Chapter 128: Experiencing Life in the Imperial Prison

The old Emperor successfully steered the topic toward money, and the court officials once again focused their fire on the matter of funds and sending troops to quell the rebellion.

As the debate went on, the fire shifted onto the Grand Lord. A cripple — what right does he have to take command of the army? Your Majesty's decision is simply too absurd.

"I beg Your Majesty to recall this decree!"

There were always those fearless of death who stepped forward to oppose the old Emperor's every decision. The old Emperor was aged and muddle-headed; as his subjects, it was their duty to remind the Emperor, lest he ruin a fine situation.

Where there was a first, there would be a second and a third; officials stepped forward one after another to oppose the old Emperor's decision.

Emperor Emperor Taixing had prepared a grand game of chess — how could he allow a few ministers to wreck it?

"My mind is made up. There is no need for further discussion. Any who oppose shall be sent to the Imperial Prison."

No soft approach — straight to the hard one, opening his mouth with the Imperial Prison. It did scare off a pack of opportunistic officials. But it made another pack, those with firm convictions, oppose the old Emperor's decision all the more resolutely.

Where there were those who opposed, naturally there were those who supported.

The court erupted into uproar once more; from verbal sparring to fisticuffs was but a moment's work.

The old Emperor watched the chaotic scene, and not only was he not angry, he was somewhat pleased. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, then pressed back down in an instant.

He glanced at Qiu Qiu Defu, received an affirmative response, and the old Emperor prepared to strike while the iron was hot. Just as the ministers' quarrel reached its climax, a large contingent of Brocade Guards suddenly poured into the great hall and began arresting people according to a list.

A clean settling of accounts after the autumn harvest.

In an instant, the ministers turned pale with shock.

One official dropped to his knees and cried urgently, "Your Majesty must not! All these gentlemen acted for the good of the nation and the people; even if they erred, they should be given a chance to reform."

"One cannot be punished for one's words — I beg Your Majesty to recall this decree."

"Anyone who dares to plead for them shall go to the Imperial Prison with them." Emperor Emperor Taixing rebuked sharply; a single threat instantly silenced the pleas. In the vast Zhengyang Hall, it grew so quiet one could hear a pin drop — no one spoke.

The ministers placed their hopes on the two Chancellors, hoping the two lords would step forward and speak a word of justice. Yet they were doomed to disappointment — the two Chancellors sat like monks in deep meditation, utterly still. Everything happening in the court seemed to have not the slightest connection to them.

"Old traitor!"

The ministers cursed furiously in their hearts.

Where there were those who cursed, naturally there were those who cheered. An even greater storm was brewing.

The old Emperor decisively ended the court session. Today's assembly had only one purpose: to lure the snakes from their holes, shut the door and beat the dogs, arrest people and throw them into the great prison. Discussing state affairs — heh, that was nothing but a pretext.

Once the old Emperor left, the Crown Prince became the ministers' pillar of support. Although many officials avoided contact with the Crown Prince to stay safe, at this moment everyone cast him encouraging gazes.

The Emperor was aged and muddle-headed — it must be said, the time had come for the skies over this Great Qian to change. They could not let the old Emperor continue to plague the realm, plague the court, plague the scholars.

The Crown Prince was so stirred that his nostrils flared slightly and his breathing grew rapid. Had he not spent years cultivating his temperament, at this moment he surely could not have contained the elation in his heart and lost his composure.

An opportunity!

How was this opportunity to be seized?

He glanced at a few of his brothers — heh, the time to settle accounts after the autumn harvest would come in due course.

……

The Imperial Prison became very lively; over a dozen officials were locked up in one go, and everyone expected to make a fortune off it.

This was within expectations.

What was unexpected was that Li Li Shaoqing in cell number twenty-seven was suddenly pardoned. By Your Majesty's oral decree, Li Li Shaoqing was restored to his original post — perfectly suited to investigate this group of officials who had colluded and forced the court, and to find out who was behind it all.

Chen Chen Guanlou: ……

He felt the whole affair was extraordinarily mysterious.

When Li Li Shaoqing left the prison, Chen Chen Guanlou made a point of seeing him off a stretch, and even had the jailers prepare hot water for washing up. At the very least, the man should leave the prison with a clean face.

"Congratulations, my lord Li — your grievance has finally been cleared."

Li Li Shaoqing was dressing himself. His expression was calm as he said to Chen Chen Guanlou, "Chief Chen came specially to see me off — I am indebted to you for the kindness."

"Many thanks, my lord Li." Chen Chen Guanlou cupped his hands in a bow, thanking the other.

Li Li Shaoqing saw this and chuckled lightly. "It should be I who thank you."

Chen Chen Guanlou's brow lifted slightly. "I did nothing — how could I possibly deserve my lord Li's thanks?"

Li Li Shaoqing smiled without a word, and offered no explanation.

Chen Chen Guanlou could not help falling into deep thought. Last time, helping to sell the famous calligrapher's copybook — there was indeed a hidden mystery. Then, for Li Li Shaoqing to leave prison early, did that not mean the Grand Lord of Hou Fu had lent a secret hand?

The ways of officialdom were truly complicated.

Li Li Shaoqing departed, and soon the Imperial Prison welcomed another heavyweight prisoner, so alarming that Warden Fan held an emergency meeting that very night to discuss how to receive him, how to manage him, how to win the nobleman's favor. Even if they could not win his favor, they must not earn his disgust.

The first-class cells especially cleared out a VIP cell overnight, fully furnished with tables, chairs, and benches — a complete set of rosewood furniture, mosquito nets, bedding, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, cabinets full of books, and all manner of curious novelties were put on display.

Chen Chen Guanlou went to take a look — where was this a prison cell? It was clearly a VIP room at Drunken Fragrance House.

Warden Fan specifically reminded Chen Chen Guanlou, "Once this nobleman arrives, you will look after him well. I trust your abilities — you will handle this matter properly."

The others, seeing this, could not help casting looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred. Such a rare chance to come into contact with a nobleman — Warden Fan handed this important task to Chen Chen Guanlou without a second thought. Truly unbearable.

Yet Chen Chen Guanlou felt immense pressure. He truly did not want to host any nobleman — could he not just eat and wait for death? Could he not just be a bystander who watches the show but does nothing?

He bowed slightly. "I am honored by The Official Values, but I fear I may handle things poorly and earn the nobleman's disgust."

"No, no. You are educated, know the measure of advance and retreat, and speak in a way that is both considerate and amusing. I have confidence in you, and you must have confidence in yourself."

Warden Fan waved his hand, telling Chen Chen Guanlou to go ahead boldly and not have any worries.

Deputy Warden Fan also kept shooting Chen Chen Guanlou meaningful looks — don't refuse the assignment; this was a rare chance to attach oneself to a nobleman.

Sigh!

With no choice, Chen Chen Guanlou could only accept the task. "This one will certainly handle the assignment with care, serving the nobleman to the best of his ability, so as not to trouble my lord."

Warden Fan, hearing this, was immediately pleased. "With you handling things, I am at ease."

Why was the entire Imperial Prison on high alert as if facing a great enemy?

Only because the nobleman coming down to the Imperial Prison to experience life was none other than the second Young Master of Jin Wang Fu. Because he had spoken up before the old Emperor on behalf of his father, Prince Jin, he incurred the old Emperor's wrath. And so, he was sent to the Imperial Prison to experience life.

This second Young Master was also the very one who had, some time ago at Hou Fu, been... the one who slept with the concubine-born niece of the second Lady's maternal family.

An imperial grandson!

For the average jailer, a noble they could never encounter in their entire lives suddenly coming to the Sky Prison to experience life was truly an eye-opener.

The Class-C prison and Class-B prison were green with envy, and so were the other squad leaders—only Chen Chen Guanlou, burdened with heavy responsibilities, cursed inwardly again and again.

When there's the Edict Prison you won't go to, when there's the Shaofu Prison you won't go to, yet you insist on coming to the Sky Prison to experience life—what's wrong with you! You're purely adding to the burden, making trouble for everyone.

Sure enough, there's no purely good thing under heaven. Warden Fan's regard for him made his work in the Class-A prison go very smoothly, but it also brought tremendous pressure.

He's not afraid of anything else, only afraid that the Second Young Master of the Jin Prince's Wang Fu will go on a rampage and drag the innocent down with him.