[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-887":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311685,4515,"Chapter 887: The Weight of Confession","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-887",887,"\u003Cp>Shenjing, the Dali Temple official office, interrogation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping was one of the Dali Temple’s associate judges with seasoned wit and tactics, and Yang Hongbin held him in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interrogating suspects was second nature to him; he had faced countless stubborn, deceitful criminals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xiao Yun was no ordinary suspect—she wasn’t even truly a suspect, merely a shortcut Yang Hongbin took to secure evidence quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a village girl of fourteen or fifteen, born in poverty, illiterate, with little exposure or insight, and a stubborn streak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She possessed the rustic girl’s innate honesty, unwilling to speak ill of her masters—but under Zhou Ping’s searing branding iron, this resolve vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she wept as she spoke, she answered every question truthfully, yet her replies were always off-topic, rambling and disjointed, driving Zhou Ping to fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a seasoned Dali Temple associate judge who had seen every kind of violent suspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he found it impossible to truly harm this little maid—the branding iron was merely a threat; he could never actually inflict real pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced patience and asked: “Tell me, when Chen Ruichang visited Hui Niang’s home, did he mention military grain depots, supply routes, or provisions—or did Hui Niang ask about such things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun’s tears had not dried; she looked confused and whispered timidly: “Sir, your words are strange. What’s this ‘yun tun’? What’s this ‘liang ban’? The mistress doesn’t like such food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen was a wealthy young man—he’d tasted every delicacy. He only loved to wrestle with the mistress in her room; he never spoke to her about food…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping’s temple veins bulged; he reached again for the branding iron and roared: “Where did you get this fool girl? I said ‘military grain depots’ and ‘supply routes’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin, standing outside the door listening, saw Xiao Yun trembling, speaking incoherently, and couldn’t help smiling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He peered through the window, observing Xiao Yun’s tear-streaked face, her entire body trembling with fear and unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin excelled in interrogation—not just in rhetoric and strategy, but in his sharp insight; he studied Xiao Yun closely through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noted every gesture, every flicker of her eyes—based on years of experience, in this state, Xiao Yun dared not lie or conceal anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Chen Ruichang never mentioned military grain depots to Hui Niang—or perhaps he did, but Xiao Yun simply didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Zhou Ping’s interrogation was too crude and blunt; it might work on wicked, dissolute rakes, but against a girl like Xiao Yun, it missed the mark entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin carefully observed Xiao Yun’s expression and noticed her face had turned pale, her hands and feet uncertain where to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her left hand gripped the corner of her robe, fingers unconsciously twisting—that spot should be where her pocket lay…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s gaze sharpened; after a moment’s thought, he pushed open the door and entered the interrogation chamber. Zhou Ping was about to greet him, but Yang Hongbin raised a hand to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun saw this new man—he was younger than the one with the branding iron, yet far more imposing, clearly a person of importance—and her unease deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s tone was cold: “What’s in your pocket? Take it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his words were calm, not as brutal as Zhou Ping’s, they carried an undeniable authority, laced with an inexplicable chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though unwilling, Xiao Yun felt a shiver run through her, her body betraying her will—she pulled out the clenched object: a five-tael silver ingot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping snatched it up: “A maid earning less than one tael a month carries a five-tael silver ingot? Who gave you this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun’s lips quivered: “Sir, this silver was given to me by the mistress—to pay for my mother’s medical emergency. Please don’t take it away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said: “It seems your mistress has a kind heart—she gives you silver to treat your mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun hurriedly added: “The mistress may consort with men, and that’s improper—but she’s not evil. She’s truly kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questions you asked me just now—I truly didn’t understand them. Please don’t wrong the mistress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s mind grew certain: “Your mistress is entangled in a legal case. You must answer truthfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know you’ve sold your contract for four years to earn money for your mother’s treatment and to someday marry well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you lie or conceal anything, you’ll never leave this place—you’ll be imprisoned and face trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once convicted, female prisoners aren’t allowed to idle in jail—they’re sold to the Entertainment Bureau to serve for life; you’ll never marry cleanly again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without you to care for her, your mother, burdened by chronic illness, won’t live long. And if your mistress is implicated, I’ll make her die worse!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think carefully before answering. If you still ramble and speak nonsense, your mother’s and Hui Niang’s lives are forfeit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s words were icy, devoid of warmth; though not as loud as Zhou Ping’s, each phrase dripped with cold, sinister menace, sending chills down the spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word struck Xiao Yun’s weakest point, scattering half her soul—she dared not cry or protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin held every one of Xiao Yun’s fears and taboos in his grip—far more terrifying than the searing branding iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She trembled: “I’ll speak truthfully. Please, sir, have mercy—spare my mother and mistress. I know everything—I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said: “Earlier we asked about military grain depots—not ‘yun tun.’ Military grain depots are where soldiers store provisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We asked about supply routes—not ‘liang ban.’ Supply routes are the paths for transporting grain. Think carefully: did Chen Ruichang mention these to Hui Niang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun shivered, frowning in deep thought; under Yang Hongbin’s pressure, she was now far more coherent than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie atmosphere in the interrogation chamber grew subtly heavier. Yang Hongbin did not look at Xiao Yun; his fingers tapped silently on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Xiao Yun grimaced: “Sir, I truly can’t recall—Master Chen never spoke of military grain depots or supply routes to the mistress. I swear I’m not lying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Zhou Ping could see: under Yang Hongbin’s intimidation, a girl as inexperienced as Xiao Yun dared not conceal or lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely Chen Ruichang never leaked anything—if he had mentioned such things, Xiao Yun simply didn’t understand. His face fell with disappointment…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin did not lose heart: “You didn’t hear them mention military grain depots or supply routes—did you hear them mention any place names?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bao Tun Li, Yao Shan Yi, Hong Shu Ji, Dong Gang Zhen…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s voice was steady, calm, subtly meticulous, and unnervingly persuasive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping’s eyes brightened slightly—he knew the place names Yang Hongbin cited were all military supply route relay stations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These locations were originally military secrets, unknown to outsiders; if Xiao Yun had heard Chen Ruichang mention any of them, the leak was confirmed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He inwardly admired: Yang Sizheng’s attention to detail was unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself had only asked about military grain depots and supply routes—but Xiao Yun was a village girl who couldn’t even understand the terms; even if she’d heard, she’d forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t thought to break the supply route into specific place names—this method was far more precise and far more likely to extract the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun heard a flood of unfamiliar place names—how could she remember them? Her face twisted in distress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said coldly: “If you know nothing, you’re useless. You’ll never leave this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your mother and Hui Niang will both suffer. Think carefully before you speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun’s face turned white, sweat broke on her brow, her brows knotted in desperate thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping, watching, felt an inexplicable tension rise within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xiao Yun hadn’t heard these place names, their entire effort here would be wasted—and they might even alert Duan Chunjiang…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin remained calm: “I’ll say the names again: Bao Tun Li, Yao Shan Yi, Hong Shu Ji, Dong Gang Zhen…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think carefully: did Chen Ruichang or Duan Chunjiang mention these places to Hui Niang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you tell us everything you know, I’ll let you go—and return your five-tael silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The government will also grant you a reward, arrange for a renowned physician to cure your mother’s illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With silver in hand, you won’t need to remain a maid—you can buy your dowry and marry properly, with dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s tone softened, filled with seduction and subtle manipulation—lulling her guard down, drawing out every hidden secret…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun heard every word—it struck straight to her heart. She thought this official was truly brilliant; these were the very things she’d longed for all her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes brightened, her chest surged with emotion—as if her mind had suddenly cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought again, deeply, the chamber falling silent—so quiet a pin could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly she said: “I remember—the mistress mentioned Hong Shu Ji!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping’s expression lit up with unrestrained joy; even the usually composed Yang Hongbin showed signs of excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: “How did Hui Niang mention Hong Shu Ji? Tell us exactly—every detail, word for word, leave nothing out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yun said: “I remember, last year, while helping the mistress with her hair, I casually remarked her phoenix hairpin was old and she should get a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mistress replied offhandedly: ‘No need to rush—I’ll get a new phoenix hairpin when Master Chen returns to the capital.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Master Chen had just returned from an imperial mission. I was curious and asked why he didn’t just buy one in Shenjing—why bring one from outside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mistress said that last time, when Master Chen passed through Hong Shu Ji, he saw an old gold shop with exquisite solid-gold phoenix hairpins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper had learned his craft from the Oluosi people, so the design was unlike any in Shenjing. He promised to buy one for the mistress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recently, when Master Chen came to spend the night, he didn’t bring the Oluosi solid-gold phoenix hairpin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard he suffered misfortune up north—accidentally encountered Mongols, was badly wounded, lost all his belongings, and the hairpin too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xiao Yun finished, Yang Hongbin’s eyes glowed with intensity; Zhou Ping exhaled in relief, then surged with wild joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based solely on Xiao Yun’s testimony, whether Chen Ruichang leaked the information deliberately or accidentally, his breach of military secrets was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The case unfolded precisely as Yang Sizheng had predicted—Duan Chunjiang used his woman as bait to extract clues about the military grain depots from Chen Ruichang.\u003C\u002Fp>",1759,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f27c9a92461d907f83f1dde3438331d572c272cbb1e7a872a13ca52a162edeea","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-888","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-886",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]