Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 725: The Last Struggle (2)_1

Chapter 725: Chapter 725: The Last Struggle (2)_1

The Ministry of Justice’s Prison was right under the Emperor’s nose—those who entered its walls were all serious and significant offenders, marked by the sovereign himself. Should any case of coercion to confess occur, a thorough investigation from above was inevitable. After all, no sovereign would allow himself to be deceived, not even by his own son.

"That’s good, that’s good. My daughter had thought that the prison would be like what the storybooks say, where suspects could be casually beaten and killed!" Mo Yan, upon hearing this, finally set aside that layer of worry.

In fact, the use of extrajudicial torture on suspects was something she knew about only from TV and movies in her past life. It seemed, then, that the laws of Great Chu were somewhat humane, but how many officials could resist temptation and strictly adhere to them was another question.

"By the way, Father, what’s with these books and this quilt?" Mo Yan touched the new cotton quilt, noting that its surface was made of the finest cloth and its cotton stuffing was soft and fluffy, clearly new as well.

Upon hearing this, Mo Qingze expressed his surprise, "Wasn’t it you who sent them last night, asking the Prison Head to deliver them to Father?"

Mo Yan was even more surprised than Mo Qingze and quickly shook her head, "Father, no, your daughter didn’t enter the city last night, so how could I have sent you books and a cotton quilt?"

At this, both father and daughter were stunned, simultaneously wondering who could have impersonated her (the daughter) to send the quilt to him (the father). Could it be some kind-hearted soul from the Ministry of Penal Affairs?

This thought had barely surfaced before both father and daughter immediately dismissed it. Among the numerous cells of the prison, they catered to many offenders, yet none were seen with quilts to cover themselves, nor books to pass the time.

Mo Yan quickly thought of someone and was moved by his attentiveness, also feeling that she had been quite inadequate as a daughter. The previous night, she had tossed and turned in bed, worried her father would be cold or hungry, yet she had not thought to send over a quilt or food to help him stave off the chill and hunger, which was truly remiss.

Mo Qingze, however, couldn’t guess who this person might be. If it were one of his friends, there would be no need to use his daughter’s name. Given that the name had been used, it was clear it was inappropriate to send it under one’s own name.

As for why it was inappropriate to use his own name, he felt this was a question worth delving into deeply! The days awaiting public trial might not be so unbearable after all...

After speaking for a good while longer, they stopped only when lunchtime came around in the cell. Mo Yan, seeing that the meal consisted of white rice, two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and soup, left the prison reassured, inwardly marveling at how the food in the Ministry of Justice’s Prison was better than that of ordinary households.

Yet, this thought was utterly overturned when she passed by a particular cell and saw over a dozen people crammed inside, fighting violently over a cold, hard piece of leftover bun.

Mo Yan had no idea who the mystery benefactor was who surreptitiously arranged for her father, but she felt an immense gratitude for this person.

When she left the prison out of sight of others, Mo Yan slipped a purse to the Prison Head who had escorted her out. Inside the purse were a hundred taels of silver, which she asked him to use to look after her father in the cell.

But the Prison Head waved his hands repeatedly, vehemently refusing to accept it, insisting that someone had already made arrangements, and taking it would break the rules.

Unable to persuade him, Mo Yan could only take back the purse, thanking the Prison Head profusely.

She did not know that the Prison Head had once been a minor soldier under Xiao Ruiyuan and had retired from battle after sustaining a leg injury. Though he appeared no different from a normal person after his leg had healed, he couldn’t exert too much force on it and was restricted from many activities.

Xiao Ruiyuan, unwilling to see the Prison Head, who had followed him for many years, go to waste, arranged for him to work in the Ministry of Justice’s Prison. This time, once Mo Qingze was imprisoned, Xiao Ruiyuan approached the Prison Head and asked him to take good care of him.

The Prison Head regarded Xiao Ruiyuan as a second father, so how could he refuse? Therefore, the preferential treatment Mo Qingze received in prison was all arranged by him.