Shih Houde exchanged glances with Hao Zhuang; it was over. The Lin family had truly latched onto Zhang Fang. Observing Zhang Fang’s reaction, he surprisingly took out some food and handed it to Lin Zheng, clearly accepting Lin Zheng’s allegiance. Lin Zheng received the rations and bowed deeply to Zhang Fang, tears welling in his eyes and his expression full of excitement.
With so many eyes on him, Zhang Fang, unwilling to engage in a lengthy conversation with Lin Zheng, waved his hand dismissively, signaling for him to leave. Although Lin Zheng wished to continue displaying his loyalty in hopes of earning Zhang Fang’s trust, he sensed Zhang Fang’s impatience and smartly retreated for the time being.
Starving, Lin Zheng didn’t consume the rations for himself. Instead, he returned to the Lin family, sharing the food among them. After receiving her portion, Lin Yuening passed some to her younger brother, encouraging him to eat more.
Having consumed only gruel for some time in jail, the flatbread in front of them tasted like a feast of delicacies. The Lin family devoured it hungrily, feeling immensely grateful toward Zhang Fang, wishing they could rush to him and bow in gratitude immediately.
In the following days, they camped outdoors and didn’t stay in nearby villages, despite passing through them. Hao Zhuang and Shih Houde wanted Zhang Fang to take shelter in the village, but Zhang Fang would not hear of it. They noticed that this young master wasn’t at all finicky. He treated this journey like a vacation, showing interest in everything.
Upon arriving in Dou County, Zhang Fang received a letter from Prime Minister Zhang, accompanied by some clothing prepared for him. As they moved forward, the wind grew stronger and the nights became cooler. Concerned that Zhang Fang might catch a cold sleeping in the wild, Prime Minister Zhang supplied him with warm clothing.
Zhang Fang used a messenger to send his reply back to the capital, then asked Hao Zhuang to take him to the money house to withdraw funds. After receiving the money, Zhang Fang handed over some silver to Hao Zhuang, instructing him to buy new clothes and more provisions for the young ones.
Once his instructions were complete, Zhang Fang was taken to the entrance of the Dou County jail. Shih Houde had already coordinated with the local jailer, ensuring Zhang Fang would have a single cell, free from disturbances.
The conditions in Dou County jail were even worse than in Mo Prefecture, with a stench that was suffocating. The smell of decay nearly caused Zhang Fang to faint, forcing him to cover his nose and mouth as he walked forward.
“Not long ago, a prisoner died in here, hence the strong odor. I ask for your understanding, Young Master Zhang!” the jailer explained awkwardly. He then added, “The cell prepared for you is at the far end. It has a window, good lighting, and ventilation. I assure you, it doesn’t have such a terrible smell!”
Zhang Fang quickened his pace, passing by the cell where the Lin family was held without stopping.
The Lin family fixed hopeful gazes on Zhang Fang. Lin Zheng was about to speak up to ask Zhang Fang for a better cell, but to his surprise, Zhang Fang didn’t even glance in their direction and walked straight past them…
Caught up in escaping the putrid smell, Zhang Fang ignored the Lin family, failing to notice three young men observing him intently from the opposite cell.
“Did Young Master Zhang just walk past us without acknowledging us…” a distant relative of the Lin family said in disappointment.
Lin Zheng turned and scolded, “What? Do you want to share a cell with Young Master Zhang? Have you forgotten your identity? What makes you think you’re worthy?!”
The young man fell silent, bowing his head and holding his nose as he continued to tolerate the nauseating stench.
The odor was overwhelming, making people feel dizzy and nauseous. Unfortunately, Zhang Fang didn’t care about them, leaving the Lin family with no choice but to endure.
The three male prisoners in the opposite cell watched the Lin family with cold eyes.
The youngest youth disdainfully remarked, “That group over there must have once been from a wealthy family. It’s truly unfair that corrupt officials aren’t punished!”
Lin Zheng: ???
Suddenly besmirched, Lin Zheng shot an unhappy glare at the youth in the opposite cell, covering his mouth and nose.
One of his fellow inmates pointed at Lin Zheng and responded, “Look, he’s glaring at you.”
The youth sneered, “I, Mu Qing, despise corrupt officials who oppress the common folk. Even if they are prisoners now, if I get the chance, I will make them pay!”
Lin Zheng: !!!
What the hell! He had no connection to this person. They were complete strangers, and while the youth harbored animosity toward corrupt officials, he had the nerve to bully Lin Zheng, a prisoner. How shameless!
Lin Zheng couldn’t help but retort, “Brother, we do not know each other, right? As the saying goes, why rush to harm those similar to you? Both of us are prisoners now. There’s no need for a fellow criminal to target another.”
Mu Qing stood up and spat outside, defiantly declaring, “I’ll definitely beat you, you scoundrel!”
Is this person out of their mind?
Lin Zheng was enraged. He prayed that this hot-headed individual wouldn’t be sent to the frontier! He was genuinely afraid of getting entangled with this troublemaker. Although Zhang Fang would protect them, it was under the watchful eyes of the officials. If the Lin family was bullied by other prisoners, Zhang Fang’s ability to help was uncertain.
All prisoners were criminals, and in the eyes of the ruthless, there was no distinction between noble and lowly. Once they were in this situation, it mattered little; some extreme individuals might even choose to lash out recklessly.
The Lin family trembled; they were old, weak, and women and children. Some male members of their family had already fled before being captured, and that young man exuded hostility toward them, accompanied by two strong companions who looked like martial artists. If it came to banishment, this large group from the Lin family was no match for the three youths.
Seeing the Lin family shrink back, Mu Qing sneered and turned to speak with his companions, “That kid from earlier is a criminal too, yet the jailer treats him well. Someone must be backing him. It’s clear this bunch has become the lapdogs of that Young Master Zhang.”
Yuan Chuan fiddled with a stone in his hand and responded nonchalantly, “I think that kid is also banished. If he had someone behind him, how could he end up in such a position?”
Chang Bao pulled on some straw, saying, “He’s either taking the fall for someone or temporarily exiled. After the storm passes, his backer will seek to absolve him.”
Kicking the air in frustration, Mu Qing cursed, “These elites who shield the wicked ought to be damned!”
Yuan Chuan lazily lay down, saying, “The law is merely a tool for the powerful to oppress the commoners. These high officials only care about their own interests; they won’t lift a finger for our lives.”