The case of the Cui family and the King of Shu was the most influential and large-scale case in the Jing Kingdom in the past few decades.
Not only were dozens of officials and nobles in the Capital City imprisoned, but the officials in Shuzhou who were involved in the case were also escorted to the Capital City and locked up in the Supreme Court's prison.
In one night, they were reduced from high and mighty officials to prisoners. No one knew what awaited them. If they were only to resign, it would be a blessing in disguise. Even if they were exiled to the army, it would not be a difficult thing to accept. However, if they were too deeply involved with the King of Shu, they would be sent directly to the guillotine. If that happened, there would really be nothing left …
At this time, in a cell somewhere in the Heavenly Prison, a young man clutched his abdomen. Cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and his body trembled.
"Zian, Zian, what's wrong with you …"
In the cell next door, a woman's face was full of anxiety. She tightly grasped the bars in the middle and asked with concern.
The young man's forehead was full of cold sweat, but he raised his head and smiled as he waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing … it's just an old problem."
The woman looked at the young man who was sweating profusely, turned her head, and with a thud, she knelt down and said in a hoarse voice, "Sir, Zian's stomach is not good. Please, please don't give him moldy food anymore …"
The officer looked back and said expressionlessly, "It's already come to this, why are you still being picky …"
The woman weakly collapsed to the ground. In another cell, someone disdainfully mocked, "This is the Supreme Court's Heavenly Prison. If you want to eat well, I'm afraid you'll only get that last meal!"
In the Jing Kingdom, no matter where the prison was, there was an unwritten rule. Before the execution, prisoners could enjoy a sumptuous meal, known as the "last meal". This was in the hope that the prisoner could eat his fill and be reincarnated into a good family in the next life …
The moment the prisoner ate the last meal, it meant that the prisoner was not far from the execution.
As soon as that person's mocking voice fell, the sound of iron chains being lowered suddenly came from the door of a cell.
A few prison guards opened the cell door and moved a set of tables and chairs in. Then, someone brought in wine and delicacies. The smell of the wine and dishes could be smelled from far away.
"Eight dishes and one soup …"
The prisoner who had spoken just now counted and fell to the ground weakly. This aroma was not something that the moldy and rancid food they usually ate could compare to. Under what circumstances would the prison give the prisoners such preferential treatment?
The last meal, this was the last meal!
The last meal for the Jiang County Lieutenant had arrived. Could it be far from theirs?
The woman grabbed the railing with both hands and said in a panic, "Zian, Zian …"
"Lord Jiang, please …" Two jailers helped the young man up and sat him down at the table.
Jiang Zian stared blankly at the sumptuous meal in front of him, but he had no appetite at all. Just now, when his stomach hurt, he thought that if he could have a full meal, it would be worth it even if he died.
Men were always fickle.
He was already regretting it now. He didn't want good wine and good food, and he didn't want to have a full meal. Even if he had to eat moldy and rancid food every day, he would be willing …
As long as he was alive, as long as he could live …
Jiang Zian struggled to sit up and shook his head. "I don't want to eat, I don't want to eat …"
"Why, are these dishes not to Brother Jiang's taste?" Li Yi walked into the cell and said in surprise, "It doesn't matter. What do you want to eat, Brother Jiang? Just tell me, and I will ask someone to make it again."
This voice was very familiar, so familiar that it was engraved in his bones.
Jiang Zian turned his head and saw a figure walking into the cell. His whole body froze in place, as if he had been struck by lightning.
"Brother, Brother Li …"
Li Yi walked into the cell and personally helped him to the table. He said with a smile, "Brother Jiang, long time no see."
…
Li Xuan and MIngzhu walked over side by side. When they saw this scene, they couldn't help but feel surprised.
He had prepared such a sumptuous meal just for the person in front of them?
They didn't have much impression of this person at all.
Li Xuan walked over and asked in confusion, "You know each other?"
Li Yi nodded.
"Very familiar?"
"Brother Jiang and I …" Li Yi patted Jiang Zian's shoulder and said, "are friends who have gone through life and death together …"
"Gone through life and death together …" Li Xuan murmured. When he looked at the young man, he immediately frowned.
Li Yi pointed to the two people and introduced them to him, "This is the Eldest Princess, and this is Crown Prince Li Xuan."
The Eldest Princess was in power, and Crown Prince Li Xuan was in charge of the Academy of Sciences. How could Jiang Zian not have heard of these two people? He hurriedly got up and saluted, "Greetings, Eldest Princess, greetings, Your Highness …"
Li Yi looked at the woman in the next cell and asked, "This is …"
Jiang Zian lowered his head and said, "This is my wife."
Li Yi was surprised and said, "Brother Zian got married? When?"
Jiang Zian said, "Just last year."
Li Yi looked back at a jailer, and the jailer immediately understood. He hurriedly ran over, opened the cell door, and invited the woman over.
"Zian, these people …" The woman still didn't know what had happened. She was nervous and whispered.
Jiang Zian hurriedly introduced them, "This is Lord Li, this is the Eldest Princess, and this is Crown Prince …"
After another round of greetings, Jiang Zian and the woman didn't want to sit down at first. Li Yi persuaded them for a long time before they sat down nervously.
Li Yi knew that MIngzhu and Li Xuan must be full of doubts now, so he briefly described what happened in Shuzhou to them.
Their friendship was real. If it weren't for Jiang Zian, he and Ruyi wouldn't have been able to leave the city safely, and naturally, there wouldn't have been such a thing in the future.
After knowing the inside story, Li Xuan looked at Jiang Zian without the dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Li Yi looked back at the official of the Supreme Court and asked, "What crime did he commit?"
The official of the Supreme Court looked bitter and said, "He didn't commit any crime, but Lord Jiang is under the command of the King of Shu …"
Jiang Zian lowered his head. Sometimes, one didn't need a specific crime to be convicted. It was normal to be implicated by following the wrong person.
He looked at Li Yi with a hint of hesitation on his face. After a long time, he said, "Lord Li, Jiang Zian deserved to die. But for the sake of our past relationship, can you save my wife? She, she is innocent …"
"Zian!" The woman held his hand and said with a solemn expression, "If you die, I will immediately follow you …"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"I am a member of the Jiang family in life, and a ghost of the Jiang family in death …"
"Then I will divorce my wife …"
"At this point, it's too late for you to divorce …"
…
Li Yi's face was a little dark. He came over to reminisce about the old days, not to watch them show off their love. He coughed and said, "These years, Brother Zian has suffered under the command of the King of Shu."
Jiang Zian raised his head, and a trace of confusion appeared on his face.
The woman had already understood the meaning behind Li Yi's words. She knelt on the ground and said repeatedly, "Thank you, Lord Li, thank you, Lord Li …"
In the surrounding cells, the people smelled the fragrance and swallowed the rancid prison food. Although the last meal was delicious, they felt that the food that emitted the smell was even more delicious …
That woman … What was the use of kowtowing? Could kowtowing be spared from the death penalty?
At this moment, they only felt that if they could eat food like this in front of them for the rest of their lives, they would have nothing else to ask for …
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