The Prison
There was only one lamp in the room.
She woke up from her dream, panting heavily as she sat on the bed. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead to her cheeks, neck, and clothes.
She was soaked.
In the distance, the faint orange candlelight shone through the gauze curtains and shone on her terrified and pale face.
"Phew ~"
She clutched the cloth in front of her chest, causing several creases to appear.
It wasn't because of what she saw in her dream, but because … of death.
Too many people had died.
Furthermore …
The next Jing Yi!
These five words were still reverberating in her mind.
It made her feel very uneasy.
"Creak."
The door was pushed open from the outside.
Qiao 'er heard the noise and rushed in. She walked quickly to the bedside and saw her sweaty face. She asked worriedly, "Teacher Ji, what's wrong?"
There was no response.
"Teacher, did you have a nightmare?"
Ji Yunshu's train of thought was pulled back by Ji Yunshu. Her eyes, which were unfocused as she stared at the curtains in front of her, became brighter and brighter. She let out a long sigh, and her pale fingers slowly loosened the cloth in front of her chest. She reached out and slowly lifted the thin gauze curtain.
She looked at the worried Qiao 'er and opened her pale lips. "I'm fine."
"Do you want me to pour you a glass of water?"
She didn't say anything. After a while, she got off the bed, put on an outer robe, and went out.
Late at night.
The cold wind outside blew gently on her face, making her feel numb.
After wrapping her clothes around herself, she sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard.
If she caught a cold, she might not be able to recover for a long time. Qiao'er was worried about this, so she hurriedly ran into the house and brought out the pot of warm water on the stove. She poured a cup of water for her and placed it beside her hand.
There was a loud crash.
Ji Yunshu carelessly brushed her hand and the cup of tea beside her fell to the ground.
The porcelain pieces were scattered all over the ground.
She quickly crouched down to pick them up.
"Ugh!"
Her fingers touched the broken pieces of porcelain and a cut appeared. Blood flowed out.
"Ouch." Qiao 'er quickly took out a handkerchief to bandage her wound. She carefully said, "Teacher Ji, let this servant do this."
"I'm fine."
"I'll go find Young Master Mo."
"There's really no need." Ji Yunshu quickly pulled her aside. "It's just a small wound. Why bother him in the middle of the night?"
I'm having a sweet dream on my bed!
Qiao'er had no choice but to give up the idea. She went into the house to find some medicine and gave her a simple treatment. Then, she cleaned up the things on the ground and put a heater on her hand to keep her warm.
"Go and rest first."
"But …"
"I'll sit here for a while. You don't have to worry about me. Go rest first."
Qiao 'er had no choice but to nod in agreement. She fetched another lantern and hung it outside before going to rest in peace.
Ji Yunshu looked at her injured finger and couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
There was still a drop of fresh blood on the ground. It was as if her eyes were gradually dyed red, becoming darker and darker …
At this moment, the stars and moon were gone, and it was filled with an indescribable sense of loneliness.
The next morning.
She went back to her room to change into a clean set of clothes, tidied herself up, and then went out the door.
But no one told him.
Including Qiao'er
It took almost two hours to travel from Anchang Court to the Yufu prison.
Outside the prison, there were four guards, all of whom were Jing Rong's secret guards.
When they saw her, they looked at each other. Everyone knew that this person was the Little Heir of the Imperial Duke's residence. Everyone present at the time knew, but Jing Rong had ordered them not to reveal it to the public.
One of them stepped forward and saluted with a long sword in hand.
"Teacher Ji, why are you here?"
"I'll go in and have a look."
"Go in?" The man was startled. He looked back at the prison and said with some concern, "Teacher Ji, the prison is dirty and full of people. It's better if you don't go in."
"Lead me in. I'll be out soon. It won't affect anything."
"This …"
"Sorry to trouble you." Her tone was very polite.
She had a scholarly face and a gentle voice. Even though she was dressed as a man, she still made the uncouth men's chests soften.
The corners of his mouth twitched as he met her gaze.
Finally, as if bewitched, he obediently led her in.
The prison was very dark, and the damp smell that assaulted her nose was very unpleasant. She couldn't help but frown. As she continued to walk in, the smell of sweat and stench became stronger.
However, it was very quiet inside. The people locked in the prison were obediently huddled together, leaning against the wall. They didn't make a fuss, and all of them had dirty faces.
When they saw Ji Yunshu walk past them, they all stood up straight and slowly turned their gazes in the direction she was moving.
The scene was like a military parade.
She stopped in front of a cell.
She looked through the solid wooden bars and saw Wen Panshi sitting cross-legged inside. His hands were on his knees, facing the wall with his back to her.
There was only Wen Panshi in the entire cell.
"Open it!" She ordered.
The secret guard was very obedient. He opened the door and removed the iron chains.
Then, he immediately reminded her, "Teacher Ji, you have to be quick. His Highness said that no one is allowed to come in. I'll wait outside. Call me if you need anything."
"Mm."
She walked into the spacious and clean cell and stood behind Wen Panshi without making a sound.
After a long time, the motionless Wen Panshi finally opened his eyes. He coughed softly and turned his head to look at Ji Yunshu's pair of shoes made of coarse cloth. His brows were wrinkled and wrinkled.
"The Little Heir must have something for coming at this time."
Of course!
One wouldn't visit a temple without a reason!
"General Wen, I have come here today to persuade you."
"Persuade?" He smiled, "I listened to you and was locked up here to prevent more people from being sacrificed. But you know very well that there are far more people in the Imperial Duke's residence."
"I know."
"Since you know, why bother persuading me?"
"Then, do you really think that the fire at the Imperial Duke's residence fourteen years ago was the doing of the current Emperor?"
Wen Panshi supported himself with one hand on his knee and the other on the ground. He struggled to get up, turned around, and looked into her calm eyes.
"Today, we can no longer turn back."
"Yes, you can't turn back, but it doesn't mean that it can't be salvaged. Prince Rong didn't kill you. Instead, he locked all of you up here and even blocked the news. Naturally, it won't reach the capital. He also hopes that you can stop and not let things get out of hand. Moreover, as I said, the truth is still unknown. It's not worth sacrificing so many people." She tried to persuade him.
Wen Panshi exhaled deeply.
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