Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 275 - Two Hundred and Eight: Release from Prison_2

Chapter 275: Chapter Two Hundred and Eight: Release from Prison_2

"Don’t disbelieve me."

Xu Yuan sighed softly, his fingers lightly tapping on the tabletop, the gentle "thud", "thud" of the sound echoing:

"To avert any foolish actions you might take against me, within a quarter of an hour, there will likely be a high-ranking official coming to see you. It might be the Minister of Prisons, but there’s a greater chance it will be your master, the head of the Secret Investigation Department. In any case, this person will tell you that he’ll take over the matter."

"You will feel discontented and wronged, but he will use a strong rationale such as ’your rank is not sufficient to handle these matters’ to exclude you."

"And when I see him, I will tell him that you took my Sumeru Ring, and he will demand you return it to me. However, by then, a Yang Marrow Pill will be missing from my Sumeru Ring—nothing too expensive, just about ten thousand taels of silver."

"Of course, he would know you wouldn’t take my things, but he will still return them to me, and then he will place me in the best cell within your prisons, equipped with various formation texts. If I wished, I could even get the jailers to drop by the Hook Bar and fetch a few entertainers to sing and play the flute for me..."

...

...

...

"Why?!!"

A voice filled with anger and grievance echoed in the silent corridor.

Xu Mengxi stared at her master whose face was as still as water, her fists clenched tight: "Master... that Xu Changtian committed assault in broad daylight on the street, are we... just going to let it go?"

"It’s not about letting it go, it’s about me personally interrogating him. You’ve been with the Secret Investigation Department for seven years; you should know how to see the essence through the surface of events."

An elder with patchy white beard and hair spoke earnestly: "This incident involves the Great Desert Court, the current Saint, and Minister Xu. Meng Xi, do you think your official rank and cultivation are sufficient to handle the ensuing investigation?"

"....."

Xu Mengxi looked at the elder with kind eyes in front of her, seemingly understanding, bit her lip corner, her voice a bit hoarse:

"Master... I didn’t touch Xu Changtian’s Sumeru Ring."

The elder smiled and raised his hand to caress his disciple’s drooping cheek, consoling:

"Of course, I know you didn’t."

.......

Ten days later, in the prisons, a loft.

A gentle breeze blew in through the window, the Origin Qi from the Source Crystals filling the entire "cell", while a faint scent of sandalwood gently wafted from a small burner at the head of the bed.

Sitting cross-legged on the balcony, eyes closed in cultivation, Xu Yuan suddenly heard the squeak of the cell door being pushed open from the outside.

Opening his eyes to see the visitor, Xu Yuan dissipated his cultivation technique and smiled:

"What brings you here?"

Xu Mengxi entered the cell with a cold face and asked:

"You didn’t ask my master for that Yang Marrow Pill?"

Caught off guard by her question, Xu Yuan got up and walked to the table, picked up the brewing hot tea, and poured himself a cup of fragrant tea, watching the steam rise as the tea flowed from the pot:

"I don’t lack such things, why would I bully you?"

Xu Mengxi glared at him coldly:

"Stop playing saint here, if you had a chance to oppress others, you’d never miss it."

Glimpsing her, Xu Yuan’s lips quirked slightly:

"You really know me so well, if I had the chance before, you’d probably have to bankrupt yourself and sell your body to sleep with me."

Xu Mengxi’s eyes showed contempt:

"Sleep with you? With your level of cultivation?"

"...."

Turning around, Xu Yuan gave her slim figure an up-and-down glance and laughed:

"Meng Xi, you might not realize, but sleeping isn’t just one action."

"...."

Xu Mengxi was taken aback, then her face flushed with a mix of shyness and annoyance, her hand unconsciously gripping the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Xu Yuan, unconcerned, waved his hand dismissively:

"Enough, stop trying to have a war of words with me; it’s pointless. I’m not asking your master for things because I find bullying someone like you uninteresting."

The casualness in Xu Yuan’s words ruffled Xu Mengxi.

She trembled slightly, like a dog ready to bite at any moment.

Xu Mengxi’s delicate body shook imperceptibly, as though she was about to draw her sword.

Seeing her response, Xu Yuan remained unflustered, sipping tea while watching with interest as she got angry yet tried to appear nonchalant.

After all, this female head of the Secret Investigation Department was neither the Big Ice Lump nor the Washboard Saintess. And right now, he could defeat her.

After a long pause,

Xu Mengxi spoke again, her voice suppressing anger:

"...Xu Changtian, I hope you’re telling the truth."

"Hmm?"

Xu Yuan was initially unclear what she meant: "What truth?"

Xu Mengxi released her grip on her waist sword, standing tall:

"Since even bullying a weak woman isn’t interesting to you, I trust Third Young Master Xu wouldn’t bother harassing the common folk any longer."

"......"

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan suddenly grinned at her, patted her shoulder and said:

"Don’t worry, if I’m to bully anyone now, it’ll be the Sects, the aristocrats, the royals. I won’t resume those trifling acts of the past."

Having said that, Xu Yuan walked directly towards the cell door.

"Slap—"

Xu Mengxi grabbed Xu Yuan’s hand in annoyance:

"Xu Changtian, what are you doing?"

"Leaving prison."

Xu Yuan took it for granted, "Aren’t you here in this cell to take me out?"

Xu Mengxi was quiet for a moment before she took out two iron rings:

"Put these on, I’ll take you to see the Skirmish Lord first."

Xu Yuan extended his hand, laughing:

"Formality."

Xu Mengxi glared at him:

"Don’t be so smug, Xu Changtian. I’ll settle the scores with you for the things you did in the past someday."

Xu Yuan, having the shackles put on, said casually with a smile:

"Judging by your own words, you’ll probably have to wait until you’ve cultivated to the level of a Saint."

...

...

...

After several days, the weather was clear, with not a cloud in the sky.

The imperial prison was situated in the southwestern corner of the inner city of the Imperial Capital, in a rather remote location, with a deep and serene alley outside its walls.

Under the escort of the Skirmish Lord and Xu Mengxi, Xu Yuan was courteously sent out from the prison.

And the moment he stepped out, Xu Yuan saw a black dragon carriage that had been waiting for a long time at the entrance of the alley:

"Since the mansion has already sent a carriage, there’s no need for the Skirmish Lord to see me off."

The Skirmish Lord from the imperial prison was plump and amiable in appearance, insisting on walking him there:

"It’s just a few steps away. I hope you won’t take offense for any shortcomings during your stay in my imperial prison, Young Master Xu."

Xu Yuan glanced at the Skirmish Lord:

"After all, you weren’t prepared, were you? Next time I come, I’ll let Meng Xi know in advance so that you can get ready."

Xu Mengxi kept her face cold and said nothing.

The Skirmish Lord from the imperial prison gave an embarrassed smile.

His position as Skirmish Lord was neither big nor small.

Within the confines of the imperial prison, his word was law, capable of making many seek his favor.

But the problem was that those who sought his favor were either convicts beyond help or someone like the young master here.

Position and power were awkward, so he was very good at knowing his place.

Taking a deep breath, his plump hand wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief:

"The Third Young Master jests. These are all duties I ought to fulfill."

"......"

Walking along the path, as they approached the black dragon carriage.

Suddenly, the Skirmish Lord from the imperial prison stepped forward briskly and bowed to the carriage:

"Prime Minister, the Third Young Master has been released."

"......"

Xu Yuan was stunned at this gesture.

Being released from prison and welcomed by his father personally seemed a bit too grand.

No wonder this plump fellow was personally escorting him.

While the plump official bowed, Xu Mengxi stood in silence on the side, not willing to salute a thief of the state.

After a moment, a steady middle-aged male voice emerged from inside the carriage:

"Lord Skirmish, thank you for this time."

The Skirmish Lord from the imperial prison still had his head lowered, his voice containing a hint of sycophantic laughter:

"Minister Xu, there’s no need for thanks. These ar all tasks I’m supposed to do."

After those words, the small alley fell silent.

After a while,

"Aren’t you getting on? Should I personally invite you?"

"......"

Xu Yuan glanced at the two people beside him, nodded in acknowledgment, and then stepped onto the carriage.

The space inside the carriage was still as spacious as ever, with only one middle-aged man with greying temples sitting quietly on the soft couch.

Xu Yuan paid his respects:

"Father, you... why have you come?"

Xu Yinhe, with his eyes closed, got straight to the point:

"The Emperor is looking for you; I’m here to take you to him."

"....."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan’s thoughts suddenly became agile, and he asked softly:

"Is it about that matter with Prince Tatar Chao?"

Xu Yinhe slowly opened his eyes and shook his head:

"He’s seeking you out concerning your marriage to the Marquis of Wucheng’s family."