Chapter 176: Follow the Rules

"Small man Chen Guanlou, pays his respects to my lord!"

Chen Guanlou stated his identity, neither humble nor arrogant.

They belonged to two different yamen; neither had authority over the other. As a man of Tianlaomiao, Chen Guanlou did his best to uphold Tianlaomiao's dignity. Even if his posture was inferior, his demeanor must convey equality. That was his duty.

Xiao Jincheng sneered, "I recall now—once during night patrol, I seem to have seen you."

Chen Guanlou feigned confusion. "This humble one is dull. My lord, why not take tea in the official office?"

"No! I am busy with official duties and must immediately summon the prisoner Yu Zhaoan."

"Chen Tou, don't fall for his trick! He has no proof, no documents at all. If they take me away, you'll be derelict in duty. Tianlaomiao loses a man for no reason—how will you explain it?" Yu Zhaoan, sensing a chance, screamed at Chen Guanlou.

Rare indeed! Chen Guanlou had sensed Yu Zhaoan's inner fear. This old rascal, always stirring trouble, had finally known fear. The Embroidered Uniform Guard's fearsome reputation was plain to see.

Yet now he must protect Yu Zhaoan—no way could the Embroidered Uniform Guard take a man without papers. Otherwise, he couldn't explain it! Not to mention the Prince Jin's wrath—Tianlaomiao as a whole would be crushed.

Xiao Jincheng smiled faintly. "Yu Zhaoan, since I came here in person to interrogate you, do you truly believe I'd come without papers?"

Yu Zhaoan was speechless, disbelieving, his face turning instantly pale.

"I don't believe it! Xiao, don't try to fool me!"

Xiao Jincheng was pleased to see fear on Yu Zhaoan's face. His lean, angular cheeks revealed a rare genuine smile. "Lord Yu, you're clever. You know better than anyone what my presence here means."

"I don't believe it!" Yu Zhaoan gritted his teeth.

Chen Guanlou seized the moment. "My lord, please present the documents for registration."

If there were documents, it was fine!

With documents, he would follow procedure—no one could find fault.

Taking a man without papers was out of the question.

Hearing Chen Guanlou's words, Yu Zhaoan turned livid. "Chen Guanlou, you're doing nothing while the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to interrogate me?"

"Lord Yu, don't joke. I'm just a lowly jailer—how could I stop the Embroidered Uniform Guard from doing their duty? We simply follow procedure." Chen Guanlou replied coolly; Yu Zhaoan nearly spat blood.

Xiao Jincheng watched this scene with interest. He was surprised a mere squad leader dared demand the Embroidered Uniform Guard follow procedure—and that Yu Zhaoan, the old fox, would beg a jailer for help. How odd!

"Your surname is Chen? I've heard a rumor—Tianlaomiao has a descendant of the Pingjiang Marquisate. Could it be you?"

Chen Guanlou nodded. "This humble one does descend from the Chen family of Pingjiang Marquisate, but we are beyond the fifth degree of kinship."

"A scion of a noble house, yet willing to lower himself to be a jailer… hmm…" Xiao Jincheng sounded as if he were sighing, yet also mocking.

Chen Guanlou didn't flinch. Over the past two years, he'd faced this many times—people always sighed when they heard his surname.

His ears were numb to it.

"Embroidered Uniform Guard is here to interrogate a prisoner. Chen Tou, open the cell!" Xiao Jincheng ended the small talk and gave a direct order.

Chen Guanlou looked up at him. "My lord, please present the documents and credentials. After registration, I will open the cell."

"What if I refuse to show documents?"

"Please, my lord, don't make things difficult for us!"

At Chen Guanlou's words, all the jailers wore expressions of "Don't make it hard on us!" They knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard was powerful—but they couldn't act recklessly, could they? This was Tianlaomiao, not the Imperial Prison. Show some respect. Follow procedure!

"What if I insist on making things difficult?"

Chen Guanlou took a deep breath. "Then we must report it to the Ministry of Justice."

"You have guts."

"Please forgive us, my lord. This is our duty—we mean no disrespect." Chen Guanlou spoke politely.

"Chen Guanlou, don't open the cell! Xiao is bluffing, hiding behind his Embroidered Uniform Guard uniform, acting lawlessly. He has no documents. Today's interrogation is clearly meant to set up a private tribunal and settle personal scores!"

Xiao Jincheng turned and glanced at Yu Zhaoan with utter contempt. "There's no shortage of people who've accused the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If I truly meant to settle a personal score, would you still be alive in Tianlaomiao this long?"

Yu Zhaoan sneered, full of disdain. "Don't flatter yourself. I know your methods all too well. I never thought you'd become Jiang Tu's lapdog, speaking for him."

What?

Hearing this, Chen Guanlou's heart jolted!

What did Jiang Tu have to do with this?

He looked at the Embroidered Uniform Guard—no one stepped forward to deny it. Not a single face showed anger or indignation.

Was the interrogation of Yu Zhaoan truly Jiang Tu's doing?

Why?

He felt uneasy. Yet he was now entangled in it—and without documents, he could not let the Embroidered Uniform Guard take the man away.

"Lord Yu, you're clever enough to know the Embroidered Uniform Guard takes orders only from His Majesty," Xiao Jincheng said calmly.

Yu Zhaoan clenched his teeth, seemingly shaken, yet still defiant. "Produce the documents, then you'll have more credibility."

"Documents? What's hard about that?"

"Then produce them!"

Xiao Jincheng waved his hand, and one Embroidered Uniform Guard hurried out of Tianlaomiao. Was he going back to get the documents?

As the two sides stood in deadlock, Fan Yucheng finally arrived.

Seeing the scene, he felt his vision darken—he wished he could faint on the spot.

He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Where's Fan Yuli?"

"Fan Yuli… Fan Yuli…"

"Young Master Fan has stomach trouble—he's changing clothes," Chen Guanlou stepped forward to bow, offering an excuse and covering for Young Master Fan.

Fan Yucheng gave him a long look—somewhat satisfied, yet somewhat displeased.

"What's the situation?"

"My lord, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wishes to interrogate Lord Yu. Since no official documents were presented, we could not register or proceed—hence the deadlock. Tianlaomiao is the legal boundary—we adhere strictly to procedure."

"Yes, yes, absolutely follow procedure!" Fan Yucheng instantly seized the key point and stepped forward confidently to negotiate with Xiao Jincheng, inviting the Embroidered Uniform Guard to take tea in the official office.

This time, Xiao Jincheng showed face—he followed Fan Yucheng to the official office for tea. As he left, he glanced at Chen Guanlou and said, "I'll remember you."

Chen Guanlou: …

I am deeply humbled!

Once the Embroidered Uniform Guard left, the jailers dispersed.

Yu Zhaoan beckoned Chen Guanlou to the cell door. "This time, I'm likely doomed."

"My lord, don't frighten yourself."

"You don't understand! Why would Xiao come in person to summon me? Clearly, I'm finished. I never thought Jiang Tu, that worm, could persuade His Majesty to target me. I'll peel that bastard alive!"