Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Visiting the Prison
Translator: 549690339
Jiang Ning left Crystal Frost Hall, and after asking the eunuch at the entrance, she went straight to the side hall to find the two children.
As she entered, she saw Li Hongyuan sitting next to the cradle, propping up his chin, tilting his head, and watching the sleeping boy and girl twins motionlessly.
He looked dazed and lost, his beautiful profile appearing rather silly.
“Your Highness, Lady Jiang is here,” the palace maid reminded softly.
Li Hongyuan came to his senses and looked at her.
Jiang Ning nodded.
Li Hongyuan got up and walked over, “Is everything alright with Emperor Father?”
“It’s nothing, just a few idle words.”
“Then I’ll have Sanli send you and the children back.”
“Thank you.” Jiang Ning paused, “Your Highness, I have a request.”
“Speak.”
Li Hongyuan’s voice was cold.
Ever since he had beaten Wenren Zong and been punished with confinement, and after the incident with the King of Chen, his attitude towards Jiang Ning had become more distant, no longer like before.
Jiang Ning said, “Do you know where the Wenren family is being held?”
“In the Ministry of Justice’s prison.”
“I want to see them.”
“You’re going to see Wenren Zong, aren’t you?”
Jiang Ning didn’t say anything.
Li Hongyuan ordered the wet nurse to look after the boy and girl twins as he said, “I’ll take you there.”
Jiang Ning hurriedly followed with her wheelchair.
It was still a bit cold, and when Jiang Ning pushed her wheelchair by herself, her hands became a little stiff.
Li Hongyuan looked at her for a moment and saw that her fingers were red, so he walked to the back of the wheelchair and said, “Put your hands away.”
He pushed her wheelchair for her.
Jiang Ning tucked her hands into her sleeves. Because she had been pushing her wheelchair for many years, her hands looked nice, but there were actually many calluses on the palms of her hands. They didn’t hurt when she pushed, but the cold still got to them.
Li Hongyuan pushed her all the way to the Ministry of Justice’s prison and asked the prison officer to open the cell.
The prison officer did not dare to disobey, saying only that they couldn’t stay too long, then opened the cell for them.
Li Hongyuan pushed her inside, saying, “They’re in there, go ahead, but don’t take too long. They’re all condemned prisoners, and by the rules, they’re not allowed to have visitors. I’ll wait for you outside.”
“Thank you.”
Li Hongyuan nodded and turned to leave.
Jiang Ning pushed her wheelchair along the corridor, passing one cell after another, and soon saw Wenren Zong.
He was locked in a small separate cell.
He sat with his legs crossed on a wooden bed, looking out the only small window, his eyes somewhat lost.
“Thirteen.” Jiang Ning called out.
Wenren Zong heard her voice, shuddered, and turned around.
“Ningning…” Wearing a thin prison uniform, his voice was hoarse and his complexion seemed off.
This was a stark contrast to the graceful, scholarlike Wenren Zong he usually was.
He had gone from being a promising Jingzhao Magistrate to a prisoner, the ups and downs of life leaving one melancholic and desolate.
“How did you get in here, Ningning?”
Jiang Ning said, “I asked Prince of Yu for help, and he brought me here.”
“You shouldn’t have come here, having anything to do with me won’t be good for you.”
“Who cares what I can do in my current state?” Jiang Ning said, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“What about Madam and your sisters?”
“They should still be inside.”
“I’ll go see them.”
Jiang Ning pushed her wheelchair inwards, and after just a few steps, she saw Madam Wenren, imprisoned with several daughters and daughters-in-law, as well as a few young children who were likely Wenren Zong’s nephews and nieces.
They were crowded into a cell with the occasional whimpers and cries of children.
The once dignified and majestic family had been reduced to this state, breaking one’s heart..