Chapter 459 - 211: Quick and Decisive

"..."

After several lashes, Shang Yu’s face and neck were a bloody mess, with no intact skin to be found.

He lay on the ground, unable to even scream in pain, just like a dead dog.

Meanwhile, the woman beside him was severely frightened, her eyes bulging as she stared blankly at the scene, seemingly scared into stupidity.

"Don’t be afraid, it’s your turn soon. Rest assured, your fate will be even worse."

Yun Wanye sneered, maliciously frightening her.

This woman, together with her daughter, ruthlessly abused cousin Zhenzhen. Did they ever think they would have such a day?

"Oh, almost forgot, Shang Rong is your daughter, right? How about I bring her here to accompany you, so your family of three can have a nice reunion here."

That little brat, wasn’t she crying for her dad and concubine?

Fine, then he would send her here tomorrow, to properly accompany her dad and concubine.

"No, Rong’er is not my daughter, she is my sister’s child, she is of your Yun Family’s bloodline, how can you bring her here? No, absolutely not..."

The woman, originally scared out of her wits, snapped back when she heard the words ’Shang Rong’, hysterically denying and desperately disassociating herself from Shang Rong.

She was flustered and confused, unable to understand how the secret of the children’s parentage, known only to her and Shang Yu as all other insiders were dead, was uncovered by the Yun Family.

Yun Chuchu merely returned home once, how did it cause so many calamities?

If only they had made sure Yun Chuchu couldn’t leave the Shang Family alive.

"Ha, do you think this young master is negotiating with you? Saying no and absolutely not—what qualification does a lamb to be slaughtered have to express opinions?"

Yun Wanye laughed unscrupulously, mercilessly mocking her, then deliberately stabbed at her heart.

"When I bring that little brat over, I’ll ensure that Zhenzhen’s torments are doubled on her."

"By the way, you still don’t know who Zhenzhen is, right?"

"Zhenzhen is the child you trampled underfoot and insulted, whom you called a slave. We’ve brought her here, and from now on, she will be the second young lady of the Duke Ning Mansion."

"And all those from the Shang Family who have humiliated her will wish they were dead."

This verbal attack indeed inflicted immense mental suffering on the woman, who desperately pleaded.

"No, strike at me if you must. Rong’er is just a child, she is your Yun Family’s blood. I beg you not to harm her;"

"She is my sister’s only child. If you hurt her, my sister will be utterly devastated..."

Even though Yun Wanye had pointed out Shang Rong’s identity, the woman still refused to admit it, stubbornly insisting that Shang Rong was Yun Chuchu’s daughter, showing remarkable obstinacy.

"Stop wasting words with her. It’s getting late, finish this quickly."

The best way to deal with intransigent people is to get tough.

Yun Zheng said coldly, putting away the whip, and took out a box of nails over two inches long from the wall of torture instruments, handing them to Yun Wanye.

"Do you know what to do with this?"

Yun Wanye: "..."

"Father, are you sure you want me to carry out such a cruel task? Aren’t you worried it’ll cast a huge shadow over the tender heart of your child??"

Yun Zheng glared at him, annoyed, "What time do you think it is to be making jokes? Didn’t I tell you to finish this quickly?"

The madam is still waiting for him to return to bed.

"Oh!!!"

Yun Wanye replied innocently, took the nails, and in the next moment, horrific screams echoed through the dungeon...

After a cup of tea’s time.

A barely alive man and woman were locked back in.

Each had lost an eye, and blood oozed down, forming thick scabs on their faces, looking ferocious and terrifying.

Several bones in their bodies had been broken, and thick iron nails had been driven in.

Yun Zheng took another look at the confession written earlier, pressing their hands to stamp with blood, and folded it satisfactorily, putting it away.

"Let’s go."

Having spoken, he headed towards the steps first, and Yun Wanye took the lantern off the wall, quickly following.

Outside, the night had deepened.

The cold wind rustled, and Yun Zheng turned his head to look at the young man beside him.

"I’ll leave the matter of Lu Wu to you, take care of it tomorrow, and don’t forget, you reek of blood, remember to wash up before sleeping when you get back."

Yun Wanye: "..."

"Yes, I understand, but really, Father, do you plan to hand those two over to the government for punishment?"

Conspiring to murder the first wife and swapping daughters are significant crimes. If Aunt were dead, the government might indeed sentence them to immediate execution, especially with a push from Father, wiping out the entire Shang Family.

But the problem is, Aunt is still alive, so the charge of conspiracy can’t hold; at most, it’d be attempted murder, and along with swapping daughters, it might not be enough for immediate execution.

"Hmm, but it will take a few more days."

Yun Zheng replied in a low voice.

Hearing this, Yun Wanye sighed and couldn’t help but remind him.

"Father, I fear the charges we have against them won’t do much."

"Hmm, I know."

Yun Wanye: "..."

He knows but still wants to proceed?

In a flash, another possibility struck him.

"Could it be you have other arrangements, Father?"

What he could think of, Father surely thought of too, so the only possibility is that Father has other plans to convict the entire Shang Family.

"Kids shouldn’t ask too many questions, go back to bed."

Hearing this, Yun Wanye knew he had guessed right; Father indeed had other tricks up his sleeve for the Shang Family, but he wasn’t sure what.

Since Father had things planned, he didn’t bother to worry more.

Yun Wanye bid farewell to Yun Zheng.

"Yes, I’ll head off then, you should rest early too, Father."

*

The next day.

Dream Building Residence.

Yun Wanyao woke up suddenly remembering she forgot something last night.

Yesterday, Yun Wanye brought her a letter, supposedly written by the Emperor, which she must read and respond to.

Because of Zhenzhen’s matters, she stayed at Wan’an Garden until late, and after returning, went straight to bed, completely forgetting about it.

She was curious about what the Emperor had to say in the letter.

Thinking of the letter, Yun Wanyao couldn’t help but feel a bit curious, and carefully took the letter from under her pillow.

’To Yao’er.’

The four beautifully flowing script characters on the envelope caught her eye, causing Yun Wanyao to panic and hastily tuck the letter back under her pillow.

Was this letter really written by the Emperor?

Why would the Emperor address her so intimately?

It seemed quite unbelievable.

She thought it more likely that the letter was another prank by Yun Wanye than from the Emperor.

However, this thought was quickly dismissed.

No, no, no; although it was just a letter, impersonating the Emperor is a serious crime. Despite Yun Wanye’s playful and unruly nature, he would not do something so treasonous.

So, this letter was indeed written by the Emperor...