Chapter 197: Is It Her?

Jiang Mingyu's eyes blazed like lightning as he stood among the servants, his face expressionless. Behind him flew a tall red banner bearing three large characters: "Xilai Shun." This was his hotpot mutton shop in the state capital, his secret base. His operatives came and went through this place, carrying out all manner of missions.

"Our army recently suffered a defeat at Lingna. You've all heard the news," he said coldly, his voice slicing like a blade into their hearts.

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, thinking: What does this have to do with us lowly servants? We're just menials—how would we know anything about military affairs?

"Our defeat came because someone secretly leaked our plans. And that traitor is among you!" Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice, his gaze blazing as it swept over every face.

"What!" The servants erupted in shock, unable to believe it. They were all personally selected by Jiang Mingyu, raised alongside him since childhood—how could one among them do such a thing?

"Master, are you joking?" a young servant stammered. He was one of Jiang Mingyu's favorite attendants, always by his side.

Jiang Mingyu's eyes flashed with cold light. The servant felt a chill run down his spine and fell silent, trembling as he sensed the killer intent radiating from his master.

"I never joke," Jiang Mingyu said slowly, each word deliberate. "The traitor, step forward now. Perhaps I'll show mercy. If you hide any longer, don't blame me for executing you all."

The servants exchanged glances, wondering if this was real or a test. Did their master truly know who the traitor was—or was he just probing them? What if they stepped forward? What if they didn't?

A maid stepped forward and knelt, weeping: "Master, I know nothing! Please spare us!"

A young servant stumbled forward, sobbing uncontrollably: "Master, tell us who did it! We all beg to be examined to prove our innocence!"

Jiang Mingyu remained unmoved and strode away. He did not answer the servant's plea—he already had a plan: tonight, he would expose the traitor.

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, each guessing who the traitor might be. Jiang Mingyu's move had thrown them into panic and chaos. They didn't understand his true intent, only that he was deliberately instilling fear to force the traitor to reveal himself.

At this moment, he stood quietly to the side. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, observed every movement with meticulous precision.

Jiang Mingyu watched the kneeling servants, each bowing their heads in submission, yet none stepped forward to confess. Their faces showed fear, anger, grievance—but not one dared meet his knife-sharp gaze.

Jiang Mingyu sneered and strode off: "Keep kneeling. See how long you can endure it."

His voice pierced their hearts like ice, sending shivers through them. They knew Jiang Mingyu wasn't bluffing—he had the power to make them kneel until they died. They also knew he didn't suspect them without cause—he had evidence. But they didn't know how much evidence he held, or whether it would implicate them.

The servants exchanged silent glances, too terrified to speak. They endured the icy cold beneath their knees, feeling their blood freeze and their lives ebb away. All they thought: Find the traitor—make him confess—save us all!

Zhu Ge Yu hurried after him and whispered: "Master, forgive me, but this interrogation is unwise. The traitor won't confess so easily."

Zhu Ge Yu was Jiang Mingyu's favorite disciple and most trusted aide. He had investigated the matter alongside Jiang Mingyu and understood why he acted this way—but he thought it was excessive, cruel. He couldn't bear to see these innocent people suffer.

Jiang Mingyu replied calmly: "Don't fret, disciple. I have my own strategy. This is merely a feint—my true intent lies elsewhere."

Zhu Ge Yu was baffled: "Then what is your true purpose? Merely to humiliate them?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, said nothing more, and only added: "Go check on Jiani. Is she feeling better?"

Zhu Ge Yu remained utterly confused, trailing behind Jiang Mingyu, muttering to himself: "Master's move is impossible to fathom."

What Zhu Ge Yu didn't know was that Jiang Mingyu had already secretly monitored every servant's movements. He knew the traitor would attempt to flee or contact an accomplice. All he needed to do was wait for the traitor to slip up—and then strike. These servants were merely pawns to scare the traitor into revealing himself; he had no intention of harming them.

Night deepened; the stars glittered. The kneeling servants bowed their heads, numb and lifeless. Their knees were soaked through with icy snowwater, nerves screaming. Their clothes, drenched in sweat, had frozen stiff. Their breaths grew faint, as if each could be their last.

Zhu Ge Yu watched the scene and whispered, unable to bear it: "Master, it's late. This method yields nothing. Shouldn't we devise a new plan for tomorrow?"

His voice carried pity and reluctance. Though Jiang Mingyu's most trusted disciple, he was still human—he couldn't bear to see these innocent souls suffer.

Jiang Mingyu remained unmoved, calmly replying: "Don't rush, disciple. The hour is nearly upon us."

His voice was cold and resolute. Though a young, handsome man, he was also ruthless. He cared nothing for the lives of these insignificant people.

Moments later, only a quarter-hour remained before the third watch. Jiang Mingyu suddenly opened his eyes and whispered: "Come. We go to take him."

His eyes gleamed with icy light. Though a refined gentleman, he was also brilliant and fearless—he had already spotted the traitor's signs.

Zhu Ge Yu, still confused, followed Jiang Mingyu to the courtyard where the servants knelt.

The night was deep; some slept, others were awake. Suddenly, Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up as he pointed to the shadow of a maid—bowed low, trembling, glancing nervously left and right.

"Seize her!" he ordered sharply.

Under the moonlight, Zhu Ge Yu finally recognized the captive: Xing Youli, Liu Yifei's personal maid.

Bound tightly, she knelt before Jiang Mingyu, shivering, face ashen. Once a beautiful, radiant woman, she now looked like a bird terrified of arrows. Once a loyal servant, she now resembled a venomous, cunning serpent.

Zhu Ge Yu remained bewildered, but Jiang Mingyu sneered: "At last, you've walked into my trap. I never expected it to be you."

Only then did Zhu Ge Yu realize: his master had seen through everything and laid a perfect net! Youli was the traitor—the one who secretly leaked military secrets, betrayed her master, framed comrades, sowed discord, twisted truth, and committed every evil deed!

Xing Youli knelt, tears streaming: "Master, I'm innocent! Please believe me!"

Her voice was mournful and shrill. Though a traitor, she was still a woman—she didn't want to die. She wanted to live.

His voice was cold and certain—he had seen everything.

Zhu Ge Yu still didn't understand, but Jiang Mingyu declared: "She is unquestionably the traitor!"

His voice rang clear and decisive. He fully trusted his master's judgment.

Xing Youli cried out: "Master, I've never left Liu's mansion—how could I know any operations? Please listen to me!"

Her voice was frantic with fear. Though a traitor, she was also cowardly—she dared not admit her guilt.

Jiang Mingyu's face remained blank. He raised a hand: "Torture her."

His voice was flat and merciless. Though a man, he was also a demon—he granted no one any mercy.

Xing Youli struggled and screamed, soon bound tightly. Jiang Mingyu stared at her, eyes like knives: "Still refuse to confess? Shall I pull out your fingernails one by one?"

His voice was chilling and cruel. Though human, he was also a beast—he offered no pity.

Xing Youli's face turned deathly pale, sobs choking her: "Master, you're mistaken! I truly know nothing!"

Her voice was desperate and weak. Though a woman, she was already dead—she had no hope left.

Jiang Mingyu snorted and turned to leave. At that moment, Xing Youli screamed: "I've cared for Miss Liu all this time—how could I harm her? Master, think again!"

Her voice was filled with anguish and madness.

Jiang Mingyu paused, his expression shifting unpredictably…