Commander Zhu’s expression lost control for a split second. He struggled to control the muscles on his face, forcing a smile more painful than crying, "Great Commander, I, I think you don’t need to undress in public, who would dare not believe you?"

The Duke chuckled, "Enough with the nonsense, take it off." As he spoke, he already began to undo his robe.

As he undid the robe, he stared intently at Commander Zhu. Simultaneously, his muscles tensed all over his body, like a leopard ready to leap.

Commander Zhu’s mind was in chaos.

Should he undress? Or should he run?

If he undressed, the injury on his shoulder would be exposed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

He applied White Medicine and wrapped a bandage; although it wasn’t bleeding now, the wound was still fresh.

If he didn’t undress, then he could only run.

But with layers of guards, could he escape?

Suddenly, Commander Zhu gritted his teeth and bolted forward.

The Duke had already prepared for this, shouting, "Catch him!" and leaping to pursue him.

The Duke’s leap caught Commander Zhu’s calf.

Commander Zhu fell forward, crashing to the ground.

The nearby soldiers quickly surrounded him.

Especially those in front with shoulder injuries, their hearts burning with fury.

They couldn’t let Commander Zhu escape; if he did, they couldn’t explain themselves.

Among the soldiers below, some were Commander Zhu’s loyal followers, bewildered, not knowing what to do.

But before they could figure it out, the confrontation ended.

A few soldiers had already pinned Commander Zhu’s arms, pressing him firmly to the ground.

Commander Zhu’s martial arts were not particularly strong; he had only learned some military-style boxing and weaponry within the Forbidden Army.

His advantage was literacy and his skill in military tactics, perfect for leading troops in battle. The Duke had thusly promoted him step by step to his current position.

The Duke coldly commanded, "Strip him of his clothing!"

Commander Zhu struggled incessantly, but in vain.

The soldiers held him firmly, while another soldier stripped away Commander Zhu’s clothing, revealing his left shoulder wrapped in gauze.

Commander Zhu shouted from the ground, "Duke, I’m innocent, I had an ulcer on my shoulder, the pain was unbearable, I used a knife to cut it out, that’s why there’s a wound."

The Duke replied calmly, "What innocence? We’re not saying you’re the assassin yet."

He instructed his personal soldiers, "Undo his bandage."

The soldiers stepped forward and undid the bandage, revealing White Medicine on Commander Zhu’s shoulder.

The Duke said, "Bring water!"

Commander Zhu struggled even harder on the ground.

Soon, a personal soldier brought water over, and the Duke personally poured a bowl of water over Commander Zhu’s shoulder.

The White Medicine was washed away, revealing a finger-length wound on the shoulder.

One glance and the Duke knew this wasn’t a wound from removing an ulcer with a knife; if it were, there would be a hole.

This wound was narrow and long, clearly inflicted by a sword.

Without hesitation, the Duke ordered, "Bind him and take him to the barracks. I will interrogate him personally."

Two personal soldiers lifted Commander Zhu and moved him, while the Duke waved his hand, "Everyone return to rest, remember to change shifts on time tomorrow morning."

The personal soldiers took Commander Zhu to the barracks, where there was a single room, just right for interrogation.

Jiang Zhongxing first instructed a search of Commander Zhu’s room.

Other than a knife, they found nothing.

The Duke sat in the room with dignity, looking at Commander Zhu bound on the ground, and said lightly, "I have only one question for you."

"Where have I, Jiang Zhong, wronged you, for you to harm me this way?"