Chapter 1151

"What is there for me to negotiate with you? You people are full of schemes. Ever since you entered the Heavenly Prison, the Heavenly Prison hasn't known peace. First, there was the imposter, and now what do you want to do? Magistrate Xiao, I advise you to behave yourself; the Heavenly Prison is not your backyard, and things won't go as you wish."

Chen Guanlou scolded sternly, adopting an attitude of absolutely refusing to collude with ambitious people.

What is the Heavenly Prison?

The Heavenly Prison is righteous, pure, and innocent!

All evil originates from Xiao Changsheng.

No matter what one does, the first thing is to make one's attitude and stance clear; only then can one hold the upper hand against the other party. One cannot have an attitude of 'anything goes as long as the price is right.' Even if one thinks that way in their heart, one cannot show it on the surface. It would be a sign of inferiority!

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, do you have some misunderstanding about me? Those things you mentioned, the imposter and all that, have nothing to do with me. I am also a victim! Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, what exactly do you want to do, what goal do you want to achieve? Why not lay your cards on the table, let's be open and speak plainly, how about that?"

Xiao Changsheng felt very wronged and sincere. He was full of complaints with nowhere to vent. What was even more terrifying was that no matter how much he shouted his innocence, no one believed him.

The entire Heavenly Prison seemed to have concluded that the imposter was his own fabrication.

Wronged!

Terribly wronged!

Even now, his mind was still dazed.

At least he had experience; no matter how dazed or wronged he felt, the key was to solve the problem!

Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly, "What is there for me to say to you? If I hadn't been at the scene, if we hadn't been experienced, what would the Heavenly Prison have been ruined into by you? When trouble happens and heads are being chopped off, will you take my place on the execution ground? Magistrate Xiao, I beg you to have some mercy; the lives of prison guards are lives too, you can't play with them recklessly!"

"It's all a misunderstanding! Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, I have absolutely no intention of harming the Heavenly Prison, let alone any thought of harming people to the point of execution. Believe me!"

"How can I believe you!"

"I will compensate the Heavenly Prison, compensate the prison guards."

Chen Guanlou said 'oh', "Tell me first, how will you compensate?"

"I... why don't you name a price. I'm still dazed, and I don't know what the situation is outside right now."

Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly twice, "Considering your sincerity, ten thousand taels. I'll temporarily stop pursuing your responsibility!"

Xiao Changsheng thought to himself: The Heavenly Prison is indeed dark! The rumors outside don't lie!

He gritted his teeth, "Fine, ten thousand taels, consider it as me giving the prison guard brothers a fright-relief fee. Thank you, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, for giving me this opportunity."

Chen Guanlou changed his expression in a second and immediately laughed, "The Heavenly Prison guards will certainly feel Magistrate Xiao's sincerity."

Xiao Changsheng cursed inwardly; the one surnamed Chen was indeed like a dog, biting people at the slightest disagreement. One had to stroke his fur the right way before he would talk properly.

"And what about the previous matter?"

"What previous matter?" Chen Guanlou feigned ignorance.

"The matter of the imposter; I hope Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen will keep it a secret, and I also hope the Heavenly Prison guard brothers will keep it a secret."

"That wouldn't be good! Such a big matter must be reported to the Ministry of Justice. Once the Ministry of Justice knows, it's equivalent to the whole court knowing. You want me to hide this matter; if something happens in the future and it's investigated, will you take my place for the execution?"

Chen Guanlou hummed twice.

He wanted him to keep his mouth shut the moment he opened it—what a pipe dream! He had no self-awareness at all.

"Then tell me how much money it will take for you to keep your mouth shut!" Xiao Changsheng had grasped the essence; he couldn't be bothered with nonsense and went straight to negotiating the price.

As the saying goes, everything is negotiable.

If the negotiation isn't going well, it's definitely because the price isn't high enough!

Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly, "Magistrate Xiao, this is not the attitude for negotiating matters."

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, please forgive me; I was too anxious. My fault, it's all my fault! The matter of the imposter has an extremely bad influence. I myself have no clue at all so far. It is not advisable to make this matter public for the time being, to prevent the other party from jumping over the wall in desperation. I hope Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen will keep it secret for me and not let the wind leak out. I will definitely have a heavy reward."

That's more like it.

Chen Guanlou nodded approvingly.

See, anyone can talk properly.

If they can't talk properly, it's definitely because the price wasn't agreed upon.

He pondered for a moment, "I also know that Magistrate Xiao, you have suffered a great deal this time. I don't want to make things difficult for you, so let's do this: ten thousand taels, and I guarantee to keep my mouth shut; not a single word will leak out. Including the Ministry of Justice, apart from the Minister knowing the details, no one else will know what happened in the Heavenly Prison."

Xiao Changsheng didn't dare to bargain, even though he felt in his heart that this price was simply too high. He worried that if he bargained, Chen Guanlou would come up with some other tricks to threaten him and make things difficult for him.

Problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

He gritted his teeth and nodded, "Fine, a total of twenty thousand taels. Thank you for your hard work, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen. I will give you a note right now; you can go to my mansion and draw it from the steward."

"With Magistrate Xiao's sincerity, I will naturally keep my promise!"

Chen Guanlou beamed with joy, then solemnly assured him, letting the other party rest assured.

Having spent the money, Xiao Changsheng felt relieved in his heart.

He slumped on the bed board, gasping for air, proving that he was still alive.

"I want to eat roast chicken tonight!" he said.

Satisfied!

Chen Guanlou indicated that no matter what the other party wanted to eat, he would satisfy it.

"I also want to drink alcohol!"

"That won't do! Your body is very weak; Medical Official Mu said you cannot drink alcohol for the time being. You can use tea instead. Also, overly greasy food is not allowed. Don't be anxious; once your body recovers, whatever you want to eat will be satisfied."

Xiao Changsheng said 'um', indicating his agreement.

"Who wants to harm me?"

"This question should be asked of yourself. You've offended so many people; go and investigate them one by one."

Chen Guanlou got the money, and the matter was accomplished, leaving him satisfied. He couldn't be bothered to bicker with the other party and decisively left the prison, returning to the office to enjoy the ice cubes for cooling.

He called Chen Quan to the office.

The matter seemed to have passed, but the questions regarding Chen Quan had not been completely resolved. This matter could not be glossed over.

His attitude was very serious, to the point that as soon as Chen Quan stepped into the office door, he became slightly nervous and started sweating.

"Is there something you need to instruct me on, my lord?"

"I have always been curious; you said you saw someone sneaking into the Heavenly Prison that night, and one of them seemed to be the Minister. What exactly is going on?"

"I don't know either! Could it be that I had hallucinations because I was drugged?"

"Why didn't anyone else have similar hallucinations?" Chen Guanlou countered.

Chen Quan looked anxious, unable to explain it clearly, and was dazed himself, "My lord, I really don't know. I have no intention of deceiving you!"

Chen Guanlou tapped the table lightly.

He walked down the steps and came before Chen Quan, "Regarding Xiao Jin's death, you were grieving for a fellow sufferer and wiped away tears several times. Did you blame me at the time for not avenging Xiao Jin?"

"I have absolutely no such thoughts!"

"As the culprit behind Xiao Jin's death, what was the first thing you thought of when he was locked in the Heavenly Prison? You could finally avenge Xiao Jin, right?"