Chapter 1174: Half-Understood

Anyone with eyes could see that the Censorate only focused its attention on the Grade-A prison, giving the Grade-B and Grade-C prisons only a cursory glance.

The Grade-C prison held many prisoners who had been tortured, their wounds inflamed and festering. Those Censors swept a glance over them without a single word of inquiry.

Nor did they utter a word about the prison's conditions. Clearly they had seen cells ten times worse than this — the Heaven Prison was practically a model facility by comparison.

After a full day of fussing, those Censors finally left.

A few jailers gathered before Chen Chen Guanlou, awaiting his instructions.

"Nothing's wrong! Even if there were, the Ministry of Justice would take the heat. You just carry on with your duties as usual, don't overthink things. Even if the higher-ups want to ask about some so-called inside story, they won't come to you. Understood?"

"Understood!"

In truth, they hadn't understood.

But they all remembered one principle: no matter who came asking, what government office, what status — the answer was always "don't know." Little people like them, how could they possibly warrant those great personages lowering themselves to inquire personally? It had to be a fake.

Even if a misunderstanding arose and they offended someone, Warden Chen would shield them.

If the sky fell, they didn't know which tall fellow would hold it up for them. But they knew Warden Chen would surely step in front. With Warden Chen around, that was enough!

"All dismissed!"

Chen Chen Guanlou waved his hand, and the jailers scattered in twos and threes, agreeing to grab a few drinks together after their shift.

Chen Quan stayed behind. "My lord, they were in the innermost cell of the prison for a full one and a half hours. And they wouldn't let us approach. This servant is very worried!"

"No need to worry. Even if they stir up trouble, it has nothing to do with us. Little people like us don't warrant their attention or deliberate persecution. So put your heart back in your stomach. I need to go give Lord Gu a heads-up — these plague-ridden…"

Chen Chen Guanlou muttered complaints as he walked toward the Grade-A prison, with Chen Quan accompanying him on either side.

Arriving at the cell door, he rapped on the bars. "Lord Gu, you've seen those Censors who came to inspect the Heaven Prison today, right? Let me tell you, those people mean no good — they're plotting to go back and cook up a memorial to impeach you personally, the Gu family, and even Lady Shufei."

"On what grounds! I've been in prison forever — what grounds do they have to impeach me?"

"Because you enjoy special treatment, and don't live in a regular cell like other official prisoners. They're also going to impeach the Ministry of Justice for treating you differently."

"Absolutely absurd!"

Gu Yiyang flew into a rage. "And I even greeted them politely. These Censors — smiling on the surface, who would have thought they'd plot to impeach me behind my back. I've been locked in the Heaven Prison for over half a year, and they come to impeach me — are they sick in the head!"

"They are indeed sick in the head. Well, can't blame them — their job is to pick fights everywhere and then write memorials to impeach. You have to understand."

"Can't understand it at all."

Gu Yiyang was so angry he paced in circles inside the cramped cell.

"Brother Chen, please do me the favor of getting this news to my family right away so they can prepare. Deduct all expenses from my account."

"That's easy enough. Actually, you don't need to worry too much. Special treatment in prison has existed since ancient times. Every official knows this in their heart. The Censors seizing on such a trivial matter clearly have no leg to stand on. It's like officials — some come from well-off families, some from poor ones. You can't demand all officials maintain the same standard and match the poorest ones. The Censors are clearly making trouble out of nothing. However, what's concerning is that they've dragged Lady Shufei into it — clearly harboring malicious intent."

Chen Chen Guanlou was not shooting in the dark.

Why aim at Lady Shufei?

Because Lady Shufei also had a son, and he was a strong contender in the struggle for the heir apparent. Because the Emperor kept delaying and refused to name a Crown Prince, the court was in a poisonous fog. The succession struggle had already spread from the inner palace to the court. Some were already impatient to pick sides, or were forced to.

Take the Hou Fu, for example — because they had a marriage alliance with the Empress, they were naturally classified as the Empress's faction, with no way to argue otherwise. They could only use time, five years or perhaps ten, to prove the Hou Fu's innocence. The Hou Fu would not simply side with the Empress just because their daughter had married the Empress's son.

Unless the Empress and her son could prove they were up to the heavy responsibility, with the ability and resolve to fight for that position. Then the Hou Fu might offer appropriate assistance.

Even so, the Hou Fu would not put all their eggs in one basket.

The Hou Fu had its own stance, its own calculations!

Gu Yiyang, hearing that this matter involved Lady Shufei, was so anxious his eyes turned red.

He slammed his fist against the wall. "Those few Censors — I know them all. Usually they seemed decent enough, who would have thought they were so filthy behind the scenes, utterly disgusting."

"Brother Gu, calm down first. Things may not be as bad as we think. The Censors have been very busy lately, with many people to impeach. And the Emperor's energy is limited — so, you get what I mean!" Chen Chen Guanlou winked at him, hinting that he'd said enough.

Gu Yiyang, after the hint, indeed brightened.

"Brother Chen means to fish in troubled waters."

"I didn't say anything." Chen Chen Guanlou denied it outright. If the Gu family wanted to fight other families, he didn't want his name appearing in it.

"I understand, I understand. Thank you, Brother Chen! Please pass a message to my family for me, and have them arrange for someone to come see me."

"Fine! You think it over slowly, I'll be going now."

After handling Lord Gu's matter, Chen Chen Guanlou made another round of the prison, chatting casually with a few officials.

The Censors' inspection of the Heaven Prison — anyone with eyes knew it wasn't simple.

"Warden Chen, the winds and rains are shaking things up!"

"Let's all shake together!" Chen Chen Guanlou brushed it off with a casual laugh. He didn't want to engage deeply — no need.

"Warden Chen, if there's any way this old man can be of use, please don't hesitate to ask."

"You'd better just sit tight in prison. Rather than exerting effort on me, better have your sons and grandsons make more money — with money, anything can be handled. Even getting out of prison isn't impossible."

"Your price is too high — this old man is a pauper, can't afford it. Come down a bit, please, for the sake of my advanced age."

"Don't whine at me, it's useless. Here, prices are open and transparent, fair to young and old alike. You'd better reflect on why you've ended up where you are."

"Warden Chen, have mercy — you'll be rewarded with good fortune."

"No mercy to give! How much per ounce is good fortune? I'll buy it with money. You lot — each and every one of you knows the rules, yet you all dream of cutting corners. Do I look easy to cheat to you? One word — no money, no talk!"

Chen Chen Guanlou bantered with these imprisoned officials for a while, made sure the prison was in order, then left the Grade-A prison.

No sooner had he stepped out of the prison than he heard commotion from the neighboring Tribunal Prison.

"What's going on? Send someone next door to check. Just got struck by lightning — don't tell me there's another accident. Really unlucky — what is Xiao Xiao Jincheng doing, doesn't he know to burn incense at a temple and get rid of the bad luck!"