Cao Yi followed Mu Jue to the side hall. When he returned, he was carrying a string of paper-wrapped parcels of dried fruit.
The Sixth Prince had given them to him, asking him to give half to the Chief and keep the other half for himself as a thank-you for saving Xia Ming that day.
However, those serving in the Eastern Depot had rules: without the Chief’s permission, they were not allowed to accept gifts from anyone, including the Sixth Prince.
So, the entire string of dried fruit ended up on Lu Shiting’s desk in his study.
Cao Yi repeated the Sixth Prince’s words exactly to the Chief.
“His Highness said that taking several Imperial Guards out of the palace might be too flashy, so he wants our people to follow him secretly instead.”
“He made these dried fruits himself to thank you, Chief.”
Lu Shiting closed a finished memorial and set it aside. His long fingers casually peeled back the oil paper wrapping the fruit.
He didn’t know how dried fruit made by the Sixth Prince would taste, but it certainly looked plain—gray and dusty. At first glance, it wasn’t even clear what kind of fruit it used to be.
Cao Yi peeked at his master’s expression. “If you won’t eat it, Chief…”
Then I’ll take it back, he thought.
Lu Shiting slowly picked up a piece and brought it to his lips.
After taking a bite, he gathered up all the paper parcels on the table and put them away, leaving only a few out to snack on.
“He certainly knows how to put the Eastern Depot to work.”
Having guards follow in secret sounded easy, but without highly trained hidden guards, it was impossible to protect someone from the shadows without being noticed.
Cao Yi gave a dry laugh, seeing that the Chief didn’t seem truly angry. “His Highness has lived in the side hall all these years and has never even been to the Hall of Literary Brilliance. How could he know how the Eastern Depot operates?”
“Forget it. Assign a team of hidden guards to follow him in secret.”
“Yes, Chief. I also investigated—the Ninth Prince invited the Sixth Prince to leave the palace this time, but it seems the Crown Prince is behind it.”
Lu Shiting finished half a bag of fruit and took a sip of tea.
“The Crown Prince is getting restless. Keep a close eye on the Eastern Palace.”
Cao Yi acknowledged the order and bowed to leave. As he turned, Lu Shiting called out to him.
The man’s fingertips were stained with the color of the fruit—a faint purple against his pale skin.
“Does the Chief wish to wash his hands?”
Lu Shiting’s eyes were calm and unreadable. “Go investigate the case where Consort Li was accused of having an affair years ago.”
Cao Yi was stunned. “Does the Chief want to look into the Sixth Prince’s parentage?”
It was no secret to the Eastern Depot that the Emperor hated the Sixth Prince because of Consort Li’s alleged affair and the suspicion that the Prince was not of royal blood.
But that happened over ten years ago. Why did the Chief want to dig it up now?
Lu Shiting didn’t answer. He had already looked down at the next memorial.
“Just go. Report back before the day the Sixth Prince leaves the palace.”
The next day, Mu Jue waited as usual at the Hall of Literary Brilliance for Lu Shiting to have lunch with him. However, he waited until the afternoon lessons were almost starting, and the man never appeared.
Finally, Cao Yi arrived in a hurry. “There is an urgent case at the Eastern Depot. The Chief cannot make it today.”
Mu Jue handed over the food containers he had prepared for Cao Yi and his men. After a moment of thought, he gave the remaining portion to Cao Yi as well.
“Even when Chief Lu is judging urgent cases, he still needs to eat, right?”
Cao Yi understood the Prince’s meaning and hesitated.
“This…”
“The food is still warm. You can reheat it when you get back.”
Cao Yi took the containers. “Regarding your trip out of the palace, the Chief said a team of hidden guards will follow you. You can enjoy your time outside without worry.”
The Eastern Depot Prison.
“Chief, this man is a close associate the Crown Prince planted next to the Little Khan of Northern Di. We caught him today at a tailor shop meeting with the Crown Prince’s people. We gave him dozens of lashes, but he won’t say a word.”
Lu Shiting sat in a grand chair, resting his chin lazily on his hand.
In a nearby cell, a tall man dressed in Northern Di clothing was tied to a rack. His body was covered in dozens of bloody whip marks.
The guard continued to strike him without stopping. The sound of the whip tearing skin echoed through the dark prison, sounding horrific.
Lu Shiting raised his hand. The guard stopped immediately and waited respectfully for orders.
“Bring me a dagger.”
The man on the rack spat. “Bah, you dead eunuch.”
Lu Shiting’s expression didn’t change. In an instant, he shoved the dagger into the man’s mouth and gave it a gentle twist.
“Mmph—mmph!”
The man’s tongue was cut out. His mouth filled with blood, leaving him with only muffled whimpers of terror and pain.
The guards expertly stopped the bleeding and stuffed a cloth into his mouth.
“Speak. What did the Crown Prince have you do for the Little Khan?”
The man glared at him, making unintelligible sounds—likely more curses.
Lu Shiting smiled. “It seems the Crown Prince treats you well.”
He slowly sank the blood-stained dagger into the man’s knee. Like an artist carving jade, he turned the handle inch by inch.
The sharp tip pressed against the kneecap, grinding with a piercing, subtle sound as the handle turned.
Veins popped on the man’s face, and sweat poured onto the floor.
“Northern Di hasn’t signed the peace treaty yet, and a hundred thousand troops are still at the border. The Crown Prince probably can’t sleep or eat, terrified that if Northern Di gets upset, those iron hooves will march into the capital and crush a coward like him.”
Lu Shiting pulled out the dagger. He looked down at the man, who was now hanging limply, his face pale and his knee gushing blood.
“What else could the Crown Prince have you do? Nothing more than sending beauties and treasures to please the Little Khan so he’ll sign the treaty sooner.”
Several trays of torture tools were brought forward, but Lu Shiting didn’t touch them.
“Since the founding of the Eastern Depot, no one has ever endured all these tools without confessing.”
The man’s eyes darted over the tools. As the sparks flew from the branding iron heating in the coals, his expression turned to pure panic.
“Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!”
Lu Shiting dropped the dagger, losing interest.
“Give him paper and a pen. Watch him until he spits out everything.”
A few moments later, a confession was handed to Lu Shiting.
The dim candlelight in the prison flickered, reflecting in the man’s narrow, amber eyes like a cruel, crimson fire.
Lu Shiting remained silent. The guards bowed their heads low, terrified. The cold air of the prison seemed to bite into their very bones.
With a whoosh, the confession was tossed into the charcoal brazier, quickly turning to ash.
“Ch-Chief, this person…”
“The foolish things the Crown Prince does are truly breathtaking,” Lu Shiting turned to a guard. “Where is Cao Yi?”
“Commander Cao went to the Hall of Literary Brilliance to find the Sixth Prince as ordered. I will go call him back now.”
The guard ran a few steps but quickly turned back.
“Chief, Commander Cao is here.”
Cao Yi arrived carrying a food container with freshly reheated food. He walked up to Lu Shiting and bowed.
“Whose head is in that box?”
Cao Yi fell silent for a moment, answering nervously.
“Reporting to the Chief, this box contains the lunch the Sixth Prince prepared for you. He said that even if you are judging urgent cases, you still need to eat.”
He saw his master’s icy expression freeze for a second.
“…I—I deserve death! Please punish me, Chief!”