[{"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-891":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},2311689,4515,"Chapter 891: The Demon Heart Breaks the Chastity Trial","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-891",891,"\u003Cp>Shenyang, the Dali Temple official Ya , prison exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun sank westward, the afterglow faded; spring chill bit deep, the night wind cold and bone-chilling, as if carrying something unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin, hearing Zhou Ping’s words, felt his heart leap and asked: “How could he be dead? Are you certain it’s the same man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping said: “Xue Pan, the only son of the senior branch of the Xue family of Jin Ling—there is no second in all of Jin Ling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official records from the Three Judicial Offices, written in black ink on white paper, are absolutely correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin frowned and asked: “What’s going on? Xue Pan was alive and well, even entangled in the military supply leak case—how could he have died four years ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping said: “I reviewed the reply documents from the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices and was genuinely startled—I’ve served in the Ya  for years, never encountered anything like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices’ reply, four years ago, Xue Pan quarreled over purchasing a maid; when the two sides clashed, he ordered his servants to beat the victim to death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deceased was Feng Yuan, a native of Jin Ling, whose parents had both passed, leaving him alone with a few elderly servants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was severely beaten by Xue Pan’s servants, carried home, and died within two days; his elderly servants then filed a complaint with the Ying Tian Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Tian Prefecture had arrested Xue Pan and imprisoned him, but for reasons unknown, Xue Pan suddenly fell ill and died—so the case was quietly dropped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yuan had lost both parents long ago, had no siblings, and distant relatives in his clan paid no attention; his few elderly servants were powerless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xue family compensated the Feng family with silver, and the elderly servants withdrew their complaint—the case was settled in confusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Tian Prefecture submitted the case documents to the Three Judicial Offices, since both suspect and victim were deceased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Feng family withdrew their petition; since no civilian pressed charges, the authorities did not pursue it, and the Three Judicial Offices found no fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The case was fully closed, yet Xue Pan now roams Shenyang alive and well—it’s as if one saw a ghost in broad daylight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin asked in a low voice: “According to the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices’ reply, when was this case officially closed? How long after did the Xue family relocate to Shenyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping flipped through his documents and said: “The two events were less than two months apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin sneered: “That’s no surprise—Xue Pan didn’t rise from the dead; someone tampered with the case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murder case like this, so neatly erased, with life and death swapped—this was adjudicated by Ying Tian Prefecture in Jin Ling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the incumbent Prefect of Ying Tian possessed such authority and means—what boldness this man had, treating the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices like fools!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping said: “The Prefect of Ying Tian is named Jia Yucun—he’s still in office. I’ve heard of him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He graduated from the imperial examination system, but was dismissed for corruption and favoritism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said he befriended Jia Zheng of Rongguo Prefecture, which allowed him to be reinstated as Prefect of Ying Tian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin sighed: “I’ve been to Jin Ling twice to investigate cases and met Jia Yucun several times—he has an impressive bearing and is seasoned in official circles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m close to Weiyuan Marquis Jia Cong, so I know a little about his family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To curry favor with Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Yucun has formally joined the Jia clan by lineage—by generational reckoning, he’s of the same generation as Jia Cong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than two months after Feng Yuan’s case was closed, the Xue family moved en masse to Shenyang—because Xue Pan was legally dead, he couldn’t show his face in Jin Ling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they moved directly into Rongguo Prefecture—likely, Rongguo Prefecture is deeply involved in Feng Yuan’s case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping said: “My lord, could Weiyuan Marquis have orchestrated this? Timing-wise, when Feng Yuan died, Weiyuan Marquis was precisely in Jin Ling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just cracked the Water Surveillance Office’s major case and was at the peak of his fame—he and Jia Yucun are kin by lineage; it would take only a few words…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin shook his head: “I was in Jin Ling then too, though I didn’t pay attention to this case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t know Jia Cong—he’s young, yet his shrewdness and ruthlessness are extraordinary; he’s a disciple of the Literary School, and values his reputation above all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his intelligence and methods, he would never be so reckless as to leave himself vulnerable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xue family’s in-laws are in Rongguo’s second branch; Jia Cong is from the eldest branch—given blood ties and proximity, he’d never involve himself needlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the Xue family and Jia Zheng’s wife are full sisters; Jia Zheng and Jia Yucun have deep ties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there’s a hidden truth here, it almost certainly lies with Jia Zheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin gave a bitter smile: “Xue Pan is entangled in the military supply leak case, though unintentionally—he doesn’t even qualify as an accomplice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whispers from the palace suggest he’ll be severely punished anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not Feng Yuan’s case surfaces, he’s already doomed—I’ve stirred up a pile of old, rotting trash for nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping, hearing this, felt a subtle shift in his thoughts—he knew Yang Hongbin was close to Jia Cong; it wasn’t a secret in Shenyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “My lord, Feng Yuan’s case has suspicious elements, but it’s unrelated to the military supply leak case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s set it aside for now and focus on the matter at hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin glanced at Zhou Ping: “I understand your meaning—even if we don’t mention it, the truth won’t stay hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices, alerted by our inquiry, will surely become wary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things are ignored until touched; once accidentally disturbed, they catch the attention of those with intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military supply leak case has drawn wide attention—the Southern Capital will soon learn we’re re-examining it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Shenyang and Jin Ling are far apart, Xue Pan is alive and active—how long can this be concealed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if not exposed immediately, once Xue Pan is convicted, the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices will act at once and reopen Feng Yuan’s case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Feng family has already withdrawn their petition, accepted the Xue family’s compensation, and has no relatives to pursue it—whether Xue Pan’s guilt is aggravated is legally ambiguous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices learn the truth, since no civilian presses charges, they won’t escalate it—otherwise, they’d face blame for negligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But holding Jia Yucun accountable later is inevitable—otherwise, how can the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices preserve their authority? The court’s opinion won’t tolerate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve already sent formal documents to the Southern Capital’s Three Judicial Offices—this is now on the official record; we’ll report it through normal channels, since this case isn’t ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t let ourselves pretend ignorance over something that will inevitably surface—don’t give the Dali Temple grounds for criticism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I feel sorry for Yuzhang—I hope I haven’t added more trouble for him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping didn’t know Jia Cong’s courtesy name, but from Yang Hongbin’s sigh, he could guess who was meant—he dared not ask further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two spoke, a jailer suddenly ran out of the dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told Yang Hongbin: “My lord, the suspect named Hui Niang appears to have been terrified beyond endurance—she’s fainted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s expression changed: “Was it because Duan Chunjiang’s torture kept echoing with screams, causing her to be overstimulated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jailer said: “You ordered me to watch this woman—Duan Chunjiang screamed in the interrogation room nonstop, and the woman kept crying and wailing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seems mentally unbalanced, her face ghastly—she likely fainted from sheer inability to endure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said: “Send for a physician from Huichun Hall—treat her. Don’t let her die; I still need her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jailer hurried off to fetch the physician; Zhou Ping asked: “My lord, Hui Niang was merely used by Duan Chunjiang—could she know something deeper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said: “When Duan Chunjiang screamed in torture, Hui Niang lost her composure, weeping and shrieking—it’s not ordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Chunjiang only used her, and Hui Niang isn’t a proper woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But women are women—they differ from men, possessing more vulnerabilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their relationship is chaotic, she’s still his bed companion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Chunjiang would let his guard down with her—leaving verbal traces isn’t surprising.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the jailer returned with a physician and led him into the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin re-entered the dungeon and stood quietly outside the cell, waiting; after a few minutes, the physician emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin asked: “Doctor, is her condition serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The physician said: “Her body is fine—she’s merely affected by external pathogenic factors, with palpitations and shortness of breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My lord, though she’s a suspect, to preserve her life, she must not be agitated further—she’s pregnant; pulse examination confirms nearly two months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s expression shifted slightly; after the physician left, he paced outside the cell, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he ordered the jailer to open the cell door and entered alone—he saw Hui Niang curled in the corner, pale, trembling, as if trapped in a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corridor outside, silence had just fallen, when suddenly, another scream erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was strong, even more shrill and twisted, unbearable to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin’s heart was cold as iron—he was an expert in interrogation, well-versed in such things—the Embroidered Uniform Guards were indeed skilled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They applied torture with precision, pausing every half hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gave him brief respite, fed him premium ginseng soup to restore his strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how could he scream so loudly, with such vigor, right after resuming torture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Duan Chunjiang’s screams came again, Hui Niang flinched like a startled cat, shrieking in terror, tears streaming, gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin watched coldly, letting the screams continue for several minutes, until he saw Hui Niang nearly collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he called to the jailer outside: “Go to the interrogation room—tell them I wish to speak with the suspect. Pause for now—wait for my next order!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1709,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","08732f85630b4baad73b886d24468fc95876aa68b9bda9c5aebbd0341780e23e","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-892","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-890",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]