Chapter 549: New Grudges and Old Hatreds

"Bo Yikao?" Zu An paused, recalling that period of history from his memory.

He remembered a historical account: Ji Chang was imprisoned by King Zhou. Western Zhou then sent Ji Bo Yikao, Ji Chang's eldest son, with various treasures and gifts to ransom his father. Daji, captivated by Bo Yikao's handsome appearance, attempted to seduce him. To her surprise, he was not only unmoved but also rebuked her. Enraged and humiliated, Daji slandered him to King Zhou, leading to Bo Yikao being chopped into mincemeat and fed to Ji Chang.

Daji was renowned throughout history for her enchanting beauty. Would such a woman truly lose control over a mere young man? Zu An suspected this was a deliberate smear by later generations.

In this world, Zu An wasn't concerned that Pei Mianman, who was by his side, would be attracted to a handsome young man. On the contrary, he felt a surge of joy. He quickly turned to a nearby subordinate and asked, "Is Ji Chang imprisoned here?"

"Yes," the subordinate confirmed, "the Prince of Xibo Hou has come specifically to ransom the Marquis of Xibo."

"Ransom?" Zu An scoffed. There was no way he would let them go; he still had many scores to settle.

"Let him in!" The thought of San Cai from his previous life stirred a mix of confusion and anger within Zu An.

Soon, a young man entered. Zu An had to admit he was indeed dignified and strikingly handsome—though perhaps just a touch less so than himself.

"Ji Bo Yikao respectfully greets Your Majesty and the Queen." The young man's demeanor was impeccably deferential.

"What brings you here?" Zu An said coldly.

Bo Yikao's heart fluttered; he perceived the hostility in Zu An's tone. Nevertheless, he stated, "Your humble servant has come with gifts to ransom my father. I implore Your Majesty for leniency."

In ancient times, even warring nations allowed the captured to be ransomed with wealth. Moreover, Zhou was still nominally a vassal state of Shang, and the two had not yet formally declared war.

"Ransom?" Zu An said noncommittally. Instead, he looked at him and asked, "Who is your mother?"

"My mother?" Ji Bo Yikao faltered, his expression growing strange. He mused, "I've always heard this man is dissolute and depraved. Is he now setting his sights on my mother?"

This is outrageous!

However, being in a subordinate position, he had no choice but to humble himself. He suppressed his anger and replied in a low voice, "My mother's esteemed name is Tai Si, a daughter of the State of Youxin."

"What about San Cai?" Zu An pressed, eager to know if there was a connection between the two worlds.

Pei Mianman subtly squeezed his hand, clearly as concerned as he was about San Cai, dreading that the two worlds might be unconnected and that all news of her would cease.

"San Cai?" A flicker of confusion crossed Ji Bo Yikao's eyes.

Zu An stated gravely, "She is my sister... ahem, my aunt, who married your father years ago."

While they had been siblings in his previous life, in this reality, his identity as Di Xin made him her nephew.

Ji Bo Yikao's expression cleared with understanding: "Ah, you mean my stepmother. She passed away during childbirth back then. I hadn't been born yet, so I don't know the specifics."

Zu An breathed a sigh of relief. San Cai did exist in this world after all. He absolutely had to uncover the truth of what happened then.

Pei Mianman at his side sneered, "You're so eager to distance yourself from this; clearly, you're lying."

Ji Bo Yikao looked at her, a flicker of admiration in his eyes, quickly overshadowed by apprehension: "What I stated is a widely known fact; I am not lying."

Zu An declared firmly, "What is widely known is not necessarily the truth. Guards, take him away and rigorously interrogate him about the events of that year!"

Ji Bo Yikao's face blanched with shock. At this, those nearby collectively urged caution: "Your Majesty, you must not! Ji Bo Yikao is the Crown Prince of Western Zhou. Imprisoning Ji Chang has already strained relations with Western Zhou. If you imprison him too, it will undoubtedly lead to a complete breakdown and open warfare."

"Let there be war, then. Am I afraid?" Zu An felt irritated. The issue with Western Zhou had been a burden for too long; it was time to resolve it.

Moreover, this time it was related to San Cai; he had to get to the bottom of it.

As others continued to protest, Pei Mianman, growing impatient, snapped, "I heard Bo Yikao brought many gifts this time. Are you all speaking on his behalf because you've accepted his bribes?"

After such a remark, no one dared to speak further. Ji Bo Yikao was swiftly taken away and cast into prison.

While Zu An arranged for Bo Yikao to be interrogated about San Cai's past, he knew answers wouldn't come quickly. Thus, he decided to visit Ji Chang in his prison cell first.

Upon seeing Ji Chang again, Zu An noted he hadn't changed significantly from how he remembered him; he merely appeared more mature, with a fuller beard and the discernible marks of time on his face.

Zu An was surprised by their identical appearance. Could these two worlds truly be connected?

Ji Chang, too, stared at him in surprise. After a long pause, he remarked, "The resemblance, Your Majesty, you bear an uncanny resemblance to the late King."

The two had met by the Wei River in his previous life. He 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 imprisoned me here, and naturally, Your Majesty has his reasons. As your subject, I dare not presume to speculate."

Zu An frowned. This fellow was indeed an old fox, appearing utterly unfathomable.

Having no patience for such cryptic games, he got straight to the point: "What exactly did you do to my... aunt San Cai back then? And why did she die?"

Ji Chang hesitated, then replied, "San Cai died in childbirth. My heart was grief-stricken. Alas, had she not passed so early, our relationship with Your Majesty would not be so strained today."

Zu An had been observing his expression closely and saw no trace of panic, which made him somewhat doubtful. Could San Cai truly have died a natural death back then?

Pei Mianman scoffed, "San Cai absolutely could not have died in childbirth. Back then, I even... ahem, many people in the palace had specifically educated her on childbirth, precisely to prevent such complications."

Ji Chang responded, "The moon has its phases, and human life its unpredictable twists. Many things are beyond mortal control; everything is the arrangement of the gods. I, too, was deeply saddened by San Cai's death in childbirth, but I could only lament that it was her predetermined fate."

Zu An sneered, "So, according to you, San Cai was destined by Heaven to die?"

Ji Chang calmly responded, "Your humble servant did not say that. Heaven's will is inscrutable, and I dare not speculate."

Knowing it was futile to argue further with such an experienced old fox, Zu An directly called out, "Guards, torture him! Let's uncover what truly transpired back then!"

Ji Chang's expression remained impassive: "Since ancient times, torture has not been applied to nobles. Your Majesty's actions would likely violate proper conduct and completely jeopardize diplomatic relations between our two states."

"Diplomatic relations? Do you Zhou people truly believe I'm unaware of your treacherous ambitions?" Zu An waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to begin.

The Shang Dynasty was known for its diverse range of tortures, and with the King's command, they naturally found a master practitioner.

Ji Chang sighed, "Your Majesty's perverse actions will likely incur widespread condemnation."

Zu An evidently had no time for further arguments. He turned and walked away, pausing before he left: "I know you're resilient; I likely won't extract anything from you. But I hope Bo Yikao can withstand as much as you can."

Hearing this, Ji Chang's expression finally changed.

Zu An and Pei Mianman proceeded directly to Bo Yikao's cell. Even from a distance, they could hear Bo Yikao's agonizing screams and curses. The sight of the various torture methods being employed made their eyelids twitch; it was truly a horrific scene.

After watching for a while, both found it unbearable and waited outside.

After a while, someone from the cell came to report: "He's willing to confess."

Zu An and Pei Mianman exchanged glances and hurried inside. Bo Yikao was no longer the handsome man he once was; his body was a mangled, bloody mess, and he lay barely clinging to life.

Zu An had to admit that the fellow was quite resilient, enduring for so long.

Upon seeing them enter, Bo Yikao's lips barely moved. Though he had been cursing vehemently moments earlier, he now lacked even the strength to do so, whispering weakly, "I only beg for a quick death..."

Often, life itself can be more painful than death. He understood his current plight; dying would be a release.

Zu An knew this was no time for compassion. He found a stool opposite and sat down: "Speak, how did San Cai truly die back then?"