Chapter 105: Prison Visit
Dark clouds blocked the light, and candlelight was dimmed in the room. Shen Anan sat in a chair in a daze. Xiao Yuan returned to the desk and continued to annotate documents.
The atmosphere was very tense. Perhaps because of the heater, Xiao Yuan's palms were covered with a thin layer of sweat and his heart felt a little hot.
He raised his eyes from time to time and glanced at the woman who was holding the hand warmer in a daze not far away. The curve of his lips deepened a little. He liked the tranquility at the moment, even if it was only for a moment.
Fearing that she would be bored, he took the initiative to say, "These documents were handed in by the court. If you are bored, you can come and take a look. It will relieve your boredom."
Shen Anan knew that the government was in turmoil, but she didn't know the inside story. She was a little moved when she heard it.
Xiao Yuan pushed the annotated copy next to him to his side, and put the one without annotations in front of himself to make room for her.
After hesitating for a moment, Shen Anan walked over, stood beside him, picked up the documents and began to look through them.
She looked at it very seriously and was soon attracted to it. Perhaps because she had something to pass the time, time passed especially quickly. Qingfeng pushed open the door and led the servant to place the food on the table.
The document in her hand was taken away and placed on the desk.
"It's getting late, let's eat first."
Only then did she realize that it was almost dark.
The style was different from last time, but it was still Jiangnan cuisine. However, Shen Anan felt like she was chewing wax today. She ate a little perfunctorily and put down her bowl and chopsticks.
Xiao Yuan glanced at her, didn't force her, and put down his chopsticks.
"Qingfeng, prepare the carriage."
Quiet time always passes quickly. Before leaving, he suddenly turned his head to look at the desk, imagining the scene of the two of them sitting side by side just now.
This is probably what people call a beautiful woman with red sleeves. Why is it that he has never had such a warm and cozy scene in his dreams except for quarrels?
"What's wrong?" Shen Anan turned around and saw that he didn't move, so she spoke softly.
He restrained his expression and strode out of the house. "Let's go."
Qingfeng prepared a heater and a hand warmer in the carriage, which was even warmer than in the study. Shen Anan was holding the hand warmer and felt very warm, but Xiao Yuan opposite her was feeling hot and irritable.
The car curtain was right next to him, but he forced himself not to open it. Sweat broke out on his back and forehead.
Shen Anan had been looking down, thinking about something, and didn't notice his abnormality. Fortunately, the Shen Mansion was not particularly far from the Fourth Prince's Mansion.
Qingfeng said outside that they had arrived at the Shen Mansion. Xiao Yuan was the first to jump off the carriage. Shen Anan was slightly startled. When she lifted the curtain, she saw him gasping for breath, as if he was having difficulty breathing.
She suddenly remembered what Qing'an had said before and asked in a low voice, "Are you... hot?"
Xiao Yuan glanced sideways and said, "Not bad."
…
Seeing him pretending, Shen Anan's lips unconsciously showed a smile.
Xiao Yuan saw it, pursed his lips and glanced at her, then stretched out his hand to her, "Why don't you come down?"
She restrained her expression, used the force of the horse to get off the carriage, and hurried back to the mansion.
In Anshou Hall, Madam Shen was talking to the old lady. Her eyes were wet and swollen, and it was obvious that she had just cried again. The old lady seemed very calm.
"You're back?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the stern man following in. The sunlight shone behind him, as if casting a layer of light on this handsome man.
"I am here to see the Fourth Prince." She stood up, holding the table and bowed respectfully.
"No need to be so polite, old lady."
Madam Shen hurriedly told the maid to serve tea.
The old lady wanted to give him the main seat, but Xiao Yuan didn't. He took the initiative to sit to her lower right, next to Shen Anan.
"Grandma," Shen Anan did not tell her about the torture of her father and brother in prison, but simply explained the current situation of the case.
"The Fourth Prince has a way to get us to meet my aunt. If she is willing to tell the truth, this matter may turn around."
The old lady nodded solemnly, and suddenly thought of something, saying, "Since she has already written a confession, the case can be settled according to the law. However, the emperor has not yet issued an order to deal with her. Does he have other intentions? Your father and brother are in prison..."
Shen Anan never thought that her grandmother could directly infer so much. She knew that she was not easy to fool, but she still didn't dare to say it all.
"Father and brother are fine for now. Those people do have other plans. They...want to pin the blame on our Shen family for this incident."
Madam Shen's face turned even paler, and her hands holding the cup trembled slightly.
The old lady glanced at her and nodded. She had guessed it long ago, including what would happen to her and her son.
"Since the emperor is determined to convict the Shen family, even if the imperial concubine goes back on her word, it will probably be of no use." The old lady was worried.
Xiao Yuan said calmly, "Don't worry about this old lady. If the imperial concubine refuses to admit it, I have my own way to delay it and force the emperor to agree to have the matter tried by the three courts."
It would be much easier to rescue people if we were not in the Second Prince’s territory.
"Thank you, Fourth Prince." Old Madam Shen stood up and bowed solemnly to Xiao Yuan. "My Shen family is in such a state of decline, and only the Fourth Prince does not despise us and is willing to lend a helping hand."
“Grandma,” Shen Anan immediately stepped forward to support the old lady, her eyes red.
"You are too polite, old lady. Since An An and I love each other, the Shen family's affairs are my business."
He spoke so sincerely that Shen Anan glanced at him quickly and obviously thought that what he said was true.
"Okay, okay, okay," the old lady sat down again and immediately told the nanny behind her to prepare clothes for going to the Dali Temple later.
"I personally raised the imperial concubine. Although she is selfish and vain, she is definitely not stupid. There must be something else behind this matter. I will definitely find a way to make her tell the truth."
The candles in Anshou Hall stayed lit until three o'clock in the morning, when the carriage that had been prepared long ago at the corner gate slowly drove towards the Dali Temple.
"The Dali Temple changes shifts three times every night. You have half an hour. If Concubine Shen refuses to explain, do not stay any longer. Safety comes first."
Xiao Yuan whispered to Shen Anan, but he was still a little worried after all, "Well, I'll go in with you."
"No." Shen Anan shook her head and refused, "We were found to be minors. If you were to report it to the emperor, you wouldn't be able to explain yourself."
The weak light could barely illuminate the outline of the woman. He stared at her, feeling a slight warmth in his heart.
"Okay, I'll wait here, don't be afraid."
Shen Anan nodded, put on the hood to cover half of her face, and walked towards the Dali Temple with Madam Shen.
Someone had been waiting there for a long time. He saluted Xiao Yuan and immediately led the two of them inside, saying, "The guards above are strict. For safety reasons, you two should not wait for more than half an hour."
"good."
As soon as I entered the prison, the bloody and moldy smell hit me in the face, mixed with the sparse sounds of rats and ants, and shrill wails.
Her face turned pale and she held Madam Shen's hand tightly.
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