Chapter 4

Old Ye smacked his lips and, with a worried expression, instructed, "Well... if you must go, just be careful on the road. Although the world is relatively peaceful, the journey is perilous, and people are even more so. On this trip, don't take shortcuts, and don't travel at night. When you encounter desolate areas, always travel with others..."

Old Ye rambled on for a while, and Ye Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh, "Father, I understand. Don't worry. Although I've never traveled far, don't forget where I come from? That's the Ministry of Punishments prison! Who are the people locked up there? Every one of them is a sharp character. I've been going there to accompany you since I was three, and for the past three years, I've been a jailer. After mingling with these cunning people for so long, I must have learned something, right?"

Old Ye was amused and scolded, "Look at you, so full of yourself. I've guarded the prison all my life, and I never developed any skills. But you're right, a person should have some aspirations. I had aspirations when I was young, but I never achieved them."

Ye Xiaotian asked curiously, "What aspirations did you have, Father?"

Old Ye laughed, looking a bit embarrassed, "I remember it was during the Jiajing era. One day, I was eating candied haws on the street when I suddenly saw Emperor Jiajing on a procession. The imperial entourage was so magnificent..."

Ye Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh, "Father, you didn't look at the scene and exclaim, 'A true man should be like this,' did you?"

Old Ye also laughed and glared at his son, "Nonsense! Saying something like that could get you beheaded. Besides, could your old man have such grand aspirations?"

He sighed, stroking his thigh, and reminisced, "Back then, I stood by the roadside, watching the magnificent imperial entourage pass by. There were eight tall white elephants and four fierce lions, especially those two tigers. I envied them so much. I thought, when will I be able to have a tiger to keep? It would be so impressive to have one when I go out. I was so obsessed with the idea of having a tiger that many years have passed, and I'm old now, but that wish still hasn't come true..."

Just as he said this, a roar came from the hall, "Are you done yet? You've already scolded him, why are you still sulking and not eating? Do you want your son to keep coaxing you? You old fool, get out here now, or I won't cook for you anymore!"

Old Ye's face changed, and he hurriedly responded, "Coming, coming, I'm on my way."

Ye Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh, "Father, your wish has already come true, hasn't it?"

Old Ye was taken aback for a moment, then understood what his son meant. He couldn't help but tap his forehead and scold, "Brat! If your mother hears this, she'll beat you!"

Ye Xiaotian lifted the curtain and walked into the hall, where he saw his elder brother hesitating outside the door, glancing at his father's figure, too afraid to enter. Ye Xiaotian immediately went over, put his arm around his brother's shoulder, and said warmly, "Brother, come, let's eat. After we finish, I'll go with you to pick up your wife."

Old Ye glared at his eldest son but quickly received a glare from his wife. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything, just grabbed a steamed bun and took a big bite. Even a tiger fears a tigress.

Ye Xiaotian's sister-in-law and her husband had a good relationship, but she was frustrated by his timidity. Now that Ye Xiaotian had given his brother the jailer's position, she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty and was a bit embarrassed to see him.

Ye Xiaotian accompanied his brother to successfully bring his sister-in-law back from her parents' home. Then, they discussed the long journey with the family. Although Ye's mother was fierce with Ye's father, she doted on her sons. She had never left Beijing and was worried about her son's journey, wiping away tears.

Ye Xiaotian had to comfort his mother first before discussing the next day's plans with his father and brother. Yang Lin had already eaten his "last meal" tonight, not because he was to be executed tonight, but because there was no time for him to enjoy it in the morning.

Early in the morning, he would be escorted onto a prison cart and paraded through the streets with other prisoners. By the time the old ox cart pulled him to the execution ground, it would be around noon. Therefore, Ye Xiaotian had to go to the prison earlier to obtain Yang Lin's will.

The next morning, the three Ye men left home. Each had a task: Old Ye went to the county office to get a travel permit for his son. Although the restrictions on people's movements were not as strict as in the early Ming dynasty, having a travel permit made it easier to pass through checkpoints and stay at inns. Ye Xiaotian and his brother Ye Xia'an went directly to the Ministry of Punishments prison to hand over the jailer's duties.

Early in the morning, there were few people on the streets. Workers carrying chamber pots and farmers bringing vegetables into the city moved slowly through Beijing...

This scene was something Ye Xiaotian saw every day, but today it felt especially dear because he knew he wouldn't see it for a long time. In his heart, Jingzhou Prefecture in Huguang Province was as far away as the ends of the earth.

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In a cell in the Xuan No. 1 prison, Yang Lin sat in the corner, hugging his knees and staring blankly at the skylight. The small stones he often used to practice divination, now shiny from his frequent handling, lay quietly at his feet.

Ye Xiaotian walked to the cell and watched him quietly for a while before calling out, "Sir Yang!"

Yang Lin slowly raised his head, his eyes unfocused and lost. Ye Xiaotian frowned and said softly, "Sir Yang, I've agreed to it."

These words were like withered grass suddenly absorbing rainwater, and Yang Lin, who seemed to have lost all vitality, suddenly came to life. He quickly rushed to the bars, his eyes filled with excitement, and asked, "You agreed? You really agreed?"

Ye Xiaotian nodded and placed a box on the ground, saying, "The paper, ink, and brush are inside. Please hurry, as... someone will come to take you soon."

These words might have seemed cruel, but now was not the time for delicacy. The officials who would take Yang Lin to his execution were already there, but they were waiting a bit longer out of respect for Ye Xiaotian, for which he had to pay a tip.

Yang Lin nodded eagerly, opened the box with trembling hands, and took out the paper, ink, and brush. He laid out the paper, dipped the brush in ink, and, as soon as he focused, tears began to stream down his face.

Ye Xiaotian didn't urge him. He wasn't being sentimental, but urging him now would have been too cruel. Fortunately, Yang Lin knew time was short and didn't delay for long. He wrote the letter quickly, his tears blurring the ink.

The letter was written almost as smoothly as flowing water. Yang Lin carefully dried the tear-stained will, folded it neatly, and came to the bars, saying to Ye Xiaotian, "The detailed address for sending the letter is on the envelope, and the benefits I promised you are also written inside."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, put the letter in his pocket, picked up the box, and said, "Farewell!"

"Wait!"

Yang Lin suddenly reached out and grabbed Ye Xiaotian's wrist, his eyes showing a hint of ferocity.

Ye Xiaotian frowned, "Sir, is there anything else?"

Yang Lin suddenly bit his finger and drew three curved, strange marks on Ye Xiaotian's wrist with his blood, muttering in a language Ye Xiaotian couldn't understand.

Ye Xiaotian didn't struggle, watching curiously as Yang Lin drew on his wrist and muttered. When he was done, Ye Xiaotian asked, puzzled, "Just to send a letter, is it necessary to be so serious? What kind of blessing spell is this, Sir Yang?"

Yang Lin exhaled deeply, a strange smile appearing on his gaunt face, "Who said this is a blessing spell? This is a curse from the southern frontier, using blood as a medium, life as a sacrifice, and the resentment of a dying man as a trigger. It can only be used once in a lifetime!"

Ye Xiaotian was even more surprised, "A curse? I thought it was a protective charm. What are you trying to curse by drawing on my wrist?"

Yang Lin rolled his eyes, "Drawing on you, of course, to curse you!"

This time, Ye Xiaotian was truly stunned. After a moment, he jumped up, angry, "Curse me? We have no grudges, and I agreed to travel a thousand miles to deliver your letter. You actually curse me?"

Yang Lin sneered, "Don't worry. As long as you keep your promise, the curse will not take effect. But if you break your word and fail to fulfill my will..."

Yang Lin's voice turned sinister, "Whether intentionally or unintentionally, if you fail to do what you promised, the curse will take effect immediately. From then on, you will be plagued by misfortune, your family will be torn apart, and you will not have a good end!"

Yang Lin's voice was chilling in the dim, cold prison, sending a chill down one's spine.

Ye Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh, "Enough, Sir Yang. At the brink of death, you still believe in such nonsense. When you read my bones before, didn't you say my fate was strong and immune to spirits and ghosts? Can you curse me?"

Yang Lin suddenly realized, slapping his forehead, "Right! I almost forgot! I can't curse you, I can't curse you. Hmm... then I'll change the curse. I curse you, whoever you follow, they will suffer misfortune!"

Ye Xiaotian asked curiously, "Why should I care if others suffer misfortune?"

Yang Lin laughed coldly, "No matter what you do, you need to respect your seniors and find a mentor. If you study, your teacher will suffer. If you do business, your backer will suffer. If you become an official, your patron will suffer. Whoever you follow, they will suffer. In this way, how can you not suffer?"

Ye Xiaotian was speechless for a moment before sincerely saying to Yang Lin, "Sir Yang!"

"Hmm?"

"Although we are not related and have no deep friendship, you came here three years ago, and I came here three years ago. We've been under the same roof for so long, and now seeing you about to be executed, I feel very uncomfortable."

Yang Lin was moved, "Time reveals true character. I've been in prison for three years, and none of my old friends or family have visited. To have you remember me at the end, I feel somewhat comforted."

Ye Xiaotian gently held his hand and said with deep emotion, "But I really wish that last year, today, was the anniversary of my father's death..."

(Note: The last sentence is a bit cryptic and may have a deeper meaning in the context of the story.)