Since the concept of a "prison" was determined by "cognition," the method Zheng Xiu had devised to raise its level was indeed a shortcut.

The plan to create the "Eternal Purgatory" had taken preliminary shape in Zheng Xiu’s mind, but many details still needed to be refined.

The most important thing was not to attract the attention of Ye Weiyang or the Royal Family.

But now was the perfect time. Because of the "Cannibal Painting" case, even Feng Bei had been sent away, leaving Ye Weiyang with no time to concern herself with matters inside the Imperial City.

Zheng Xiu had been waiting for Scarface Liu, but after an hour, a brand-new carriage quietly pulled up in front of the Zheng Residence.

A woman in plain clothes with her hair tied up knocked politely on the door.

Zheng Xiu went to the door.

The carriage’s yellow curtains were drawn, obscuring the interior, but an oppressive atmosphere seemed to emanate from it, so palpable that Zheng Xiu subconsciously held his breath.

"Marquis Zheng, my master invites you. Please board the carriage to speak with him."

Zheng Xiu silently observed the driver. The man had a full beard, and the webs and joints of his hands were thick with calluses, a clear sign of someone who handled weapons year-round. There was a faint, familiar quality about him that Zheng Xiu recognized.

A Divine Martial Soldier.

If a Divine Martial Soldier was serving as the driver, then the identity of the "master" inside the carriage was all but certain.

Zheng Xiu frowned. He started to reach for the curtain, but after a moment’s hesitation, he stopped. Clasping his hands in a salute before the carriage, he said, "Marquis Zhonglie would not dare to be disrespectful."

A hearty laugh came from within the carriage. "We are on an incognito visit to the Zheng Clan. For now, We are just an unknown Master Wei."

What was this all about?

Zheng Xiu had never imagined that Old Wei would personally come to the Zheng Family’s doorstep in such a low-key manner.

He was, after all, the current Great Emperor. The curtain hadn’t even been lifted, yet the tiny carriage gave Zheng Xiu the distinct impression of a Dragon’s Pool and Tiger’s Den.

"Get in."

Old Wei said again.

’If I keep being difficult, I’m really going to be in trouble.’

Zheng Xiu sighed internally. ’It’s not like he can just kill me right here on my own doorstep, can he?’ He lifted the curtain and got into the carriage.

After Zheng Xiu boarded, the driver showed no intention of moving. The carriage simply remained parked at the entrance to the Zheng Residence, looking like any other ordinary vehicle. Who would ever have guessed that the Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty and Marquis Zhonglie, descendant of the Divine Martial General, were now alone together in this inconspicuous cabin?

"Sit."

A benevolent smile appeared on Old Wei’s majestic face as he pointed to the cushioned seat opposite him, motioning for Zheng Xiu to sit.

Zheng Xiu let out a long breath. ’Well, since you’re being so courteous, I won’t stand on ceremony.’

"Marquis Zhonglie pays his respects to... Master Wei."

After speaking, Zheng Xiu winked at Old Wei.

The wink seemed to say, ’You’re the one calling yourself Master Wei. This has nothing to do with me.’

Old Wei’s complexion today was a world away from the decrepit, aging Emperor of the last cycle.

"HAHAHA—" Old Wei boomed with laughter. "Your temperament is completely different from your father’s. He was always so meticulous. If General Zheng were here, even if We were to press down on his shoulders, he would sooner break his own legs than sit."

Zheng Xiu was taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered, smiling faintly. "That is why my father was the world-renowned General Zheng, while I am but a humble merchant of the Zheng Clan, unfit for grand occasions."

He deliberately emphasized the word "humble."

"No need to be so formal," Old Wei said, waving his hand with a smile as if he had seen right through Zheng Xiu’s thoughts. "If We were to use Our Emperor’s Skill on you, it would make Us seem petty, unworthy of the Daqian Empire."

Zheng Xiu remained silent.

’Silence is golden right now. Saying nothing is the right move.’

Old Wei continued, "Do you remember what We asked you back in the Earth Prison Camp?"

Zheng Xiu thought for a moment, then nodded.

Old Wei smiled. "We are also curious. Among my three disappointing sons, who has the makings of a Great Emperor...? They have lived in comfort for too long. It is time they got a taste of blood, otherwise, they will never amount to anything." Finishing his words, Old Wei tapped his own head and laughed self-deprecatingly. "But never mind. You have no interest in serving the court. What’s the use of telling you all this?"

Zheng Xiu still said nothing.

"It’s just that We lack people around Us with whom We can complain and speak freely. Upon meeting you, who has no stake in any of this, We can’t help but talk a little more."

A hint of loneliness crossed Old Wei’s face, but the expression was so fleeting that before Zheng Xiu could fully register it, Old Wei’s expression had already changed.

"You... are you still planning to go back to prison?"

Zheng Xiu froze. Staying silent now would be like playing dumb with his cards on the table. But spelling things out didn’t seem right either. After carefully choosing his words, Zheng Xiu cautiously replied, "But Marquis Zhonglie has always been a law-abiding citizen. Since it is the law of Daqian, I will naturally obey it, without complaint or regret."

"Oh?" Old Wei gave Zheng Xiu a deep look. "What if We told you that We have long known who murdered Yu Run? Would you want to know the answer?"

Zheng Xiu gave a wry smile. "I think... it’s better that I don’t know."

Old Wei adopted a troubled expression. "If We let you go back, people might think We cannot distinguish right from wrong, that We have forgotten General Zheng’s merits in protecting the nation, and that We have allowed you to suffer an injustice. The mouths of the masses are hard to silence. As things stand, We are in a difficult position."

The carriage fell deathly silent.

Zheng Xiu’s pupils contracted slightly before returning to normal.

"If the Holy Emperor does not mind, Marquis Zhonglie happens to have a solution that could satisfy both sides."

Outside the carriage, a disguised Palace Maid stood guard by the curtain.

The Divine Martial Soldier, moonlighting as a driver, leaned casually against the driver’s seat, his eyes half-closed. From time to time, he would clench his fists, producing a sharp CRACK from his knuckles.

A short while later.

"HAHAHA—"

Old Wei’s laughter erupted from inside the carriage.

Marquis Zhonglie calmly lifted the curtain and stepped down.

"The Holy Emperor is wise."

Zheng Xiu clasped his hands and bowed toward the carriage.

"WHOA—"

The driver’s half-closed eyes snapped open. He grinned, let out the cry, and pulled on the reins.

The Palace Maid climbed onto the seat next to the driver.

The carriage turned around. Just as the driver was about to whip the horse’s rump, a corner of the curtain was lifted.

Just before leaving, Old Wei suddenly asked, "’Merchant’?"

Zheng Xiu froze for a second, looking toward the curtain. He gave a clasped-fist salute toward the interior, pausing for a few breaths before finally saying, "That’s right, ’Emperor’."

He watched the carriage drive away.

Qing Shisan and Ji Hong’ou dropped down from the top of the wall in unison.

Pei Gaoya scratched his bald head and emerged from a flower bush, a few petals resting on his head. "Is that fella gone?"

Zheng Xiu smiled and waved his hand. "No need to be so tense." Closing the door, he asked, "Why are you all here?"

Qing Shisan let out a long sigh, exhaling a plume of smoke. He made a gesture with his hand as if flipping over a bowl and said in a low voice, "Weren’t we afraid the sky was about to fall?" After speaking, Qing Shisan blew a series of whistles into an empty corner of the residence.

Qing Shisan had been afraid the Great Emperor would make a move, and was prepared to flip the pot and start a rebellion on the spot.

One by one, the shadows collectively breathed a sigh of relief and faded from sight again.

"Heh, don’t underestimate the magnanimity of an ’Emperor’."

Zheng Xiu’s words were pointed. Qing Shisan then asked when their master planned to head back to the slammer.

"Unfortunately, it looks like I won’t be heading to jail today."

By the afternoon, a series of official decrees had caused a massive uproar in the court.

First was the case of Princess Yu Run.

Old Wei issued a direct edict, dismissing half of the officials in the Inspectorate. The Left and Right Imperial Censors were sentenced to immediate execution.

The reason given was none other than the Princess Yu Run case: how could they fail to see such an obvious frame-up? Although Marquis Zhonglie was a suspect, he was by no means the primary one.

Amidst this political storm, in addition to the Inspectorate, the Ministry of Justice, which was responsible for the case, underwent a complete change of staff from top to bottom.

Jiang Gaoyi, in his office at the Ministry of Justice, trembled as he felt the bloody purge firsthand, writing out decree after decree and stamping them with the official seal under the Great Emperor’s direction.

Throughout the afternoon, some were promoted and others dismissed, yet not a whisper of this was heard in the Imperial City, which remained as peaceful as ever.

「As night fell.」

Finally, on the public notice board for the common people, a long-winded, thousand-character proclamation was posted.

The text was too long, and most of the common people couldn’t understand it.

Perhaps that was intentional.

If you couldn’t understand it, that was exactly right.

Soon after, storytellers in the teahouses began to recount the tale.

They said there was another culprit in the Princess Yu Run case, but the murderer was too cunning and had tried to frame Marquis Zhonglie. To prove his innocence, the Marquis was willing to abide by the law and bear the title of "suspect" until the true killer was caught. But the Great Emperor, being magnanimous, immediately issued a Correction to the "special pardon" clause in the law, showing exceptional grace.

Marquis Zhonglie would only need to return to Heaven-Gazing Prison to serve his sentence for three days out of every ten. On the other days, he could return to the Zheng Residence under the escort of a Prison Guard. However, until the true culprit was identified, the Marquis was forbidden from taking even half a step outside the Imperial City.

This announcement demonstrated the Great Emperor’s benevolence, showcased his discerning justice, and proved the loyalty and sincerity of Marquis Zhonglie.

Most of the common folk thought about how Zheng Xiu, the esteemed Richest Person, was clearly framed and wronged, yet was still willing to voluntarily suffer in prison. How deeply moving!

Little did they know, this outcome had Tycoon Zheng practically howling with laughter in his dungeon. From now on, he could treat Heaven-Gazing Prison—a proper Death Row—as his third home, coming and going as he pleased. For the [Prisoner] Path, this was an unparalleled convenience.