The prince is more stable

Chapter 527: The Prince in Trouble
Dali Temple Prison.

It was the first time in his life that Zhao Xiaoqian was imprisoned, and he felt very uncomfortable. He stood in the cell, staring at the only small window above, in a daze.

There was a bed in the cell, covered with a layer of straw, which gave off a damp and foul smell. From time to time, a few fleas and bedbugs would jump around on the straw, unwilling to be lonely.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt his scalp go numb when he saw it.

Is this where people live?
So he was locked up in the prison for more than an hour, and Zhao Xiaoqian still stood there motionless, far away from the bed and away from the fleas and bedbugs.

The light in the prison was very dim. Two torches were inserted diagonally on the wall of the long and narrow passage outside the cell, so the outlines of the surroundings could barely be seen.

The jailer, his hand on his sword, patrolled the corridor, cursing impatiently and even spitting at a cell.

I don’t know where the end of the tunnel leads to, but I can vaguely hear shrill screams. I don’t even need to see the pictures, just listening to the sounds makes me feel like I’m in hell on earth.

Despite being in such a harsh environment, Zhao Xiaoqian did not feel a trace of fear.

He has enough confidence in his identity, and no one dares to be violent to him no matter where he is.

However, the environment is really too bad, and I don’t know if the Song Dynasty has a “bail pending trial” policy. I want to go home and miss my father...

The patrolling jailer got closer and closer, and the cursing became clearer and clearer. When passing by the cells of prisoners he disliked, he would even open the cell door and go in, beating the prisoners for no reason. The prisoners screamed and the jailer laughed.

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned. This was too much.

When they were about to reach the cell where Zhao Xiaoqian was, Zhao Xiaoqian stretched out his hand from the wooden bars of the cell and waved to the jailer.

The jailer who was laughing pervertedly in the corridor saw Zhao Xiaoqian's outstretched arm, his laughter stopped, and he walked over curiously.

The light in the cell was dim, but it was enough to see Zhao Xiaoqian's face clearly.

The moment he saw Zhao Xiaoqian, the jailer immediately restrained himself a lot. Although he still had a cold face, he unconsciously bowed to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Obviously, when Zhao Xiaoqian was imprisoned, the jailers in the Dali Temple prison already knew his identity.

Zhao Xiaoqian waved to the jailer through the bars, "Come here, closer."

The jailer approached foolishly.

When he was close enough, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly grabbed the jailer's collar through the fence and pulled him close. The jailer's body hit the fence, and then he slapped the jailer in the face with a loud slap.

The jailer cried out in pain and looked at Zhao Xiaoqian in disbelief.

It has always been the jailers who beat and abused the prisoners, but I have never seen the prisoners beat the jailers in prison. Isn't this going against the will of heaven?
Seeing the jailer's incredulous look, Zhao Xiaoqian was also stunned.

Eye contact has neither words nor voice, so misunderstandings are inevitable.

In Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, the jailer's look now showed his unwillingness to accept the situation.

So Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a moment.

I am the Prince of the Great Song Dynasty, a cousin of the current emperor, with tens of thousands of elite royal soldiers under my command. It is such an honor for such a noble person as me to slap you in the face with my own hands. How dare you be unconvinced?
Seeing the jailer staring at him blankly, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "Do you know who I am?"

The jailer gritted his teeth and nodded reluctantly.

Zhao Xiaoqian added, "It's good that we know each other. Since I've made such a distinguished guest today, I'll first set some rules for you..."

jailer:"…………"

Prisoners set rules for jailers?

Do you want to hear what you said?
The jailer suddenly felt sad and angry. After all the years of working in prison, today was the most aggrieved day.

But he knew Zhao Xiaoqian's identity and knew that he could not afford to offend this living father. Although he was in prison, he had not been convicted by the higher-ups. No one knew whether he would be released suddenly. If he held a grudge against him at that time, it would be easier than crushing an ant.

No matter what social class a person is in, it is his or her instinct to weigh the pros and cons.

So the jailer had no choice but to stand outside the prison door and listen to Zhao Xiaoqian set the rules.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored his emotions and said, "First, I like quiet. I really don't like the noise in the prison. You and the other prisoners had better keep quiet and don't make any noise, otherwise I will get angry."

The jailer's cheeks twitched a few times.

"Secondly, I'm very dissatisfied with this cell. It's too dirty. Come in and clean it for me immediately. I want a brand new bed, bedding, table and chairs. It would be best if there was a Junyao vase on the table with a few orchids in it. Also, get me some books, even erotica albums would be fine."

"Third, I'm quite picky about food. I'll make a list for you later. Someone must go to Zhouqiao and Daxiangguo Temple every day to buy it for me. Especially the soup dumplings on the first floor. They must be rushed 800 miles. They can't be eaten if they get cold..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Xiaoqian saw the jailer staring blankly with empty eyes, and became unhappy. He reached out and slapped him hard in the face again.

"How dare you let your attention wander while I'm talking to you, my high-ranking leader? Remember that?"

The jailer nodded subconsciously, then his face turned bitter again.

"Your Highness, I cannot make the decision..."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "I know you can't make the decision, so I won't make things difficult for you. The rules I just mentioned are for you to pass on to the officials of the Dali Temple and let them handle it. Go ahead, and don't disturb me if there is nothing else." The jailer turned around and left as if he had been pardoned. After taking two steps, he suddenly remembered the rules Zhao Xiaoqian had just set, and immediately stepped lightly, not daring to make any noise.

Knowing that Zhao Xiaoqian was already a prisoner, for some reason, the jailer did not dare to violate the rules he set, for fear of displeasing Zhao Xiaoqian.

Silence returned to the prison.

Zhao Xiaoqian was still standing in the cell, carefully wiping the floor with his feet. After clearing out a relatively clean area, he sat down on the ground.

Being imprisoned today was a result he had expected. After all, killing forty-two officials without authorization was too serious. Even if Han Wei and others did not have the support of the powerful people in Bian Jing, Zhao Xiaoqian would not be able to shirk the charges based on the surface of the matter.

The imperial court's laws can certainly give the powerful some leniency, but that is an unspoken rule and cannot be stated openly.

At today's court meeting, Zhao Xiaoqian openly admitted that he had killed 42 officials. There is no room for maneuver in this matter. Even Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun cannot save him.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian still had confidence that he would be released sooner or later.

Everything has been arranged, it just depends on when public opinion will reach the right time.

In this era where rule by man is more important than rule by law, sometimes the law will compromise with public opinion.

Moreover, Zhao Xiaoqian believed that Zhao Xu would do everything he could to exonerate him. Putting aside the feelings of the past few years, just talking about interests, Zhao Xu's grand plan could not be separated from Zhao Xiaoqian's assistance. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, only Zhao Xiaoqian had the hope of helping him recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that he had been thinking about.

It is precisely because Zhao Xiaoqian has a clear understanding of his own weight that he can behave so calmly after being imprisoned.

Now what needs to be done has been done. All that is left is to endure these days in prison and this harsh and difficult environment.

After traveling through time for several years, it is finally time to endure hardships.

Outside the prison, Liang Zhui, the Dali Temple Secretary, walked hurriedly into the prison corridor.

As soon as he took a step forward, Liang Zhui was forced to take a few steps back by the stench in the prison. He covered his nose and looked at the long and dark passage in front of him with disgust. After several mental preparations, he finally took a deep breath and walked in with gritted teeth.

When he arrived outside Zhao Xiaoqian's cell, Liang Zhui had put on a flattering smile and bowed without saying a word when they met.

"I am Liang Zhui, the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple. I have come to visit His Royal Highness the Prince. I am sorry for causing His Royal Highness to suffer." Liang Zhui said with a flattering smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat cross-legged on the ground, turned his head to look at him, frowned, and then looked behind Liang Zhui without giving up. Seeing that Liang Zhui came alone, Zhao Xiaoqian was unhappy.

"Liang Sicheng?"

"Yes, I am Liang Zhui, your humble servant, here to meet His Royal Highness. Your Highness, please be understanding. Imprisonment is very harsh. If you need anything, just let me know, and I will do it for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately understood: "Did my father send you money?"

Liang Zhui paused, looked around carefully, chuckled awkwardly, and did not answer directly.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded in understanding. "I've received the money, so I have to do the work. Send someone to improve the conditions of my cell. Clean it inside and out, and replace the bedding. Also, it's late today, so I won't be picky. Just send someone to get three baskets of soup dumplings from the first floor. Make sure they're hot..."

Liang Zhui nodded repeatedly in agreement, and his service attitude was much better than that of the jailer just now.

The services you get when you pay for them and when you get them for free are really different.

This is why so many people like to recharge their VIP cards when they have nothing to do. It is not only a matter of face, but more of emotional value.

"I will tell the jailer to do it right away. It will be done for Your Highness within an hour. I guarantee that Your Highness will sleep well tonight." Liang Zhui responded very sensibly.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled with satisfaction: "You have better eyesight than the jailer. No wonder you can become an official. Wait for me to get out later..."

Liang Zhui perked up and looked at him expectantly.

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly, "When I leave, I won't be able to promote you. At most, I promise not to bear grudges and won't beat you up."

The light in Liang Zhui's eyes suddenly dimmed a little.

After laughing awkwardly twice, Liang Zhui said carefully, "After Your Highness was imprisoned, the whole city of Bianjing was in turmoil. Countless people in the streets and alleys were talking about you. Everyone was speaking up for Your Highness..."

"Also, outside the Dali Temple prison, some of your old friends are waiting outside, hoping to come in to visit you. They include the Su Zhe and Su Shi brothers, the son of the Minister of Revenue Cai Jing, your father-in-law, and the children of many powerful relatives in Bianjing."

"If Your Highness wishes to see them, I can arrange it for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a while, then asked, "No more?"

"What's gone?"

"Are these the only ones who want to see me?"

"Yes."

Zhao Xiaoqian was immediately disappointed and said, "Is there no girl who wants to see me? For example, the famous courtesan in the Bianjing brothels, the daughters of powerful families, etc...."

"I'm Zhao Banque. Such a talented and elegant gentleman has fallen on hard times. This is a golden opportunity for the courtesans to vie for my heart. Don't they want to take advantage of this opportunity and completely conquer me?"

(End of this chapter)