The Showdown

Under Zhang Heng's persuasion, Qin Xuehua and the others temporarily left the main prison and went to a side chamber to wait.

Zhang Heng shot a meaningful glance at the jailer, who understood and unlocked the cell door.

The jailer then bowed and retreated to the far end of the corridor, turning his back to them—effectively "keeping watch."

Zhang Heng stepped forward and entered the dark, damp solitary cell.

Inside the cell, only the two brothers remained.

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed, regulating his breath, as if utterly unaware of Zhang Heng's entrance.

Zhang Heng walked straight to the only crude wooden stool in the cell, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat down with elegant poise, his movements unhurried, as if he were the master of this place.

His gaze fell on Zhang Yu, and a cold, age-defying smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Eldest Brother,"

he began, his voice lowered, no longer the deliberately crafted clear and gentle tone he usually wore, but carrying a venomous edge rare for a youth his age, "I truly... underestimated you."

Zhang Yu slowly opened his eyes. There was no surprise in them, only an unfathomable calm as he met Zhang Heng's gaze.

Zhang Heng continued in a low voice: "Three years ago, I thought you had died on that estate. I never expected you to pull through and even return alive to the Marquis Estate."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"These three years, you've groveled and fawned in the Marquis Estate, ingratiating yourself with everyone—Mother, Sister, me, and even that foolish woman Jiang Luohan—with every ounce of sycophancy you could muster.

Everyone called you a spineless waste, a ridiculous 'bootlicker,' a 'lapdog.' Even I... was almost fooled by you at first."

"But later, I slowly sensed something was off."

Zhang Heng leaned forward slightly, staring into Zhang Yu's eyes, "Every time you 'fawned,' it seemed to 'coincidentally' resolve some minor trouble;

every time you 'showed weakness,' you always ended up reaping some unexpected benefit.

You're like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows—seemingly harmless, even pathetic, yet always able to strike the most vital spot without a sound.

Your forbearance, your methods... they frighten me."

He let out a soft sigh, as if in admiration: "From the day you returned to the estate, I knew you would be my lifelong nemesis. If I don't eliminate you, I'll never have peace of mind."

Faced with Zhang Heng's near-total confession, Zhang Yu's face remained expressionless as he replied flatly:

"You're not bad yourself. Thirteen years ago, you knew how to push your elder brother into the water from behind, and afterward, you could still act innocent, crying more pitifully than anyone.

Later, you even falsely accused me of pushing you in, leading to me being abandoned to die on that rural estate.

That kind of scheming, that level of cruelty—it's not something just anyone possesses."

What he spoke of was a vague yet pivotal childhood shadow from the original owner's memories.

Zhang Heng's pupils contracted slightly. He didn't deny it, only offered a sinister smile: "Eldest Brother has a good memory. It was me. Pity you still came back alive."

"These three years, if I hadn't been careful at every turn, plus a bit of... 'luck,'"

Zhang Yu referred to the various life-saving and warning skills the system had rewarded him with, "I'd probably have died countless times by now."

Zhang Heng didn't deny it, simply stating matter-of-factly:

"There's no helping it. The struggle for the Heir Apparent has always been this way.

You are the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis Estate. As long as you live, I cannot rest easy.

The future of the Marquis Estate can only be mine."

His tone was calm, yet it carried naked ambition and Killing Intent.

"This time,"

Zhang Heng shifted the topic, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes, "I originally planned to use the Wang Family affair to have you 'die of illness' or meet with an 'accident' in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison.

The guards there are relatively lax, and greasing palms is convenient.

Who would've thought you'd be so troublesome, stirring up so many charges that you landed straight in this Heavenly Prison."

His tone carried a hint of regret and irritation.

The Heavenly Prison was heavily guarded and strictly managed. Silently killing a major offender here, with no trace, was far more difficult and risky.

"But,"

Zhang Heng shifted again, that venomous smirk returning to his lips, "though I can't take your life right away, since I'm here, I can't leave empty-handed.

Eldest Brother, today you've made me, the Marquis Estate, and the Jiang Family lose all face and burdened us with a mountain of debt.

As your younger brother, if I didn't 'repay' you with something, wouldn't that be terribly rude?"

He stood up, pacing slowly, his gaze sweeping over the crude cell before finally settling back on Zhang Yu, his voice dropping even lower, carrying a cat-toying-with-mouse cruelty:

"Though you may be spared the death penalty, you cannot escape the living torment.

Eldest Brother, since you're destined to spend the rest of your life in this Heavenly Prison..."

"Then let me, as your younger brother, show a little kindness and make your life in prison a bit more... 'exciting' and 'unforgettable.'

How about that?"

"Don't worry, I won't let you die. Dying would be too easy on you, and it would make me seem too heartless as a brother."

"I want you to live—live without a shred of dignity, live a life worse than death, live until Mother, Sister, and everyone, including that heir apparent next door who's watching the show, utterly despise you."

"Until everyone sees you as a disgusting pile of mud, never wanting to speak your name again."

"Once you've completely rotted away in this Heavenly Prison, with your reputation, dignity, and hope all ground to dust, maybe then I'll come 'visit' you again."