Mu Jingrui is willing to use Wang Dan in exchange for Shangguan Wanning, even if he will be blamed by the emperor.
However, Mu Jingrui was a little curious, so he interrogated Wang Dan overnight.
When Wang Dan stood in front of him, he couldn't help but feel a little more admiration for him.
Although he had become a prisoner, Wang Dan still stood straight with clear eyes. He did not show any panic when looking at Mu Jingrui.
"Do you know why I brought you here from the cell where you were originally imprisoned?"
Wang Dan shook his head and said with a smile: "I'm going to die anyway, so it doesn't matter where I die."
"What if I tell you that you don't have to die, I will let you go?"
Wang Dan was stunned for a moment, frowning slightly. "Master Mu, I had some friendship with your father back then. I advise you not to do anything illegal. After all, it's not easy for you to become the Minister of War at such a young age."
This time it was Mu Jingrui's turn to be surprised.
Wang Dan actually has a relationship with his father?
"I don't want to either. But your son Wang Xiaoyao threatened me with my fiancée's life. I can't do anything about it."
Wang Dan's expression changed slightly, and then his eyes were filled with anger.
"This brat is so bold that he even hurt innocent people." Wang Dan was immediately furious. "Master Mu, can you lend me the four treasures of the study? I will write a letter immediately and ask him to release your fiancée immediately."
"What about you?" Mu Jingrui asked calmly.
Wang Dan calmed down and his eyes dimmed.
"If the emperor sentences me to death, I am willing to die. But..." Wang Dan sighed softly, "My biggest regret is that my reputation has been ruined. However, the innocent will be cleared one day, and history will clear my name one day."
"So you are wronged?"
"Master Mu, was your father really guilty back then?"
Wang Dan’s words touched upon the most unbearable past events in Mu Jingrui’s heart.
There are countless corrupt officials in the court, and unjust cases are brewing every year.
He was lucky and was able to clear his parents' names, but even so, those who died could never be resurrected.
And how many people are unlucky enough to have their grievances buried forever underground?
"Lord Wang, please take a seat." Mu Jingrui personally untied Wang Dan and ordered his men to bring him a cup of tea.
Wang Dan accepted it calmly.
"Sir Wang, could you tell me the details of your case?"
Wang Dan's eyes began to become blurred. Because he did not want to go along with his colleagues, he was framed for forming a clique and accepting bribes.
He no longer expected to be vindicated, but he still hoped that someone would listen to the grievances hidden in his heart.
Mu Jingrui and Wang Dan talked for a long time until late at night. He felt more and more that Wang Dan was innocent, and it also reminded him of his father.
If someone had stood up and said a fair word for the Mu family back then, the consequences wouldn't have been so tragic.
Mu Jingrui was worried about Shangguan Wanning's safety. He tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. He only fell asleep reluctantly at dawn.
“Bang, bang, bang.”
Mu Jingrui was awakened by a hurried knock on the door. He got up depressed and opened the door. One of his trusted men was standing outside the door, sweating profusely and looking panicked.
"What's up?"
"Master Mu, something bad has happened. The county magistrate just reported that all the jailers in the prison were killed, and Wang Dan... is missing."
Mu Jingrui's anger gradually gathered in his eyes, and he immediately rushed to the cell.
He saw a mess before him, with the bodies of the jailers lying all over the aisle and the air filled with a strong smell of blood.
"This, this, this... This is outrageous. It's simply lawless." The magistrate cursed while wiping his sweat.
"Master Mu, Wang Xiaoyao must have sent someone to rescue his father..."
Mu Jingrui listened to his subordinates' words, and after a moment's silence, he shook his head slightly. "Not necessarily."
Although Wang Xiaoyao's martial arts skills are not weak, according to intelligence, there are no masters among the other bandits in Wanchong Mountain.
Mu Jingrui squatted down and carefully examined the bodies of the jailers. Their fatal wounds were all the sword marks on their necks, and they were killed with one strike.
The technique was clean and neat, and the move was fatal. It was obviously the work of a master.
Judging from the environment at the scene, there was definitely more than one person breaking into the cell.
"Master Mu...Master Mu..." The bailiff came running in and reported, "We found Wang Dan."
Mu Jingrui's heart skipped a beat. "Is he dead or alive? Where is he?"
"Dead...dead, the body was hung on the city wall."
Mu Jingrui's face changed suddenly.
He was stunned for a short while, and when he came to his senses, he immediately ordered: "Immediately mobilize 30,000 nearby garrisons to prevent Wang Xiaoyao from taking any action."
The magistrate stood there at a loss, and after a long while he timidly asked, "Master Mu, thirty thousand... is thirty thousand enough?"
"They are just a bunch of bandits. I am already looking down on them by mobilizing 30,000 troops."
If Shangguan Wanning was not still in their hands and Mu Jingrui was concerned about the safety of the people in the city, he would have taken the initiative to attack.
Wang Dan died.
When the news reached Wanchongshan, Wang Xiaoyao locked himself in the room for several hours, refusing to eat or drink and not saying a word.
In the evening, he came to the room where Shangguan Wanning was imprisoned.
Shangguan Wanning watched Wang Dan approach step by step, her red eyes filled with murderous intent.
She subconsciously took a few steps back until she reached the wall.
"What do you want?"
"I originally wanted to use your life to exchange for my father's life. It seems that my wish has failed. You are really not that important to Mu Jingrui."
Shangguan Wanning did not want Mu Jingrui to do anything to harm the court or the people for her.
However, when it actually happened, she couldn't help but feel a little sad.
"Of course it's not important. Otherwise, why would he regret the wedding on our wedding day?"
Shangguan Wanning felt a wave of sadness in her heart.
Wang Xiaoyao smiled coldly and said, "I want to avenge my father."
"What does that have to do with me... um..." Before Shangguan Wanning could finish her words, Wang Dan pressed acupoints on her.
"Someone come."
"The big boss."
Shangguan Wanning's heart tightened when she saw four minions walking in.
"Send the order to gather all the soldiers in the mountain stronghold and go down the mountain to attack the county town."
Shangguan Wanning was shocked.
She didn't expect Wang Xiaoyao to be so bold. There were only three thousand troops on Wanchong Mountain. How dare he confront the imperial court?
Wang Xiaoyao turned his head and looked at Shangguan Wanning. He walked to her side and said in a low voice, "You will probably never know that this world is darker and brighter than you think."
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