Chapter 552: New Grudges and Old Hatreds

"Bo Yikao?" Zu'an was startled, recalling that period of history from his memory.

It seemed that Ji Chang was imprisoned by King Zhou, and then Western Zhou sent his eldest son, Ji Bo Yikao, with various treasures and gifts to redeem him. Daji, seeing his handsome appearance, tried to seduce him, but he was unmoved and even rebuked her. Enraged and humiliated, Daji immediately slandered him, resulting in Bo Yikao being chopped into mincemeat and fed to Ji Chang.

Daji, renowned throughout history for her captivating beauty and charm, would lose control at the sight of a young man? This was clearly a deliberate attempt by later generations to tarnish Daji's reputation.

As for this world, Zu'an naturally wasn't worried that Pei Mianman by his side would be smitten by a pretty boy. Instead, he was inwardly delighted and quickly asked a subordinate nearby, "Is that Ji Chang fellow imprisoned here?"

"Yes," the subordinate replied. "The Western Marquis's heir came this time specifically to ransom the Western Marquis."

"Ransom?" Zu'an sneered. How could he let them go? There were still many things he needed to settle with them.

"Let him in!" Zu'an commanded, recalling the matter of Sancai from his previous life, which filled him with too many doubts and much anger.

Soon, a young man walked in. It had to be admitted, he was indeed distinguished and handsome, perhaps just a tiny bit less so than himself.

"Ji Bo Yikao pays his respects to Your Majesty and the Empress." The young man's demeanor was respectful and impeccable.

"What brings you here?" Zu'an asked coldly.

Bo Yikao's heart skipped a beat, sensing the other's unfriendly tone. Still, he said, "Your humble servant has come this time with gifts to redeem my father. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy."

In ancient times, even when two nations were at war, the captured party could be ransomed with wealth. Moreover, Zhou was nominally still a vassal state of Shang, and the two sides had not yet gone to war.

"Ransom?" Zu'an said noncommittally, instead looking at him and asking, "Who is your mother?"

"My mother?" Ji Bo Yikao was taken aback, his expression somewhat strange. He thought, 'I've always heard this fellow is licentious and lawless. Is he perhaps harboring intentions toward my mother?'

This is outrageous!

Rage value from Ji Bo Yikao: 999!

But now, under someone else's roof, he had to bow his head. He suppressed his anger and replied in a deep voice, "My mother's given name is Taisi, a daughter of Youxin."

"What about Sancai?" Zu'an pressed, eager to know if there was a connection between these two worlds.

Pei Mianman secretly gripped his hand, clearly also concerned about Sancai, fearing that the two worlds were completely unrelated and that there would be no more news of Sancai.

"Sancai?" A bewildered look flickered in Ji Bo Yikao's eyes.

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "She is my sister... ahem, my aunt, who married your father back then."

Although they were siblings in his previous life, his current identity was Di Xin, which made him her nephew.

Ji Bo Yikao had a moment of realization. "Ah, the Grand Aunt. She passed away from complications during childbirth that year. I hadn't been born yet, so I don't know the detailed circumstances."

Zu'an breathed a sigh of relief. Sancai indeed existed in this world, and he was determined to uncover the truth of what happened back then.

Pei Mianman, standing nearby, sneered, "You're so eager to distance yourself, which clearly means you're lying."

Ji Bo Yikao glanced at her, a flicker of admiration in his eyes, quickly replaced by apprehension. "Your humble servant is speaking a widely known truth; I am not lying."

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "What is widely known is not necessarily the truth. Guards, take him away and interrogate him thoroughly about what happened back then!"

Ji Bo Yikao turned pale with shock. At this, those around them all began to dissuade Zu'an. "Your Majesty, you absolutely must not! Ji Bo Yikao is the heir of Western Zhou. Imprisoning Ji Chang already strained relations with Western Zhou. If you imprison him as well, it will be tantamount to completely breaking ties and starting a war."

"So be it if it means war. Does this king fear such things?" Zu'an was vexed. The matter of Western Zhou had weighed on his mind for too long; it had to be resolved.

Moreover, this time it concerned Sancai, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

As the attendants continued to plead, Pei Mianman, standing nearby, became annoyed. "I hear Bo Yikao brought many gifts this time. Are you all speaking on his behalf because you've accepted his money?"

With words spoken to this extent, who among the others dared to say anything more? Soon, Ji Bo Yikao was taken away and thrown into prison.

While Zu'an had people interrogate him about Sancai's past, he knew it wouldn't yield immediate results, so he decided to go see Ji Chang in his cell first.

Seeing him again, Zu'an found that he hadn't changed much in appearance from back then, merely having matured, grown a considerable beard, and showing the marks of time on his face.

Zu'an was somewhat surprised that they looked exactly alike. Could this world truly be connected?

At this moment, Ji Chang also stared at him with some surprise, and after a long while, he sighed, "The resemblance... Your Majesty and the late king are truly alike."

They had met by the Wei River in the previous life, and Zu'an hadn't expected Ji Chang to retain that memory.

Zu'an's eyes narrowed. "Ji Chang, do you know why I've imprisoned you here?"

Ji Chang replied calmly, "Your Majesty has his reasons for imprisoning me. As your humble servant, I dare not presume to speculate."

Zu'an frowned. This fellow was indeed an old fox, maintaining an inscrutable demeanor.

He had no time for such riddles. He went straight to the point: "What exactly did you do to my... my aunt Sancai back then? Why did she die?"

Ji Chang paused, then replied, "Sancai died in childbirth back then. My heart was filled with unbearable grief. Alas, if she hadn't died so early, our relationship with Your Majesty wouldn't be so strained now."

Zu'an had been observing his expression closely and saw no sign of panic, which made him somewhat doubtful. Could Sancai truly have died of natural causes back then?

Pei Mianman, at his side, snorted coldly. "Sancai absolutely could not have died in childbirth. Back then, I... ahem, many in the palace had specifically taught her various related birthing knowledge, precisely because they were worried about such issues."

Ji Chang replied, "The moon waxes and wanes, and human fortunes are unpredictable. Many things are simply beyond human control; everything is arranged by the gods. I was equally distraught by Sancai's death in childbirth back then, but I could only lament that it was her destined fate."

Zu'an sneered, "According to you, heaven caused Sancai's death?"

Ji Chang replied calmly, "Your humble servant did not say that. Heaven's will is unfathomable, and I dare not presume to speculate."

Zu'an knew that reasoning with such an experienced old fox was useless. He directly called for guards, "Guards, administer torture to him. Let's see what truly happened back then!"

Ji Chang's expression remained unchanged. "Since ancient times, torture has not been applied to high-ranking officials. Your Majesty's actions would likely be contrary to propriety and would also completely jeopardize the diplomatic relations between our two states."

"Diplomatic relations? You Zhou people are truly ambitious and ruthless. Do you really think I don't know that?" Zu'an waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to begin.

Shang Dynasty punishments were numerous. With the King's order, they naturally found experts in the field.

Ji Chang sighed. "Your Majesty's perverse actions will likely provoke widespread criticism throughout the land."

Zu'an clearly had no time for further arguments with him. He turned and left, pausing before he departed. "I know you're very stubborn, and I likely won't get anything out of you. But I hope Bo Yikao can endure as much as you can."

Hearing this, Ji Chang's expression finally changed.

Zu'an and Pei Mianman went directly to Bo Yikao's cell on the other side to check. From afar, they could hear Bo Yikao's screams and curses. The various torture methods inside made both of their eyelids twitch; it was truly horrific.

After watching for a while, both found it unbearable and decided to wait outside.

After some time, someone from the cell came to report, "He's willing to confess."

Zu'an and Pei Mianman exchanged a look and quickly went inside. By then, Bo Yikao no longer resembled his former handsome self. His body was a bloody mess from the beating, and he was barely clinging to life.

Zu'an had to admit that this fellow was quite stubborn, enduring for so long.

Seeing them enter, Bo Yikao's lips moved. He had been cursing fiercely just moments ago, but now he didn't even have the strength to curse. He only said weakly, "I only ask for a quick death..."

Many times, living is more painful than dying. He understood his current situation; death would be a release.

Zu'an knew this was not the time for compassion. He found a stool opposite him and sat down. "Tell me, how exactly did Sancai die back then?"