Soon, Xie Jingchu and Ruan Jiu arrived in the capital.
However, how to meet the emperor became a tough problem.
In the inn, Xie Jingchu and his companions looked troubled.
They were all deep in thought, trying to figure out how to enter the palace and meet the emperor.
Seeing that Xie Jing and Xie Wen had been imprisoned for almost half a month, once the judgment was issued, it would be too late.
"Why don't we beat the drum of grievance?" Qin Yuan's eyes lit up as he came up with an idea.
The drum of grievance was set up by the founding emperor and could reach the emperor's ears directly.
But those who beat the drum had to walk bare - foot on a hundred - meter - long burning path and endure thirty court canings before they could meet the emperor.
After such a ordeal, one would be lucky to survive without serious injury.
Hearing this, Xie Jingchu immediately punched Qin Yuan and said in a deep voice, "If your brain is useless, just throw it away. Do you think I'd walk on the burning path or endure thirty court canings for them?
Moreover, the drum of grievance is for those who want to clear their unjust accusations. When the emperor asks what grievances the two of them have, can you teach me how to answer?"
Qin Yuan scratched his head and gave an embarrassed smile.
"Maybe we can go and find Minister Su?" Ruan Jiu suggested.
The Minister Su she mentioned was Su Wan's father, Su Cheng.
Xie Jingchu pinched his chin, thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
He said, "Although Su Cheng is now the vice - minister of the Ministry of War, he doesn't have the right to take people to meet the emperor."
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu's delicate features wrinkled.
Was there really no other way?
Just then, there was a loud noise of gongs and drums downstairs.
"The list is out! The list is out!"
Hearing this, Xie Jingchu fixed his eyes on Ruan Jiu. Ruan Jiu immediately understood his meaning and nodded.
Then, the group immediately rushed to the place where the imperial list was posted.
Sure enough, their efforts were rewarded.
After seeing a familiar name clearly written at the top of the list, Xie Jingchu and Ruan Jiu exchanged a smile.
After inquiring everywhere, they found the residence of Xie Qinghuan and Xu Henian.
When Xie Qinghuan opened the door and saw them, she couldn't help widening her eyes and said in surprise, "Uncle Four! A Jiu! Why are you here?"
Then she immediately stepped forward, took Ruan Jiu's hand, and led them in.
Xie Qinghuan poured tea for them, with obvious joy on her face.
After all, it was the first time she had been away from home for so long. It was natural for her to be excited when she finally saw her family.
"Is he good to you?" Ruan Jiu asked.
Although the place where Xie Qinghuan and her husband lived wasn't very big, it was extremely warm and clean.
Hearing this, Xie Qinghuan blushed and nodded shyly.
Then she touched her belly and said, "I'm already two months pregnant."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu was naturally happy for her.
However, she hesitated whether to tell Xie Qinghuan about Xie Jing's imprisonment.
Now that she and Xu Henian had their own home and would soon have a lovely baby.
Xu Henian was this year's number one scholar, with a boundless future. Their life would surely be peaceful and smooth.
How could she bear to break this tranquility?
Xie Qinghuan noticed that there was more worry than joy on Ruan Jiu's face. Thinking of their sudden visit, an uneasiness welled up in her heart.
Frowning tightly, she asked directly, "Is something wrong at home?"
Ruan Jiu nodded but pursed her lips and said nothing.
Xie Jingchu saw Ruan Jiu's dilemma, so he said, "Your father and Uncle Er are now imprisoned in the capital prison for bribing officials."
"What?" Xie Qinghuan immediately widened her eyes in shock, with a panicked look in her eyes.
She tightly grabbed Ruan Jiu's arm and asked anxiously, "What on earth is going on?! Why were they arrested?! What should we do?!"
Xie Qinghuan's series of questions made her on the verge of tears.
Ruan Jiu quickly comforted her, "Don't be in such a hurry. You're still pregnant!"
"How can I not be in a hurry! He's my father!" Big teardrops rolled down from Xie Qinghuan's eyes.
Just then, Xu Henian came back.
He was dressed in a red and magnificent robe, with a red flower on his chest. His eyes were narrowed into two crescent moons.
Seeing Xie Qinghuan crying bitterly.
He was secretly happy. Could it be that the news of his becoming the number one scholar had spread back home so soon?
So, he took three steps at a time and quickly walked forward.
As soon as he stood still, Xie Qinghuan threw herself into his arms and cried loudly. Her tears wet his clothes.
He immediately lovingly stroked Xie Qinghuan's head.
This silly girl must be overjoyed.
Then, seeing the solemn expressions on Xie Jingchu and Ruan Jiu's faces, he immediately dispelled the thought in his mind.
He asked suspiciously, "What's going on?"
"Father... Father is in prison..." Xie Qinghuan sobbed.
After figuring out the whole story, Xu Henian looked worried.
The Xie family had lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time and had no connections with the officials in the capital.
The only one in the Xie family who was an official in the court, Xie Wen, was also imprisoned.
It would be extremely difficult to rescue them.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Xu Henian's mind. He immediately said, "Three days later, I will enter the palace to meet the emperor. At that time, I can ask the emperor to release my father - in - law and Uncle Er."
It was a privilege for the number one scholar every year to ask the emperor for a reward.
Gold, silver, jewels, thousands of acres of fertile land, or even titles and official positions could be requested.
As soon as he said this, hope immediately lit up in Xie Qinghuan's eyes. She looked at Xu Henian lovingly, with indescribable gratitude in her heart.
"But if you do this, your official career will be ruined," Ruan Jiu frowned and said.
The privilege of the number one scholar was also the emperor's final test.
If Xu Henian asked the emperor to release the prisoners, it would be using private desires to take advantage of the emperor's kindness, and his official career would come to an end.
Xu Henian didn't care. He looked at Xie Qinghuan firmly and said, "As long as I can rescue my father - in - law, I don't mind giving up this official position."
Hearing this, Xie Qinghuan was deeply touched. Her eyes were filled with tears. "Husband, I've dragged you down!"
Seeing Xie Qinghuan crying, Xu Henian's heart ached. While wiping her tears, he said, "I'm willing to do anything for you!"
"Alright, stop being so emotional," Xie Jingchu interrupted. Then he took a sip of tea, looked at Xu Henian, and continued, "I have a way to rescue them, but I need your help."
Xu Henian immediately replied, "Uncle Four, just tell me what you need."
"All you need to do is ask the emperor to allow us to enter the palace and meet him. At that time, the emperor won't punish you but will reward you handsomely," Xie Jingchu said.
Xu Henian and Xie Qinghuan looked at each other.
Although they knew that Xie Jingchu was capable and resourceful.
But Xie Jing and the others had committed the serious crime of bribing officials. The lightest punishment would be exile to the border, and the heaviest would be beheading in public.
It couldn't be that just because Xie Jingchu was good - looking, the emperor would be overjoyed to see him and then release the prisoners.
That would be too absurd!
Xu Henian pursed his lips and asked hesitantly, "Uncle Four, will this work?"
"Don't worry."
Although it was only two words, it made Xu Henian and Xie Qinghuan feel inexplicably at ease.
"Then we'll all follow Uncle Four's plan."