The cell holding Yu Xingmian and Zhang Ding'an could only be reached through a hidden door.
Lu Yao led the others around turn after turn, finally reaching behind a potted plant to fiddle with something twice. The hidden door behind it slowly opened.
An even deeper, darker corridor suddenly lay revealed before them.
The oppressive atmosphere here was far heavier than outside. Although it was early morning, with the rising sun shining brightly, and every cell on either side of the corridor held prisoners, it was so quiet that not even breathing could be heard.
Jiang Yingcheng obediently let her Uncle Lu lead her by the hand, looking curiously from side to side as he brought her to the cell at the very end of the corridor.
Only then did their silent journey finally take a slight turn.
Seeing Lu Yao stop outside with the Little Princess, Zhang Ding'an strode over to them.
After spending so long cooling his head in the Imperial Prison, he had gradually recalled the strange details surrounding the entire affair.
When Lu Yao had read that letter aloud at court, he had been too panicked to resist and had let the Imperial Guards bring him here. But thinking back now, he distinctly remembered catching a glimpse during his escort: the official who had received the letter had still been standing safely at the back of the crowd, watching in horror as he was hauled out of Chongyun Hall.
If the Embroidered Uniform Guard truly possessed such conclusive evidence, why would they imprison him alone while letting his accomplice roam free?!
At that thought, Zhang Ding'an said gravely, "Lord Lu, I have never taken bribes or perverted the law. If what you said at court was true, I am willing to accept responsibility for failing to