Chapter 26: A New Prisoner Added

In the afternoon, Yang Zhan began his cultivation directly within the interrogation room. The surge of his vital energy was so profound that everyone in the Celestial Prison could feel an awe-inspiring aura. Seeing such strength, the "Four Diamonds" of the prison, who had been deeply worried about Yang Zhan, finally felt their spirits settle. At that moment, they were certain that their General was truly invincible.

At exactly 2:45 PM, Yang Zhan was forced to break his meditation.

"General, more people have been sent over!"

Yang Zhan was speechless. "Prisoners are still being sent at this hour?"

He got up and opened the door. Upon reaching the entrance of the prison, he saw a group of imperial guards escorting a man and a woman. Though they were not in shackles, Yang Zhan was stunned to realize it was the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. The officer in charge of the escort was none other than Han Zhong!

Crown Prince Yang Xing’s pale, sickly face broke into a smile. He cupped his hands and said with a chuckle, "General, please look after us well."

Yu Shu also curtsied, "I hope for your protection, General."

Yang Zhan was left speechless, yet he couldn't help but think that this couple were truly shrewd. When Yu Shu had returned earlier, Yang Zhan suspected that given the Empress's temperament, Yu Shu would likely meet a grim fate—perhaps by the next day, news would spread that she had died of a sudden, incurable illness. As for the Crown Prince, the Emperor's intentions were so inscrutable that Yang Zhan hadn't anticipated this outcome.

Yet, despite his speculation, he never imagined it would end like this.

Han Zhong produced an imperial decree and began to read it aloud, not bothering to check if anyone had knelt. "By the order of the Heavens, the Emperor decrees..."

He had barely spoken two sentences when the Crown Prince interrupted, "Stop reading. Just give it to General Yang. You may return to report to His Majesty!"

Han Zhong had no choice but to put the decree away and hand it to Yang Zhan. "General Yang, His Majesty has ordered the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to reflect in the Celestial Prison."

Yang Zhan took the decree. "For how long?"

"It is not specified!"

Yang Zhan was dumbfounded. The Emperor’s mind was indeed impossible to fathom. After Han Zhong and his men left, Yang Zhan asked, "What is going on?"

Yang Xing sighed. "It was because of those two things you said, General. After hearing them, I took Yu Shu to see my father and plead guilty. It just so happened that the people the Empress sent to seize Yu Shu arrived to find the nest empty."

Finished, Yang Xing looked at Yu Shu. "Yu Shu, go and see Luyang!"

"Very well, I shall go now. I won't disturb your conversation!"

Yang Zhan shot Yang Xing a look of annoyance. "Do you think this is your Eastern Palace, where you can do whatever you please?"

Yang Xing grinned. "What else can we do? Surely you aren't going to actually lock us up!"

Yang Zhan turned and shouted, "Old Six, open a private cell for the Crown Prince and Princess."

Yang Xing froze. "You're serious?"

Yang Zhan spread his hands. "What else? The other cells aren't suitable for you, but there are plenty of rooms here."

Yang Xing was speechless. Yang Zhan pulled him inside, led him into the interrogation room, and closed the door.

After hearing the Prince’s account, Yang Zhan looked at him. "The Emperor sending you here means he has left you no way out!"

"There was no way out to begin with, so it doesn't matter."

"You have tied your fate to mine now."

"Indeed. We rise together, and we fall together!" Yang Xing seemed to have come to terms with this long ago, showing no fear. Instead, he looked at Yang Zhan. "Second Master, is that a proper way to address you?"

"You are a prisoner; what does it matter how you address me?"

Yang Xing was left without words.

Yang Zhan pondered, "Since the Crown Prince is now bound to me, I suppose my own wishes might actually come to pass."

"Second Master, you are oversimplifying things. Father does not want a new monarch to be constrained. If you die, I am as good as dead too, and any potential threat to the new monarch will be eliminated."

"But what if neither of us dies?"

Yang Xing hesitated for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Is that possible?"

"Whatever the case, your father has given you a path. It’s better than before, when he gave you no path at all!"

Yang Xing’s expression grew grave. "You're right. If I am to wait for death, I might as well fight for a chance!"

"You aren't 'fighting for a chance,' you're 'letting yourself loose.' You dared to kill the Empress's men—what were you thinking?"

"Wasn't it you who told Yu Shu to kill them?"

"I said that, and she just did it?"

Yang Xing nodded earnestly. "Yes. Our lives are in your hands now; we listen to everything you say."

Yang Zhan was at a loss for words.

"Let's get through tonight first."

"Is something big happening tonight?"

"I am going to fight the Qi Practitioners."

"Then I must watch the battle and see how the God of War of the Great Xia Dynasty handles those self-righteous practitioners!"

"It is also possible you'll see me suffer a crushing defeat."

"Then I shall pick up a sword and avenge you!"

"You?"

"If I can't avenge you, I'll just keep you company on the road to the afterlife. Anyway, if you die, I die; if you live, I live. By the way, I have my whole family in tow, so Second Master, you must take responsibility for us."

Damn! He had never realized the Crown Prince was this thick-skinned.

Yang Xing suddenly grew interested. "Second Master, how about some wine and food? Let's have a drink. I haven't had a drink in ages, and suddenly I have the urge!"

"You're in prison, and you still have the appetite for that?"

"Perhaps it's a 'drink while you can' situation. Seize the day."

"You're something else!"

Yang Zhan gave a thumbs up. This guy had truly let go. He pulled Yang Xing out and said, "Spend your own money to have someone buy it for you; I have no money!"

"Hey, hey... Second Master, I'm on your turf, and you won't even provide the wine? You just got your monthly stipend, and it was double!"

Yang Zhan rolled his eyes at the shameless, reckless Crown Prince. "Old Six, prepare a private room for them and let the Crown Prince and Princess rest!"

"Understood!"

Yang Xing’s eyes widened. "Second Master..."

Before he could finish, Old Six dragged him away, and peace returned. Yang Zhan closed the door and sat in his chair.

A moment later, three mice jumped onto the table. A golden glint flashed in Yang Zhan’s eyes. He began to hear a flurry of whispers. It was chaotic, but he listened patiently. Soon, he caught a piece of information.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's intentions are impossible to fathom!"

"You mean the matter regarding my eldest brother?"

"Yes, the Emperor actually sent the Crown Prince to the Celestial Prison!"

"So what if he did? What can it change?"

"Your Highness, it shows the Emperor has not yet made up his mind."

"Didn't you say this was a test set by my father?"

"It is a test, but it has become a test for the Crown Prince as well!"

"Heh, Mr. Zhang, do you think they can survive?"

"This..."

"Doesn't this show that my father is clearing away obstacles and constraints for me? If they die, it avoids turmoil after I ascend the throne."

"What if..."

"Mr. Zhang, do you think there is a 'what if'?"

"Your Highness, even though everything is arranged and seems foolproof, I fear there might be some overlooked flaw."

"If there is a flaw, we stop?"

"Of course not!"

"Then say no more!"

"Understood!"

The three mice left shortly after. Yang Zhan frowned. "Tonight will be a sleepless night."

"Old Six, come here!"

"Understood!"

Yang Zhan gave Old Six his instructions. Old Six nodded repeatedly and ran off. Yang Zhan sat alone in the courtyard. Luyang was not there; she must have run to the cells to see the Crown Prince and Princess. Time seemed to pass quickly. Yang Zhan looked at the moon in the sky—midnight was approaching!