Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts
Chapter 478

“What?!”

Hearing that he was going to be locked up for years, Zheng Qiu felt like his world was collapsing.

Years! Not days, not months—years in this dark, sunless prison! Stuck in a place like this for years, wouldn’t he go mad?!

No fine food, no fine wine, sleeping on straw, no visits to the brothels—this was worse than death!

“F-F-Father… is it really that serious? You must get me out of here!” Zheng Qiu clung to his father’s sleeve. “Please don’t scare me like this! I just flirted with a girl—how could this have turned into such a huge mess?!”

Zheng Liu shook his head. “I’m not trying to scare you. Do you even understand what Jinyiwei is?

They investigate princes and dukes, they execute traitors—the current Commander of Jinyiwei holds the Imperial Sword, deeply trusted by His Majesty.

And this time, that Xu Ming guy has the moral high ground.

Xu Ming is notoriously stubborn, and in Wu Capital, his reputation is enormous.

Not to mention—you offended the Eldest Princess of Chu Kingdom!

This whole thing has blown up completely—practically the entire capital knows about it now.

Let me put it this way: If I tried to get you released, it would be seen as defying the laws of Wu Kingdom itself. Do you understand?”

“Ah?” Zheng Qiu’s face turned deathly pale.

“Father… it’s really that bad? Am I really… stuck here?”

It was clear that he still couldn’t accept reality.

Zheng Liu sighed. “Everything I’ve told you is not an exaggeration, nor am I trying to frighten you.

According to the laws of Wu Kingdom, attempting to molest a good woman—and even trying to abduct her—carries a sentence of five years.”

“Then, Father, what should I do?! I can’t be locked up for years!”

Zheng Qiu collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zheng Liu shook his head. “I don’t know what to do either. You’re just too naive—you got played like a fool and didn’t even realize it.

Remember this— in this capital, always keep your head down. Never act recklessly.”

“‘In the future’…?” Zheng Qiu stared blankly at the ground, his whole body feeling numb.

“Father… ‘the future’ is five or six years from now! I have to spend five or six years in this place…”

The more he thought about it, the more despair crept into his heart.

Regret. Deep regret.

But it wasn’t because he realized his mistake—he just felt like he was about to die.

“What are you thinking?” Zheng Liu shot his son a look.

“You think you’re worthy of staying here? Jinyiwei’s prison isn’t a place for just anyone.

You’ll be transferred to one of the Jingzhao Bureau prisons.

Luckily, I have some people there—maybe I can at least make your life a little easier.”

“This…”

For a moment, Zheng Qiu didn’t know whether his father was comforting him or insulting him.

I’m not even qualified to stay here?

Fine. Whatever. As long as life would be a little easier, that was what really mattered.

No, wait— I don’t want to be comfortable in prison—I want to get out!

No prison could compare to the freedom of the outside world!

“Father, are you sure there’s no way out?” Zheng Qiu was still clinging to hope.

Even if he was transferred to the Jingzhao Bureau’s prison, he wouldn’t survive.

No matter how “comfortable” it was, it was still prison—he’d be trapped in darkness.

“There is a way,” Zheng Liu said thoughtfully.

“What is it?!”

Zheng Qiu gripped the iron bars like a drowning man grabbing onto a lifeline.

“This matter also involves the Grand Pillar of the Nation.

If His Majesty is willing to grant him some face, he might be able to persuade Xu Ming to let you go.

If the Emperor himself gives the order, then by extension, you could also be released—or at least have your sentence reduced.

So… relying on the Grand Pillar is one option.”

Zheng Qiu nodded—he thought this was a pretty good idea, and the chances of success weren’t low.

After all, they were talking about the Grand Pillar of the Nation’s son.

Even the Emperor himself had to show the Grand Pillar some respect.

There was no way Jinyiwei would dare convict his son, right?

And this whole situation… it all started because of him.

If the Grand Pillar’s son got off without punishment, then Zheng Qiu’s own chances of being freed would be much higher.

Even if he couldn’t avoid punishment entirely, at least his sentence wouldn’t be as severe.

“Father, you just said that this was one of the methods. What are the others?” Zheng Qiu asked.

“The second method—if you can obtain the victim’s forgiveness, then this whole thing will essentially be resolved.

If she chooses not to pursue charges, then there would be no reason to convict you, would there?

In a little while, Xu Ming will summon you and the Grand Pillar’s son to the court.

When you go up there, you will plead guilty.

No matter what happens in court, no matter what the Grand Pillar’s son says—you will admit guilt. Do you understand?!

I’ll say it again—if you want to live, you will plead guilty!”

“I…” Zheng Qiu swallowed hard.

“Father… is there something more going on here?”

Zheng Qiu might be a spoiled rich kid, but that didn’t mean he was stupid.

Growing up as the son of a high-ranking official, he had some political awareness.

Hearing his son’s question, Zheng Liu’s gaze sharpened—but a moment later, he sighed, looking almost… deflated.

“Politics… is far more complicated than it seems.

To you, it may seem like I hold great power—but in reality, people like me… are nothing more than pieces on someone else’s chessboard.

The best thing we can do is stay out of the game—and make sure we don’t become someone else’s pawn.”

“…”

Zheng Qiu lowered his head and nodded silently.

At the same time, in another prison cell within Jinyiwei’s dungeon…

The Grand Pillar’s son, Mo Yuanshan, sat cross-legged on a pile of straw.

Unlike Zheng Qiu’s wailing and panic, Mo Yuanshan had not spoken a single word since being imprisoned.

He sat there, completely calm—as if he had expected this outcome all along.

Boom…

Suddenly, the entrance creaked open, allowing a shaft of light to pierce the dim prison.

A moment later, the stone door closed again.

Mo Yuanshan opened his eyes, watching as an elderly figure slowly approached him.

He immediately stood up and, with a respectful bow, clasped his hands together.

“Father.”