Chapter 119 Release from Prison
Facing her fiancé's gentle gaze, Song Lingyi lowered her eyes shyly.
Today is a good day with both good and bad luck.
Although he had entered the imperial city inexplicably, Xiao Mingyi agreed to let the pretty boy go; he also went to Yongning Palace. He thought that Queen Shen would make things difficult for him, but unexpectedly, Queen Shen was very generous. With Queen Shen's protection, this marriage should not have any problems; most importantly, Pei Zhao was on leave today, and he could finally have a good talk with him.
"Uncle Lu, hasn't the young master's case been investigated yet?" Pei Zhao turned to look at Lu Tanwei who was sitting at the top seat and continued the previous topic.
Lu Tanwei sighed, his face solemn: "The Pacification Office has kept the case under wraps, and I can't get any details."
Pei Zhao's eyes darkened.
Given the efficiency of the Pacification Office, this case is not difficult to investigate. It is a bit unexpected that it has been delayed for so long.
The hall suddenly became quiet and the atmosphere was solemn.
Song Lingyi sat quietly beside him, taking a sip from the teacup. After her throat was slightly moistened, she said, "Don't worry, uncle. A few days ago, I went to the Pacification Division, and the deputy commander said that the case is still under investigation. Maybe it will be solved tomorrow and the person will be released."
Xiao Mingyi is the crown prince and a man of his word. He would not lie to her about this.
"You've been running around for A Qian's affairs lately, and you've been really tired. Jianzhi has a rare day off today, so you two shouldn't worry about this matter. Take this opportunity to have a good chat."
Lu Tanwei had witnessed the drastic measures of the Pacification Office and did not hold much hope for the release of the person in the short term, but he did not want to reject his niece's kindness. After he finished speaking, he gave a look to Lu Yu who was sitting next to him.
Lu Yu immediately understood and said with a smile, "I still have to go to the main courtyard to take care of my mother. Cousin, please spend more time with Brother Pei."
The father and daughter left the hall one after another.
Pei Zhao tilted his head to look at Song Lingyi, who was sitting beside him. Glancing at the faint dark circles under her eyes, he said softly, "We met by chance on the street the other day. I thought you were just delivering something to the Pacification Office, but today I heard you were in the Imperial Prison for a visit."
Hearing this, Song Lingyi's thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and she nodded, "Actually, I was quite surprised too. The deputy commander saw that I had been waiting at the door for quite a long time, so out of kindness, he let me in."
This explanation was obviously unconvincing, but Pei Zhao did not ask any further questions. He only said, "The Imperial Prison holds criminals undergoing torture. The smell of blood is strong. Do you feel uncomfortable going in there?"
Meeting her fiancé's concerned gaze, Song Lingyi was stunned for a moment.
As a lady from a wealthy family, she should be afraid of going to the imperial prison. After pondering for a few breaths, she said softly, "I am a little bit, but business is more important. My aunt is worried about my cousin, and I want to do my part."
Pei Zhao smiled faintly.
Suddenly, I recalled the first time I met her. Back then, she was not only courageous but also very clever in dealing with strangers. Daring to visit the imperial prison was indeed something she could do.
The two chatted for a while, and suddenly hurried footsteps were heard in the corridor.
The steward of the palace came running in with a happy face, shouting: "Duke, good news, good news——"
He was puzzled to find the Duke absent, and said with a wry smile, "I'm sorry to bother you, cousin."
Song Lingyi probably guessed what the steward was happy about, and to confirm, she asked, "Steward Li, what's the good news?"
"It's the young master's case!"
The steward was very excited: "Just now, the Pacification Office released the news that the young master did not buy or sell the Yun incense, and was framed. As soon as the case is signed and concluded, the young master can return home!"
"That's really good news. Go tell my uncle!" Song Lingyi was overjoyed.
I thought they would release him tomorrow, but I didn't expect Xiao Mingyi to act so quickly. Power is really a good thing.
Pei Zhao remained silent, not at all surprised by this belated news.
Lu Qian wasn't stupid. After spending so many days in the Imperial Prison, he should have guessed who had set up the trap. But knowing wouldn't hurt. It was a back-and-forth, a back-and-forth contest, so even if he knew, he could only swallow his anger.
Pei Zhao lowered his eyes to glance at the girl with curved eyebrows and a faint smile, and said calmly, "The young master will be back soon. I'm sure the mansion will be busy for a while, so I won't stay any longer."
So sudden?
Song Lingyi frowned: "Okay, then I'll take you there."
"No need. The old lady has been worried about the young master for a long time. You should tell her the news first." Pei Zhao said.
It was a sunny day, and the Duke's Mansion, which had been dull and depressing for many days, seemed to be clearing up after a rainy day. Pei Zhao stood at the gate, looked back at the servants in the mansion who suddenly became busy, and then got on the carriage.
…
In the afternoon, Xuanfeng received the order from the palace to release the person. He did not dare to delay and immediately sent his subordinates to the imperial prison to pick up the person.
The imperial prison was dark and damp, with no sunlight all day long. The moment Chu Yizhou stepped out of the iron gate, he looked at the blue sky above his head and was so excited that tears filled his eyes.
"Oh my God! It's finally out!"
"I finally got out—Ouch!"
As he was howling, he was suddenly kicked on the butt. He stumbled forward several steps and turned back with resentment: "A Qian, why did you kick me?!"
"So noisy." Lu Qian glared at him coldly.
After spending so many days in the imperial prison, although he had not been treated harshly, the conditions were limited. He could not change clothes or bathe. Lu Qian felt like a walking slag bucket, sour and smelly. Even after leaving the prison, his mood did not improve.
The flag officer who led the way led them to the main hall to sign and seal the agreement.
The owner and the waiters of Chufangguan were also brought out of prison. After this period of torture, they had become pale and thin, with unshaven beards. They stood on the steps at the door, waiting to sign their names before being released.
A quarter of an hour later, Lu Qian walked out of the gate of the Pacification Office with lazy steps.
Before the carriage from the Duke's Mansion arrived to pick him up, he saw another familiar green-covered carriage parked across the street.
"Isn't that Pei Jianzhi's carriage?" Chu Yizhou exclaimed.
It's strange. No one from the Duke's Mansion and the Chu Mansion has arrived, but this cousin-in-law came quickly.
Lu Qian's face was gloomy.
In a moment, the window of the green-covered carriage was pushed open, revealing half of a handsome face. Pei Zhao tilted his head to meet that cold gaze, his expression calm and composed, his thin lips slightly curled. "I heard from Manager Li that the young master's case has been solved, so I came to see you."
He silently looked at Lu Qian's miserable appearance and said, "It seems that this imprisonment is not easy. Young Master, you must be more cautious in your future actions."
Lu Qian clenched his teeth, his cheeks twitched violently, and a surge of anger rushed up his chest to the top of his head. He wished he could tear this beast in human form into pieces with his bare hands.
The two of them were facing each other silently at a distance that was neither far nor close, and the air seemed to be filled with gunpowder smoke.
Chu Yizhou's gaze moved back and forth between the two of them.
He was probably extremely tired, and without thinking, he said, "Ah Qian, I'm so tired. Pei Jianzhi is here, why don't we take his carriage back home first?"
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