There are three types of cells in the Penal Department Prison.
Murderers who have committed serious crimes and are awaiting trial and conviction are imprisoned in large cells. Such cells usually hold four or five prisoners. They only have two steamed buns and a bowl of cold water a day. The environment is harsh, and the turbid air is filled with an unpleasant smell.
.
If an official of the current government makes a big mistake and is imprisoned, the treatment will be much better. They can be held in separate cells and receive two meals a day.
There are also better conditions, not only single cells, but also beds, tables and chairs, three meals a day, four dishes and one soup.
Tian Kun was locked up in such a cell.
It was getting dark now, and it was time to serve dinner. The jailer guarding the cell opened the lock and came in with a tray. There were two meat and two vegetables, a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup, and the food was still hot.
Tian Kun picked up the chopsticks and ate without politeness.
Among the Tian family members, Tian Kun is the one who has studied the most. He took the scholar exam several times when he was young, but unfortunately he failed. Ten years ago, he received a job as an official from the Ministry of Etiquette, and he occasionally went to the Yamen to answer questions on weekdays. Most of them
During that time, he traveled around "busyly" and made a huge amount of gold and silver by selling children and girls.
Tian Kun paid half of the money he earned as tribute to Concubine Tian Shu in the palace.
Concubine Tian Shu is not in charge of palace affairs, but she is the concubine who raised the prince. In Emperor Long'an's harem, she is now considered the number three figure. She can save Tian Kun's life at critical moments.
Just like this time, if Concubine Tian Shu hadn't cried out and begged Emperor Long'an for mercy, the unselfish King Yan would have already cleared the case and convicted him of death.
Fortunately, he had climbed up to Concubine Tian Shu and King Zhao ten years ago. Leaning on this big tree, there was nothing King Yan could do about him.
If he stays up for two more days, he can get out of this hellish place!
Tian Kun finished his dinner, wiped the corner of his mouth, and threw his chopsticks on the ground, extremely arrogant.
The jailer guarding the cell has long been used to it. After entering the cell, he lowered his head to pick up the chopsticks, neatly put away the dishes, and then locked the cell door again.
In fact, Tian Kun was not as calm as he showed on the surface. After the jailer left, he lay on the bed, frowned, and quickly made calculations.
According to Daqi law, the things he committed were enough to have his house confiscated and beheaded.
King Yan has been in charge of the Criminal Department for several years, and has handled as many as 800 cases, ranging from a thousand to eight hundred. It is an exaggeration to say that he is upright, but His Highness, King Yan, has a reputation for being able to handle no unjust cases under his command!
King Zhao secretly sent a message to him, asking him to survive these five days before he could be released from prison. He followed the instructions without hesitation, and when interrogated every day, he insisted that it was his subordinates who had done it. As a master, he was deceived by his subordinates and had no idea.
Affection.
Can he escape this disaster by luck?
Footsteps suddenly sounded behind him, and soon the iron chains on the cell door rattled.
Tian Kun's heart skipped a beat, he sat up straight and turned his head sharply.
He saw a slim woman wearing a weft hat whose face could not be seen clearly, standing outside the prison door.
The policeman on the side unlocked the iron lock, opened the door, and said quickly: "I only have one moment to burn incense. If you have anything to say, please tell me." After saying that, he ran out.
The graceful woman entered the cell, lifted her hat and revealed her face.
This woman looks to be in her thirties and is quite pretty.
The light in the cell was dim, but Tian Kun recognized the person at a glance. He was surprised and happy: "Lu Yi! Why is it you!"
…
This Lu Yi is the maid in charge of Concubine Tian Shu.
Concubine Tian Shu lived deep in the harem and had no chance to leave the palace on weekdays. Whenever something happened, she would ask Lu Yi to leave the palace to send a message to the Tian family. Back then, Tian Kun bribed Lu Yi with heavy gifts, and then he got in touch with Concubine Tian Shu.
Otherwise, the total number of members of the Tian clan from far and near would be three to four hundred. Why should it be his turn for a clan member who is about to get out of the fifth server to get ahead?
In recent years, most of the gold and silver items that Tian Kun paid tribute to Concubine Tian Shu were brought into the palace through Luyi.
Tian Kun, who was deeply in prison and full of anxiety, was immediately elated when he saw Lu Yi. He felt closer than meeting his relatives. He excitedly took two steps forward to grab Lu Yi's hand.
Lu Yi quickly took a step back and whispered quickly: "We don't have much time. I have specially asked me to deliver the message. Please listen carefully."
Tian Kun and Lu Yimei have been having an affair for many years.
However, this place and now is obviously not a good time to "reminisce about old friendships". Business is more important.
Tian Kun calmed down and said, "What are your orders?"
Lu Yi whispered: "Today King Yan entered the palace and reported the case to the emperor. I don't know what he said. The emperor was furious. When he arrived at the palace of Empress Shu, he scolded her angrily. He even had her treasury and private accounts searched.
, the empress cannot hide it, so she has to admit that it is you who pay tribute to the empress on weekdays..."
Tian Kun was frightened and his face turned pale.
The amount of money he sent to the palace every year was at least eighty or ninety thousand taels. Cumulatively accumulated over ten years, the figure was astonishing.
Emperor Long'an was not a fool, how could he fool him?
Concubine Tian Shu could not protect herself, how could she protect his life?
Lu Yi seemed to know what Tian Kun was thinking, and sighed in a low voice with a bitter look on her face: "The Emperor Long Yan was so angry that he ordered the empress to seal off the palace. He also ordered His Highness King Yan to investigate the case strictly."
"It is absolutely impossible to say that you can be released from prison after five days."
Tian Kun was struck by lightning, and his voice trembled: "So, I can't escape this disaster!"
Lu Yi's eyes flashed with water, and her voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, taking advantage of the chaos in the palace, ordered me to secretly escape from the palace. His Highness, King Zhao, sent me to prison to see you for the last time."
The last side...
Tian Kun's face was as white as paper, he took two steps back in despair, and sat down on the bed.
The sky is falling and the earth is falling, but that's it.
There are both physical and personal evidence of the kidnapping and trafficking of young children. He just relied on the power of Concubine Tian Shu and her son to support himself and did not plead guilty. Now, Concubine Tian can't protect him, and King Zhao also wants to end the relationship with him.
Who else can save him?
Lu Yi shrugged her shoulders and cried silently for a moment. She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeves and whispered: "My Majesty asked you to plead guilty early and explain clearly. Perhaps, the Emperor can spare you for the sake of My Majesty and His Highness King Zhao."
Immortal."
"This is the only chance to survive."
Tian Kun's body and mind went cold, and he smiled miserably: "What I committed was a serious crime in Daqi's laws. It was the crime of ransacking the house and beheading me. Even if I admit the crime, I won't survive the Qiu Ri Wen execution."
Lu Yi's voice choked up again: "If you don't plead guilty, His Highness King Yan can also convict you, and the crime will be increased. If the emperor is angry, he will kill you. On the Hungry Ghost Festival in the future, you will even burn incense.
No one visits the grave."
"I'll trade your life for the lives of the whole family. Aren't you willing?"
yes!
Anyway, it's a dead end.
If he pleads guilty, he can still save the lives of a family of more than 20 people.
Tian Kun's eyes were red and his voice was hoarse: "Okay, I plead guilty. You go back and tell the queen, and beg the queen to protect my family."
