Pei Lie could hardly believe his ears, "What did you say?"
Shen Qingqing sighed, "I can't leave."
"You're saying you can't leave now?!" Pei Lie was amused to the point of anger. "I went to so much trouble arranging all this, and now you're telling me you won't go? Then what was all my fuss for?"
The jailer beside them also looked incredulous.
They were so close to escaping, just one step away from freedom, and someone actually refused to leave. Did she fall in love with the dungeon?
Only Fu Jingshu's gaze was solemn, and he held her hand.
Shen Qingqing glanced at him and smiled helplessly, "I know, you must have seen through my plan."
"I disagree."
Fu Jingshu's face was cold, leaving no room for argument.
Their conversation was like a riddle, leaving Pei Lie and the jailer utterly confused.
"What are they talking about?" the jailer whispered, glancing at the time anxiously. "Your Highness, hurry them out and leave quickly, or time will run out!"
There were many guards in this dungeon. Out of the four cells, three had been dealt with by the old man.
But other guards were still present.
However, he knew the guards' shift change schedule well. He had managed to secure a ten-minute window.
Once this time passed, the patrolling guards would return, and none of them would be able to escape.
Pei Lie urged, "No matter what you're discussing, get out first. I'll escort you away. We'll talk about everything else after we're out."
He signaled the jailer to fetch King and the old man.
Shen Qingqing pushed Fu Jingshu forward, "You go."
Pei Lie froze.
Fu Jingshu's reaction was even quicker, he accurately grasped her hand, "If you don't go, I won't go either."
"Jingshu!"
Pei Lie looked at Shen Qingqing in astonishment, "You want to stay behind by yourself?"
Shen Qingqing said lightly, "I can't leave, the special medicine hasn't been obtained yet."
"Is the person who needs that special medicine that important to you?"
"Yes."
Pei Lie gritted his teeth, pulled Shen Qingqing over, and whispered a few words in her ear. Only after speaking did he notice Fu Jingshu glaring at him.
His lips twitched, and he consciously released the hand holding her slender arm.
"Are you going or not?"
Shen Qingqing pondered for a moment, "Do you have a chance?"
Pei Lie said word by word, "Fifty-fifty."
"...Alright." Shen Qingqing didn't hesitate much. After all, there didn't seem to be a better option at the moment. "Let's go."
She took Fu Jingshu's hand and they exited the dungeon.
The jailer had brought King and the old man over. The group followed Pei Lie and the old man, slipping out of the dungeon through the back door in silence.
The jailer looked back and closed the door, explaining in a low voice, "In case the people inside find out."
The moment he turned around, an extremely strong beam of light shone directly at him. He instinctively covered his eyes, his heart sinking.
It was over.
Shen Qingqing and the others also saw the bright light, blinded by it.
Several smaller beams of light illuminated the surroundings. The strong light finally extinguished, revealing a crowd of people in front of them.
On both sides, guards wearing masks stood in neat rows.
Directly ahead, the King stood there with an extremely displeased expression. Beside him were Pei Xi and several elders who were staying at the palace for rest that day.
Pei Xi said slowly, "Elder brother is colluding with criminals, what is his intention?"
Pei Lie gritted his teeth, "Stop framing me. I have never colluded with criminals. Even if I were to do such a thing, they are not criminals."
"They were arrested and thrown into the dungeon, and they are not criminals?" Pei Xi asked slowly, "Or, Elder brother thinks Father King arrested the wrong people?"
Pei Lie said coldly, "Stop sowing discord!"
Such a childish tactic, Father King would never believe it!
The King spoke in a deep voice, "Pei Lie, you have disappointed me greatly."
Pei Lie looked at him incredulously, "Father King?! Do you really believe Pei Xi's words? Do you really think I would collude with criminals?"
"The facts are laid bare before us."
The King's gaze swept over him and Shen Qingqing and the others, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
Pei Lie gritted his teeth secretly, but dared not be disrespectful to his father. He could only glare hatefully at Pei Xi, "What exactly did you tell Father King?"
"I didn't say anything." Pei Xi shrugged, his face full of helplessness. "Elder brother, Father King is a wise ruler. He sees what you've done and can judge for himself. He doesn't need me to say anything superfluous."
"Nonsense!"
Pei Lie was not a vulgar person, but at this moment, he could no longer restrain himself.
However, his outburst only angered the King, "Silence, Pei Lie! Everything you have done, I have witnessed with my own eyes. Do you still refuse to repent?"
Pei Lie said with some difficulty, "Father King, I..."
"That's enough." The King waved his hand, not wanting to hear any more. "You colluded with the criminals in the dungeon. According to the law, you should be thrown into prison for a thorough investigation. However..."
After all, he was his son, and his heart softened slightly.
Pei Xi advised at the opportune moment, "Father King, you don't need to be too angry. I believe Elder brother certainly did not commit such a treasonous crime intentionally. He must have his reasons. Why don't you take him back and question him properly?"
He seemed to be pleading, but every word reminded the King.
Treason, crime... such terrifying words. In front of everyone, even if the King intended to let him off, he couldn't say it.
"First, have him taken to the dungeon."
The King gave the order, not looking at Pei Lie. He clasped his hands behind his back and turned away, utterly disappointed in this son.
However, Shen Qingqing saw a flicker of guilt in the King's eyes.
It seemed this King did not entirely suspect Pei Lie.
He was just biased.
Pei Lie suddenly let out a laugh and said hoarsely, "Father King, do you truly not know that I have no connection with this Miss Shen?"
The King's expression stiffened.
Elder Wu and Elder Sun exchanged glances.
Not wanting the situation to escalate, Elder Sun stepped forward to mediate, "Your Highness, please stop talking. Since ancient times, royal descendants are forbidden from having any dealings with those in the dungeon. Any offender will be punished. Have you forgotten?"
"Yes, the King is already showing you leniency," Elder Wu gave him a meaningful look.
Pei Lie knew that the two elders were acting as mediators, reminding him that enough was enough and he shouldn't push it further, or he would further anger his father...
But knowing the道理 was one thing, putting it into practice was another.
In his life, apart from his childhood by his mother's side, he had always followed his father's orders after growing up. He could be said to be his father's sharpest blade.
Yet, in the end, he couldn't even earn a little basic trust?
"Father King, if I say I didn't, would you believe me?" He looked deeply at the King, stubbornly seeking an answer.
"How dare you! You dare to question me?!"
The King avoided the question and looked at Pei Lie with anger, as if he had committed some unforgivable sin!
Pei Lie understood then. Any further questions would be meaningless. He took a deep breath and, as the guards came to apprehend him, chose to offer no resistance.
He looked at Shen Qingqing and the others, his face filled with exhaustion.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't save you."