Chapter 1135

Medical Official Mu definitely had a grudge against Pure Yang Zhenren.

Chen Guanlou judged as such.

Medical Official Mu, however, refused to admit it, only saying that he was old and experienced, and could see through Pure Yang Zhenren's true face at a glance.

Only after being asked repeatedly did he reluctantly reveal a little. When Old Mu was still Little Mu, he had encountered the Zhenren—ancient matters that the Zhenren likely didn't remember. Little Mu had suffered a loss back then and had held a grudge ever since.

"One a physician, one a Daoist—the collision between you two..." Chen Guanlou was curious.

Medical Official Mu kept a straight face, clearly not wanting to talk about it.

No matter how he was asked, he refused to open his mouth.

"I'll take a bold guess: you were bullied, you were no match for him, and you were even humiliated..."

Medical Official Mu neither admitted nor denied it, only emphasizing, "The old guy is not a good person. You should be careful about being sold out if you associate with him."

"With your warning, I will certainly be careful."

Gu Yiyang kept his promise, and within a few days, he had gathered twenty thousand taels.

Chen Guanlou collected this 'scripture repair fee' on behalf of Pure Yang Zhenren!

Gu Yiyang was a bit uneasy. "Prison Warden Chen, you must ensure this money is used for scripture repair. It can be considered a meritorious deed."

"Rest assured, I guarantee to you that this money will be used for the right path and will never be allowed to gather dust. When are you getting out? Being held in the Heavenly Prison for a long time is not a solution!"

Chen Guanlou was a bit disgusted with Gu Yiyang. Although the other party gave plenty of money and the Heavenly Prison could make a huge profit from him, the man surnamed Gu was a troublemaker by nature.

A troublemaker would inevitably bring trouble.

Now that the money was in hand, he hoped the other would get out of prison soon and go plague others.

"Brother Chen, do you think I want to sit in prison? I also hope to get out soon, but as long as His Majesty doesn't speak, I have to keep squatting in the Heavenly Prison."

"Ask your sister, Consort Shu, to find a way."

"Consort Shu has also been having a hard time lately." Gu Yiyang sat in the chair, sighing. After sighing, he looked at him suspiciously. "Could it be that Brother Chen dislikes me, thinking I'm a nuisance in the Heavenly Prison?"

Chen Guanlou was exposed, but his expression didn't change as he spouted nonsense with a straight face. "How could that be? Don't let your imagination run wild. I am concerned about you. Seeing the 'autumn tiger' heat raging, the days ahead won't be easy. If you can't get out by autumn, wait until winter—the Heavenly Prison is no place for humans to stay; it's as cold as an ice cellar.

You've seen the structure of the Heavenly Prison; it naturally doesn't allow for fire braziers to keep warm. Think about how cold the capital's winter is. The Heavenly Prison is even colder than outside. Every winter, prisoners freeze to death in their cells. You are used to luxury, and I am worried your constitution won't hold up!"

It was all heartfelt and sincere!

Sincerity is the ultimate skill!

Disgust? There was none.

Even if he was disgusted from the bottom of his heart, his face was full of sincerity.

Gu Yiyang was deeply moved. "Brother Chen is so concerned about me; I am deeply comforted!"

Chen Guanlou hummed. "Don't be in a hurry to be comforted. Think of a way, or ask your family to find a way for you to get out soon. The later it is, the more unfavorable it becomes. Let me tell you, the most terrifying thing in officialdom is not being thrown into prison, but being forgotten by the Emperor. You wouldn't want Xiao Changsheng to be the only one enjoying the Emperor's favor, would you?"

This...

Gu Yiyang's brain began to spin.

Of course, he didn't want Xiao Changsheng to be triumphant, but he didn't have the Emperor's favor, nor could he be as shameless as Xiao Changsheng, who would discard his reputation and face. He was a proper scion of a noble family; he wanted face, and he couldn't do those despicable things.

Chen Guanlou felt frustrated on his behalf.

He coaxed and guided him, offering advice. "Brother Gu, you have status, background, and backing; your family has a deep foundation, and your friends are all over the court. You have so many advantages; you must make good use of them! I heard there is a rather favored Fengyi Lang by His Majesty's side; this person is an excellent partner for cooperation. Why haven't you made a move?"

Gu Yiyang sighed. "Brother Chen, you don't know—that Fengyi Lang you mentioned has too high a profile, and everyone is watching him, which easily invites suspicion."

"You and the Fengyi Lang are of similar age; what does it matter if you become friends? Perhaps if His Majesty is happy, he will look at you with higher regard. You must remember, nothing is more important than the Emperor's favor. Xiao Changsheng relies on the Emperor's favor to thrive. Someone from a humble background now holds a rank far higher than yours; are you reconciled to that?"

Gu Yiyang frowned; of course, he was not reconciled.

Every time he saw Xiao Changsheng, he wanted to kill him. A sycophant, daring to be arrogant in the capital, which is full of powerful nobles. He relies on nothing but the influence of Imperial Consort Xiao.

"Brother Chen, allow me to think about it."

"Think quickly, think more. Think about your aspirations, your ambitions, and the purpose of your studies and becoming an official. Time cannot be wasted in the Heavenly Prison. You must get out of prison soon and make a name for yourself in the court so that you don't waste your surname and the confidence your family has given you."

Chen Guanlou pushed him hard.

Seeing the struggle for the succession unfolding, with various factions fighting and killing, the Heavenly Prison, as a peripheral yamen, was best kept out of it. It would be best if these people, when they commit crimes in the future, are all locked up in the Zhao Yu or the Dali Temple, and not come to the Heavenly Prison.

After a round of coaxing, Gu Yiyang began to seriously think of ways and urged his family to get him out.

Seeing this, Chen Guanlou was very gratified—the child was teachable.

Although the man surnamed Gu's aptitude was far behind Xie Changling and the others, he still favored the young man and believed he would have a bright future. With such an impressive family background, it would be strange if he didn't have a future.

However, the Gu family was not efficient enough.

Matters dragged on, and nothing was accomplished; the person was still locked in the Heavenly Prison.

Chen Guanlou was very dissatisfied.

Taking a moment, he went down to the Heavenly Prison and asked Gu Yiyang, "What is going on with your family? Why is it taking so long to get someone out of prison?"

Gu Yiyang was also very troubled. "My family told me to be patient; things are not peaceful in the palace right now. Let's discuss it after some time."

"Tsk! A dignified Gu family, and you can't even get one person out? Is your family actually capable or not? Could it be that your family has long since become an empty shell?"

"Nonsense!" Gu Yiyang retorted sternly. "Whether my family is an empty shell, you will know clearly if you ask the people at the Hou Fu. If you don't believe me, you should at least believe the Hou Fu."

Chen Guanlou nodded. "Tomorrow, I will go and ask the Hou Fu about your family's situation."

"Brother Chen, do you sincerely hope I get out of prison, or are you just disgusted with me?"

"I am sincerely hoping for your well-being." Chen Guanlou lied through his teeth. "How could I be disgusted with you? We are brothers; I am counting on you to succeed so I can enjoy the good life with you later. Could it be that you doubt my intentions?"

"Brother Chen, please forgive me! Every time you urge me to get out of prison, you seem overly eager, so I inevitably think too much. Blame me, blame me; I shouldn't have doubted your intentions." Gu Yiyang apologized sincerely.

Chen Guanlou snorted coldly. "So much for my sincerity, only to be doubted by you. Do you scions of noble families all have this temperament, always liking to be suspicious? Next time, I won't urge you. Since you like sitting in prison, sit until the end of time!"