novelaction Chapter 892 Duanmu Ya is frightened!
Chapter 892 Duanmu Ya is frightened!
With Duanmu Qing and Mu Qingxuan's marriage settled, the next step was Duanmu Xing and Sun Ruomei's.
As previously agreed, Mu Xin Nuan and Duanmu Chu Ze appeared together at the Ming Prince's Mansion again.
This also demonstrates to the people of the capital that the Emperor highly values Prince Ming.
There was nothing unpleasant about Duanmu Xing's marriage to Sun Ruomei.
Madam Xu had intended to cause trouble before, but unfortunately, the Empress's decree reprimanded her, which made her lose her courage.
"Anuan, we attended two wedding banquets in one month, so we've certainly benefited from a lot of good fortune."
"Yes, they are all lucky. At least, they all have a good impression of each other."
The emperor and empress were attending a celebratory banquet here, a lively and joyous occasion, while the scene at the Censorate was far more tragic.
After resting for a few days, Zhuang was dragged out of the cell again and subjected to whipping and needle torture. However, Zhuang's jaw was clenched so tightly that she fainted from the pain and refused to speak.
However, since she didn't say anything, the old women turned their attention to Duanmu Ya.
Indeed, the higher-ups did not say that Duanmu Ya should be subjected to severe torture, and they naturally dared not use any punishments that could harm a woman's body.
However, this does not prevent them from getting things done.
After Zhuang was thrown into the prison, several old women opened the door, and two of them went in and immediately pinned Duanmu Ya to the ground.
Duanmu Ya was a little slow to react and didn't understand what they were going to do. She just kept calling for her mother, but unfortunately, Zhuang Shi had already fainted and could no longer hear her cries.
Duanmu Ya was suddenly pressed down by two nannies, still calling for her mother, and inevitably, she ate a mouthful of dry grass.
Although it was called hay, the musty smell emanating from it, along with a pungent odor, almost made Duanmu Ya faint.
Two nannies swiftly pinned him down, while another woman, who looked like the one in charge, strolled in leisurely, carrying a set of silver needles.
The needle was about three inches long.
The old woman glanced at Duanmu Ya on the ground and smiled, "Don't be afraid, young lady. Since there is no official decree from above, we naturally cannot use severe torture on you. Today, let's show you what needle torture is."
Duanmu Ya was startled. Needle torture? She had never seen it before, but she wasn't stupid. What kind of good punishment could it be in a place like this?
"You two, hold her down tight."
The old woman laughed again, “Don’t be afraid, young lady. You are delicate and of noble birth. This needle torture may be unfamiliar to you, so let me explain it to you first. There are three most common types of needle torture: the first is pricking the fingernails, the second is pricking the nipples. As for the third type, I’m sure you’ll be frightened when you hear about it. It involves using a slightly thicker needle to prick your lower body.”
Duanmu Ya was truly terrified by her.
The ten fingers are connected to the heart. Even a small prick on a finger while doing needlework usually hurts a lot, let alone a three-inch-long silver needle in this old woman's hand.
"Don't worry, young lady. These silver needles are certainly not meant to prick your delicate fingers. They're too soft; even if you tried, they probably wouldn't go in. If we were to prick your fingers, we'd probably need a sewing needle."
Duanmu Ya's face turned deathly pale; she was truly terrified. "Then what do you want?"
"Oh, this kind of needle is like the one doctors use for acupuncture, except that it's not used to treat illnesses here."
As soon as she finished speaking, the old woman suddenly stuck a needle into Duanmu Ya's back. Duanmu Ya let out an extremely sharp scream, and when she looked at her again, she was already sweating profusely from the pain.
"No! Let me go! I am a princess, the daughter of Prince Su. My father will not leave me here unattended. Let me go, let me go!"
When Duanmu Ya was brought in, everything of value on her was taken away.
Now she was thinking of bribing these old women, but unfortunately, she didn't have anything on her that they would value.
After all that commotion, Duanmu Ya also fainted.
A bucket of cold water was poured over Duanmu Ya's head, and she slowly came to her senses.
She felt sore all over, especially her back; she felt like there wasn't a single good spot on her back.
"Don't worry, young lady, you can't die now. We're going to use real needle torture on you next."
This so-called needle torture involved first fixing the female prisoner's hands to prevent her from moving, forcing her fingers to straighten. Then, sewing needles were inserted one by one under her fingernails. This form of torture was extremely painful.
“Girl, let me put it this way, if you know anything, say it now, it might not be too late. If we really put you under the needle torture, with your small body, I'm afraid you simply can't withstand it.”
As the saying goes, the ten fingers are connected to the heart. Even a thorn stuck in your hand can cause pain, but the pain of a steel needle a few inches long piercing your finger is unbearable for anyone.
How could Duanmu Ya not understand that she simply couldn't bear it?
But she had absolutely no idea what to say.
It was indeed her idea to secretly knock Duanmu Qing unconscious and take her away; hasn't she already admitted it?
To be honest, Duanmu Ya was really wronged this time.
Almost everyone believed that Duanmu Ya must have been orchestrated by someone. Otherwise, how could a weak woman like her, who had been confined to her quarters, have accomplished all this?
Duanmu Ya was tortured for no reason and cried miserably, but at this moment, she was helpless and her cries went unanswered. The only person who gave her hope, Zhuang Shi, had already fainted.
"What...what do you want me to say?"
“Girl, you’ve gone so far as to think that this is all over, this scheme to steal your elder sister’s marriage and even drugged Princess Qing. You’re not the only one who’s done this, are you? You’re Prince Su’s daughter, but don’t forget, you’re just a concubine’s daughter, and one without any official title at that. Princess Qing, on the other hand, is a completely different person.”
"That's right. Princess Qing is not only the biological daughter of Princess Su, but she's also married to Prince Mu. How could someone like you possibly scheme against her? If you know what's good for you, confess honestly, from head to toe, how you did it. Otherwise, hmph! I'll make you experience what it feels like to thread a needle with your ten fingers!"
Hearing the old woman's vicious warning, Duanmu Ya instinctively shuddered. She didn't want to die, much less endure such torture. She wanted to get out and return to the palace.
The pain in her body was still very intense. She glanced at the three of them and said, "I'd like to have some water first, then we can talk, okay?"
The old woman in the lead gave a signal, and someone went outside to fetch a bowl of water, which she then helped drink in one gulp.
"Alright, you've had your water, young lady, now it's time to explain."