mtl008 Chapter 238 Struggle
Chapter 238 Struggle
The Dali Temple prison is like a forgotten, secluded corner of the world, shrouded in endless gloom.
Upon entering this place, a musty, pungent odor assaults the senses like a ghost. It is the musty smell accumulated over the years, the lingering sweat of desperate people, and the faint, intertwined scent of blood and decay, lingering in the nostrils and impossible to shake off.
The surrounding walls are made of huge, rough stones, with the marks of time etched on them. Moss spreads wildly in the dark crevices, as if silently telling the story of the desolation and loneliness of this place.
The faint light struggled to squeeze in through the narrow, high-up ventilation opening, only to be quickly swallowed up by the thick darkness, barely managing to outline a few hazy shadows in the dusty air, like ghosts wandering among them.
The cell was cramped and the floor was damp and muddy, whether from seepage of groundwater or the lamentations of prisoners in the past, it was hard to tell.
The iron chains crisscrossed and hung from the corners of the walls and the fences, making a chilling rattling sound with the slightest sway, as if whispering the cruelty and pain of the past.
In the corner, one can occasionally see a dilapidated pile of straw, its original color long since stained beyond recognition. Rats may be seen scurrying about on it, their eyes gleaming eerily in the darkness, like the watchful eyes of demons.
Deeper inside, the suppressed groans and sobs of the prisoners could be faintly heard, rising and falling like a desperate lament, echoing for a long time in the silent cell. Everyone who stepped into this place was shocked by the hellish scene and atmosphere, and felt a chill in their heart.
Choi Jiho stood ramrod straight in the cell, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction and resentment as he stared directly at Bae Hyun.
Pei Xuan, dressed in a black robe, stood with a cold and aloof demeanor. He raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of impatience: "Cui Zhihao, stop making futile struggles. The Dali Temple will make a fair judgment on the crimes you have committed."
Cui Zhihao sneered: "Pei Xuan, don't pretend. I, Cui Zhihao, have done nothing wrong. I have only offended some powerful people, which is why I have been framed by your Dali Temple. I am only worried about Miss Shi. She was arrested with me. Please do not make things difficult for her."
A barely perceptible emotion flashed deep in Pei Xuan's eyes: "You don't need to worry about Miss Shi's matter. If she is innocent, she will naturally be released."
"Besides, it was His Majesty's order to arrest Miss Shi. I advise you to take better care of yourself."
The flickering candlelight illuminated Choi Ji-ho's resentful face behind the iron bars.
Despite his prison uniform, he couldn't hide his air of nobility. At this moment, his face was full of anger as he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Pei Xuan, don't be so smug! You've humiliated me like this. When I get out, I'll make sure you regret it!"
Pei Xuan, dressed in a black official robe, stood tall outside the prison, his brows furrowed, filled with helplessness. This wasn't the first time he'd witnessed Cui Zhihao's arrogant behavior, but each time he was utterly powerless against this ancestor.
The moment the signboard of the Cui family of Qinghe was lit, it seemed like an invisible shackle, binding his hands and feet. Just as the standoff was reaching its conclusion, a jailer rushed in, shouting, "My lord, His Majesty's decree has arrived!"
Pei Xuan hurriedly straightened his clothes and knelt down to receive the imperial decree. After the eunuch who was delivering the decree finished reading it, he was ordered to immediately transfer Cui Zhihao to the Ministry of Justice prison.
Standing up, Pei Xuan glanced at Cui Zhihao, who was still cursing in the cell, and sighed inwardly. This Cui Zhihao came from the Cui clan of Qinghe, a family of such high social standing that it was like a palace in the clouds, a prestigious family that many people could not reach even in their entire lives.
His family had produced officials for generations, and his students and former officials were all over the country. He had always been a model for scholars, and his pen could shake the imperial court.
But who could have predicted that such a man would lose his mind over a woman, causing turmoil in the court and ruining his promising future?
Pei Xuan, as a member of the Pei clan of Hedong, appears to be from an extraordinary family to outsiders. However, he knows his own family situation best. Compared to the Cui clan of Qinghe, he is like a star compared to the moon, falling far short.
Take the Dali Temple's handling of cases as an example. When facing ordinary criminals, the yamen runners would act swiftly and decisively at his command. But when it came to Cui Zhihao, even if he became a prisoner, he would have to think twice.
"Take good care of Lord Cui and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Pei Xuan gave instructions to his subordinates, his voice cold yet conveying an undeniable caution.
The subordinates quickly bowed in agreement, their faces showing that they understood perfectly.
Who doesn't know that Lord Cui is of extremely high status? Even though he is now trapped in this small cage, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. If he is not careful and angers his superiors, he will lose his head.
The jailers opened the cell door quietly, their movements carrying a hint of awe. When they put shackles on Choi Ji-ho, they dared not use force, for fear of bumping or knocking him over.
Choi Ji-ho strode out, and as he passed Bae Hyun, he didn't forget to sneer, "Lord Bae, until we meet again."
That look in his eyes suggested that this ordeal in prison was nothing but a farce, something that would be over in an instant. Pei Xuan clenched her fists, watching him leave, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
He couldn't understand what kind of person that woman was, that she could make a proud and arrogant young master like Cui Zhihao abandon everything and be willing to become an enemy of the world.
Compared to the Dali Temple prison, the Ministry of Justice's prison had an even more eerie atmosphere, with moss crawling all over the corners and a stench of decay permeating the air.
Choi Ji-ho was brought in, but seemed oblivious, sitting with his head held high on a pile of damp, withered grass, his gaze distant, as if lost in memories of the past.
The woman's every smile, every gesture, haunted his mind like a ghost. She was just an ordinary woman, whom he met by chance, yet she touched the softest part of his heart.
To protect her and to seek justice for her, he was willing to abandon the rules of the court and the expectations of his family, but in the end he still failed and ended up in this state.
A few days later, Pei Xuan finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and took advantage of his position to come and inquire.
Upon seeing him, Cui Zhihao's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Lord Pei, are you here to laugh at me?" Pei Xuan shook his head, his gaze sincere: "Brother Cui, I only want to know what kind of magic that woman possesses that makes you so eager?"
Choi Ji-ho stared into the dark corner for a long time before slowly speaking: "In the eyes of the world, she may be as insignificant as dust, but to me, she is the warm sun of spring, warming my heart that has been cold for too long in the quagmire of power struggles."
"When I first met her, she was being bullied by a thug. Everyone else watched coldly, but she alone, though her eyes showed fear, remained stubborn and unyielding, fighting back with all her might. At that moment, all the propriety, morality, and family honor I had learned in my life paled in comparison to her."
Pei Xuan listened quietly, his heart stirred. He had always thought that scions of noble families were all blinded by power and fame, but Cui Zhihao's deep affection was like a hammer that knocked open the hidden corner of his heart.
On the way back to the yamen, Pei Xuan kept hearing Cui Zhihao's words in his mind, and the image of Miss Shi gradually became clearer, as if he could meet her at the corner of the street.
He suddenly realized that love in this world might truly transcend the constraints of social class and power, spreading like wildfire and burning away the defenses of reason. And could he, in this cold and indifferent officialdom, find such a passionate and sincere love?
After that, the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice had frequent exchanges due to the case of Cui Zhihao. Every time Pei Xuan saw Cui Zhihao, his eyes showed not only the scrutiny of a colleague, but also a sense of mutual respect.
The prison that held Choi Ji-ho seemed to have also imprisoned Bae Hyun's heart, which was beginning to stir. In the vortex of power struggles and love, the fates of the three became intertwined, their destination unknown...