Chapter 450: Confrontation

The man holding the lantern for Wang Zhen couldn't help looking up at him, his face stunned as he swept a glance at Pan Yun.

Wang Zhen wasn't particularly surprised, only taken aback by her youth; he nodded, and immediately someone behind him stepped forward with a key to unlock the prison door.

The rats crammed inside the cell scattered in a panic, each snatching up a torn-off bun and fleeing.

Wang Zhen frowned as he raised his foot, paused a moment, then stepped inside anyway.

Pan Yun smiled faintly, stepped down nimbly, slipped on her shoes, and walked to the table to sit down. "Don't disdain them—these filthy creatures haven't seen sunlight in ages; suddenly spotting a bun, even if moldy and cold, is a feast to them, naturally wanting to claim it all."

Pan Yun looked up at Wang Zhen and smiled. "If you'd arrived a few steps later, I might've seen them fight each other to the death over it. Too bad you came too soon—you scared them off."

Wang Zhen sat down opposite her, withdrew his gaze, and raised his hand; instantly, someone brought tea and served it.

"I've heard of your age before, but seeing you in person still shocks me—I never imagined someone so young could possess such courage."

Pan Yun: "Flattery, nothing compared to Master Wang."

Wang Zhen, seeing her grinning and utterly unafraid, couldn't help a slight smirk. "You seem confident—but you probably don't know the Emperor hates deception most of all. Pretending to be someone else to get close to him? That alone is treason. You won't leave this imperial prison alive."

Pan Yun: "Sounds terrifying, but…"

Pan Yun leaned forward, studying him with a smile. "Who said I deceived the Emperor? I've been perfectly honest. Don't believe me? Go ask the Emperor yourself, Master Wang."

Wang Zhen snorted coldly. "Stubborn to the end. Let's see how much composure you still have after the tortures."

Pan Yun feigned terror. "I'm so scared! But Master Wang—this is the Northern Town Surveillance Office, not the Southern. Can you really override the Emperor and order punishment here?"

Wang Zhen, smug and satisfied, smirked slightly. "Go ahead, try me."

Pan Yun clapped her hands, the sharp "clap, clap" echoing through the prison. "Impressive, impressive! No wonder you're the Emperor's favorite. I've heard rumors—this empire isn't ruled by the Zhu family; it's ruled by the Wangs! Truly, the legends are true."

Wang Zhen watched her calmly, lips curled. "Drop that sowing-discontent act. These words may reach my ears, but they won't leave this imperial prison."

Pan Yun gasped. "Oh dear! You caught me—I thought perhaps one or two loyal prison guards or eunuchs here might carry a message to the Emperor."

"Audacious!" one of Wang Zhen's men barked, stepping forward—but Wang Zhen raised his hand to stop him.

Wang Zhen knew their conversation wouldn't be leaked; he didn't bother scolding her, instead asked directly: "Pan Yun—are you truly Pan Hong's daughter?"

Pan Yun looked genuinely astonished. "You suspect I'm an impostor?"

Wang Zhen sneered. "Many civil and military officials want to destroy me. Using the Xue Xuan and Pan Hong cases to strike at me isn't out of the question."

He leaned forward, eyes locked on Pan Yun, speaking slowly, word by word: "Girl, you're young. Others can offer you things—I can offer you more. Even greater prospects. Just tell me who's behind you."

Pan Yun leaned forward too, eyes curious. "I have no mastermind—but I'm curious what you'd offer me. What exactly can you give me?"

Wang Zhen smirked. "If you can prove Yang Shiqi ordered you to frame me, I'll grant you anything you desire."

Pan Yun bit her finger, eyes wide with shock, awe, and delight. "Really?"

Wang Zhen smiled and nodded.

Pan Yun leaned close to Wang Zhen's ear and whispered: "Then… can I become Emperor?" Wang Zhen's face changed instantly—he slammed his fist on the table and roared: "Audacious!"

Pan Yun pulled back, lifted her head, and burst into loud laughter.

Seeing her reaction, Wang Zhen realized he'd been mocked. Furious and enraged, he barked: "Take her away! Bring out the big tortures!"

The jailers surged in—but Pan Yun immediately raised her hand. "No need, no need—I'll go myself."

She strode out boldly. One jailer reached to shove her, hoping to curry favor with Wang Zhen—but she seemed to sense it behind her. As his hand pushed, she accelerated, zipping ahead in a flash, evading his touch entirely. His force landed on empty air, nearly sending him sprawling.

Pan Yun walked at the front, sleeves swinging, like a leader leading a procession, followed by a crowd of jailers and eunuchs.

Everyone: …

Wang Zhen seethed. He'd only wanted to see her, threaten her—but now he'd changed his mind.

Pan Yun, familiar with the layout, found the torture chamber without hesitation. Not only did she walk ahead, she pushed open the door herself.

She glanced around, clicked her tongue. "These torture tools look terrifying."

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By the time the jailers rushed over, Pan Yun had already picked up a torture device from the table and was studying it intently.

She lifted a whip studded with nails, slowly dragging it across the table and the wall.

The crowd parted, clearing a path for Wang Zhen to enter.

Pan Yun strolled back and asked him: "Master Wang, have you used all these tools yourself?"

Wang Zhen sneered. "I don't do such crude work. Others handle these tasks for me."

He gave her a half-smile. "I have men under me who know every meridian and acupoint. They know exactly where it hurts most, how to torture so the victim begs for death but can't die."

"Girl, you're too young to understand the true nature of these tools. You can't grasp their quality just by looking. Shall I have someone explain them to you?"

Pan Yun lightly tapped the palm of her hand with the whip—the nails pricked her flesh with a faint sting.

She paused, dropped the whip, and with her right fingers, gently wiped the blood welling from her left palm. "I've already felt it. But if Master Wang could have someone walk me through them, I'd be honored to listen and learn."

Wang Zhen tilted his head slightly. A jailer stepped forward, picked up a clamp, and explained to Pan Yun: "This is for pulling out fingernails and toenails. We clamp them and rip them off alive. Our skill is excellent—we draw minimal blood, extract the cleanest nails, leaving no trace…"

Pan Yun walked over and lightly traced her right finger across the table…

When the jailer finished his explanation, everyone stared at Pan Yun's face. Was it their imagination, or did her face look a little paler?

Wang Zhen was satisfied. "Scared, aren't you?"

"It's terrifying," Pan Yun said, walking to a pillar. She dragged her left thumbnail across her palm—the wound, already clotting, bled again. With her back to them, she dipped her right fingers in the blood and slowly traced it along the pillar. She sighed softly: "What a pity. I really want to submit. Truly, Master Wang—believe me, I'm not made of iron."

(End of Chapter)