Chapter 110: Kindness, Chrysanthemum Garden

Di Ying nodded slightly.

His tone was heavy as he said, "What I have gathered is much the same as what you found. Everyone says that Li Xianxian is kind-hearted, only perhaps too attached to Wu Yanji. Let us finish our noodles and head back. I will find a way to slip into the Ministry of Justice prison and question Cui'er myself. I believe that by comparing the two accounts, we shall be able to clarify the truth."

Di Ying was not exaggerating when he spoke of slipping in. With the case closed and Cui'er sentenced to twenty years as a serious offender, visitation was impossible without the right connections or a bribe. Peng Liang slipped a large ingot of silver to the jailer, and the man allowed them entry. The jailer did not recognize them, but he recognized the silver, and that was enough.

Li Xianxian was truly kind; she had pleaded for mercy on Cui'er’s behalf, ensuring her hands were spared and her sentence reduced from ten years of exile to twenty years of imprisonment. She had even pulled strings to have Cui'er held in a separate, small cell, sparing her from excessive mistreatment. Though the girl looked haggard, thin, disheveled, and filthy, there were no scars from torture upon her.

Hearing the guard strike the iron bars with a wooden club, followed by the news that someone was there to see her, Cui'er slowly pulled herself up from the pile of dry straw on the floor and peered out in confusion. She did not recognize the visitors. However, when she saw one of the men hold out a plump white steamed bun, her eyes widened instantly. She scrambled forward on hands and knees, snatched the bun, and began stuffing it into her mouth, even as she backed away, fearing it might be snatched back.

But after the guard took his bribe and stepped aside, the man who had given her the bun spoke four words that made her choke.

"I am Di Ying."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The moment she heard the name, her eyes lit up as if ignited by a flame, but she immediately fell into a violent fit of coughing. She frantically clawed at her throat with her fingers, trying to eject the bun she had just been so desperate to consume. The remaining portion fell to the floor. Even as she struggled for breath, her eyes remained fixed on Di Ying, desperate to speak.

"Do not rush. Have some water first," Di Ying said gently, watching her with a faint smile.

Peng Liang quickly took a bowl from his pack, untied his water skin, and poured a drink through the bars. Cui'er crawled over and drank it down, her breathing slowly steadying. She suppressed her overwhelming emotions, repeating to herself over and over: *That is Lord Di Ying. He has come!*

Once the coughing subsided and she had finished another bowl of water, she wiped her cracked, bloodless lips. Her voice was thin and weak. "Lord... Lord Di, I did not steal the jade hairpin from my master. Please, you must believe me."

"I do. I believe you," Di Ying nodded, nodding firmly.

Cui'er’s lips trembled as she managed a faint, shaky smile. She pulled her knees together, steadied her frail frame, and bowed her head toward Lord Di. Instead of the cold ground, she felt a pair of warm, steady hands catch her forehead. Di Ying lifted her head gently and comforted her in a soft voice, "Do not bow. You are innocent. You need only tell your Lord Di the full truth of what happened. Can you do that?"

"Thank you, Lord Di." Feeling the warmth of those large hands, she persisted until she finished her thanks, then leaned weakly against the prison wall and began to recount her story.

"My family is poor. My parents had five daughters, and we were all driven out by my grandparents. We lived in a broken thatched hut at the edge of the village, struggling desperately to survive. I am the eldest, and I turned fourteen last May. I wanted to marry into a better family to help my parents, but the families there were very picky. I thought that if I worked as a maid for a wealthy family for a few years, I could support my family and learn some manners. After discussing it with my parents, I found work at the Princess's residence, as I had heard the Princess was very kind. I signed a three-year contract. Every day, I did the most grueling, menial chores. But I was happy; my monthly wage of two hundred copper coins was a huge help to my family. Lord Di, believe me, I never slacked off.

"It was just an accident—a terrible accident. That day, while I was clearing the path between the flower beds, I found a plant near the roots that had very fragrant flowers. I recognized that plant; I had gathered it back home to boil for my father to help his cough. Thinking that I had seen my mistress coughing in the pavilion the day before, I decided to pick the plant and give it to the maid at her side. Whether they gave it to the mistress or not was none of my business; I just wanted to do my part and show my concern. After all, I couldn't take the mistress's coin and not care for her wellbeing, could I?

"But just as I stood up after picking the herb, I saw the mistress's husband walking toward me. The mistress had a rule: as long as the master was in the residence, all women under fifty had to keep a wide distance. When I saw him, I turned and ran into the flowers, not stopping until I was far away. I dropped the plant in my fright. I hid behind a rockery, terrified, because those who broke the mistress's rules always suffered a terrible fate. I waited until dark before creeping out in terror, hoping to return to my quarters. I thought that since no one had come looking for me, and I had run fast enough that no one had seen me, the matter had passed. But I hadn't gone far before the head maid caught me. Later, they planted a jade hairpin on me, called over a group of servants, and 'discovered' it on my person. I... I really didn't steal it. I truly didn't."

Cui'er finished her story with great difficulty, her eyes welling with tears as she looked pleadingly at Lord Di.

Seeing the desperation in her eyes, Di Ying said softly, "I believe you. Now, you must believe me. I have left some steamed buns, water, and dried meat here for you. You must regain your strength so that you have the energy to wait for me to set you free, and so that the parents who have been fighting so hard for you can see you healthy again. Can you do that?"

"Yes!" Cui'er grabbed the bundle Di Ying had pushed through the bars, hugging it to her chest as she nodded vigorously. Her soot-stained face was streaked with tears, but her eyes shone with an intense, piercing brightness.

Di Ying smiled gently at her once more, rose to his feet, and prepared to leave. Suddenly, Cui'er called out, "Underneath the chrysanthemum bed, to the left of the lotus pond in the southwest corner."

Di Ying turned back. "I understand. Give me some time."

Cui'er broke into a wide, radiant smile. Watching her, Di Ying felt his own eyes grow red. He quickly turned away, waved his hand, and walked out with long, steady strides.