Chapter 1444: The plague-ridden Chen Guanlou

That night, Chen Guanqiang told Chen Guanfu the truth about the substitute test-taking.

Chen Guanfu was so angry that he smashed a tea set on the spot; it was expensive!

"Go call Steward Ma; I want to ask him personally."

Simply lawless! Daring to engage in imperial examination fraud behind the Hou Fu's back is purely seeking death.

Steward Ma was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly woken up and told that the Heir had invited him, and he immediately had a bad premonition. He recalled what he had done during this period; he hadn't committed any crimes!

Could it be...

He rushed to the Hou Fu and arrived at the front study. As soon as he entered the door, a teacup was thrown at his forehead.

He dodged subconsciously.

The teacup fell to the ground, making a crisp sound, shattering into countless pieces.

Steward Ma instantly had a feeling that disaster was imminent and his death was approaching. Without a word, he knelt directly on the shattered porcelain pieces.

"I am guilty, I am guilty!"

"Ma Huai, you were originally the Old Madam's companion, so this Heir has always been tolerant and polite to you. But you? What have you done? Imperial examination fraud, your courage is really big! The imperial examination that even this Heir has to avoid, you actually dared to intervene. You are seeking death!"

As soon as the words fell, a whip lashed onto Steward Ma's back.

Steward Ma grimaced in pain.

He was the Old Madam's companion and had always been decent. He hadn't suffered for decades, let alone being whipped.

Suddenly being whipped, his body hurt! It hurt to the heart! His whole body trembled! He almost couldn't stop himself from urinating!

He didn't expect that being whipped would be so painful.

Usually, only he whipped others; when did he ever think he would have a day of being whipped by others.

He didn't dare to argue, enduring the pain and kowtowing for mercy, "Heir, spare my life, Heir, spare my life. I was also blinded by pig lard, my brain was confused for a moment, so I... so I..."

"So you got a Child Scholar status for your precious son. Fortunately, it's only a Child Scholar!"

Chen Guanfu tried hard to calm his anger and sat down.

Chen Guanqiang immediately offered a cup of tea at just the right temperature.

Chen Guanfu drank a mouthful of tea to moisten his throat, "Tell me the situation in detail. Who helped with the substitute test-taking, who did you bribe, who acted as the go-between, and who else knows about this matter. Tell me everything in detail. If you dare to hide even the slightest bit, you won't see tomorrow's sun."

Steward Ma nodded, sobbing.

He regretted it!

Regretted it from the beginning.

If he had known it would be exposed, if he had known his precious son's mouth was like it had no gate, he wouldn't have sent his son to work in the Heavenly Prison. Raising him at home, raising him for a lifetime would have been fine.

The plague-ridden Chen Guanlou, why be so shrewd.

His son had only been in the Heavenly Prison for a few days before the substitute test-taking was discovered; he couldn't just hold his nose and acknowledge it.

He even stuffed money to the other party.

Taking money and not doing the job, bad reputation!

Still having the face to say taking money and doing the job, fair to young and old.

Clearly, it was cheating both young and old!

So angry, so angry!

Chen Guanlou is plague-ridden, curse his eight generations of ancestors!

Chen Guanlou was lying at home and sneezed several times.

He rubbed his nose, thinking it must be someone missing him. Could it be Brother Qiang!

Alas, poor Brother Qiang, he won't have any free time until the first month! He originally wanted to find Brother Qiang to play cards during the New Year and win some money from him, but now it's all gone.

Ma Jingming asked for leave! He has to deal with the Hou Fu's investigation!

Chen Guanlou had already anticipated it.

Mu Qingshan didn't know the inside story and complained loudly, "Who does he think he is? He's only been here a few days and he's asking for leave; does he really think he's an ancestor? My lord, where exactly did you find this one surnamed Ma? He's a piece of trash, and he dares to ask for leave! I suggest firing him."

"Do your own work, ask less about things that don't concern you." Chen Guanlou disliked the other party for talking too much.

Mu Qingshan disagreed, "The one surnamed Ma seriously affects everyone's work enthusiasm; he's a piece of trash, yet he gets the same pay as everyone else, what for."

"Who told you he gets the same pay as you, did I ever say that?"

Now it was Mu Qingshan's turn to stutter, "Isn't... isn't it?"

"He is currently responsible for running errands and doing odd jobs, not responsible for clerical work. He definitely gets paid less than you. Do you feel better now?"

Mu Qingshan chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed. Since he wasn't getting the same pay, he had no opinion at all.

"My lord, I'm fine! My lord, continue drinking tea, I'll take my leave."

"Next time, be more polite when you speak; you are a Private Secretary, get your identity straight!" Chen Guanlou reminded the other party.

Mu Qingshan nodded repeatedly, but would commit the same mistake next time!

This person just doesn't learn his lesson.

Chen Guanlou couldn't be bothered to manage the other party; he was going to meet Scholar Du, that big drama queen!

Du Xiuwen was in a good mood today, facing the towering small window, feeling a little bit of winter sunlight, humming a small tune, his expression full of enjoyment.

"Scholar Du, who do you hate the most?"

Chen Guanlou didn't want to beat around the bush and hit the core question directly.

Seeing that the other party didn't make a sound and continued humming the small tune, he continued, "I flipped through your case files; your life has been quite smooth. Poor family, yet someone sponsored your studies. Good talent for reading, the teacher was very good to you, often giving you extra lessons. The first time you took the exam, you passed as a Child Scholar! You gained the favor of the wealthy families in your area.

You have met noble people to support you all the way, why do you have so much hatred in your heart? Such strong hostility? You were never mistreated, yet you are cynical? Why?

Was the teacher not good to you? You revolted, and the teacher was implicated. Were the surrounding neighbors and commoners not good to you? You revolted, and they all had to be implicated!

Was the County Magistrate not good to you? You passed as a Child Scholar, and he rewarded you with one hundred taels. Were the wealthy families not good to you? You passed as a Child Scholar, and they gifted you a house."

Scholar Du finally agreed to look at Chen Guanlou directly, "In the eyes of the world, all this is good! I am also grateful for their kindness! I didn't want to implicate them, but alas, alas..."

He laughed at himself and continued, "I don't hate anyone! Warden Chen, you have misjudged me; I have never hated! There is no anger in my heart, nor hatred. I have no desires in my heart!"

"In your eyes, all living things are equal, right? Scholar Du, tell me the truth, did you join some evil cult organization?"

"Hahaha..." Du Xiuwen seemed to have heard a huge joke, "Warden Chen, you are narrow-minded. I don't need to join any evil cult organization; I believe in heaven, I believe in earth, I believe in myself! I am a god! Hahaha..."

Sure enough, there's something wrong!

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue twice, "You mean, you created a new sect yourself, served as the sect leader, and then sacrificed your life for righteousness, spreading your sect's doctrines, right?"

Du Xiuwen had a playful expression, "Do you think I'm crazy? Wrong! The one who is crazy is not me, but the world, it's you!"

"Come, let's discuss how I am crazy." Chen Guanlou was interested; he liked discussing problems and exploring life philosophy with crazy people who had culture. This is a great tool for killing time! Another fulfilling day!

Du Xiuwen snorted coldly, "You are a Ninth-Rank warrior, yet you serve as a dog for the imperial court, and you are willing to do so. If that's not crazy, what is? Anyone who is a normal person wouldn't do such a crazy thing. Warden Chen, you were crazy long ago, but you didn't realize it yourself. If you believe me, I will liberate you, how about it?" ===== CHAPTER 1445 =====