Shen Tangning almost sneered.

"Keep this a secret from Master and Madam for now. I'll go to the yamen first." She turned and went to the inner room to change her clothes. "Eight taels, pack some warm clothes and send them to the young master later."

Ba Liang looked up in surprise. "Does the young mistress believe the young master?"

He was moved to tears, hastily wiped his face, and nodded repeatedly: "Yes! I'll go prepare it right away!"

——

Shen Tangning arrived at the prison and was immediately blocked.

"Who has trespassed into the prison grounds?"

The jailer stopped her with a cold expression.

At her signal, Xueqing stepped forward and quietly handed her a purse: "My young lady is the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Shen. My husband was just arrested by you, and she is very worried. She wants to send him some food and clothing. Please do me a favor."

Using money to pave the way is not uncommon. As long as it's not a major case that's being closely monitored by higher-ups, everyone is happy to do a favor.

However, the jailer glanced at Shen Tangning and curled his lips in a mocking smile: "Are you trying to bribe me openly? Sorry, I'm not buying it! Please leave now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

Xueqing clutched her purse tightly, her expression changing.

Those who can survive here are all shrewd people; upon hearing her background, they would carefully consider whether they could offend her.

This person didn't seem like a naive newcomer; he seemed more like someone deliberately targeting her.

A glint flashed in Shen Tangning's eyes. If she hadn't been instructed by someone, she really couldn't have thought of anything else.

She stepped forward, a faint coldness appearing in her eyes, her smile gentle but not reaching her gaze: "My husband has not been convicted yet; he was merely invited here to cooperate with your investigation. Why can't I visit him?"

The jailer's lips moved, about to retort, but she said calmly, "By taking him away in full view of everyone, you've already treated him as a criminal, inviting public condemnation. If he's truly guilty, that's fine, but what if it turns out he's been framed..."

The smile vanished from Shen Tangning's face, her eyes turning icy as she spoke each word with deliberation: "Then I'm afraid I have no choice but to go to the palace and ask Her Majesty the Empress to give my husband justice."

The jailer was startled; the other party's words were both a threat and a warning.

If it is found that Chi Yan was wronged, she made it clear that she would pursue the matter to the end, and even brought up the Empress as a powerful figure!

The jailer rushed out in a panic, a fawning smile on his face: "So it's Miss Shen! Please come in, please come in! Please don't be offended, this young man is new here and doesn't know any better, he doesn't recognize you!"

Shen Tangning raised an eyebrow and glanced at the stiff-faced jailer: "Is that so?"

A mocking smile played on her lips as she said indifferently, "Then you should teach him a lesson about how to assess the situation, lest he mistakenly believe he has grasped the ladder to success when in reality he has one foot on the road to the underworld."

Upon hearing her words, both of the men in front of her stiffened uncomfortably.

The jailer quickly realized what was going on and forced a dry smile: "Yes, yes, you're right! You want to visit Young Master Chi, right? No problem, this way please!"

Shen Tangning had no desire to argue any further and stepped into the prison cell.

Xue Qing, however, deliberately let out a heavy snort as she passed the jailer: "Some people really don't know what's good for them."

The jailer's face alternated between pale and flushed, a truly fascinating sight.

...

Carrying a gauze lantern, Shen Tangning walked through the long, dark corridor. The air was filled with a damp, musty smell, and she frowned, trying to suppress her discomfort.

"Miss Shen, this is the place."

Arriving at a cell, she looked up and saw Chi Yan sitting in the corner, looking aggrieved and with his clothes all wrinkled. He looked at her blankly.

"……lady?"