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Feng Cheng’s expression shifted several times as he glared at Li Shimin. “So what if it’s true? It’s obvious that wild girl killed Chunxiu. Yet you shielded her, claiming Chunxiu died accidentally and punishing us with forty lashes. Do you think I’d let this matter rest?” Smiling sinisterly, he continued, “Even if you uncover that we tampered with the household registry, what good will it do? Without the original record, you can’t prove Wu Laosan’s age. He remains within the conscription range!”
Magistrate Qin barked, “Feng Cheng, hand over the original household registry immediately, or face severe consequences!”
“Consequences?” Feng Cheng sneered. “My daughter is dead, and my son has been conscripted—essentially dead as well. What mercy do you expect to show me? I know you hold power, and killing us would be easy. But Wu Laosan? Save him? Impossible! He must die!”
Feng Chunming chimed in, grinding his teeth. “Yes! We must avenge our sister’s murder!” To them, being conscripted equated to a death sentence. With nothing left to lose, they feared nothing.
While they embraced death, others did not. Lu Sheng shouted, “You lunatics! If you want to die, fine—but I don’t! Hand over the registry immediately!”
“You think I’d actually keep that record?” Li Feng smirked, his words sending a chill down Lu Sheng’s spine. “I burned it—all of it—the day you handed it over. Not even ashes remain.”
His words turned Lu Sheng ashen. Lunging forward, he grabbed Li Feng’s collar and screamed, “I told you to safeguard that registry! How could you burn it? Bring it back—now!” Without the registry, neither Second Young Master nor Magistrate Qin would spare him.
Li Feng shoved him off, his tone icy. “I said I burned it. How do you expect me to produce it now? Blame yourself for being so stupid, Lu Sheng. How did someone like you ever become chief clerk?”
“You!” Lu Sheng seethed, unable to speak. Damn it! If only he hadn’t handed the registry to this madman, Li Feng. What was he to do now? Was death truly inevitable?
Meanwhile, Feng Cheng glared at Li Shimin, his voice venomous. “I know you, Second Young Master, are powerful, and your family wields immense influence in Honghua Prefecture. But so what? Without the original registry, even you can’t save Wu Laosan. He’ll never escape conscription. Today, I’ll make Wu Laosan pay with his life for my poor daughter!” With that, he threw his head back and laughed—a chilling, sinister laugh.
Yunyi stepped forward, her voice steady. “Feng Cheng, your hatred is for me, not my father. Spare him.”
“Never!” Feng Cheng abruptly stopped laughing, his eyes boring into Yunyi. “The one most deserving of death is indeed you. Unfortunately, you’re protected within the Taishou’s mansion and have seduced Second Young Master. I can’t touch you, so I’ll settle for the next best thing.” Smiling cruelly, he added, “In fact, this works better. You and your father share such deep affection. Once Wu Laosan departs, he’s as good as dead. I imagine… this will torment you endlessly!”
Before Yunyi could respond, Li Shimin, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. “That household registry—it was never burned.”
Li Feng’s expression shifted slightly, but he sneered, “It was burned. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
Li Shimin’s lips curled faintly as he extended his hand. “Bring it forth!”
At his words, Duan Zhiming retrieved a ledger from his sleeve and handed it to Li Shimin, who held it up. “Li Feng, tell me—what is this?”
“The household registry?” Seeing the three large characters on the cover, Li Feng’s expression darkened. Shaking his head repeatedly, he stammered, “Impossible! I clearly hid it…” Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence, a sly smile spreading across his face. “How close I came to falling for your trick, Second Young Master.”
Li Shimin’s grip on the ledger tightened imperceptibly as his voice grew colder. “What do you mean by that?”
“It was exactly this tactic you used to make Chunming confess about the pearls. Now you’re trying the same trick to get me to reveal where I’ve hidden the registry. Am I right?”
Li Shimin stared at him silently. Over the past few days, Duan Zhiming had uncovered their collusion and criminal dealings. However, the whereabouts of the household registry remained elusive. With the conscription deadline approaching, Li Shimin had gambled on this bluff—but Li Feng had seen through it.
“Second Young Master, you’re clever. True, I didn’t burn the registry—it still holds some use. But… I’ve hidden it in a place you’d never suspect. Unless you search every inch of this county, you’ll never find it.”
Li Shimin’s gaze darkened. “Li Feng, if you hand over the registry, I’ll plead with Magistrate Qin to spare your life.”
Leaning closer, Li Feng smirked mockingly. “Should I thank you for your great benevolence, Second Young Master?” Before Li Shimin could respond, Li Feng spat directly onto his face. “Everything I’ve suffered is thanks to you and that whore, Wu Meixue. Thank me? Don’t insult me further!”
Even for ordinary people, being spat upon was a grave humiliation—let alone for someone of Li Shimin’s stature. Duan Zhiming kicked Li Feng to the ground, then yanked him up by the collar, roaring, “You dare insult Second Young Master? I’ll beat you senseless!”
“Zhiming!” Li Shimin stopped Duan Zhiming’s raised fist. After wiping the spit from his face, he spoke icily. “Li Feng, this is your final chance. Otherwise, I’ll leave it to Magistrate Qin to employ torture. As a former constable, you should know how terrifying those instruments can be.”
A flicker of fear crossed Li Feng’s eyes, but he quickly hardened his tone. “Of course I know. But… there’s one kind of person who won’t utter a word, no matter how much torture you inflict.” Before anyone could react, he swiftly drew a long blade from Duan Zhiming’s waist, pressed it against his neck, and slashed forcefully…
Bright red blood spurted out as Li Feng fell backward, his actions delivering a clear message to everyone—dead men tell no tales.
Duan Zhiming had never expected Li Feng to seize the blade and commit suicide. With Li Feng dead, the household registry… was now impossible to find. Realizing this, he ignored the blood splattered on his face and hastily knelt before Li Shimin. “This subordinate was negligent. Please punish me, Second Young Master!”
Li Shimin gazed at Li Feng’s wide-eyed corpse and sighed. “It was my oversight—I failed to detect his resolve to die.”
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