Volume One: The Sword of the Son of Heaven Chapter Fourteen: Imperial Prison or Pleasure House?

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To openly tease the First Sword Heir on the street—Yun Que’s actions were nothing short of astonishing!

The gathering crowd buzzed with speculation.

No one could fathom why the usually aloof and unapproachable eldest daughter of the Mu family would suddenly show such a good temper today, not uttering a word of protest as she was flirted with by the notorious playboy marquis. Not only did she refrain from violence, but her silent acceptance of being called his wife seemed almost like tacit approval.

Han Jiao quickly realized why the usually murderous Mu Qingyao had held back just now.

So, there was an engagement between the Mu and Yun families—Mu Qingyao was the Yun Marquis’s fiancée!

Yun Que himself hadn’t expected to run into Mu Qingyao as soon as he arrived in the imperial capital.

This was their second meeting.

They had met once as children, both just a few years old. Now, their appearances were transformed with age, and they no longer recognized each other.

Yun Que only remembered that she had been frail then, looking as if she were about to die from illness. He’d tried to cheer her up with a rabbit.

The blue-robed youth gritted his teeth, his face twisted with jealousy. “You got lucky! Mu junior sister is in a good mood and didn’t bother with you this time. Next time, you won’t be so fortunate!”

Yun Que recovered his smile. “And may I ask your illustrious name?”

“Eastern Court Sword Heir, Xuan Wenyan!” declared the youth with pride.

“Sword Qi transmission is something only those who cultivate the sword can endure. If an ordinary person hears your message, their organs would be harmed, and over time, they would weaken until death,” Yun Que said, still smiling, though his smile was cold.

“Xuan Wenyan, was it? Once I enter the Sword Palace, you’ll be the first I cut down.”

Just now, Xuan Wenyan’s sword-infused voice transmission had been clearly meant to destroy him—had he been a normal person, he would be crippled or dead.

Yun Que possessed the Sword Meridian; the sword qi in that message was easily absorbed, like a tickle.

“Fine! I’ll be waiting for you!” Xuan Wenyan tried to mask his nervousness with anger, not daring to mention yielding the way, and quickly departed.

The crowd, now understanding what had happened, began to whisper and point at Xuan Wenyan.

“Only the worst kind of person harms others in secret. Who would have thought the Sword Palace harbored such scum?”

“He’s a disgrace to the Sword Palace—shame on him!”

“The little Marquis did well! That kind of villain deserves a slap in the face!”

Yun Que smiled and said, “I’m new in town, please pardon the spectacle!”

He cupped his hands toward the crowd in a gesture of bold chivalry.

This only won more hearts. Several young women blushed, their hearts secretly swayed.

Just then, a squadron of soldiers pushed through the crowd, quickly surrounding Yun Que.

“Are you the Marquis of Hanshui?”

The leading general, clad in heavy armor, shouted the question.

“I am indeed,” Yun Que replied.

“Seize him!” the general ordered with a wave. “By imperial command: Marquis of Hanshui, Yun Que, has insulted the imperial messenger—a grave crime! Take him to the Heavenly Prison!”

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The soldiers surged forward to arrest him.

Old He, the coachman, was first to step up. Though his face was hidden under a bamboo hat, he could not conceal the aura of a hardened killer. The soldiers hesitated, not daring to advance.

“It’s only the Heavenly Prison, not the underworld,” Yun Que said calmly, signaling Old He to step back. He went along willingly.

Old He was inhabiting the body of a medicine man and could not reveal himself in public—who knew if any of the other Zodiac members were nearby. Running into one would be real trouble.

The onlookers scattered at once upon hearing he was the Marquis of Hanshui.

The most notorious jinx in Yan! Had they known earlier, no one would have dared to watch, no matter how lively the scene.

Seeing Yun Que taken away, Han Jiao stamped her feet in anxiety. Not only she, but even her entire family, could do nothing.

Everyone knew that once someone was thrown into the Heavenly Prison, they would be lucky to escape with their life.

What worried Han Jiao most was that tomorrow was the Sword Palace’s registration day. If Yun Que didn’t make it, his spot would be forfeited!

“What to do… Wait!” Her eyes lit up, and she hurried to a grand manor with the name “Mu Residence” above the gate.

If this was beyond the Han family’s power, surely the Mu family—the foremost clan in Yan—could manage it.

She was about to knock when the doors suddenly swung open, and a tall figure in black robes strode out.

This man, in his early forties, had a pale face, a high brow, and eyes that gleamed with a cold, deep light—giving off an air of gloom and indifference.

For a moment, Han Jiao felt a chill, as if she faced not a man, but a tiger lurking in the shadows.

Beside the black-robed man walked a refined, stern-looking middle-aged gentleman.

Han Jiao instinctively took a few steps back, yielding the path.

The black-robed man paused at the gate and said to his companion,

“Though the Mu family head holds no official post, you are still His Majesty’s most trusted pillar.”

The refined companion was none other than Mu Qingzhou, the patriarch of the Mu family. He replied with a smile, “If the sovereign has need, it is only right for the Mu family to serve the nation.”

The black-robed grand preceptor nodded. “With these one hundred thousand catties of pure copper, the imperial sword can soon be forged. Patriarch Mu, you will have the greatest merit.”

Mu Qingzhou’s smile did not falter. “It is the Mu family’s fortune to ease His Majesty’s burdens.”

“Farewell, Patriarch Mu.”

“Safe travels, Grand Preceptor.”

The grand preceptor’s carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.

Mu Qingzhou’s smile remained, but now carried a trace of bitterness and helplessness. His eyes betrayed worry as he murmured,

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“A dog, once fed, will recognize its master. But a wolf—can never be sated.”

Han Jiao seized the moment to deliver the news: Yun Que had been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.

“Yun Que…” Mu Qingzhou repeated the familiar name, then nodded in thanks. “Thank you for bringing word. I understand.”

Relieved, Han Jiao took her leave.

After she departed, Mu Qingzhou instructed his trusted steward, “Go to the prison and make inquiries. Find out the severity of the charges, and bring plenty of banknotes.”

Once the arrangements were made, his brows knit in worry.

“So, it has come at last…” The master of the Mu family gazed at the gathering storm clouds on the horizon, his expression growing complicated.

Heavenly Prison.

Yun Que was locked in a single cell—at least it was clean.

He was pondering how best to get out when laughter echoed from the cell opposite.

“Off again! Missed your mark. I’ll have to punish you—let’s start with a skin-cup!”

“Oh, young master, you’re so bad. I like it.”

In the cell across the way was a young man with long, narrow phoenix eyes, holding two women in his arms, exchanging playful banter.

Was this a prison or a brothel?

Yun Que glanced over—this fellow’s identity must be extraordinary.

“The night is long, little brother. Want me to send you a woman for company?” The youth with the phoenix eyes called out, grinning.

“No need,” Yun Que replied flatly.

“Or perhaps you prefer men? Easy enough—I’m not picky. Shall I play with you, or you with me?” The young man leered.

“I’ll play with your sister!” Yun Que retorted, exasperated by the pervert.

“Ah, you have good taste! My sister’s quite the beauty, though she’s a bit fierce—most men can’t handle her.”

The youth raised his wine cup and laughed. “Just kidding. Sharing a cell means we’re fated to meet. I am Zhou Yuanliang, son of the current Grand Chancellor, known as the number one playboy in the capital!”

“A pleasure. I am Yun Que, Marquis of Hanshui,” Yun Que introduced himself.

“You’re the infamous jinx of Yan, the Marquis of Hanshui! An honor!”

Zhou Yuanliang grew more interested, pushing away the women. “So, what did you do to end up here, Marquis Yun?”

Before Yun Que could answer, the prison doors swung open and a group of people entered—led by none other than Eunuch Nan.