Chapter 128: Experience Life in the Imperial Prison

The old emperor successfully steered the topic toward Qian Cai, and the ministers once again focused their fire on the matter of money and sending troops to quell the rebellion.

As the discussion continued, the focus turned to the Elder Lord. How could a cripple possibly command an army? This decision of His Majesty is utterly absurd.

“Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!”

There are always those unafraid of death who step forward to oppose the old emperor’s every decision. The emperor is old and senile; as subjects, it is our duty to remind him, lest he ruin this golden opportunity.

Once one speaks out, others follow—ministers lined up one after another to oppose the old emperor’s decision.

Emperor Tai Xing had laid out a grand strategy; how could a few ministers dare to sabotage it?

“My mind is made up. No more discussion. Anyone who opposes me will be thrown into the Imperial Prison.”

No more soft words—he went straight for the hard line, naming the Imperial Prison outright. It indeed scared off a crowd of opportunists, yet it only strengthened the resolve of those with firm convictions to oppose the old emperor even more.

Where there is opposition, there is also support.

The court erupted once more into chaos, and within an instant, verbal debate turned to physical combat.

Watching the chaotic scene, the old emperor did not grow angry—he was almost pleased. A faint smile tugged at his lips, then vanished just as quickly.

He glanced at Qiu Defu, received a confirming nod, and prepared to strike. As the ministers reached the peak of their uproar, a large contingent of Embroidered Uniform Guards suddenly flooded into the hall, seizing men according to a list.

Classic autumn-account settling.

In an instant, the ministers turned pale with shock.

One minister knelt and cried out urgently, “Your Majesty, do not! These gentlemen serve the state and the people. Even if they erred, they deserve a chance to repent!”

“How can one be punished merely for speaking? Please, Your Majesty, rescind your decree!”

“Who dares plead for them? Join them in the Imperial Prison!” Emperor Tai Xing roared. A single threat silenced all appeals. The grand Zhengyang Hall fell utterly silent—not a single voice dared speak.

The ministers all turned their hopes to the two Chancellors, praying they would step forward and speak truth. But they were doomed to disappointment—the two Chancellors sat like ancient monks in deep meditation, utterly still. Everything happening in the court seemed unrelated to them by even a hair’s breadth.

“Old villain!”

The ministers cursed inwardly.

Some cursed, others cheered. A greater turmoil was brewing.

Emperor Tai Xing abruptly ended the court session. Today’s assembly had only one purpose: lure out the snakes, shut the door, and catch the dogs—arresting men and throwing them in prison. Discussing state affairs? Ha. Merely a pretense.

With the emperor gone, the Crown Prince became the ministers’ anchor. Though many ministers avoided contact with him to stay safe, at this moment, all gave him encouraging glances.

The emperor is old and senile. Perhaps it is time for the heavens of Da Qian to change. They could no longer allow the old emperor to continue harming the realm, corrupting the court, and tormenting scholars.

The Crown Prince’s nostrils flared, his breath quickened. Had he not spent years cultivating inner calm, he would have lost control and betrayed his inner elation.

Opportunity!

How should he seize this opportunity?

He glanced at his brothers—ha, there would be time for autumn-account settling later.

…

The Imperial Prison grew lively—over a dozen officials thrown in at once, and everyone hoped to profit from it.

This was expected.

What was unexpected: Li Shaoqing in Cell 27 was suddenly pardoned. The emperor’s verbal order restored him to his former post, instructing him to interrogate this group of conspiring, mutinous officials and uncover who was pulling the strings behind them.

Chen Guanlou: …

He found the whole affair deeply mysterious.

When Li Shaoqing was released, Chen Guanlou specifically went to see him off, even arranging hot water for washing, for he deserved to leave with a clean face.

“Congratulations, Lord Li. Your injustice has been righted.”

Li Shaoqing was dressing himself. His expression was calm. He said to Chen Guanlou, “You came specially to see me off, Chen Tou. I am in your debt.”

“Thank you, Lord Li,” Chen Guanlou bowed his hands in gratitude.

Li Shaoqing chuckled lightly. “I should be thanking you.”

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. “I did nothing. How could I deserve your thanks?”

Li Shaoqing smiled but said nothing, offering no explanation.

Chen Guanlou fell into deep thought. Last time, helping sell the famous calligraphy—surely that held hidden meaning. Then, could Li Shaoqing’s early release mean the Hou Fu’s Elder Lord had secretly aided him?

The world of officialdom was indeed complex.

Li Shaoqing departed. Soon after, the Imperial Prison welcomed another high-ranking prisoner. The prison warden Fan rushed to hold an emergency meeting that night, discussing how to receive, manage, and please this nobleman—even if he couldn’t please him, he must not offend him.

Cell Block Jia was hastily cleared and turned into a VIP cell: chairs, tables, full sets of rosewood furniture, mosquito nets, bedding, ink, brushes, paper, shelves of books, and all manner of curious trinkets were arranged.

Chen Guanlou went to take a look—this wasn’t a prison cell, it was a VIP room at Zui Xiang Lou.

Warden Fan gave Chen Guanlou special instructions: “When this nobleman arrives, you must watch over him carefully. I trust your ability—you will handle this well.”

The others looked on with envy, jealousy, and resentment. Such a rare chance to serve a nobleman—and Warden Fan gave it to Chen Guanlou without hesitation. How unfair.

Chen Guanlou, however, felt immense pressure. He truly didn’t want to host any nobleman. Couldn’t he just eat and wait to die? Couldn’t he be a mere spectator, watching without acting?

He bowed slightly. “Your Excellency’s trust is overwhelming, but I fear I may fail and offend the nobleman.”

“No, no. You’ve studied. You know propriety. Your words are thoughtful and engaging. I have full confidence in you—have confidence in yourself.”

Warden Fan waved him on, urging him to act boldly, without hesitation.

Assistant Warden Fan also kept giving Chen Guanlou meaningful glances—don’t refuse this chance to climb the ladder.

Sigh.

Chen Guanlou had no choice but to accept the task. “I will do my utmost to serve the nobleman well, and not cause Your Excellency any worry.”

Hearing this, Warden Fan beamed. “With you handling it, I have no concerns.”

Why was the entire Imperial Prison on edge?

Because the nobleman coming to “experience life” in the Imperial Prison was the Second Young Master of the Jin Fu. He had spoken up for his father, Prince Jin, before the old emperor—and was punished by association. Thus, he was sent to the Imperial Prison to “experience life.”

This Second Young Master was the very man who, not long ago, had… slept with the concubine-niece of the Hou Fu’s Second Lady’s family.

Imperial Grandson!

For the prison guards, a nobleman they’d never dreamed of encountering had suddenly arrived to “experience life”—it was a revelation.

Cell Blocks Bing and Yi were envious. The other squad leaders were envious. Only Chen Guanlou, burdened with the task, cursed inwardly again and again.

Why not go to the Imperial Prison? Why not go to the Shao Fu prison? Why come here to “experience life”? What a nuisance! Purely adding burden and trouble.

Indeed, there are no purely good things in this world. Warden Fan’s favor brought Chen Guanlou smooth progress in Cell Block Jia—but also immense pressure.

He wasn’t afraid of anything else—only that the Second Young Master of the Jin Fu might go mad and drag the innocent down with him.