Chapter 1664

"Little thief, how dare you humiliate me!"

Cao Song roared and cursed, wishing everyone would come to see how despicable and base the Heavenly Prison Warden was.

He was a dignified Minister of the Secretariat, yet he was described as so unbearable.

At this moment, he didn't care about decency; he just wanted to tear Chen Guanlou apart.

Chen Guanlou hugged his arms and watched the other party go crazy indifferently, "Even the most decent person, when poked in a sore spot, will lose control. Minister Cao, outsiders all say that when you were young, you were bright and clear, a rare romantic talent. Now it seems, it's just like this. Having lived for decades, I haven't seen you make much progress.

The most glorious moment of your life was the moment you were named the third-place scholar. Since then, you have been going downhill. Although you have been promoted all the way, you have never experienced the glorious scene of being admired by everyone and respected by ten thousand people again. Do you miss it?"

Cao Song panted like an ox, his chest heaving violently.

His emotions were so excited that I was really afraid he would die in the next second.

Chen Guanlou didn't care and continued to stimulate the other party, "I have flipped through your resume. Since you embarked on an official career, you have implemented policies many times, all ending in bleak failure. The common people would rather return to the old rules than cooperate with your policy strategies. You feel frustrated.

But your official career is very good, rising all the way to return to the court as an official. You have repeatedly put forward constructive opinions, but you are not reused. Because someone is smarter than you and has proposed more perfect and implementable policy strategies. Three generations of emperors have ignored you time and time again. Yet, when it comes to promotion, they haven't forgotten you.

You have started to ponder internally, why is your official career so smooth? Could it be that the Emperor pities you? Or perhaps he treats you as a foil. Red flowers need green leaves to set them off, and you are the green leaf. You are not reconciled!

You realize that if you compete on real ability, you can't compete with other officials. There is always someone better than you. Even Xie Gechen, who is ten or twenty years younger than you, is much better than you, with mature and feasible policy strategies. So, you changed your strategy, talking about moral codes with your mouth open and ethics with your mouth closed. This set of things is indeed useful, and many stubborn old men like you, or young people who have been indoctrinated, have started to flock to your side, finally giving you a sense of achievement.

So, you have intensified your efforts. In the court, there is nothing more in line with the moral code than designating a Crown Prince, and if this matter is accomplished, it is enough to be recorded in history, highlighting your fame, and you will leave a name in history. Tsk tsk... Minister Cao, worthy of being a third-place scholar, your brain is indeed good."

Cao Song's expression was stiff, his eyes complex—resentful, heartbroken, regretful, thoughtful, aggrieved, unwilling—finally turning into a laugh towards the sky.

"Hahaha... little thief, don't try to speculate on my thoughts with your dirty mind. I have reached today by relying on loyalty. A petty person like you who only knows how to scheme doesn't understand at all. You have no father and no ruler; you are a rebellious subject."

Chen Guanlou nodded seriously, seemingly agreeing with the other party's evaluation, "Minister Cao's words are reasonable. After all, there are few people in the world like you who talk about the ruler and father every day, yet dig pits for the ruler and father everywhere and go against the ruler and father everywhere. Otherwise, you wouldn't be going in for a second time."

"Does humiliating me make you happy?" Cao Song questioned sternly.

Chen Guanlou shook his head slowly, "Where does the humiliation come from? You misunderstood me. Today is just an academic discussion; the theme is what exactly is the true ruler and subject, father and son. Minister Cao, you are well-read in poetry and books and are a famous Confucian scholar, but you cannot say one thing and do another. You must be honest and face the unbearable in your heart. Only then can your spirit be sublimated and you be worthy of the title of a great Confucian scholar. Otherwise, it is fame-seeking and will be spurned by the world."

"Whether I am fame-seeking or have true talent and learning, the world has its own judgment. It is not your turn to talk nonsense in front of me. Chen Guanlou, turn back to the shore; I advise you to stop being sharp-tongued. Be careful of falling into the tongue-pulling hell."

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue twice, seemingly having seen something incredible.

"You are a disciple of the sage, yet you talk about the tongue-pulling hell, using Buddhism to discuss Confucianism. Minister Cao, your heart is not sincere!"

Chen Guanlou pointed at the other party, smiling, clearly mocking and watching a joke.

Cao Song held his breath in his heart, unable to go down or up, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

He gritted his teeth, "Little thief, whose money did you take, and who told you to humiliate me?"

"Not so!" Chen Guanlou stretched out a finger and shook it from side to side, "No one bribed me, and you underestimate me too much. I am just visiting today! Forgot to remind you, my surname is Chen!"

"Are you here for the Marquis's mansion? Nonsense! What I do has only benefits and no harm to the Marquis's mansion; what qualifications do you have to stand up for the Marquis's mansion? Even if you want to stand up for them, you should be grateful to me."

Chen Guanlou's expression was smiling, but his eyes were very cold, "Minister Cao, do you believe what you just said yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"It has only benefits and no harm to the Marquis's mansion; do you believe it? You, seemingly dignified and righteous, are actually exceptionally vicious. Fortunately, I am not one of those students who have read books until they are stupid and will not be bewitched by you. You, just stay in the cell with peace of mind; I will send someone to keep an eye on you."

Cao Song pursed his lips, his expression serious and solemn, "Little thief, you had better not let me catch any handle."

Chen Guanlou retorted, "You had better not fall into my hands, otherwise..."

He smiled and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Cao Song was shocked.

How dare the other party! Daring to threaten with life, where did he get the courage?

He was a Minister of the Secretariat and a heavy official of the state. If he died in prison, the court would never let anyone in the Heavenly Prison go.

Chen Guanlou walked out of the Grade A prison leisurely.

This time was just the beginning; he would continue to give him a hard lesson later.

When dealing with a stubborn old man, don't think that one time can solve the problem.

A stubborn old man is a stubborn old man because he has grown up over decades, has a powerful core, and has his own set of views. Wanting to break it is not a task of one day or one night.

This task given to him by Empress Chen is difficult!

Tomorrow I will ask Empress Chen for some reward money.

Returning to the office, he happened to run into Medical Official Mu who had just returned from Prince Shuncheng's mansion.

Medical Official Mu had an expression of being about to die from exhaustion.

"Is Prince Shuncheng's injury that serious? Old Mu, I see you seem to be lacking in strength. Are you tired?"

Medical Official Mu first poured a large cup of tea, wiped the corners of his mouth, and said, "Prince Shuncheng's injury is not serious and is easy to treat. What's hard to treat is that Prince Shuncheng has many problems, a big temper, and will make a scene at the slightest disagreement. I repeatedly reminded him to rest quietly, but he wouldn't listen to a word. The wound that was originally fine has ruptured again, and he even blames my medical skills for being bad. It's infuriating!"

"I'll give you an idea; go find Prince Ning. Tell Prince Ning that if he wants to save Prince Shuncheng's life, he should place him by his side. Otherwise, he will die sooner or later." Chen Guanlou smiled and offered an idea.

Medical Official Mu was half-believing, "Is it useful?"

"Prince Shuncheng, others can't control him; only Prince Ning and Imperial Consort Xiao can control him. Without these two watching him, his injury will be slow to heal, and your reputation will be dragged down by him."

"However, I have no opportunity to meet Prince Ning, let alone Imperial Consort Xiao."

"This matter is easy; I will help you pass the message."