Chapter 1189: Chapter 1025: Unwavering Resolve

"Zhou Congyuan, I originally considered our past camaraderie and intended to spare you from physical suffering, but unfortunately, you fail to understand my earnest intentions. I’ll ask you once more, who sent you? Who is your master? If you don’t answer, I’ll have no choice but to make you endure some pain."

The Crown Prince was somewhat frustrated with Zhou Congyuan’s refusal to cooperate. Some people are just naturally stubborn and won’t speak until they’ve tasted suffering.

Zhou Congyuan still kept his eyes closed, head bowed, and remained silent. Regardless, he didn’t plan on speaking. Even if tortured, he could endure it.

"Hmph! Refusing a toast and choosing a penalty drink. Mr. Gu, as an official of the Dali Temple, this interrogation matter is entrusted to you."

After speaking, the Crown Prince turned and left the area, striding toward where the torture instruments were kept in the prison.

The prison chief immediately stepped forward to guide the way, fiercely giving a look to the two standing prison guards beside him. One of the prison guards suddenly understood and rushed off in another direction.

Gu Chengyu sighed, "Bring him out."

In reality, he was very opposed to torture, after all, cutting flesh with a dull knife is truly hard to bear. If it were to kill someone with a sword without torture, he wouldn’t hesitate.

However, with this interrogation, if the prisoner resolutely resists, once the torture instruments are applied, what awaits are the heartrending screams.

This is not only a devastation to the prisoner’s body and mind but also tests the interrogator’s disposition.

How many can face such a situation without changing expression? Unless naturally cruel or already accustomed.

Soon, Zhou Congyuan was bound to a wooden frame by two prison guards. This frame had soaked up the blood of countless people. The originally yellow wood had turned dark red, looking damp, as if it would never dry.

The Crown Prince sat on a chair brought by the prison guards, pointing at Gu Chengyu to the two bewildered guards, "Just follow what Mr. Gu says."

The prison guards immediately looked towards Gu Chengyu, who had no choice but to say to them, "Proceed according to the usual interrogation procedure. You’ve done this countless times before."

The two prison guards exchanged glances, and one of them took a whip soaked in saltwater and lashed it towards Zhou Congyuan.

The whip cut through the air, striking Zhou Congyuan’s body, producing a crisp sound.

Zhou Congyuan clenched his teeth, not making a sound. This was just the first whip, and he had already experienced its severity.

The two government officials were veterans, so accustomed to this they naturally showed no leniency.

Moreover, with the Crown Prince and Mr. Gu watching, how could they dare to slack off? They even swung the whip more earnestly than before.

The sound of the whip filled the prison, terrifying You Shaofeng so much his heart trembled.

He was already very frightened, and upon hearing that sound, he immediately collapsed to the ground.

Xia Qing’s face showed a slight unnaturalness too, her previously calm demeanor now revealed a trace of panic.

After six or seven whips, Gu Chengyu looked at Zhou Congyuan with his head drooping and frowned slightly.

No matter how tolerant a person is, after these many lashes, even if they can endure, at least they would groan.

After all, a human body isn’t made of steel; it’s flesh and blood, and naturally, it would hurt.

Zhou Congyuan didn’t even make a sound, demonstrating the firmness of his mind.

After another five lashes, the officials saw Zhou Congyuan’s battered body had ceased to tremble, assuming he must have fainted.

The Crown Prince covered his mouth and nose, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

One of the officials stepped forward, pulling Zhou Congyuan’s hair, finding he indeed had fainted. He turned to Gu Chengyu to ask, "Sir! This man has fainted, shall we wake him?"

Gu Chengyu nodded. The interrogation, naturally cruel, couldn’t wait for the other side to recover before continuing.

One official, already prepared with a bucket of water, poured it over Zhou Congyuan’s head with a whoosh.

His previously white hair now drenched, gradually revealed its true color. The silvery water flowed down his body, disheveled black hair clung wetly to his cheeks. The Crown Prince then saw the face clearly, confirming it was Zhou Congyuan.

Zhou Congyuan unconsciously groaned, lifting his heavy eyelids and through strands of hair, saw a figure seated a distance away.

Vision blurred, he couldn’t see clearly, but he knew the man must be the Crown Prince.

"Sir! This can’t be continued, perhaps a different method?" The official knew this man was extremely valuable, and a flesh-and-blood body couldn’t bear such a beating.

If they accidentally killed him, the Crown Prince and Mr. Gu blamed them, they’d be in serious trouble.

"Then change the method!" Gu Chengyu looked at Zhou Congyuan without emotion, recalling a person he saw today at the tea house, suspecting this figure related to Zhou Congyuan.

As the answer was about to be revealed, interrogating Zhou Congyuan was no longer crucial. He already had an idea of who this person was, but without evidence, couldn’t be certain.

He glanced at the Crown Prince, deciding to keep his speculation to himself. Whether that person would be implicated depends on Zhou Congyuan’s endurance.

At this moment, he didn’t want Zhou Congyuan to confess, it wasn’t beneficial for him.

If the Crown Prince eliminated dissenters, he’d eventually focus on dealing with him.

Only by maintaining the current state can the Crown Prince rely on him, achieving so-called balance.

Just like how the Emperor supported him against Xia Qing earlier, because he was too weak then, he could only be a pawn in the Emperor’s hand.

But now the Emperor had passed, and before his demise personally handed leverage to him. If he didn’t use it well, wouldn’t it betray the Emperor’s trust?

The Crown Prince, because of the sword hanging over his head that could fall at any moment, dared not be too arrogant.

But if all threats were removed, that sword would become a dull, rotting knife, posing no further threat to the Crown Prince.

How could he allow such a situation? At least for now, he wouldn’t let the Crown Prince relax too soon.

If the Crown Prince sincerely treated him well, he wouldn’t scheme like this. But he felt the Crown Prince trusted him insufficiently, his degree of suspicion almost rivaling the Emperor’s.

Moreover, with the Crown Prince’s gullibility, being swayed easily, trying to send him to the border’s harsh land to idle away his years, how could he securely plan for the Crown Prince?

As for swearing loyalty, going to the ends of the earth? That’s nonexistent, is he such a person? In the end, he’s just a selfish man!

Harboring some thoughts, he couldn’t focus on interrogating Zhou Congyuan as much.

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