Chapter 723: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 723: Mo Qingz Imprisoned (4)
With the evidence and witnesses for Mo Qingze’s examination fraud case overwhelming and widely known, the two officials at the Ministry of Justice dared not allow Mo Yan in.
Seeing their hesitation, Mo Yan suppressed her anxiety and patiently persuaded them: “Even if my father were truly guilty of fraud, while the charges remain unproven, this county princess has the right to visit him in prison. If you cannot make the decision, please have someone who can come and speak with me.”
The officials, unable to counter her argument and fearing reprimand from their superiors if they allowed her in and later faced criticism, smiled apologetically and said, “This matter is of great importance and we cannot decide on our own. However, our Minister is still in the office. We will consult him immediately. Please be patient, County Princess.”
Understanding that pressuring them would be futile, Mo Yan agreed, “I appreciate it. The prison is cold and damp, and I am concerned for my father’s health. Please, do speak kindly on my behalf to the Minister so that I may deliver these warm items to him.”
The officials glanced at the blankets and clothing held by Li Yan and Tang Xin, and repeatedly assured her they would handle it. The Deputy Minister stayed with Mo Yan while the other went to consult the Minister.
Mo Yan waited for half an hour, her patience wearing thin. The Deputy Minister, seeing her growing frustration, privately lamented the situation. He knew that the county princess had once saved the Crown Prince, whose position was secure. If the princess lost her patience and held a grudge, her influence could jeopardize his career if the Crown Prince spoke up.
The Deputy Minister's mood soured as he cursed the subordinate who went to report. Even if the Minister disagreed or was still “considering” the matter, they should have at least returned to update him!
Another incense stick's worth of time passed, and just as Mo Yan’s patience was about to run out, the official who had gone to consult finally returned with good news: the Minister had agreed to let Mo Yan visit her father.
The delay had been due to the Minister’s hesitation, who had to urgently consult the Emperor. Only after receiving the Emperor's direct approval did he agree to allow the visit.
While Li Yan and Tang Xin were relieved, Mo Yan’s mood remained heavy. The extreme caution of the Minister indicated that the examination fraud case was even more serious than she had imagined. Her family could be in grave danger if things went wrong.
Under the Deputy Minister’s guidance, Mo Yan and her companions proceeded smoothly to the Ministry of Justice’s prison.
The prison’s conditions were better than Mo Yan had expected. At least it was not perpetually dark; the cells were relatively clean, and there were no signs of pests, possibly due to winter’s cold keeping them dormant.
Mo Qingze’s cell was deep within the prison but fortunately located on the sunny side, with an iron window allowing some light.
As Mo Yan approached, she saw her father sitting on a straw-covered clay bed, reading a book by the window. To her surprise, he was wrapped in a new quilt, a luxury not seen in other cells.
Mo Qingze, absorbed in his book and facing away from the door, did not notice the commotion outside until Mo Yan excitedly called out “Father!” He turned around, his eyes wide with both surprise and joy.
When the cell door was unlocked, Mo Yan hurried inside, grasping her father’s hands and examining him from head to toe. Seeing him clean and in good spirits, without signs of torture, she felt a sense of relief.
After the Deputy Minister and the jailer left, Mo Yan sat her father down on the bed and shared her suspicions from the previous day. Seeing her father’s astonished expression, she knew her guesses were correct.
“Father, why didn’t you tell me about this?” Mo Yan was angry that her father had kept such important matters from her, feeling he still saw her as a child burdened with everything alone.
Mo Qingze, feeling guilty under his daughter's intense gaze, looked away, unwilling to reveal the plans he had made with Xiao Ruiyuan. He feared his daughter’s reaction if she learned the details.
Mo Yan, unaware of her father's concerns, interpreted his silence as acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Her anger subsided, and she shifted her focus to whether her father had any escape plans.
(End of Chapter)
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