Chapter 14: Desperate Straits

Fragments of memories flashed through Cheng Ruyi’s mind—shadows by the bridge on a rainy night, a warm yet slightly rigid embrace, and the incoherent ramblings summoned by the inner demons that seized him in his haze.

How embarrassing... I’d rather die. Cheng Ruyi lowered his head, sighing deeply.

Seeing Cheng Ruyi like this, Yan Kuang found it amusing and decided to tease him a little, gently squeezing his wrist. “So, you remember everything now?”

Cheng Ruyi dared not dwell on it and quickly changed the subject. “I know I was wrong, I admit it... Lord Yan, you’re a loyal and righteous minister, not anyone’s pawn. This has nothing to do with Yuan Shanqi, nor with Minister Han...”

“Commander, Minister Han is here...” Wu Wu’s voice interrupted.

That single utterance shattered the tense, awkward atmosphere like smashing an ancient jar of millennia-old embarrassment. The air instantly thickened with discomfort. The two men felt as if caught red-handed pickpocketing in broad daylight, or hosting a feast without bringing money, or like a delicate lady who, despite her fine attire, had tumbled head over heels down the stairs.

Wu Wu was equally confused. Upon entering, he saw Yan Kuang gripping Cheng Ruyi’s wrist, while the latter looked frightened and kept leaning backward.

“Commander...? You... guys...?” Wu Wu stammered.

Yan Kuang hastily released his grip. As Cheng Ruyi withdrew his wrist, a sudden idea struck him.

In an instant, his expression changed. With a loud thud, he knelt before Yan Kuang, tearfully pleading, “Lord Yan... Commander Yan, Lord of the Underworld...! Please don’t punish me, I beg you... I’m afraid of pain, afraid of death... please spare me!”

Yan Kuang was momentarily stunned, uncertain how to respond.

Wu Wu, moved by the performance, was about to help Yan Kuang escort Cheng Ruyi away, but Yan Kuang raised a hand to stop him.

After a brief pause and unable to come up with a fitting reply to Cheng Ruyi’s act, Yan Kuang simply turned and left.

Wu Wu suddenly understood and hurried after him, saying, “Right, right, Commander, you’re wise. We should prioritize meeting Minister Han!”

Cheng Ruyi exhaled in relief, stood, and brushed off the dust. Just as he intended to continue his meal, his gaze inadvertently caught the half-closed door.

Han Shaozhen surely wasn’t visiting him for the first time. Just himself, he had already bumped into him twice.

It was curious, really.

...

Yan Kuang arrived alone in front of the hall, where Han Shaozhen was already waiting. Upon seeing Yan Kuang, he smiled warmly and approached.

“Minister Han,” Yan Kuang greeted politely with a bow, then quickly stepped back several paces to create space.

Han Shaozhen was unfazed by the distant manner, maintaining a sincere expression. “I heard you were attacked last night. As soon as court ended, I rushed to find you... Are you injured? Have you identified the assailants?”

Yan Kuang responded coldly and formally, “Not a scratch. No need for Minister Han to worry. Other matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Pacification Office. It’s neither convenient nor necessary to disclose to Minister Han.”

“Ah, good, good, it’s a relief you’re unharmed...” Han Shaozhen lowered his eyes, sighed, then looked up again with a more serious expression, lowering his voice. “Kuang’er, I have urgent business to discuss. Let’s go to your room.”

Without waiting for a reply, Han Shaozhen headed straight for the quiet chamber. Yan Kuang sensed trouble and grabbed his sleeve.

Cheng Ruyi was still inside. Yan Kuang thought to himself that if these two met, it would surely stir up much trouble. Just the thought gave him a headache.

“...Hmm?” Han Shaozhen was walking quickly and was caught off guard when stopped. When he regained his senses, Yan Kuang was standing before him.

Han Shaozhen remained calm and even smiled kindly. “Kuang’er, you still like to tug on people’s sleeves.”

Yan Kuang frowned and interrupted, “The quiet chamber hasn’t been cleaned today and is too messy to receive guests. Please, Minister Han, let’s move to the east hall.”

Han Shaozhen hesitated but insisted, “Today, this is truly urgent—matters concerning life and death, not to be taken lightly.”

Yan Kuang replied firmly, “The Pacification Office knows protocol best. Whenever Minister Han comes here, no one dares approach the front or side halls. Our conversation will not be leaked. If Minister Han still doubts this, then there is no need to entrust such matters of life and death.”

Han Shaozhen sighed in resignation, understanding Yan Kuang’s character and seriousness. “As you wish,” he said, turning toward the east hall.

They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing clearly in the quiet room, each sound magnified in Cheng Ruyi’s ears as he crouched at the corner, sweating nervously.

He had come to eavesdrop, and if Han Shaozhen had taken two more steps forward, he would have been caught. Then, not only would Yan Kuang fail to protect him, but the scandal would also implicate Yan Kuang.

Holding his breath, Cheng Ruyi peeked out as the two entered the east hall. After a moment’s hesitation, he gritted his teeth and followed.

Inside, Han Shaozhen said, “Kuang’er, not only did we fail to topple Yuan Shanqi, but he also left a lingering doubt in His Majesty’s mind. Truly detestable... hateful!”

Han Shaozhen fiddled with the kumquat bonsai on the table, while Yan Kuang sat opposite him. Yan Kuang responded, “The Empress is without favor and childless; the Yuan family’s hopes are dashed. Your accusations have been overturned by the confessions I submitted. Though Cheng Ruyi is insignificant and his testimony hard to believe, suspicion remains suspicion—without evidence, no one can convict you.”

Han Shaozhen snorted coldly and snapped off a kumquat branch.

“Suspicion breeds paranoia... What use is the Pacification Office if not to catch ghosts for the Emperor? They say you are the Yan Wang—King of Hell—guarding the gate between life and death.”

He swept the broken branch aside, and a golden fruit fell onto the table.

Yan Kuang frowned, but Han Shaozhen sighed, “Kuang’er... will there come a day when even we, kin by blood, face each other as life and death?”

At that moment, Cheng Ruyi was stunned outside—what was this old man saying? Kin by blood? Yan Kuang’s surname was Yan, not Han. Was this a nickname? Or was Yan Kuang actually Han Yan Kuang...?

Yan Kuang’s breath caught as if suppressing some unknown emotion. When he spoke again, his tone softened slightly, “Enough talk. How do you want me to help?”

Han Shaozhen dropped the branch, brushing his sleeve. “His Majesty was raised closely by the Third Prince from childhood and relies heavily on this imperial uncle after ascending the throne. If the Third Prince can be fully involved, His Majesty’s doubts will vanish.”

He added cautiously, “At least, His Majesty will no longer dwell on it.”

Yan Kuang understood. “So, Minister Han is not here to seek my counsel on a perfect plan. If you have instructions, speak plainly.”

Han Shaozhen picked up the dry branch again, poking at the sparse weeds in the pot.

“Kuang’er, the crux lies with that top scholar.”

Cheng Ruyi furrowed his brow, leaning in to listen more closely.

Yan Kuang hesitated, “What do you intend?”

“If His Majesty learns that the top scholar, even after enduring the Pacification Office’s harshest torture, refuses to change his testimony, insisting that I was falsely accused by Yuan Shanqi?”

Yan Kuang immediately retorted angrily, “Absurd!”

Cheng Ruyi nearly slipped from fright but forced himself to stay silent.

Yan Kuang’s brow furrowed deeper, “Han Shaozhen! How can you speak so lightly of taking a life?”

This time, Han Shaozhen did not indulge the anger but raised a brow and said, “How is it taking a life? He was merely a pawn of Yuan Shanqi. Yuan harmed me first through his vanguard; how can I not repay him in kind?”

Yan Kuang countered, “He was He Yanzhou’s disciple. Weren’t you the one who defeated He Yanzhou first?”

Han Shaozhen’s eyes darkened, coldly laughing, “But I never wished them dead! Yan Kuang, are you trying to be the Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha? Swearing not to become a Buddha until hell is empty?”

“I’m Yan, not Han,” Yan Kuang interrupted, anger thick in his voice. “I’m Yan Kuang, a disgrace to the martial world, descendant of a disgraced minister, with no ties to you or the Han family.”

Cheng Ruyi was thoroughly confused. Whatever Han Shaozhen planned for him, he couldn’t untangle its connection to Yan Kuang—and didn’t care to.

What shocked him most was that Yan Kuang was angry.

Cheng Ruyi even wished to see for himself how this usually impassive, grim-faced “King of Hell” looked when truly enraged.

Han Shaozhen stood, no longer arguing with Yan Kuang but remaining composed as he shifted the topic.

“Fine. I won’t bring up old grudges. Do as you wish… but you know, that top scholar is doomed, no matter what.”

“Why do you keep risking angering me by repeatedly sparing his life?”

...

Cheng Ruyi gasped, his clenched hand trembling slightly.

Disappointment? Sadness? Probably not... Perhaps just a tiny, tiny bit of loss? Or maybe...

Han Shaozhen’s words were not entirely true.

Yan Kuang’s voice was low and cold, each word cutting through the paper screen like a blade—

“As you wish, he will not survive the torture and will give you the confession you want.”

In that moment, Cheng Ruyi felt a chill run through his body. He wanted to flee but found his legs numb and immobile.

Han Shaozhen sighed, “Kuang’er, killing to silence and forging confessions—that is merely his fate. But such a simple end won’t convince the Third Prince. He is known for his iron fairness.”

Yan Kuang grew slightly impatient. “What exactly do you want?”

“I have sent a summons. Tonight, at the third quarter of the hour of the boar, the Third Prince will come to witness the interrogation.”

Yan Kuang was startled, looking at Han Shaozhen in disbelief.

Seeing his silence, Han Shaozhen continued, “Only the Third Prince’s eyewitness account will guarantee the truth before His Majesty. Meanwhile, you should use all your interrogation skills. Don’t worry—I trust you. The harsher you are, the more credible the testimony!”

Han Shaozhen pulled a sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it to Yan Kuang. “Don’t fear his disobedience. Give him this; he will never change his story until death.”

Suddenly, a noise came from outside the door. Han Shaozhen’s expression darkened as he rushed to open it, but Yan Kuang stepped aside to block him.

“I told you, the Pacification Office knows rules best.”

Han Shaozhen grew anxious. “Kuang’er!”

Yan Kuang wasn’t lying. The Pacification Office never eavesdrops, so he knew exactly who was listening outside.

“What’s written in the letter?” Yan Kuang stood firm, not budging an inch.

Han Shaozhen, unable to resist, tossed the letter onto the table. “Strike at the snake’s vital spot. Even the most vicious villain has a weakness. This—this is his weakness.”

Yan Kuang instinctively reached for the letter. Han Shaozhen seized the moment to push the door open—

But the doorway was empty.

Author’s note: I hope this plot twist doesn’t draw any criticism!