The moment Wang Nanshi saw Ling Mohan again, the fear etched into his bones surged back, startling him into a tremor as he tried to crawl away.
Lu Shi immediately placed a foot on Wang Nanshi's back, restricting his movement.
"How dare you be so unruly in front of the Young General! Do you truly not wish to live?"
"Are you Wang Yunjian?" Ling Mohan’s voice was bone-chillingly cold.
Wang Nanshi's eyes were filled with terror. He nodded instinctively, then immediately denied it. "I… I am not. You have the wrong person!"
"You just admitted it yourself, and now you're acting erratically. Your lying tongue is no longer needed!"
Lu Shi was furious, wishing he could kill Wang Nanshi with his own hands right then.
"Take him away. Go find your young madam and ask for something for him to enjoy before he dies."
A smile touched Ling Mohan's lips, yet his smile carried an unsettling, chilling aura.
"Yes, Young General!"
Lu Shi cupped his hands in agreement and immediately dashed off to find Feng Jin for the items. Feng Jin was truly an expert in such matters.
"Young Madam!"
Feng Jin had just lulled the two children to sleep when Lu Shi's shout startled the little ones. Feng Jin quickly patted them to soothe them back to sleep.
"Keep it down, they just fell asleep."
After a pause, once the two little ones were sleeping more soundly, Feng Jin tiptoed out and pulled Lu Shi with her.
"What is it?"
"Young Madam…"
Lu Shi quickly recounted the entire incident to Feng Jin.
A smile played on Feng Jin's lips. Ling Mohan's choice was indeed wise; seeking her out for these matters was absolutely correct.
"This… let him smell it, and he will laugh continuously. After an hour or two, give him the antidote. Do not exceed three hours, or the person will be laughed to death."
"You can also use this itching powder. Once it touches the skin, it will cause intense itching, making him scratch himself until he's covered in sores…"
Lu Shi listened intently to Feng Jin's explanations. He found each option suitable and was momentarily unable to decide.
"If you're still struggling, why not use them all?"
Feng Jin's words completely dispelled Lu Shi's indecision. The Young Madam's reasoning was sound; using them all at once was perfectly fine.
"Thank you, Young Madam. I'll go and use them all on him now."
Lu Shi grabbed the items in a flurry and left. He was eager to witness the ultimate fate of Wang Nanshi, the traitor.
"What are you doing? What are you doing!"
Wang Nanshi trembled violently, scooting backward, fear coursing through his entire body.
"Nothing much, just want to give you some good stuff. A little bit of what's in here is worth a thousand gold. My young madam, in her great kindness, specifically prepared this for you. You mustn't let down her heartfelt efforts."
Lu Shi’s words were not untrue. Each bottle of these medicines was worth a thousand gold. The Young Madam was so generous as to give him so much; she was truly exceedingly benevolent.
"You truly are fortunate to have someone provide you with such fine things at the same time. I specially requested it for you."
"You… you…" Wang Nanshi stammered, his fingers trembling slightly as he pointed at Lu Shi, unable to utter a coherent word.
"Don't thank me. This is what I should do. Enjoy it."
As his words fell, Lu Shi applied the various bottles and jars Feng Jin had given him onto Wang Nanshi, one after another.
Instantly, sounds of utter agony filled the air.
At that moment, Wang Nanshi finally let out sounds that were neither crying nor laughing. His body was covered in scratches, his pupils dilated in sheer terror.
Lu Shi watched the utterly miserable Wang Nanshi with cold eyes, a sense of vengeful satisfaction filling his heart.
The battle years ago was supposed to be a guaranteed victory. However, due to his cowardice and desertion, the battle ended in a tragic defeat, with tens of thousands of soldiers perishing, their blood staining the earth.
His best brother had also died in that battle. His head was cut off by the enemy and hung on the city walls, his body left dismembered.
All of this was Wang Nanshi's doing, so how could Lu Shi let him off?
Why should innocent soldiers die because of him, while he could escape scot-free and live a life of luxury?
Thinking of this, Lu Shi’s eyes burned with anger, and he intensified his torment.
"Lord Lu, the Young General ordered that he be tortured thoroughly before death. But if it continues like this, he'll be dead any moment now."
"Give him this. It will revive him. I want him to endure torment and atone for his sins before he dies."
Lu Shi watched Wang Nanshi’s agony with cold eyes, his resentment easing slightly.
…
Feng Jin stuffed a piece of cotton into her ears, instantly bringing peace. The quiet felt so good.
Ever since Lu Shi took the medicine from her, the heart-wrenching screams had not stopped. Her eardrums were about to burst.
If she had known it would be like this, she shouldn't have acted on impulse and handed all the medicine to Lu Shi. Now she was suffering the consequences; she deserved it.
Unable to bear it any longer, Feng Jin stood up abruptly and rummaged through the medical kit until she found a small red porcelain bottle in the very last compartment.
Fortunately, she had brought it with her when she came out. Now it would be useful. Clenching the bottle tightly, Feng Jin walked straight out.
"Is this how the person has been tortured?"
When Feng Jin arrived, Lu Shi had just administered the antidote. Wang Nanshi lay on the ground like a corpse, completely motionless.
"The Young Madam's medicine is truly effective. If used during interrogations, it takes less than fifteen minutes for criminals to confess everything."
Lu Shi said flatteringly. In his eyes, Feng Jin was an all-powerful being.
"You listened to his wailing all this time, did you find it pleasant to hear?"
Lu Shi blinked, rubbing his ear. "I've gotten used to it, so it doesn't bother me."
"You might be used to it, but I am not. This entire post station is filled with his screams. Are you trying to prevent us from living?"
Now, whenever Feng Jin closed her eyes, she heard his ghostly cries. She was utterly annoyed.
"Give him this哑药 (mute medicine)."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Lu Shi took the medicine bottle, surprised that Feng Jin even had a mute medicine.
Without further thought, Lu Shi directly poured the mute medicine into Wang Nanshi's mouth.
The medicine took effect very quickly. After taking it, Wang Nanshi felt a burning pain in his throat, a sensation that made him feel worse than death.
After the burning sensation subsided, Wang Nanshi opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"Now the world is finally quiet. You continue the interrogation. If you need anything, go find Cai Qingyao."
She desperately wanted a good night's sleep now. She was too tired. Thus, she pushed all the remaining tasks onto Cai Qingyao.