Chapter 18 World One

Mu Nanxing followed Bao Shan's gaze and found the small flower on his shoulder. He reached out and took it off.

A soft flower is placed in the palm of your hand, and its petals are still trembling gently.

Suddenly, a breeze blew and took the flower away again.

The two people looked at each other from a distance, one leaning against the window to look into the distance, the other looking back.

Although they were only a few feet apart, they seemed to be very close.

Baoshan opened her red lips slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but when she remembered the distance between them, she realized that even if she spoke, Mu Nanxing would not be able to hear her, so she closed her lips tightly again.

Her injured hand rested casually on the window partition.

Because there were too many silk threads wrapped around it, it looked very scary, but Baoshan was completely unaware of it and, as usual, put his other hand on the injured hand.

Mu Nanxing's eyes narrowed slightly, and he was the first to look away. Bao Shan upstairs could only look at his receding back, with a look of contemplation in his eyes.

The official sent from the capital to take over Fuling City and replace Lord Zhang has arrived.

This man's surname was Chen, and everyone called him Mr. Chen. He was about forty years old, but looked like an old scholar.

I heard that he was an old juren who passed the imperial examination at the age of thirty-six.

At the palace examination, he stood out among the young talents.

Because he was old, had a low rank, and no one spoke up for him, he was sent to a remote village to serve as a minor official.

However, Mr. Chen worked diligently for several years and achieved some results. This time he was sent to Fuling City, which can be regarded as his success.

Mu Nanxing had spoken to him briefly, and from the way Lord Chen handled the trivial matters of Fuling City, he could tell that he was cautious, even timid, but serious about his work and personally involved in everything.

When it comes to dealing with people and the ways of the world, he is certainly not as smooth as Lord Zhang.

But his way of being an official is much better than that of Mr. Zhang who was imprisoned.

After Lord Chen finished dealing with the most important matter at hand, he put other matters aside.

He went to the dungeon where Lord Zhang was being held. He originally wanted to ask him a few detailed questions according to the regulations, but Lord Zhang obviously did not cooperate.

During these days in the dungeon, Lord Zhang had long lost his former elegant demeanor. The clothes he wore were the ones he wore on the day he was captured. After entering the dungeon, he naturally could not change his clothes every day like before. His clothes were now covered with dirt, and his fine hair, which he usually took good care of, was now a mess.

But Lord Zhang was no longer able to care. He couldn't even get enough food to eat, so how could he care about his appearance?

Upon learning that Lord Chen was here to replace him, Lord Zhang felt depressed and looked at Lord Chen.

Because he couldn't believe that the emperor would send a former minor official, his eyes bulged slightly, and even his answers to Lord Chen's questions were somewhat nonchalant.

As a new official, Lord Chen came to inquire in accordance with the rules. It doesn't matter whether Lord Zhang answers or how he answers.

After all, the evidence is conclusive, and even if Lord Zhang doesn't want to admit it, it will be of no avail.

Lord Chen finished his questions as if reading from a script, lifted his robe, turned around and was about to leave when he heard a sound coming from the cell next door.

"Stay."

The voice sounded young, and Lord Chen stopped. He saw the man in the cell next to Lord Zhang's, in a better condition than Lord Zhang. His cell didn't face the sun, and was dark and damp. But his dark eyes were particularly bright, like a pack of wolves in the night, revealing a hint of cruelty.

Seeing that Lord Chen looked puzzled, the attendant hurriedly explained.

"This is Zhang Shang, Master Zhang's son."

Lord Chen nodded slightly.

Zhang Shang spoke again, his voice a little hoarse. He knew that his fate would be nothing but death.

He could accept these naturally, but Lord Zhang and Madam Zhang obviously could not. They didn't want to lose their lives, but they also wanted to keep their integrity. After Zhang Shang spoke, the two of them shouted in frustration.

"Shang'er, what are you doing!"

They were worried that Zhang Shang wanted to beg for mercy from the new Lord Chen.

Zhang Shang swallowed and asked under two burning gazes.

"Where are you going to carry out the execution? Here? Or in the capital?"

Zhang Shang spoke word by word, his eyes fixed on Lord Chen's expression, as if he wanted to see from the fluctuations in his eyebrows where his life would end.

But Lord Chen always looked like an old scholar. No matter how Zhang Shang asked questions, he always had a serious face without any fluctuation.

Zhang Shang was not disappointed. He continued, "I want to see the treasured fan."

The tone was firm and resolute, as if he was making a request to Lord Chen, rather than an earnest and humble request.

This time, without the need for his attendants to explain, Lord Chen understood who Zhang Shang was referring to as the "treasure fan." When Lord Chen first arrived in Fuling City, he stayed at an inn because the post station had been destroyed and Lord Zhang's residence had not yet been cleared.

In addition to the young Marquis Mu, there was also a delicate and beautiful girl in the inn.

Lord Chen did not have an excessive pursuit of women. The most important thing in his heart was his studies. After going through untold hardships and becoming a juren, the first thing in his mind was his official career.

Therefore, Lord Chen married a virtuous wife of plain appearance, and the two of them lived a stable and happy life.

But Lord Chen had to admit that Miss Baoshan, who was following the young Marquis Mu, was truly a beauty, with fair skin and delicate figure.

But her hands seemed to be injured and were wrapped in silk, making it difficult for her to move freely, making her look particularly pitiful.

Although her injuries hampered her figure, they added a touch of sadness to her face, making her even more pitiable. As the scriptures say: "Books contain golden houses and beautiful women."

Miss Baoshan is probably the Yan Ruyu that the book is looking for.

There was finally a change on Lord Chen's calm face.

"No."

The crime committed by Zhang Shang was enough to take his life.

Now that Zhang Shang is a prisoner, how can he have the dignity to ask to see the treasured fan? Moreover—

Lord Chen's eyes swept lightly across the damp and dark cell. Such a place was not suitable for Miss Baoshan.

Zhang Shang, who had always been spoiled growing up, was rejected so decisively by others for the first time.

Zhang Shang's mind was in a state of confusion for a moment, and it took him a moment to react. He felt embarrassed and a little lost. In the past, he was used to being arrogant. Whatever he wanted, he just gave an order and others rushed to do it. But he had forgotten his current situation.

Zhang Shang pulled up a sarcastic smile, but he didn't give up the idea after all.

"Let Baoshan meet me, and I'll exchange something with you."

Not to mention Lord Chen, even the followers around Lord Chen showed a trace of disdain on their faces. Looking at Zhang Shang's current situation, what else could he offer in exchange?

Zhang Shang looked at Lord Zhang and Madam Zhang not far away, and quickly retracted his gaze.

"There are also some books containing gold and silver that you haven't found."

Lord Zhang immediately stood up in the dirty cell, stretched out his trembling fingers, his eyes as round as copper bells and as red as blood.

"You, you rebellious son..."

Zhang Shang seemed oblivious and continued, "Besides the money in the mansion, there's also a sum of gold and silver, as well as a book that records the source of this gold and silver. If I don't tell you, you won't be able to find out."

Seeing the eagerness on the faces of the followers behind Lord Chen, Zhang Shang interrupted their other thoughts.

"If you want to torture me and force me to tell you the whereabouts of this gold and silver, forget it.

I am already half dead, already in a coffin, so it makes no difference whether I am tortured or not."

He had a calm expression on his face, as if he was not afraid of being tortured.

Master Chen frowned: "What do you want?"

"I just want one thing, you let Baoshan come to see me."

Mr. Chen: "Just this one thing?"

Zhang Shang: "Just this one thing is enough."

As if to reassure Master Chen, Zhang Shang continued, "Once I have seen the treasured fan, I will tell you the whereabouts of the gold, silver, and booklet."

Mr. Zhang next to him was so angry that his hands were shaking, and he kept shouting, "You, you..."

Before he could finish his words, he felt a sweet taste in his throat and then spat out a mouthful of blood.

Mrs. Zhang in the cell opposite saw this and although she was extremely anxious, she could only express her concern across the cell.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Even a rabbit can think of setting up three homes, so Lord Zhang has also left a backup plan for himself.

He divided the money he earned into two parts. One part was used as normal income for the mansion, and the other part was exchanged for gold and silver ingots, which he hid in the mountains for emergency use.

Zhang was put into the prison, and although he was terrified, he still had hope. He still had a large sum of gold and silver, which he could use to buy his life.

In the past few days, Lord Zhang has been carefully observing who in the dungeon can be used by him.

The guards in the dungeon could earn a few cents, and if they could take a risk and release them, he would promise to give him half of the gold and silver.

But before Lord Zhang could choose someone to rescue him, the matter of burying the gold and silver was reported by his own son——

Zhang Shang exposed the secret so openly and used it as an exchange for a chance to see the treasured fan.

If Zhang Shang does this, how will they get out in the future? Will they have to stay in this dark cell for a long time? The day they see the sun again will be the day they die.

Lord Zhang told Zhang Shang about the gold and silver because he valued him. Even Mrs. Zhang was kept in the dark about this matter.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shang's few words destroyed their hopes of survival. How could Lord Zhang not be furious?

But no matter how heartbroken or upset Lord Zhang was, the situation was difficult to reverse.

Lord Chen took a look at Lord Zhang who had fainted after vomiting blood, and asked someone to call a doctor to save his life.

Lord Chen did not immediately agree to Zhang Shang's request. He first wanted to determine whether this matter was true, and then ask Miss Baoshan's opinion.

If Miss Baoshan is unwilling to come, he can only find other ways.

But facing Zhang Shang, Lord Chen remained emotionless. He thought for a moment and then spoke carefully.

"I need to think about this first."