The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 147 - 148: You’re Not Dead?

Inside the county government office.

Li Cheng sat on a low couch, slowly polishing the Hongjun Sword.

The soft silk cloth slid across the blade, making it gleam with a chilling, snow-like brightness.

Lin Qingzhi knelt opposite him, her movements skilled and elegant as she prepared tea.

Seeing how the Crown Prince couldn’t bear to part with the Hongjun Sword, she spoke softly.

"Your Highness, the Hongjun Sword should have been yours all along. Now, it has finally returned to its rightful owner."

After Prince Zhao and his carriage plunged into the river that day, the Hongjun Sword had fallen into the Crown Prince’s hands.

The Six Arts of the Gentleman included Riding, Shooting, and Swordsmanship. As the Crown Prince, Li Cheng had naturally studied swordsmanship, though not in great depth.

He had sparred with Prince Zhao once before. In just two moves, Prince Zhao had sent the sword flying from his grasp.

He had lost all interest in swordsmanship after that.

Now, as Li Cheng looked at the Hongjun Sword in his hands, he recalled the sight of Prince Zhao falling into the river. A pleased smile crept onto his lips.

His swordsmanship might not match Prince Zhao’s, but when it came to the Emperor’s Heart Technique, he was far more formidable than that brute who knew nothing but force.

No, that wasn’t right. The Prince Zhao of today couldn’t even be called a warrior anymore.

He was a cripple, unable to even stand!

Li Cheng smiled leisurely. "A man should know his own limits. Even if something he’s not meant to have is delivered right to his hands, he won’t be able to keep it."

Lin Qingzhi gently placed the freshly brewed tea before him and replied with a smile.

"Your Highness is absolutely right."

In truth, she had once hesitated. Should she support Prince Zhao or the Crown Prince?

After weighing her options, she had ultimately chosen the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was, after all, the closest to the throne.

Although the Crown Prince had met a violent end in her previous life and never ascended the throne, Lin Qingzhi was confident. She could use her foreknowledge to help him avoid that disaster.

As long as the Crown Prince didn’t die, he was certain to be the one to inherit the throne.

When that time came, even Prince Zhao would have to back down and wouldn’t dare to challenge him.

Judging by the current situation, Lin Qingzhi felt she had made the right choice.

She was glad she had chosen the Crown Prince and not Prince Zhao.

Li Cheng took a sip of tea. A trusted subordinate entered and bowed respectfully.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the courtroom is ready. The trial can begin at any moment."

Li Cheng stood and went to the courtroom, taking the Hongjun Sword with him.

Today, he was going to interrogate Luo Yun.

After a full night of brutal interrogation and torture, Luo Yun was covered in wounds.

He was roughly dragged into the hall. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Li Cheng sat at the head of the hall, looking down on him as he asked coldly.

"Do you still refuse to confess to embezzling public funds?"

Luo Yun struggled to lift his head, his voice hoarse. "I am innocent."

Li Cheng sneered. "Still so stubborn, even now."

Luo Yun looked up at the high and mighty Crown Prince and asked in a raspy voice.

"Your Highness is so certain that I embezzled public funds. In that case, did you find any of the stolen money at my residence?"

Li Cheng’s voice was grim. "You must have hidden it somewhere else!"

Luo Yun asked sorrowfully.

"I was only transferred to Fu’an County last year. I don’t know this place or its people. How could I have found a place to hide such a large sum of money?

"Furthermore, my mother is ill. The physician said she needs expensive herbs like ginseng and ganoderma to recuperate.

"Because I couldn’t afford it, I haven’t even been able to provide her with that care.

"If I truly possessed a huge fortune, would I be in this situation?"

Li Cheng was at a loss for words.

But this only made him more furious. He slammed the gavel down and bellowed.

"Am I the one interrogating you, or are you interrogating me?!

"Don’t think you can fool me with just a few words.

"So many people have identified you as the culprit. This isn’t some baseless rumor!

"You had best be honest and tell me where you’ve hidden the money.

"Or I will have you shedding blood right here and now!"

With that, he slammed the Hongjun Sword down on the desk.

The Hongjun Sword belonged to the Emperor and carried the authority to execute first and report later.

If Li Cheng truly used the Hongjun Sword to kill Luo Yun, no one could stop him.

Luo Yun glanced at the Hongjun Sword, then at the murderous Crown Prince. Deep despair filled his bloodshot eyes.

It was not despair for himself, but for his country.

With a Crown Prince who cared nothing for right or wrong, who acted indiscriminately, who readily believed the slander of petty men—if he inherited the throne, the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty would be plunged into darkness!

And though his heart burned with the passion to serve his country, he was powerless to change its future.

Li Cheng continued to press him.

"I’ll give you one last chance. If you don’t confess, don’t blame me for what happens next!"

Tears streamed from the corners of Luo Yun’s eyes as he began to sob.

But then, his sobs turned to laughter, growing louder and louder.

Li Cheng, infuriated and humiliated by the laughter, flew into a rage.

"You can still laugh with death at your doorstep?

"Fine! Since you insist on doing this the hard way, men! Drag him away and continue the torture!

"I’d like to see just how tough he really is!"

Luo Yun was roughly hauled to his feet, a motion that must have sent searing pain through his wounds.

But he seemed to have forgotten the pain, laughing and crying like a madman as he screamed hoarsely.

"It’s over! The Great Zhou Dynasty is doomed! The people of this land are all doomed!"

Hearing this, Li Cheng was so enraged that true killing intent rose within him.

He shot to his feet and drew the Hongjun Sword.

"Never mind the trouble. Since he wants to die, I’ll grant his wish right now!"

And so, Luo Yun was forced back to the floor.

Unable to move, he was like a lamb to the slaughter.

Li Cheng had never killed anyone with his own hands.

But today, this man had truly infuriated him. He waved off any help, determined to personally finish off this arrogant, blathering fool!

Just as Li Cheng raised his sword, ready to strike, a loud shout suddenly came from outside.

"His Highness, Prince Zhao, has arrived!"

Li Cheng froze.

He thought someone was spouting nonsense and was about to order the shouter arrested when he saw Prince Zhao, Li Ji, striding into the hall.

Behind Li Ji were Hua Manman, Bian Ziming, and a large contingent of fully armed soldiers from the Tiger Roar Camp.

Li Cheng’s eyes widened in disbelief as he blurted out.

"Prince Zhao! You... you’re not dead?"

Li Ji smiled and retorted, "Does Your Highness wish I were?"

Of course, Li Cheng desperately wished Prince Zhao were dead.

But he couldn’t admit that.

It took a great deal of effort to maintain his composure and not lose his cool in public.

"Haha, how could that be? I naturally hope you’re doing well."

Hua Manman peeked out from behind Li Ji. Her eyes landed on the Hongjun Sword in the Crown Prince’s hand, and she asked in surprise.

"Isn’t that the Hongjun Sword the Saint bestowed upon Prince Zhao?

"How did it end up in Your Highness’s hands?

"Surely Your Highness didn’t covet the sword and decide to take it for yourself?

"That would never do. It’s a gift from the Emperor. Even the Crown Prince can’t just take something like that."

For a moment, the expressions of everyone present turned rather awkward.

To think that the dignified Crown Prince would actually steal from someone.

Li Cheng put down the sword, embarrassed.

"My apologies. I was simply overcome by a warrior’s admiration for a fine weapon and was just toying with it."

Li Ji smiled faintly. "Why should Your Highness apologize?"

Li Cheng assumed he was about to offer some polite platitudes and began to relax, ready to move on. But then he heard that scoundrel Li Ji continue.

"It’s not like I was planning to forgive you anyway."

Li Cheng: "..."

...