Chapter 3175: Waiting to be Killed
After breakfast, the two of them went to the Heavenly Prison together as if they were taking a walk to digest the food. This was the first time that Nan Yan felt so relaxed coming to such a place.
In fact, the sky prison was as dark and damp as before. As soon as you walked in, you could smell a musty smell.
Although Zhu Feng had relocated the capital to Beiping, everything remained the same in Nanjing, save for the absence of an emperor. Some officials remained. With two different teams, some matters no longer had to be sent to Beiping. For example, death row prisoners in the south were all escorted to Nanjing, where they would wait for the Ministry of Justice's documents to be sent to the court for review before being executed in the autumn. This was much more convenient than before.
So at this time, in addition to He Yi, the prison also held some prisoners who would soon be executed.
The jailer of the Heavenly Prison did not expect that the emperor and the imperial concubine would come in person without saying hello. He was almost scared to death. He welcomed them in with great fear and led them carefully to a cell.
This cell is located on the outside and actually has a window high up on the wall.
This is much better than the treatment Nan Yan received when she was thrown into prison and tortured.
Obviously, the people below also knew that the emperor would not really do anything to Lord Heyi, so they were polite to him. When they walked over, Nan Yan even saw that the floor of the cell was cleaned very cleanly, and there were no rats running around.
In the still bright light, a thin figure sat in the middle of the cell.
When ordinary people are locked up in a cell, they will definitely curl up in a corner because they feel insecure and need to find someone to rely on. But He Yi is different from others. He sits there cross-legged with a calm expression, as if he is in an ordinary Taoist temple.
The damp and cold air was even filled with the faint scent of agarwood that he had acquired from years of exposure.
Nan Yan couldn't help but take a deep breath and said secretly, "It smells so good."
Zhu Feng also looked inside and said coldly, "He seems to be enjoying it."
The jailer, following behind the two men, heard this and feared the emperor would think they were currying favor with the convicted official, so he said cautiously, "Lord Heyi hasn't convicted anyone yet, so we, the humble servants, will—"
Nan Yan turned around and waved at him: "Go down, the emperor has something to say to me, and he wants to ask He Yi alone."
When the man heard this, he felt as if he had been pardoned. He quickly bowed and left.
Zhu Feng then took a few steps forward and walked to the fence of the cell. He looked inside for a long time without saying a word.
It’s not that he didn’t want to say it, but he wanted to wait until He Yi opened his eyes and spoke first.
This seems like a competition.
If an ordinary person was imprisoned and met the emperor and the imperial concubine in person to see him, he would have been grateful and crawled over. But He Yi - although he had his eyes closed, Nan Yan knew very well that even if he was sleeping on the ground, he would definitely know clearly when Zhu Feng approached.
The reason why he didn't open his eyes or speak was that he was competing with Zhu Feng.
The two of them just faced each other in silence.
Nan Yan was standing nearby, unable to contain herself and coughing softly.
Her cough was like a slackening of energy in a struggle. He Yi heard it and slowly opened his eyes. As soon as those eyes, like bright lights, opened, the entire cell seemed much brighter. A faint smile appeared on his face, and he said, "I didn't know that Your Majesty and Your Majesty had arrived. I apologize for not welcoming you."
Zhu Feng couldn't help but turn around and glare at Nan Yan.
Nan Yan stuck out her tongue.
Zhu Feng turned around in a bad mood and saw He Yi slowly stand up, brush off his robes, and bow respectfully to the two of them. He sneered and said, "It seems that you are quite comfortable staying in this prison."
He Yi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty wants to punish me because I am guilty. It is natural for a guilty person to be punished. Since it is natural, I am at ease."
Zhu Feng's expression grew even colder.
Nan Yan was listening at the side, secretly groaning in her heart. After what the two of them said last night, she understood what kind of mentality He Yi had in serving Zhu Feng. He was not unfaithful, but a person who was too smart and liked to make his own decisions would not be liked by a strong person. The reason why Zhu Feng kept him was simply because he was too smart.
But Zhu Feng also said that he wanted to vent his anger and punish him.
However, looking at He Yi's appearance, Nan Yan didn't know what means to use to punish such a person.
Zhu Feng said coldly, "Then what do you think I should do with you?"
He Yi actually thought about it seriously for a while.
Then he smiled bitterly and said, "I submit to be killed."
Zhu Feng sneered, "You've already sentenced yourself to death. It seems you know what you did wrong. Zhu Chengjin is guilty of treason and high treason, a heinous crime. Letting such a person go will only create a hidden danger of disaster for the world."
He Yi had always been calm and composed, but when he heard these words, his expression dimmed slightly.
Seeing him like this, Zhu Feng's eyes flashed with coldness.
Said: "So, you also admitted that you did let him go on purpose, right?"
“…”
He Yi still didn't speak. He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before he said in a hoarse voice, "I have already said this. If Your Majesty wishes to kill me, I will submit to your death without complaint."
Nan Yan couldn't help but frown.
He Yi actually intended to let Zhu Chengjin go.
She couldn't help but ask, "He Yi, why are you doing this?"
“…”
"Since you are already the emperor's subject, you should share his worries. Do you know how much trouble you have left behind by letting Zhu Chengjin go?"
He Yi glanced at her, his face also looking a little gloomy.
After a long while, he slowly said, "I know that my crime is unforgivable."
“…”
"However, Your Majesty and Your Majesty already know that I am originally from the Emperor Gao's family. He is my former master."
When Emperor Gao was mentioned, Zhu Feng's face darkened.
He Yi sighed deeply and said, "I have served the Emperor and sacrificed my life for him, which shows that I know a wise master. But he—he is still the grandson of Emperor Gao. I am protecting him because I do not forget my old master."
Hearing this, Nan Yan couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
It turns out that even He Yi is not as relaxed and calm as he appears.
There was also confusion and struggle in his heart.
At this time, Zhu Feng sneered and said calmly: "Alright, come here, let him out."
Upon hearing this, not only Nan Yan was stunned, but even He Yi, who was standing in the cell, ready to be killed, was stunned. They both looked at Zhu Feng in surprise.
Nan Yan asked, "Your Majesty, just like that, let him go?"
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