n

n

nHan Wenji was not amused to hear the answer of his son.

"Sheng Li, then why did you used to say to me that you love the Prime Minister's daughter? You are confused in yourself,

" Han Wenji proclaimed.

nSheng Li had a serious expression on his face.

"Father, I will be truthful to you. I did not want to marry in the first place. I feel if I lie to the father, then he might stop my marriage. I tried the same with Ying Lili, but it did not bother her, which was satisfying for me. Xue used to care for me despite my nature. That's what I always liked about her. I thought about marrying her for that same reason until I found out that she is power-hungry like her father. To tell you the truth, I do not know what love is! I just know it makes people weak and sad,

" Sheng Li told his father with a chuckle.

n

"When I killed people during the campaign, I realized how much it weakened them rather than giving them the strength. If I have to survive in this world, I must live like that - not loving anyone, not being affectionate to anyone. Indeed, there will be sadness for some time but at least it will not make me feel like a loser.

" Han Wenji learned that his son had turned into a man which the former queen would never want him to be!

nWas it because Sheng Li lost his mother at the time when he needed her the most or was it because he, as a father, could not look after Sheng Li? The Emperor was wondering while peering at the Crown Prince.

nThe Emperor was with all of his sons during their childhood days, but with Sheng Li, it was the opposite. Han Wenji left the day his Queen gave birth to Sheng Li and could not return for four years. Han Wenji could see the loneliness in Sheng Li's face, which broke his heart into a million pieces.

nSheng Li never told his father those feelings he used to feel instead he buried them inside his heart until today he had slightly opened up to him.

n

"Do you remember what your mother used to say?

" Han Wenji asked Sheng Li softly.

n

"I forgot,

" Sheng Li told a white lie to his father.

"Father, I shall leave. I have an investigation to do. Do not worry too much about me.

" Sheng Li stood up; bowed his head and left. Han Wenji took a deep sigh as he saw Sheng Li walking away.

n

"I hope the Crown Princess will give him that love and care,

" Han Wenji muttered.

nSheng Li reached the Prison after a while. The soldiers standing at the entrance bowed their heads seeing the Crown Prince. Sheng Li had that murderous gaze in his eyes which he used to have whenever he entered the battleground. Commander Tao, who was instructing the soldiers about a matter, saw the Crown Prince coming.

nTao Zedong dismissed the soldiers and went towards the Crown Prince. Joining both hands, Commander Tao greeted the Crown Prince.

"Your highness, it is good to see you healthy again,

" Tao said delightedly.

n

"Where is Xiao Zhan? What about the King of Juyan and the others?

" Sheng Li questioned.

n

"Your highness, General Xiao is waiting for you in the Prison where the King of Juyan is imprisoned,

" Tao Zedong replied as he followed the fast steps of the Crown Prince. He realized that the Crown Prince was not in a good mood.

nThey soon reached the prison. Xiao Zhan bowed his head seeing the Crown Prince enter inside the gate.

nSong Li Xiu, the King of Juyan, was hanging on a wooden plank. Both his hands were tied with shackles and hung up. He was tortured badly and could hardly open his eyes.

"Did he tell who the mastermind is behind all this?

" Sheng Li questioned Xiao Zhan.

n

"No, your highness,

" Xiao Zhan replied. Sheng Li picked the hot iron rod from the furnace and pierced that through the chest of Song Li Xiu who cried in pain.

"You should have demanded death that day. At least you would not have to go through this pain,

" Sheng Li told Song Li Xiu as he gripped his hair with his other hand and kept piercing the hot iron through the skin of Song Li Xiu.

n

"P-please f-forgive me,

" Song Li Xiu spoke in a meek voice. Sheng Li threw the rod to the other side.

nSheng Li again grabbed a fistful of Song Li Xiu's hair and pulled him closer.

"You shall know that I do not forgive people easily. I forgive them when they die,

" Sheng Li whispered.

n

"You might have been told by the mastermind that you will be sent back safely to Juyan, but let me clear your illusion. You will die in this prison only. Your wife and your children will be turned into slaves so, better tell me the name. Do not even dare take the name of

nLili because I cannot stand those who lie. Earlier I had forgiven you twice - once when you killed your elder brother and the second time when you lied to Lili that I killed the former King of Juyan. Believe me, you will die a slow and painful death if you will not tell me the name of the mastermind,

" Sheng Li threatened Song Li Xiu.

n

"P-Prime,

" Song Li Xiu was meekly saying the name, showing his blood-filled teeth, when a poisoned needle hit him near his neck. Song Li Xiu died at that very moment.

nSheng Li immediately turned to look at a soldier, who had taken the poison at the same time and died within a second. Tao Zedong ran towards the soldier who threw the poisoned needle at Song Li Xiu and checked his nerve.

"He is dead!

" Tao Zedong informed the Crown Prince who snickered.

n

"Leave it! Whoever did this is foolish,

" Sheng Li muttered.

n

"Check on those two maids,

" Sheng Li asserted. Xiao Zhan left for the other prisons.

"Prime Minister, your end is near,

" Sheng Li muttered.

n