In the cell of Tingwei Institute, Dong Zhongshu sat calmly in the corner with his hair disheveled. He had lost count of the number of days since he came in. At first, he thought he would be out soon, but who knew that he would forget the time as soon as he lived there. The sunshine in the skylight and a piece of brocade
The same, the sun shines in and shines on Dong Zhongshu's face. He has become thinner, but his waist is straighter. He closes his eyes and feels the warmth of the sun. For several months, Dong Zhongshu's favorite thing is to bask in the sun.
"Father!" A weak voice sounded in my mind. It was my daughter's voice. It has not appeared in my mind for a long time since my daughter came back from studying in the mountains. What does it mean if it appears again today?
"Father!" came the voice again: "My child is here to see you!
Dong Zhongshu slowly opened his eyes. He had eight sons and one daughter in his life. Several of his sons had poor qualifications and could only stay in their hometown to farm and study. The daughter he loved the most was also the most like him. Unfortunately, he was deceived by that unscrupulous boy. He
Now in prison, I don’t know how my daughter is doing.
"Father, can you just look back at me?" Dong Qian burst into tears. She hadn't seen her father for more than half a year, and when she saw her today, she looked like this. Her whole body was covered with dirt, her hair was disheveled, and there were lice crawling on her collar.
Zheng Huan. Is this still the tidy father he was before?
Dong Zhongshu quickly turned his head. Outside the railing of the cell, his daughter Dong Qian's face was particularly lifelike. He climbed to the railing in a few steps, stretched out his dirt-covered hands, and helped his daughter wipe away her tears. It was hot, it was actually hot!
It's my daughter, my most beloved daughter is here!
"Father, you have suffered!" Dong Qian grabbed her father's hand and was speechless.
Dong Zhongshu burst into tears and stroked Dong Qian's face: "Father is fine, father is fine. How did you get in? Could it be..."
Dong Qian shook her head quickly: "Don't worry, father, everything is fine. I just came to see father! Bring some food for father. Don't worry, father, Su Ren is trying to save you. You can go out after a few more days!"
"
"Su Ren? He's here too?" Dong Zhongshu stretched his head and looked around.
"No, he went to Pingyang to find your Majesty! Su Ren said that only your Majesty can save his father!"
Dong Zhongshu looked up to the sky and sighed. As a minister, he naturally felt a little emotional when he heard the word "Your Majesty." He dedicated the Three Strategies of Heaven and Man to Your Majesty, but unfortunately he didn't have time to put them into practice, so it became what it is now. A group of Confucian scholars have been implicated one after another.
In captivity, the miserable screams can be heard every day. I wonder how your majesty is doing now? If the empress dowager has any intentions, that is not a good thing!
The father and daughter were talking, and a few choked cries came from the cell opposite. Those who could enter the court were not ordinary people, and at the worst, they were officials. Weeping like a woman like this, it would be considered ordinary.
These people are despised, but it is nothing here.
"Censor Zhao, Langzhong Wang?" Dong Zhongshu stuck his head out and looked at the cell opposite: "Why are you two crying?"
The crying didn't stop, but it was just a little quieter. Dong Qian quickly turned sideways and looked to the opposite side. The cell was even darker than Dong Zhongshu's. If it weren't for a dim oil lamp in the corridor, she couldn't see clearly what was inside.
There were two people in that cell, which was very rare in Tingwei. It seemed that these two people had been locked up for a long time. Compared with Dong Zhongshu, they were not only disheveled, but also covered in scars.
One person squirmed a few times and slowly moved to the railing. He was thin, old and skinny. His hands were as thick as chicken feet and his arms were not as thick as those of an ordinary baby. That hand grabbed the railing and lifted a terrifying face from the black
The shadow is exposed. There are many wrinkles, the bones can no longer hang on, and they are hanging loosely.
"I heard that someone begged your majesty to save you?" The man stared at Dong Zhongshu and Dong Qian eagerly: "The sky has eyes! Your majesty is a man of love. When I go out, I will definitely assist your majesty.
Establish unparalleled achievements! Woo hoo..." As he spoke, he started crying again.
Dong Qian wanted to explain, but after looking at the man's look, he swallowed his words again. He was still alive because of his tone. Without Your Majesty's hope, this man would not live long.
Dong Zhongshu sighed: "It's better not to have too much hope until things are done. How many people will be able to get out alive after entering this court? Zhao Yushi knows better than me!"
Another person crawled over, similar to that Zhao Yushi. One of this person's hands was hanging down, and he must have been interrupted during torture: "Don't think about getting out after you enter here. Chao Neishi will wait for me first."
He was a role model. Although he died physically, his reputation remained. Why would we regret dying? As long as we can help His Majesty govern the country, it is worth sacrificing our lives for it!"
Zhao Yushi and Dong Zhongshu both nodded after hearing this. Dong Qian was startled and quickly grabbed her father's hand and kept signaling.
Zhao Yushi laughed and said: "Mr. Dong, you have a good daughter. You have to go to the court to visit me. I don't know how many tricks you have used. This girl is beautiful. It is better to offer it to His Majesty. She will definitely be able to help His Majesty!"
"Well……"
"This is a good proposal. I will reconsider it!" Wang Langzhong nodded repeatedly. His eyes began to sweep over Dong Qian: "It's a pity that we are in prison and cannot enter the United States for His Majesty."
"What's so difficult about this? It's still possible to call the jailer and give him a few more money to deliver a letter for us. Since Miss Dong can come in, it's also convenient for her to carry the letter!" Just do it, the two of them did it.
Without consulting the Dong family's father and daughter, they turned around and looked for something to write on. There were no bamboo slips or silk, so they tore off a piece from their scanty robe, and without pen and ink, they dipped their fingers in their own blood and wrote.
Dong Qian looked at Dong Zhongshu, and Dong Zhongshu didn't know what to say. From an etiquette point of view, proposing marriage to His Majesty requires the Queen Mother and the courtiers to discuss it together. Now that the Queen Mother is here, she can also intervene. Although Zhao Yushi and Wang Langzhong were imprisoned, they
They are still ministers of the Han Dynasty, so it makes sense for them to be matchmakers. But Dong Qian does not want to marry the emperor. In her eyes, the emperor will help Dong Zhongshu and others to be imprisoned.
The way he looked, there was still some hatred in his heart.
Zhao Yushi finished writing the last stroke, looked at it, nodded, and handed it out of the cell: "Girl, take it, and give it to..."
"Bold prisoner, you dare to send letters privately!" The bearded cell leader suddenly appeared in front of everyone, holding a blood letter written by Zhao Yushi in his hand, pointing at Dong Qian and said angrily: "Who are you? How did you get in? Come here?
Yeah, get it for me!"
Another prisoner hurriedly emerged from the shadows and whispered a few words in the cell leader's ear. The prison leader glanced at Dong Qian again: "Since you are a first-time offender, I will not pursue the case. Leave quickly. If
If you dare to come again, you will not be treated lightly!"
The jailer kept winking at Dong Qian, and Dong Qian reluctantly said goodbye to Dong Zhongshu. She was dragged by the prisoner and sent out of the Tingwei Prison. Finally, she met her father and saw that Dong Zhongshu was safe and sound. Dong Qian finally felt relieved.
The only wish now is that Su Ren rescues his father as soon as possible. Wouldn't it be good to never let his father become an official again and just study at home?
After leaving Tingwei's office, they were caught by Shi Bao, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time. They got into the carriage and were accompanied by Leng Yue. The two sisters talked about the situation in the prison and cried one after another. As for Zhao Yushi,
He Wang Langzhong didn't take it to heart at all that he wanted to dedicate Dong Qian to the emperor.
Yao Shuai poked his head out from the corner of the street, watched Su Mansion's carriage go away, smiled slightly, turned around and entered the alley next to it. There was a small door in a hidden part of the alley, and the prison head just now was standing in the door. When he saw Yao Shuai coming in,
He hurriedly stepped forward and saluted, with a flattering smile on his face and said: "Mr. Yao, is this little guy okay?"
Uncle Yao looked at the dirty rag in the hands of the cell leader: "Yes, I will definitely put in a good word for you in front of Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
"Thank you, Mr. Yao, hehehe!" The cell leader just laughed, holding the half of the rag tightly in his hand.
Yao Shuai frowned and reluctantly took out a money bag from his arms: "We have agreed that this matter cannot be spread outside. If people find out, you don't need to remind me what will happen to you?"
When he saw the money, the cell leader snatched it away and put the rag in his hand into Yao Shuai's hand: "Mr. Yao, don't worry, this is not the first time you and I have done business. We know what to do!"
"That's good!" Uncle Yao nodded with a smile and put the piece of cloth into his arms: "Count the money slowly and say goodbye!"
"Mr. Yao, walk slowly. If there is such a good thing next time, just come to me!"
After leaving the small door and leaving the alley, I felt that no one was following me. Yao Shuai strolled into a wine shop. The waiter knew that this was the gentleman from Princess Guantao's house, so naturally he did not dare to neglect. While accompanying him with a smile, he looked towards Yao Shuai.
Please take the private room at the back. This is considered the best wine shop in Dongcheng. The people who eat here are all capable people. Some people know Uncle Yao Ai, and some don't know Uncle Yao Ai.
Those who didn't know him asked those who knew him: "Who is this? Is he so impressive?"
The acquaintance laughed and muttered in the unknown's ear for a long time. The two covered their mouths and snickered. Then they looked at Yao Shuai with a lot of amusement and disdain in his eyes.
In the private room on the second floor, a fine banquet was prepared, and a large jar of spirits brought from Shu County was placed next to it. The shopkeeper and the waiter said many nice words before exiting the room.
After making sure again that no one was following or peeking, Yao Shuai took out the rag given to him by the prison head from his chest. After only reading the first few sentences, Yao Shuai was stunned, feeling like he had been deceived. This
It was obviously a marriage letter. The two men in prison wanted to dedicate Dong Zhongshu's daughter to the emperor through the order of the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Uncle Yao's love was funny, these three guys were so merciless and kind, for their sake
He didn't hesitate to give his daughter to the emperor, which is really a false claim to be a disciple of a saint.
Throwing away the marriage certificate, Yao Shuai was helpless. In his plan, what the prison boss got was definitely not this useless rag. He drank glass after glass, and the dishes on the table were not touched. Suddenly,
The drunken Uncle Yao saw something! He grabbed the marriage certificate on the ground and studied it carefully. The smile on his face became stronger and stronger until he finally burst into laughter. (To be continued)