Chapter 419: Pleading for Mercy

o tell what animal it was from and put it in her bowl. Li Chen said, "This meat is tender and firm, but it has a slight fishy smell, so it needs more spices to enhance the flavor. Cooked this way, it'...Chapter 419: Begging for Mercy

Their eyes met in the dim prison cell.

Although there was no word exchanged, as Qian Shiyan's confidante, Ge Pingyi had already understood the threat in that sinister gaze.

Gritting his teeth, Ge Pingyi didn't say a word.

He knew he was done for.

But he still has family.

If you sold Qian Shiyan for money, Qian Shiyan would have ways to deal with your family.

The lesser of two evils, Ge Pingyi wouldn't risk the lives of his entire family.

And this scene, Li Chen saw it all.

He said indifferently, "Ge Pingyi, if you don't speak, then all this will end with you."

Hearing this, Qian Shiyan hadn't even had time to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Li Chen continue, "But the ultimate responsibility for all of this also rests with you. You have shown contempt for imperial law, disrupted the order of our empire, and tarnished the atmosphere of law and justice. Such a serious crime warrants the confiscation of your entire clan."

"As the right minister of the Ministry of Justice, tell this palace, how many ranks will your family be divided into when I purge them"

Ge Ping spoke with a grim face, his words heavy and difficult to hear. "Those crimes are divided into three categories based on severity. The most serious is treason and regicide, which is unforgivable and results in the execution of nine generations."

"The second level is the crime of great disrespect and deceiving the monarch, punishable by the extermination of three generations."

“The third level is the crime of treason against the emperor and causing chaos in the court. The entire clan will be wiped out, with male members exiled thousands of miles away and eligible women serving as official prostitutes. All clan members will be enslaved.”

The more Ge Pingyi spoke, the uglier his face became.

This threat, even though Li Chen didn't say a word, the meaning was already evident.

It is precisely this unspoken threat that fills Ge Pingyi with fear.

"If you are merely an accomplice, this palace will still take your head, but I will not punish your family. Your wife and daughters can still return home and live out their days in peace."

Li Chen looked at Ge Pingyi and said calmly, "You need to weigh the severity of the situation."

Li Chen's words not only put tremendous psychological pressure on Ge Pingyi, but also made Qian Shiyan beside him furious.

He had partnered with Ge Pingyi for many years and knew his temper better than anyone. He also knew that under such a threat from the prince, Ge Pingyi would not be able to hold up.

Thinking of this, Qian Shiyan also didn't care much. He suddenly spoke to Ge Pingyi fiercely: "Ge Pingyi! Didn't you hear His Highness asking you a question If someone is really behind you, wake up and confess immediately. Maybe His Highness can show leniency towards you, but if you persist in being stubborn, you will definitely be dealt with severely!"

After finishing his words, Qian Shiyan stared intently at Ge Pingyi, the fierce light in his eyes almost bursting out.

"Ge Pingyi, you must think this through! Answer the prince's questions properly!"

This sentence, Qian Shiyan almost squeezed out each word from between his teeth.

Ge Pingyi, seeing this, felt even greater fear in his heart.

Just as Qian Shiyan's words hit the ground, Li Chen suddenly kicked him to the floor.

"I haven't even spoken a few words yet, and you've already said more than I have. So, are you taking charge now"

Li Chen looked coldly at Qian Shiyan who was sitting on the ground, then turned to Ge Pingyi and said: "Since you are still hesitant, then forget it. Sanbao, take this imperial decree and bring Ge Pingyi's whole family to Dongchang prison."

Li Chen smiled coldly and said, "The reason I need evidence is simply that this palace intends to handle things smoothly. However, it doesn't mean that if there is no evidence, this palace cannot do anything about it."

"Your Highness, I said! I said!"Chen raised his hand to brush away the pungent green smoke and looked at the tree trunk he had aimed at.Yet, though the shot hit, it was far off from where he aimed.This is still over ten steps away,...