In the room, besides the soft couch, there was another side piled with various torture instruments.
At first, Bi Xi did not notice the torture instruments.
The guards, having received Shangguan Hong's order, naturally did not dare to disobey. They dutifully lifted Xue Ji and bound her to a rack, her limbs firmly secured with thick, strong iron chains.
Xue Ji's face was stern, and she moved, staring intently at Shangguan Hong.
In her heart, she had already branded Shangguan Hong as the enemy who destroyed her family. Hatred churned like the tide, and Xue Ji had no intention of yielding.
When the barbed whip, dipped in chili water, landed on her body, Xue Ji almost fainted.
But she gritted her teeth and remained silent, not a single plea for mercy or even a moan escaping her lips.
Shangguan Hong raised his eyebrows with interest. "Quite spirited."
He glanced at the guards on the other side and said, "Is it enough for one person to attend to the Princess? The two of you go together. Don't let Her Highness think she's been neglected here."
Bi Xi watched Xue Ji being whipped, able to imagine the excruciating pain.
He turned to Shangguan Hong. "Shangguan Hong! Stop this at once!"
"Tell me your identity first, and perhaps I will consider stopping and letting the Princess go," Shangguan Hong said with a gentle smile.
But Bi Xi knew that beneath his hypocritical mask was a complete, utter villain. Moreover, Shangguan Hong said "perhaps." Who knew if he would truly keep his promise after Bi Xi revealed his true identity?
Seeing his hesitation, Shangguan Hong continued to chuckle. "Look at you, so indecisive, it's truly laughable."
Bi Xi frowned and said, "Even if you killed the Crown Prince, even if the Second Prince is incompetent, the Regent is still alive."
"So what?" Shangguan Hong said with amusement.
He had indeed assumed the appearance of Ye Qingcheng and, under the guise of reconciliation, assassinated Xiao Wangye, but he had not pierced his heart, nor had he taken Xiao Wangye's life.
But would Xiao Wangye come to stop him? That would be a colossal joke!
"The woman that the Regent cherishes most is here. I don't believe he won't find this place," Bi Xi said.
"Do you think the place I chose is so easily found by Xiao Wangye? No matter what, he is merely a mortal. I can already compare myself to gods and Buddhas. Even if Xiao Wangye finds me, he might not be able to protect himself. Do you still expect him to save you all?" Shangguan Hong sneered.
Having been constantly suppressed by Xiao Wangye, his heart was filled with resentment.
He hadn't killed him at the time merely out of a momentary pang of compassion, thinking he wanted to play a little longer.
With his newfound power, would he still fear Xiao Wangye? Ridiculous!
Bi Xi frowned. "Yes, as a mortal, perhaps one cannot contend with someone like you. But have you forgotten, what is done in the dark will come to light! Do you think the gods in heaven are unaware of your actions?"
"What can the gods in heaven do if they know?" Shangguan Hong said dismissively.
"You are disrupting the imperial court and have already tampered with the Mandate of Heaven. Your actions will bring disaster upon you! Therefore, I advise you to stop as soon as possible, lest you regret it when the gods come knocking!" Bi Xi said.
"Regret it?" Shangguan Hong gave a cold smile.
He looked at Bi Xi and said, word by word, "Go ahead and call those gods to me. Let's see if I truly regret it!"
At these words, a deathly silence fell upon the surroundings.
Whether it was because they were tired from whipping or were intently listening to Shangguan Hong and Bi Xi's conversation, the two guards stopped.
Shangguan Hong noticed this and immediately roared, "Who gave you permission to stop? Continue whipping!"
He grunted, "If Her Highness doesn't get something to take back from here, it's because you two failed in your duties. At that time, it will be you two who die."
The two guards immediately dared not slacken and raised their whips again.
This time, the force exerted by the two guards was considerably heavier than at the beginning.
With two whips falling in unison, they brought forth new wounds on Xue Ji's body, mingling with her old sword and knife scars, causing dazzling crimson blood to flow.
Her clothes were already soaked through with blood, creating a horrifying sight.
Shangguan Hong glanced at Bi Xi and smiled. "You are not Gu Pan'er. I have long been certain of this."
He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, as far as I know, Gu Pan'er had no interaction with Princess Xue Ji. Why are you two together? And why are you so agitated upon seeing Xue Ji being tortured?"
Bi Xi was speechless.
"Very well, since you refuse to admit it, I will not press further," Shangguan Hong waved his hand.
"What do you want to do now?" Bi Xi asked.
Shangguan Hong said, "I merely wish to invite you to watch a good show together."
Having said this, he clapped his hands, and a chair appeared behind Bi Xi. He smiled and said, "Please, have a seat. The show will begin soon. You must keep your eyes wide open and watch closely."
Bi Xi did not sit, but Shangguan Hong did not seem to mind.
"You two, stop," Shangguan Hong said to the two guards.
The guards lowered their whips, and Xue Ji remained conscious, glaring fiercely at Shangguan Hong.
"I've heard there are thousands of cruel punishments in this world. Merely whipping is a bit too uninteresting. Let's add something more stimulating. This way, I, Shangguan Hong, will not have treated the Princess with neglect, and we spectators can enjoy ourselves more," Shangguan Hong said with a light laugh.
"Shangguan Hong, kill me or flay me as you wish. Stop putting on this act," Xue Ji roared.
Shangguan Hong shrugged. "You can curse me all you want. You'll know how pleasant it will be later."
After speaking, he called out towards the door, "Doctor Li, are you here? Is everything prepared?"
"Here, here! Everything is ready!" a middle-aged man replied and walked in, stopping in front of Xue Ji and placing down a box he carried on his shoulder.
The man opened the box, displaying an array of knives of various sizes and shapes to everyone.
Shangguan Hong looked at Gu Pan'er and smiled. "This Doctor Li is a master of Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts). I went to some trouble to find him. Having killed too many in the past and burdened by sin, perhaps becoming a doctor can lighten his sins."
After a moment's pause, he continued to the guards, "You two, undress the Princess and begin."
Xue Ji did not lift her head, her face full of disdain.
It was Bi Xi, however, who froze and finally cried out, "Stop!"
"Stop?"
Shangguan Hong laughed. "Miss Gu Pan'er, this is reaching the most exciting part. Why are you asking to stop? It is said that the Princess has been pampered since childhood, so she must have skin like ice and bones of jade, quite alluring."