A grave turn: ten years in prison, exile a thousand miles away, and someone stirring the pot

Southern Yu Prefecture Prison.

Dimness and damp were standard fare in a prison. It was not that Southern Yu Prefecture was poor.

Rather, there was naturally no reason to make things comfortable for criminals. The worse the conditions, the better-that was how they suffered. Otherwise, were people supposed to commit crimes and come here to enjoy themselves?

"Young Master Li, Scholar Xu, the men are being held here."

"The men we arrested were all our own people. Normally, we would have looked after them a little, but the Prefectural Lord ordered us not to bend the law out of favoritism, so they were all locked up inside."

The constable leading them walked deeper into the prison, explaining why the men had been confined there.

"The Prefectural Lord is right. We must not bend the law out of favoritism."

Xu Qingxiao understood Li Guangxin's intentions. The people from Bright Dawn Academy were all angry now. If the detained men were treated to fine food and drink and given every sort of special privilege, it would only cause more trouble.

Handling everything strictly by the book was the best course for now.

Soon, Xu Qingxiao and Li Xin reached the depths of the prison.

An indescribable smell greeted them. They could not tell what it was, only that it was extremely unpleasant.

"Young Brother Xu, what brings you here?"

Chains rattled and clanked as many of the men deep inside the prison stirred.

"It really is Xu Qingxiao."

"Scholar Xu, why have you come?"

"Scholar Xu, this is a prison. A scholar like you shouldn't come here. It'll damage your fortune."

"Yes, yes, Scholar Xu. Don't let this place sully you."

Many of them spoke up. Dozens of men occupied the cells on either side. Upon seeing Xu Qingxiao, they did not