A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime

Chapter 135 A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime

Liu Hanyan? Song Jiang had never heard of this name before! But Song Jiang trusted Xu Ning's character; even if he was drunk, he would never do such a despicable thing!

Wen Huanzhang, standing to the side, sighed, "So that's how it is! Instructor Xu has undoubtedly been wronged!"

Tang Long saw that Huanzhang and Song Jiang were sitting at the same table, and assumed they knew each other. Hearing Song Jiang's words, Tang Long felt as if he had seen a lifeline and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Sir, please save my brother!"

Wen Huanzhang shook his head and said, "I can't do anything about it, but this matter isn't a huge problem, nor is it insignificant. The key lies with Liu Hanyan!"

Song Jiang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "I hope you can enlighten me, sir!"

Wen Huanzhang then said, "This Liu Hanyan was once a famous courtesan in a music hall, admired by countless romantic scholars. Some even spent a fortune just to spend a night with her, but none of them succeeded!"

Le He also said, "Later I heard that Liu Hanyan was forced to serve a very important person. She refused to comply even at the cost of her life, but in the end, a mysterious person redeemed her for a fortune!"

Song Jiang nodded and said, "This Liu Hanyan is indeed an extraordinary woman; how could she possibly get involved with Gao Qiu!"

Wen Huanzhang laughed and said, "The person who redeemed Liu Hanyan from her servitude that day was none other than Grand Commandant Wang Shen. Liu Hanyan was grateful for Grand Commandant Wang's kindness, so she followed him. Grand Commandant Wang specially bought a luxurious mansion just to keep her as his mistress. This matter was kept very secret, and very few people knew about it!"

Upon realizing this, everyone understood! Liu Hanyan was one of Grand Commandant Wang's men, and Gao Qiu was also someone who had come from Grand Commandant Wang's mansion. The group had conspired to stage a play to frame Xu Ning!

"Beauty is not a crime, but possessing a treasure is," Song Jiang sighed.

Everyone knows that Wang Shen's whole scheme was for Xu Ning's family heirloom armor, but his methods were far too underhanded!

"The clerk only knows one thing, but not the other!" Wen Huanzhang said at this moment.

Song Jiang was taken aback and asked, "Sir, what do you mean by that?"

After a moment's thought, Wen Huanzhang said, "If it were just for Tang Maojia, Grand Commandant Wang wouldn't have gone to such lengths. After all, this matter concerns his reputation. Although pushing Gao Qiu out as the public figure can help him bear the infamy, it's still not a very honorable thing. If word gets out, the royal family will truly lose face!"

Tang Long knelt on the ground and said, "Sir, you must have a good plan. Please help me. I, Tang Long, will go through fire and water to repay your great kindness!"

Wen Huanzhang quickly helped Tang Long up, saying, "Don't make such a grand gesture. I've already said that the key to everything lies with Liu Hanyan!"

Song Jiang also bowed and said, "I would like to hear the details!"

Wen Huanzhang spoke up: "I heard from this Brother Tang Long that when the Prefect of Kaifeng was interrogating Instructor Xu, he said something profound: 'The bride is neither dead nor alive. If she lives, you live; if she dies, you die!'"

Tang Long nodded and said, "My cousin did indeed tell me that the prefect said those words!"

Wen Huanzhang laughed and said, "If Liu Hanyan wakes up and says that Instructor Xu did not commit any improper acts, or that someone else did, wouldn't Instructor Xu be wronged? Then he would be out of Kaifeng prison!"

Tang Long was delighted and said, "Is that so!"

Wen Huanzhang added, "Don't be too happy yet. If it weren't for that Tang Ni Jia, how would Liu Hanyan have woken up?"

Tang Long felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Everything was caused by Tang Maojia, which was truly disheartening!

At this moment, Yue He also spoke up: "According to what you've said, one Tang-style armor is clearly not enough, otherwise Grand Commandant Wang wouldn't have gone to such lengths!"

He glanced at Yang Zaixing and said, "When he left that day, I saw Grand Commandant Wang carefully examine Zaixing. He clearly recognized that the treasured sword in his hand was the Yang family's heirloom sword, and thus came up with this plan to kill two birds with one stone!"

Wen Huanzhang was unaware that Grand Commandant Wang had seen Yang Zaixing at Xu Ning's house. Upon reflection, he must have seen the precious sword in Yang Zaixing's hand, which is why he had the idea of ​​getting his hands on it!

With things as they are now, there's no point in saying anything more. What was once a decent banquet has lost its momentum. Song Jiang spoke to the others, saying, "Tang Long, Yue He, and I will go to the Kaifeng prison first. The rest of you brothers, return to the inn and await news. As for Professor Wen?"

Wen Huanzhang smiled and said, "I'll be waiting for you, Clerk, in Anren Village. Feel free to come find me anytime if you need anything!"

Madam Xu was very beautiful and pregnant. Upon hearing the news that Xu Ning had been imprisoned, she fainted in a panic. Two maids quickly helped her to bed. Since it was a prison, Song Jiang did not intend to let Madam Xu worry too much. Otherwise, if anything went wrong with the child in her womb, Xu Ning would probably have no way to turn back!

The weather was already slightly cool, and the prison cells must be even colder. Song Jiang bought wine and meat, as well as wound medicine, cotton clothes and quilts, before bringing Yue He and Tang Long to the Kaifeng prison!

At the prison gate, two guards stopped the group and asked, "What are you doing here?"

With a smile, Song Jiang pulled out twenty taels of silver and said, "I've come to visit Instructor Xu. I hope you two officers will do me a favor!"

The two men weighed the heavy silver in their hands and laughed, "Let's go in, but don't take too long!"

Giving bribes during prison visits has long been an unspoken rule, not only in Kaifeng Prefecture but also in other places, only differing in the amount given!

Song Jiang was never stingy when it came to things that could be solved with money!

In the prison, Song Jiang took out another fifty taels of silver and rewarded the five jailers, which was equivalent to ten taels each!

These prison guards had seen many visitors, but very few were as generous as this one, so they were all all smiles!

This was only Song Jiang's first visit to the prison; wouldn't he give even more next time?

He thought to himself that Song Jiang was sensible, and he became much warmer towards Tang Long and the others!

Xu Ning was imprisoned in a solitary cell. After all, the Golden Spear Instructor was renowned, and with this crime added to the mix, it was hard to believe. Xu Ning had also been detained, and it was just a matter of how his family would handle things. Therefore, the Prefect of Kaifeng ordered the jailers to treat Xu Ning well!

The cell was a private cell, but the environment was not much better than that of a multi-person cell. It was dark and damp, with straw covering the floor, and an extremely unpleasant smell assaulted the brain, making one feel very uncomfortable and want to vomit.

Xu Ning was lying on a tattered straw mat, looking at the top of the cell. Although his physical wounds hurt, the wounds in his heart hurt even more. This fabricated crime had harmed him, and he still didn't know why!

The jailer announced, "Instructor Xu, someone has come to see you!" He then unlocked the door and let Song Jiang and his two companions in.

Song Jiang took out another tael of silver and handed it to the jailer who was unlocking the door. The jailer took the silver, nodded, and said, "Since there's no one guarding you today, you can stay a little longer!" After saying that, he left.

Xu Ning's face darkened when he saw that it was Tang Long, Song Jiang, and Yue He. He asked, "Brother, how is your sister-in-law?"

At this moment, Xu Ning was worried about his pregnant wife, who was in prison. He only hoped that his wife would not worry about him and ruin her health!

Tang Long put down the food box and nodded, saying, "Sister-in-law fainted the other day when she heard that brother had been wrongfully imprisoned. After being treated by a doctor, she is much better. Lan'er and Mei'er have been taking care of her day and night. Please rest assured, brother!" As he spoke, he helped Xu Ning lay out a quilt and then arranged the dishes and wine from the food box one by one.

Xu Ning didn't look too good and didn't have much of an appetite. After all, being imprisoned for no reason was unbearable for anyone, and being tortured made him extremely irritable due to his depressed mood and physical pain!

As the saying goes, "He who was once a guest of heaven is now a prisoner." Xu Ning was once so full of vigor, but now he is just as dejected!

Tang Long poured a bowl of wine, tore off a chicken leg, and handed it to Xu Ning. Xu Ning shook his head, indicating that he didn't want to eat it! At the same time, he said to Song Jiang, "Song Clerk, I never imagined that when I, Xu Ning, rose to prominence, many people would befriend me, but today only you, Song Clerk, and Brother Le He have come to see me!"

Song Jiang sighed and said, "Don't blame others; after all, many people don't want to offend Grand Commandant Wang Shen!"

Now that things have come to this point, even a fool like Xu Ning would know that it was Wang Shen who harmed him, and the cause was actually his own Tang Maojia. Gao Qiu was just a tool!

He picked up the wine jar and started chugging. Tang Long quickly stepped forward to grab Xu Ning's hand, but Xu Ning broke free and continued drinking. Song Jiang said, "Let Instructor Xu drink. If you don't release the pressure in your heart, it will be bad for your health!"

After finishing a jar of wine, Xu Ning choked up and said, "I never imagined that I, Xu Ning, who holds loyalty and righteousness in my heart, would be betrayed like this. What kind of world is this?!"

It's not Xu Ning's fault; it's just that his life was too smooth in the first half, so smooth that he forgot how treacherous people can be.

Song Jiang sighed, "The problem isn't the world itself, but the people who created it!"

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent. After a long while, Xu Ning finally spoke up: "Is there no other way but to offer up Tang Maojia?"

Song Jiang added, "Judging from the current situation, this is the only way. We also need to offer up the Yang family's treasured sword; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to frame Instructor Xu. We're all in the same boat now!"

Xu Ning tilted his head back to stop his tears from falling and said, "Xu Ning is unfilial. He couldn't even protect the family heirloom armor. He has truly let down his ancestors!"

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In a low voice, spoken only by the four of them, Song Jiang said, "The precious armor and sword will be temporarily left at Wang Xi's residence. I will definitely help Instructor Xu and the Yang family get them back, with interest!"

Xu Ning was overjoyed, but his face immediately fell, realizing that Song Jiang was just trying to comfort him!

Song Jiang didn't say much, but slowly said, "Only by recovering your health can you continue on your journey!"

After venting his anger, Xu Ning calmed down a bit. Since things had come to this point, there was nothing he could do. He might as well listen to Song Jiang and eat his fill before making any decisions.

The four sat down, and Xu Ning picked up a chicken leg and started eating. Song Jiang and the other two weren't hungry, so they just watched Xu Ning eat.

At this moment, Song Jiang felt that someone was watching them, so he searched with his eyes and soon discovered that it was the prisoners next to them who were watching them!

There were three people in the next cell. Song Jiang gave them a friendly smile. Two of them stared at the meat in Xu Ning's hand, their mouths watering. The third person was lying on the ground with his back to Song Jiang and the others, facing the wall. His face was not visible, and he seemed uninterested in the meat.

Tang Long bought chicken, duck, fish, and meat, filling eight large platters—more than Xu Ning could possibly finish by himself! Song Jiang thought for a moment and asked Xu Ning's opinion. Although he was paying for it himself, it was still Xu Ning's meat!

Xu Ning didn't mind; they were all in the same boat, and they might not have brothers like him. He nodded, and Song Jiang smiled as he picked up a chicken and handed it to the two men. The two were overjoyed, but they didn't forget the man lying down. One of them tore off a chicken leg and handed it to him, saying, "Brother Du, there's meat to eat, share some!"

The man sat up, turned around, took the chicken leg, and started eating!

That man was actually nine feet tall, with a leopard-like head and piercing eyes. Although he looked pale, he still exuded an imposing aura!

Only then did Song Jiang get a clear look at the speaker: phoenix eyes, thick eyebrows like a painting, a light beard, a fair complexion, and ruddy cheeks. A broad forehead, a full temple, and a robust seven-foot frame. Skilled at stealing kisses and illicit affairs, he was adept at using his charm and cunning. Standing before him, gazing intently, he was undeniably handsome and charming.

Song Jiang sighed, "What a handsome young man! How come he's also locked up in prison?"

The handsome man before me was unlike Ximen Qing, whose handsomeness was tinged with lewdness and treachery. Instead, he gave off a romantic yet not vulgar feeling, and there was a hint of domineering aura between his brows, though I don't know why!

The three of them quickly devoured the chicken, and the big man surnamed Du sighed and said, "Having meat but no wine makes it impossible to enjoy ourselves!"

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Xu Ning laughed and said, "I'm full too. Cousin, you can take it all!"

Tang Long picked up the remaining wine and meat and handed it over. The people there took it, sat down on the spot, and began to eat heartily. Song Jiang found it interesting and became curious about their identities!

Xu Ning bowed to Song Jiang and said, "Brother, I am deeply grateful, but my cousin is still a bit rough around the edges. I hope you can help me out in many ways!"

Song Jiang returned the greeting and said, "Instructor Xu, please don't worry, I won't let your wife and Tang Long suffer any harm!" He then took out ten ingots of silver, each worth ten taels, and placed them in Xu Ning's hand, saying, "Don't mistreat yourself in this harsh place. Use the silver as you like; I'll come back with some more in a few days!"

Xu Ning nodded and put the silver into his pocket!

In the current situation, making excuses would be pretentious. I will repay Song Jiang's great kindness once I get out!

Just as Song Jiang was about to leave, the handsome young man spoke up: "Hero, could you lend me a couple of taels of silver? I promise to repay you a thousandfold once I get out!"

Song Jiang smiled, took out twenty taels of silver and tossed it over. The handsome young man caught the silver and laughed, "Just for your chivalry, I can't let you down! My name is Wang Qing, and I hope we'll have the chance to meet again!"

Song Jiang turned around and asked, "So you're Wang Qing!"

Wang Qing laughed and said, "I didn't expect you, sir, to have heard of me!"

Song Jiang nodded and asked, "How did you end up trapped here?"

Wang Qing sighed and said, "It's true that frivolity leads to ruin!"

Seeing that Wang Qing didn't say much, Song Jiang didn't ask any further questions. He turned to the burly man surnamed Du and asked, "May I ask this gentleman's name?"

The burly man surnamed Du bowed and said, "My surname is Du, and my given name is Xue!"

It turns out that the big man in front of me is indeed Du Xue, but I don't know why he has also gotten caught up in this!

Song Jiang immediately had an idea, after all, this was Du Xue!

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