Although Shi An was sitting idly on one side, seeing his actions, he understood what was going on.
"I've long heard that there are many cruel torturing methods in the Western Regions, and the gu worms are particularly infamous. Judging from your state, could it be that you've been infected by gu worms?"
The long - buried secret in his heart was gradually being uncovered, and for Lan Xi, this was a great disgrace.
He could never forget the days when he was tortured to the point where he didn't want to live but couldn't die.
His eyes gradually turned bloodshot. Without hesitation, just as he was about to pounce forward, he was firmly held down by the guards beside him.
"So what if it is? So what if you people have always been so high - and - mighty? Although I was once humble, haven't I still managed to outwit you all?"
Sure enough, Lan Xi was aware of the abduction of the maid and the official. In that case, this matter would be easier to handle.
Shi An slightly curled his lips. When he opened his thin lips, his words were quite persuasive.
"Since you've suffered so much and experienced so many hardships, why not pledge your loyalty to me? If you can submit to our dynasty, I will surely treat you well. Maybe I can even get rid of the gu worms on you. Then you'll have a chance to regain your freedom."
His words were very enticing, but Lan Xi had been dealing with different countries for so many years and knew his own value well. The king of the Western Regions would never let him go easily unless he was dead.
So, the word "freedom" was just a luxury to him.
His eyes drooped, and he let out a soft laugh.
"General Shi is indeed as calculating as ever, always hitting the nail on the head. If I didn't know my own situation so well over the years, I might have been deceived by you."
Seeing that he still didn't trust him, Shi An became a bit impatient.
If it weren't for his sister thinking that Lan Xi was useful, he wouldn't have wasted so much effort.
"Do you really want to keep serving that person?"
Lan Xi turned his head and looked at the skylight, as if he could gain so - called freedom in this way.
"I'm no longer a child. You can't deceive me with just a few words. Even if you capture me, it's useless. I won't tell you a single word."
"You're so stubborn."
"Then don't blame me."
After saying that, the guards brought over a pile of torture instruments. There was more or less some blood on them, as if they were declaring to everyone how many proud heads they had made bow.
However, even though one torture instrument after another was applied to his body, Lan Xi still remained stubborn. The sweat on his forehead dripped to the ground and mixed with the blood, forming a small stream.
"I've said I know nothing. The king just sent me here to convey a friendly signal to the Great Liang. There's no other intention."
"Humph, then let's first talk about how you deliberately lured the empress dowager into the public eye and made the common people misunderstand."
"I don't understand what the general is talking about. Even if you torture me, when our king finds out, you won't be able to escape the blame."
Shi An's face showed impatience: "Then let your king come and try. I've never been afraid of anyone."
"If the general wants to torture me to death, then come. But the common people should really want to get a definite answer from me, right? After all, that short time in the private room was enough for everyone to have other speculations. I'm really curious to see how the common people will force that high - and - mighty empress dowager. Do you think the empress dowager will still be able to sit firmly on her throne after this?"
What he said was not only the truth but also the most worrying issue for Shi Muwǎn and the young emperor. Unstable public support would be a heavy blow to the country.
Shi An's bottom line was touched, and he couldn't hold back anymore. He snatched a sword from a guard's waist and was about to strike, but fortunately, the guard quickly stopped him.
"Eldest young master, think twice. If this man dies so easily, it will be hard for us to explain to the emperor. Moreover, he knows so much, which is useful to us. The empress dowager also said that the more he resists, the greater the possibility that he will eventually be of use to us."
Suddenly, he remembered what his sister had told him when they first came. He could only throw the sword aside, his face full of impatience.
"Can't you see? He's so stubborn."
The guards in the dungeon were already used to this kind of situation. The leading guard's lips curled into a sneer.
"Everyone who comes to our place is stubborn at first. We just need some time. If the eldest young master trusts us, leave this man to us. In no more than three days, we will surely give you a satisfactory answer."
Shi An looked at the guards suspiciously: "If you can really make this man talk, then come with me to the military camp from now on."
The eyes of the guards immediately lit up. That was their most desired place.
"Eldest young master, rest assured. We will surely handle this matter well."
Shi An rubbed his forehead. Just as he had dealt with this matter, he suddenly heard another piece of news: Almost half of the court officials were kneeling outside the imperial study, hoping that the emperor would punish the empress dowager.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his whole body exuded a dangerous aura.
"These people are all full and have nothing better to do. I haven't dealt with them for just a few days, and they dare to force the emperor."
Ze Ze wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Eldest young master, you'd better go there quickly. The empress dowager hopes that you can handle this matter personally."
The reason the court officials used this time was something that Shi Muwǎn couldn't refute in person. Only Shi An, who held a high position and had many connections, could easily solve this matter.
When he arrived at the imperial study, the entrance was already filled with kneeling people. Among them were naturally his own people. If his people hadn't come, it was very likely that other forces would have taken advantage of the situation.
His cold eyes swept over those people, then he lifted his legs and walked directly into the imperial study. The young emperor had been waiting for a long time.
It was probably the instigation of some people that made the court officials dare to come here this time.
"What does the eldest young master think is the most appropriate way to handle this matter?"
Shi An pursed his lips: "Your servant thinks that it's understandable that the common people were deceived by the rumors because they didn't know the truth. But the court officials were able to directly force their way to the imperial study so easily. They must have listened to some people's words."
The two of them thought alike, but who was the one instigating this behind the scenes? There were not many people in the court who could mobilize so many people. The Shi family wouldn't force their own daughter like this, and the national teacher was in a coma. So there were only two people left.