In the imperial palace.
The Emperor, upon hearing Eunuch Li recount the rumors circulating outside, flew into a rage. He hurried to the Hall of Longevity to inform the Empress Dowager.
"Mother, I never expected someone to be so fearless as to leak this matter again."
The Emperor's voice was as cold as ice shards, devoid of any warmth.
The Empress Dowager listened and pondered for a moment.
"Knowing about this matter, and being able to discern that the man in red who abducted the girl Li'er is Ming Jiuxiao, this person must be someone Ming Jiuxiao knows. It is also highly probable that this individual is an enemy of both Prince Leng's manor and Ming Jiuxiao, deliberately sowing discord."
The Empress Dowager mused for a while and said.
"Mother, your relationship with this young man Ming Jiuxiao is quite good. Perhaps you could speak with him another day and advise him to curb his unrestrained behavior." The Emperor said, looking at the Empress Dowager.
"Alas, in truth, I do not have much acquaintance with this young man Ming Jiuxiao. It is his mother who is acquainted with me. His mother was my benefactor. Back then, when I was praying for the late Emperor at Sanbao Temple, I was repeatedly targeted by assassins, and it was his mother who saved me. At that time, they were a helpless mother and son, and I also provided them with assistance. His mother was naturally gentle and wise, and we got along very well. Ming Jiuxiao was only a few years old then, not like he is now... Later, one day, his mother revealed her identity to me... and asked me to look after her child for a few days. Little did I know, it would be a final farewell for mother and son... Alas, they are indeed a pair destined for hardship." The Empress Dowager recounted the past events simply.
Then, the Empress Dowager fell silent again for a moment.
"Regarding the matter between the young couple from Prince Leng's manor and this young man Ming Jiuxiao, Emperor, you should not interfere. Let them resolve it themselves. They are both intelligent individuals, and their methods of handling this matter are likely more seasoned than ours."
The Empress Dowager advised the Emperor.
"Very well, Mother. If Han'er and Li'er do not bring this matter up, I shall pretend to know nothing."
The Emperor sighed.
The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
After all, this is a matter among the younger generation, and it is best to let them handle it themselves. If both of them were to intervene, the matter would be tainted, and the authenticity of those rumors would be confirmed.
...
As night fell, a dark figure swiftly flew out of Prince Leng's manor, disappearing into the pitch-black night.
As soon as he left, the Prince and Princess of Leng appeared on the rooftop of Prince Leng's manor.
"Jun Mohan, does Ming Jiuxiao really know who is behind spreading these rumors?"
Leng Ruo Li asked, her delicate brows furrowed.
"Let's follow him and see." Jun Mohan's gaze fixed on the distant night sky as he replied.
"Alright, let's follow him now."
After speaking, the couple utilized their Qinggong and pursued him.
A moment later, Ming Jiuxiao arrived on the rooftop of the Lin Guogong's manor. He swiftly subdued the several guards stationed on the rooftop and then, without anyone noticing, slipped into Lin Mengzhi's courtyard.
At this moment, Lin Mengzhi was lying in bed, smugly congratulating herself.
"Hmph! Leng Ruo Li, see if you dare to seduce my Xiao Gege again. I will ruin your reputation."
Lin Mengzhi snorted coldly and said through gritted teeth.
However, unexpectedly, just as she finished speaking, Ming Jiuxiao suddenly appeared beside her.
"You madwoman, your schemes are truly malicious! Not only did you secretly place a tracking Gu on me when I wasn't paying attention, but you also dredged up past events to spread rumors and ruin the girl's reputation."
Ming Jiuxiao approached Lin Mengzhi with a darkened face, his words falling upon her like shattered millennium-old ice.
Lin Mengzhi had never seen Ming Jiuxiao so terrifying. He usually wore a crimson robe, appearing like a playboy, with a flippant and effeminate tone that led everyone to believe he was just a dissolute young master.
But people did not know that when Ming Jiuxiao donned his dark black robe, he was like a Shura from hell.
Upon hearing his words, Lin Mengzhi began to tremble all over, her heart filled with fear, as she had pestered Ming Jiuxiao for years and had never witnessed him in such a terrifying state.
Before she could even react, Lin Mengzhi was dragged by Ming Jiuxiao into an unknown underground chamber.
A basin of icy water was suddenly splashed onto Lin Mengzhi, instantly bringing her back to consciousness from her daze. The cold caused her body to tremble uncontrollably.
Bracing herself against the cold, she raised her head to look at Ming Jiuxiao and Lin Feng standing before her. Not far away, a pot for heating branding irons was burning.
"Speak, when did you place the tracking Gu on me?"
Ming Jiuxiao asked in an icy tone.
"Xiao Gege, I don't know what you're talking about?"
Lin Mengzhi adamantly refused to admit anything, knowing that if she confessed, Ming Jiuxiao would likely torment her to death.
"You dare not speak? Very well! This Lord Master has ways of making you open your mouth."
As he said this, a sinister smile crept onto Ming Jiuxiao's lips.
"Lin Feng, fetch the branding iron. This Lord Master doesn't believe her mouth can be harder than a branding iron."
"Yes, Master!"
Lin Feng replied and walked over to pick up the handle of the branding iron.
Lin Mengzhi's face turned ashen as she watched Lin Feng retrieve the glowing red branding iron.
"Xiao Gege, I truly did not place a tracking Gu on you. I beg you to let me go, wuwuwu..."
Lin Mengzhi immediately burst into tears, terrified by the branding iron in Lin Feng's hand.
"It seems you are still stubborn! Lin Feng, proceed with the torture. This Lord Master wants to see how long she can hold out?"
Ming Jiuxiao cast a casual glance at Lin Mengzhi and immediately gave the order.
"Master, which part should I brand her with?" Lin Feng asked, somewhat confused.
To his surprise, he was met with a glare from Ming Jiuxiao.
"Her face!"
"Oh, oh!"
Lin Feng quickly nodded.
After responding, Lin Feng raised his hand and pressed the branding iron onto Lin Mengzhi's face.
"Ah..."
"It hurts so much!"
A piercing scream echoed throughout the underground chamber.
The smell of roasted flesh immediately wafted into the nostrils of Ming Jiuxiao and Lin Feng.
"Speak or not?"
At this moment, Ming Jiuxiao asked again.
"I'll speak, I'll speak, Mas...ter... just spare my life."
Lin Mengzhi gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, and pleaded with Ming Jiuxiao in a humble tone.
"Speak, perhaps this Lord Master is in a good mood and will spare your life for now."
Ming Jiuxiao clasped his hands to his chest, his gaze coldly sweeping over Lin Mengzhi, whose face was contorted in pain.
"I did it the day of your mother's death anniversary last year. While you were drunk and in a bad mood, I secretly sneaked into your room and quietly placed the tracking Gu into your wine, making you drink it," Lin Mengzhi replied with difficulty.
"Hmph! So it was indeed you who placed this tracking Gu on me. Otherwise, how could you find me wherever I went?" Ming Jiuxiao's voice was as cold as ice shards.
At this moment, Lin Mengzhi had nothing more to say. Her face was in so much pain that she felt she was about to die.
"Tell me, how is this tracking Gu dispelled?" Ming Jiuxiao asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Master, this tracking Gu was given to me by a middle-aged man wearing a black cloak. It is said that this Gu has no cure," Lin Mengzhi replied truthfully.
Upon hearing this news, Ming Jiuxiao was so enraged that he almost vomited blood on the spot.
This woman was truly detestable.
She had actually given him an incurable Gu worm.
"Is there a cure for this Gu? Speak quickly!"
With that, Ming Jiuxiao ordered Lin Feng again to heat up iron pieces and apply them to Lin Mengzhi.
"No, no..."
Lin Mengzhi shook her head upon hearing this. If she were to endure another blow like that, she would likely faint dead away.