Chapter 130 Prison Cell

Chapter 130: The Prison Cell

Meng Wan returned from Nie Zhiyao’s home, and Song Tingzhou had already come back with news.

“My senior brother said that the Dali Temple indeed has officials with the surnames Xu and Xu, among whom the one named Xu is Xu Yue, the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple. He passed the imperial exams in the same year as my senior brother, a few years younger, and extremely talented.” Song Tingzhou removed his outer robe and changed into a home-worn gown.

Meng Wan had a hunch that the one who had sent for Qing Xing back then was likely from this Chief Minister’s household.

With such status and rank, he could have simply sent a name card to the palace to request an imperial physician—why seek out Qing Xing, a little-known female doctor?

Meng Wan followed Song Tingzhou and asked, “Was someone in his household ill?”

Song Tingzhou turned back, took his hand, and patiently explained, "My senior brother doesn’t know about that. He hasn’t heard of any turmoil in Lord Xu’s inner quarters. He only subtly mentioned to me that Lord Xu has a second wife who is a distant relative of the Duke Dingxiang Mansion, and Prince Lian is the Duke’s maternal grandson."

The Lin family had always been staunch royalists, a lineage of pure officials who never took sides. Lin Congrong was clearly worried about them getting entangled with Prince Lian, so she disclosed these connections.

Meng Wan pondered deeply. The Xu family was clearly no ordinary household. He wondered if Qing Xing had truly made a mistake while treating someone in the Xu family, or if something else had happened during that treatment.

Since he couldn’t see Qing Xing now and had little information, Meng Wan racked his brains but came to no conclusion.

It wasn’t until the next day, when Nie Zhiyao arrived limping, that things progressed.

“What happened to you? You were fine yesterday!” Meng Wan quickly helped him sit on the inner soft couch.

Nie Zhiyao’s face was complicated. “Don’t ask about that. Anyway, I’ve got the information for you. There’s a seventh-rank assessor with the surname Xu in the Dali Temple, but the person you’re asking about is probably not him—it’s the third-rank Chief Minister of the Dali Temple, Xu Yue.”

Meng Wan also climbed onto the couch. He let out a soft exclamation, “How did you know I was asking about Xu Yue?”

Yesterday, Song Tingzhou had also inquired from Lin Congrong and gotten a rough idea, but Lin Congrong had only provided a name without any inside information. Nie Zhiyao’s account, however, was much more detailed.

He carefully positioned his foot and slowly recounted to Meng Wan, “Because something huge has happened in Xu Yue’s household recently. Let me first tell you about his background. Xu Yue is only forty this year and became Chief Minister of the Dali Temple just two years ago. Reaching this position at this age is incredibly promising. But it’s said he rose through his wife’s family early on. A few years ago, his husband died, and he remarried, which strained his relationship with his in-laws.”

A few brief words, yet packed with information. But it couldn’t be that simple.

Seeing how much Nie Zhiyao had enjoyed the sour apricots the day before, Meng Wan asked Bi Yun to bring two plates over as well. He dismissed the servants and had Bi Yun guard the door, then pushed the plate toward Nie Zhiyao and asked, “And then?”

Nie Zhiyao picked up one to eat. It was good—better than what he bought at home.

“Xu Yue’s legitimate daughter from his deceased husband was… attacked by a thug…”

He didn’t finish, but Meng Wan understood.

Frowning, Meng Wan asked, “Aren’t these noble ladies always accompanied by maids? How could something like this happen?”

Young ladies raised in the inner quarters were never alone at home, and when going out, they brought at least two first-class maids and four second-class maid servants, making it hard for any outside male to get close.

Nie Zhiyao lowered his voice, “They say this legitimate daughter had gone to a small banquet, and on the way back, all the maids were traveling with the carriage, but when they arrived home, she was gone.”

Meng Wan said, “She was in the carriage with so many people watching… how could she just disappear?”

They were both smart enough to realize immediately that it must have been either the maids traveling with the carriage who had a hand in it, or someone within the Xu family itself.

Nie Zhiyao sighed empathetically, “Noble families run deep, especially for those living under a stepmother’s control. Now, Miss Xu probably won’t have a good outcome.”

Meng Wan looked at him, “Your mother is a legitimate primary wife—were you still bullied at home?”

Nie Zhiyao smiled bitterly, “You don’t know how formidable my family’s concubines are. My mother is weak-natured, her only wish is for my older brother to pass the exams or for my younger sister’s marriage. She has no time for me.”

“But it’s better now. I’ve moved out and live on my own, so I don’t have to suffer under that big family.” Nie Zhiyao thought, if only that madman Le Zhengqi could be normal, life would be even better.

Meng Wan comforted him, “Life is about making yourself more comfortable as you go. When you encounter an insurmountable obstacle, you can either go around it or level it. If neither works, just lie down in the pit and rest until you have the strength to move on.”

Nie Zhiyao was amused, “Wan Geer speaks sense. I’ve been fighting at home for so many years, and I’m truly tired—I really should take a good rest.”

Nie Zhiyao stayed until nearly noon, when his husband came to pick him up.

After helping Nie Zhiyao into the carriage, Le Zhengqi suddenly said to Meng Wan, “Meng Fulang is a good friend of my A Yao, so I ought to tell you something. Don’t be deceived by what you see before your eyes. Everyone knows how deep the waters of the capital run, but who can truly see what lies at the bottom? If the water is stirred up, the first to die will be the fish and shrimp caught in it.”

Meng Wan had only met Le Zhengqi a few times, but he could faintly sense that this man had a volatile temperament and was deeply unfathomable.

Watching the Nie family carriage leave, Meng Wan turned around with a grim expression.

This was dire. If he wasn’t mistaken, Qing Xing had inadvertently become entangled in a game between major figures. She was currently imprisoned but not yet sentenced—the game hadn’t ended. Now, some wanted her dead, while others wanted her alive.

Even if he couldn’t guess who they were, both sides were definitely beyond Meng Wan’s ability to offend.

He let out a long sigh. If he were to abandon this kind-hearted, ready-made female doctor, where could he find someone willing to travel all the way to Lingnan with him and Song Tingzhou, bringing their whole family, and someone trustworthy?

Truly a headache.

For now, he had to find a way to see Qing Xing and understand the inside story. If it proved impossible to turn the tide, then the only option… would be to collect her body.

——

Le Zhengqi picked up Nie Zhiyao but, halfway there, got off the carriage without even a word of greeting. Nie Zhiyao considered their relationship a superficial arrangement, so he didn’t ask, pretending he hadn’t seen the man at all, and peacefully rode home in the carriage.

In the same private room, a remote tavern seemed to have a few idle patrons, but in reality, they were all assassins with calluses in their palms. Even the shopkeeper, with his fake smiling face, had sharp eyes as he surveyed the area.

“Your Highness, Qin Jiao is still trapped in the Xu residence.”

The Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothes, narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying authority without anger, “That old wretch Xu Yue is determined to oppose me.”

Le Zhengqi said respectfully, “The Duke is returning to court with his troops. It seems Prince Lian is eager to test Your Highness. Xu Yue is just a pawn, but if this drags on, I fear Qin Jiao might lose patience and fall into their trap.”

The Crown Prince snorted coldly, “If he weren’t so foolish, how could Xu Yue have gotten a hold over him!”

“Your Highness, calm your anger. Qin Jiao is used to being carefree, and his temperament is not as hardened as ours. It’s inevitable that he shows pity for the fairer sex and gets deceived.” Le Zhengqi’s words carried a note of self-mockery.

At this, the Crown Prince glanced at him, “Qin Jiao is my brother-in-law, and you and I are also connected as relatives. How is your husband doing?”

Le Zhengqi’s eyes flickered, but his tone remained unchanged, “It’s merely a mutual exchange of needs.”

——

Qing Xing was currently held in the Shuntian Prefecture prison. The fact that she hadn’t been transferred to the Ministry of Justice meant there was still a glimmer of hope.

But Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou couldn’t stay much longer—they had to leave the capital for the south in at most five days. Since Qing Xing was still an unconvicted prisoner, to prevent collusion or disclosure of case details, no one was allowed to visit her.

Meng Wan had been intimidated by Le Zhengqi’s words, so he didn’t dare show his face. He had to entrust the young boy A Xun to act on his behalf.

He spent a great deal of money to bribe a jailer, spent the morning training A Xun, and at noon, had the boy deliver a basket of good food and a fine flask of wine to the Shuntian Prefecture prison, where a jailer was waiting to receive him.

“Once inside, just put down the items and speak only two sentences before leaving, understand?”

A Xun looked ahead at the narrow dungeon with no windows and nodded shakily.

He didn’t dare say anything. Remembering what Meng Wan had taught him, he asked no questions.

The jailer with the sword at his waist was fairly satisfied and led him in, stopping briefly when a colleague blocked their path.

"Brother Wang, what are you doing? Outsiders aren't allowed in here. If the jailer finds out, Xiao Zhang and the rest of us will be punished."

Brother Wang uncovered the basket A Xun had brought. "My little brother saw how hard I've been working outside and brought me some wine and dishes. Call the others over. The jailer has gone out for a drink, so let's have a feast ourselves."

"But..." The fellow guard still hesitated.

Brother Wang directly pressed a two-tael silver ingot into his hand. "Just move the table to the doorway. We'll eat quickly and clean up before the jailer returns. Go on!"

"Well... all right, but we need to be quick." The fellow guard pocketed the silver, turned it over a couple of times, then ran inside to call the others.

Brother Wang led A Xun to the corridor leading to the women's prison, unlocked the gate at the entrance, and instructed, "Go straight ahead; the fifth door on the right is where your sister is. Say a few words and then come out. If you run into the jailer coming back, you'll be locked up too, understand?"

A Xun nodded frantically like a chick.

Once the jailer left, his short legs moved swiftly, and he soon found where Qing Xing was held.

"Sister! Sister, how are you?"

Qing Xing thought she was hallucinating. "A Xun? How did you get here? This is no place for you. Leave quickly!"

A Xun had no time to explain much. He spoke rapidly, "Sister, it's about the family you treated before. Why were you arrested? Tell me quickly; I can't stay long."

As he spoke, he wiped away tears sympathetically. Qing Xing had always been small and thin, but now she looked even more emaciated.

After hearing his words, Qing Xing was stunned for a moment before realizing, "You mean Meng..."

A Xun urged, "Sister! Don't say more. Just tell me how you were caught. I have to go!"

"Alright, alright. That day I went to a wealthy household to treat a female family member. She... she was injured there. I took her pulse, left a prescription, and intended to go home to fetch some ointment to bring back. But on the way, I suddenly heard noise from the well at the alley entrance..."

"So your sister means that she pulled the man up, performed first aid, and actually revived him. But when the man's family arrived, they saw her slapping and hitting him and claimed she had harmed him. That's why the constables arrested her?" Meng Wan repeated the message A Xun had brought back, sitting in his chair.

A Xun stood before Meng Wan, his eyes red. "That's exactly what my sister said. She's not a murderer. She was framed."

"Your sister said the man she saved didn't die, right?" Meng Wan confirmed again.

A Xun nodded vigorously. "My sister said she revived him."

Meng Wan pulled him into his arms and whispered in his ear, "Did your sister mention which household summoned her for treatment? Who was she treating? Who else was present at the time?"

A Xun had thought the latter part was the most important, so he had paid close attention and told Meng Wan as soon as he returned.

Now that Meng Wan asked about the household before Qing Xing's trouble, A Xun thought carefully before answering, "My sister said that lady was... injured there. There were many people around, maybe all her family. There was also a man whose robes were covered in blood. My sister said he was called something like 'Shizi' (a noble title). Everyone was very respectful to him."

Meng Wan gasped. "A Shizi? How did this involve nobility? No wonder."

He sorted through the tangled threads in his mind and gritted his teeth. What to do? Give up on Qing Xing? Persuade Doctor Miao to leave his homeland and bring his grandchildren to Lingnan? The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Why would anyone willingly leave their homeland and go to that godforsaken place with a stranger?

He could trick them into going, but Meng Wan wasn't that despicable. Deceiving a family of old and weak who trusted him so much would be inhumane.

He ordered a servant to escort A Xun home and paced back and forth, unable to make a decision.

Song Tingzhou returned and immediately sensed his anxiety. "What's wrong?"

Meng Wan pulled him behind the screen and quietly told him everything, including his conjectures and concerns, all at once.

"We can stay in Shengjing for at most four or five days. I'm afraid that if we truly meddle in this, something might go wrong." But not saving Qing Xing made him unwilling.

Song Tingzhou seemed to have already read his thoughts. He comforted him, "We are indeed of low status now, but what if we look at this matter outside the vortex of the power players' game?"

"Qing Xing simply saved a passerby out of kindness. This person apparently doesn't want to testify to prove her innocence, otherwise he would have shown up by now. Since he didn't die at the time, Qing Xing cannot be charged with murder no matter what."

A flash of insight struck Meng Wan. "Even if Qing Xing is being targeted, the fact that the man didn't die at the time is obvious to all. Even if he later died at home, it can't be pinned on Qing Xing. At most, she could be charged with attempted assault. According to the laws of Yu, that would be fifty strokes of the cane and exile to three thousand li away."

So both sides are deliberating. Qing Xing, in the middle, is both significant and inconsequential.

Song Tingzhou's indifferent eyes softened like water when meeting Meng Wan's gaze. He gently pulled Meng Wan into a half-embrace. "I know you're worried about the dangers of our family going to Lingnan, and you've been preparing many things. The Miao family are rare good-hearted people. Let's get our household ready to leave at a moment's notice. Even if we take a risk to help, if it doesn't work, we'll set off for Xiwu Prefecture immediately. Just do our best and don't worry too much."

Meng Wan pressed his face against Song Tingzhou's chest, closed his eyes, and listened to the steady, powerful thumping of his heart, then let out a long sigh. "Then let's go all out and help! I'm going to take the entire Miao family, old and young, with me!"