Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 108 This is What Your Servant Brother Should Do

Chapter 108: Chapter 108 This is What Your Servant Brother Should Do

Hearing his words, Li Ming’an’s heart sank.

Could it be that Li Mingjue already knew about the poisoning that he had instructed Heifeng to commit?

Otherwise, why would he appear here so coincidentally?

Li Mingjue didn’t speak but just stood aside, waiting as Li Ming’an pondered with a cold face.

After all, his purpose in coming here today was to ensure Heifeng’s life was protected and to prevent Li Ming’an from succeeding.

Qiu Lian, standing off to the side, couldn’t maintain his composure as well.

He had just captured the criminal and had been looking forward to a thorough interrogation today before reporting to Li Tianze.

But with these two important figures standing here, he felt rooted to the spot.

It seemed inappropriate to invite them into the Heavenly Prison.

Yet standing here any longer, it would soon be nightfall.

Clearing his throat, Qiu Lian mustered the courage to speak, "Perhaps the two Princes would consider waiting in the hall? I have urgent matters to attend to and am afraid I cannot play host."

Li Ming’an now realized he had been led astray by Li Mingjue.

He had come here to kill Heifeng before the latter could implicate him.

But with Li Mingjue present, it was inconvenient for him to take action.

Frowning in thought for a moment, Li Ming’an couldn’t come up with any good plan and had to find an opportunity to enter the Heavenly Prison and take action as the situation unfolded.

He turned his gaze toward Qiu Lian and said, "There’s no need for formalities, Magistrate Qiu. I merely wish to see the poisoner and would not dream of delaying your official duties."

Qiu Lian was internally very reluctant and pleaded earnestly, "The Heavenly Prison is a place for confining criminals; it’s dark and grim inside, and filled with many villains. I fear it may offend Your Highness."

Li Ming’an, preoccupied with how he could deal with Heifeng in front of everyone, didn’t pay much attention to his words, merely responding absently.

Surprisingly, Li Mingjue didn’t argue with him, which was out of character.

No matter how Qiu Lian persuaded, the two of them refused to leave.

Finally, he had no choice but to take both of them into the Heavenly Prison.

Upon entry, they were immediately met with the stench of decay.

Just as Qiu Lian had said, the Heavenly Prison was so dim that not a hint of light filtered in, leaving only a few candles struggling to reveal the faintest outlines of people.

The inmates here were all serious offenders, appearing either lifeless or menacing, not the sort to be trifled with.

Used to such surroundings, Qiu Lian was not bothered.

But today, two individuals he couldn’t afford to offend had accompanied him, and he was visibly nervous throughout, repeatedly glancing back to ensure their comfort.

Li Mingjue was doing relatively well; he had only slightly frowned upon entering the Heavenly Prison.

Li Ming’an reacted more strongly, wrinkling his nose in disgust and covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve.

Had it not been for a matter of great importance, he would never have ventured into such an inauspicious place.

Heifeng was confined in a small cell equipped with torture devices.

The cell was already cramped when Qiu Lian and his subordinates were inside, and with two more individuals, it became unbearably tight.

Not daring to make these distinguished guests squeeze in with them, he had to move them to a slightly more spacious area and had chairs brought in.

But, after all, it was a prison cell, and the amenities couldn’t compare to those elsewhere.

He anxiously observed the Princes’ expressions the whole time.

Li Ming’an had been searching for Heifeng for several days, and upon seeing him, the hatred in his eyes was nearly impossible to conceal.

Yet Heifeng showed no reaction upon seeing him; his gaze was dull and cold as if he did not recognize the two people before him.

Li Mingjue had heard from Qi Yu early on that Heifeng had been captured by Princess Lingya and was afflicted by a Poisonous Insect.

Seeing this, he did not find it very strange.

If it hadn’t been for his usefulness, Heifeng would have probably been long dead and turned to dust.

Li Ming’an stood with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly taking out a poisoned silver needle from his sleeve.

Only something as inconspicuous as a silver needle could silently send a person to their death.

But right now, with so many eyes watching Heifeng, he couldn’t find a chance to make a move.

Qiu Lian was under a lot of stress handling this case, and now with two Princes watching him, he dared not relax his vigilance.

He straightened his back and shouted at Heifeng, "Quickly confess how you poisoned the Princess, were you instructed by someone?"

At his words, Heifeng’s pupils shifted, and he said in a dry tone, "It was under Prince Ming’an’s orders that I poisoned the Princess."

His statement struck like thunder, changing everyone’s expressions.

Qiu Lian looked at Li Ming’an with fear and trepidation.

How was he to conduct this interrogation now?

If Prince Ming’an had not been there, he could have deferred the blame, but with the man standing right behind him, should he believe this claim or not?

Li Ming’an had thought that Heifeng would have been somewhat wary of him, but to his surprise, Heifeng implicated him as soon as he spoke.

He stepped forward, glaring at Heifeng with a cold look, furiously accusing, "Audacious scoundrel, how dare you frame this prince!"

Heifeng, upon hearing these words, showed no reaction.

He hung his head, his brows and eyes drooping, like a living dead.

Li Ming’an’s brow twitched, sensing something was amiss.

His hand hidden in his sleeve gripped the silver needle, and because he stood at the front and the lighting in the Heavenly Prison was dim, almost no one noticed his movement.

Just as he was about to stab Heifeng with the silver needle, he was interrupted.

Li Mingjue had somehow come to his side, and deliberately flinging his sleeve, he reached out and grabbed Heifeng’s throat.

He glanced at Li Ming’an, then sneered at Heifeng, "You think you can frame my imperial brother with baseless accusations, seems like you’re tired of living!"

Qiu Lian, not realizing this was all an act, saw Li Mingjue make a move and hurriedly pushed forward to stop him.

"Prince, you mustn’t do this!"

His heart almost leaped to his throat.

If Heifeng were truly throttled to death by Prince Mingjue, how could he ever explain himself?

Prince Mingjue hadn’t really intended to kill Heifeng, and upon being restrained, he released his grip.

"Master Qiu need not worry, I was merely overcome with anger for a moment," Prince Mingjue said.

Qiu Lian, not daring to blame him, could only nod incessantly, "Indeed, indeed, the prince was merely provoked by this scoundrel."

Li Ming’an, his face an iron shade of blue, glared at Li Mingjue.

nobody asked him to step in with such pretense.

Moreover, if it hadn’t been for Li Mingjue’s sudden intervention, he might have already succeeded.

Li Ming’an clenched his fists, veins bulging on his temples, and through gritted teeth, he said with emphasis on each word, "Thanks for your concern, Seventh Brother."

Li Mingjue saw Li Ming’an forced to apologize while clearly seething, and the corners of his mouth slightly curled up.

The sight delighted him immeasurably.

He could finally understand why Qi Yu always took personal action against the Qi Family.

After all, what could be more satisfying than watching one’s enemies squirm?

He raised an eyebrow and said to Li Ming’an, "Imperial brother, there’s no need for thanks; it’s all within my duty."