Feng Yao turned her face away and closed her eyes.
Qiu Li quickly gave an order. "Take him back to the cell. No one is allowed near without permission."
The officers moved at once, lifting the Second Prince and carrying him away.
But just as they began to drag him out, a strange sound echoed through the room. The Second Prince suddenly burst into loud, unhinged laughter. His voice trembled like that of a madman.
"Ha… ha… I want you to die with me..."
Feng Yao slowly opened her eyes and looked at the Second Prince's back as he was taken away between two officers. There was something more terrifying than the wounds on his body—his mind seemed completely broken.
---
That same night, the brothel was filled with music and laughter. Lanterns swayed gently from the ceiling, casting a warm golden light over the guests and entertainers. The air was festive—until the main doors burst open with a loud bang.
A figure stood in the doorway.
Qing Meier.
Her clothes were torn, her hair disheveled, and her pale face looked like she hadn't seen light in days. She looked like someone who had crawled out of a nightmare.
The entire hall fell silent.
Madam Hua, who had just been laughing with a guest, froze. Her fan slipped from her hand. Without a word, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Qing Meier, tears already streaming down her cheeks.
"Meier… is it really you?"
Qing Meier burst into sobs, trembling in Madam Hua's arms. Her voice cracked, but it was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"I… I was kidnapped… by the Second Prince… I thought I'd never make it back…"
Gasps echoed around the hall. The joyful mood vanished. Some guests sat frozen, while others turned to whisper in disbelief.
Everyone in Luo City knew about Qing Meier's disappearance. Many believed she had suffered the same fate as the other girls who had gone missing without a trace.
But now she was back—with a story no one expected.
Though her words were meant for Madam Hua, Qing Meier made sure her voice reached everyone in the room. Her tears weren't just for grief—they were a cry for justice. She wanted the whole city to know who had taken her.
Whispers turned into murmurs, then into growing outrage. Some doubted her, but more and more began to believe.
And outside, the city was already starting to burn—with anger.
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted outside the brothel. The sound of galloping hooves and soldiers shouting filled the streets. The Minister of Justice's troops were moving in large numbers.
A crowd gathered, trying to see what was happening. Then several people began shouting:
"Arrest the Second Prince! Arrest the kidnappers!"
Surprisingly, the soldiers didn't stop them. They didn't chase the crowd away or silence the voices. Instead, they kept moving forward with purpose.
Then, high above Luo City, thick black smoke began to rise into the night sky. It came from the direction of Shang Yue Forest. The smoke curled like a dark omen, visible even from afar.
"Fire! There's a fire in the forest!" someone shouted.
The soldiers spurred their horses, rushing toward the blaze. When they arrived, they found a large villa completely engulfed in flames. Fire roared through the walls and roof. Faint screams echoed—there were still people trapped inside.
"Dammit!" one of the soldiers cursed. "Someone set this place on fire!"
That night, secrets that had been hidden for far too long began to burn—along with the wood and stone of the villa.
Back in Luo City, Qing Meier's story was already spreading. It moved from mouth to mouth like wildfire. And just like the fire in the forest, once it started, no one could stop it.
---
Minister Zhang entered Tianhe Hall with steady steps. He knelt before the Emperor, tightly gripping a scroll filled with the latest report.
"Your Majesty," he said firmly, "I bring an official report on the kidnapping case involving the Second Prince, Feng Tianhao. The evidence is clear. Witnesses have come forward. A decision must be made soon."
The Emperor sat silently on his throne. His brow was furrowed, his expression calm, but his eyes showed deep thought. He stared at Minister Zhang for a moment before speaking in a low, steady voice.
"Minister Zhang, the Second Prince has always devoted himself to his studies. The literary journals he wrote received the highest honors from the Imperial College. How could someone like him be involved in something so disgraceful?"
He let out a quiet sigh, his tone softening. "Perhaps this was spread by people who envy his talent."
Then, a slight frown crossed his face. "And I find it strange—why is that brat from the Duke's mansion involved in this matter? What grudge does he hold against the Second Prince?"
Minister Zhang's expression tightened. He hadn't expected the Emperor to still defend his son, even with all the evidence in hand.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty," he said carefully, "precisely because he is your son, the investigation must be fair and open. If not, the people will begin to question the justice of Great Qi."
Before the Emperor could reply, a eunuch rushed into the hall, breathing heavily and bowing low.
"Your Majesty, forgive the interruption. Several high-ranking officials are outside, asking for an urgent audience regarding the kidnapping case."
The Emperor's eyes widened, and he leaned forward. "What?"
He rose from his throne, his long robe sweeping the floor. "Only one night has passed… and the situation has already become this intense?"
He paused, then waved his hand. "Let them in. I want to hear what they have to say."
One by one, the officials entered Tianhe Hall. Their formal robes swayed as they walked across the marble floor. They bowed deeply before the Emperor. But behind the respectful gestures, tension filled the air. Some of them, faces heavy with sorrow, were fathers of the kidnapped girls. Their pain was still fresh, and now they had come to demand justice.
Soon after, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, holding a red-sealed scroll.
"I come on behalf of the major merchants of Luo City," he said with a deep bow. "This is an official petition. Their daughters were among those kidnapped… and some were even murdered."
The word "murdered" echoed through the hall. Several officials gasped softly.
"They demand that the Second Prince, Feng Tianhao, be punished," he continued.
At that moment, the Vice Minister of Personnel stepped forward. His eyes were filled with grief.
"My daughter is one of the victims," he said. "She is willing to testify. And I believe the other victims will do the same."
The Emperor stayed silent, but the Minister of Revenue spoke again.
"There is also a troubling rumor spreading in Luo City, Your Majesty," he said slowly. "People believe that you ordered the villa in Shang Yue to be burned down… to destroy all evidence of the Second Prince's crimes."
The officials exchanged tense looks. Anger and disbelief began to grow in the room.
"The people are losing patience," the minister warned. "If the truth is not revealed, they will lose faith in the court."
"Bold!" he shouted, pointing at the Minister of Revenue. "How dare you say such things in Tianhe Hall? Is this how you show your loyalty to me?!"
The other officials quickly lowered their heads. No one dared to speak.
"Enough," he said coldly. "All of you… leave." His voice, though not loud, held the weight of absolute authority.