Chapter 203: Chapter 94 Master and Servant_1

The mooncakes on the fifteenth are always sweet.

In the pitch-black torture chamber, a disheveled prisoner cowered in the corner, gnawing on a half-piece of moldy mooncake.

Fan Zhenglian had been locked up in the prison for nearly a month. In this time, he went from being a Judicial Commissioner widely respected for his integrity, a lofty Lord Qingtian, to a prisoner despised by all. He struggled daily with poor food and sleep, in a cell infested with rats and bugs where even half a moldy mooncake was a luxury.

Every day, he listened to the prison guards’ idle chatter and learned that the contribution fraud case had shaken the Ministry of Rites to its core. The Emperor was furious beyond measure, and a slew of officials trading posts for bribes were being rooted out, high and low. Given the situation, his prospects as an Examiner Official were grim. It was likely that because he had held his reputation so high, when the scandal broke, it stirred an overwhelming public outrage.

The entire Fan Family, including the women, were implicated. The nobles who used to curry favor with him were now preoccupied with preserving their own integrity. He had been in prison for many days, initially hoping that someone would come to help, but even after all the valuables he could offer the prison guards had been confiscated, not a single person came to visit.

In the world of officials, it is ’out of sight, out of mind.’ Fan Zhenglian thought bitterly as he chewed the mooncake in his mouth.

As he was deep in thought, footsteps came from the shadows. The prison guard who always looked skyward stood at the cell door, his face full of impatience: "I said one incense stick’s time, hurry up!"

The person behind him murmured an "Mhm," and after the guard left, a familiar face emerged.

"Qi Chuan?" Fan Zhenglian exclaimed in surprise.

"It’s me, my lord."

In the dim light, half of the man’s face was shrouded in darkness, his expression unclear, his tone as monotonous as ever.

Yet, in the eyes of the isolated and helpless Fan Zhenglian, this monotony immediately became a source of comfort.

Fan Zhenglian grabbed the iron bars with one hand, almost pressing his entire face against them, and said excitedly, "How did you get here?"

He hadn’t expected to see Qi Chuan again. Now bearing the weight of crimes, all his servants and subordinates should be implicated. He thought Qi Chuan would also be trapped, but there he was, standing right in front of him, unperturbed.

Fan Zhenglian hesitated, "You... haven’t been mistreated?"

Qi Chuan shook his head: "I’m just a Record Keeper. They didn’t find anything on me."

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhenglian then remembered. Ever since he had returned to Shengjing to assume his post at the Trial Court, he had intentionally kept Qi Chuan’s rank low, not allowing him to rise. As a mere Record Keeper, indeed, people would not take much notice of him.

Without saying much, Qi Chuan simply took out a few dishes of food and wine from the basket behind him and passed them through the bars to Fan Zhenglian, saying, "I know you’ve been suffering these days, sir. I’m useless, I can’t help much, so I brought some food over."

Fan Zhenglian looked at Qi Chuan and then at the roast goose he handed over, and for some reason, he suddenly felt touched.

He had been in prison for a long time, witnessing the fickleness of human relationships. There were those who kicked him while he was down, those who took advantage of his misfortune, and those who plundered amid chaos. In the end, the one to offer help in a time of dire need, the one willing to risk a visit, turned out to be this servant whom he hardly regarded.

The very cap of the Record Keeper that he had once suppressed now, ironically, made him feel ashamed.

Qi Chuan silently poured wine for him, and as Fan Zhenglian took it, he suddenly laughed bitterly and said, "Little Chuan, it’s come to this, and you’re the only one willing to come see me."

"Little Chuan" was a name from long ago. Qi Chuan was startled for a moment and after a long time quietly replied, "My lord has been gracious to me, I’m forever grateful."

Fan Zhenglian sighed.

In truth, he and Qi Chuan had grown up together, and the bond between master and servant was far from ordinary. When Qi Chuan wanted to join the clan school to study, his impoverished family refused to provide the funds, his father even scolded him for his unrealistic aspirations. It was Fan Zhenglian who convinced his mother to spare the cost for Qi Chuan’s tuition, taking him to the academy.

With many rich students in the academy who scorned Qi Chuan for his low birth and bullied him, Fan Zhenglian was there to protect him. Qi Chuan would in turn secretly help Fan Zhenglian with his studies. Back then, their gratitude and protection for each other were sincere.

But between people, social status has long been predetermined. Qi Chuan was loyal and clever, but unfortunately, he was the son of a lowly servant, which was regrettable.

Fan Zhenglian asked, "How are things outside now?"

"The Ministry of Rites is likely cornered. The Imperial Censorate is taking this case very seriously. I’ve already handled the matters for the old madam and your wife, they should fare better."

Fan Zhenglian nodded, looked around, then suddenly beckoned Qi Chuan closer and whispered, "Do me a favor."

Qi Chuan was taken aback.

"Go to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion secretly, find a way to pass a message to the Grand Preceptor. Tell him I have something to offer him, and ask for his help."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read