Chapter 54: The scorching sun, like facing the abyss
"yes!"
The servant responded and left.
Inside the carriage, the two fell into silence. Zhao Duan suddenly looked at the Imperial Censor sitting opposite him and thought, is this really a coincidence?
…
“Crash!”
Amid the sound of heavy iron chains shaking, Yunxi tried her best to open her eyelids under the scorching sun and see clearly her current situation.
On the long bluestone street.
A prison van was rumbling along, with escorting officers on both sides. On both sides of the street, curious people gathered and talked about the matter.
Yunxi stood in the prison van with her head and hands restrained.
The dark and heavy shackles gradually became hotter under the scorching sun, burning her neck and wrists crimson, and the scars left by the wear and tear were shocking.
Because she was a little short, she had to stand on tiptoe, which caused the already weak girl's legs to tremble after being imprisoned for many days.
Under the messy black hair, his fair face was sunburned and listless. The word "prisoner" (prisoner) that was bulging high on his chest was wet with sweat, leaving two obvious marks.
"Dog official..."
Yunxi's slightly blurred vision locked onto the front of the prison van, the man in the imperial censor's iconic green robe, his eyes filled with despair.
Ever since she was arrested last time, dragged out by Zhao Duan for interrogation late at night, and forced to reveal information, Yunxi has been looking forward to Zhao Duan's return.
Of course, it’s not something else.
It was really what Zhao Gou said when he left last time that was too hurtful.
"...Zhuang Xiaocheng refused to tell you that reinforcements were coming. Apparently, he didn't believe you would voluntarily stay behind to cover your retreat."
These past few days, he was locked up in a dark solitary cell.
Zhao Duan's heart-piercing words kept flashing through the girl's mind.
However, the girl's firm will would certainly not be easily destroyed by a few words. Yunxi quickly found a reasonable and just reason for the teacher.
He also hated himself for his poor performance that day. When Zhao Gou attacked him, he did not refute him immediately, but was speechless instead.
I am too weak!
Yunxi even rehearsed it over and over again, imagining that when Zhao Ze was brought to trial again, she would be righteous and refute his fallacies completely.
But to her disappointment, no one paid any attention to her since then.
There was no pepper spray, whip, tiger bench, or riding a wooden donkey as she had imagined... She didn't suffer any serious punishment at all.
Even the jailers who had been coveting her body and looking at her with evil eyes became well-behaved after Zhao Duan left that day.
There is no such scenes as the "Three Courts Trial" or "Beheading at Caishikou" that we have imagined.
Yunxi was dazedly aware that she seemed to have been forgotten, as if she had lost her value and would be thrown into a dark prison until her death.
This guess made her feel both relieved and disappointed.
Fortunately, she didn't have to suffer cruel punishment... She was not a masochist, so although she was not afraid, she was also afraid.
What was disappointing was... this was in stark contrast to the spectacular death scene she had imagined in the past.
In addition to this, there are other possibilities that can be imagined.
for example:
The thief Zhao was obsessed with lust and deliberately hid his beauty in a dark cell. When the storm died down, he secretly transferred her to a private residence and imprisoned her.
No clothes to wear, only food to eat... Just like what is described in some disgusting vernacular novels.
But all the imaginations were shattered today.
The imperial censor named "Lü Liang" put her into a prison car and paraded her through the streets.
Yunxi didn't know what her fate would be, but she had a premonition of death coming.
"Oh, beheading? Or lingchi?"
Yunxi's eyes were filled with resentment and determination. Besides her fear, she also felt a sense of heroism.
She tried her best to open her mouth, trying to shout loudly to awaken the people who were blinded by the "evil false emperor" and to ignite a fire with her young life and bright red blood.
But her mouth was blocked by a ball gag, so she could only make a "wuwu" sound, and she couldn't even bite her tongue to commit suicide.
On both sides of the prison van, the people had no indignation or sympathy in their eyes, only curiosity and regret.
"Such a good girl, why would she rebel?"
"Who knows? Fortunately, he was caught by Censor Lu. Censor Lu is worthy of his reputation as an upright official. He is not afraid of the powerful, dares to speak out, and knows how to catch thieves."
"Bah, these traitors are so despicable. Censor Lu is so powerful."
People in the capital made comments.
Unlike Zhao Duan who has a bad reputation among the people, Lu Liang has an excellent reputation, which is due to his people-friendly performances that have been consistent for more than ten years.
Most censors have no real power and become famous by their iron tongues. In recent years, Lu Liang has served as a pawn of the "Li Party" and has slandered and discredited many political enemies.
This actually earned him the reputation of "Lu Tiezui" and "Lu Qingtian".
However, Zhuang Xiaocheng, one of the leaders of the Kuangfu Society, once pointed out in a conversation with Yunxi that this person was a fraud and had a twisted mind.
Apparently, there is some intelligence information related to this.
Therefore, after hearing the discussions of the people on both sides, Yun Xi felt as if a puff of icy water was poured over her head, chilling her whole body to the bone.
This was not the way she had imagined dying.
Sacrificing one's own life to build the reputation of a dog official...
Yunxi struggled violently!
At this moment, for some reason, she missed Zhao Duan.
At least... that empress's lackey never hides the fact that he is a real villain... well, if this can be considered an advantage.
Moreover, although she was extremely reluctant to admit it, Yunxi knew clearly that the reason she had not been humiliated or tortured after being imprisoned was indeed because of Zhao Duan's face.
In contrast, the originally ugly and hateful Zhao thief suddenly became "kind and amiable".
Unfortunately, she never had the chance to see Zhao Duan again.
…
"Haha, sir, that female thief is still trying to shout."
In front, an official walked up to Lu Liang and flattered and mocked him.
Lu Liang, who was about forty or fifty years old, wore an indigo official robe, a black gauze hat, and a goatee. He held his head high and looked righteous.
Enjoying the people's worship, he smiled and said:
"A discarded pawn of a traitor is a sheer waste in the hands of Zhao. Today, I will teach him how to properly use a traitor."
Lu Liang was very proud.
Not only because of the flattery of the foolish people, but also because of the people who took away Zhao Duan.
Ever since he was reprimanded by the empress last time, he and Zhao Duan have had a grudge. Although the prime minister did not punish him for his poor performance, the failure of the massive impeachment was undoubtedly a humiliation for him.
Therefore, after learning that Zhao Duan was assigned the task of "capturing Zhuang Xiaocheng" by the empress, he would still be punished if he failed to complete it, and that the female rebel imprisoned in the government office was an important clue in his hands.
Lu Liang then had other ideas.
Through family connections, he obtained a warrant from the Ministry of Justice to interrogate the prisoner.
There are three purposes. One is to intercept the case and perhaps dig out valuable information from the female thief to make a contribution.
The second is to please the prime minister and reverse the failure of the last impeachment, which lowered his status in the "Li Party".
The third is to vent one's anger.
As for whether it would offend Zhao Duan... he had already offended him when he was impeached, and both Lu Liang himself and the forces behind him were far from comparable to the Zhang brothers.
To offend a fool who is already an enemy, to gain fame and the appreciation of the prime minister... this is hardly a multiple-choice question.
certainly.
If he knew now that the Zhang brothers who had offended Zhao Duan last time had implicated their entire family last night and were thrown into prison.
I don’t know if I still think this way.
Just when Lu Liangzhi was feeling proud, Yunxi's heart in the prison car gradually sank to the bottom.
Suddenly, a servant in green clothes blocked his way.
"Yushi Lu, my master wants to see you."
"Who dares to block the road..."
An escorting officer was about to react when he saw the awe-inspiring Censor Lu suddenly show a respectful expression:
"Is Mr. Yuan nearby?"
He immediately ordered the prison carriage to stop, and he followed the servants to the side of the road not far away, where there was a luxurious four-horse carriage separated by servants.
Lu Liang bowed and said, "I am Lu Liang, your humble servant, honored to meet you, Lord Yuan."
Although the personnel affiliations of various government offices are complex, different officials in the same government office may belong to different interest groups.
But this does not mean that Lu Liang has the courage to offend his immediate superior.
…
Inside the car.
Zhao Duan listened to the iron-mouthed censor's voice on the other side of the curtain, the voice of the enemy who had tried so hard to bring him down to earth last time, and his expression was slightly subtle.
Yuan Li spoke calmly and asked about the situation. Lu Liang did not dare to hide it, nor could he hide it. He just said that it was a transfer order from the Ministry of Justice and it was in accordance with the rules.
However, after hearing this, the lady in blue clothes in the car only asked lightly:
"Oh? How come I don't know when the censors of my Censorate will obey the Ministry of Justice's orders?"
Outside the car.
Although the sun was scorching, Lu Liang's forehead was instantly covered with cold sweat, as if he was on the edge of an abyss.
I admit that this chapter is a bit watery. . I have been busy these days and really can't spare any extra time to write. When I get over this period, I will write a big chapter to give back to everyone. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)
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