Even if against the whole world, my heart remains with you

Gu Qingyue's face was pale, yet it surged with a look of stubborn defiance.

"Impossible. I will never allow Ren Tianye to succeed so easily. I still have a trump card left unplayed. How could I let him slip from my control?"

"Since I started this fire, I must control it!"

Thinking of this, she lingered no longer.

While those spineless cowards were racking their brains for ways to curry favor with Ren Tianye, she strode away, heading straight for the Heavenly Prison.

Walking along the streets, she truly felt it.

In just a few short days, the capital had undergone earth-shattering changes.

On the streets, there were no longer just the Imperial Guards, but also a number of idle barbarians. Most of them were likely the barbarians guarding the Yuchen Estate, out shopping during their free time.

But the most numerous were the Northern Frontier border troops brought by Ren Tianye.

They had become the dominant color of the capital.

In squads of a few or hundreds, they were either patrolling or guarding various strategic points within the city.

The massive capital had practically become the backyard of the Northern Frontier army.

This gave Gu Qingyue a slight shock in her heart.

Although she had paid attention when Ren Tianye sent his men into the city yesterday, she did not know the exact whereabouts of all these troops. Only now did it occur to her: "Could Ren Tianye have sent men to guard the Heavenly Prison?"

If Ren Tianye had secured the prison, didn't that mean her trump card to manipulate him had already been rescued?

Was her last hope about to fall through?

At this thought, Gu Qingyue broke into a cold sweat. She quickened her pace, sprinting toward the Heavenly Prison.

Before long, she arrived at the prison.

Her suspended heart finally settled back into her chest.

Ren Tianye had not sent troops to guard the Heavenly Prison.

Duke Ren was still locked up inside.

"Hahaha, Ren Tianye, even a wise man with a thousand plans can make a mistake!"

"Without rescuing Duke Ren, how are you any different from being in the palm of my hand?"

Gu Qingyue's mood instantly became extremely delighted.

But she didn't delay, immediately ordering the jailers to rouse Duke Ren.

"Qingyue, you... you've come to see me again?"

"Can I be let out now?"

"I... I really can't take it anymore. I beg you, please let me out, alright?"

Duke Ren was not too old, about the same age as Lu Qing. Yet while Lu Qing was still full of vigor, he was reduced to a skeleton, covered in wounds, and looked like he was on his last breath.

"I really can't endure it any longer!"

"I truly can't hold on!"

Gu Qingyue smiled coldly. She had no fondness for Duke Ren and instead said, "Right now, your precious son Ren Tianye has led an army of a hundred thousand into the capital..."

"What?" Duke Ren was startled. "He really brought his men in? Does that mean he has made a great contribution? Then hurry and make Ren Tianye get over here to see me! Have him rescue me immediately. Oh, and make sure he takes care of his younger brother. His brother has suffered so much grievance, all thanks to him. He owes his brother too, too much..."

Before Duke Ren could finish, Gu Qingyue interrupted impatiently, "Hmph, that son of yours, Ren Tianye, is no easy pushover. He has already usurped the position of Grand Commandant."

"I came to find you this time to have you write a family letter to Ren Tianye. Tell him to return the position of Grand Commandant and to obey my every command. Are you willing?"

Saying this, Gu Qingyue stared intently at Duke Ren.

Gu Qingyue had already experienced Duke Ren's formidable nature. He appeared cowardly on the surface, but deep down, he had bones of iron.

To support Ren Tianye, he dared to tell any lie and endure any grievance.

But now, would Duke Ren cooperate with her?

"I'm willing, I'm willing!" Duke Ren said immediately. "I am more than willing. Give me a pen and paper; I will write it right now and demand that rebellious son Ren Tianye return the Grand Commandant position at once!"

"Are you truly willing?"

"As true as can be. Just look at my sincere eyes!"

Gu Qingyue looked at Duke Ren's sincere eyes and nodded. It didn't seem fake. She immediately had Duke Ren write the letter.

After personally inspecting it and ensuring there were no issues, she had someone deliver it to Ren Tianye with utmost haste.

As a result, in less than an hour, Ren Tianye's reply arrived.

"So fast?" Gu Qingyue quickly opened the envelope and read the contents.

"Father, your painstaking efforts have always been known to your son."

"Please endure this suffering for just a few more days. Your son will surely bring Duke Ren's estate out of the darkness and into the light, and spread your good name throughout the world."

Smack!

Gu Qingyue fiercely threw the letter at Duke Ren's face, angrily saying, "Good, very good, Duke Ren! You are truly something else."

"Right to my face, you still manage to pass secret messages to Ren Tianye."

"Speak: What kind of secret code did you and Ren Tianye agree upon? What is your ultimate goal? How exactly did you incite Ren Tianye to raise an army? Now that Ren Tianye covets the position of Grand Commandant, is it all your secret instigation?"

Duke Ren picked up the letter, took one look, and completely broke down.

"No, no, what... what is this?"

"I never wanted to bring Duke Ren's estate out of the dark, let alone spread my name! I didn't, I didn't, I really didn't!"

"Believe me!"

"You have to believe me!"

Gu Qingyue grew even more furious. "I'd have to have water in my brain to believe you!"

"Men, torture him."

"Today I want to see just how hard your bones really are. Even now, you still refuse to speak a single word of truth!"

Following the orders, the jailers immediately served Duke Ren the prison's full course: the tiger bench, chili water, and the rolling nail board, applying them one by one.

The pain made Duke Ren cry for his parents, his mind desperately trying to recall what instructions he could have possibly given to Ren Tianye.

Unfortunately, he simply couldn't remember.

By the time he had suffered through a severe round of torture, he was practically crippled. But this time, Gu Qingyue was absolutely not going to let him off.

"Write to Ren Tianye again!"

"Write a blood letter!"

"Tell Ren Tianye to return the position of Grand Commandant and to obey my orders and dispatch."

"Hmph!"

"If you dare to play tricks again this time, I will definitely not forgive you lightly!"

Duke Ren nodded his head like a chick pecking at rice. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I absolutely won't play tricks. I will definitely make Ren Tianye listen, make that rebellious son listen."

To make Ren Tianye obey, Duke Ren racked his brains: "Tianye, your father's life is hanging by a thread, and only you can save me. Our father-son bond is deep; you absolutely must not refuse the request your father makes of you!"

"You must definitely be of one heart with your father!"

Gu Qingyue inspected it again and once more confirmed that there shouldn't be any problems.

She then had someone send it to Ren Tianye.

This time, Ren Tianye did not reply so quickly, making Gu Qingyue wait in the prison for a whole day. However, this actually made Gu Qingyue feel hopeful, and her heart felt much more at ease.

It wasn't until the next day that Ren Tianye's letter finally arrived!

Upon opening it, it was also a patch of blood red.

It was clearly written by Ren Tianye in blood.

From this, it could be seen just how deep the bond between Ren Tianye and Duke Ren was. This filled Gu Qingyue with even more anticipation, and she couldn't wait to read on.

"Rest assured, Father!"

"Even if it means making an enemy of the entire world, your son will definitely be of one heart with you!"

"I understand perfectly what you alluded to in your letter."

"The mere position of Grand Commandant is indeed unworthy of your grand ambitions, Father."

"I will continue to do my utmost."

"Sooner or later, I will realize your dream, Father, and let the whole world know what an extraordinary hero Duke Ren truly is!"

...