Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The escort of prisoners took half a month to reach Jingjing City. Having heard rumors about the Southern Floods, it was known that the people there lived in misery, and the citizens of Jingjing City were extremely angry at the prisoners being brought in.
Along the streets where the Prison Cart passed, many people with baskets had gathered early in the morning. As the Prison Cart went by, they all threw rotten vegetable leaves, stones, and other indescribable things at it.
Seeing Yan Min and her stepson injured by the thrown objects yet still sitting still, Sang Yuzhen felt a pang of pain, biting her lip until it bled. It seemed that Yan Min sensed her distress; he looked up and met her gaze, bending his eyes into a smile that silently told her not to worry or do anything foolish.
Unable to hold back any longer, Sang Yuzhen ran into a guest room and burst into tears. After entering the capital, Yan Min was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice Prison awaiting trial. It was said that His Majesty intended to use him as an example; once convicted, the sentence would be severe. Therefore, multiple officials were assigned to review his case, and it was highly likely that His Majesty would personally oversee the proceedings from behind the court.
The trial was set for three days later. Sang Qingxiao seized an opportunity to disguise herself and infiltrate the prison to meet Yan Min. "You have quite a skill," she said. "I heard that someone like me, a criminal, is not allowed visitors in court."
Yan Min's cell was located deep within the prison, with no other prisoners nearby. They could speak softly without worrying about being overheard. "It's just a little trick," she replied. "But I see you look quite relaxed, Yan Daren. Poor Aunt Zhen, though; her eyes are swollen like peaches from crying."
Yan Min asked nervously, "Zhen, how are you?"
"That depends on how you look at it," she replied. "With the Bai family's wealth, she certainly doesn't have to worry about food or clothing. The tasks she does for Sang Yumei are mostly business-related and not dangerous at all. But her heart is entirely focused on you two; she worries so much that she can't eat or sleep. So tell me, is this good or bad?"
Yan Min felt guilty as he said, "It's my fault for being careless and falling into someone else's trap."
"Whose trap?"
"Cao Lin from Luzhou."
Indeed, they had previously speculated that Cao Lin might want to use Ze Province as a flood discharge area so that Luzhou would remain safe from disaster.
"You guessed correctly," she continued. "The dam in Luzhou stretches for hundreds of miles and looks impressive at first glance. Cao Lin has repeatedly written to the court to boast about its achievements both openly and covertly. However, this grandeur is merely superficial; if one were to pry off a piece with a hoe, they would discover the shoddy materials inside. Such a dam might barely hold back minor floods but would inevitably fail against a disaster as great as this year's."
In fact, a month ago, a section of Luzhou had already collapsed, but due to mutual protection among officials, news of the breach was kept under wraps. Moreover, Cao Lin had handled subsequent relief efforts very well, which prevented public unrest.
"I thought he was busy maintaining the dam," Sang Qingxiao said. "I never imagined he was plotting against us instead. It's all my fault for being careless."
"What are your plans after this, Yan Daren?"
"Miss Sang, there is still a possibility for negotiation in this matter."
"Oh? Please, go on, Yan Daren."
Yan Min elaborated, "Before I was captured, I made some arrangements. Long ago, I began collecting evidence against Cao Lin and his gang. It wasn't for the sake of seeking power or wealth; I merely wanted it as a safeguard for my life. After all, I have a wife and children. I don't want to drag them into danger with me. I'm already quite content to have risen to the position of Prefect."
Comment 0 Comment Count