The Mad Villain Driven to Death - Chapter 22

Shen Zhaoxue’s eyes lit up. He rose quickly, saying, “I shall go at once.”

He had barely taken a step when Wan Shenghan abruptly seized his wrist, yanking him back. Shen Zhaoxue stumbled, falling into the other man’s embrace as an arm wrapped around his waist. He barely managed to steady himself, but when he tried to break free from the restraint, his efforts were futile.

Wan Shenghan gripped his waist tightly, applying so much force that half of Shen Zhaoxue’s body went numb and weak. He could only let out a muffled groan as he leaned helplessly against the man’s shoulder.

Wan Shenghan ground his teeth and hissed, “Stay here. You aren’t going anywhere.”

Shen Zhaoxue froze. A sudden thought occurred to him: Wan Shenghan has stopped me from seeing Chen Luo several times now; could it be that he still likes me?

The moment the thought appeared, he let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

Now, Wan Shenghan was worried that Chen Luo would take an interest in him; worried that he would actually follow Chen Luo away. Where was this concern in his previous life? Why hadn’t Wan Shenghan ever spoken a word of truth back then?

Instead, he had tricked Shen Zhaoxue into leaving the palace with promises of escape, only to leave him with insults, break his fingers, and ensure he was punished upon his return to the palace.

If only he had been like this sooner…

“If you had acted this way earlier,” Shen Zhaoxue whispered, tilting his face slightly toward Wan Shenghan, “it was you who remained indifferent. You intentionally ignored my plight and allowed me to suffer in this estate.”

“Now that I am blind and riddled with strange ailments, everyone in the Wan family loathes me. You all likely want me dead by now, don’t you?”

The hand gripping his wrist bone suddenly tightened, causing a surge of sharp pain. Shen Zhaoxue gasped, and Wan Shenghan abruptly released him, seemingly suppressed his rage with a forced, cold calm.

“I was wrong to you regarding the past,” Wan Shenghan said. “But Chen Luo is no benevolent man. With your sharp mind, there is no way you don’t know that. There is no need to put yourself in danger for the sake of your so-called plans.”

“Now you speak of being sorry?” Shen Zhaoxue sneered. “What is the use of saying this now?”

He was already dead. He had drifted through the tides of the palace for ten years, his hands forced to bear the blood of countless people, haunted by nightmares every single night. Meanwhile, Wan Shenghan had been elsewhere, marrying another woman, seemingly forgetting him long ago—hating him, loathing him.

Shen Zhaoxue’s body trembled slightly. He felt a deep, physical ache; his emotions were too intense, and he was reaching his breaking point. He knew he should be calm, but he simply couldn’t.

He had never been a steady person. In his youth, he was sensitive and gentle; later, he became an utter madman who would use any means to achieve his goals, sometimes even sacrificing himself. He had been so thoroughly insane that few in the imperial court dared to oppose his decisions, which was how he had kept Chen Shi securely on the throne for those few years.

Thinking of the past now, he nearly let the truth of his previous life slip out. He had to remind himself that he had been reborn and that certain words could bring about a death sentence. Yet, he could not suppress the bitterness and resentment he had harbored for so many years.

Wan Shenghan had hated him for ten years. Shen Zhaoxue didn’t blame him; he knew his words had destroyed the Wan family’s future and Wan Shenghan’s career. From the day Wan Shenghan’s parents died at the hands of rioters during the family’s forced relocation, the grievances between them had become an inextricable knot. It was impossible to say who was truly at fault.

During that time, Shen Zhaoxue had even thought that Wan Shenghan should have taken him along. If he had, he would have been just one more body in that riot. If he were a silent corpse, no one would have heaped all the blame on his head, forcing him to bear everyone’s fury and hatred.

He couldn’t bear it.

Shen Zhaoxue panted heavily, his head spinning until his consciousness flickered. When he came to, he found himself being held in someone’s arms, supported by the shoulders. The world felt as if it were behind a veil of water, the sounds muffled. He could only vaguely hear Wan Shenghan saying, “Don’t run off. Don’t go with the Fifth Prince. In the future, I can give you whatever you want.”

Shen Zhaoxue parted his lips, but no words came out. He didn’t want anything; he only wanted revenge. If he stayed by Wan Shenghan’s side, that goal would never be realized.

Wan Shenghan likes me, he thought. Even now, the man was controlling his freedom. If he truly listened and stayed obediently in the Wan estate, he would likely become nothing more than Wan Shenghan’s personal possession.

Shen Zhaoxue remained silent as he was supported out of the side courtyard and toward the main hall.

The Fifth Prince, holding a high status, sat in the seat of honor with Lord Xu Shou, the Chief of the Court of State Ceremonies, standing beside him. The elders of the family were present as well. The head of the Wan family had long since retired from court but still held a nominal position; there was no strict hierarchy between him and Xu Shou, and they stood together waiting for Shen Zhaoxue’s arrival.

Chen Luo felt a stifling irritation. He should have known Shen Zhaoxue wasn’t the submissive type; perhaps because Wan Shenghan had raised him for so long, the boy couldn’t leave him. He should have taken the boy back to his own estate and locked him up immediately. Now, he had to wait, and he wasn’t even sure if he’d get to see him.

Wan Shenghan was a mere scholar with no official rank, just a son of a prestigious family. The elders said he would have a great future, and even the divinations agreed, but that had clearly made him arrogant enough to dare oppose a Prince.

Chen Luo’s expression was grim as he looked toward the door. “Is he here yet? What else is there to say? I have seen the state of Young Master Shen’s eyes. Just arrest Wan Jingyao already.”

“Your Highness,” Xu Shou whispered a reminder, “the evidence is still insufficient. We cannot be so hasty.” He leaned in closer. “The Emperor has been favoring the younger Prince, Chen Shi, lately. Your Highness must not provoke His Majesty at this juncture.”

Chen Luo choked on his words, realizing the logic, and fell silent.

After another moment, they finally saw Wan Shenghan slowly approaching, supporting Shen Zhaoxue. Shen Zhaoxue’s complexion was still poor. His blindness made his movements hesitant; he stepped carefully as if afraid of falling.

The moment Chen Luo saw him, he rose to greet him. His heart had truly been ensnared by Shen Zhaoxue. When he saw Liu Wuyou on the street yesterday, he suddenly found the man dull and bland nothing compared to the allure of Shen Zhaoxue. He had lost interest in Liu Wuyou and desired Shen Zhaoxue’s intimacy even more. That was why he had personally gone to the Xu estate to find Xu Shou and report the poisoning.

Wan Jingyao, that coward, had been cowering on the floor since he was summoned, unable to offer a single word of explanation. Instead, it was his father, Wan Rong, who was arguing with Xu Shou. Chen Luo figured that if the boy couldn’t even defend himself, the accusations were likely true.

Chen Luo moved to bypass Wan Jingyao but was caught by the arm by Xu Shou. Xu Shou signaled him with a look, reminding him that his every action was being watched by Emperor Yuanshun. Chen Luo’s preference for men was not yet public knowledge. If he made it too obvious, it would be disastrous.

Reluctantly, Chen Luo stood his ground, watching as Wan Shenghan helped Shen Zhaoxue into the room. Wan Shenghan’s face was expressionless, yet his movements were exceptionally gentle.

The threshold was right in front of them. Though Shen Zhaoxue appeared timid with his brow lowered, his heart was calm. He remembered exactly where the threshold was. Even without a reminder, he knew.

But Wan Shenghan suddenly said, “Lift your foot.”

Shen Zhaoxue blinked and instinctively lifted his leg, only to be scooped up by the back of his knees. Wan Shenghan had picked him up in a horizontal carry. Shen Zhaoxue let out a startled cry, his body jolting as he reflexively clung to the man’s neck.

The elder Wan sighed and turned his back to the scene.

It took a moment for Shen Zhaoxue to realize what had happened. With so many eyes on them, he couldn’t cause a scene, so he could only grit his teeth and whisper, “Put me down.”

Wan Shenghan remained unmoved and carried him into the room.

Chen Luo frowned. He had sensed Wan Shenghan’s possessiveness before—every time they met, Wan Shenghan would show up to take the boy away. At first, he thought Wan Shenghan simply treated Shen Zhaoxue as a servant or page, but now he saw the truth.

Wan Shenghan’s attitude toward Shen Zhaoxue was clearly that of a man in love. They both liked men; looking at Shen Zhaoxue’s expression, it couldn’t be clearer. A chill ran down Chen Luo’s spine. If that were the case, Wan Shenghan likely knew about his own proclivities, which explained the hostility.

Chen Luo glanced at Xu Shou and decided to wait and see Wan Shenghan’s reaction before making his next move.

Wan Shenghan set Shen Zhaoxue down in a chair. Shen Zhaoxue gripped the armrests, his suspicions confirmed. Wan Shenghan really does like me. But if he likes me, what was the meaning of everything he did before? Even if he cared now, he would likely marry a wife in a few years and abandon him again.

Shen Zhaoxue took a deep breath, pushing thoughts of Wan Shenghan aside. He turned his head toward the sound of voices and said softly, “Your Highness, it has been a long time.”

“Young Master Shen previously said he was willing to stay at my estate,” Chen Luo said. “Today, I have come with Lord Xu to handle the poisoning case. Once it is concluded, you shall leave with me.”

“Shen Zhaoxue is going nowhere,” Wan Shenghan said coldly. “The matter is not up for discussion. Lord Xu, please proceed.”

Shen Zhaoxue lowered his head and said nothing. Chen Luo was frustrated by his silence but could only wait for the investigation to finish.

The case wasn’t complex. Wan Jingyao was incapable of hiding things, and with his changed attitude toward Shen Zhaoxue, the evidence was ironclad. A verdict was reached quickly.

Wan Rong began wailing in the hall. Had Shen Zhaoxue been unharmed, Wan Jingyao might have only faced three years of imprisonment; however, because Shen Zhaoxue’s eyes were injured, it became a capital offense. Wan Rong threw a tantrum in front of his younger brother, claiming Wan Jingyao was young and had simply made a mistake, and deserved a chance to reform.

Shen Zhaoxue’s ears ached from the noise. He gripped the armrests until his knuckles turned white and the veins on the back of his hands stood out.

“My son was about to take the imperial examinations!” Wan Rong shouted. “He was destined to be a top scholar and a high official! Now, because this little wretch insisted on involving the law, my son’s career is ruined!”

“If it is ruined, then it is ruined,” Wan Shenghan said flatly. “Reputation and power are not more important than a human life.”

“You are muddled!” Wan Rong screamed. “You act so righteous now, turning against your own kin! Just wait until the Wan family falls into ruin—you’ll regret this then—”

“Enough.”

Shen Zhaoxue’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried no emotion. “The Eldest Young Master’s career is important. I do not wish to pursue this further. I only ask that the Wan family compensate me with some funds and grant me and my maidservant our freedom. Afterward, I will withdraw the case with Lord Xu.”

Wan Shenghan’s voice was calm but firm: “In your dreams.”

Since the situation had devolved into a family dispute, Xu Shou found it inappropriate to interfere further and prepared to leave with Chen Luo.

Chen Luo grew anxious. “We should listen to Young Master Shen’s wishes! He wants to leave, and your family doesn’t even hold his indenture contract. What right do you have to detain him?” As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed Shen Zhaoxue’s wrist.

Shen Zhaoxue flinched but didn’t pull away. Chen Luo pulled him up, but before Shen Zhaoxue could speak, his other hand was seized by someone else. He found himself caught in a silent tug-of-war.

“Let go of my hands,” Shen Zhaoxue finally said.

Chen Luo was gripping him far too tightly. He wasn’t trying to save Shen Zhaoxue from misery; he was simply angry that something he wanted was being kept from him. Shen Zhaoxue had only intended to use the Prince, not actually move into his estate. His wrist hurt from Chen Luo’s grip, and as he struggled, the Prince only held on tighter.

“Wan Shenghan, let go,” Chen Luo commanded, “or do not blame this Prince for being impolite.”

“Your Highness,” Shen Zhaoxue suddenly spoke, looking conflicted. “Your Highness, perhaps we should leave it for today. The Eldest Young Master is perhaps in a bad mood…”

Wan Shenghan let out a cold sneer.

Shen Zhaoxue paused, then continued, “The Eldest Young Master is in a bad mood… I… I should stay to accompany him for a while… I am sorry.”

Chen Luo’s face darkened further. He felt that Young Master Shen was truly unable to see sense. The Wan family had treated him this way, even blinding him, and yet he forgave them just like that?

He wanted to argue further, but Wan Shenghan leaned over and pressed down on his hand, his eyes dark. “I’ll have to ask you to let go. Ah-Xue’s body cannot withstand such a commotion. I must take him back to rest.” Though his words sounded like a request, he used his strength to pry Chen Luo’s hand away.

Once they had left the main hall and were out of sight, the timid look on Shen Zhaoxue’s face vanished. “Let go of me,” he said expressionlessly.

But Wan Shenghan did not release his wrist. He dragged him all the way back to the side courtyard. Shen Zhaoxue stumbled along, unable to break free. “Wan Shenghan, let go!” he barked.

The room door was kicked open, slamming against the wall. Shen Zhaoxue felt himself being shoved forward, tumbling onto the bed. He felt dizzy, and as he tried to push himself up, Wan Shenghan suddenly pinned him down by the back of his neck.

“You certainly enjoyed seducing Chen Luo today,” Wan Shenghan said tonelessly.

“Ha,” Shen Zhaoxue laughed. “What, does my contact with Chen Luo make you so nervous? Where was this concern for me earlier?”

Before he could finish, the hand on his neck tightened slightly, though not in a threatening way. He opened his mouth to say something more cutting, but he was suddenly yanked up by his collar.

Wan Shenghan pulled off Shen Zhaoxue’s waist sash, bunched it up, and stuffed it into his mouth.