Princess Serenity wasn’t in a hurry to have Serena Feng tortured. Instead, she stood up and admired the instruments of punishment in the room.
She didn’t mind the filth or the hassle, and asked those around her about the uses of these torture devices.
"Princess, this is called the flesh-combing tool. It’s covered in iron spikes. Just a gentle scrape on the back, and the flesh will fall off like noodles."
"Princess, this is a small heavy cangue. It fits over the fingers and arms, and the weight is increased bit by bit until the fingers or arms are bent and ruined. There’s no blood, but the limbs are destroyed—and even the best doctor can’t fix it."
"Princess, this is called the confinement device. It’s full of barbs inside and fits around the lower body, making it impossible to sit or stand comfortably. The barbs will tear apart the abdomen and everything below."
"Princess..."
One by one, the people behind her introduced the devices. Princess Serenity listened with interest, but her gaze settled on Serena Feng.
Unfortunately for Princess Serenity, Serena Feng didn’t show any sign of fear or terror.
Serena Feng kept her eyes closed and her head down, looking lifeless and resigned.
Princess Serenity wasn’t annoyed. She smiled sweetly and said, “Serena Feng, don’t rush. I have plenty of time today. To make sure you don’t pass out, I’ve prepared a hundred-year-old ginseng and even brought the imperial physician. No matter what, I’ll keep you alive—so you can enjoy every moment.”
Serena Feng’s calm left Princess Serenity feeling no sense of accomplishment.
In the palace, just the threat of corporal punishment could make a maid tremble with fear. Serena Feng truly had courage.
"Princess, you may be disappointed. Serena Feng will never give you what you want."
Serena Feng closed her eyes, letting the guards turn the torture rack so her back faced Princess Serenity.
Her instructor once said, when faced with perverse torture methods, suicide was an option.
But...
Someone who’s died once is truly afraid of dying.
If she had the courage to consider suicide, how could she lack the courage to face what’s ahead?
Hoo...
Facing the wall, Serena Feng took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
No matter what punishment Princess Serenity used, she wouldn’t make a sound.
Her mother, back in the Bloodcloak Guard’s prison, endured four major tortures without a single cry. Serena could do the same.
Serena Feng tensed her whole body, waiting for the pain to begin.
"Princess." The guard presented the iron comb with both hands.
"Wait. Turn Serena Feng around." Princess Serenity lifted her eyelids and ordered.
She wasn’t interested in seeing Serena Feng’s back—she wanted to see Serena’s face twisted in pain.
"Yes." The guard complied, turning the rack around and moving it forward for easier punishment.
Serena Feng kept her eyes closed, silent, as if none of this concerned her.
At this point, even if she had strength, there was nowhere to use it. Instead of wasting energy on useless resistance, she focused on whether she could endure until Princess Serenity got her fill of cruelty.
"Begin." A vicious glint flashed in Princess Serenity’s eyes.
Serena Feng felt a chill behind her. Her fingers curled unconsciously; if her limbs weren’t restrained, she’d be shaking all over.
She thought she wasn’t afraid, but only now did she realize that so-called fearlessness was just self-deception.
No matter how much mental preparation she did, when it came down to it, she still couldn’t suppress the fear in her heart.
What should I do? What should I do?
Help!
Is there anyone who can save her?
Serena Feng bit her lip in a silent scream, her face contorted in pain. Princess Serenity was delighted: “Hahaha, Serena Feng, I thought you’d grown used to torture in the Bloodcloak Guard’s prison and wouldn’t be afraid. Turns out you are scared. That makes this even more fun.”
"Do it."
The cold iron spikes pierced Serena Feng’s skin, beads of blood welling up.
"Ugh..." Serena Feng couldn’t help but cry out in pain, her back stiffening.
Just when she thought the iron spikes would drag downward, a voice from her dreams rang out.
"Stop!"
Bang...
The door to the Punishment Room was kicked open. At the same moment, Serena Feng felt a gust of wind behind her—the guard who’d been torturing her crashed into the stone wall with a thud.
It happened so fast—just a blink, and everything had changed.
By the time Serena Feng and Princess Serenity processed what was happening, they saw the Ninth Royal Uncle, Nolan Dongling, standing at the doorway like a deity, his face icy cold.
"N-Ninth Royal Uncle!" Princess Serenity sprang up from her chair in panic.
What’s going on? Why would Ninth Royal Uncle be here?
Commander Lucan Lu’s face turned ashen as he stood, then dropped to his knees with a thud: "Your servant greets Ninth Royal Uncle—may you live a thousand years! I didn’t know you were coming and failed to welcome you. Please forgive me."
What kind of day is this? Are all the imperial sons and daughters bored? Why are they all showing up at the Bloodcloak Guard’s prison?
Serena Feng’s eyes flashed with wild joy.
She’d only met Ninth Royal Uncle a few times, but for some reason, Serena trusted him.
With Ninth Royal Uncle here, nothing bad would happen to her today.
Serena Feng’s anxious heart calmed the moment Nolan Dongling arrived.
Hmph...
Nolan Dongling strode into the Punishment Room, and with his arrival, a heavy pressure settled over the whole place.
Princess Serenity hurried to step aside, and Nolan Dongling sat down unceremoniously in her former seat.
Once seated, the eunuch trailing behind him somehow produced a teapot and a cup, pouring tea for Nolan Dongling.
Coming to the Bloodcloak Guard for tea!
A smile flashed in Serena Feng’s eyes.
This Ninth Royal Uncle really was something else.
In Eastlyn, coming to the Bloodcloak Guard for tea was like a modern official going to the disciplinary commission for tea—everyone who goes in never comes out.
Ninth Royal Uncle just sat there, silent. Princess Serenity was deeply uneasy—she feared no one except this cold-faced uncle, only a few years older than herself.
For today’s events to alarm the usually uninvolved Ninth Royal Uncle, Princess Serenity knew this wouldn’t end well. Even Serena Feng’s life or death was no longer in her hands!
Because Ninth Royal Uncle had intervened!
Nolan Dongling strode straight into the Punishment Room. With his arrival, the entire room felt suffocating, weighed down by his presence.
Princess Serenity quickly stepped aside, and Nolan Dongling, utterly unceremonious, sat in her former seat.
Once Nolan Dongling sat down, the eunuch behind him somehow produced a teapot and cup, pouring tea for him.
Coming to the Bloodcloak Guard for tea!
A smile flashed in Serena Feng’s eyes.
This Ninth Royal Uncle really was something else.
In Eastlyn, coming to the Bloodcloak Guard for tea was like a modern official going to the disciplinary commission for tea—everyone who goes in never comes out.
Ninth Royal Uncle just sat there, silent. Princess Serenity was deeply uneasy—she feared no one except this cold-faced uncle, only a few years older than herself.
For today’s events to alarm the usually uninvolved Ninth Royal Uncle, Princess Serenity knew this wouldn’t end well. Even Serena Feng’s life or death was no longer in her hands!
Because Ninth Royal Uncle had intervened!