The stench of sweat mixed with the smell of spoiled food assailed her nostrils. Feng Wan couldn't help but rub her nose and shifted her position, leaning back against the cold wall.
It was truly ironic that in just a few days, she had already grown accustomed to the abysmal conditions in this prison.
"Meal time!"
Through the gaps in the wooden bars, the jailer flung the bowls and chopsticks onto the ground, his tone both fierce and filled with disgust. Feng Wan didn't move. She merely glanced at the food and then silently averted her gaze.
The mysterious man had told her last night that she should avoid the food served in the prison these days if possible.
It was laughable. She was in prison, and none of her family or friends had come to visit. Yet, on the day before the trial, a mysterious man had come to see her and claimed he could save her.
Who wouldn't want to live if given the chance? Even though she thought her death was inevitable.
"What do I need to do?"
"Good. I like obedient people," the mysterious man said, glancing at the unconscious jailer not far away. "First, plead guilty during the trial tomorrow."
"Second, avoid the food served in the next few days. If you're extremely hungry, just endure it!"
For Feng Wan, pleading guilty was easy since it was indeed her fault. But not eating...
"Do I have to avoid the food here forever? Is there a time limit?"
Hearing this, the mysterious man let out a cold snort. "To live or to starve, the choice is yours, Miss Feng."
In the blink of an eye, the mysterious man disappeared.
It had been several days since she last ate. She, the daughter of the General of the Swift Cavalry, never thought she would end up in such a situation.
The candle flickered dimly. It was still a bit cold on this early summer night. However, the steward of the Kong family didn't just feel cold; he was mostly filled with fear.
Anyone would feel the same if they saw someone lovingly caressing a coffin by candlelight in the middle of the night.
But the steward couldn't escape because the man caressing the coffin was his master, Kong Ren.
"What is it?"
Knowing someone was behind him, Kong Ren didn't spare a glance. He continued to gently stroke the coffin in front of him intently, as if through it, he was caressing his young son inside.
According to the custom, when someone in the family passed away, the body should be kept for seven days. Now, the second day was almost over.
Trying hard to ignore the fear in his heart, the steward swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "Master, she didn't eat."
The old hand finally stopped. The smile faded from Kong Ren's face, and his eyes turned extremely fierce. "She didn't eat any of the drugged food these days?"
"Exactly."
"Humph, very good."
Kong Ren laughed out of anger. This just proved that there was someone behind Feng Wan. Otherwise, how could a young girl kidnap his Jiao'er? And why was she so vigilant?
"Keep serving the food. I don't believe she can keep starving."
"Also, I remember the Feng family has a son, right?"
The cold tone sent shivers down the steward's spine. He didn't dare to dissuade and immediately took the order and retreated.
Feng Lixin was eighteen years old, not yet an adult. He was at an age when he liked to play around. However, since his younger sister got into trouble, his father had confined him at home all day, not allowing him to go out.
"Mother, when younger sister got into trouble, father didn't try to save her. Instead, he imprisoned me at home. Is this reasonable?"
"Xiner!"
Madam Mei wiped away her tears but couldn't say a word. She was also resentful in her heart.
She had already lost one daughter, and now her second daughter was in trouble. But what about her husband? He did nothing and didn't allow them to go out and ask for help. Wasn't Wan'er his child?
"Mother, we can't just sit around and wait for death." Feng Lixin clenched his fists and said firmly.
"What can we do? Wan'er has already pleaded guilty. What else can we do?"
Holding onto her son's衣角, Madam Mei thought she had caught a glimmer of hope. But Feng Lixin, who had been so confident just now, immediately deflated.
"I... I don't know either."
Seeing the look of disappointment in his mother's eyes, he quickly added, "Mother, didn't you say before that the wife of Prime Minister Lu was your good friend when you were young? Maybe she can help."
Prime Minister Lu, respected by all the scholars in the world. The flame of hope in Madam Mei's heart began to burn again.
"Yes, Sister Su may be able to help. But Xiner, your father has sent people to guard all the exits of the mansion. He won't allow us to go out."
"Don't worry, mother. I have my own way. But just in case, you'd better write a letter explaining everything so that Madam Lu will know my purpose when she sees the letter."
"Okay."
As long as she could save her daughter, Madam Mei was willing to do anything. She didn't care about any rules!
No one could stop her from saving her daughter!
The horse galloped on the long street. Feng Lixin didn't care about the dirt on his outer robe from crawling through the dog hole. After sneaking into the market, he threw some silver and snatched a horse and ran away.
Prime Minister Lu was a civil official, and his mansion was not on the same street as theirs. But it didn't matter much. After all, most of the high - ranking officials lived on the same street.
It was just past 3 p.m. The Lu family had already finished dinner. Even though there were only Madam Lu and her daughter at the dinner table, she was still in a good mood.
"Liusu, find out when the prime minister will want his meal and tell the kitchen to keep it warm with warm water."
"Don't worry, madam. I've already given the order."
Seeing Madam Lu's concern, Lu Yinxi showed a knowing smile. "Mother, are you going to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures tonight? Daughter will accompany you."
"Not yet. We just finished dinner. Let's take a walk to digest first."
"Okay."
Supporting Madam Lu, the mother - daughter pair planned to take a walk in the yard while there was still a glimmer of light in the sky.
Suddenly, a figure trotted in from outside. Before getting close to them, the figure was stopped by Liusu.
"What are you doing in such a hurry? Can't you see the madam and the young lady here?"
The man took a closer look and indeed saw them. He immediately knelt down.
"I'm该死. I've offended the madam and the young lady. But I really have something urgent to report."
"What's going on?"
Lu Yinxi looked at Hongmei beside her, thinking she might know something. But Hongmei also looked confused.
The man immediately said, "It's at the front gate, madam. I just found a young master lying in front of our mansion's gate."
The young girl asked, "Did you see what he looked like?"
The man shook his head slightly. "It's too dark, and I was too scared. I left another gatekeeper to watch and rushed here to report."
Someone lying in front of the prime minister's mansion at this time made Madam Lu think a lot. After a moment of thought, she patted her daughter's hand.
"Xier, you go back to your room first. Mother will go and have a look."
"I want to go with mother."
The young girl tightened her grip and pleaded coquettishly. This was really strange. If something really happened, she could use her spiritual power if she went with her mother.
Seeing her daughter's insistence, Madam Lu had no choice but to agree.