Chu Chenyi only felt that Ling Mohan had gone mad, or perhaps he was still in a dream and speaking nonsense.
It was impossible for Chu Chenyi to commit suicide. If he truly wished to, he would have done so the moment they captured the capital, not flee and be caught by Ling Mohan only to be well-treated.
It was likely that Chu Yanxi's attempt at suicide was purely due to a deranged mind or being controlled by someone else.
He had heard of a type of insect from Miao Village that could burrow into a person's brain, causing unbearable pain and even controlling one's thoughts to act according to the wishes of the insect keeper.
Ling Mohan's confidence made Chu Chenyi wonder if he possessed such a terrifying insect, or if it was Feng Jin who kept it...
From his understanding of Feng Jin, such an action was indeed something Feng Jin would do. If that were the case, then that couple was truly terrifying. He should avoid offending Feng Jin in the future, or he wouldn't even know how he died one day.
"You... do you have... that thing..."
"Spitting out words hesitantly, what exactly do you want to ask, and what is 'that thing'?"
Ling Mohan looked at Chu Chenyi, who had words on the tip of his tongue but couldn't voice them. He looked no different from someone constipated, and his expression gradually showed displeasure, his tone of voice also becoming a bit sharper.
"I mean, do you have those small insects that can control people!"
Several dark lines appeared on Ling Mohan's forehead. His face was full of speechlessness. He was utterly disgusted by Chu Chenyi's nonsensical ramblings and had no desire to deal with him further. He simply turned and walked towards the dungeon where Chu Yanxi was imprisoned.
"Why are you running so fast? You haven't told me if you keep those insects or not. If you do..."
Suddenly, Chu Chenyi's incessant chatter echoed through the once silent dungeon, leaving Ling Mohan extremely exasperated. His steps quickened, wanting to escape the place as soon as possible and avoid further pointless conversations with Chu Chenyi.
Only when the two reached the door of the dungeon where Chu Yanxi was held did Chu Chenyi finally manage to silence his babbling mouth, his expression changing to one of great composure.
"Prince Jing, please proceed."
Ling Mohan took a small step back, clearing a path and gesturing for Chu Chenyi to enter first.
Chu Chenyi hesitated for a moment but did not step forward, wondering what Ling Mohan was planning and what his intentions were.
"You go in first, I'll follow behind you."
After much deliberation, Chu Chenyi still felt it was safer to let Ling Mohan go in first.
Ling Mohan did not refuse. He directly stepped inside. His initial courtesy was merely a simple politeness. Since Chu Chenyi did not wish to enter first, then he would lead the way.
Chu Yanxi, imprisoned in the dungeon, heard footsteps outside and suddenly opened his eyes, which had been closed in feigned sleep. However, he remained still, sitting cross-legged with his back to the cell door.
"Third Prince is truly composed. It seems all of this is still within the Third Prince's grasp."
Ling Mohan's teasing voice reached Chu Yanxi's ears, and he immediately recognized who it was. However, in his current predicament, there was nothing he could do to argue with Ling Mohan. Anything he did would be futile. For now, he just wanted to be alone, but clearly, that was not going to happen.
"Third brother, even now, you still maintain such a lofty demeanor. That's right, you have always considered yourself the legitimate son, naturally looking down on everyone. It's just a pity that times have changed, and you are nothing more than a prisoner."
Chu Yanxi's breathing suddenly became tense at Chu Chenyi's voice. After a moment of hesitation, he abruptly stood up, his eyes burning with fierce flames as he glared at Chu Chenyi.
"What are you two here for? To mock me? You've seen how pathetic I am now, so leave, don't be an eyesore here!"
He was already in a pathetic state, with nothing left to hide. He had no lingering attachments or concerns, merely clinging to life.
If they wanted to see a joke, let them. The winner takes all, and the loser is defeated. From the moment he failed, he had foreseen this outcome and had prepared himself to endure their ridicule.
"You are quite resigned. It's just a pity for Feng Ruoyan and Liu Menghan. Having married you, they were implicated by you for no reason..."
"Ling Mohan, what exactly did you do to them, what did you do!"
Chu Yanxi immediately became agitated. He lunged at the two of them, but his hands and feet were bound by chains. Even with all his strength, he could not move them at all, his efforts proving to be useless.
Watching Chu Yanxi's anxious and helpless expression through the iron bars, Ling Mohan felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
"Of course, I didn't do anything to them. It's just that when Liu Menghan learned of your failed rebellion, she was eager to flee. She was captured at the city gates, and the shock caused her to go into premature labor. The child was born early. I forgot to tell you, it was a boy. It's a pity..."
"Ling Mohan, what do you mean? Speak clearly!"
Such vagueness only made Chu Yanxi more anxious, pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, desperate to know the truth from Ling Mohan.
Chu Chenyi was also unaware of the matter and was eager to hear what Ling Mohan had to explain.
"It's just that the child died shortly after birth, and along with it, Liu Menghan also passed away. It's a shame for such a good woman. After remarrying you, she was neglected by you all along. She carried your child and ultimately died such a tragic death. It's truly pitiful."
Truthfully, Ling Mohan did feel some pity for Liu Menghan. Such a good woman had ended her life in Chu Yanxi's hands.
If she hadn't married Chu Yanxi back then, her ending might have been different. One wrong step led to another; it was all fate.
Upon hearing that Liu Menghan and her child had died, Chu Yanxi felt only a moment of sadness. Surprisingly, he felt a sense of relief that Feng Ruoyan and her child were not the ones who suffered.
As for Liu Menghan, he had no particular feelings for her, and his heart could not hold much sorrow or pain.