Chapter 139: Prison Visit
Preamble:
Sorry this chapter took so long. Life caught up while I took a break from translation so it took a while for me to get back! But the translated chapters will continue, just maybe not as frequently as before!
As some of you may be aware, Im starting to collaborate with Lily on the translations. Well be working on them together as and when either of us has time so that we can at least keep this going!
And for those of you who have come over from Lang Ya Scribe and Lilys pages, welcome. I shall endeavour to keep my translations up to their standards, though maybe with a lot less notes and explanations!
The Sky cell was the most heavily guarded cell in Sky Prison, but it did not mean that it had the poorest conditions. On the contrary, it was spacious and clean. Its just that its walls were thicker than other cells and it had several more layers of iron bars.
Xia Jiang squatted in the corner of the cell, his eyes closed as he recalled the course of events leading to his failure. In all his many decades in the bureaucracy, he had always been thorough when acting so ruthlessly, and had never encountered such a wretched situation until now. Though on the surface it would seem that his apprentice had unexpectedly betrayed him, the fact that he was unable to convince the Liang Emperor of this betrayal shows that this was the result of an experts design.
At the moment, the Liang Emperors trust in Xuanjing Bureau had dropped to freezing point, and he was so angry that he refused to see Xia Jiang. He merely ordered Meng Zhi to visit Xia Jiang regularly to ask if this former Xuanjing Bureau director was ready to confess his guilt.
Even though he was asked to confess many times and even if Xia Jiang agreed to confess, he was unable to because he couldnt actually hand over Wei Zheng. Moreover, confessing to the crime of framing a prince is a path to certain death.
One thing was very clear to Xia Jiang the Liang Emperor would be ruthless in handling this matter once involved.
The wet and mouldy air of the cell wafted through his nose. Xia Jiang gritted his teeth as he thought of the frail and delicate young man who could be crushed with a pinch of the fingers, yet at the same time so valiant he could inspire fear in others hearts. When he had first heard of Su Zhe, he didnt pay him much attention, thinking that he was just another Jianghu person who had ambitions in the Imperial court and likely had little power to do so. More importantly, he had no interest in the fight for the throne at the time. It didnt matter to him if the Crown Prince or Prince Yu won because Xuanjing Bureau would continue to remain, so there was nothing to worry about.
But the situation changed drastically. Prince Jing suddenly appeared almost out of nowhere, and rose rapidly in power, filling Xia Jiang with a sense of foreboding. It was only then that Xia Jiang began to seriously counter this change in circumstances. However, he had never expected the jianghu person he had overlooked to cost him the victory that was already in his hand, and reduce him to this.
Now, Xia Jiang was no longer thinking about how to bring down Prince Jing. He was thinking about how to survive, especially given that there was not even the slightest response to the two written letters he had passed on to the court.
Just at that moment, the iron lock outside the door clanged and the door was thrown wide open. However, Xia Jiang made no move to escape, for the only person who dared to open the door so carelessly was Meng Zhi.
Meng Zhi. Who ranked second in the Lang Ya list of martial arts masters, and first in all of Great Liang.
The Commander General of the Imperial Guard brought pen, ink, paper, and inkstones, evidently showing that the emperor was not satisfied with the suspects last confession.
Xia Jiang, your majesty has limited patience, and if you still will not truthfully confess to your crimes, your majesty will have to sentence a severe punishment with no mercy. Meng Zhi said coldly, with his arms folded across his chest.
It is already a capital crime, how much more serious can the sentence be? Xia Jiang stood up, supporting himself with the stone wall. Commander Meng, what I have confessed is the truth. Why doesnt your Majesty believe it?
Meng Zhi expressionlessly said, You identify Mei Changsu as an old supporter of Prince Qi. Is there any evidence?
Xia da ren, someone requested that I come and check on you. Are you okay?
Xia Dong didnt reply. As the sun shone on her face, her skin seemed translucent and her wrinkles were clear and distinct. She narrowed her eyes, as if counting the specks of dust in the light. Such a state of pure tranquility was in reality just another form of despair.
Meng Zhi suddenly didnt know what to say. What comfort could he offer this woman? Tell her that someone would plead for her, that her life would remain intact? After all the heartbreak and suffering she had gone through in her life, why would Xia Dong still care if she lived or died.
After a long silence, Meng Zhi could only ask helplessly, Xia da ren, do you have anything you would like to convey to anyone?
Xia Dong finally turned her gaze slowly towards him, her bright eyes stirring faintly. How are Chun xiong and Qiu xiong doing?
Oh, neither of them were there on the day of the incident. Since it could not be assumed that they were both accomplices, they will probably just be dismissed from their positions. There will probably be some other form of punishment, but it should be nothing too serious..
Then.what about him?
He is the principal culprit, so he cant escape responsibility. Meng Zhi felt there was no need to be tactful. He is guilty and deserves to be punished. Xia da ren should not keep this matter to heart.
Xia Dong bowed her head and smiled bitterly, I will not keep it to heart. My heart has been gone for a long time, where would I keep it?
Xia da ren, General Nie Feng did not die peacefully. Until the truth is revealed, please take good care of yourself.
At the thought of Nie Feng, Xia Dongs eyes flashed with pain, and she involuntarily raised a hand to slowly stroke the gray hair from her temples. Perhaps breaking down like this was the easiest. To weep with grief, escape, feel numb, even dying are all easier than gritting ones teeth to persevere on. But she knew herself that she was incapable of choosing that easier path.
Because she was Nie Fengs wife, even though she had nothing left to live for, she hoped that the deceased could rest in peace. She had to get to the bottom of the tragic truth and offer it at her husbands grave.
Meng da ren, please tell Mister Su that Xia Dong believes he is not the kind of person to run aimlessly after fame and fortune. Xia Dong also believes that he is able to return justice to the dead. Moving forward, even if I am exiled, I will still support him. Please tell him not to be distracted by me.
Meng Zhi bowed solemnly towards her, referring to her by her other title, Lady Nies words, I will definitely convey to Mister Su. Regarding that old case, Mister Su is not the only one who will not let it be buried. His Highness Prince Jing has also vowed to investigate it to the end. Although General Nies reputation wasnt harmed, he played a key role in the Chiyan case. If he is unable to reveal the truth to the world, General Nies spirit will not rest in peace. It is difficult to predict when this dream can be realized, so I beg Lady Nie to be patient and continue to endure.
Xia Dong turned around. The light flashed across her cheeks, leaving a silhouette on the side of her nose. She didnt reply, but the calm and perseverance in her eyes spoke volumes. Meng Zhi also didnt say anymore, but clasped his hands in a bow and withdrew from the prison cell. In the darkness outside, an old jailer peered furtively from his hiding place, or perhaps he thought he was hidden.
The Han cell was as empty as before, desolate and quiet. Meng Zhi merely cast a hasty glance in its direction before he strode away.
Prince Qis last footsteps were left in that cell, along with the dreams and hopes of many, but the Commander General of the Imperial Guard understood that now was far from the time to mourn.
Afterthoughts: Loved Xia Dong here. Love that there is so much more space here in the written work for character development. Xia Dong, so tough, yet so very very tender and vulnerable.