Chapter 353 Loud Noise in the Dead of Night
Yao Qingling swallowed hard, but her anxiety did not subside because of these things.
Having lived for so long, she knew very well that the lives of ordinary people meant nothing to those in power, and they would never listen to what the people had to say.
The reason she could use public opinion to help her get out of trouble time and time again was simply because those in power at the time also needed public opinion to achieve something.
She needs public support, which requires specific timing and circumstances.
Yao Qingling is not so optimistic now, partly because it was revealed at this time that she colluded with bandits.
Now, she is nothing but a discarded pawn, and the information in her shop is no longer of any use.
Someone else will replace her and be at the beck and call of those in power.
Even Lin Shiyuan, who had rendered such great service, was only punished by being confined to a corner to reflect on his actions simply for pleading for her. According to the Emperor's judgment of "disloyalty," Lin Shiyuan was not demoted, but because there was a possibility of renewed war in the south, he still needed this general who could lead troops into battle.
Yao Qingling smiled in agreement: "Well, in that case, there is still some hope."
She comforted herself.
He also understood that what Lin Shiyuan meant by "the wise among the people" was probably due to his secret arrangements for people to go among the people to preach and encourage them, which led to the current results.
In any case, at least she wasn't executed immediately.
"Where is Sheng Dahe?"
Lin Shiyuan said, "His condition is quite serious; there's no way to plead for him."
The incident at Yongning Temple alone, in which he disturbed the ladies of prominent families, was enough to warrant his execution.
Yao Qingling said nothing more. Given her current situation, even protecting herself was an extremely difficult task.
Lin Shiyuan added, "Imperial Censor Cao has resigned and returned to his hometown with his wife."
He didn't mention that the Imperial Censor's wife had injured her leg, not wanting Yao Qingling to feel even worse.
Qingling nodded: "Yes, Madam Cao always says she's not suited to be an official's wife. Imperial Censor Cao has offended too many people; she means she's always living in fear. And those other officials' wives all look down on her for coming from a tofu-selling background..."
Her calm voice suppressed her sadness, "It's good to go back to my hometown. Imperial Censor Cao is talented, and it would be good for him to go back to his hometown and become a teacher. Madam Cao is also good at making tofu, and she says her tofu is famous for miles around."
Qingling smiled slightly as she recalled what the Imperial Censor's wife had described of her when she was young.
She cherished the peaceful moments she had, hugging and kissing her child repeatedly, and playing with him for a while while holding a cloth tiger. Everything seemed as tranquil as it was in the Mulan Courtyard.
Lin Shiyuan's eyes were filled with sorrow as he gently tidied her disheveled hair.
After a long while, the jailer came to urge him to leave, and he finally left with the child.
And so, Yao Qingling enjoyed a few more peaceful days.
On a quiet night, Qingling couldn't sleep because of mosquito bites. She counted the mosquito bites on her arms and counted how many days were left until autumn.
Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the silence.
Tao Ye was jolted awake and sat up abruptly: "What happened?"
Qingling shook her head: "I don't know."
But it seems that an explosion has occurred somewhere else.
Then came a few more loud thuds, though they were a bit quieter than the previous ones.
Although the prison was in the suburbs, it was far from the city gates, and apart from those few loud noises, no other sounds could be heard.
Yao Qingling wanted to ask the jailer, but then she heard a chorus of snoring.
The jailer in this prison loves to drink; he's probably drunk right now and fast asleep.
Tao Ye glanced at Lou Yue, who was sleeping soundly in the corner and snoring softly: "Don't even mention the jailer, we have a carefree guy here too."
Qingling tugged at the corner of her lips and said, "Wait a little longer, we'll have a general idea by tomorrow."
Qingling didn't close her eyes that night, waiting for news the next day.
She had a premonition that perhaps the time she had been waiting for had finally arrived.
As dawn broke, the prison guards changed shifts much earlier than usual.
There were even a few more people.
In prison, there is only one meal a day, but Yao Qingling is an exception and can have breakfast.
When the jailer came to deliver breakfast, Yao Qingling took the opportunity to inquire. The jailer, having received a bribe, did not yell at Yao Qingling and said, "Madam Yao, you don't know, but last night the south and north gates were attacked by rioters at the same time. Those cannon shots were fired by the rioters."
Qingling was very shocked.
She had heard of popular uprisings in several towns in the south, and now even the capital was about to descend into chaos?
"How...how is this possible?"
The jailer sneered, "In this day and age, anything is possible." He glanced behind him and said, "The city is in chaos. The Dali Temple's prison is holding many serious criminals. The higher-ups have increased manpower to prevent these criminals from escaping."
After he finished speaking, he picked up the bucket and went to give it to the other inmates.
Qingling pursed her lips. The jailer was implying to her not to think about escaping in the chaos, as she was also a serious offender.
Tao Ye and Lou Yue both looked worried.
According to the imperial court's judgment, they colluded with bandits and were also considered troublemakers.
In order to suppress the riots, they may be executed right now as a warning to others!
"Miss, are we going to die?" Lou Yue asked fearfully, her voice trembling with tears.
Qingling clenched her fists and took a deep breath: "Not necessarily."
The capital city is a strategic location and has already been under strict control. Migrants are not allowed to enter, and countless people die outside every day.
But at the same time, it also accumulated a force that was bound to break through the city gate and compete with the officials, nobles and wealthy merchants inside the city for a living.
If the imperial court were to execute her at this time, it might not serve as a deterrent, but instead could enrage the mob.
Moreover, the common people in the city are living in hardship, which may actually make them a force to be combined with the rebels.
Yao Qingling couldn't predict what would happen next.
Especially since she was in prison, she lacked information for analysis.
Qingling wanted to send a message to Lin Shiyuan, asking him to come and ask.
But when the news got out, Lin Shiyuan didn't come to see her.
A few days later, the person who came was Lin Qiao.
She brought some food, but it didn't look very good.
"Sister Qingling, please don't mind. The city is in chaos now, and it's very difficult to buy groceries. My brother has been summoned to the palace by the Emperor, and he leaves early and returns late every day. I rarely even see him."
Yao Qingling frowned slightly: "What's the situation outside right now?"
Lin Qiao told Qing Ling what she had seen and what she had learned.
She said that there were people inside the city helping the rioters outside, and several small-scale fights had already broken out inside the city.
"...My brother's subordinates said that the rioters in several southern towns had joined forces. The officials guarding the cities concealed the news until they could no longer suppress it, at which point the court finally found out."
"I heard that the one who suppressed the news was Prince Xin's men. They wanted to create chaos in the south first, so that Prince Xin could raise an army in the capital, thus putting the emperor in a difficult position and forcing him to abdicate."
In other words, before his death, King Xin concealed this move he had made, leaving the outcome to unfold as it happened.
With his death, the officials were leaderless. Fearing the consequences, they decided to go all the way and joined forces with the rebels, hoping to establish themselves as kings.
This has led to the complex situation we see today.
"...That incompetent emperor, only now does he realize he's gone mad." Lin Qiao, without any inhibitions, said whatever came to mind, but Qing Ling quickly covered her mouth, "Don't talk nonsense."
Although she didn't agree with the selfishness and ruthlessness of those in power, they were just ordinary people and had to be careful not to say anything that might cause trouble.
"Sister Qingling, my brother asked me to pass on a message to you. He said now is the perfect time to save you." Lin Qiao took Qingling's hand away, her eyes sparkling, and her smile curved.
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