Details determine everything. After becoming a wife, one should dress accordingly. Zhao Yunniang is now dressed modestly and simply, a show of respect for her "dead husband." If she were dressed as ostentatiously as last time... it would mean she isn't even willing to keep up appearances.
"Yunniang..."
"After I'm released from prison, I'll take good care of you and the child in your belly."
Tenderness flickered in Xu Xing's eyes. He reached through the iron bars, lightly touching the strands of hair at Zhao Yunniang's temple and tucking them behind her ear.
His words were seventy percent sincere, thirty percent deceitful. If Zhao Yunniang were truly devoted to him, he wouldn't be heartless either. But the crucial point was Zhao Yunniang's questionable identity. She might not just be a performer at Wangyue Building, but also an undercover agent under Han Sui. One must be shrewd to survive; otherwise, being betrayed and still helping the betrayer count their money would be truly pathetic. Scholars have devious minds. Scholar-officials have even more devious minds.
「At night.」
The prison cell was once again adorned with red curtains, and another night of pleasure ensued.
「The next morning.」
As soon as Zhao Yunniang woke up, she dressed and then affectionately stroked Xu Xing's sleeping face. She took the Musk Dragon Powder once again. Her husband's complexion was dark, his vitality withering. It was clear he didn't have much time left.
However, just as her hand left Xu Xing's cheek, he grabbed it tightly. This time, Xu Xing had woken up earlier than Zhao Yunniang.
He glanced at Zhao Yunniang, whose expression was one of surprise. Coughing heavily, he said, "I served as Dianju Cheng for two years. During that period, I saved a little silver. Not much, just over two hundred taels. I didn't keep this money in the rented house... Come closer."
The two of them leaned in, whispering intimately as their faces brushed against each other. Zhao Yunniang's cheeks flushed a captivating rosy hue, as beautiful as a flower.
"My health has deteriorated too much," Xu Xing continued, after disclosing the hidden location of his treasure and getting straight to the point. "You take one hundred taels for your own use. The rest, send it to Sky Prison every now and then. Let me eat well, even indulge in meat occasionally..."
Emperor Chongming's favorite daughter, Princess Anren, was getting married. The dog Emperor, hoping to accumulate merit, had declared a nationwide amnesty. However, for officials who had committed crimes, the matter was serious, and the Imperial Court dared not grant pardons lightly. This amnesty had only temporarily saved Xu Xing from his death sentence.
His current conflict with Han Sui stemmed from Han Sui's desire for his early death. This would allow Han Sui to make him the scapegoat for the Taipu Temple's massive corruption case, firmly establishing that the shortfall in warhorses was his fault.
As for Zhao Yunniang's claim yesterday that Han Sui was trying his best to get him out... that was highly unlikely. The money and favors required to manipulate the bureaucratic systems of the Ministry of Justice, let alone the Three Law Divisions, were far beyond what a mere Eighth Rank Dianju Cheng like him could ever repay. And from what he knew, Han Sui was not one to spend lavishly to recruit talent if it didn't benefit him directly. So, her words were most likely just to placate him, to set his mind at ease. This was why he remained wary of Zhao Yunniang.
Excessive consumption of the Musk Dragon Powder would inevitably lead to a sudden death... The wine and dishes Zhao Yunniang had brought this time were proof. If he were truly a naive newcomer to officialdom, he might actually have been fooled by Han Sui.
"Yes, Husband..." Zhao Yunniang hesitated for a moment, then nodded her Qiufu slightly, agreeing. "I understand."
Such physical depletion wasn't something that could be easily replenished. Merely eating some meat, without any potent medicine, would be a drop in the ocean for Xu Xing's failing body. If one consumed too much Musk Dragon Powder, not even the gods could save them.
With their conversation concluded, Zhao Yunniang gathered her skirt and left Sky Prison.
"Scholar Su." After waiting for Zhao Yunniang to leave, Xu Xing walked to the adjacent cell, bowed deeply to Scholar Su, and said, "This humble official has an audacious request, and I don't know if Scholar Su would be willing to grant it."
Scholar Su had been feigning sleep; the commotion from the next cell last night had kept him awake late. He opened his eyes, took in the scene, and cursed inwardly, suddenly feeling a wave of unease.
Although Xu Xing held a low rank and minor position, the case he was implicated in was a major one, the likes of which had rarely been seen in the three hundred years of the National Dynasty. Even if he knew Xu Xing was framed, speaking out for justice and losing his own life wasn't the terrifying part; what was terrifying was the possibility of implicating and dooming his entire Su clan... One wrong move could affect everything. Why did I eat his food? A debt for a single meal must be repaid. This mouth of mine will be the death of me sooner or later! Scholar Su berated himself silently.
However, he could no longer pretend to be asleep. He rose and asked, "What audacious request does Mr. Xu have?"
He had changed his form of address for Xu Xing from "Young Xu" to "Mr. Xu," intending to draw a clear line between them. The underlying message was also for Xu Xing to recognize the reality of the situation and not make things difficult for him.
"It won't be long before my life ends, and I am sent to the Yellow Spring," Xu Xing began, bowing deeply again.
"As the saying goes, 'Establishing merit, establishing words, and establishing virtue are the three immortalities.' I... am proficient in mathematics, and before I die, I wish to compile my life's learning into a book to pass on to future generations. But Scholar Su, as you know, we are not allowed paper and pen in Sky Prison...
"But Scholar Su, you are different. If Scholar Su, whose literary fame is known throughout the land, could..."
At these words, Scholar Su couldn't help but be moved. Firstly, he admired Xu Xing's noble aspiration. Secondly, he felt ashamed of his own petty calculations.
Xu Xing had passed the imperial examinations in mathematics. It could be said that in the field of mathematics, few in Fengxi Country could surpass him. His claim of wanting to compile his lifelong studies into a book for posterity was believable. Such a thing couldn't be faked. Scholars invariably cared about fame and legacy. Of the 'three immortalities,' establishing enduring words—leaving a written legacy—was something all scholars yearned for. Even if mathematics was considered a lesser path, it still counted as 'establishing words.'
"I will submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting permission for Mr. Xu to compile a book on mathematics in Sky Prison," Scholar Su replied with a bow.
Although paper and pen were forbidden in Sky Prison, as convicted officials, their status was different. They retained the right to submit memorials to the Emperor. However, these memorials were not handed directly to the Emperor. They went through the Night Patrol Department. First, they were given to the Command Envoy of the Night Patrol Department, who would review them before personally presenting them to the Emperor. Otherwise, if the Emperor had to review memorials detailing every prisoner's grievances, he would be utterly overwhelmed.
Xu Xing's eyebrows twitched, and he quickly stopped Scholar Su, saying, "His Majesty is currently preoccupied with Princess Anren's wedding and managing state affairs. It would be difficult for him to be distracted by such a small matter. Let's not trouble His Majesty with this."
Those nobles in the Night Patrol Department are mostly useless gluttons; how could they understand the importance of mathematics? Who knows how long it would take for them to present the memorial to the Emperor...
"Mr. Xu means...?" Scholar Su caught the underlying meaning in Xu Xing's words.
"To be frank with Scholar Su, I've heard that you and Ouyang Zai are close friends." Xu Xing bowed again, speaking earnestly. "I implore Scholar Su to help this humble one with this small favor. I would be eternally grateful and will be sure to acknowledge Scholar Su's contribution in the preface."
"Ah, Brother Ouyang..." Upon hearing this, Scholar Su couldn't help but think that Xu Xing was trying to curry favor with the powerful, which wasn't very gentlemanly. However, considering Xu Xing's desire to ensure his life's work was passed down to posterity, this small dissatisfaction quickly faded. Besides, he had been freeloading off Xu Xing for several days, enjoying plenty of his meat; it would be improper not to help with such a small request after accepting such generosity.