Chapter 103 Jade Token
The jailer had long lost his patience, feeling that Song Yushu was really pushing his luck, still thinking about getting a doctor even in the prison.
Remembering what Xue Huai'an had told her, Song Yushu could only grit her teeth and try: "Could you do me a favor and take this to see the prefect? If he sees it, he will naturally recognize it!"
The jailer initially thought she was talking nonsense again, trying to implicate the prefect, and didn't want to pay her any attention. However, when he saw the jade pendant in her hand, he hesitated. The reason was simple: the quality of the jade pendant was too good, unlike what an ordinary person could possess.
"If you had connections, why would you have been locked up in jail overnight? You didn't steal this jade pendant, did you?"
“A friend gave it to me, saying that I could use this jade token to ask the prefect for help if I encountered any difficulties. I was afraid that I would owe him too much of a favor, so I used it. My daughter has a fever and I really can’t wait any longer!”
Song Yushu knew that if Zhou Chengzhu continued to wait, she might become delirious from the fever, so he could only pin his hopes on the jade tablet that Xue Huai'an would give him.
After hesitating for a moment, the jailer decided to grit his teeth and give it a try. He had been guarding prisoners in this jail for ten years and was really unwilling to spend his whole life as a lowly jailer. He had heard that the newly appointed prefect was kind and benevolent. If he was wrong, he would at most be punished with a few strokes of the cane. If he was right, he would never have to suffer in this jail again.
"Could you please call a doctor for me? I will be very grateful after I get out of here!"
"Fine, but if I find out you lied to me, you'll be sorry!"
The jailer, named He Man, was not usually one to act impulsively. However, seeing that the jade token was something extraordinary, and considering how rare it was for jailers to rise in rank, he thought that even if Song Yushu had tricked him and pawned the token, it would still be worth a lot of money. If he hadn't been tricked, having the opportunity to show his face in front of the prefect would be excellent.
After seeing him leave with the jade token, Song Yushu was initially relieved. However, seeing that Zhou Chengzhu was delirious with fever, he wet his sleeve and applied it to her head, anxiously waiting for the doctor to arrive.
Fortunately, the jailer didn't fool Song Yushu; someone actually brought in a doctor.
Seeing that Zhou Chengzhu's condition was not good, the doctor quickly administered acupuncture to stabilize her condition. Seeing that they were unable to prepare medicine in the prison, he gave them two bottles of pills.
"Pay close attention at night. If she gets a fever again, give her this bottle of pills. If she doesn't get a fever, give her another bottle. Her condition should improve in three days." The old doctor didn't ask any more questions since the mother and daughter were locked up in the cell. He did what he was supposed to do and left.
Song Yushu held Zhou Chengzhu, whose fever had subsided, with great relief. Fortunately, the doctor arrived in time; otherwise, if something had really happened to Zhou Chengzhu, she feared she would never have been able to let go of the guilt for the rest of her life.
On the other side, He Man, holding the jade token, lingered outside the government office. At this moment, he felt that he might have acted impulsively and hesitated whether to go in. If he didn't go in, he could pawn the jade token and make a lot of money. If he went in, whether he could see the prefect was another matter. If he was cheated, he would also be punished.
Just as he was hesitating, a man suddenly walked out of the government office. It was none other than Jiang Dianli, the favorite of the current prefect.
Jiang Dianli originally worked in the county government office. He was of average ability and would never have had a chance to stand out. However, the previous prefect was investigated and a series of officials involved in human trafficking were dismissed. The prefectural government was short of people, and he was one of the few who remained. He was considered relatively reliable, which is why he was favored.
"Who are you? Why are you peeking around in the government office? Not just anyone can come here!" Jiang, the clerk, was currently riding high on his success, and when he saw He Man lingering outside, he asked him.
"I am a jailer in the prison, and I have something to report to the Prefect..."
"A jailer? No wonder he's so unruly! The prefect is busy with official duties, how could someone like you possibly be there? Get out of here now..." Upon hearing He Man's words, Clerk Jiang looked disdainful and scolded He Man. Seeing him bow his head and beg for forgiveness repeatedly, he left satisfied.
"Bah! He really thinks he's someone important!" He Man's wavering resolve was solidified after being scolded by Clerk Jiang. Since no one would go in to see the prefect for him, he simply waited at the prefectural office for the prefect to come out.
Just as he was about to head back, thinking he hadn't been able to wait for anyone today, he saw the gates of the government office open.
"Who are you? What are you doing lingering outside the government office at this hour?" Prefect Liu ordered his men to bring He Man in for questioning.
He Man was restrained by the guards around the prefect before he could even get close, and he was in a rather disheveled state. However, when he saw the prefect, his eyes were full of excitement: "This humble servant greets the prefect! I am a jailer in the prefectural prison. I am here to seek justice for those who have been imprisoned without cause!"
"Oh? What injustice have you committed? Do you have any evidence? If you have no evidence, you should be punished just for leaving the prison without permission!" Prefect Liu said sternly, displeased with He Man's words. As a prison guard, He Man dared to leave the prison without permission. If what he said was not true, He Man would not escape punishment.
“Everything I have said is true! This matter concerns Clerk Jiang. Yesterday, a woman claiming to be Clerk Jiang’s wife arbitrarily ordered the officers to imprison a mother and daughter. When I asked why, she claimed that the mother and daughter had seduced her son and even beat her.”
"Whether this matter is true or false is unknown. Even if it is true, there is no reason to imprison someone without even conducting a trial. The wronged woman saw that her daughter had a fever, so she took out her token and asked to see the prefect. Seeing that she was so certain and the situation was urgent, I waited here for the prefect to come out..."
He Man gritted his teeth and spoke out under pressure. Of course, he was already dissatisfied with Jiang Dianli, and his tone naturally carried some of that dissatisfaction.
"Present the token," Prefect Liu said, but he didn't believe it immediately. Besides, he still needed Jiang, the clerk, so he had to see the evidence first.
But after he took the jade token, he was stunned: "This token really came from that mother and daughter?"
"Yes! I received the jade pendant from her. She said it was a gift from a friend!" He Man replied quickly, seeing that things were looking promising.
“Friends? How could such an important jade pendant be given to someone else, unless… Never mind, take some men to the prison and bring that mother and daughter here!” Prefect Liu stopped hesitating and directly ordered He Man to take some men to bring Song Yushu and the others over for questioning.
At this moment, Song Yushu was leaning against the wall, holding Zhou Chengzhu and looking exhausted. When he saw He Man bringing people in, he knew that they were saved.
"Madam Song, the master wants to see you. Is your young lady feeling any better now?" He Man was very enthusiastic towards Song Yushu at this moment, smiling brightly.
"Thank you for making this trip and even getting us a doctor. Her fever has subsided now, and we'll be there right away," Song Yushu said, not holding He Man's previous attitude against her. After all, He Man had indeed brought her a savior and helped her a lot.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
