The rain grew heavier, washing against the grayish-green walls, creating a cacophony of noise.
However, this noise was not disturbing enough to agitate anyone, as the Northern Administrative Court's prison was sealed tight. The noise from outside couldn't penetrate within, and likewise, sounds from inside couldn't escape to frighten anyone.
In the innermost cell, a strong medicinal scent filled the air. The hunched old man was also inside, but this time he was not applying medicine to Zhu Zan.
Maybe it was because, besides the Jinyiwei, there was now an eunuch present in the cell.
"Lord Heir, why don't you just admit your error? It's not for me to say, but you really went too far this time," he whispered persuasively, looking at Zhu Zan laid out on the plank bed as if coaxing a child.
And Zhu Zan, lying face-down on the plank bed, wore an expression of grievance upon hearing these words, just like a child.
"How have I made a fuss?" he shouted angrily, propping himself up. "I was clearly just meddling in others' affairs. I won't ever meddle again, whether it's a horse getting startled or a donkey, or however many people die, none of it is my fault."
The eunuch hurriedly reached out to support him.
"Look at you, look at you. Why can't you speak nicely?" he scolded.
Zhu Zan's anger intensified.
"What use is there in speaking nicely?" he yelled. "Does anyone listen to me? I'm being beaten to death here."
The eunuch hurriedly patted and supported him.
"Why are you shouting? Just speak nicely as you've been told to," he said. "The emperor has ordered you to go to the Ministry of Justice. When you get there, make sure you speak properly and don't carry on like this."
At these words, the eyebrows of the Hundred-man Commander stationed outside the cell furrowed.
Being sent to the Ministry of Justice's prison meant slipping from the control of the Jinyiwei. Those from the Minister of War and those safeguarding the interests of Duke of Chengguo would be able to interfere.
The emperor agreed so quickly to send Zhu Zan to the Ministry of Justice?
It had only been a few days, and it seemed that Duke of Chengguo indeed had many connections at court.
Previously, he had been cautious, hiding his strength, but this time, for the sake of his son, he could no longer afford to be so reserved.
This was an opportunity to capture Duke of Chengguo's faction in one fell swoop.
"My lord..." he turned and began to speak.
It seemed as if Lu Yunqi, standing behind him, merged with the wall, signaling with his hand, and the Hundred-man Commander swallowed his words, continuing to listen to Zhu Zan's commotion inside.
Zhu Zan seemed not to realize the implications of going to the Ministry of Justice and was still very angry.
"How have I not spoken properly?" he screamed, defiantly rising from the bed.
Whether it was from lying down too long or from severe injuries, his body wobbled, nearly causing him to fall to his knees.
Shouts and frantic calls from the eunuch echoed in the cell, along with hoarse, weird yells.
"Lord Heir, be careful!" the eunuch shouted exaggeratedly, rushing to assist.
Someone else was faster, as a pair of wrinkled hands, like branches, grabbed Zhu Zan.
The eunuch jumped in fright, seemingly afraid of being touched by such hands, he retreated hastily with a tinge of disgust.
"So you actually can get out of bed," he exclaimed with exaggeration.
Zhu Zan shrugged off his hand, and although still a bit shaky, he stood up straight.
"Just with those few hits, you think I'm completely done for?" he scoffed.
Ghost Doctor didn't pay him any mind, merely gazing at him intently, shining eyes taking him in as if looking at some treasure.
"Miss Jun's medicine is really powerful," he remarked.
Zhu Zan didn't like hearing that.
"What do you mean 'her medicine is powerful'?" he raised an eyebrow and argued, "Clearly, it's me who is impressive."
Ghost Doctor still didn't pay attention to him, circling around him; suddenly, he reached out to grab Zhu Zan's belt.
"Let me see the wounds, how could they heal so quickly," he mumbled. "I need to smell and taste whatever medicine was used..."
He didn't finish his sentence, and as his hand touched Zhu Zan's belt, Zhu Zan kicked him into the wall corner.
"Damn it, can just anyone start undressing me now?" Zhu Zan's swearing echoed through the cell.
The eunuch pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Lord Heir, please sit down," he said, worrisomely.
The movement of that kick clearly agitated Zhu Zan's wounds, and after making a hissing sound, he reflexively sat down with the help of the eunuch, only to immediately jump back up again upon touching the plank bed.
"I'm injured like this, how can I possibly sit!" he shouted.
What do you mean 'injured like what'? The eunuch glared at him and rubbed his ears, at least his energy was strong, his voice loud.
"Fine, I won't sit." Zhu Zanzan said irritably, "Didn't we say we're going to the Ministry of Justice? Let's go, let's go."
Having said that, he limped out first, and the eunuch hurried to follow.
Outside the prison cell, when Zhu Zan saw Lu Yunqi standing there, he didn't stop, nor did Lu Yunqi obstruct or speak; he even stepped back to make way, watching Zhu Zan pass by.
Zhu Zan didn't even glance at him as he passed by.
"My lord..." The Hundred-man commander Jiang looked at Zhu Zan leaving and felt somewhat indignant, "Are we just letting him go like this? Are we going to drop this matter?"
Lu Yunqi made a noncommittal sound.
"Where is she?" he asked.
The Hundred-man commander Jiang was momentarily stunned, pointing towards the prison cell door.
"She's gone," he said.
Lu Yunqi grunted.
"I mean Miss Jun," he said.
So it turns out that Lu Yunqi had been thinking about Miss Jun all this while? Hundred-man commander Jiang was taken aback.
"She's already left the capital," he quickly said, pausing, "Our men are already following her, we will find an opportunity to capture her, you can rest assured, my lord."
"No need to find an opportunity," Lu Yunqi said, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile, "Everyone knows it was my doing, so what?"
Making a person vanish without a trace was certainly something the Jinyiwei could manage.
Without admission or evidence, who could really do anything?
Hundred-man Commander Jiang complied, just as he was about to step away, a member of Jinyiwei rushed in, looking somewhat uneasy and hesitant for a moment, then walked up to Hundred-man Commander Jiang and whispered a few words.
Hundred-man Commander Jiang's face also changed, he cursed softly under his breath and was about to speak to Lu Yunqi, but Lu Yunqi had already spoken.
"Is it Zhu Zan?" he said.
This question was abrupt, but Hundred-man Commander Jiang, already accustomed to these conversations, understood.
"Yes," he said, "It was Li Sanbing leading men blocking ours, definitely his arrangement, but don't worry, my lord, I will deploy more men..."
"Forget it," Lu Yunqi interrupted him with a raised hand, his expression impassive, "Then we wait, there's no rush."
..................…..
A pair of black bullfighting boots kicked a stone.
Due to the recent rain, the soil was soft, and the stone rolled down immediately.
Pah, Sifeng stood up and spat out a blade of grass from his mouth, turning to look back at his brothers.
"Those useless guys got scared," he said, "All pulled back."
Zhang Baotang shook his head and moved his shoulders and arms, producing a crisp sound.
"Is this what they call putting on a brave front but actually being timid?" he asked.
Sifeng pushed his head.
"I told you to read more books. What putting on a brave front?" he said.
Zhang Baotang laughed foolishly and rubbed his head.
"Are we still standing guard?" he asked.
Sifeng looked in the direction of the capital, dusted off his clothes, and stood up.
"No need," he said, "Second Brother said that if Lu Yunqi's men retreat from around the capital, then there's no need to worry. They've definitely gone to look for another way."
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I bow my hands, thank you, thank you, I am truly honored.