Chapter 1: Imprisonment

The shortage of warhorses at the Taipu Temple has reached over 300, marking a significant case since the founding of the nation. It is beyond doubt that the court will impose severe penalties on the officials involved. However, when it comes to the step of skinning and stripping the grass, it is still a chilling thought.

With a sigh, he gradually resigns himself to his fate

Stealing a warhorse is punishable by death

The old jailer, whose surname is Li, is responsible for the meal delivery at the sky prison. His specific name is unknown to anyone, and the prisoners in the sky prison all refer to him as "Old Li"

Lord Xu, the Ministry of Justice has issued an official document. The corruption charges related to the equestrian administration of the Ministry of Imperial Horse have been established, with a total of thirteen officials being prosecuted and executed, and over three hundred accomplices exiled to Qiongzhou

After being reborn in this world, Xu Xing felt that his first half of life was rather mediocre, having not accomplished any earth-shattering deeds. However, thanks to his previous life where he attended university and received a higher education, he had a decent proficiency in arithmetic.

Zhao Yunniang said softly

His eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and his face bore an expression of unwillingness

Room 24 is adorned with red drapes all around

A month may seem brief, but who knows whether any changes will occur during this time? Perhaps someone will take this opportunity to stir up party strife and reopen the case of corruption involving the Ministry of Justice.

As a person approaches death, their words become kind. Out of compassion, he cannot bear to let Zhao Yunniang remain a widow for the sake of momentary pleasure. Moreover, if he were to die, Zhao Yunniang would become a widow. If this woman were one who would not willingly uphold her chastity, would he not have to endure countless green hats even in the afterlife

As he walked slowly into the village, he also called out "Old Li"

The factional struggles within the Fengxi national court have been severe for quite some time, and it is no longer a secret that people simply align themselves with factions, regardless of right or wrong

The criminal opened his eyes

Although he had long known that he would die after being framed, upon hearing that he was to be subjected to "flaying and shoeing," Xu Xing was still struck as if by lightning, remaining stunned for quite some time, unable to regain his composure

The young girl, dressed in a pink gauze skirt, has a slender waist adorned with a light yellow silk ribbon. Her hair is styled in two smooth buns, her face resembling a new moon, with a yellow plum blossom hairpin adorning her forehead. At this moment, she bends gracefully, revealing her exquisite and well-proportioned figure in its entirety.

An eighth-rank official is already quite respectable; in Xu Xing's previous life, the likes of Young Master Zhou would not even be considered extravagant young masters in his presence

In the dim and gloomy cell, a filthy figure is curled up in the corner, currently sound asleep against a pile of wheat straw

Who are you? What are you here for?

After calling out, he carefully lifted his foot and moved step by step towards the iron fence next to the nearby corridor

The sound of footsteps is getting closer

A slight misstep could lead to an irretrievable situation

Upon hearing this

The loss of warhorses is a major case

However, seven days ago, Emperor Chongming suddenly had a whim and personally drove to the Ministry of War for an inspection. Yet, the dynasty that had lasted nearly three hundred years had long been beyond redemption. The Ministry of War was severely lacking in warhorses, and Emperor Chongming held them accountable for this shortcoming

Xu Xing has been staying in the sky prison for a period of time, his physical condition is weak, and he becomes breathless after walking just a few steps

The food box has already been filled with musk powder, which will stimulate Lord Xu's vital energy, ensuring that after several encounters... it will be sufficient for me to conceive...

Although he is a newcomer to the officialdom, he has nonetheless experienced the ups and downs of the political arena and possesses some level of sophistication

And you ... ... are the principal offender. According to the Great Edict of the Grand Ancestor, in another month, you will be flayed and have your feet bound with grass ... ...

In the bridal chamber

Born in such a feudal dynasty, it is truly exceedingly difficult to go against the heavens with the strength of one individual

Thus, he created a more convenient way to write numbers and introduced mathematical inventions such as calculus

... ...

The footsteps gradually approach from afar

Lord Han has heard that Lord Xu has yet to marry and has no offspring. Considering their camaraderie, he has commanded that a seed be preserved for Lord Xu.

The first figure to appear before Xu Xing was an elderly prison guard wearing a white conical hat, with the character "prison" stitched on his chest.

A young maiden held a bamboo woven food box in both hands, lowering her gaze and speaking obediently

Han Sui sent Zhao Yunniang over to have him leave offspring, but it was not merely out of goodwill. The true intention should be to cause him to suffer from a depletion of vital energy after engaging in sexual relations, leading to his sudden death before the execution.

The shackles weighing several dozen pounds are exceptionally heavy

Dressed and groomed, Xu Xing wore a large red flower on his chest. He glanced at Zhao Yunniang, who was sitting across from him, feeling a twinge of compassion. "Marry me, this dying person, is unnecessary. If you are willing, I will write a letter to Lord Han right now, granting you your freedom"

Thus, Xu Xing, a powerless and insignificant official from a humble background, was pushed forward by Han Sui, the head of the Ministry of Imperial Horses, to take the blame

I was originally a courtesan at the Wangyue Tower, named Yun Niang. Three days ago, I was redeemed by Lord Han, and at his command, I have come here to marry Lord Xu

A warhorse raised by the common people dies, sentenced to roam three thousand miles

Old Li

The Xu family is of humble origins. His mother passed away early, leaving only a widowed father. Although there are still some servants in the household, none of these servants resemble the beautiful woman before him

Old Li, my family is still in Kansai Road, she is not my relative... I guess there has been a misunderstanding

Xu Xing understood everything

Heavenly Prison, Room 24.

She spoke concisely and to the point

Such a delicate and beautiful maid, even if he were to embezzle, he would not be able to afford her

The Grand Minister, one of the Nine Ministers of the Court, holds a high position and wields significant power. He has always been close to Han Sui and the high officials of the three judicial departments, and he has a daughter who married the emperor as a consort, making him the father-in-law of Emperor Chongming. Even if I were to turn against him now, he would likely remain unscathed

The bride's makeup, along with the phoenix crown and the colorful attire, makes her appear even more stunning and alluring

If he were alone, perhaps he could make a desperate effort, but since his family in Kansai is still alive, if he were to bring disaster upon them, it would be his fault

Two years ago, after taking the examination of the Ministry of Rites under the Ministry of Personnel, he was selected as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Stable, responsible for managing the miscellaneous livestock submitted by the various pastoral offices.

On the contrary, if I were to admit to this crime and behave properly, Han Sui might, considering public opinion, perhaps take better care of my family

Rather than restricting Zhao Yunniang's entire life, it would be better to do some good deeds before her death, accumulate some merit, and allow Zhao Yunniang to depart.

Sir Xu, your family is here to see you

Zhao Yunniang pressed her lips against the rouge paper, and her lips became significantly more crimson

"When marrying a chicken, follow the chicken; when marrying a dog, follow the dog. Even if Lord Xu has made mistakes, he is still an official, and he does not disdain my humble origins from Zhangtai, which is already a kindness. How could I dare to look down upon the lord?"

Even if Zhao Yunniang had to marry him as a concubine due to certain practical reasons, with these words, even after his death, Zhao Yunniang, being a person who knows gratitude, would still remember this kindness... and would not harbor hatred towards him or mistreat his posthumous child

Xu Xing sat cross-legged on the ground, taking a glance at the woman in front of him

If one hurries and is not careful, one may be tripped by it

The iron chains at the feet clanked loudly.

Beside the iron fence, as he walked slowly, he saw a visitor who was a young girl, and his expression instantly revealed disappointment as he shook his head and said

However, regardless of political strife, Xu Xing speculated that it would be very difficult for him to be released from the heavenly prison in this lifetime

Dian Jiu Cheng is a minor official of the eighth rank in the Kingdom of Fengxi