Chapter 68: Prison Investigation

Yihu hesitated for a long while. Beside him, Eggy tugged at his sleeve and said, “Tiger, let’s help him. We’re idle anyway, and when have those constables ever treated us like human beings? When have they shown us any kindness, except for their fists and kicks?”

“That’s right, Eggy is right,” Pebble chimed in. “Tiger, Yage is our brother. What is it to do something for a brother? Not only do we get a chance to vent our anger, but we also help Yage. Why not?”

Eggy smacked Pebble on the head, laughing. “Why not? When did you start speaking so pretentiously? Do you really think a few days in the schoolroom makes you a scholar? I know exactly how much you know.”

Pebble retorted, “Where did that come from? We need to help Yage first—stop undermining me. Besides, when we were young, I used to listen in on lessons outside the private school. I know a thing or two, don’t I?”

Chen Yage watched as the two quarreled over a single sentence, and her restlessness eased considerably. She thought to herself, how many people in our time truly wish to study? Yet here they longed for learning so desperately. Regret crept into her heart for not working harder herself and wasting precious years. She silently vowed that if she ever had money, she would build a few schools for children eager to learn but hindered by poverty.

“Yihu, I know this puts you in a difficult position. You don’t want your brothers to take risks, and I understand you. Having someone like you as their big brother is their fortune and their blessing...” Chen Yage gazed wistfully into the night sky, feigning a smile, but Yihu interrupted her.

“Your business is our business. Don’t worry. We may be beggars, but we’re not useless. The fact that you’d come to us for help is proof enough that you value us, and being friends with you is fate. Tomorrow morning, we’ll scout out the prison and come up with a plan. Once we have it, we’ll act right away. We won’t let you down!”

Chen Yage was deeply moved by Yihu’s words, a joy she’d never known welling in her heart. That night, she and the group slept fully clothed on straw, sleeping soundly, with a peace she had never before experienced.

The next morning, Chen Yage rose early and headed to the Xu residence to wait for You Huan and Meng Haoran. Soon, the two hurried over. You Huan, catching sight of her, couldn’t help but tease, “You look radiant and full of energy. Had a good night’s rest, did you?”

She shot him a glare, then waved her right hand in front of his face. He looked puzzled. “What are you doing?”

“Do you have any silver?” Chen Yage asked, her tone full of mystery. You Huan was momentarily taken aback, shook his head, then nodded, and fished out a small ingot of silver from his breast. “You—”

Before he could finish, Chen Yage snatched the silver from his hand and held out her palm to Meng Haoran. Meng, understanding, took out another ingot and placed it in her hand, then asked in confusion, “Are you out of money? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Any more?” Chen Yage extended her hand again.

Meng Haoran produced yet another ingot, placing it in her palm, though he still had no idea what she wanted the money for and was too embarrassed to ask.

Satisfied, Chen Yage gripped the silver in her hand and smiled. “I’ll leave Xu Jin to you two. I have something else to do. By the way, Xu Jin was summoned back by Master Xu in a hurry last night. There must be something urgent. Wait for me here. I’ll come find you.” With that, she turned and dashed away. In a blink, she’d vanished into the distance, leaving Meng Haoran and You Huan to exchange helpless smiles before heading into the Xu residence together.

Chen Yage took the silver and bought a jug of wine and a duck from a shop, then, in high spirits, made her way to the prison. This time, she was wiser; she didn’t say she was there to visit Li Bai, only that she was visiting her elder brother. Dressed in men’s clothes with a cap low over her face, the guards didn’t get a good look at her. She slipped the remaining silver into a guard’s hand, who, without a word, let her in.

Stepping once more into the dim, damp cells, Chen Yage was filled with mixed emotions. She felt a sudden, reckless urge to break Li Bai out. The aroma of wine and duck in her hands was irresistible, and the prisoners nearby surged towards her, trying to snatch her food. Fortunately, the corridor was wide enough that these bedraggled men could barely brush the hem of her clothes. In the past, she would have been terrified, but now she felt much calmer.

She thought of how many here had committed only petty theft, yet, for lack of money, lingered in these sunless cells day after day, year after year, with no hope of release. The so-called prosperity of the Great Tang was only for the wealthy; the poor had always been insignificant, no matter the era.

Before she knew it, Chen Yage had reached the innermost cell. Li Bai watched her approach step by step and stop outside his cell. His voice was hoarse and weak. “Why are you here?”

“Didn’t you want me to come?” Chen Yage handed the wine and duck to him. “Eat. Drink some wine to warm yourself.”

“Where did you get the money?” Li Bai accepted the wine and duck and asked quietly.

Chen Yage smiled faintly, “Don’t worry. I neither stole nor robbed. Eat and drink in peace.” Her smile, though bright, was tinged with bitterness—a sorrow perhaps only she understood.

Li Bai said nothing more, only ate and drank in silence. After a long while, he shifted and accidentally pulled at his wound, furrowing his brows in pain.

Chen Yage slapped her forehead, apologetic. “I’m sorry, Brother Bai, I forgot to bring you medicine. Wait here, I’ll go buy you some right now—just wait for me...”

“Wait—” Li Bai called out, but before she could respond, Chen Yage had already turned and run straight into a wall of people. Looking up, she saw that it was Xu Jin.

Xu Jin, seeing Chen Yage’s look of surprise, smiled instead of getting angry. “Surprised to see me? Where are you rushing off to? Coming to find me?”

Chen Yage took a step back, completely caught off guard by Xu Jin’s sudden appearance in the prison. Weren’t You Huan and Meng Haoran supposed to be looking for him? Glancing aside, she saw You Huan and Meng Haoran gazing at her apologetically. Clearly, their attempt at persuasion had failed. Discouraged, she lowered her head, but quickly lifted it again, her eyes bright as she met Xu Jin’s gaze. “Shall we talk outside?”

Xu Jin refused, “No. Isn’t this a good enough place? With so many people here, if rumors spread that I bullied a woman in private, wouldn’t I suffer a great loss?”