CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 88: THE PATRIARCH’S SCHEMING!

Death Prison.

When Linglong entered from outside, she found it was very quiet inside.

It was completely different from the wailing scenes she had imagined.

The Su clan members were very composed; Linglong even heard the sound of reciting poetry and making couplets.

"What’s going on?"

Linglong stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the jailer behind her.

Linglong came holding Zhao Yi’s Crown Prince’s Gold Medal, so the jailer did not dare to slack off.

Hearing Linglong’s question, the jailer’s lips twitched, his face filled with confusion.

He hesitated for a while, then said hesitantly: "Your Grace, you may not believe it, but from the day these people were locked in, they’ve been like this."

It was obvious that the Su clan’s demeanor had caused the jailer quite a shock.

Their unusual calmness almost made him question reality.

Upon hearing the jailer’s words, Linglong’s brows furrowed immediately.

"Could it be that they know they won’t die, that’s why they’re so calm?"

Linglong’s face darkened slightly: "Colluding with remnants of the Heaven-Facing Sect is a crime warranting the execution of nine generations. What makes the Su Family think they won’t die? Do they think someone will break them out of prison in Shengjing City?"

The City Guard Army in Shengjing City is eager for military merit to the point of madness.

If anyone dared to break into the prison, the City Guard Army would be grateful and then tear the person apart.

The jailer, hearing Linglong’s words, hesitated a bit before saying: "Your Grace, perhaps that’s not the reason."

Linglong looked at him and asked, "What do you know?"

The jailer quickly responded: "Your Grace, I know nothing. My subordinate Huang Er has some friendship with Su Changyuan, Master Su. It was Huang Er who was in charge of guarding him when he was first imprisoned. Perhaps it would be better to call him in for questioning."

Linglong nodded: "Then call Huang Er."

The jailer agreed immediately, then turned and quickly walked out the door.

Soon after, Huang Er followed the jailer inside.

Upon seeing Linglong, Huang Er obediently knelt down in salute: "I am Huang Er, paying respects to Your Grace."

Linglong nodded, looking at Huang Er, she asked: "Are you acquainted with Su Changyuan?"

As soon as he heard this, Huang Er quickly said: "Your Grace, I only admired that Su Changyuan had a reputation for honesty in the Capital City, so I provided him with some food and convenience. I’ve never consorted with him, please investigate clearly!"

Linglong waved her hand dismissively: "Stand up and speak."

Seeing Linglong didn’t pursue further, Huang Er immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Linglong looked at the peaceful atmosphere inside the Death Prison, where the Su clan members showed no fear, and asked Huang Er: "Since you know Su Changyuan, what do you say is happening with the Su clan?"

Upon hearing Linglong’s question, Huang Er felt a wave of relief.

Just now, when he heard the jailer say the Crown Prince’s envoy wanted to question him, Huang Er nearly wet himself in fear.

The crime committed by the Su clan was punishable by execution of nine generations.

What if they implicated him?

Now hearing Linglong’s question, Huang Er quickly said: "Reporting to Your Grace, the Su clan is so calm not because they think someone can save them or break them out of prison, but because they are used to it."

Used to it?

Linglong was stunned, slightly bewildered.

Huang Er quickly explained: "Your Grace, you see clearly, Su Changyuan has been brought into the Death Prison more than once. In fact, if it weren’t for Su Changyuan’s quick reaction last time, the Su clan would have been executed for nine generations already. Although today the Man Clan is fiercely captured, for Su Changyuan and others, this is just revisiting an old place. Moreover, the Su clan is a scholarly family, producing many literati and refined scholars. So, though they are afraid, they haven’t lost their composure."

Linglong was taken aback.

Linglong waved her hand, and seeing this, the jailer and Huang Er both respectfully saluted her, then quickly left the Death Prison.

Linglong stood at the door listening for a while, seeing that the Su clan members were truly composed and not pretending, she hesitated no longer and stepped into the Death Prison.

As soon as Linglong entered, she was immediately noticed by someone.

With one person greeting her, gradually more joined in the discussion.

"Which family’s young lady is this, so beautiful?"

"Young lady, do you fancy someone in our Su Family? Better forget it, we are doomed, don’t waste your good years."

"Auntie’s words are true! Young lady, this is the Death Prison, a place of misfortune, and we are ill-fated people! We are already grateful beyond words for your visit, it’s best you leave soon, don’t bring trouble upon yourself!"

"Young lady, quickly leave!"

"Sister, you should go quickly, don’t get dragged down by us."

Listening to the Su clan’s chatter, Linglong couldn’t help but show some strange expression on her face.

She had seen death row inmates before, and even the most vicious bandits would show all kinds of terrible behavior before execution.

Yet here, the Su family’s literati and womenfolk displayed courage surpassing those villains, earning her admiration.

Linglong didn’t speak further, but looked towards one of the cells.

In the middle of the cell stood a tall and dignified middle-aged man with a handsome face.

Linglong had seen the portraits of the Su clan, and immediately recognized that man as Su Changyuan.

In front of Su Changyuan were several stalks of straw substituting for counting rods, he was calculating something, surrounded by women and children watching.

Upon seeing Linglong approach, Su Changyuan looked up and smiled amicably at her.

Linglong noticed that instead of receiving resentment from the Su family, Su Changyuan appeared to hold some regard and was still close with the women and children, sparking her curiosity.

"What are you calculating?" Linglong asked.

Su Changyuan didn’t respond, but the woman previously referred to as Auntie explained: "Changyuan is calculating how Qianqian is doing now."

"Su Qianqian?" Linglong asked in confusion, "Aren’t you imprisoned because of her, why do you still care about her?"