Zhao Xiang no longer remembered how long he had been in Dali Temple Prison, the silk jacket on his body had long been dirty, and the jacket inside had long been stinky. She came in in the first month, when she was dressed thick and warm, the weather was getting warmer, she was about to lose it, but she was afraid that after taking it off, she would be snatched away by other female prisoners in the same prison, and the night in the prison was still very cold, and it was good to keep clothes to keep out the cold, so she continued to wear a leather jacket and cotton jacket all the time.

The cell she was in was not large, probably less than half the size of her former boudoir, but it housed twenty female prisoners. Although they are basically co-defendants, that is, the female relatives of the criminals who were implicated in the conspiracy of King Ying and Zhu Lifei, their identities are not the same as her. Because Zhao Ze is a military general and only has six grades, the prisoners are not the wives and grandmothers and girls of the high-ranking officials and clans that she is used to dealing with, but the wives and concubines of low-level military attaches and petty officials, among whom they are vulgar and rude. Even if some of them first came in, they were still sven, but in order to let the children get an extra thick coat to keep out the cold on a cold night, they can also turn their faces and peel off their clothes.

Zhao Xiang's grandmother Niu and aunt Xiao Qian have been pampered for many years, and they boast of being the noblewomen of the county government, but after more than two months, they have already been in a mess and have no dignity. When the female jailers brought the prison food, their movements were swift and neat than others, and they quarreled with others, and their pungent appearance was no worse than that of other female prisoners.

Looking at his grandmother and concubine who had become like this, Zhao Xiang felt sad in his heart, and he missed the wealth and honor of the past more and more. Although she only has a father who is a six-rank military attaché, she has the name of the daughter of the county government. has the preference and promotion of King Ying's side concubine Tian, even if her biological mother is a prisoner, she still holds her head high. straightened her waist and made friends with the daughters of those wealthy families on an equal footing, no matter her appearance, talent, skills, and conversation, she was not inferior in the slightest. Her future should be noble and comfortable, as long as King Ying, whom her father was loyal to, succeeds in ascending the throne, their family will become a county government again. Her mother will be able to return home and be a noblewoman comfortably, and her status will be more dignified and decent, and she will live for a few years. found a wishful gentleman, maybe it would be a nobleman of the clan, maybe it would be the son of a princess, or it might be the young master of the Guogong Mansion...... Zhao Xiang never thought about it. There will be a day when I will become a prisoner of the stairs. Compete with these vulgar prisoners for a bowl of rancid rice, or a steamed bun that is harder than a stone.

Why did King Ying fail? And the father, is he already dead?

Zhao Xiang was at a loss, and he only felt desperate in his heart. In two or three days, she will embark on the road of exile with her grandmother and younger siblings, although she can be redeemed with silver, but the Zhao family has been copied, and the Niu family and the Jiang family are too busy to take care of themselves. Who else can ransom her? When her maiden came to visit her two days ago, she had to use the last piece of jewelry on her body to keep the jailer in check. to be able to come in, and you really can't expect those subordinates to raise enough money. And Zhao Yan, who is said to have been released a long time ago, has not heard from him, I don't know if he can't make enough money, or if he plans to abandon his family, Aunt Xiaoqian and his second sister Zhao Man are very convinced that he will come to save them. As for the brother Zhao Ze who is still in the south? She didn't even know if he was dead or alive now. My father is dead, and probably those snobbish clansmen won't be kind enough to help him, right?

There was a low coughing sound in the corner of the cell, and the third sister Zhao Mei curled up her small body, her face was sallow, and her chin was so sharp that she could feel the bones. But Zhao Xiang only felt bored, life in the cell was very hard, but this sister was too weak, she couldn't eat, she coughed all day long, and often cried in the middle of the night, so that her grandmother couldn't sleep well, and everyone else in the cell couldn't help but curse. She's grown so big, why doesn't she have any eyes at all? Zhao Li is a year younger than her, but she is much more well-behaved than her. Sure enough, the species of cheap concubines are inherently stupider than others!

There was a voice of people talking at the door of the cell, and it seemed that the guards were talking. Zhao Xiang pricked up her ears and listened carefully, she wanted to know more about the news outside, the girls who came to visit her might not be able to find out anything, and the jailers were often more well-informed.

Jailer A was a little surprised after listening to Jailer B's whisper: "Really? The Zhao family actually has a concubine outside? And the money to ransom the people of his house? ”

Jailer B chuckled: "God knows what happened to this concubine and how she got the money, but it's not wrong that she came to ransom people." I just heard from someone at Master Fang's book, this time the ransom is being paid, and someone will come to pick up someone in a while, but I heard that it seems that not all the relatives of the Zhao family can go out......"

Zhao Xiang tried her best and only heard a few vague words, but there was one thing she heard clearly, that is, a concubine in the family came to ransom people! Is there any other concubine in the family who has not been imprisoned? It must be Aunt Lian! I didn't expect that slut to have this ability!

Zhao Xiang rolled his eyes, looked back at the sister in the corner, and hurriedly got up and climbed over, took off the leather jacket on his body, and surrounded her tightly. Zhao Mei looked at her blankly, and Zhao Xiang showed a loving smile at her: "Third sister, is it so cold?" Is it a little warmer now? Zhao Mei didn't understand why the eldest sister suddenly became kind to her, but the leather jacket was really warm, she showed a timid smile, and said to Zhao Xiang gratefully: "I'm much warmer, thank you big sister." ”

Zhao Man saw it from the sidelines, and was a little unconvinced: "When did the eldest sister become so close to the younger sister?" My brother also feels cold, why doesn't the eldest sister give him clothes to wear? He is a boy, and he is much more important than Zhao Mei, a money-loser! ”

Zhao Xiang ignored her, but picked up her little sister, patted her gently, and coaxed her to sleep: "Your aunt must be out there to find a way to save us, don't be afraid, we will be able to go out soon." ”

Zhao Man sneered: "Counting on that woman? You might as well hope that my brother will raise enough money to redeem us sooner!" After the ridicule was over, she looked at the leather jacket on Zhao Mei's body with red eyes, and stretched out her hand to grab it: "Where does she need to wear a leather jacket for a little person?" Give my brother the leather jacket, and give her my brother's torn quilt. Zhao Xiang hurriedly stopped her movements and taught her righteously: "What are you doing?" Only cares about his own siblings, isn't the third sister our siblings? As a sister, I don't know how to care for my sister at all. You've read all the books in the dog's belly! ”

The other female prisoners in the cell watched their sisters arguing numbly, not showing the slightest interest. God knows what crazy the eldest daughter of the Zhao family is doing today? On weekdays, isn't she the same as her big sister, ignoring her little sister? I'm going to be a good sister today. Even Niu's. I also feel that my granddaughter has too many things.

At this moment, the master of Dali Temple came over with a few messengers, said a few words to the jailers, and then motioned for them to open the door of the cell. The female prisoners in the surrounding cells were in an uproar, knowing that someone had come to redeem them, but I don't know which family's female relatives had such a blessing?

Zhao Xiang was overjoyed and tried to calm down. picked up the little sister and came to the door. I saw the jailer come over and look at her a few times, then ordered her two sisters, and then Zhao Man and her younger brother Zhao Li: "Sister and brother of the Zhao family." It's these four, who have been verified, come out. Others are honest. As he spoke, he unlocked the door.

Niu and Aunt Xiao Qian were stunned for a moment, and then they showed their joy. Aunt Xiao Qian also said happily: "It must be Brother Yan who came to redeem us!" I said it earlier. He'll be sure to raise enough money! She unceremoniously kicked away the other female prisoner next to her: "Get out of the way." Get out of the way! "It made everyone complain.

But just as she picked up her son and wanted to go out, the jailer stopped her: "What are you doing?!" It's not your share! There are only four people who have been ransomed, Zhao Jue's eldest daughter, second daughter, third son and third daughter, all children under the age of twelve, what does it have to do with you? ”

Aunt Xiao Qian was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Sister, you're not mistaken, right?" How could I not have a share? My son has come to ransom him. How can you not redeem me?! ”

The jailer removed the shackles from the feet of the children, and said impatiently, "I don't know who your son is. But it is not your son who will come to ransom you. ”

"Not playing a brother?" Aunt Xiao Qian was stunned, suddenly thought of Niu's, hurriedly grabbed Niu's arm, pulled her forward, and said to the jailer, "No matter who comes, since you want to redeem my family, you have never left my mother-in-law behind, but only care about the child." You must be mistaken! ”

But the jailer ignored it, pushed a few children out of the door, and pulled Zhao Li from Aunt Qian's arms, pushed him to his two sisters, and closed the cell door with his backhand.

Aunt Xiao Qian cried and kept banging on the prison door: "Don't go, let me out!" You must be mistaken! Niu stood aside in disbelief, while the other female prisoners in the cell were gloating: "If you can't get out, stay honestly, what are you doing in front of the door?" Get out of the way! ”

Zhao Man hugged his younger brother in a panic, and kept looking back at Aunt Xiaoqian under the push of the jailer: "Mother! Mother! Zhao Li burst into tears. Aunt Xiao Qian was awakened by his crying, and shouted while choking: "Sister Man, take care of your brother, go to your brother, and ask him to redeem his mother with silver!" Niu glared at her hatefully, and also said to Zhao Xiang: "Sister Xiang, I want to find someone to borrow money and redeem my grandmother!" ”

Zhao Xiang couldn't figure it out, Aunt Lian came to redeem people, why only ransom a few of them, could it be that she resented her grandmother and Aunt Xiaoqian for treating her badly in the past, so she deliberately left them alone? What a fool, since she Zhao Xiang has come out, is it possible to watch her grandmother suffer in prison? When the time comes, Aunt Lian will not end well! Could it be that their family went into a prison cell and let her go outside for a few days, and then she forgot her identity?!

The jailer brought the four Zhao Xiang sisters and brothers to Master Fang, who only glanced at them and nodded, "Let's go." He led them all the way to the yamen in front of them. Aunt Lian was waiting there, and when she saw her daughter being held in the arms of the eldest lady, she was emaciated and haggard, and she was very distressed, so she hurriedly rushed up and hugged her.

When Zhao Xiang saw Aunt Lian, he said in his heart, "That's really the case", but he didn't say anything. Zhao Man was angry: "It turned out to be you,!" How dare you not redeem my mother? How daring! ”

Aunt Lian glanced at her, didn't say anything, just checked on her daughter, and when she saw that she was coughing, she couldn't help but shed tears, and hurriedly asked Master Fang: "My lord, can I take the child away?" ”

Master Fang said "um": "Go, you can discipline your children well in the future, and don't make mistakes!" ”

Aunt Lian kowtowed to him, then hugged Zhao Mei and turned around to leave.

Zhao Xiang was surprised, and hurriedly stopped her, and suddenly heard Master Fang calling his sisters: "You are Zhao Jue's daughter and young son, right?" ”

Zhao Xiang hurriedly tidied up his clothes and curtsied: "Back to the adult, the little woman is the eldest daughter of Zhao Jue, this is the little girl's sister-in-law and brother-in-law." The one ......" she turned to look at Aunt Lian's mother and daughter. Just as she was about to introduce her identity, she heard Master Fang say: "Since the person is right, then it's okay." You are the children of great rebels. Punish the guilty! Zhao Xiang was taken aback when he heard this, and looked at him with wide eyes, only to hear him slowly pick up the next sentence: "It's just that the emperor and the prince are benevolent, and they have exempted you from capital crimes, changed the sentence to exile, and allowed the old and weak women and children to redeem it." Remember your Grace and always keep it in your hearts. Don't regenerate different thoughts and live up to the emperor's grace, you know? ”

Zhao Xiang bowed his head and responded. Zhao Man also agreed, but he was a little unimpressed. Just a master from the seventh grade, he dares to teach her a lesson, it's really a villain!

Master Fang saw it in his eyes. I don't like it. Determined to beat the children more harshly, and not just to imply that they were done, as they had been told above. So he said: "The official knows that you have no money to redeem yourself, and now you children can get out of prison thanks to the kindness of your nobles. You should be grateful to Dade, and you must no longer have delusions, and no longer think about your benefactor! The Duchess of Zhao County and the son and lady of the Zhao family are kind. I do not bow down to you because of the great enmity of the past, and I pity you when you are young and infirm. I could not bear to see you suffer from exile, so I ransomed you out. But after all, you are a great rebel sinner, and you have done the wrong thing of deceiving the king and destroying your ancestors, but if you still have a little conscience, you should no longer harass your benefactor, and you should always remember the favor of the Zhao family in the future, can you remember? ”

Zhao Xiang was shocked: "Is it a small second room?" They paid for us?! She quickly turned her head to look at Aunt Lian, with a look of disbelief: "You actually begged them?!" Don't you know that we have a great enmity? They killed my mother and put her in prison! ”

Aunt Lian said with a straight face: "I don't know what to hate, the uncle said at home all day long that he is the eldest son and grandson of that family, and he will go back sooner or later." I thought that Hengzhu is a family, you are in trouble, of course you should find them for help, how do you know that there is such an inside story? But no matter how badly you hurt others, that was before I came to the house, and I have no enmity with them. The young master and the girl in the second room are both good people, although you have repeatedly harmed others, they are still willing to redeem you, saying that you are just children, for the sake of the same lineage, let you suffer less. But there is only so much they can do, the Zhao family will not recognize the great rebel as a son, and the county grandfather will not admit that there is such a son if he knows it in the spirit of the sky. They said, "You will do what you want in the future, and whether it is good or bad, it has nothing to do with them." ”

Zhao Xiang trembled with anger, and Zhao Man scolded in a sharp voice: "Don't be so clear, what are you ours, aren't you from our family?!" ”

Aunt Lian sneered and glanced at her: "The second girl's words are ridiculous, it was obviously you who said at the beginning, I am not from your family, I have no name, why don't you recognize it now?" Don't worry, since you have long wanted to drive our mother and daughter away, I am happy to do what you want. I'll leave now, take Sister Mei back to my parents' house, and I won't need you to feed me anymore. ”

Zhao Xiang stared straight: "What?" Do you still want to take Zhao Mei away?! And what about the father? You're not afraid of him......" Suddenly speechless, Zhao Jue didn't know whether he was alive or dead at this time, how could he be Aunt Nailian? There is not even a deed of sale for her at home, and the concubine documents have long been burned by Aunt Xiaoqian......

Aunt Lian sneered: "He was escorted to the noon gate yesterday, and I watched him beheaded with my own eyes and buried him in the soil with my own hands." I waited for him, and in doing so, I was able to fulfill our mutual affection. I don't owe him! If I had known that he was a thief, I would not have married him! ”

After everything that should be said, Aunt Lian tightened her daughter in her arms, recognized that the leather jacket on her body belonged to Zhao Xiang, threw it on the ground, carefully wrapped her daughter with her own clothes, and turned around and walked out.

Zhao Xiang and Zhao Man looked at each other, Master Fang only felt that Zhao Jue's two daughters were stubborn, and the people of the county mansion were obviously kind to them, but they didn't even have a good word, and they were really the daughters of the great rebels, so they didn't bother to say anything: "You guys go, you can do it yourself." ”

When Zhao Xiang and Zhao Man walked out of the back door of Dali Temple with Zhao Li, they happened to see Aunt Lian sitting in a small carriage and walking away. The three sisters and brothers stood in the spring breeze with a bit of chill, and their hearts were at a loss. (To be continued......)