Chapter 175

Elder sister Chen Xiaolan was confirmed pregnant, and the Su family was overjoyed, refusing to let her do any work for fear of mishap.

As her brother-in-law, Chen Guanlou generously gave the Su family twenty taels as a gift; Su Pozi was ecstatic, wishing she could give him her own daughter as a bride.

Privately, he gave another fifty taels to his elder sister, telling her to use it as private money—buy whatever she wanted to eat or use without restraint.

Elder sister Chen Xiaolan flatly refused to accept it.

"Save your money; getting married as soon as possible is far more important."

"I have no plans to marry yet. Even if I did, this small sum wouldn't matter. Sister, you must take this money—or I won't set foot in the Su household again."

Chen Xiaolan shot him a glare. "I know you're rich, but being rich doesn't mean you can waste money like this. Two or five taels would be enough. You hand me fifty at once—what am I supposed to do? Am I to become a greedy harridan who exploits her own brother? If this gets out, how can I face anyone?"

"Stop overthinking it. I want to give it to you—just take it."

Seeing Chen Guanlou was determined, Chen Xiaolan sighed. "Fine, fine—I'll hold onto it for you. When you marry someday, I'll return it to you."

"No! I have many ways to earn money—I don't rely on you to save for me. I'm a squad leader now, commanding over a dozen men. I don't need fifty taels."

"You're getting too full of yourself—don't go acting recklessly."

"Relax. My money comes from legitimate sources."

Chen Xiaolan beamed with joy—her pregnancy was going well, her brother's position was secure, and he'd saved up plenty. If only he could marry soon, she'd have no regrets left.

On the fifth day of the new year, they welcomed the God of Wealth.

In Tianlaomiao, incense tables were set up; the jailers lined up to take turns burning incense, praying for prosperity in the new year and wealth for all.

The Tianlaomiao's temporary holiday was over, but government officials were still on extended leave.

Yet inside the palace, unrest stirred—a troubling rumor spread.

The old emperor publicly rebuked the Crown Prince, calling him an unworthy son. The words were vicious, sending shockwaves through the court.

Immediately after, the old emperor ordered the Crown Prince to confine himself to his chambers, forbidding him to step outside Donggong without imperial decree.

To imprison the Crown Prince during the New Year—what did this mean?

Officials on holiday grew restless and submitted memorials en masse. Two Grand Secretaries and several senior ministers requested an audience with the emperor, but all were turned away.

On the very day the Crown Prince was confined, Wei Eunuch, the second most powerful eunuch in Taijigong after Qiu Defu, was suddenly dispatched by the emperor to guard the imperial mausoleums—with no warning.

That night, over a hundred palace maids and eunuchs vanished without explanation. They were surely dead.

This upheaval filled everyone with dread.

All watched and speculated on the old emperor's intentions.

During this time, Qi Wuxiu came to see Chen Guanlou, saying he had predicted it perfectly—the deaths had indeed occurred.

Chen Guanlou warned him: "This is only the beginning. Better to wait and observe—see what comes next."

Qi Wuxiu's heart clenched. "More deaths? Already over a hundred—surely that's enough?"

Chen Guanlou snorted. "Those who died were insignificant pawns. The highest-ranking was merely sent to guard the mausoleums. The Crown Prince made such a stir—do you think it was only for Wei Eunuch? Even if it was aimed solely at him, once the battle has begun, he can't call it off."

Qi Wuxiu departed, deeply troubled.

Early that morning, Chen Guanlou arrived at Tianlaomiao to find Chen Quan rushing over, frantic. "Chen Tou, disaster! The Embroidered Uniform Guard has come—they're here to summon Yu Zhaoan!"

"Yu Zhaoan?"

"Yes."

"Did the Embroidered Uniform Guard give prior notice? Did the two Fan officials know?"

"No notice at all—they just stormed in. Someone's been sent to notify Fan Yucheng, but Young Fan isn't home—he's already been sent to find him."

Chen Guanlou gritted his teeth. "Send someone to the brothels to find Young Fan—bring him back before Fan Yucheng arrives. I'll go down first and see if I can stall them."

"Chen Tou, be careful—this Embroidered Uniform Guard officer is high-ranking, dressed in silk, and he's cold as ice. He won't listen to reason."

Chen Guanlou had no time to hesitate—he couldn't let the Embroidered Uniform Guard take anyone from Tianlaomiao, especially not Yu Zhaoan, a graduate of Jixia Academy and younger brother to Prince Jin.

He ordered men to notify the Yu household to scramble for help, then hurried down to the prison.

The jailers, usually rowdy and unrestrained, now stood silent as mice. Seeing Chen Guanlou arrive, they felt as if they'd found their anchor.

"Chen Tou!"

"Chen Tou's here!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has already gone inside."

"Chen Tou, be careful!"

"What's there to fear? Come with me—we'll see what's happening. Don't forget: this is Tianlaomiao, not ZhaoYu."

Chen Guanlou led the jailers deep into the prison.

Before they reached the scene, they heard Yu Zhaoan's roar: "You Embroidered Uniform Guard—do you have an imperial warrant? A decree from His Majesty? A document from the Ministry of Justice? You have nothing! You come here demanding my appearance on empty words—do you think I'm a soft target? Xiao, others fear you, but I don't! For what you've done today, I'll impeach you!"

Xiao?

The only Xiao in the Embroidered Uniform Guard Chen Guanlou knew was the man who had broken into Tianlaomiao and slain the murderer Duan Tianlin—Qi Wuxiu's superior.

He was a close advisor to the emperor, a ruthless official, cold and merciless in his methods.

"If Director Yu wishes to impeach me, go right ahead—I won't stop you. Today, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is here to take you. I advise you not to resist pointlessly—it will only end in your humiliation."

Xiao Jincheng's voice was icy, sharp as winter's chill even in early spring—like shards of ice that could freeze a man to death. Emotion? There was none.

Embroidered Uniform Guards didn't need emotion. Disobey? Kill them.

The Son of Heaven's hounds—killing a few was nothing.

"Xiao, unless you kill me today—" Yu Zhaoan roared, but was cut off.

"Gentlemen…"

Chen Guanlou appeared suddenly, clearing his throat to draw their attention. "My superior will arrive shortly. Could we wait until he gets here?"

Xiao Jincheng whirled around, his gaze locking onto Chen Guanlou like a hawk's.

Chen Guanlou lowered his eyes slightly, secretly startled.

The first time he met Xiao, the man was merely a third-rank martial cultivator.

The second time, during a night curfew, Xiao had just entered the fourth rank.

Now—he had crossed into the fifth rank.

He was the only fifth-rank martial cultivator Chen Guanlou had ever encountered.

Xiao's martial talent was astonishing—his progress was terrifying.

A flicker of unease passed through Chen Guanlou's mind, then vanished. He had the Everlasting Dao Fruit and the Sheng Tian Lu—he was certain Xiao couldn't see through his true nature.

"Have we met before?" Xiao Jincheng asked.