vat. Then, she took a long saber from Jia Huan. The saber was heavy, and its blade was sharp. Xiao Man needed both hands to hold it steady.
She walked step by step towards Madam Liu.
Madam Liu, weakened by her ordeal, was utterly unable to resist and could only watch as Xiao Man approached.
Xiao Man wasted no words. She swung the saber at Madam Liu's right leg. Although the saber was sharp, Xiao Man's strength was slightly insufficient. She failed to sever Madam Liu's leg in one blow, only managing to cut halfway through the thigh bone, leaving flesh and bone partially attached. Blood splattered out, drenching Xiao Man.
Xiao Man smiled and apologized to Madam Liu, "My apologies, Madam. My strength is lacking, and I failed to cut it off in one go. Please don't worry, I'll just make another cut!"
As Xiao Man spoke, she swung the saber again. This time, the blow went wide, and she still failed to sever Madam Liu's leg.
The pain from her festering limbs had numbed Madam Liu's sense of pain. She found this agony insignificant. The repeated hacking blows were like slow slicing, and the massive blood loss blurred her vision. She felt a bone-chilling cold, the coldness that comes with life draining away with the blood.
Nan Shiying approached Madam Liu, violently tore open her sealed mouth, and threw a restorative pill into it.
Keeping her alive.
Xiao Man continued to hack away, growing breathless with exertion. Only then did Nan Shiying take the saber from her and completely sever Madam Liu's limbs. She then said to Xiao Man, "The Imperial Guards are waiting outside. We cannot take too long."
Xiao Man nodded, wiped the sweat from her brow, took out a dagger from her embrace, and crouched down. She flashed a dazzling smile at Madam Liu, then forcefully plunged the dagger into her eye. With a flick of her wrist, she deftly scooped out one of Madam Liu's eyeballs.
Then, using the same method, she dug out her other eye.
Xiao Man disdainfully threw the eyeballs onto the ground. She then quickly severed Madam Liu's ears and tongue. Jia Huan lifted Madam Liu, now reduced to a torso and head, and threw her into the vat filled with wine.
The Imperial Guards waited outside the door and watched as the servants of the Nan manor carried out a vat sealed with wooden planks. The vat thudded down before the Imperial Guards.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The commander of the Imperial Guards glared with fierce eyes and demanded.
Jia Huan smiled and explained, "General, please do not be angered. Madam Liu is in this vat."
"What?"
A vat?
Could it be?
The leader of the Imperial Guards reached to open the lid, but Jia Huan placed his hand on the wooden plank and smiled, "It is getting late. It would be best for you all to return and report. If you delay and there are any changes in the court, you might all be implicated."
Jia Huan's words were pointed. The commander of the Imperial Guards slowly withdrew his hand.