182 Beaten Up
In the prison of the Justice Department, Prince Min lay weakly on the ground.
Although he had not been tortured, he was in a very bad state of mind because of the shock. Not only had he lost a lot of weight, but he was also extremely haggard.
When he was first locked up, he could still use his status as a prince to be fearless. He felt that no matter how overboard the Eagle Guards were, they would not dare to be ruthless to him.
But as time passed, his confidence weakened.
This cell was dark and damp. The air was filled with the smell of decay. Being locked up for a long time could make one’s mind drift.
Not to mention that the Eagle Guards interrogated prisoners every day.
When the prisoners were taken away, they wailed and screamed.
By the time they were sent back, they were so tortured that they didn’t even have the strength to shout.
Prince Min looked at them as if he could see his future self, and the fear in him grew. This kind of mental devastation was far more torturous than directly using punishment.
He stared blankly at the wall, feeling as if he were on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Suddenly, the cell door was opened from the outside.
Prince Min heard the commotion and immediately sat up straight, looking nervously at the door.
Lo Pingsha entered the cell.
He still looked delicate and cute. There was still some baby fat on his baby face. He looked like an innocent and harmless young man.
But Prince Min was trembling with fear. His eyes were filled with terror. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
“W-what are you doing? I’ve told you everything I know. Don’t come over!”
Lo Pingsha did not approach him. He stood in the doorway and spoke coldly.
“You can come out now.”
Prince Min thought he had misheard. His eyes widened in disbelief.
“What did you say?”
Lo Pingsha repeated it patiently.
“The case is solved. The anti-government poetry case has nothing to do with you. You can go now.”
These days, Prince Min dreamed of leaving this damn place every day. Now that his dream had finally come true, he could not help but cry tears of joy like a 300-pound fatty.
He practically scrambled out of the cell.
But he hadn’t run far when he stopped again.
He suddenly remembered that his son was still imprisoned and asked anxiously.
“What about the Ah Xu? Where is he?”
Lo Pingsha spoke calmly.
“He’s been released. If you go out now, you should be able to see him outside.”
Hearing this, Prince Min did not delay any longer and ran out.
When he ran out into the yard, he saw his son. Shen Xu was supported by someone. He looked very sorry. He was disheveled and covered in wounds. Some of the wounds had festered, and he looked extremely miserable. But fortunately, he was still alive.
Prince Min was furious. He demanded an answer.
“Didn’t you already find out the truth and confirm that the anti-government poetry case has nothing to do with us? Why are you still torturing my son? You’re abusing private punishment!”
Lo Pingsha spoke slowly.
“The prince was nasty when he was questioned and refused to cooperate with us. We had no choice but to make him suffer.”
Prince Min was exasperated, but he could do nothing to them. He could only rage helplessly.
“Just you wait! Sooner or later, I’ll make you pay for what you did today!”
But Lo Pingsha said.
“Don’t wait for another day. Let’s do it today. Since you secretly sent someone to kidnap the Princess, you have to accept punishment. According to the law, attempted kidnapping will be punished with thirty strokes of the paddle.”
Prince Min was immediately dumbfounded. He had actually forgotten about this!
Seeing the Eagle Guards walking towards him, Prince Min turned pale with fear and shouted.
“You can’t torture me. I’m the brother of the current emperor!”
However, no matter how he shouted and struggled, it was useless. He was pressed down on the bench and stripped off his pants. The heavy board fell on his butt again and again, causing him to scream in pain.
Shen Xu wanted to save his father, but he could not even stand steadily now. Since he could not even protect himself, how could he save others? He could only watch as his father was beaten until his skin was torn.
When the thirty strokes were finally over, Prince Min was only half alive. Now he didn’t even have the strength to scream. He could only let the Eagle Guards drag him out.
The scene of Prince Min and his son being carried out of the Justice Department fell into the spy’s eyes. Soon, the news was sent to the palace.
The old emperor had just finished drinking his medicine. When he heard this, he immediately asked.
“Did you witness Prince Min’s torture?”
Wei Huai En answered truthfully.
“Prince Min was flogged within the Justice Department.
The Justice Department was heavily guarded, and the spies under him could not enter. But the spy saw Prince Min and his son being carried out with his own eyes. They were covered in wounds, especially Prince Min. He was beaten half to death.
The spy then sneaked into Prince Min’s residence and saw the injuries on Prince Min and his son with his own eyes. They were badly injured would need a few months to recover.
“I believe the Eagle Guards did not show mercy.”
Wei Huai En paused, carefully observing the change in the old emperor’s expression. The old emperor’s frown eased a lot. He looked like he was in a good mood.
So Wei Huai En went on.
“One of my spies also found out something.”
The old emperor said calmly, “Let’s hear it.”
“Because Prince Min hated Duke Lang, he secretly sent someone to kidnap Yu Niaoniao. Fortunately, Yu Niaoniao was smart enough and dodged the attack.”
Hearing him out, most of the old emperor’s suspicions dissipated. It seemed that not only did Xiao Juan and Prince Min not collude, but they even had a deep grudge.
The old emperor was pleased with the result. He smiled and instructed, “Prince Min has suffered this time. Bring a royal physician to see him and treat his injuries well. Don’t let him think that I have mistreated him.”
Wei Huai En took the hint and responded, “I’ll arrange it now.”
When Wei Huai En arrived at Prince Min’s residence with the imperial physician, Prince Min and his father were still lying in bed, unable to get down.
Prince Min was rather surprised to learn that the emperor had sent an imperial physician to treat his injuries. How could the emperor be so kind? Was there a trap?
The imperial physician treated Prince Min’s injuries seriously before retreating. He spoke respectfully to Prince Min, who was lying on the bed and unable to move.
“The emperor asked me to pass a message to you. He feels very guilty for making you suffer this time. He wants you to recuperate well. If you need anything in the future, please let me know. The emperor will definitely do his best to satisfy you.”
Prince Min was skeptical, but he looked grateful.
“I am grateful for my brother’s concern. After I recover, I will definitely enter the palace to thank him.”
Wei Huai En exchanged a few more pleasantries with him, then excused himself.
This matter quickly reached Xiao Juan’s ears.