Chapter Nine, Sowing Seeds in Prison

Mother," Wan'er stepped forward to gently touch Han's arm

Brother, that is the tiger whip wine from the blacksmith's uncle. Tonight, you need not say anything. Wan'er is treated like family by Mother, you, the two sisters-in-law, and the two sisters, and she will never forget this kindness in her heart. Wan'er is merely a maid and cannot help you out of this predicament. The only thing she can do is to leave a trace of the Li family's bloodline and legacy.

Everything is like a dream, like a bubble.

The night wind is strong, carrying a hint of withered grass in its breath, with no moon in the sky and no stars in the air. Han leans half against the door, gazing at the courtyard gate, constantly imagining that his son will push open that door and walk in at any moment.

In the room, apart from the sounds of sighs and soft weeping, there remained the pervasive aroma of scallions, ginger, dried dates, tangerine peels, and other mixed scents. This was the tea brewed by the eldest daughter-in-law, strong in flavor yet spicy.

There is still some reluctance in his heart. Upon arriving in this world, he had many thoughts. He also wished to achieve something in this late Tang dynasty, and even if he could not become a king or a noble, he wanted to establish a family business for the Li family, providing them with a protective haven.

Han nodded and sighed, saying: "With your words, I feel comforted. Why don't you accompany me to the town tomorrow?"

The oil lamp flickered dimly like a bean, yet Wan'er’s two red beans shone brilliantly like rubies.

When Li Jing was once again brought before the court from the dungeon, he listened as the bearded judge announced in a manner akin to child's play that his 'crime' was re-sentenced to exile three thousand miles to Yizhou. With half a straw in his mouth and still wearing the gauze cap hand-sewn by his mother, Han, he tilted his head back slightly and gazed into the distance at the fiery clouds on the horizon. The blood-red clouds drifted mournfully, and the court's verdict seemed to have no relation to him whatsoever. With half a straw in his mouth and still wearing the gauze cap hand-sewn by his mother, Han, he tilted his head back slightly and gazed into the distance at the fiery clouds on the horizon. The blood-red clouds drifted mournfully, and the court's verdict seemed to have no relation to him whatsoever

Exiled to Yizhou, this is not merely a distance of three thousand miles; from the coastal areas of Shandong to the deserts of Xinjiang, it is likely no less than ten thousand miles. Traveling this way, shackled and in chains, it is feared that without at least one or two years, one would not even arrive. Moreover, Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao are about to rebel, and their place of rebellion is precisely along the route to Yizhou. This journey holds only death and no life, and his fate can only be inscribed up to this point

"Good, how to relieve worries, only with Du Kang"

Under the dim oil lamp, it is so white, white to the point of being dazzling

Mother, you are Wan'er’s biological mother, and Third Brother is also Wan'er’s biological brother. If possible, Wan'er truly wishes she could take Third Brother's place in being confined in the town

The room was silent, and no one knew how to comfort the suffering Han family

Yizhou, located far in Longyou, was nominally part of the Tang Dynasty territory, but as early as after the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang could no longer govern that area. Later, it was even occupied by the Tubo people for a time, until more than twenty years ago when Zhang Yichao from Shazhou led a rebellion to reclaim the territories of Sha and Gua. Subsequently, he gradually recovered eleven states in Longyou, and only then did Yizhou return under the governance of the Tang Dynasty. However, in reality, Yizhou remained under the jurisdiction of Zhang's Guiyi Army, surrounded by the Tubo and Huige on both sides. If Li Jing were truly exiled to that place, it would be a significant issue not only whether he could return in this lifetime, but even whether he could survive there.

"Leave offspring." Li Jing suddenly understood everything; the Li family had only him left as the sole male heir. For the Han family, which placed great importance on bloodline inheritance, it was clear that Li Jing's exile would likely make it difficult for him to return. This is why they hurriedly sent Wan'er to ensure he would leave offspring. They were also afraid that he might refuse, which is why they borrowed the treasured Tiger Whip Wine from the blacksmith Wang's family.

All has passed, all has passed

His eyes were red, and his breathing was rapid; at this moment, Li Jing also felt that something was amiss

Aunt, I do not know the specifics about my nephew. However, there are only three days left; in three days, early in the morning, Sanlang will be taken away to be exiled to Yizhou.

Li Jing's mind was in a state of chaos, yet Wan'er had already shed her clothes, kneeling before Li Jing, beginning to release the intense urges that she was still desperately resisting despite being half-drunk. Under the dim light of the oil lamp, Wan'er, who appeared somewhat frail, had her two underdeveloped peaks hanging just a few inches above his face.

"Things were all agreed upon, and the fields have all been given away. Why have things changed again? Erlang, what on earth is going on?" Han asked Wang Liang.

Wan'er, you have been part of the Li family for nine years. Tell me, has your mother and your third brother treated you well in the past

Li Jing looked up and, aided by the dim light of the prison cell, discovered that the person standing before him was unexpectedly Wan'er

Sanlang, Wan'er, and Mother, along with Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law, have all come together, and Fourth Sister and Fifth Younger Sister have also arrived

Once again, Li Jing caught sight of that familiar figure among the sparse audience below, Wang Liang half-concealed behind others, watching him with a hint of hiding. Upon noticing his gaze directed towards him, he immediately shrank his neck and turned to leave.

As night deepened, everyone still could not come up with a good solution. Han seemed to age ten years in an instant; she had lost her husband early on and had raised three sons by herself. However, two of her sons had only recently come of age before they tragically passed away one after another. Now, all her hopes were pinned on her youngest son, yet unexpectedly, she found herself unable to protect him either. Within two months, she was to lose two sons in succession, and this strong woman suddenly collapsed.

In the main hall of the Li family's courtyard in Wangli Village, upon hearing the news that Li Jing was to be exiled to Yizhou, Han Shi fainted and took a long time to be revived. In the dimly lit hall, where the light of a single lamp flickered like a bean, the women of the Li family sat on one side, while on the other side were the Wang blacksmith's family and the Wang Liang family, who had already become in-laws with the Li family. Additionally, on the nearby Hu chair sat about ten men of varying ages, all of whom were Li Jing's distant uncles and brothers. Less than two months ago, they had come to attend Li Yu's funeral, and now, barely two months later, they received the news of Li Jing's misfortune.

In the dungeon of Chishan Town, Li Jing was specially moved to a separate cell by the jailer because he had already been sentenced to exile for three thousand miles, and there were only two days left until the execution. The straw inside was also drier, and each meal included four flatbreads, a small pot of turbid wine, and a plate of pig's head meat

This is it, make haste, at most one hour. Letting you in is also a risk, so please do not make it difficult for me later. It is still the familiar voice of the prison guard who brings the meals, seemingly speaking to another person

Wan'er did not explain why the Han family did not come in; it was Wan'er who entered. However, at this moment, Li Jing was also unwilling to speculate on these matters. Regardless, the outcome had already been determined. Meeting now would only add to the sorrow.

After a long while, Han said: "I am of no use, and I can no longer think of a way to save Sanlang. However, the Li family must not perish; I cannot allow the Li family to lose its lineage and heritage. Wan'er, come here."

This must be the Last Supper. At this moment, Li Jing instead set everything aside, sitting on the ground, eating steamed buns and drinking turbid wine from a pig's head, remarkably calm and composed. This composure even astonished the prison guards, yet despite Li Jing's calm demeanor, he still felt a tinge of reluctance in his heart. Although he had not been there long, the affection from the Li family made it difficult for him to forget easily. He dared not think about what would happen to Han and the other women in the family after his incident. Although he had not been there long, the affection from the Li family made it difficult for him to forget easily. He dared not think about what would happen to Han and the other women in the family after his incident.

Wan'er set down the basket in her hand and took out several dishes and a small jar of wine from inside.

The highest-ranking elder in the room is a thin, withered old man with a goat-like beard, his face resembling the dry bark of a tree, and in terms of seniority, he is Li Jing's great-uncle. He sits there, his gray head bowed, repeatedly uttering the same few phrases: "This Yizhou is far away, over ten thousand miles; once these three young men go, it will be difficult for them to return." "What sins did Ji commit in his previous life, look at the misdeeds of this family over the years!"

Oh! I hope my matters have not caused you too much concern. How are my mother and the others?

Bang, as soon as the guard finished speaking, he clapped his hands and returned, followed by the cell door slamming shut once again

"Wan'er, what kind of wine is this?"

Wan'er, how did you come here

In a daze, he suddenly saw Wan'er sit up straight, begin to remove the shawl from her arms, and then untie the cloth belt of her skirt at the waist

"Brother, Wan'er will drink with you." Wan'er poured wine for both of them

Several dishes are exquisite, featuring both fish and meat, and the wine is of high quality, far superior to the murky wine served by the jailer. However, it seems that this wine is somewhat intoxicating today. Li Jing had previously consumed several bowls of that murky wine without getting drunk, but after only three or four bowls of this wine, he already feels the effects of inebriation. What is even more troubling is that his entire body begins to feel a surge of heat, as if on fire, and the fellow in his trousers becomes uncontrollably heated.

A loud bang echoed as the prison door outside swung open, accompanied not only by the familiar voice of the guard but also by the sound of unfamiliar footsteps.

Fortunately, Mother knows that you are departing tomorrow and has specially prepared some food and drinks to see you off