119: Cao Nie, we can't do this.
A trace of panic flashed in Du Meiniang's eyes, and she hastily pulled her hand away from Cao Nie, retreating several steps to put distance between them.
"Cao Nie, we can't do this," her voice trembled, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. "You belong to Xiao Qin. If she finds out..."
Before she could finish, Cao Nie had already moved in.
His strong arms wrapped around her impossibly slender waist from behind.
His warm breath brushed her ear, and a light kiss unexpectedly landed on her flushed cheek.
"What are you afraid of? Just don't let her find out."
His low voice was seductive, shaking Du Meiniang's resolve.
Her body trembled, and she turned her face away. "This... this is wrong."
Cao Nie chuckled softly. "But you didn't really push me away, did you?"
Du Meiniang's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling.
Cao Nie's lips brushed her earlobe almost imperceptibly, causing her to shiver.
"Don't!" Her voice, like her resistance, was tiny and faint, making it seem particularly laughable.
Cao Nie gave her no more time to think, scooping her up and striding towards the only table in the interrogation room.
Du Meiniang gasped, instinctively clutching her collar.
Ultimately, she didn't resist.
A few breaths later.
The creaking of the wooden chair was exceptionally clear in the silence.
The soundproofing barrier had long been set up.
After a long while, she dragged her weary body away, her footsteps gradually fading outside the cell.
Not long after, Du Xiaoxiao pushed the door open and entered.
The two sisters looked almost identical, even their slender waists were indistinguishable.
Cao Nie was incredibly curious if the twin sisters' inner selves were as similar as their outer appearance.
"Sister-in-law, you don't want to die, do you?"
Du Xiaoxiao's nostrils flared slightly, and she frowned.
How could this man have her sister's unique jasmine scent on him? And then she recalled the faint redness at the corners of her sister's eyes just now.
A preposterous guess exploded in her heart.
"You touched my sister?" She didn't beat around the bush, exposing Cao Nie on the spot.
Cao Nie had no intention of hiding it and said frankly, "Very keen observation skills."
Du Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes. "For what reason?"
When her sister returned, she was quiet. If Du Xiaoxiao hadn't known her sister even better than Li Yan, she wouldn't have noticed.
"A chance to live." Cao Nie took a step closer. "Now, it's your turn to choose."
He was very much looking forward to seeing if she would make the same decision as Du Meiniang.
Du Xiaoxiao's breath hitched slightly, her fingertips unconsciously digging into her palms.
The sunlight from outside the cell streamed through the window, elongating their shadows.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice almost inaudible. "You promise to let us live?"
Cao Nie's lips curved slightly, and he raised a hand to caress her cheek. "Of course! Provided you are obedient enough."
Du Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, her chest heaving violently.
When she opened them again, the struggle in her eyes had been replaced by determination.
She slowly raised her hand and clutched Cao Nie's lapel. "I hope you don't go back on your word."
Cao Nie's smile deepened. "A clever woman!"
If her sister hadn't agreed, she would never have agreed either.
The next second, he pressed her against the cold torture rack, the iron chains behind her clinking faintly.
Du Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip and turned her head away.
Cao Nie pinched her chin, forcing her head back.
"Look at me," he said coldly. "Since you've chosen, don't put on a wronged expression."
Du Xiaoxiao's eyelashes trembled, and she finally looked him directly in the eyes, the humiliation and unwillingness clearly visible, mixed with a hint of resigned compromise.
Cao Nie smiled with satisfaction.
Indeed, these twin sisters, even their expressions of submission, were so similar.
Inside Du Meiniang's cell.
She stared intently at the cell door; she hadn't taken her eyes off it since Du Xiaoxiao was taken out.
She surmised that Du Xiaoxiao might have made the same choice as her.
They had a telepathic connection; she vaguely heard Du Xiaoxiao's gasps.
Just like the questioning look in Du Xiaoxiao's eyes when she had entered.
She looked at Li Yan and his brother nearby.
Her heart was filled with apology, hoping that in their next lives, they would meet good women.
At this moment, the cell door opened.
Du Xiaoxiao walked in, the jailer locked the door, and then turned and left.
The two sisters' eyes met, and they both understood the meaning conveyed in each other's gaze.
Prince Yao's Estate.
Formerly the Third Prince's residence.
Prince Yao, Yang Yun, and Xia Hao were enjoying tea in a pavilion.
"Yang Yun, the confession is due tomorrow, how is it?" Prince Yao asked, setting down his teacup.
Yang Yun sighed. "That fellow is a stubborn mule. He won't confess even after being tortured like that."
Prince Yao didn't get angry; he already knew the outcome without needing to guess.
Furthermore, the man hadn't committed any treasonous acts of colluding with the enemy; all of this was merely an excuse fabricated by Ji Ruxue to get rid of Li Yue.
"Your Highness, Ji Ruxue only wants Li Yue dead; she just needs a legitimate reason. We can fabricate some evidence for her," Yang Yun suggested.
Prince Yao smiled faintly, looking at the silent Xia Hao beside him. "I heard you were once a Prince of an Immortal Dynasty. Can you shed some light on the reasons behind this?"
Prince Yao felt a sense of camaraderie with Xia Hao.
He intended to cultivate him into a confidant.
Moreover, the other party's talent was not low, and he would surely become his capable assistant in the future.
Xia Hao glanced at Yang Yun.
Then he humbly said, "Master, if we were in the same camp as Ji Ruxue, we could naturally forge evidence."
At this point, Yang Yun already understood.
Although he didn't dabble in court politics, he understood the intricacies as soon as he heard them.
If he calmed down and thought carefully, he would understand.
Xia Hao continued, "If we are not, then this forged evidence will surely be exposed, and when Ji Ruxue assigns blame, Your Highness will get into trouble."
Prince Yao gave Xia Hao an approving look.
Indeed, someone who has been a Prince before has a sharper mind.
Yang Yun thought for a moment, then frowned. "According to what Xia Hao said, if Cao Nie forges evidence, wouldn't that just fall into Ji Ruxue's plan?"
"Then we wouldn't have any chance at all."
Facing his puzzled gaze.
Prince Yao gestured for Xia Hao to continue.
"Master, while that's true, don't forget, our Prince is not to be trifled with."
"When the time comes, let Li Yue confront her in court, and then the forged evidence will be useless."
Yang Yun was still a little worried. "What if Li Yue admits it?"
Xia Hao and Prince Yao simultaneously gave him a speechless look.
Is there anyone in this world who would rush to their death?!
If Li Yue admitted it, not only would he die, but his entire clan would also go to hell.
Wouldn't Li Yue know the gravity of the situation?!
Moreover, based on Prince Yao's understanding of Li Yue, he was someone who would not yield.
Back then, because of a minor incident, Li Yue was thrown into the Heavenly Prison by his imperial father.
Li Yue stubbornly outlasted his imperial father without admitting any wrongdoing.
It was only when his elder brother ascended the throne that he was released.
This incident is still a topic of conversation after meals even now.
"What if Ji Ruxue secretly eliminates Li Yue? Then there would be no evidence to contradict her," Yang Yun said, startling them.
Xia Hao instantly turned to look at Prince Yao, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.
If that happened, and Cao Nie truly became the Prime Minister of the Nine Radiance Divine Dynasty, he would be in danger!
Prince Yao remained unruffled, raising his teacup for a sip. "It's fine. I have people in the Heavenly Prison. I'll know if anything minor happens."