The Last Hope

When they reached the end of the secret passage, Hu Jinghui asked, "My lord, what are we doing back in this passage?"

Di Renjie did not answer. He merely looked at Hu Jinghui and smiled before opening the secret chamber where Fang Qian had previously been imprisoned.

Di Renjie said to Hu Jinghui, "Jinghui, in a moment, close the cell door. Afterward, enter the secret passage through the exit by the silver vault and walk to the exit in the second hall. Make your footsteps as heavy as possible."

Though Hu Jinghui did not understand, he immediately replied, "All right."

With that, he shut the cell door and, as Di Renjie had instructed, began walking with heavy footsteps.

Di Renjie listened carefully inside the cell. As the clear sound of footsteps reached him, his face involuntarily broke into a smile. Fang Qian's lie had been confirmed once again.

Before long, Hu Jinghui opened the door and returned. "My lord, is that enough?"

Di Renjie chuckled. "Good, very good. Jinghui, you truly are a fortunate general."

With that, Di Renjie burst into loud laughter.

Hu Jinghui was utterly baffled, unable to understand why Di Renjie had suddenly become so pleased.

Soon afterward, Di Renjie led Hu Jinghui back to the Governor-General's Office.

At the East Flower Hall of the Governor-General's Office, Fang Qian returned to his quarters after dinner.

After closing the door and carefully checking the room, he drew the curtains and prepared to tend to the wound on his back.

Enduring the intense pain without daring to make a sound, Fang Qian sprinkled medicinal powder over the wound on his back.

Fang Qian had only just lain down to sleep when he suddenly heard a commotion outside, with people repeatedly shouting, "Water! Bring water quickly!"

Fang Qian immediately