Wen Feng carried the food box to the only table in the prison cell, his gaze, laced with a hint of pressure, sweeping over the young scions.
He swept the messy gambling paraphernalia on the table aside, then placed the food box squarely in the center.
Ruan Ziji tore off the small piece of paper stuck to his forehead, his eyes narrowing dangerously. This guard sent by Yi Yanguan wasn't just clearing away the miscellaneous items on the table; he was clearly targeting them!
"Hey, hey, hey, we're still playing."
Han Zhao scrambled under the table to pick up the scattered dice.
Wen Feng looked at Fang Yuchun and asked knowingly, "Master Fang, what is the meaning of this? Young Marquis Ruan and the young masters were standing up for a friend, and it was just a moment of hot-blooded impulse. Why are they all being imprisoned?"
Fang Yuchun understood Wen Feng's attitude, or rather, he understood the attitude of Young Master Yi.
Although Fang Yuchun couldn't quite understand why Young Master Yi cared about these pampered young men, he still frowned and said to the jailer.
"What's going on here? Didn't I say to just criticize and educate them, and then let them go home? Why are they still locked up in the prison?"
Having gone through similar scenes countless times, the jailer seamlessly played along, "Your subordinates followed your orders. After criticizing and educating them, we told them not to do this again. People from the young masters' families have come to pick them up, but none of the young masters want to leave."
Fang Yuchun looked at them with feigned surprise and said, "Why would you not want to leave? What are you doing staying in prison?"
Ruan Ziji raised an eyebrow and grinned menacingly, "Xie Jiang hit someone and has to go to prison, so why shouldn't we? Didn't we hit hard enough? Should we go beat them up again?"
Yin Boxuan immediately chirped, "Great, great, let's go beat them! Those scoundrels have foul mouths, I haven't smashed their teeth in yet!"
Zhu Zhou rolled up his sleeves and said, "Then let's beat them to our hearts' content, and then go to prison!"
Fang Yuchun's face turned green, "Don't talk nonsense! Assaulting a court official, is that a joke?"
How could he have raised such incorrigible brats! They would hit a court official as easily as they would swat a stray cat or dog on the street!
Fang Yuchun, with a dark expression, ordered the jailer, "Have someone go to each of their residences and notify them to send someone to pick them up!"
Upon hearing this, the young scions immediately started to cause a commotion.
"Hey? Why should we leave? We're not leaving!"
"Where Young Master Xie goes, we go! We want to stay and accompany Young Master Xie! Otherwise, let Young Master Xie out too!"
"That's right! Let Young Master Xie out! We'll leave together!"
Wen Feng looked at the jumping and shouting young scions. He, a muscular man, turned his head and looked at Xie Jiang with a face full of grievance.
He desperately wanted these bothersome butterflies to leave, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to explain himself when he returned to the manor.
Xie Jiang never expected that Wen Feng's visit to deliver food was a pretense, and that Yi Yanguan's jealousy was the real reason.
She was alone and lonely in prison, so why couldn't someone keep her company?
Wen Feng wanted to kneel before Miss Xie. What if he stayed? What if he stayed to play with Miss Xie?
Hmm?
He?
Xie Jiang did not hide her disdain.
Wen Feng was prepared to offer his kneecaps.
"What do you think this place is? The Shun Tian Prefecture prison is not a tavern or a teahouse, how can you stay here as you please!"
Fang Yuchun put on a stern face, his official demeanor as a third-rank official was enough to deter a few young scions.
"If you insist on staying, it's not impossible. Then sign and acknowledge your guilt of assaulting a court official, and I will punish you severely as you wish! I'll have you stay in this prison for three to five years to cultivate your character!"
Fang Yuchun couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. These few brats who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth took him for a pushover because he had a good temper!
The young scions dared not make a fuss anymore, but they were still unwilling. Each of them looked at Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang returned to the table and sat down, "Do as Master Fang says."
Han Zhao grabbed Xie Jiang's sleeve, whimpering and trying to act cute to stay, but Wen Feng picked him up and tossed him aside.
Wen Feng was furious. These young scions were so audacious, where did they get the nerve!
Han Zhao was displeased and indignant, and wanted to pounce again to grab Xie Jiang's clothes, but was kicked by Ruan Ziji.
Ruan Ziji glared fiercely at Han Zhao.
Han Zhao stared back with innocent big eyes, asking if this was the time for infighting. Shouldn't they work together to stay?!
Ruan Ziji glared at him with his eyes, telling him to get lost! Work together for what! Young Master Xie belonged to him alone!
Lou Yue reluctantly asked Fang Yuchun, "Then how long do you plan to keep Xie Jiang?"
Fang Yuchun said sternly, "That's not something you should be concerned about."
He pointed at the various gambling tools on the table and the floor, "Is this the Shun Tian Prefecture prison or a gambling den! It's utterly improper to gamble and amuse yourselves openly in prison!"
The jailer shrunk his head and quickly waved to direct the jail guards to collect everything.
Ruan Ziji, with his wicked intentions still alive, said, "Let them all go, and I'll stay. I was the ringleader, the instigator, so I should be kept for a few more days. I need further education and a good period of reflection."
"..."
How could they do this! The young scions were unconvinced, but they dared not resist.
Fang Yuchun sneered inwardly, stroked his small mustache, and nodded, "Young Marquis Ruan's realization makes this official very pleased. It's not in vain that all the officials of Shun Tian Prefecture have been advising you earnestly. However, since Young Marquis Ruan intends to reflect deeply, this official will find a secluded cell for the young marquis, ensuring that when Marquis An Yuan and Princess Yu Ning see the young marquis again, he will have undergone a complete transformation."
After all, he had been through the ups and downs of officialdom for so many years, how could he not see the calculations of this brat!
Marquis Nan Hai had grown into this state, and he didn't even dare to look at him more than necessary. This group of scions, led by Ruan Ziji, were all fond of men!
They followed Marquis Nan Hai around day after day, and everyone knew what they were planning.
But Marquis Nan Hai, with his temperament, didn't discipline them; instead, he mingled with them?
Fang Yuchun glanced at Xie Jiang again. Although she was sitting casually by the table, she exuded an innate aura of dominance.
He had managed to reach the third-rank position, but in front of Xie Jiang, he couldn't even display his official authority. What other wicked ideas could these young scions have?
Clearly, they had already surrendered.
To make these young scions devoted, it truly was that evil people needed evil people to tame them.
Ruan Ziji said, "No need to trouble yourself. I think Xie Jiang's cell is..."
He originally intended to say that Xie Jiang's cell was quite spacious and the bed was also quite large, and he didn't mind squeezing in with Xie Jiang.
But clearly, Xie Jiang minded. Xie Jiang didn't want to share with others.
Ruan Ziji felt a bit disappointed, but being observant, he changed his words, "Aren't the cells next door all empty? I can just pick one. These few cells are very quiet."
After the table was cleared, Wen Feng opened the food box, and the food inside was actually laid out on the table.
Xie Jiang picked up her chopsticks and ate leisurely. Ruan Ziji and Fang Yuchun argued beside her, neither giving way. Wen Feng stood in between, blocking them with his tall frame to prevent any spittle from splashing and affecting her appetite.
In the end, Fang Yuchun had the upper hand, leaving Ruan Ziji speechless. The other five could only glare.
Ruan Ziji, holding back his anger, said, "Then we'll come to visit every day. If you don't let us, we'll break them out."
Fang Yuchun knew he couldn't completely block their path, "The visiting time cannot exceed the time it takes for one incense stick to burn!"
When facing Xie Jiang, Ruan Ziji changed his demeanor, his eyes looking wronged and pitiful, like a dog staring at Xie Jiang.
"Young Master Xie, then I'll bring you food tomorrow."
Wen Feng glared threateningly, "Young Master Xie's meals are covered by our Prince's Manor, so Young Marquis Ruan need not trouble yourself."
If he insisted on troubling himself, then his master might have to personally step in and have a chat with them.