Chapter 361: Announce Far and Wide

Fan Dongping's head was submerged in water, feeling like his chest was about to burst from holding his breath.

What exactly was wrapped around his face?

Gradually, that slick thing began to bore into his nostrils, and some moved along his lips and around his ears, as if competing to find an exit.

Fan Dongping couldn't open his eyes to see, nor could he reach out to touch.

This only intensified his inner fear.

Are they worms, or… snakes?

Nose, ears, mouth—don't, don't crawl in, save me, save me!

Fan Dongping had held his breath to the limit; he opened his mouth and a string of bubbles rose…

The turning wheel finally lifted Fan Dongping's head above the water.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he gulped air in great gasps.

The chief judge didn't even glance at him, for this punishment had only just begun.

As the wheel turned more times, the suspect's skin grew softer from prolonged soaking.

The small blind snakes kept in the water have no teeth; they only lightly suck on human flesh.

At first they merely nibbled the outer keratin layer, causing no pain—just a tingling, almost pleasant sensation.

But as the repetitions increased, the outer keratin wore away, yet the blind snakes did not stop.

From occasional pinpricks of pain, to a pervasive ache, then to flaying and gouging of flesh…

The seemingly gruesome outcome unfolds silently and gradually, bit by bit.

Like water wearing away stone, or an iron pestle grinding a needle.

Of course, most prisoners never experience the worst level of pain.

Because in this process, mental torment drives people mad the most.

Especially for someone like Fan Dongping, who has no scruples and no beliefs.

After the third immersion, he gasped and shouted, "There's something in the water, something's biting me!"

"Are they worms or fish? Have they burrowed into my nostrils? Come help me look!"

He wept and begged, but no one spoke.

Another round, and Fan Dongping kept muttering the same words.

But as he was about to enter the sixth round, he finally broke down.

"Tell me what you want to know—I'll say it all! Please, don't put me back under again!"

The chief judge said nothing, instead first glancing at the Regent Prince.

Until Fan Dongping sank back into the water and could no longer make a sound.

Mu Nan Zhao rose unhurriedly and said, "I'm weary; you carry on."

He took two steps, gazed at the night sky beyond the high window, and said, "You've all worked hard today; I'll have someone bring you late‑night snacks later."

The chief judge hastily rose and thanked him together with the prison guards.

Mu Nan Zhao said calmly, "The hour is still early; the prisoner isn't in a hurry to confess, so don't wear yourselves out."

"We'll talk when he truly wants to confess."

"No matter what method, as long as we obtain a confession before dawn."

They understood: they were to make Fan Dongping endure utmost suffering.

Otherwise, even if he himself begged to confess quickly, it wouldn't be allowed.

The chief judge also didn't wish to inquire why the Regent Prince singled out this suspect.

The prison guards also stared coldly at Fan Dongping.

They pondered how to "greet" him later.

After all, once Fan Dongping's crimes are laid out, anyone with a shred of conscience cannot help but feel righteous indignation.

If we don't make him suffer a bit more, we'd feel we've let down the countless wronged souls.

The next morning, after Mu Nan Zhao finished court and returned to the office, a neat stack of confessions awaited on his desk.

Mu Nan Zhao picked up the sheet bearing Fan Dongping's name and ran his eyes down it.

In an instant, dark clouds gathered, concealing thunderous fury.

"The Fan family…"

"Very good."

In the blink of an eye, the day of the metropolitan exam results arrived.

Around noon, An Qinghe paced by the second gate, continually urging the servants:

"Has the word been sent? Why haven't Boss Gu and Miss He come out yet?"

A maid smiled, "I've already done as you said, urging them twice."

"Young ladies always dress up before going out; please, Young Master An, be patient a little longer."

Others laughed too.

Everyone knew there was joy to be had, having heard that a cousin of Boss Gu had placed first in the metropolitan exam.

The top scholar had come to the capital together with Boss Gu and Master An, their friendship deep.

When the results were posted this morning, the surrounding prefectures had all sent out people to gather news.

Who had won, and which households had taken the top three spots, was already being shouted about all over the street.

An Qinghe happily spread the news throughout the manor, and gave each servant of the He household a reward.

Although he was a lodger, his good nature, loyalty, love of talk and laughter made him liked by everyone in the household, young and old.

An Qinghe anxiously paced in circles, "I missed congratulating him in person this morning; if I also miss seeing Brother Zi Chu riding through the streets, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

From behind came He Jinglan's laughter, "To keep you from having lifelong regrets, we've been hurrying along."

Today it's hot, and both of them changed into light spring robes.

One is lotus-root color, the other a tender goose-yellow; standing there, they are instantly eye-catching.

An Qinghe stared at Gu Xixi, dumbfounded.

When the two walked up to him, he finally blushed and said, "Then let's go, let's go."

To watch the Top Scholar's parade, you don't need to go far; just step out of the street where the He Mansion is and wait by the main road.

It's rare to see such liveliness, so He Jinglan brought along her four senior maids.

By the time they arrived, the roadside was already crowded with people.

Fortunately, An Qinghe was quick-witted and soon found a good spot.

He excitedly looked at Zhang Wang and said, "I've calculated the time in advance; if we aren't delayed on the road, after another cup of tea we should arrive here."

When they set out, the maids had prepared thoroughly, fearing the two young ladies would feel uncomfortable standing in the sun for too long.

They not only brought sun-shading paper umbrellas and folding fans, but also specially filled a whole jar with sour plum drink.

Following Gu Xixi's recipe, it had been boiled early in the morning.

First it was chilled in well water, and the jar also contained crushed ice.

While waiting, it had already approached noon, and basking in the sun for a while made them feel somewhat irritable from the heat.

Zi Yan and Lu La poured three cups of chilled sour plum drink.

The apricot-yellow horn cups held the sour plum drink, which looked fresh red and tempting, with sparkling ice floating on the surface.

Those nearby couldn't help but swallow their saliva upon seeing it.

He Jinglan took a big gulp, her expression barely concealing her pleasure.

Finally someone couldn't resist asking, "Summer hasn't even started yet; I wonder which tea shop began selling sour plum drink so early this year?"

He Jinglan smiled and said, "This is something we made ourselves at home."

That person licked his dry lips, stared at the sour plum drink, and his saliva production sped up.

"No wonder," he said, "I said the color, the appearance—it really isn't ordinary."

Guang Zhu's little face was full of pride as she said, "Of course it's not bragging; our family's sour plum drink has a unique secret recipe—even if you waited until summer and bought it elsewhere, its flavor couldn't be compared."

After Guang Zhu had finished saying everything, He Jinglan then half-heartedly pretended to scold her:

"You chatty maid, who asked you?"

The asker, as well as the many people around who had been listening intently, felt disappointed and yet even more craving.

At this moment, Zi Yan softly said, "The young lady's sugar-water shop is about to open."

"But the young lady always says sour plum drink is too commonplace and doesn't want to put it in the shop for sale."

"We servants always feel it's a bit of a pity."

Before He Jinglan could speak, someone nearby already said, "Sell it—we must sell it!"

Others chimed in, "Speaking of summer, you can't do without a cup of iced sour plum drink!"

"Where is your shop? Once it opens, I will definitely come for a bowl!"