Chapter 079: The Divine Healer of the Capital

After Li Qingyun spoke, the guards in embroidered uniforms no longer dared to act rashly, and even Yu Xing instinctively lowered his blade toward the ground.

To verify the truth of Li Qingyun’s claim, Yu Xing summoned a skilled cavalryman and ordered him to ride swiftly to the Left Shun Gate for news.

Earlier, when they set out, Xue Rui had already instructed Li Qingyun to investigate on horseback.

When he arrived at the Meridian Gate, Li Qingyun was shocked to find that the officials attending court were behaving like madmen, viciously beating a dozen or so guards. The guards were being pummeled mercilessly, wailing for mercy and pleading for their lives.

Although Ma Shun was not among them, seeing the miserable fate of these guards, it was clear that even if Ma Shun had ten lives, he would not survive the day.

Upon receiving this news, Xue Rui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as history remained on its original track, the faction loyal to Wang Zhen would inevitably be purged today.

Now that there were no more obstacles, bringing men to the Imperial Prison to rescue his father would leave no lingering repercussions.

Though anxious, there was still no word from the Embroidered Guard. Xue Rui was left with no choice but to wait impatiently alongside them.

The sound of hooves echoed on the street leading to the Meridian Gate after roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

Everyone turned to look and saw the young cavalryman from before galloping toward them.

“What’s the situation at the Meridian Gate? What happened to the Commander?” Yu Xing and the others rushed forward, bombarding him with questions.

The young cavalryman looked terrified, trembling as he spoke:

“Sir... Sir, the Commander was really beaten to death by the officials! Most of the brothers who went with him are also dead, only a few survived. The eunuchs Mao Shun and Wang Changsui were dragged out of the palace and beaten to death as well. Now, the officials have hung the bodies of the Commander and the two eunuchs outside the Dong’an Gate for public display, and the commoners are flogging the corpses!”

Clatter—

At these words, many of the Embroidered Guards present could no longer hold their weapons, letting them fall to the ground like prisoners surrendering.

Cold sweat broke out on Yu Xing’s forehead as he listened. Their own Commander had been beaten to death—he, a mere Hundredhouse officer, was less than an ant in the eyes of the officials. If he were accused of colluding with traitors, as the young man had warned, his entire family would surely be wiped out!

Gulping nervously, Yu Xing turned to Xue Rui, forcing a stiff smile as he tried to justify himself:

“Master Xue, Wang Zhen abused his power and deserved his fate. Ma Shun aided a tyrant and brought disaster upon himself. We were just following orders—arresting your father was not our intent to frame the loyal and good. Now that Wang Zhen is dead and Ma Shun declared a traitor, it proves your father is innocent. I will release him at once.”

Yu Xing’s abrupt change in attitude caught Xue Rui off guard, forcing him to swallow the threats he had prepared.

Still, Yu Xing’s quick wits saved Xue Rui much trouble. So he replied:

“Hundredhouse Yu, your clear understanding of righteousness is admirable. I will report your actions truthfully to the court. Please lead the way—I must personally fetch my father and fulfill my filial duty.”

How could Yu Xing dare refuse? He quickly bowed and said, “Please follow me, sir.”

Thus, Li Qingyun and the others escorted Xue Rui as, under the watchful eyes of the Embroidered Guards, they entered the dreaded Imperial Prison.

The Imperial Prison, or Embroidered Guard Prison, was managed by the Northern Surveillance Office and operated independently of the Three Judicial Offices, specializing in criminal cases.

Shen Defu of the Ming dynasty once described it thus:

The Embroidered Guard’s Imperial Prison is buried deep underground, with walls several zhang thick (a zhang is about seven or eight feet). Even if one shouts loudly in a cell, those next door may not hear. Any items brought inside must pass multiple inspections. Prisoners eat leftover scraps and wear thin prison garments. Family members are not permitted to visit freely, and may only catch a distant glimpse during court sessions while signing confessions.

Such was the severity of its security.

Yet, after decades, this rule forbidding casual entry and exit was now broken by a fourteen-year-old boy.

Upon entering the underground cells, a dank, moldy stench assaulted Xue Rui, nearly making him stumble.

Pinching his nose, Xue Rui was about to step over the threshold when he suddenly remembered something. He asked:

“Hundredhouse Yu, I heard that Hanlin Lecturer Liu Qiu was slain by Wang Zhen, dismembered, and buried beneath the threshold of the Imperial Prison. Is this true?”

Yu Xing shuddered at the question, instinctively glancing at the ground beneath Xue Rui’s feet.

“So it’s true!” Xue Rui took two steps back, bowed to the earth, and only then entered the threshold sideways.

Inside the prison, Xue Rui grew anxious and urged, “Hundredhouse Yu, in which cell is my father? Take me to him quickly.”

There were many prisoners in the Imperial Prison, and Yu Xing did not know them all. Xue Yuanhao had not been taken in by him personally, so someone was sent to fetch Sun Liang to lead the way.

While waiting, Xue Rui went from cell to cell, hoping to find his father.

What troubled Xue Rui was that his memory of Xue Yuanhao had faded—he could only recall a vague outline of his features.

With the poor lighting in the prison, Xue Rui feared mistaking someone else for his father. Whenever he saw a living soul in a cell, he put aside all embarrassment and asked each in turn, “Are you my father? I am Xue Rui—do you recognize me?”

The corridors of the Imperial Prison echoed with these questions, both comical and poignant.

Those following behind Xue Rui could only look on helplessly; a son who cannot recognize his own father—truly a model of filial piety!

Fortunately, this awkward scene did not last long before Sun Liang came trotting in.

Xue Rui hurriedly asked, “Which cell is my father in? Take me there at once!”

“At once, sir! I’ll guide you.”

Sun Liang, knowing he had previously offended Xue Rui, now did his utmost to make amends, behaving with extreme deference.

Soon, they arrived at a cell.

There was a lock on the cell door. Yu Xing reached to check himself but found he hadn’t brought the key. Just as he was about to send for one, Li Qingyun raised his blade and, with a swift stroke, split the bronze lock.

With a crash, Xue Rui kicked the door open and rushed inside, all aflame with anxiety.

The cell was sparsely furnished, with only a kang of packed earth covered with straw.

Lying on the kang was a man who showed no reaction to all the commotion.

Xue Rui moved closer and saw that it was indeed his father in this era—Xue Yuanhao.

“How long has my father been ill?” Xue Rui asked, having people help Xue Yuanhao sit up, while turning to Sun Liang.

Sun Liang, who never paid much attention to the inmates’ health, could only smile apologetically. “Sir, I’m not sure. With so many prisoners here, it’s impossible to keep track of everyone.”

“Useless!” Yu Xing, hearing this, kicked Sun Liang hard and said to Xue Rui, “Master Xue, I’ll send for a physician immediately. Please wait a moment.”

“No need—I’ll take my father home now. All of you, make way!”

Xue Yuanhao’s face was pale, his lips dry, and he was clearly unconscious—a sign that his illness was grave. He needed to be taken somewhere clean and dry for treatment; remaining in this cell would only make things worse.

Li Qingyun handed his sword to another and personally carried Xue Yuanhao out of the prison.

On the way there, they had all been riding fast horses, too urgent to consider what to do after they had rescued him.

The Imperial Prison was a considerable distance from Shitou Alley. Xue Yuanhao was in no condition to ride and could not endure a bumpy journey, leaving Xue Rui at a loss.

Just then, a carriage raced toward them and stopped before the group.

The curtain was lifted, and a young man poked his head out, calling to Xue Rui, “Quickly, help your father into the carriage! I’ve already summoned Master Tao, the divine physician from Longevity Hall!”