The passage was rather long. Wen Ning walked cautiously all the way until she finally stepped onto solid ground again. The dungeon was brightly lit. Looking around, she saw two rows of oppressive cages. Some still held prisoners—hair disheveled, bodies covered in wounds and blood.
One prisoner lay limp on the ground, so weak that it was unclear if he was even alive.
Though Wen Ning had grown up in a modern, law‑governed society, she had seen plenty of bloody scenes in hospitals. She could endure this, but couldn’t help sighing inwardly: this was outright legalized torture.
Chen Jinfeng led her straight to the far end of the dungeon, where the guard who had just been captured was already bound to an execution rack.
Since entering the dungeon, the only thing that gave Wen Ning a shred of comfort was that those handling and tying up the guard all wore gloves. For a doctor, such simple precautions were enough to bring joy.
Just as they stopped before the rack, hurried footsteps sounded behind them. Wen Ning turned to see a white‑bearded old man approaching quickly, escorted by two guards. He came before Chen Jinfeng and bowed fearfully. “This humble one greets the Protector.”
Chen Jinfeng gestured with his eyes toward the man on the rack. “Go see what illness he suffers from.”
“Yes!”
The old man dared not meet Chen Jinfeng’s gaze. He stepped forward and examined the man carefully. Gradually, his face showed astonishment. He sucked in a breath, turned, and bowed again: “Reporting to Commander, this gentleman suffers from… venereal disease!”
Everyone present looked shocked.
Chen Jinfeng’s expression barely changed. He glanced faintly at the woman beside him and asked in a cool voice: “Venereal disease can only be spread through relations between men and women, can it not?”
“Not so! Not so!” The old man shook his head repeatedly. “Indeed, relations between men and women are the most common way of transmission. But this old man has also seen cases where someone merely touched the sores of a patient and contracted the disease as well.”
Though the ancients did not understand the principle of blood transmission, they still summarized from experience—even if their conclusions were not always correct.
At his words, the guards who had touched the prisoner turned pale.
Several couldn’t help but cast grateful looks at Wen Ning. Had Lady Wen not warned them earlier, they might have touched his wounds too.
Chen Jinfeng raised his brows slightly, his phoenix eyes settling on Wen Ning. Deep and dark, even with torchlight reflected in them, they radiated no warmth at all.
Wen Ning pressed her lips together, then lifted her gaze nervously to meet his. “This concubine did indeed suspect earlier that he might be suffering from venereal disease.”
Everyone turned to her in astonishment. It was one thing to notice he was ill—but to recognize it as venereal disease? That was infamous as a filthy affliction, something no sheltered young lady should know.
Wen Ning quickly explained: “This concubine once read in medical texts a description of this illness. It said those afflicted develop red rashes on their bodies, and their hair falls out in spotted patches. I only dared to suspect, not confirm…”
At this, Chen Jinbai looked at her with disbelief and scorn, sneering: “So this is why you deceived us, claiming it was just an ordinary skin disease?”
This woman, hiding her medical knowledge, was one thing, but to dare put on an act before them!
“Not only that…Wen Ning’s lashes trembled. Suddenly, she glanced shyly at Chen Jinfeng. “This concubine only… did not wish my lord to think that I even know of such filthy diseases…”
Everyone: “…”
What was happening? A moment ago, this was an interrogation, and now—why did it suddenly carry a strange, ambiguous air?
Seeing Chen Jinfeng’s brows furrow, his face clearly showing impatience, Wen Ning hurried to seize the moment: “In truth… this concubine has hidden another matter from my lord. I know why this guard attempted to assault my chambers tonight. Not long ago, I saw him secretly meeting with Concubine Cheng.”
Everyone: “…”
At once, all faces turned subtly shocked, sneaking glances at their commander. It seemed as though a faint shade of green glimmered above his head.
Chen Jinbai couldn’t hold back and cursed outright: “Damn it! I knew those women couldn’t keep themselves in line!”
What did that pretty boy have that his second brother didn’t? Outwardly, those women were his brother’s concubines—yet they were so desperate they’d settle for scraps!
Wen Ning put on a tearful expression: “After Concubine Cheng discovered that I knew her secret, she has constantly… constantly sought to harm me. Just the other day, I fell into the lake and nearly lost my life. Everyone in the household knows of this. Tonight, this guard broke into my chambers, surely to finish me off. I dared not tell my lord earlier, fearing you would not believe me, and think I was framing Concubine Cheng…”
As she spoke, her glistening eyes lifted, gazing at Chen Jinfeng with a look of sorrow and plea.
In the grim dungeon, that look seemed all the more delicate and moving. Some guards, already grateful to Wen Ning, now felt pity for her surge like a tide.
So that was it! Lady Wen truly had it hard. Had she not risked everything to expose the guard who sought her harm, her life would have been forfeit.
Chen Jinbai nearly leapt up, glaring furiously at Wen Ning. This woman was even trying to seduce his second brother! If all her actions tonight weren’t meant to deliberately draw his brother’s attention, he’d change his surname to hers!
Fang Wu too frowned deeply, staring coldly at Wen Ning.
Chen Jinfeng’s face, however, remained unchanged. His eyelids lowered slightly, his tone listless: “I understand. You may return.”
Wen Ning blinked, suppressing her inner joy, and put on a reluctant expression. “My lord, this concubine…”
“Go back.” Chen Jinfeng repeated coldly, lips curving faintly as he looked at her without emotion. “Unless, of course, you wish to stay and watch how we torture this guard?”
Ordinary women would never wish to witness such bloody cruelty.
But Wen Ning, intoxicated by her role as the devoted concubine, blurted out: “If my lord wishes me to remain by your side, this concubine is willing!”
She even lifted her hand, reaching to grasp Chen Jinfeng’s sleeve. A flash of disgust crossed his eyes. His voice turned icy: “If you no longer want that hand, I don’t mind cutting it off myself.”
Wen Ning’s hand froze mid‑air. She looked at him, wounded and helpless. At last, she slowly withdrew it, bowed with deep grievance, and said: “Since… my lord does not wish me to stay, this concubine will take her leave.”She turned, seemingly forlorn, leaving behind a lonely, desolate figure.
But the instant she turned away, Wen Ning couldn’t help lowering her head slightly, her lips curling high in triumph. This deadly hurdle was finally passed! And she had conveniently eliminated Concubine Cheng along the way—well worth the effort!
The surrounding guards, however, had all stared wide‑eyed when Wen Ning reached for Chen Jinfeng’s sleeve, still unable to recover.
Lady Wen truly feared nothing!
Everyone knew their commander loathed being touched. Even his closest siblings had almost no intimate contact with him!
Author’s note: Thanks to DT Jian for the reward, and Feifei a for the safety charm, as well as everyone’s monthly votes! As the saying goes, nine out of ten male leads are “ill”—this one is too. You can guess what his “illness” is, hehe~
Chen Jin‑feng: “…Do you have any manners?”