The Depths of Interrogation 

In the bowels of the palace, hidden from the prying eyes of the court, lay the dreaded interrogation cells. These cold, dimly lit chambers were designed for a singular purpose: extracting information from those who dared to defy or deceive the throne. The mere mention of these cells sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest souls within the palace walls.

The journey to the cell that held Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren began with a foreboding descent through a labyrinthine maze of narrow, stone corridors. The air grew progressively cooler and more suffocating with each step. Faint echoes of distant cries, muffled by the thick walls, filled the passageways, serving as a haunting reminder of the horrors that had unfolded within these depths.

The entrance to the cell block was a heavy, iron door that bore the scars of countless attempts at liberation. Its ominous presence loomed, an impenetrable barrier between the outside world and the secrets that lay hidden within.

Once through the door, the environment changed drastically. The passage led to a small, grim antechamber, where a gaunt eunuch acted as a keeper, recording the identities of those who entered, along with the inevitable horrors they carried out—a sense of foreboding washed over any unfortunate soul who dared to venture into this territory.

Beyond this chamber was a corridor flanked by cells on either side, each containing a unique brand of torment. The cells were tiny, offering no more than a stone slab for a bed and a wretched bucket in a corner for the most basic bodily functions. The walls were damp, their surfaces discoloured by the traces of countless tears.

As one ventured further, the corridor descended even deeper into the bowels of the palace. The cells grew progressively more oppressive, their atmosphere more tainted by the spectre of suffering. Some cells held prisoners who had long since been forgotten by the world above, their minds shattered by relentless interrogation. Others harboured secrets that could alter the course of empires.

Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's cell, located at the farthest, darkest recess of the block, was a place where the depths of human cruelty met the limits of endurance. The stone walls bore etchings of despair as if the agony of countless souls had seeped into the very foundation of the cell. There, shackled and frail, Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren endured the nightmare of relentless questioning, a man caught between the powers of heaven and earth.

Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's ordeal in the hands of the interrogators was a harrowing display of resilience in the face of torment. As they dragged him into the dimly lit chamber, the air was heavy with tension, and the sinister shadows seemed to dance in the torchlight. Stripped of his clothing, the cold and damp walls of the interrogation chamber offered no comfort.

His wrists were tightly bound, and he dangled helplessly from the ceiling, his body hanging by the merciless chains that cut into his flesh. The room echoed with the eerie creaking of the chains, a constant reminder of the grim fate that awaited him. The interrogators, faces shrouded in malice, wasted no time unleashing their cruelty.

The first crack of the whip sliced through the stillness, and a searing pain lashed across Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's back. His muscles tightened in response, and he clenched his teeth to suppress the scream that threatened to escape. The interrogators, aware of his unwavering determination, intensified their blows, each strike leaving a gnarly, bleeding scar on his back.

But Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren remained resolute. His willpower was like a fortress, and he refused to divulge even a single detail about his investigation into Zhang Wei. The pain, though excruciating, failed to break his spirit. His face contorted with agony, yet not a word, not a cry of anguish passed his lips. It was as if he had become a monument of defiance.

Infuriated by his unyielding resolve, the interrogators resorted to more sinister techniques. They brought forth implements designed to torment the mind as much as the body. Heat and cold, unbearable sounds and even psychological manipulation were used to extract the information they sought. However, Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's mind remained as impenetrable as his body.

The hours turned into days, and still, Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren held on, his body a canvas of pain, and his spirit unbroken. The interrogators, unable to break his resolve, grew increasingly desperate. They were dealing with a man of unwavering loyalty to his cause, who would rather endure unbearable suffering than betray his principles.

The saga of Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's torture became a legend, a testament to the indomitable human spirit and unwavering dedication. Despite the brutality he endured, he remained silent, a symbol of courage in the face of torment. His story would be told for generations, a reminder of the strength of those who are resolute in their commitment to their cause.

Emperor Ming Jian stood in the shadowy recesses of the chamber, hidden from the view of the torturers, who continued their relentless assault on Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren. The flickering torchlight cast eerie, dancing shadows that played on the Emperor's face, revealing the conflict that raged within him.

As the cracks of the whip echoed through the chamber, Empress Xia approached her husband, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity. She questioned the reasons behind the cruel punishment inflicted upon the Imperial Astrologer. The Emperor, a man of few words in most matters, sighed deeply and began to explain the situation.

"Darling, what has the Imperial Astrologer done to deserve such brutality? It's unsettling to witness such cruelty within our palace," Empress Xia, her voice soft and tinged with worry, sarcastically inquired.

"Our Imperial Astrologer mentioned a few words that sent shivers down my spine. A name that could potentially disrupt everything we've worked so hard to maintain," Emperor Ming Jian, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before them, replied.

"What words was this, Darling? What had he talked about that troubles you so?" Curiosity piqued, Empress Xia pressed further.

The Emperor continued, sharing how Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren had been subjected to this brutal interrogation to extract information about Zhang Wei. The young soldier had the potential to disrupt the established order of the palace, a notion that had both intrigued and unsettled the Emperor. The mere mention of Zhang Wei had ignited a spark of curiosity and concern in Emperor Ming Jian's mind.

As the Emperor's voice grew more impassioned, it was evident that Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's resilience had angered him deeply. In a fit of frustration and anger, Emperor Ming Jian even considered the idea of ending the Imperial Astrologer's life to silence him forever. But Empress Xia, always the voice of reason and practicality, reminded her husband of the potential consequences of such an act.

"Darling, as much as I understand your frustration, we must consider the consequences of killing the Imperial Astrologer. It would unleash a torrent of questions and speculations, creating a turmoil we cannot afford," Empress Xia, her voice filled with witted consideration, cautioned.

She wisely pointed out that killing Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren would create a multitude of problems, including questions, rumours, and perhaps even a rebellion in the palace. The Empress urged caution, arguing that they should pursue a different strategy, one that would break the astrologer's spirit without drawing the unwanted attention that death would inevitably bring.

And so, in the dimly lit chamber, Emperor Ming Jian and Empress Xia decided on a new approach. They would lock the Imperial Astrologer away and subject him to a form of psychological torture, intending to drive him to madness. Only then, they believed, would the resilient Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren be compelled to speak the secrets he held about Zhang Wei. It was a grim plan, but it was born out of necessity in the perilous game of power that was played within the palace.

After their grim decision was made, Empress Xia silently left the chamber, her footsteps echoing softly on the cold, stone floor. The heavy wooden door closed behind her, leaving the sounds of Imperial Astrologer Qiu Ren's suffering and the dark secrets hidden within those walls.

As she walked through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, Empress Xia's thoughts were consumed by the enigmatic figure of Zhang Wei. The mere mention of his name had sent ripples through the court, and it was clear that his influence was growing. The potential disruption he posed to their carefully crafted world was a cause for concern.

Empress Xia had always been astute, her instincts sharp. She understood that it was time to delve deeper into the mystery that surrounded Zhang Wei. The threads of his story needed to be unravelled before they spiralled out of control, threatening the stability of the empire.

With each step she took, her mind churned with possibilities. She knew that in this intricate web of power and intrigue, knowledge was the key. It was time to gather information, understand the forces at play, and assess the true extent of Zhang Wei's influence. The Empress was determined to protect the empire, even if it meant delving into the unknown, and she would stop at nothing to achieve her goal.