RPAGF Chapter 242 Shen Yanchu's Selfish Motives
Chapter 242 Shen Yanchu's Selfish Motives
The Ministry of Justice's prison was like the entrance to the deepest hell, so dark and terrifying that it inspired fear.
Upon entering, a damp and cold atmosphere rushes towards you like a ghost, seeping into your very bones along with the rampant moss spreading across the walls.
The dim torches flickered on both sides of the passageway, casting dappled shadows that resembled countless ghosts baring their fangs and claws.
Shen Yanchu was dressed in a dark official robe, the hem of which swayed slightly. His posture should have been as upright as a pine tree, but at this moment, he appeared slightly hunched over due to his heart full of sorrow.
He paced back and forth in the narrow corridor of the cell, his hurried footsteps echoing in the silent space, each step seeming to pound on his own taut heartstrings.
The whip in his hand lashed against his boots unconsciously, the monotonous sound of it only highlighting his anxiety and unease.
Choi Ji-ho cowered in a corner of the cell, like a wounded wild beast hiding in its cave.
The tattered prison uniform was covered in stains, patches of which were indistinguishable as mud or blood.
His hair was disheveled, with a few strands hanging down in front of his eyes, obscuring his haggard face. He was a far cry from the spirited and commanding figure he once was as a family elder.
Every time Shen Yanchu looked at her third uncle, her heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and a wave of bitterness would rise up.
In his heart, his third uncle not only carried the blood ties of kinship, but was also the mentor who taught him how to conduct himself from childhood and supported him in making his mark in the officialdom.
Now that he sees his third uncle trapped in this dark, stinking prison, how could he not be heartbroken?
The trigger for this disaster was none other than Miss Shi.
When Shen Yanchu was trapped and down on his luck, Miss Shi was like a ray of light illuminating his path. She was his true benefactor.
How could Shen Yanchu not notice the undisguised emotions in his third uncle's eyes when he looked at Miss Shi?
Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and Uncle San's flustered helplessness and deep affection were written all over his face, clear at a glance.
Shen Yanchu frowned, his thoughts becoming increasingly chaotic in the dimly lit prison.
He secretly pondered: This time, I must do everything in my power to rescue Miss Shi. After rescuing her, I will request His Majesty's permission to rightfully take Miss Shi into my household.
In his deeply ingrained belief, women are born to follow the rules of the world, keep to their duties, obey fate, and be good wives and mothers.
In his view, it was utterly outrageous and immoral for someone like Miss Shi to show her face in public and roam freely like that.
Thinking of Shi's usual impulsive and fearless nature, Shen Yanchu couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
She certainly wouldn't obediently comply with this traditional "womanly virtue."
However, he had already planned ahead. Miss Ye was gentle, quiet, well-educated, and praised by all the women in her family. He was sure she could teach Miss Shi well and help her temper her sharpness.
If Miss Ye can't do anything about Miss Shi, then the only option is to ask Mother to send one of her experienced and strict teaching assistants.
These old women can even tame a prince like him on ordinary days, so taming this wild horse like Miss Shi should be a piece of cake.
However, Shen Yanchu was conflicted and struggling deep inside. On one hand, he was deeply grateful for Miss Shi's kindness and was moved to tears;
On the other hand, they were eager to bring her into the framework of worldly rules and regulations.
He knew that Shi was a free-spirited and unrestrained soul, and that such harsh discipline would likely crush her personality and break her heart.
However, being in officialdom, he was not in control of his own destiny. As an official of the Ministry of Justice, if the women around him always acted strangely and irrationally, he would inevitably be criticized and become a handle for his political enemies to attack, affecting his career prospects.
Occasionally, the sound of Uncle Three's violent coughing echoed from deep within the cell, like a heavy hammer blow, interrupting Shen Yanchu's thoughts.
He abruptly stopped pacing, looked in the direction of his third uncle, his eyes filled with determination.
He straightened his clothes, trying to dispel the turmoil in his heart with outward neatness. He took a deep breath, preparing to deal with his colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and carefully devise a foolproof plan to rescue his third uncle and Miss Shi.
At this moment, he not only has to deal with the complex official relationships and the harsh and cold laws and regulations in the workplace.
He also had to deal with the tangled mess of emotions at home. The road ahead was full of thorns, and he could only grit his teeth and move forward step by step with difficulty.
Inside the Ministry of Justice prison, the candlelight flickered, illuminating Cui Zhihao's tired yet resolute face.
Shen Yanchu stood before him, speaking earnestly and detailing her rescue plan, her eyes filled with enthusiasm and determination.
However, after listening, Cui Zhihao resolutely rejected Shen Yanchu's suggestion without hesitation.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze passing through the dim light, as if he could see the ancestral tablets in the family ancestral hall. He spoke solemnly, "Zhizhou, don't concern yourself with my affairs. I absolutely cannot let you get into danger."
“You are the son of the current princess, a special status, and your every move is under His Majesty’s scrutiny.”
"If the Cui family of Qinghe suffers the suspicion of His Majesty because of me, I will become the eternal sinner of the family. How can I face my ancestors in the afterlife?"
Choi Ji-ho's voice was deep and hoarse, yet every word conveyed an undeniable determination.
Shen Yanchu stepped forward anxiously, gripping the fence tightly with both hands: "Third Uncle, you have always cared for me since I was a child. Now that you are in deep trouble, how can I stand idly by?"
“I don’t care about the risks to my identity, I just know I can’t stand by and watch you suffer.”
His eyes reddened, and his usual composure wavered slightly at this moment.
Looking at his nephew, Cui Zhihao felt a mix of emotions. In the past, if he hadn't met Miss Shi, the two of them would have gotten along very well.
We chased deer together on the hunting grounds, and shared elegance at banquets with poetry and wine; those joyful laughter still echo in my ears.
But ever since he learned that Shen Yanchu had special feelings for Miss Shi, a sense of unease began to stir in his heart.
Miss Shi is free-spirited and bold, quite different from the gentle and virtuous women of noble families. Shen Yanchu's infatuation with her makes Cui Zhihao worry that this will bring trouble to his nephew and even the family.
He sighed softly and softened his tone: "Zhizhou, I appreciate your kindness, but the rise and fall of a family is of paramount importance. Whether Miss Shi is a blessing or a curse for us is still unknown."
"As a member of the Cui family, you should prioritize the future of the family and not let personal feelings interfere with important matters."
Cui Zhihao knew Shen Yanchu's stubbornness, but at this moment he had to make his nephew come to his senses, even if it would hurt his feelings.
Shen Yanchu bit his lower lip tightly. How could he not know that what his third uncle said made sense? But when he thought of his third uncle suffering here and Miss Shi's life hanging in the balance, his heart felt like it was being fried in oil.
He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before whispering, "Third Uncle, I understand your good intentions, but I can't just give up like this. Don't worry, I won't act rashly. I will find a way to protect the family."
A hint of relief flashed in Cui Zhihao's eyes, but it quickly disappeared: "Zhizhou, if you really have a solution, that would be best. But please remember, never act impulsively."
"The honor and peace of the family rest on the shoulders of each and every one of us, and cannot be lost."
At this moment, the prison was silent, with only the flickering candlelight reflecting the complex and profound state of mind of the two men.