CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 57: PRISONER TRANSPORT CART

After speaking, Dou Dajiang stared at Zhu Yu and Lu Qing, as if trying to discern some expression from the masks on their faces.

Unlike the simple-minded little mute, he was over forty years old and had previously run a fragrance shop, capable of managing on his own. He had weathered some storms in life and, during the process of searching for that group of "swindlers" after his family incident, he had suffered some hardships. He was aware that these two officials inquiring about the fake cinnabar in his hand was definitely not out of curiosity.

Although he couldn’t guess what exactly was implicated, having a high-ranking official inquire was ultimately a good thing.

The evil thing killed his entire family, and even if he couldn’t take revenge personally, it was at least a relief that someone would pursue the matter.

"That day, when you went into the abandoned temple to transport the corpses, why did you not kill the person inside standing guard? Weren’t you afraid that the plan would be exposed?" Zhu Yu suddenly changed the subject and asked.

The rune that was knocked out by seductive fragrance that day stood beside them, but Dou Dajiang, from prison, couldn’t recognize him due to the copper mask on his face.

"They didn’t harm me, and I couldn’t harm them," Dou Dajiang shook his head. "Those were already destined to die. They caused the little mute’s family tragedy, and I’ve endured that suffering. The child is so young... I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

Besides, I thought there wouldn’t be anyone else. The little mute’s enemies had already been dumped in the back mountains. If it weren’t for hearing about County Magistrate Li as the mastermind..."

Dou Dajiang let out a sigh and said no more. He now fully understood that although Li Wencai indeed orchestrated all of this, the rumors spreading were clearly traps waiting for them to fall into.

However, there wasn’t the slightest resentment on his face, as if he didn’t care anymore.

"Are you willing to die?" Zhu Yu asked again.

Dou Dajiang gave a bitter smile, "No matter what, a life for a life, a debt must be repaid. It’s the natural order of things. Whether willingly or not, it’s the punishment I deserve.

I’ve suffered alone for so many years, with no hope of revenge, and living felt meaningless.

If the investigation of the fake cinnabar coincides with this, and those harmful swindlers are brought to justice, I can die without regrets!"

"Originally, I thought you saved the child’s life and avenged him. Even if you aren’t blood-related, you would still have some attachment.

Unexpectedly, his frail body was sentenced to three years as a convict traveled eight hundred miles, yet you aren’t worried that he couldn’t endure it alone, not concerned about keeping an eye on him." Zhu Yu took a deep breath and sighed.

Dou Dajiang lowered his head slightly, then suddenly looked up at Lord Chief Historian outside the prison, with astonished open mouth. Moments later, his face filled with joy, he quickly kowtowed, "Thank you, my lord, for your mercy! Thank you for sparing my life!"

"Don’t get too happy just yet," Zhu Yu waved his hand, "If we can’t find your ’fake cinnabar,’ your life will still be forfeit."

"I’m telling no lies. Please, search diligently. You will surely find it!" Dou Dajiang was confident, "Distinguish right from wrong, and I will repay your great kindness and virtue in the next life, even if it’s as a pig or a dog!"

Though the mute couldn’t speak, his hearing was fine. Earlier, he was in a daze because of their conversation, but now he finally understood that Dou Dajiang wouldn’t be executed and could keep his life. He was so overwhelmed he yelped, kowtowing continuously.

Luckily, the prison floor was covered with straw. If not for his excitement, his forehead would probably have been bruised by now.

"Although you two have been through hardship and faced many difficulties, killing is unacceptable, and the hardships of three years are what you deserve.

Dou Dajiang, you have a skill for mixing fragrances, and the young mute needs a way to make a living in the future.

Once the sentence ends, whether you take him as family or as a mentor, it’s your own business.

The revenge that needed to be exacted has been exacted, and although the deceased cannot return, you two need to turn the page on what’s past and depend on each other to live on."

Zhu Yu sincerely spoke to the two of them, then looked at Lu Qing beside him and added: "If, one day, the ’fake cinnabar’ case is revealed to the public, you will naturally hear about it.

In life, find something to hold onto, it’s the only way to continue forward."

Dou Dajiang nodded hard, tears in his eyes.

After everything ended, that evening Lu Qing and Zhu Yu rested for a night at the back hall of Qingshui County’s county government. The next morning, Lu Qing arranged for Fu Lu and his men to take a prisoner carriage from Qingshui County to a blacksmith for modifications. The wooden barriers on the carriage were reinforced with a tightly packed layer of iron bars, now the once airy carriage only had tiny holes barely letting light through.

The cage on the carriage was about a person’s height, with very cramped space, forcing whoever was inside to stand with their head sticking up, unable even to sit.

Following Lu Qing’s instructions, Fu Lu added another inverted iron cage at the top, the bars of which were so tightly packed that only tiny holes for ventilation remained, barely allowing visibility of the prisoner within, but preventing even the finest arrowhead from passing through.

Seeing the modified carriage, even Zhu Yu thought it was very well done, ensuring Li Wencai would suffer on the journey while preventing any ambush to silence him.

When the renovations were done, Lu Qing ordered Fu Lu to relay the instructions: governmental officials of Runzhou Prefecture were to return to Ruzhou Prefecture, and the imperial guard would escort Li Wencai back to the Capital.

As they left the city, Lu Qing spearheaded the party, followed closely by Zhu Yu and others. Fifty imperial guards escorted the prison carriage, while countless Qingshui County citizens followed, all displaying cheerful enthusiasm.

A group of children hopped and shouted by the roadside, "The plague has been taken away by the Imperial Censor!"

Some clutched stones or rotten vegetables, seemingly intended for throwing at Li Wencai in the carriage.

However, due to the modifications, they realized they couldn’t hit him inside, and they feared hitting the soldiers beside the Imperial Censor, so they had to drop their plans with disappointment.

Once out of the city, the fifty imperial guards left outside to gather information rejoined the party, having gleaned many stories from nearby villages of the oppressive practices Li Wencai had imposed for years.

With everyone gathered, they set off for the Capital in great numbers.