However, at present, she is the only person associated with Gong Tao.
Governor Chang had issued a death order: if Gong Tao wasn't captured within three days, his head would be on the chopping block. In this life-or-death situation, how could he possibly care about anything else?
Of course, saving one's life is the most important thing!
He swung his arm sharply and decisively ordered, "Immediately escort Madam Bai to the state prison. I want to interrogate her myself!"
Yingxiang hurriedly stepped in front of Jiang Huaiyu, saying emotionally, "How can this be? The prison is dark and damp, and people have died there before. My wife is six months pregnant now. What will we do if something happens to her?"
Peng Ting comforted him, "You don't need to worry. I've already instructed the doctor to come along, just in case."
As soon as he finished speaking, the two constables shoved Yingxiang aside and stopped Deng Shen from rushing forward.
"Madam Bai, please come with us."
However, Jiang Huaiyu remained unmoved. Just as the constables were about to forcibly help her up, Ling Mo suddenly made his move.
He moved with lightning speed, arriving in front of them in just two moves, and said in a cold tone, "Who dares to touch her!"
Upon seeing this, Peng Ting immediately drew his sword and aimed it at Ling Mo.
"Ling, I almost forgot you existed. Last time you trespassed into the forbidden area at night, and now you've openly attacked officials and obstructed official duties. Do you know what crimes you'll face for such behavior?"
His companions had not yet avenged themselves, and he had been patiently waiting for this moment. Now, he finally had the chance to make his move against Ling Mo.
"Take him down immediately!"
Ling Mo was about to draw his sword to resist when he was surprised to find that countless officials holding bows and arrows suddenly appeared on the four walls of the courtyard.
Peng Ting smiled smugly and said mockingly, "Your skills are extraordinary. Did you think I would come unprepared? Let me tell you, there is solid evidence for all the crimes you have committed. Today, you can't escape even if you have wings!"
He only had doubts about Jiang Huaiyu, but no real evidence. In addition, her identity was somewhat special. At most, he could only take her to jail to scare her, but he couldn't really do anything to her.
But Ling Mo's situation is different.
He had already committed a serious crime by violating the curfew, and now he was suspected of assaulting an officer and obstructing official business. He would definitely imprison him and torture him to extract a confession, as a way of retaliating against his comrades who had been killed or injured under Jiang Huaiyu's command.
Jiang Huaiyu's expression suddenly turned cold, and he slowly stood up from his seat.
"Damn, they clearly planned this all along."
Ling Mo quickly stepped in front of her, saying, "The Wusu government is utterly absurd. Don't worry, I'm here today, and I will make sure you're safe."
As he spoke, he raised his longsword high, assuming a posture ready for a fierce battle.
However, Jiang Huaiyu gently pressed down on his sword hilt, "The enemy has a large number of people and many archers lying in ambush. Even if you can force our way through, we will have a hard time escaping the city."
Ling Mo frowned. "If they take you back to prison, who knows what kind of atrocities they might commit against you? You absolutely cannot agree to that."
Jiang Huaiyu stared at him quietly for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
“If there were truly solid evidence, Peng Ting would have arrested me without hesitation long ago. This approach is merely a desperate measure. I will temporarily agree to go with them later. You and Li Kui can take this opportunity to find a breakthrough and hide somewhere in the city.”
You absolutely must not go!
Upon hearing these words, a hint of anxiety flashed across Ling Mo's face.
Jiang Huaiyu shook his head slightly, his voice low and firm: "Young Master Ling, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for us. It is not advisable for the two of us to be caught in the same predicament at the same time. I have not yet been convicted, so they may not take any action against me. But for you, the casualties of those bandits are in your hands, and they may take the opportunity to retaliate. Therefore, you must make sure that you are not captured."
At this point, she took two steps forward and looked at Peng Ting with a firm gaze: "Okay, I'll go with you, but I have one condition."
"What are the conditions?" Peng Ting asked, a hint of tension in his voice.
Jiang Huaiyu said firmly, "Commander Peng arrested me to investigate the case, and as a citizen of the country, I should cooperate with the investigation. However, I am not a criminal, so how can I be treated like a prisoner? Besides, you can see with your own eyes that I am currently six months pregnant and about to give birth."
"The child in my womb has a maternal grandfather who served as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, an uncle who was the heir apparent to the Marquis of Jing'an, and a father who was once the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy. If you make any mistakes while escorting me to the prison, Chief Peng, can you bear the charge of harming the family members of an official?"
Faced with her questioning, Peng Ting couldn't help but feel hesitant.
However, the situation was already critical, and he had no choice but to press on through gritted teeth: "Madam, what exactly do you require?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently touched her waist, walked forward with ease, and said calmly, "I am currently pregnant, and today I will be stepping into a dark prison again, so I need to be even more careful with my diet and daily life."
She gently pointed her finger into the room, her fingertip lightly touching it.
"Standing for too long makes my back ache unbearable, so the carved chaise longue in the room must come with me, along with those soft, comfortable brocade pillows for me to lean on. The doctor instructed me to eat small, frequent meals, at least five a day. I don't know when I'll be able to return from the prefectural office, so please take the plate of freshly baked snowflake cakes from this morning with me as well. Oh, and I need to take my pregnancy-stabilizing medicine this afternoon. There might not be a fire source in the prison, so I'll also need to bring the stove and medicine pot. Let me think more carefully about what other necessities I need..."
Peng Ting's face grew increasingly ashen as she listed her demands.
"Madam, please understand, we are heading to prison, not on a spring outing!"
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