Chapter Seven: The Imperial Prison

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The two imperial guards exchanged a silent glance, their eyes flickering between astonishment and amusement, as if some unexpected chord had been struck deep within them. Moving with seamless coordination, one stepped forward to block the surrounding gaze, while the other deftly caught the small hand and smoothly pulled it back. As he withdrew, he tugged the high-rolled sleeve, instantly concealing the pair of long-life and prosperity rings gleaming on the pale wrist.

With a quick sweep, the cloth bag was gathered up. Unable to resist, one of the guards ruffled the tangled hair of the person struggling to remove the gold rings, then without meeting their dazed stare, carried the bag over to where Li Zelin stood, utterly dumbfounded by the scene.

Raising the bag, the two guards feigned sternness. “Hand it over willingly, lest we search you ourselves.”

Meeting their gaze, Li Zelin suddenly understood, hurriedly complying.

One by one, the jade pendants, fragrant sachets, coin pouches, and the jade hairpin were all removed and placed into the bag. Even the jade-studded waistband was taken off without protest.

Pleased with Li Zelin’s cooperation, the guards refrained from a thorough search, though their earlier leniency shown to the young lady was now gone.

They appraised the empty outer robe billowing around Li Zelin, nodded, then passed by the father and daughter, heading toward more family members at the rear.

Once they were gone, Li Zelin exhaled deeply, quickening his steps to pull his daughter into his arms. With a sweep of his large sleeve, he shielded her hands, then surveyed the surrounding cries and chaos of the search. His heart swelled with gratitude toward the two figures moving through the crowd.

“Father? Father?”

Nestled in his arms, Chaoxiao gently tapped his shoulder, sensing his distraction.

Li Zelin snapped back, drawing his gaze away and clutching his daughter tighter, lowering his voice.

“Chaoxiao, no matter what happens, don’t be afraid. Even if we get separated, stay calm and obedient, and most importantly, protect yourself, okay?”

Chaoxiao looked serious, then reversed their hands to comfort him. “Father, I’m not afraid.”

“Ah!” Li Zelin smiled wryly at his daughter’s concern, patting her back gently. “Alright, Father isn’t afraid. Father is fine, and Father will never let anything happen to you. Be good, Chaoxiao. With Father here, I will find a way to keep you safe.”

Curled against his shoulder, Chaoxiao watched her distracted father muttering softly, his gaze wandering, his thoughts racing. She rolled her eyes.

Mother was right—Father’s face might be handsome, but his brain was ‘not quite there’. Before leaving, she was told to watch over him, lest he make a fool of himself.

Indeed.

“Well then, the time grows late. I must return to the palace to report. We will escort them to the imperial prison.”

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“What?”

“To the imperial prison?”

“The King of Hell weeps, even ghosts tremble—once inside the imperial prison, blood runs like rivers.”

“Mother, mother, I’m scared…”

The commanding officer’s words shattered the tender moment between father and daughter. The entire household of the Bo family was thrown into panic, voices rising in shrill cries, children wailing. Even Li Zelin, who had been calm moments before, now trembled, losing his composure.

The imperial guards gave them no time to dwell on their fear, nor would they halt their advance because of it.

At the command, the guards split into two groups—one continued searching the Bo estate, the other began driving the captives forward.

“Everyone up! No more crying. Move! Move! If anyone dares to waste time, be warned—our blades don’t discriminate!”

The gleam of their embroidered spring knives flashed in the sunlight, causing even the bravest among the Bo family to shrink back in fear.

Despite their terror, none dared to delay. Mothers clutched their children; children shielded their mothers; husbands led wives; concubines followed. Each one rose with downcast eyes, resigned, and was driven toward the great gate of the Bo estate.

Li Zelin needed no urging. Seeing his eldest brother supporting their mother at the front, he hesitated only a moment before clutching Chaoxiao and hurrying after them.

Outside, the autumn sun hung warm and bright in the sky. Stepping through the grand gate of prosperity, the path ahead was uncertain.

Li Zelin held Chaoxiao tightly, casting a glance back at the signboard of the Bo estate — the same signboard, yet everything else had changed beyond recognition. Closing his eyes briefly, he opened them again to the shouts and scolds of the imperial guards, the scornful gazes of passersby, the pointed fingers of commoners.

This pain etched itself deep, clinging like worms to bone. Though a man proud and resolute, Li Zelin felt powerless—his only choice was to protect his daughter fiercely from the surrounding cruelty.

“Chaoxiao, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. Father is here, always here…”

Resting her head on his shoulder, Chaoxiao felt his tense frame beneath her small hands. She paid no heed to the stares or contempt. Like the mother who once soothed her to sleep, she gently stroked his back, whispering comfort.

Feeling the warmth through his shoulder, a surge of tears broke free from Li Zelin. He buried his face in her shoulder, letting the tears blur his vision, but inside, a steely resolve rose.

Feeling the change, Chaoxiao stiffened, pausing her gentle caress.

Sure enough, Father was still Father—he was crying after all. Sigh.

Well then, Father was left to her by Mother. No matter how foolish he was, she would comfort him.

Captured and shackled, Chaoxiao clung to her foolish father as they passed down the long street, watched by former friends and enemies of the Bo estate, tormented by the judgment of the capital’s citizens, until they finally reached the imperial prison.

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Crossing the prison gates, they traversed a long square, then stepped into the cold, foreboding entrance marked by the dungeon sign. They descended the steps and stopped at the interrogation hall of the prison. The warden, accompanied by guards, emerged to receive them.

“Men over seven years old go to the male cells. Those under seven may stay with their female relatives in the women’s cells. Line up properly—don’t make us ask twice.”

A thunderous command rang out in the hall. The prisoners shrank back, instinctively forming lines.

His daughter must not be sent to the male cells!

Hearing the order, Li Zelin’s expression suddenly changed. He hurried forward, holding Chaoxiao, approaching his mother and eldest brother.

“Mother, eldest brother.”

Both turned to him.

Old Lady Luo’s face, worn and ashen, maintained its solemnity. “What is it?”

Li Zelin’s elder brother, Li Zecheng, eyes flashing with sharp light, asked quickly, “Second brother, do you have a plan?”

Li Zelin paused, then forced a bitter smile, ignoring their mother’s coldness. He cast an apologetic glance at his eldest brother and gently placed Chaoxiao down, pulling her forward.

“Mother, eldest brother, I… when we are separated into cells, I fear I cannot bring Chaoxiao with me.

This child is pitiful, without her own mother’s care. Though you dislike Chaoxiao, she is still your legitimate granddaughter. If she must be placed in the women’s cells, I beg you, for my sake, watch over her.”

Li Zelin’s voice trembled with heartfelt plea. After speaking to his mother, still uncertain, he turned to his brother.

“Eldest brother, I am powerless and ashamed. I beg you to consider our blood relation and have your wife care for Chaoxiao in prison. I would be forever grateful.”

Old Lady Luo was stunned, gradually awakening from her grief. She saw that her once proud son, in the family’s darkest hour, thought only of his child—no clan, no brothers, no parents, not even his own mother.

Her heart churned with complex emotions, leaving her speechless for a moment.

Yet Li Zelin remained focused solely on his brother.

This was the first time his younger brother had ever asked him for help. Li Zecheng’s eyes softened with pity as he glanced back at his wife standing a few steps behind.

“Wife, what do you think?”

Xiao Luo, Old Lady Luo’s niece, hesitated briefly but nodded after considering her husband’s words.

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