mtl008 Chapter 240 Cui Zhe Arrives
Chapter 240 Cui Zhe Arrives
Inside the room, the dim candlelight flickered, and Cui Zhihao held Shi Guniang with a look of heartache on his face.
Her body trembled slightly, and Choi Ji-ho gently patted her back from time to time to soothe her emotions.
“That man deserves to die, but he dared to hurt you. You are a weak woman, and now you have been implicated by me.”
“If I weren’t in this cell today, you might very well have had your purity defiled by those filthy hands because of me.”
Choi Ji-ho's voice was low and self-reproachful, his eyes filled with pity and regret.
“Once a woman loses her innocence, you will face even more gossip and inner pain, which is the last thing I want to see.”
"Since I brought you onto this path of officialdom, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, even if it costs me my life, I will protect you. Otherwise, I will never have peace of mind."
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears. Cui Zhihao quickly took off his outer garment, draped it over Miss Shi, and held her protectively in his arms.
Looking up, he saw that the person who had come was none other than his uncle, Cui Zhe. Cui Zhihao quickly nodded in greeting, then looked at the warden with some displeasure.
"What brings you here, Prime Minister Cui? Please forgive me for not being able to pay my respects at this time."
Although Choi Ji-ho's words were respectful, they also revealed a hint of stubbornness.
Cao Demu, the Minister of Justice standing beside Cui Zhe, was furious. He raised his hand to stop his rudeness: "How dare you! You are now prisoners, yet you dare to be so arrogant and disrespectful to the Prime Minister! How insolent! Guards! Bring him to me..."
Before the Minister of Justice could finish speaking, Cui Zhe quickly interrupted, "Lord Cao, please forgive me. This is my nephew. Please excuse me. I have some family matters to attend to. Thank you all for your help."
Cao Demu quickly bowed and nodded repeatedly, saying, "You're too kind, sir. Please leave!"
He then immediately led everyone away from the prison.
After everyone left, Cui Zhe stared at Cui Zhihao without saying a word, but his aura made the atmosphere very serious.
"Alas, Huai'an! For this woman, you actually dared to defy the world and let a mere woman stir up trouble in the court."
"How foolish you are! You've read so many classic texts, how could you not know such a simple truth?" Cui Zhe's voice was full of heartache and helplessness.
"His Majesty has ordered the arrest of these two and their imprisonment in the capital. He has decreed that in three days, in the court, in front of all the civil and military officials, this girl will be executed."
"You'd better watch yourself! No matter what, you are my second brother's only son, and I will definitely step in to protect you."
Cui Zhe paused, then said, "You remember this: if you want to live, you must tell His Majesty that you were bewitched by this woman, which is why you committed this mistake. Do you understand?"
Cui Zhe was furious. He had doted on his nephew since he was a child, but he never expected that he would be bewitched by this witch and commit such a heinous crime.
Cui Zhihao hugged Miss Shi tightly, slowly raised his head, and looked at Cui Zhe with a firm gaze: "Uncle, I know you mean well, but the relationship between Miss Shi and me is not what you think."
“I brought her into the government because of her extraordinary talent and insight. She has never had any intention of stirring up trouble in the court. If there is any fault, it is mine alone, and I will never shift the blame onto her. Even if we face His Majesty’s severe punishment, I will share the burden with her.”
Miss Shi raised her head in Cui Zhihao's arms, her eyes red and swollen but showing stubbornness: "Brother Cui, you don't need to do this. This matter started because of me. I will plead with His Majesty and will never implicate you."
Cui Zhihao looked down at her and gently shook his head: "Miss Shi, don't say anything more. From the moment you embarked on this official career with me, I decided to protect you to the end."
Seeing this scene, Cui Zhe paced back and forth in anger: "Why are you doing this? Huai'an, do you know the dangers in the imperial court? How can your personal feelings cope with this? The great calamity is in three days. Do you think your insistence can change His Majesty's will?"
Cui Zhihao's expression was calm, yet it revealed an unwavering determination: "Uncle, I understand the consequences, but I cannot go against my conscience."
"To me, Miss Shi is not just an ordinary woman. She is a ray of light in my murky official career. If I lose her, I would be as good as dead."
Miss Shi's tears fell again, soaking Cui Zhihao's clothes: "Lord Cui, I have no way to repay your kindness. But I don't want you to lose your family's protection and your bright future because of me."
Cui Zhihao gently wiped away her tears: "Don't cry, Miss Shi. My future and my family are nothing compared to you. I only wish to stay by your side, even if it's just for a moment."
Cui Zhe sighed deeply. Looking at Cui Zhihao's resolute expression, he knew in his heart that he probably couldn't change his mind.
“Huai’an, you are gambling your life on a game you can’t win. Fine, fine, I’ll try to find a way to plead with His Majesty and lessen your punishment.”
"But don't get your hopes up too high. The laws of the imperial court are not easily changed."
After saying this, Cui Zhe turned and slowly left, leaving only Cui Zhihao and Miss Shi in the prison cell.
They sat embracing each other in this dark and damp prison, their heartbeats seemingly their only solace, while an unknown and dangerous fate awaited them.
Cui Zhe had tried every kind word he could to get his disobedient and stubborn nephew to listen to.
Did they think they could change His Majesty's mind with just a few words? Disappointed, he walked out of the prison and encountered the Minister of Justice and others.
Cui Zhe had just noticed the situation in the prison cell and said somewhat displeasedly, "Lord Cao, you still need to keep your subordinates in check. That girl was arrested on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, and she will be brought to court in three days for trial."
"If anything happens within your jurisdiction, I will be unable to protect you."
After Cui Zhe finished speaking, he left the prison, leaving only Cao Demu behind.
Cao Demu then realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "Men, convey my order: those two criminals will be locked in the same cell. They must be treated well every day. If anything goes wrong..."
"Think about yourselves, about your families. Don't blame me for not reminding you, all of you better serve me properly."
Cao Demu was furious at these people who were more trouble than they were worth.
The person imprisoned there is the nephew of the head of the Cui family of Qinghe. How could they possibly offend him? They must have a death wish.
Increasingly angry, Cao Demu rushed into the cell, wanting to explain himself to Cui Zhihao.
“Lord Cui, it is all my fault for not managing my subordinates properly. I have already instructed my men to settle the two of you together.”
Cui Zhihao slightly raised his head, his eyes showing a hint of aloofness and wariness: "Lord Cao, I appreciate your kindness. I only hope that you will not allow others to disturb us again in the future."
Cao Demu nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course. Lord Cui, please rest assured that nothing like today will happen again in this prison."
After Cao Demu left, Miss Shi said softly, "Lord Cui, why did you refuse Minister Cao's kindness? Being imprisoned with me will probably bring you more trouble."
Cui Zhihao looked at her with gentle eyes: "Miss Shi, don't worry. With you by my side, I will not be afraid of any difficulties or dangers. Besides, how can I leave you alone in this prison cell?"
Miss Shi was deeply moved, but couldn't help but sigh, "Lord Cui, I really don't know how to repay you for what you've done for me."
"But how should we respond to the court trial three days from now? His Majesty is furious and I'm afraid he won't let us off easily."
Cui Zhihao gently took her hand: "There's always a way out. Let's stay here and relax. I believe that your uncle won't stand idly by; he will definitely try to influence things in the court."
Miss Shi leaned on Cui Zhihao's shoulder: "I hope so. But I feel really guilty for implicating you and Prime Minister Cui."
Cui Zhihao gently stroked her hair: "Don't mention the word 'implicate' again. I've said it before, all of this was of my own free will. From the moment I brought you into the officialdom, we've shared joys and sorrows."