Chapter 70: I'm Going to Be Famous Again
"What? Qiao Pifu is in prison?"
Inside the mansion in the west of the city, Shen Qinghe looked at his butler in surprise.
"The master has been in the study reading these days, completely focused."
"When I left this morning, I found out that this matter was causing quite a stir..." The butler looked at Shen Qinghe.
These past few days, Shen Qinghe has been reading books about cultivators and spirits. Once he starts studying, he gets completely absorbed. It was the butler who reminded him of this matter.
"It was my fault," Shen Qinghe said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
His official position is a 7th rank judge, responsible for handling criminal cases. Since Qiao Mu was imprisoned, he shouldn't have been unaware of this matter.
"But why does that Qiao Pifu always stir up trouble? The Emperor can't just let him say whatever he wants, even in a crowded teahouse, right?"
Shen Qinghe is an upright official who only cares about right and wrong. He doesn't pay much attention to social connections. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been demoted from a 5th rank court official to a 7th rank local official in Nan Province.
He assigned Qiao Mu to the Six Gates as a detective. One reason is that he trusts Wang Shanhe, and the other reason is that Qiao Mu is skilled enough. Being a detective isn't enough for him; it's a waste of his talents. So, it doesn't contradict his principles as an official.
Master, what should we do next? Should we go to the prison?
This butler is a spy planted by the Flying Fish Guard. This reminder was actually to see how Shen Qinghe would react, as requested by Emperor Yonghe.
"You mean go and rescue him? Hm."
Shen Qinghe was calm and there was no obvious change in his facial expression.
"When Wang... Master Wang recommended him to come to the city, it was to polish his character. So why should I go and rescue him?"
"If he says the wrong words and does the wrong things, he will have to pay the price. Experience is gained through hardship."
After saying that, Shen Qinghe changed into his official uniform and prepared to leave.
"Since you're not rescuing anyone, where are you going, sir?" the butler asked.
Without hesitation, Shen Qinghe replied, "I'm going to take a look at the case file. Of course I have to see what exactly Qiao Pifu did wrong, right?"
.........
Fifteen minutes later.
Shen Qinghe looked at the case file in his hand and couldn't help but slap his thigh on the spot.
"Good ------"
Just as he was halfway through saying "good," he saw the surprised look on the other officials' faces, so he deliberately dragged out the word:
"So bold!"
After saying that, his thoughts were in turmoil and he struggled to control himself.
He originally thought Qiao Pifu had a lot of courage, daring to discuss political matters and insult the emperor... but he didn't expect him to say it so convincingly.
"The emperor sees his subjects as mere cattle and horses, so will he easily give way to immortals?"
"Huh. He dares to say that."
"I underestimated him."
Shen Qinghe silently repeated Qiao Mu's words in his heart, and the more he repeated them, the more his emotions churned.
When Wang Shanhe was the chief of the Ministry of Justice, he was a deputy of the 5th rank in the Ministry of Justice, and he greatly admired Wang Shanhe's courage to speak out against the emperor during the funeral procession.
Now, seeing Qiao Pifu angrily insulting the emperor in a teahouse, he felt very pleased.
"It's such a shame if this person were to die here." He had a thought in his mind.
If Qiao Pifu was just a talented person recommended by Wang Shanhe, he wouldn't have bothered to save him, as it goes against his principles.
But this time, he had a new idea.
He immediately left the house and headed straight towards the residence of the governor of Huyang.
Governor Lou was also his old classmate from the past.
However, now they held different ranks, with one being a high-ranking local official of the 4th rank, and the other being a low-ranking official of the 7th rank under his command. Shen Qinghe was a person who cared about his reputation, so he didn't try to establish a relationship with this old classmate of his.
But this time, he didn't care about these things.
He walked all the way to the mansion's entrance, just about to tell the gatekeeper that he came to visit, but suddenly stopped his steps and choked for a moment.
Shen Qinghe had been in office for many years, pleading and even bailing out serious offenders from the prison. This was the first time he couldn't figure out how to speak up.
After hesitating outside the door for a while, he caught the attention of the gatekeeper. It was then that Shen Qinghe let out a sigh, put on a smiling face, and approached to speak.
......
"Shen Qinghe？"
Governor Lou was practicing calligraphy in his study, dipping the brush in ink and writing a character "forever" on the spread-out rice paper. When he heard the news brought by the servant, he couldn't help but stop his brush and chuckled.
"Hasn’t he always been stubborn? Now he knows how to lower his head?"
He knew Qiao Pifu's matter.
Mainly because the words spoken by this person were really rebellious, which left quite an impression on him.
As a governor, he found out later that Qiao Pifu was recommended by Shen Qinghe for this matter.
These past few days, intentionally keeping Qiao Pifu in prison without immediately killing him, was also partly to satisfy his curiosity and see if Shen Qinghe, who doesn't listen to advice, would be willing to back down.
"I won't see him," he said, waving his big hand.
"Let him wait outside the mansion for a few days," he said.
He picked up the brush again and continued writing.
He wasn't in a hurry, after all, the person locked in the prison wasn't him.
Continuing to write, time passed quickly, and the sun had already set.
At this moment, another servant arrived at the study room's doorway.
"What's up? Is Shen Qinghe still waiting outside the mansion?" Governor Lou put down his brush, smiled, and looked up.
He saw a man with a raised temple and cold eyes, besides the subordinate.
"Lord Lou." Guard Chu showed the waist token of the Flying Fish Guard.
"I came this time carrying the emperor's decree."
"Pardon the chief constable, Qiao Pifu, who was imprisoned for discussing politics."
Governor Lou looked up at the visitor, with a slight twitch at the corner of his eye.
..............
The sun had set, painting half the sky red.
Shen Qinghe had been standing outside the mansion for quite a while, his face gradually turning gray.
The governor used the excuse of "feeling unwell and taking a nap" to make him wait until sunset... He wasn't a fool and naturally understood the message from this old acquaintance.
"Never mind, this matter didn't work out, and I've done my best."
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, the grand entrance of the mansion behind him suddenly burst open.
"My dear friend Shen, you've finally come to my mansion," Governor Lou said with a smile as he walked quickly towards Shen Qinghe, shaking his hand and leading him into the mansion.
"Lately, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, falling into a deep slumber by dusk. The servants in the mansion have been rude and disrespectful to my dear friend, please don't take offense."
"Oh no, it's me who has troubled the master of the mansion..." Shen Qinghe forced a smile.
Although he was puzzled and confused in his heart, he had come seeking help, so naturally, he wouldn't ask questions at this moment.
The title of the governor is not an official position, but rather a respectful term.
According to the customs of the Great Yan Imperial Court, someone who holds the position of both a mayor and a martial artist, with considerable strength and responsibilities in both military and political affairs, is generally referred to as the "master of the mansion."
His official title is mayor, but as the master of the mansion, he essentially holds the power of a local emperor.
He entered the hall with the governor, patiently exchanged greetings for a long time, and then Shen Qinghe finally revealed Qiao Pifu's situation.
"There's no need for Brother Shen to worry about this matter," Governor Lou smiled warmly.
"Brother Shen may not know, but Qiao Pifu is a righteous and fearless person who dares to speak the truth. I actually admire him. However, this matter goes against the laws of Great Yan, so I only plan to keep him in custody for a few days and then release him with a suitable reason."
"Oh?" Shen Qinghe suddenly showed a look of surprise.
"Does the Governor think that the current emperor is afraid of death?"
"Pfft..." Governor Lou almost choked on his tea, his heart pounding as he looked at Shen Qinghe.
That official from the Flying Fish Guard by the emperor's side had just left not long ago.
The Flying Fish Guard is not only the emperor's personal guard, but also responsible for monitoring the officials. If what was just said gets reported... he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
This Shen Qinghe, indeed cannot be deeply trusted...
Governor Lou awkwardly changed the topic and continued chatting for a while, then casually asked:
"So Qiao Pifu seems to have just arrived in Heyang Prefecture, and his household registration identity was also arranged by Brother Shen, right?"
"I wonder what the background of this brave truth-teller is?"
Shen Qinghe's heart skipped a beat.
The strange feeling he had before finally became clear at this moment.
This Governor Lou, the master of a prestigious prefecture, seemed to be cautiously trying to find out about Qiao Pifu's identity?
Could it be that Qiao Pifu, this martial artist with damaged soul, has a more distinguished background than what Shen Qinghe had imagined?
.......................
Inside the county prison.
Qiao Mu, who was tightly bound by heavy iron chains, struggled to stretch his body.
The silly cat from before had disappeared without a trace and escaped through the window.
"That silly cat dared to flirt with me in front of me. If it weren't for these chains restraining me, I would definitely teach it a lesson." Qiao Mu complained, frustrated by his limited mobility.
While Qiao Mu muttered to himself, the door to the prison suddenly swung open.
This time, there were about ten people standing in front of him.
Besides a few familiar prison guards, the others were wearing official uniforms, officials that Qiao Mu had never seen before.
"With such a grand gathering, does this mean I am finally going to die?" Qiao Mu jokingly asked with a light-hearted tone.
"Could you please tell me in detail how you plan to kill me? Where will it take place? How about the market? I like crowds." Qiao Mu exclaimed, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
"...Captain Qiao, you're just joking." The leading prison official wiped his sweat, his body stiffening up.
When Qiao Mu went to prison, they only thought he was a bit strange, but now they understand.
The backstage is very strong and scary, completely confident and already sure that he will be released.
Insulting the emperor, and the prefect himself ordered to fetch him... They can't imagine how strong their backstage support is.
So, were they all being sarcastic with them before?
The official could only smile and apologize:
"This whole thing is a misunderstanding, Captain Qiao, please don't be angry."
Then he turned around and scolded the nearby jailer with a cold face:
"What are you standing there for? Don't you know what to do? Unlock the chains and release Captain Qiao!"
The prison cell became restless, and the other prisoners stared in amazement.
Qiao Mu had tried to escape from prison before, but now he was unexpectedly released, and there were so many officials flattering him?
"Why am I not dead?" Qiao Mu sighed softly.
His sigh made the prison officials' hearts beat rapidly.
No matter how you listened, it sounded like he was sarcastically blaming them for capturing and imprisoning him.
"Oh well, it's fine. Just wait and see."
He was winning no matter what!
Although he had escaped from prison today, the name of Sheriff Qiao Pifu of Heyang Prefecture was sure to spread within the city.
The death of an unknown nobody and the death of a famous person were completely different!
Qiao Mu whispered some strange words that nobody understood and walked out of the farewell from the officials, looking majestic and triumphant.
After these prison guards bid farewell to Qiao Mu.
In the quiet and eerie prison, there suddenly erupted a loud chatter.
"Who is this Qiao Pifu, exactly?"
"The crime he committed is insulting the emperor. Who can rescue him? Who dares to rescue him?"
"Is there a possibility that he is the emperor's illegitimate child?" Someone started to think outside the box.
"Come on, at his age, Emperor Yonghe might be his illegitimate child..."
Taking advantage of the lack of supervision, the prisoners started a conversation without any taboos.
.........................
After bathing and changing clothes, Qiao Mu put on the prison guard uniform, looking refreshed and lively.
Even if he received extra attention from the prison guard, this jail is not a suitable place for long stays.
With nothing else to do, Qiao Mu, dressed in plain clothes, went to the official office again.
As soon as he entered, Sheriff Qian came up with a smiling face.
"Congratulations, Captain Qiao, for returning safely..."
"Sheriff Qian has sharp ears, hearing the news so quickly," Qiao Mu casually said.
With those words, Sheriff Qian's smiling face immediately fell:
"Captain Qiao, please don't be upset, I have an elderly father in his 60s and a young daughter at home who is dependent on me..."
"Enough, let's not mention this," Qiao Mu actually doesn't mind Sheriff Qian's previous attempt to capture him.
After all, if there were more people like him, then he could die more efficiently.
And Sheriff Qian's smile became even more ugly.
"Captain Qiao, later we can go to the Moon-viewing Tower to welcome you and help you clean up. It's on me," he said with a bit of pain.
"No need," Qiao Mu waved his hand.
"Then... how about the Drunken Immortal Residence in the west of the city?" Sheriff Qian forced a smile, unconsciously squeezing his thigh.
The Moon-viewing Tower is quite high-class, a single drink there could cost him a month's salary.
As for the Drunken Immortal Residence, it would be even more, at least two to three months' salary.
"Stop talking, I have important matters to attend to," Qiao Mu didn't really want to pay attention to him.
"Then... how about going to the Yunyu Pavilion to listen to music?" Sheriff Qian furrowed his brow in deep thought.
Qiao Mu turned his head to look at him.
He knew that if he didn't nod, Sheriff Qian would probably think he still held a grudge and would become even more uneasy.
After all, a constable who can insult the emperor without any harm, he must have offended someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Then let's go to the Drunken Immortal Residence. I, Qiao Pifu, don't have any particular hobbies in my life, except for my love of martial arts manuals. If you happen to have any martial arts manuals at home, you could lend them to me for a glimpse."
