32 Deep Sisterly Bonds VIII

In the middle of the night, the Yu family home opened its doors, and a carriage emerged silently. It first stopped at the Zhang residence. After a brief pause, a slender woman slipped out from a side gate with agile speed and climbed into the carriage. Without delay, the carriage headed straight toward the east side of the city.

Yu Shanmeng brought the carriage to a halt two streets away from the prison.

Throughout the journey, Chu Yunli had kept her eyes closed, resting. She could sense Zhang Qingyao’s hesitation to speak, but she couldn't be bothered to pay her any mind.

As they disembarked, Yu Shanmeng whispered, "We must be quick. Move quietly; don't alert anyone."

It was as if they were thieves.

Chu Yunli stood to the side, adjusting her clothes with an expression of indifference. It wasn't that she wasn't anxious, but rather that Zhang Qingyao was not; she was currently struggling to lug a large bundle down, and on top of that, she still had to find a hand free to carry a food container.

Chu Yunli didn't even glance their way, let alone offer to help. Yu Shanmeng, naturally, found this unacceptable. He stepped forward and reached out to take the items. "If you carry all these things and get caught, what will you do?"

Zhang Qingyao sobbed, "I heard there is nothing in the prison and one can only sleep on dry straw. If I bring these inside, he at least won't have to suffer from the cold."

Yu Shanmeng frowned. The guards had initially been unwilling to allow a visit, and it was only after his persistent entreaties that they had agreed to let them sneak in. Bringing in such a large amount of items so blatantly—would the guards really allow it?

"Maybe we shouldn't take them..."

Zhang Qingyao continued to sob. "I’ve checked; blankets are allowed inside. I even specially chose fine cotton, not silk, so it won't arouse suspicion."

Yu Shanmeng was persuaded. He took the bundle and the food container. Although they weren't heavy, they were quite cumbersome. He instinctively looked toward Chu Yunli, wanting to ask his wife to help carry something, but he suddenly remembered that they were currently quarreling and that his wife was dissatisfied with Zhang Qingyao. He snorted and stepped forward, saying, "Follow me!"

Zhang Qingyao followed with quick, small steps.

Chu Yunli stood with her arms crossed, unmoved. She sneered, "Do you think all the blind people in this world have been locked in this prison, or do you think the guards are blind too? They already said Gao Mingqiao cannot see his family. If he suddenly has so many things beside him, only a fool wouldn't be suspicious!" With that, she turned to leave. "If you want to go to your deaths, I won't be joining you. I still have three children at home waiting for me."

Yu Shanmeng truly wanted to spend time alone with his beloved in the darkness, but his reason told him he couldn't. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of inviting his wife along. Now that they were at the door and only one step away from seeing the man, he wanted to reach out and pull her along, but he found both his hands were full. He hurriedly called out, "My lady, we won't take them."

He turned to Zhang Qingyao, who looked even more fragile under the moonlight, and said softly, "My wife is right. We are here to see him, and we still need to find a way to save him; we cannot afford to get ourselves trapped as well. Elder sister, don't you agree?"

Zhang Qingyao burst into tears but did not insist further.

Yu Shanmeng breathed a sigh of relief and dumped everything back into the carriage. Seeing this, Zhang Qingyao protested again, "We don't have to take the bedding and clothes, but let’s at least send in the food. He has been locked up for days... he has never suffered such hardship... I’m afraid he won't be able to endure it."

By the end, she was choked with sobs and unable to speak.

Yu Shanmeng held the food container, wanting to comfort her but constrained by their social standing. He tugged at Chu Yunli’s sleeve.

Chu Yunli walked away. "We’ve only just begun! The people in the city are unwilling to help because they know the Gao family is beyond saving. The days of weeping are still ahead; save your tears for then!"

Zhang Qingyao rarely had to voice her dislike for people or things; as soon as she showed a hint of it, someone would always help her criticize them. But at this moment, she couldn't help herself. "Qingxue, I am your sister, not your enemy. You cannot target me at every turn just because of some baseless rumors between me and your husband. We grew up together; is it really right for you to be so gleeful at my misfortune?"

Chu Yunli didn't look back. "I’m just stating the truth. If you can't even handle this, how will you get through life in the future?"

Zhang Qingyao’s crying grew louder.

Yu Shanmeng hurriedly consoled her, "Sister, you mustn't cry. If someone sees us, we won't be able to see him today."

After dawdling for a quarter of an hour, Zhang Qingyao finally pulled herself together. When they arrived at the entrance, Yu Shanmeng knocked three heavy times followed by one light knock. There was a reply from within, and Yu Shanmeng repeated the signal.

The door opened a crack, and a guard peered out at them, frowning. "Three is too many. Only one can enter."

If anyone had the closest relationship to Gao Mingqiao, it was his wife, Zhang Qingyao.

Both Chu Yunli and Yu Shanmeng looked at her.

Zhang Qingyao shook her head hurriedly. "It’s dirty and chaotic inside, with all kinds of people. I dare not go in." Perhaps out of extreme fear, she grabbed Yu Shanmeng’s arm. "Please come in with me!"

The guard became impatient. "Are you going in or not? Only one person can enter."

But since Zhang Qingyao was this terrified, having someone else go in would defeat the purpose of the visit. Yu Shanmeng stepped forward and whispered into the guard’s ear, "I will give you more silver; I'll double it."

"No, no." The guard waved his hand. "I’m taking a risk just letting one person in. If I’m seen, not only will I lose this job, but I’ll become a prisoner myself. Tell me, are you going in or not?"

Zhang Qingyao shook her head violently. "I don't dare go alone..."

Yet, she wouldn't let Yu Shanmeng go in either.

Chu Yunli stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall, detached from the situation.

Yu Shanmeng gave a bitter laugh. "Sister, this is all I can do. If you really don't dare, let's not go in."

Zhang Qingyao bit her lip, hesitating.

Hearing this, the guard became dissatisfied. "Are you playing games with me? Regardless of whether you go in or not, you have to pay me that amount of silver!"

He was speaking to Yu Shanmeng.

It is often said that a local official is more powerful than a high-ranking one; even though the guard wasn't an official, if they offended him, the person in the prison would certainly suffer. Zhang Qingyao was startled and grabbed Yu Shanmeng. "Please, go for me!"

Yu Shanmeng was speechless. He felt no concern for Gao Mingqiao; any help he provided was entirely for Zhang Qingyao's sake—because he feared her worry and her pain, which was why he was so dedicated.

If he had known it would result in him having to go meet Gao Mingqiao... he would never have done such a foolish thing.

But things had reached this point, and since Zhang Qingyao refused to enter, he had no choice but to go.

The guard urged them again, and Yu Shanmeng hesitated no longer, quickly slipping inside. Before they left, the guard instructed, "Don't stand here. If someone notices, we're all finished."

Chu Yunli led the way back toward the carriage.

Zhang Qingyao’s shoulders slumped, and she looked utterly dejected. After sitting in the carriage, she whispered, "Sister, am I very useless?"

Chu Yunli was resting with her eyes closed. Hearing this, she said casually, "You have great capabilities; how can you say you're useless? To make a married man abandon his wife and children to run about for you, and even secretly break the law to help you—that is no common talent. Others couldn't learn it even if they tried."

"You are mocking me again." Zhang Qingyao was annoyed. "Is there anything wrong with me worrying about my children's father? If you were in my position, your choice would surely be the same."

Chu Yunli finally opened her eyes, sat up straight, and said, "I would find someone to save my children's father, but no matter how wealthy or close to me the person helping is, I would never let someone else pay the bribes. And after success, I would offer a generous reward!"

But what had Zhang Qingyao given?

A "thank you" to her brother-in-law?

Chu Yunli found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh.

Zhang Qingyao could feel the emotions behind her smile and couldn't help but say, "I will give it! I will send a reward, too. I’m not that short of such things..."

No sooner had she finished speaking than they heard a commotion in the distance, with people shouting.

Chu Yunli pulled back the curtain and saw Yu Shanmeng running toward them in a hurry, with several people chasing behind him.

Zhang Qingyao poked her head out. "What’s happening?"

Seeing the carriage, Yu Shanmeng did not stop, but ran past it.

Chu Yunli sighed. "It really is true; he would rather risk himself than cause you any trouble. Zhang Qingyao, are you moved?"

Zhang Qingyao was left speechless.