The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign
Chapter 140

The Crown Prince had just been brought in, right when Secretary Zhu went to greet the investigation team.

He had already received word that the team would arrive today and had given Secretary Zhu the task of arranging a meeting with them.

Perhaps no arrangement was even necessary—if the investigation team had his people, they would undoubtedly find a way to contact him.

All he had to do was wait calmly.

But at that very moment, the mechanical prison guards appeared before him and, without explanation, took him away.

The Crown Prince found it strange. Logically, the investigation team should have just arrived—there was no way his ally would have agreed to the meeting so quickly.

Yet he was led to an office, empty except for the warden.

Shen Ying was sitting in a chair, playing a game, and didn’t even glance at him when he entered.

She simply said to the mechanical guards, "Restrain His Highness completely."

The Crown Prince roared, "How dare you!"

Shen Ying didn’t pause her game as she replied, "Your Highness went to such lengths just to meet the investigation team, didn’t you?"

"Now that I’m giving you the opportunity, what’s there to complain about?"

The Crown Prince stiffened, frowning. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Shen Ying chuckled. "You schemed tirelessly, even sacrificing your comrades’ dignity, just to confirm the coordinates of this airborne prison."

"After all that effort, wouldn’t it be disrespectful of me to ignore it?"

"I know that ever since Your Highness entered this prison, you’ve never accepted your identity as a prisoner. You’ve never truly considered yourself part of this place, nor have you genuinely intended to reform."

"Why? Because Secretary Zhu and those outside have given you hope—the belief that you’ll soon escape."

"If that’s truly what you think, then today, I’ll make it clear to you: no one can help you."

"As long as I refuse, you’ll remain my prisoner forever."

The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. Truthfully, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that their schemes had been discovered.

But what baffled him was that Shen Ying, fully aware of their plans, not only ignored the threat but actively facilitated their efforts.

Her every move defied expectations, and it was impossible to discern where her confidence came from.

She didn’t seem interested in further conversation—perhaps distracted by her teammates’ complaints in the game.

The Crown Prince was bound head to toe in white, bandage-like nano-restraints, his lower face covered by a metal muzzle.

He sat behind Shen Ying, watching as the investigation team entered and spoke with her.

The good news was that most of the team were likely his people. The bad news was that dealing with the warden wouldn’t be easy for them.

Within the first few exchanges, they failed to gain the upper hand, and somehow, the conversation shifted to a prison tour.

When everyone left the office, the Crown Prince was left behind, unnoticed.

Abandoned there.

He seethed with frustration. Meanwhile, Shen Ying led Team Leader Yan and the others to the prisoner quarters.

Secretary Zhu provided the tour narration. Despite the warden’s audacity—playing games in broad daylight while the investigation team visited—the prison’s operations were impeccably orderly.

The living quarters, workspaces, activity zones, dining halls, and study areas showed no signs of hasty preparation.

Yet the superiority of the management system was undeniable, thanks to the cutting-edge airborne prison technology.

A female investigator, Little Zheng, asked curiously, "Couldn’t this system be shared with all prisons?"

Shen Ying glanced at her and smiled. "Of course not."

Little Zheng frowned. "Why not? It would drastically improve efficiency and reduce riots and escape rates everywhere."

Shen Ying replied, "This system is paired with the most advanced technology of our time. Just maintaining this airborne prison is already exorbitantly expensive."

"Expanding it globally would require prison budgets to surpass military spending."

"Frankly, criminals aren’t worth it."

Little Zheng shrugged and dropped the subject.

When they reached the mecha core workshop, the prisoners seemed unusually listless.

Little Zheng asked, "They don’t seem very energetic. Warden Shen, did something happen today?"

Shen Ying smiled. "Perhaps they’re worried about their missing comrade."

Before Little Zheng could press further, Team Leader Yan cut in, "Enough, Little Zheng. Don’t ask irrelevant questions."

"Warden Shen, where is the Crown Prince? We haven’t seen him at all during the tour."

Shen Ying replied, "Probably slacking off somewhere."

Team Leader Yan choked. "Impossible!"

Shen Ying countered, "Why not? His Highness has a high psychic rating, so he’s only assigned mecha core production—nothing else."

"You can ask Secretary Zhu. Isn’t His Highness the laziest, least productive worker here?"

"Others make at least two cores a day. In the month he’s been here, he hasn’t even finished two. What else would you call that but slacking?"

Team Leader Yan wanted to retort—making the Crown Prince a factory worker? Are you serious?

But given the prince’s prisoner status, he couldn’t voice such objections outright.

Shen Ying had no interest in continuing the tour. The Crown Prince had been left alone long enough—he must be growing desperate by now.

She suggested, "How about this? Secretary Zhu can take the others to finish the tour."

"And while you’re at it, see if you can find where His Highness is hiding. Team Leader Yan and I will return to discuss official matters."

Team Leader Yan saw the merit in this. Letting his subordinates find a way to contact the prince was a loophole Shen Ying was tacitly allowing.

His wariness toward her lessened slightly. If she was permitting the meeting, it meant she was compromising.

He readily agreed.

Back in the office, Team Leader Yan took another look around. The décor didn’t suit a young person’s taste.

Warden Shen had inherited her father’s position—she must be reluctant to change anything here.

He used this as an opening. "I was deeply sorry to hear about your father’s sudden passing."

"If not for the abrupt circumstances, you wouldn’t have had to take on such a heavy responsibility so young—nor make a critical mistake so soon after assuming office."

"But this matter… it can be handled flexibly." Team Leader Yan smiled, his tone easing now that Shen Ying had silently conceded.

"If we determine that your use of a private account was merely risk management, the higher-ups likely won’t pressure you—at least not until the prison system’s genetic recognition is breached."

"In the meantime, you could redeem yourself through exemplary performance or even a significant contribution to offset this incident."

Now that they were alone, Shen Ying seemed more candid.

With a faint smile, she asked, "A contribution? What opportunities for that could there possibly be here?"

"Does Team Leader Yan have any guidance to offer?"

Team Leader Yan didn’t mince words: "Of course I do. Isn’t the great task of setting things right right before us?"

"The Crown Prince has suffered unjust treatment, exiled to this place—this is a loss for the entire Empire."

"Under such circumstances, does Warden Shen still insist on rigidly following protocol, treating His Highness like an actual prisoner?"

Shen Ying: "So, what you’re saying is, Team Leader Yan has chosen to side with the Crown Prince in this political struggle, correct?"

Team Leader Yan remained silent. At this point, many things no longer needed to be concealed.

Shen Ying continued: "Team Leader Yan is no small figure—you weren’t forced into this stance by your superiors."

"Your family’s influence runs deep, an established noble lineage. Though your current position may seem modest, your political prospects far surpass those of someone like me."

"Once you help the Crown Prince escape his predicament, and he returns to the Imperial Capital to ascend the throne, your family will naturally reap substantial political rewards."

Team Leader Yan glanced at her and replied coolly, "Is Warden Shen trying to accuse me and my family of opportunism?"

Ridiculous. In this struggle, both sides were fighting for their own interests.

Did the Crown Prince not understand that? Only children were shy about discussing profit.

He had initially suspected Warden Shen might have defected to the opposing faction. But now, it seemed the Crown Prince’s assessment was correct—she likely hadn’t.

She was simply too rigid, unable to adapt. But then, how could someone like her have gotten involved in that scandal, leading to an investigation?

Just as Team Leader Yan was lost in thought, Shen Ying spoke again—and her words sent a chill down his spine.

She said, "I’m not accusing you of political opportunism, Team Leader Yan. But does the Crown Prince know your family has placed bets on both sides?"

Team Leader Yan’s face drained of color in an instant. He stared at Shen Ying as if she were a ghost.

How could someone stranded in space know something like this?

Shen Ying smiled. "Seems I guessed right."

Team Leader Yan shot to his feet. "Nonsense! I—"

Shen Ying raised a hand to calm him. "Relax. Nothing said here will leave this room. But don’t question the reliability of my sources, Team Leader Yan."

"After all, the Crown Prince accessed the surveillance system. Though I don’t know his purpose, it means I can now use his active login to access certain… restricted files."

Behind her, the Crown Prince’s eyes widened. Now he was truly unsettled.

He had assumed their scheme had been uncovered, leading to today’s confrontation.

But from her words, it seemed even his access to the surveillance system had been part of her trap.

Of course. Her blatant eagerness to amass wealth—how could they have missed such an opportunity?

But what could she even do with the surveillance system here?

If she were outside, chaos might follow. But in this floating prison, even with knowledge, her hands were tied.

Then Shen Ying added, "Team Leader Yan, your cousin has been meeting privately with members of the opposing faction quite frequently lately."

"I doubt the Crown Prince would tolerate someone hedging their bets, even if he doesn’t mind others capitalizing on this power struggle."

Beads of sweat formed on Team Leader Yan’s forehead. Before he could speak, Shen Ying cut in again: "Don’t deny it. The Crown Prince’s surveillance system can trace every transaction in any account."

"If no suspicions arise, His Highness might not investigate. But once someone raises the possibility—"

Team Leader Yan’s expression crumbled. He took a deep breath. "Fine. I understand."

"Warden Shen’s fundraising was indeed to prevent the prison from becoming a financial burden, hence the avoidance of official prison accounts for secrecy."

"That’s the report I’ll submit." He gave Shen Ying a long look. "I can also forgo meeting the Crown Prince."

"Our investigation team will withdraw tomorrow."

Shen Ying chuckled. "Now that you’re here, you might as well stay."

"The orbital prison is under special circumstances. Your team’s entry was already an exception. Right now, it’s a one-way gate—no one leaves."

Team Leader Yan’s face darkened. There was no way he’d stay in this hellhole. Worse, with Warden Shen exposing his family’s duplicity, he couldn’t be sure if the Crown Prince already knew.

But this wasn’t a gamble worth taking. If they couldn’t play both sides, his family needed to act decisively—immediately.

If he were trapped here now, the consequences would be dire.

And ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍of course, Warden Shen wouldn’t let them contact the outside world freely.

Team Leader Yan forced a grim smile. "Warden Shen, do you realize what you’re saying?"

"You don’t have the authority to detain us. If the investigation team is held captive, our findings won’t hold any weight with headquarters."

Shen Ying nodded. "True. So instead, you’ll be staying voluntarily. As for the reason—you’ll think of one."

"Make sure it’s something that justifies your extended stay while keeping headquarters off my back. I’ll leave that to you, Team Leader Yan."

Team Leader Yan looked at her as if she were insane. "Warden Shen, you can’t possibly—"

Shen Ying snapped her fingers. The holographic barrier behind her dissolved, revealing the Crown Prince standing there.

His gaze was icy as it locked onto Team Leader Yan.

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