Song Yanqing’s gaze tightly fixed on Xie Ruotong.

This is probably the last chance he’ll ever have to see her.

Once dead, there will be no more seeing.

As for her visiting his grave, it’s nothing more than his own comforting delusion.

He said, "I did not kill your grandmother."

Still wanting to clear his own name.

Even if in her heart he has become the utmost reprehensible, he still wanted her to know, he did not kill her grandmother.

"Xie Ruilin has long since confessed," In response to Song Yanqing’s denial, Xie Ruotong remained devoid of any emotional fluctuation, "Xie Ruiyao confessed as well."

Xie Ruotong’s eyes were telling him.

His sophistry was but a joke to her.

It made no difference whatsoever.

Song Yanqing lowered his gaze.

Indeed.

What he says now, does it matter.

Whatever he says, would Xie Ruotong believe him.

"Confessed?!" Seeing his demeanor, Xie Ruotong sneered coldly.

"If that makes you feel any better..." Song Yanqing said, "then consider it a confession."

Xie Ruotong scoffed.

Song Yanqing is indeed clever.

With a few words.

Even at the moment before his death, he is making her waver, questioning if her grandmother’s death truly had nothing to do with him.

Of course.

It was but a momentary falter.

She simply couldn’t bring herself to believe any of Song Yanqing’s words anymore.

"Officer Xie." The prison guard returned to Xie Ruotong, panting, "Xie Ruilin has fainted."

During the conversation she just had with Song Yanqing, Xie Ruilin had been undergoing torture.

It was only about twenty lashes.

Is he really so weak that he can’t withstand this much?!

"Take a break for now." Xie Ruotong ordered indifferently.

"Yes." The prison guard bowed respectfully.

Xie Ruotong stood up from her chair.

She stepped closer to Song Yanqing.

The interrogation room was initially dark, and they were some distance apart, possibly to avoid getting blood on her, which she would find revolting, so she couldn’t quite see Song Yanqing’s face or body clearly. Now, as she approached, she could see every gruesome detail.

She could see every gash where his flesh had split open on Song Yanqing’s body.

Observing his face, which had once been quite handsome, now a sight too horrific to endure.

"I did think of focusing on the bigger picture, to first aid King Chen in capturing King Chu, but..." Xie Ruotong locked eyes with Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing likewise gazed at her.

Looking at her face up close.

Looking at her, just a step away from him.

If he were still capable of reaching out, he would be able to hold her in his embrace.

A smile suddenly formed at the corners of his mouth.

A very faint smile.

Xie Ruotong noticed it.

But she thought, perhaps Song Yanqing had been tortured to the point of hallucination.

Only then could he still smile under such brutal circumstances.

"Give me the dagger." Xie Ruotong commanded coldly.

Lin Qianyu promptly handed her a dagger.

From beginning to end, he stood behind Xie Ruotong, observing her every action towards Song Yanqing.

It’s when one is truly devoid of feelings, that one can take steps so cruel and merciless.

"Song Yanqing, I’ve said before, sometimes living is more painful than dying." Xie Ruotong enunciated each word.

Song Yanqing looked at her.

Their eyes met.

He thought, Xie Ruotong was finally going to kill him.

By her own hand.

"Wake Xie Ruilin with salt water," Xie Ruotong ordered.

The prison guard hurriedly brought in a bucket of salt water.

Just as he was about to throw it.

Xie Ruilin screamed frantically, "Don’t splash me, don’t splash me..."

Followed by the sounds of heart-wrenching cries.

So.

Xie Ruilin was faking fainting.

How cunning.

Xie Ruotong glanced at Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruilin felt Xie Ruotong’s gaze and said, "If you want to kill me, just kill me, I can’t take it anymore, I really can’t take it..." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Heh," Xie Ruotong laughed, "You can’t take it already?!"

"I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it anymore! Kill me, just kill me!"

"How could I let you die so easily?" Xie Ruotong showed no concern for Xie Ruilin’s breakdown and said coldly, "First, let’s see how I make your beloved Song Yanqing live a life worse than death!"

"Xie Ruotong... Ah!" Xie Ruilin screamed.

Her horrific scream was not because her body was subjected to cruel torture.

But because she saw Xie Ruotong stab Song Yanqing’s body harshly with a dagger.

Song Yanqing’s body experienced intense pain.

Even the most enduring person would utter a deep cry because of that stab.

Suddenly, the severe pain darkened his vision.

For an instant, he truly passed out.

Yet at the moment Xie Ruotong pulled out the dagger, he woke up again due to the pain.

As the dagger was drawn out, blood flowed profusely from his body.

Xie Ruotong seemingly began to understand Bai Mowan’s cruelty towards Xie Ruiyao.

Turns out.

Watching him in pain.

Watching him bleed.

It really can vent anger.

It truly feels relieving.

"Xie Ruilin, what do you like most about Song Yanqing?" After stabbing Song Yanqing, Xie Ruotong asked Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruilin cried her heart out, "Please don’t do this to Song Yanqing, don’t treat him this way!"

"His face?" Xie Ruotong asked.

"What are you going to do, Xie Ruotong, what are you going to do?!" Xie Ruilin looked at Xie Ruotong in horror.

There was nothing but cruelty in Xie Ruotong’s eyes.

The blood-drenched dagger touched Song Yanqing’s face.

Which was already a ghastly sight.

And then.

Slowly.

The sharp dagger sliced down from the top of Song Yanqing’s right cheek, cutting open much of his face.

Blood gushed from where the dagger passed.

It was a horrifying sight.

Ignoring her own pain, Xie Ruilin struggled frantically, desperately trying to get close to Song Yanqing.

Her heart was in agony.

Watching Song Yanqing being tortured by Xie Ruotong, her heart felt like it was being torn apart.

How could Xie Ruotong bring herself to do this?

How could she ruin Song Yanqing’s appearance?

How could she treat him so cruelly!

"Does it hurt?" Xie Ruotong asked Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

The pain caused his body to tremble uncontrollably.

Xie Ruotong just watched Song Yanqing, covered in blood and said, "Still so ugly."

Song Yanqing still, did not speak.

It was unclear whether he was unwilling or unable,

to speak.

"Here’s another chance for you, do you want to reveal where Prince Chu is?" Xie Ruotong asked.

Song Yanqing clenched his teeth.

Clearly, he had no intention of speaking.

"Still not talking?" Xie Ruotong emanated a chill, saying, "What I’m about to do next will feel worse than death."

Song Yanqing remained silent.

"Bring someone over," Xie Ruotong ordered, "Undo Song Yanqing’s pants!"

Song Yanqing’s eyelids twitched.

He looked at Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong met his gaze and told him word by word, "Before you die, I want you to experience what Qin Shuyang went through."

In Song Yanqing’s eyes, an evident emotional turbulence stirred.

So.

This is what men care about the most, isn’t it?

She took a few steps back.

The prison guard stepped forward to take off Song Yanqing’s pants.

Regaining her senses from the terror, Xie Ruilin asked Xie Ruotong, "What are you going to do to Song Yanqing?"

"Aren’t you very clear about what I did to Qin Shuyang back when you and he conspired against me?!" Xie Ruotong counter-questioned Xie Ruilin!