Chapter 20: Hidden Agendas

"Damn it, how did I fall asleep?"

"Hey, wake up, wake up! Go check if Meng Yuxi has escaped!"

A man dressed as a prison chief kicked the constable hard.

Only now did the constable awaken. He glanced at the steel door in front of the cell, still securely locked, a large padlock hanging on it.

"Chief, with this iron door here, he can’t just fly away. It’s just a staring contest, really boring."

"Damn it, enough talking! Hurry and go check! If he escapes, we’ll both be in deep trouble."

Under the prison chief’s constant urging, the constable opened the steel door.

"Chief, he’s just fine inside. I told you, this steel door is so thick, even if we nod off, it doesn’t matter."

"Meng Yuxi, you better behave!" the chief shouted toward Meng Yuxi, repeatedly checking the chains locked onto the cell door.

"Nothing wrong here. I’m not going anywhere. You two have the easiest job in the entire prefecture."

"Heh, after all these years as a prison chief, I’ve never seen anyone not wanting to get out."

"Well, you’re lucky then. Today I just gave you a little knife in the backside."

Meng Yuxi lay lazily on the cell floor.

Earlier, he had asked Zhang Tiantai to restore the cell to its original state. Zhang Tiantai was truly remarkable—using just his bare hands, he seemed to fuse the broken chains and steel door as if melting metal, instantly returning them to their original form.

Since taking the lotus seed, Meng Yuxi felt a warm comfort radiating in his lower abdomen.

No wonder the lotus flower was so ethereal and divine.

"Done looking? If so, get lost quickly. I’m going to sleep. Isn’t there a public trial tomorrow?"

The prison chief and constable looked again but found no clue; Meng Yuxi was lying there as usual. They reluctantly left.

With a clang, the steel door was locked again.

"You watch this place. I’ll be back soon."

The prison chief gave the order and hurried away.

---

The rear hall of the Sucheng Prefectural Office.

"Alright, I understand. Well done. You may leave."

Wang Lingxin sat with Deng He and Li Zhao in the back hall.

"Since Meng Yuxi was imprisoned, he’s remained so calm. Could it be that by tomorrow he plans to recite some passage again, inciting the ignorant masses to attempt a prison break or rebel against the court?"

Wang Lingxin spoke in a tone wanting confirmation, now that the prison chief had left.

At present, with Chang Yushu gone, he had lost a strong ally. If Meng Hongchang found out he had targeted his son, it wouldn't just be a simple matter to escape the consequences.

"Lord Wang, there’s no need to worry. The plan was set last night. Even with Chang Yushu gone, it doesn’t matter. Tomorrow Meng Yuxi will be convicted of treason and rape beyond doubt. Even if Lord Meng Hongchang returns, with such ironclad evidence witnessed by all citizens of Sucheng, he won’t be able to appeal to the emperor."

"Indeed. This will also show that Lord Wang is a wise judge, fearless against power and responsible. Isn’t the court in dire need of talents like you?"

Li Zhao’s voice was soft but persuasive. The Five Immortals Sect excels in such arts. He had been the one to persuade Wang Lingxin to get involved in Meng Yuxi’s case.

Hearing this, Wang Lingxin’s wavering heart strengthened again. Rather than ending his career as the magistrate of Sucheng, it was better to take a gamble.

"Exactly. With a foolproof plan, how could one be like the timid Chang Yushu?"

"Mr. Li, is the medicine you mentioned really that effective?"

"Lord Wang, rest assured. Early this morning, it was mixed into Meng Yuxi’s drinking water and given to him."

"I deliberately reduced the dosage. Tomorrow, while Meng Yuxi won’t become immediately insane, his mind will surely be unmanageable. Forget reciting poetry; even arguing back will be extremely difficult."

"Hahaha."

Li Zhao laughed proudly. This ‘Five Loss Powder’ was a forbidden drug of the Five Immortals Sect, with no known antidote in the world—except for the sect’s ancient founder, who had passed away years ago. Li Zhao had discovered it by chance in the sect’s ancient texts and painstakingly mastered it. Although he had treasured it, to earn the trust of Lady Meng, giving Meng Yuxi a little was hardly a waste.

If luck was on his side, perhaps the lady would introduce him to the Crown Prince. With his intelligence and this miraculous medicine, who else but him would become the future national advisor of the Dali Dynasty?

"Hahaha!"

Li Zhao laughed even more heartily at the thought.

"Deputy Chief Li is meticulous. To prevent the common folk from noticing Meng Yuxi’s sudden change, he specially adjusted the proportions. Such wisdom and responsibility are incomparable to that Chang Yushu."

Deng He chimed in from the side.

"Lord Wang’s scheme is unparalleled. Last night, he even devised a double insurance plan to make Meng Yuxi mentally unstable. As an old woman, meeting two such extraordinary figures today is truly a blessing, a triple blessing."

---

Wang Lingxin was pleased to hear even Lady Meng’s most trusted maid praise him so highly. It was clear that once this matter succeeded, his career would reach a new height.

"Hehe, Aunt Deng, you flatter me. After all these years as an official, I do know how to deal with stubborn troublemakers."

Wang Lingxin stroked his beard with a self-satisfied smile. His use of drugs had solved many difficult unsolved cases. Without some achievements, he would have long been removed by the rigorous officials' system of the Dali dynasty, leaving no chance for corruption.

"Yes, yes, exactly."

Deng He nodded repeatedly, but inwardly thought that the drug matter must never be linked to her lady. This was a direct order from Wu Jiwen herself. Now that this foolish official had agreed to be the mastermind, if the plan succeeded tomorrow, all would be well; if not, it would have nothing to do with her lady.

Li Zhao and Wang Lingxin exchanged a glance, both understanding each other’s intent. The drugging must remain undiscovered, but if Meng Hongchang later investigated, they would both deny everything and pin it on Wang Lingxin.

Within the room, all three harbored their own thoughts.

*Knock, knock, knock, knock.*

"All rise!"

"Majestic!"

Inside the Sucheng Prefectural Office, two rows of constables raised their staves and struck the floor fiercely, shouting slogans after Wang Lingxin declared the court in session.

Alas, this once righteous voice had become nothing more than mere slogans within the prefectural office.

Outside, the square was already packed with Sucheng’s citizens who had come to watch. Many scholars had unfurled banners reading, "Meng Yuxi is innocent. Where is the justice of the Dali emperor?"

Among the crowd stood two young men in splendid brocade, swords at their waists. Today, these swords were not mere ornaments but weapons of death.

Not far behind the crowd stood a woman wearing a jade-green veil and simple robes, carrying a guqin on her back. Her ethereal presence could not be hidden by the veil. With a solemn expression, she gazed toward the prefectural office.

*Crack!*

The judge’s gavel sounded.

"Bring forth the suspect, Meng Yuxi!"