"Thank you, Sister. This hair ornament is truly beautiful."
Lin Yuwei had never imagined that hair ornaments made of pearls could be so resplendent, dazzling, and eye-catching.
"I'm glad you like it."
This set of multi-colored pearls was based on a design she had drawn and had Cai Qing find a craftsman to create.
The most important thing was their lightness; wearing them caused no burden on her head. Those crowns made of pure gold and silver, when worn all day, pressed her neck until it felt like it would break.
Feng Jin personally saw the two off. Upon returning to the mansion, she sensed someone lurking behind, secretly observing her.
With her gaze lowered, Feng Jin, upon returning home, instructed Lu Shi to have the secret guards stealthily position themselves outside the Ling residence.
...
"There are many spies outside the Ling residence. I've had Lu Shi take the secret guards to monitor them. As soon as they make a move, they will be apprehended immediately."
Feng Jin informed Ling Mohan about the matters outside the mansion, one by one.
The man's hand, holding the calligraphy brush, suddenly paused. Then, his movements continued, flowing like water, completing the stroke in one go.
"Such a bad temper, they can't hold back so quickly."
It had only been two days, and someone had already sent people to confront them.
"That only goes to show how charismatic you are, General, that so many people are concerned about your safety."
Feng Jin's tone was sarcastic. It seemed he quite enjoyed the feeling of being constantly monitored.
Ling Mohan awkwardly touched his nose, suddenly unsure how to respond. Couldn't Feng Jin leave him some dignity?
"Young Madam, the person has been apprehended and is waiting outside the gate."
Lu Shi had posted guards outside. In less than half a cup of tea's time, he saw the person sneak out furtively and immediately ordered pursuit.
He hadn't expected the person's Qinggong to be so good; it took chasing several streets before they could be caught.
"Bring him in." Feng Jin put down her work and said in a deep voice.
Several people escorted a shifty-eyed man inside.
Feng Jin took one look and felt it was truly an assault on her eyes.
It wasn't that she was judging by appearance, but how could someone look like this?
Truly abominable...
If you look like this, you shouldn't come out and scare people, yet you insist on gathering information. With a face like that standing here, anyone would suspect you of ill intentions.
"Lu Shi, quickly cover his face with a cloth."
Another glance would make her throw up her breakfast.
It was truly revolting.
Lu Shi was stunned for a moment, wondering what it meant to cover the face with a cloth, but he still did as Feng Jin instructed.
He took a cloth and covered the man's face.
"Speak. Who sent you here, and what was your purpose?"
Feng Jin's voice was unusually cold, her face filled with sternness.
The ugly man, his face now covered, spoke with extreme arrogance: "I am just a common citizen. Your Ling residence is truly arrogant, arresting citizens on the street. Is there no law? Where is justice!"
"Common citizens don't sneak around outside courtyard walls. Why did you flee guiltily? Such common citizens are truly rare!"
Feng Jin's words were like pearls, directly seizing the loopholes in his statement.
"If you're willing to speak properly, I might consider sparing your life. But since you don't value your life, don't blame me for being ruthless."
As the words fell, a silver gleam appeared in Feng Jin's hand. A needle, as fine as a bull's hair, pierced directly into the man's neck.
Instantly, the man seemed to go mad, laughing uncontrollably on the ground.
Tears streamed down his face as he laughed, his voice indistinguishable between crying and laughing: "You... what poison did you give me... I..."
Feng Jin smirked, her silver needle coated with her unique secret poison powder.
Those who came into contact with this poison would laugh incessantly. After half an hour, the poison would infiltrate the entire body, causing extreme itching on the skin.
Without the antidote, they would die laughing or from skin ulceration.
"Lu Shi, have him take one pill of this medicine every hour. Make sure he doesn't die, but torment him slowly, making his life worse than death."
The young madam was smiling, yet he felt an icy chill down his spine. Lu Shi, trembling, took the medicine bottle and, escorting the man, retreated.
The entire East Courtyard echoed with laughter more terrifying than death.
Ling Mohan, who had been hiding behind the screen since morning, emerged covering his ears. The laughter was simply too horrifying.
Such torture, making life worse than death, Ling Mohan couldn't fathom it originating from Feng Jin.
He couldn't help but admire Feng Jin.
"How did you come up with this method of torture?"
"I developed it out of boredom. Don't you think this method is good?"
Ling Mohan paused. Torture was, after all, a means to force a confession from a prisoner.
More severe and ruthless torture could speed up confessions. He had to admit that Feng Jin's method was indeed excellent.
"It is indeed good, indeed good." Ling Mohan praised repeatedly.
Such a peculiar and cruel method of torture, only Feng Jin could conceive it.
"I think it's good too," Feng Jin replied, nodding in agreement.
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Shi rushed in to report: "Young Madam, the man has confessed."
Truly useless, he confessed so quickly. He should have held out a bit longer.
"I'll go take a look." Feng Jin slowly stood up and walked out.
Inside the Ling residence's dark prison, upon entering, a damp smell permeated the air, mixed with the scent of blood.
Feng Jin couldn't help but cover her nose and mouth. Can't they pay attention to hygiene? Prisoners should receive the most basic humane care.
"Young Madam, he's in the front cell."
"You order a few people to clean this place up and disinfect it. Smell this place; it's enough to make someone faint."
"Your subordinate obeys."
It was Lu Shi's first time dealing with prison cleaning. When did treating prisoners become so considerate?
"Greetings, Young Madam."
Feng Jin waved her hand, signaling everyone to rise.
"What's wrong with him?" Feng Jin asked, looking at the man who had fainted on the ground.
"Reporting to Young Madam, he laughed himself unconscious."
Lu Shi replied from the side. His laughter was truly terrifying, and seeing him faint from laughing, they hadn't woken him up.
"Splash him with water to wake him up."
A basin of cold water was poured over him, and the unconscious man instantly woke up. The terrifying laughter echoed throughout the dark prison.
Feng Jin directly took out cotton she had prepared earlier and stuffed it into her ears. After a while, Feng Jin finally opened her mouth to ask: "Have you thought carefully about how you want to answer?"
"I... haha... I'll say... haha... I'll say everything, spare me..."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes. If he had been like this earlier, would he have suffered such torment?
"Lu Shi, give him the medicine."
"Yes, Young Madam." Lu Shi stepped forward and placed the pill into his mouth.
The terrifying laughter immediately stopped. The man gasped for breath, sprawled on the ground.
"The medicine I gave you will only provide relief for half an hour. If you utter a single lie, I will make you suffer a pain worse than death."