Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 830 - 828_1

Chapter 830: Chapter 828_1

Shangguan Xuanyi looked around the cell. It was small, divided into four partitions, two of which were empty. Only the one directly opposite had an occupant inside.

The cell smelt of sour decay, the unpleasant smell amplified by the stagnant, summer air. Shangguan Xuanyi frowned slightly, regretting not letting Xiao’er leave with Yang Mei earlier. He hadn’t expected the cell to stink so much!

He had been in the heavenly prison of the Imperial City before, but it had never smelt this bad!

Shangguan Xuanyi pulled Xiao’er into his arms, cradling her head against his chest, cocooning her with his own scent, "It’s too foul, don’t breathe in."

Xiao’er lifted her head from his chest, "The cell doesn’t stink! Where does it stink! I have been inside one before, I’m not scared!"

"Had I known, I would’ve come in alone and not let you inside." But he just couldn’t stand having her out of his sight.

Upon hearing these words, the man lying in the cell opposite them paused, then sat up.

Xiao’er took out a handkerchief, "Brother Shangguan, lower your head."

Shangguan Xuanyi obediently lowered his head.

Xiao’er folded the handkerchief into a triangle to cover Shangguan Xuanyi’s nose and mouth, and tied it behind his head.

"This should help with the smell!" Xiao’er, the joy of accomplishment on her face, said, "Brother Shangguan, you even look quite like a masked beauty."

The man in the opposite cell burst out laughing upon hearing this.

A masked beauty? Shangguan Xuanyi’s face darkened. If he were to be seen like this, would his reputation remain intact?

He pulled off the handkerchief abruptly, "I don’t need it."

Then he turned to glower at the man on the other side.

Xiao’er looked over as well, seeing a man covered in dirt, his face full of stubble, likely having not shaved for a long time. His forehead was so grubby that his original skin color was indistinguishable. But his eyes were bright, yet Xiao’er could see that they were unfocused.

The man was blind! What a pity, such beautiful eyes! As the saying goes, eyes are the window to the soul, and just looking at him, Xiao’er sensed an air of righteousness about him. She couldn’t help but ask, "May I ask where you’re from, sir? Were you also wrongfully imprisoned?"

Although the man was blind, he turned his head towards the sound of the voice.

"No, would you believe me if I said I was the county magistrate of this county before they locked me up in here?" He said, a ripple of laughter in his words.

In the Zhenyang County, there was no ’Shangguan’ surname. The surname ’Shangguan’ was a royal one! What was their true identity?

Though he was blind, he had distinctly felt the soldiers were somewhat apprehensive when they had brought them in.

Perhaps it was their inherent nobility that commanded respect, and that’s why the soldiers were afraid.

If their identity really was noble... Regardless, he wanted to take a gamble, if not for himself, then for the people of this county!

Shangguan Xuanyi and Xiao’er looked at each other upon hearing his words.

Why shouldn’t they believe him? Unless he was mad, there was no reason for him to lie.

"Your name, place of origin, the year you passed the imperial examination, and your ranking?"

"My name is Sun Yang, from Yunshi County. I took the imperial examination in the year of Anfeng ten. I ranked fourth among the second graduates and was conferred the title of ’jinshi’." His unfocused eyes lit up even more when he heard the man’s questions, as it seemed to validate his identity.

Could it be that people from the Imperial Court have come?

Even though he was blind, for the first time in four years of being in this dark, sunless cell, he saw hope.

Even though the man’s voice was icy, it was as if he was bathing in winter sunlight, and he couldn’t help but relax, and believe.

His reply was spot on. Shangguan Xuanyi had already familiarized himself with the background of the County Magistrate of Zhenyang before coming.

He had been present as an observer in the year this man took the imperial examination.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

"First question: Water, fire, gold, wood, earth, grain only repair. Second question: Give the character for ’wen’ when ’The gentleman first knows instruments’. Third question: which was the actual question of that year’s imperial examination and how did you answer?" Shangguan Xuanyi asked three questions and asked him to answer.

Suppressing his excitement, Sun Yang recollected as if he was back in the examination hall. Each word was pronounced distinctly as he answered, "The second question: Give the character for ’wen’ when ’The gentleman first knows instruments’. My answer back then was: For a scholar, one must first know instruments before discussing literature. An Instrument..."

For an accredited scholar, the imperial examination was something they would never forget in their lifetime!

It was his first opportunity to meet the Emperor, the most powerful man on earth.

That day, his ten years of hard study were rewarded!

It was the first step on his official career path, where he could strive for his ambitions!

Therefore, he would never forget till his dying day.

As Sun Yang was midway through his answer, Shangguan Xuanyi joined in and completed the answer with him.

Sun Yang was stunned and stared at him!

How did this man remember his exact answer?!

The Shangguan surname! Was it the Emperor?...No, this wasn’t the Emperor’s voice, the Emperor didn’t sound this young. Moreover, the Emperor’s voice exuded authority, not icy indifference.

There were no Shangguan surnames among the candidates in the main hall that day.

Who was there in the main hall at that time? The officials’ ages didn’t match this young voice either. After remembering each and dismissing them one by one, Sun Yang quickly thought of a boy standing behind the Emperor. The prince!

The Sixth Prince!

Finally, Heaven was showing mercy!

Sun Yang’s unfocused eyes filled with tears; "I, Sun Yang, pay my respects to the Sixth Prince!"

Sun Yang did not know that Shangguan Xuanyi had been conferred the title of Prince Rui since he had been in prison for some years. Thus, he addressed him as the Sixth Prince.

"This is my princess!" Shangguan Xuanyi said, unhappy that Sun Yang had ignored Xiao’er and not shown her the proper courtesy.

Quickly realizing his oversight, Sun Yang bowed again, "Greetings to the Sixth Princess."

Xiao’er was bemused: Why was he focussed on courtesy at a time like this!

Guessing what Xiao’er must be thinking, Shangguan Xuanyi patted her head lightly and said, "No one can ignore you, even if they can’t see."

Although Xiao’er generally didn’t care for formalities, he couldn’t bear for anyone to overlook her.

Sun Yang witnessed this and thought: The Sixth Prince really dotes on the Sixth Princess!

What to do? Xiao’er was touched and wanted to kiss him.

Noticing that Sun Yang wouldn’t be able to see them anyway, she stood on tiptoe and quickly placed a small kiss on his face.

Shangguan Xuanyi was taken aback, then turned the other cheek to her and pointed at it.

Xiao’er pushed him away: This man is never satisfied!