Chapter 114: Imprisonment

Being escorted down the street, Xu Wei's heart was filled with despair and anger.

Just then, a splendid carriage sped by, and a familiar laugh came from inside.

Xu Wei looked up and saw the carriage curtain slowly drawn back, revealing Madam Li's face.

Seeing Xu Wei, Madam Li's eyes held no pity, only utter contempt.

Then a man affectionately put his arm around Xu Wei's Madam Li, poked his head out, and gave Xu Wei the same contemptuous glance before lowering the curtain and driving the carriage away.

Xu Wei watched the carriage go, his heart a mixture of emotions.

He never imagined that Madam Li, who once shared weal and woe with him, would now be so heartless.

Under the escort of the Feather Forest Guard, Xu Wei walked step by step toward the Imperial Prison, the fire of hope in his heart gradually dying out.

He did not know where his future lay, nor how to clear this false charge.

Only when Xu Wei was escorted by the Feather Forest Guard, stumbling all the way, did he enter that gloomy and terrifying Imperial Prison.

The gate creaked shut, completely cutting him off from the outside world's light and hope.

A wave of damp, putrid air rushed over him, almost making him unable to breathe.

Dim light filtered through the narrow window slit, casting mottled shadows on the ground, adding to the gloomy atmosphere.

The jailers rudely shoved Xu Wei into a cell and clanged the door shut.

The cell was cramped, damp and dark, the floor covered with standing water and filth, and corners gave off occasional pungent odors.

Xu Wei looked around and saw the walls covered in moss and water stains, with some indistinct carvings like the desperate cries of former prisoners.

The cell already held a few inmates; some stared blankly in the corners, while others scrutinized Xu Wei with wary eyes.

Xu Wei found a relatively clean spot to sit, his back against the cold wall, his heart filled with despair and helplessness.

He could not understand how, after devoting himself wholeheartedly to the Southern Development Project, he would suffer such unjust treatment and be framed into prison.

At night, the cell was silent save for the occasional squeak of rats and the inmates' sighs.

Xu Wei lay on the hard stone slab bed, gazing at the narrow slice of sky above, his thoughts myriad.

He recalled the architectural designs and plans he had painstakingly drawn, the fruit of his labor and dreams, now he did not know what fate awaited them;

He also recalled Madam Li's heartless gaze, a sharp pain stabbing his heart, as once‑sweet memories had turned into knives that pierced him.

In prison, Xu Wei's daily life was monotonous and painful.

Days passed, and Xu Wei endured constant torment in prison.

In a hidden, luxurious villa in Long Peace City, carved beams and painted rafters, flowers blooming like brocade.

As dusk fell and lamps were lit, Sang Qian, son of the Grand Han Minister of Works Sang Hongyang, lounged lazily on a soft cushion, with Xu Wei's wife Madam Li clinging closely to him, their poses intimate and ambiguous.

Sang Qian held a wine cup in one hand and gently stroked her hair with the other, a smug smile on his lips, and said:

"Dear, this time I owe it to your cooperation for smoothly framing Xu Wei. You truly are my lucky star!"

Hearing this, Madam Li's face showed a fawning smile as she said in a coquettish voice, "Master Sang, this is all I should do. As long as I can help you, I am willing to do anything."

Just then, an official bribed by Sang Qian hurried in and performed a respectful salute.

Sang Qian slightly raised his eyebrows, his eyes showing a hint of impatience, and asked, "How is the matter of Xu Wei being handled?"

The official's face flickered with worry as he carefully replied, "Young Master Sang, Xu Wei would rather die than admit to beating his wife. No matter how we torture him, he won't speak. If this continues, we may end up with a death, and then things will get out of hand."

Sang Qian's face darkened, a flash of cruelty in his eyes, as he slammed the wine cup to the floor with a crack and shouted:

"You good‑for‑nothings! You can't even handle this trifle! No matter what methods you use, you must get Xu Wei's design plans, solidify his crime, and exile him to the frontier! Then this bidding project will surely be mine! If you fail, none of you will get any good outcome!"

The official trembled all over, hastily bowing and scraping, "Yes, yes, Young Master Sang, I will surely do my utmost to guarantee the mission." Having said that, he hurriedly withdrew.

After the official left, Xu Wei's Madam Li saw Sang Qian in a bad mood, yet she still dared to approach him and cooed:

"Master Sang, when will you give me a title? I've been following you; I can't stay in this ambiguous state forever."

Sang Qian, who had just been smiling, instantly changed expression as fast as flipping a page.

He shoved Xu Wei's Madam Li away, rose to his feet, eyes blazing, and roared, "Who do you think you are? Just a pawn I use! You still want a title? Look at whether you deserve it!"

Xu Wei's Madam Li was frightened by this sudden turn, her face turning deathly pale and her body trembling involuntarily.

She never expected that the Sang Qian who had just been gentle and attentive would turn so vicious in an instant.

She fought back tears, trying to explain, "Master Sang, I… I didn't mean it that way…"

Before she could finish, Sang Qian raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face, a sharp crack echoing through the large room.

Xu Wei's Madam Li was knocked to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes full of despair and terror.

After a while, Xu Wei's Madam Li managed to crawl up from the floor, knowing she had no retreat and could only fawn on Sang Qian. She knelt before him, tears streaking her face, and pleaded earnestly:

"Master Sang, I was wrong; I shouldn't have been so unreasonable. Please forgive me this once for your magnanimity. I will never again dare to make such excessive demands; as long as I can stay by your side, I'll do anything."

Sang Qian looked down from above at the kneeling Xu Wei's Madam Li, his eyes full of contempt and disgust.

He snorted coldly, saying, "You're smart to know your place! If you dare mention a title again, don't blame me for being rude!"

Xu Wei's Madam Li hastily nodded, forcing a smile of appeasement, "Yes, yes, Master Sang, I will certainly obey."

"As long as you obey, I, your lord, will not mistreat you."

Sang Qian drew near to Li, and she, frightened, nodded quickly, full of pleading.

After ordering his accomplices to deal with Xu Wei, Sang Qian hurried to his father Sang Hongyang's study.

"Father, do you know? Xu Wei, my rival in the bidding project, has been locked up in the Imperial Prison for beating his wife and committing domestic violence."

Sang Hongyang heard this, his heart jolted, his brows knit deeply, and his eyes showed deep suspicion.

He slowly rose, his gaze fixed on Sang Qian, and said in a low, solemn tone, "Qian, is this true? Xu Wei's plan is extraordinarily brilliant—could he really have been jailed for domestic violence? Don't lie to me."

Sang Qian panicked inside, a fine sweat beading his forehead, but he forced composure, his eyes flickering as he feigned calm and said:

"Of course it's true, Father. This has been personally verified by the authorities; the evidence is solid, and there is absolutely no falsehood."

Sang Hongyang watched Sang Qian's slightly flustered expression, and his doubts grew heavier.