My spirit appeared on the road to exile, and I was treated as an ancestor.

Chapter 49 The Inmates Cause Trouble
"Does the Lu family have a tinderbox?"

"It doesn't look like a tinderbox!"

A tinderbox isn't that bright.

"The firelight was dim and yellowish, but it looked as white as day..."

The prisoners were filled with emotion, and some immediately recalled the night the Lu family's spirits had manifested, exclaiming, "Divine magic..."

"No wonder the Lu family isn't afraid of the cold! Immortal arts!"

"It must be a divine technique, there's no mistake!"

Someone shouted, "Let's all go over there and ask the gods to protect us!"

"Yes! If they are gods, why do they only protect the Lu family? Aren't we human too?!"

The prisoners' emotions were immediately stirred up, and they all clamored to go to the Lu family to beg for help.

Li Si, who was supposed to be keeping a close watch on the prisoners, coldly observed this scene.

The junior officer standing nearby was a little nervous. "Shouldn't we go and do something about it? What if something bad happens..."

Li Si sneered, "I'm not afraid of making a big enough scene."

As long as both sides start fighting, you won't even need to carry a knife; the good stuff will naturally come your way.

"But over there..."

"What are you afraid of? What can that coward Du Hangwu really do to us? Don't forget we're all from the same village!"

Li Si was emboldened, convinced that Du Hangwu wouldn't dare to do anything to him, otherwise how would he explain it to his relatives in the village?

At this moment, the prisoners, realizing that the officials were ignoring them, broke away from the group and rushed to the Lu family's residence, blocking their path. "Lord Lu! Please save us! It's so cold today, we're all freezing to death!"

An old man burst into tears, crying out, "You are a high-ranking official! How can you bear to see us common people suffer?"

Song and the others were startled. Xu held her daughter in her arms and looked on blankly.

The members of the Lu clan immediately followed Lu Xingyao to protect everyone at the front, trying to force these people to retreat. "My grandfather has long since lost his official position. Our Lu family cannot bear the honor of being addressed as Grand Secretary by you all!"

Lu Zhou said with a stern face, "If you feel cold, you should go find the officials. It's no use coming to us. We're freezing too. Do you expect us to give you the clothes we're wearing?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the few constables not far away, holding his knife and ignoring them, clearly indicating that he would not get involved in the matter.

A woman carrying a child was pushed to the front, shivering from the cold. She pleaded, "Please, sir, have mercy! I can get cold, but my child can't! Please save my child, I beg you! I'll kowtow to you!"

As she spoke, she knelt down and kowtowed heavily to Lu Qing and the others, until her forehead was red and bleeding. The Lu family tried to help her up, but the woman trembled all over and refused to get up, her eyes filled with tears.

Lu Qing wanted to go forward for a closer look, but Gu Xingzhao stopped him, saying, "Don't go over there."

Lu Qing asked, puzzled: Why?
Gu Xingzhao coldly looked at the people who had gathered around, "Those officials have been watching you for a long time. They're ignoring these troublemakers now because they want to see you fight so they can reap the benefits."

“The child in this woman’s arms is dead. It looks like it’s been there for at least two days. It must have been pushed out. They’re all after you.”

Making the women and children kneel in front was a sure way of ensuring that Lu Qing wouldn't be able to bear it. If he actually went over there at this moment, he would be stuck in a high position and unable to get down.

Lu Qing gripped his cane tightly, his face grim. How dare these people exploit children and women like this!
Gu Xingzhao sighed. It was already difficult for women in ancient times, let alone now that they were in exile and were considered criminals. If they had someone to protect them like the women of the Lu family, things would be better.

Those without family protection might seek refuge with government officials to survive, but not all officials were willing to do so. The remaining women, children, and infants either starved to death or were forced into prostitution, ultimately leading lives worse than death. The most tragic were those who, despite having family by their side, were used by their families to exchange for food and clothing, like the woman before us, who pleaded with the Lu family while her eyes kept glancing at the men over there.

She sympathized with these people, but she couldn't save everyone, and not everyone was worth saving.

Lu Qing looked grief-stricken, unable to intervene in the scene before him, and was in great distress.

Noticing his emotions, Gu Xingzhao comforted him, "Du Hangwu is ahead, he'll come over when he hears the commotion, just bear with it a little longer."

Lu Qing: I understand what our ancestors meant.

They can only protect themselves now and can't care about others.

Princess Shunyu was all alone, and the Liu family was reasonable, so they were able to help her a little. But these people in front of us are a mess, and helping them would only create endless troubles.

Because of Li Si and others' indulgence, these people completely caused trouble, to the point that the Lu family members were forced to stop in the middle and unable to move forward.

The cries grew louder and louder, as if they would stay there and refuse to leave if the Lu family didn't help them.

Soon, sensing the commotion behind the group, Du Hangwu strode over, carrying a large knife. Seeing a group of prisoners surrounding the Lu family, crying and making trouble, his face turned frosty. "What's all this fuss about!"

Lu Xingyao spoke first, "Sir, it's not that we wanted to cause trouble, it's just that these people suddenly blocked our way and demanded that we take off our clothes and give them to them!"

Du Hangwu's face was gloomy. Li Si and a few others were in charge of watching over this group.

It seems he didn't take his own words to heart.

He grabbed one of the troublemakers by the collar and slammed him to the ground, kicking him mercilessly with every blow.

They beat the man until he was bruised and swollen, and he was curled up on the ground begging for mercy. The other troublemakers dared not cry out anymore and huddled behind him, afraid of being beaten as well.

But some fearless individuals still shouted from behind, "Sir! The Lu family isn't afraid of the cold; they must have received some divine treasure!"

Why should they be the ones to have it, while we have to freeze?

These words sparked resentment among the other inmates towards the Lu family. "Yeah! We're all leaving together, what kind of logic is this?"

"It must have been the Lu family who pocketed it!"

"Exactly! We have to make them hand it over!"

The Lu family members were so angry that their faces turned red. Why should these people use the things that their ancestors gave them?
The medicine was given to the Liu family because Imperial Censor Liu died advising the Lu family, and to Princess Shunyu because she had delivered medicine to the old man in the imperial prison.

These people are always demanding things; they're so shameless!
The Lu family only regretted that they had been too disciplined and read too many books in their lives. Now, even if they wanted to curse their father, they could only utter the words "it is an insult to culture."

The emotions of these criminals had reached their peak, and they stirred up the emotions of those around them as well. Gu Xingzhao looked at Du Hangwu, wanting to see how he planned to handle the situation.

Before Du Hangwu could speak, Li Si grabbed his knife and jogged over, feigning breathlessness, "Boss! Let me talk to them, let me talk to them!"

Du Hangwu watched Li Si put on an act with cold eyes.

Li Si drew his broadsword and shouted at the troublemakers, "What are you making a scene about! You dare to ask for the Lu family's things?!"

"You all have arms and legs, yet you're all waiting for the Lu family to give you handouts? Are you all cripples?!"

(End of this chapter)