The last phase of Chapter 02

Yang Lin's sparse hair suddenly bristled as he exclaimed in anger, "Nonsense! What flattery is this? It is all evident from your appearance. I, Yang Lin, am a dignified Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. How many high-ranking officials and dignitaries bow and scrape to flatter me when they see me? Do I need to curry favor with a mere jailer like you?"

Yang Lin stroked his sparse beard and continued leisurely, "Your forehead is broad and full, with a lustrous complexion; your eyes are spirited, and the corners are slightly raised. People with such facial features tend to achieve success easily. Moreover, your ears are beautifully shaped, with a smooth white color and distinct contours, complemented by thick earlobes, which is a sign of great fortune. Your lips are red and your teeth white, and your philtrum is deep and wide, indicating a prosperous spouse and children..."

Ye Xiaotian, male, currently nineteen years old, resides in Xiquzi Hutong, Xuanwu Street, Beijing. He is a jailer at the Xuanzhi No. 1 prison, having been promoted to the position of head jailer at Xuanzhi No. 1 prison by the warden, Lord Liu, in the early eighth year of the Wanli era due to his cleverness and quick wit

Old Master Ye, considering that the prison was crowded with cunning individuals, deemed it unsuitable for his honest son. Therefore, he took out his life savings to open a grain and oil shop for his eldest son, passing on the promising career of a prison guard to his second son, Ye Xiaotian

Ye Xiaotian pulled at his leg with all his might, but Yang Lin, with an unknown source of strength, firmly held onto his ankle, leaving Ye Xiaotian unable to break free

Yang Lin's few upright white hairs suddenly drooped, softly resting against his flesh-colored scalp, resembling a defeated cricket dejectedly lowering its antennae, and he said resentfully: "Although I am now a prisoner, I have studied the principles of the I Ching since childhood, and I have no issues in the field of physiognomy!"

Hmm

Liu Yong snorted through his nose, glancing at the food box in his hand, realizing that he was making some extra money on the side. These prison guards would give him a monthly tribute, so he had always turned a blind eye to such matters that did not violate the major rules.

Ye Xiaotian shook his head helplessly, turned to leave, when Yang Lin suddenly leaned forward, his bony old hand reaching through the railing, grabbing his ankle. With his gaunt cheek pressed against the wooden fence, he sternly shouted: "Do not leave, I have an important matter to entrust to you!"

The identity of the jailer in the Ye family was a solitary lineage that reached Ye Xiaotian's father, Old Master Ye. However, Old Master Ye was quite impressive; he gave birth to a pair of twins in one go: the eldest son, Ye Xiaoan, and the second son, Ye Xiaotian. The name Xiaotian was a serendipitous discovery, implying the addition of another son.

Ye Xiaotian slowly stood still, gradually turning around, his face still adorned with a faint smile. Yang Lin tightly gripped the railing with both hands, staring intently at him, and slowly said: "The beheading wine! Is it the beheading wine of this old man?"

Ye Xiaotian did not inquire about the benefits at all, and without hesitation, he rejected this temptation. He shook his head and said: "Lord Yang, colluding with criminals to exchange information is a capital offense once caught. You are surely aware of this rule, are you not?"

fifty taels

Ye Xiaotian let out a sigh of relief and asked, "What are the great benefits you mentioned?"

Yang Lin looked up to see Ye Xiaotian, and immediately set aside the stones, joyfully approaching the prison front, smiling as he said: "It seems that the young brother is very interested in Western astrology. Would you like me to continue reading your fortune?"

Ye Xiaotian chuckled and shook his head, saying: "Lord Yang, you must flatter appropriately. The Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity shine brightly? Alas, even if the jailer is blessed by the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, he is still a jailer. How much glory can I truly attain?"

Yang Lin was taken aback for a moment before saying, "Uh... how about a reward of fifty taels of silver!"

Ye Xiaotian's voice was soft and faint, yet his tone was resolute: "When my father handed this iron rice bowl to me, he instructed me with four words: 'Follow the rules!' Since the Yuan Dynasty, our Ye family has been prison guards in the Ministry of Justice. After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, when the Zhu Emperor took over, our Ye family continued to serve as prison guards in the imperial prison. As long as we perform our duties properly and do not make mistakes, our Ye family can continue to enjoy this public service meal for generations to come"

Ye Xiaotian's eyes lit up, and he readily replied: "If Lord Yang has any final words, now is the time to speak them"

Since Ye Xiaotian took over this position from his father, he has delivered countless amounts of wine and meat to the prison. However, apart from the wine and meat that the prisoners purchased with their own money, he has only sent five portions. Each time he sends a portion, it signifies that a life is about to be lost

Ye Xiaotian truly disliked this clichéd name. However, since he had already become accustomed to being called by it, he could not announce a new name with great fanfare. After formally protesting to his father and receiving his consent, Ye Xiaotian was thus renamed Ye Xiaotian.

The prison guard identity of Old Master Ye can only be passed on to one son. Logically, it should be inherited by the first one to emerge from the womb, Ye Xiao'an. However, Xiao'an was frightened during his childhood. On one occasion, when he lifted the quilt, he barely caught sight of a cauliflower snake that had crawled out from the neighboring restaurant and hidden itself in his bedding. Since then, he became particularly timid and honest.

Ye Xiaotian handed the wine and meat to Minister Huang, then turned and approached Yang Lin's cell. He saw Yang Lin sitting cross-legged on the ground, tossing several pebbles onto the empty space in front of him, observing the way the stones fell while muttering to himself, likely deducing the sixty-four hexagrams of Fuxi.

The jailer is a minor official of the ninth rank, yet he is still an official, and especially in this prison, Cell No. 1, he is a person of authority whose word is law. Therefore, in his demeanor, there is a certain air of superiority and distinction.

Ye Xiaotian had prepared the food and drinks for Minister Huang and returned to the prison. Noticing the time, he realized that after completing this task, it would be time to hand over his duties, so he quickened his pace. However, just as he entered the prison, he saw the warden, Lord Liu, approaching from a distance under the corridor. Ye Xiaotian quickly stopped and bowed to Lord Liu from afar

Yang Lin chuckled hoarsely and said, "You need not be afraid. Can I not help you escape from prison? Even if you were willing, you wouldn't have the ability, would you? I merely... wish to ask you to convey a message outside. As long as you agree, I have a great benefit to offer you."

Is this statement true? Ye Xiaotian smiled, as everyone loves to hear good words, even if they know they are false. He touched his straight nose and suddenly felt that he indeed looked quite good.

If you are a cook in the artisan household, but you have not yet learned to cook and your father has passed away, it does not matter. When the government needs to summon cooks, you can go. After all, you cannot possibly be expected to cook and start a fire, right? Anyway, the officials will not eat the food you prepare; it is just about having the right number of people. If you are a medical practitioner and you do not understand medicine, then we can just pay our respects to the patients in advance. After all, the officials will not eat the food you prepare; it is just about having the right number of people. If you are a medical practitioner and you do not understand medicine, then we can just pay our respects to the patients in advance.

Ye Xiaotian remarked strangely: "How inexplicable it is to add dishes for Yang Shengen? Ah! Could it be that his case has been decided, and this is... going to the market to be executed?"

The prison officer is named Liu Yong, in his fifties, with a face that is bright red in color. He is not very tall but is quite sturdy. His clothing is similar to that of Ye Xiaotian, except that he wears a red back armor over his blue attire

Yang Lin was overjoyed upon hearing these words, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. However, just as Ye Xiaotian had taken five or six steps away, Yang Lin suddenly came to his senses. He lunged forward, grasped the railing, and shouted, "Xiao Yezi, stop right there!"

Ye Xiaotian slowly walked back, looking at him through the prison bars, shaking his head and compassionately saying: "Lord Yang, why not enjoy this last dinner happily? Being so astute, what is the need for this?"

Yang Lin said: "The forehead represents intelligence and luck. Your forehead is high, flat, and full, indicating that you possess intelligence and will experience great fortune at a young age. The nose signifies wealth and relationships with women. Your nose is straight, prominent, and connects well with the forehead, suggesting that you will enjoy financial success and numerous romantic opportunities in your youth"

Ye Xiaotian's lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of inexplicable sarcasm: "Our Ye family holds a lowly position, but to speak a word of treason, even if one day the Ming Dynasty falls, it will be the Emperor and his family who lose their heads, not us lowly clerks. Who sits on the throne does not concern us. We still eat from this public bowl of rice. Lord Yang, I value this bowl of rice greatly, even though in the eyes of you esteemed figures, it is of little worth. I still eat from this public bowl of rice. Lord Yang, I value this bowl of rice greatly, even though in the eyes of you esteemed figures, it is of little worth. Please refrain from discussing matters that would jeopardize my livelihood!"

Yang Lin watched with his eyes, letting out a bitter laugh. His bony hands gripped the railing tightly, yet his body seemed to be weighed down by an immense stone, sliding down inch by inch. Only when he collapsed to the ground did he hoarsely and laboriously utter, "Is the time of my demise... upon me..."

As long as there is an opportunity to show off his skills, Yang Lin is very happy, and as for which divination technique to use, he is not particular. Peering through a wooden fence, he scrutinizes for a while and then claps his hands and sighs: "Young brother, you have an extraordinary bone structure, black hair and red lips, large eyes and elegant eyebrows; this is a sign of great wealth..."

Ye Xiaotian's identity as a jailer is inherited from his father. The Ye family has been jailers for generations, a rule established by Emperor Hongwu: sons inherit their fathers' professions, passing down through the generations

Yang Lin lamented, "In my lifetime, I have only done three things: deceiving myself, deceiving others, and being deceived by others. Now that I am about to die, I only wish to be an enlightened person and no longer want to be a fool"

Yang Lin quickly corrected himself, saying: "It was a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue. If a woman possesses such features, then it is as it is. However, you are a man, and such features indicate great wealth and nobility. Hehehe, young brother, you are blessed with the three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity shining upon you, and your life will be smooth and auspicious."

"Hmm, that makes sense, very much so." The man certainly cannot claim he is incapable. Ye Xiaotian immediately expressed his agreement with Yang Lin's words, but judging by his somewhat skeptical demeanor, it was as if he was on the verge of disrobing right then and there to conduct a verification.

Ye Xiaotian's right eyebrow lifted slightly, then gently fell back down, and the smile on his face gradually faded away

Liu Siyu said: "You have arrived just in time; the kitchen is preparing food and wine. In a little while, you can take it to Yang Lin."

Oh? Ye Xiaotian brushed his brow, and his eyebrows raised slightly.

Ye Xiaotian lightly coughed and said: "Lord Yang."

Ye Xiaotian's expression stiffened, and he exclaimed, "Is it the appearance of a prosperous son-in-law?!"

Yang Lin said sadly: "I am clearly now a discarded piece in someone else's game, who else could possibly collude with me? I only wish to ask you to convey a message to my family, and that is after my death. This... surely does not violate any rules, does it?"

Ye Xiaotian chuckled, "Alright, using Western tools to determine the fate of us people from the Ming Dynasty always feels a bit strange. Lord Yang, why not take a look at my fortune instead."

Ye Xiaotian pointed a finger towards the prison and teased, "Lord Yang, wake up, you are now a prisoner in chains; a hero should not boast of past glories!"

Ye Xiaotian smiled and said, "Alright, I appreciate your kind words. This time, I will trust you, my lord. In a while, I will go buy some wine and meat to treat you, and consider it as my payment for your divination fee."

Liu Yong did not respond, merely casting a faint glance at him before turning away with his arms crossed. Ye Xiaotian stood in a daze for a moment, gently shook his head, and then walked towards Prison No. 1.

If you are a soldier, then at least one of your sons must also be a soldier. If your wife fails to give you a male heir, you must find one from your relatives. If there are no male heirs among your relatives, you can find one anywhere, even if you have to abduct someone from the street; you must fill this gap regardless.

Ye Xiaotian furrowed his brows, slowly crouched down, and a cold glint gradually appeared in his eyes: "Lord Yang, we are quite familiar with each other, aren't we? However, we have no familial ties or connections, and our friendship is hardly worth mentioning! I am merely a lowly jailer, and I will not refuse to offer you some convenience within my limited capacity, but I will not engage in any improper actions!"

Ye Xiaotian looked at him and said: "Is that so?"

Yang Lin nodded vigorously: "That's right!"

Yang Lin said seriously: "That is only natural. In fact... the one who governs the peach blossom luck is the eyes. Although your eyes are not peach blossom eyes, they are not far off. As for the nose, it is majestic, straight, and full, which is connected to that matter, hehe. Having peach blossom luck also requires good capital, don't you think?"

Ye Xiaotian inclined his body and smiled, saying: "Hello, Chief Liu."