Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 458 - 294: It’s Actually Her?

Among them, a prison guard was leading the way inside. He glanced at the woman beside him; he had never seen such a beautiful woman before!

"Who are you looking for, miss?"

"Gu Chengyu, Mr. Gu!" The woman’s voice was soft, making the prison guard shudder. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Even when these young nobles end up in prison, there’s still women who worry about them! He was eighteen already and hadn’t managed to marry a wife.

That Gu Chengyu, he had seen him before. He was a young gentleman with a fair face and tender skin. No wonder a woman would be thinking of him.

"There! That’s the one!" The prison guard pointed to a cell in front of the woman.

"Hurry up! Don’t wait for me to come and rush you."

"Got it!" The woman responded as she quickly walked towards the cell.

"Mr. Gu!"

Gu Chengyu was pondering if he would be able to get out today when he unexpectedly heard a woman calling him. He doubted his ears, thinking it might be an illusion. This was prison; how could there be a woman? Besides, the voice was unfamiliar, and he couldn’t think of who would come to see him.

When Gu Chengyu looked outside the cell, he was astonished. It was her?

"Miss Hua Lian?"

What was going on? Why would Hua Lian come to see him? How did she even get in here? He was implicated in a cheating case, and relatives and friends were not allowed to visit. Yet Hua Lian actually came. Since Hua Lian could come to visit him, maybe they could get out today.

Hua Lian lowered her hood, looking at Gu Chengyu, still full of spirit, and felt relieved. It seemed he hadn’t suffered much; he still looked calm and composed.

"You’ve suffered, my lord!" Hua Lian gazed greedily at Gu Chengyu. In another day, she would have to entertain guests. Today, she pleaded with Madam Hua for a long time to allow her to be out for an hour.

Madam Hua knew she was coming to the prison and called her unrealistic. Mr. Gu was involved in a cheating case, which was no small matter. He might not even survive it, and she was afraid Hua Lian couldn’t even get into the prison. Hua Lian only wanted to try her luck, and surprisingly, she managed to get in.

"Oh! Look at me, my lord, please have some food! I bet the prison’s meals are hard to swallow." Hua Lian hadn’t entertained guests yet and couldn’t save up any Silver because there was no patron’s reward.

She wanted to make things easier for Gu Chengyu, but she had no Silver. She could only bring some food to show her sentiments.

Gu Chengyu was indeed surprised. He and Hua Lian had only exchanged a few words when they met at the Tianxiang Pavilion, and then they had no further contact.

"How did Miss Hua Lian find her way here? How did those prison guards even let you in?"

Hua Lian blushed, "I heard the lord was wronged and imprisoned, and I came to visit specifically. I hope the lord can keep his spirits up; it shouldn’t be long before his innocence is restored."

Hua Lian could only offer such comfort. Although ignorant, she had heard a lot these days. Now that she was inside, getting out again might not be easy.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "I’m not too worried about my situation, just a bit concerned about my family. Thank you for your kind words, miss. I’m confident I’ll be out in a couple of days."

Hua Lian handed the snacks and side dishes from the food container to Gu Chengyu, "Please make do with these, my lord!"

Gu Chengyu took the snacks; he was really a bit hungry. Since entering the cell, he hadn’t touched the food there and had only eaten two steamed buns. Now looking at the braised pork, his appetite stirred.

He wasn’t polite, picking up his chopsticks and tasting it. No one would worry about someone poisoning him; he was just a small scholar locked up. As soon as Hu Maoshen’s evidence was submitted, he would be of no value, so who would want to harm him? Out of boredom?

Watching Gu Chengyu, Hua Lian suddenly began to cry. She didn’t know whether she was crying for Gu Chengyu or for herself.

"Why are you crying, miss?" Gu Chengyu thought their relationship wasn’t that deep, to warrant tears from her?

Yet, as the saying goes, courtesans are heartless, and actors are unrighteous. Hua Lian coming to see him already showed loyalty and feeling. He thought about it and decided that once he was out, he’d redeem Hua Lian. It would repay her meal.

"It’s nothing, I just turned fourteen. Madam Hua..." Hua Lian wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"Never mind, it’s not worth mentioning!" Hua Lian felt depressed and initially wanted to confide in Gu Chengyu. But on second thought, Mr. Gu was still locked up, dealing with his troubles; speaking out would only add worry.

Gu Chengyu understood Hua Lian’s unspoken words and frowned. A girl comes of age at fifteen, and Hua Lian had just turned fourteen. How could Madam Hua be so heartless, letting her entertain guests so soon? Truly, the brothel madams of ancient times were inhumane!

"Madam Hua is indeed in quite a hurry. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone redeem you." Gu Chengyu looked outside the cell, noticing the prison guard staring at them.

"You are now in dire straits, my lord, with your safety uncertain. My affairs need not trouble you. Since joining the brothel, I have prepared myself." Hua Lian forced a bitter smile. Mr. Gu was in prison now; even if he wanted to redeem her, he couldn’t get out.

Gu Chengyu only smiled, determined that once he got out, he would have Ming Mo redeem her, give her some Silver, and let her find a place where no one knew her to live her days.

For a plan B, he pretended to take a Jade Pendant from his sleeve, but in fact, he retrieved it from space and quickly placed it in the dish.

Hua Lian was puzzled and opened her mouth to ask.

Gu Chengyu whispered, "Take this Jade Pendant to find Ming Mo when you leave; he’ll redeem you."

This Jade Pendant was a piece he often played with, its jade color warm and of good quality, worth about 800 taels of Silver at a pawn shop. Even if Hua Lian didn’t find Ming Mo, she could pawn the Jade Pendant and hire someone to help redeem her.

Hua Lian was extremely grateful upon hearing this. She wanted to say more, but the prison guard urged her from the side.

Gu Chengyu stirred the dish with his chopsticks, covering the Jade Pendant. Hua Lian hurriedly put the dishes and snacks back into the food container, intending to take them away.

Across from them, Min Feng saw Hua Lian and felt a surge of envy towards Gu Chengyu. At this point, there was still a woman who hadn’t forgotten him. Simultaneously, he grew uneasy; it was the second day, why hadn’t anyone come to release him yet?

Hua Lian turned back every three steps as she left the cell under the prison guard’s urging.

After Hua Lian left, Gu Chengyu began to lament the misfortune of brothel women. Women in the past life lived more freely; ancient society was too harsh on women.

"Sir! Are you headed to the palace?"

Yin Kun rushed hurriedly, not even having time to change his civilian clothes, urging the coachman to drive faster.

He had just received news that the Emperor was unwell. Summoned hastily by the Emperor today, he realized the Emperor still wanted to protect the Eldest Prince. Hu Maoshen’s efforts over the past two-plus years seemed to have been in vain.

The Emperor was not very healthy even on regular days, often falling ill, and each recovery took longer than the last. Everyone knew it was because of his age.

But would the Imperial Physicians dare to say so? Of course not. They only claimed the Emperor was overworked. The truth of the matter was, the Emperor understood his own condition. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent so much effort on Alchemy.