Chapter 180: Slapping Faces

Fan Yuli arrived late.

Fan Yucheng had already passed the peak of his rage; Fan Yuli had barely saved his life—but still got scolded behind closed doors by Fan Yucheng.

Young Master Fan's face was ashen; he returned to the office and summoned Chen Guanlou before him: "I know everything. Today, thanks to your help covering things up."

"It was my duty."

Young Master Fan wiped his face.

Even from several paces away, Chen Guanlou could smell the alcohol on him, and the stench of a hangover. How much had he drunk last night? How wild had he been!

Seeing the man's puffy eyes and unnaturally pale complexion, Chen Guanlou whispered, "Sir, I know a physician who specializes in restoring one's health."

"Oh?" Fan Yuli's interest was instantly piqued.

Chen Guanlou immediately gave the address and added, "He's especially skilled at nourishing yin and replenishing yang—everyone who's been says it's excellent."

Fan Yuli's face lit up. "This official has exhausted himself serving the court—I ought to replenish my body. Xiao Chen, you're excellent! While I'm away, you're in charge of all matters in the Jia-class cells. I trust you."

"Thank you, Sir!" Chen Guanlou also beamed; both sides were delighted.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard moved swiftly, as expected.

Sun Daoning had not yet stirred, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived again with imperial edict to fetch the prisoner.

Upon seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Fan Yuli turned bone-deep pale and scrambled back into the office, refusing to show his face.

Fan Yucheng followed the delay tactic, also choosing to avoid confrontation.

Now only Chen Guanlou remained to handle them.

Fortunately, the man who came was not Xiao Jincheng, but a minor flag officer; Chen Guanlou invited him to the signing room for tea and idle chat. When men—especially unfamiliar men—talk, what do they discuss? Women, of course!

They talked about courtesans, which brothel's girls had the best quality and service, which served the finest drinks and snacks, which offered the best value for beauty—once the topic deepened, they felt like long-lost brothers, eager to swear oaths of brotherhood.

Though the Embroidered Uniform Guard's flag officer knew Chen Guanlou was stalling, he couldn't help but enjoy his words and his perfect timing—so let him stall.

Before coming, their superiors had instructed them: drink more tea, see what Sun Daoning would do. Xiao Jincheng was waiting to slap Sun Daoning's face, slap the Ministry of Justice's face, slap the civil official bloc's face.

Others feared offending the civil officials, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as the Son of Heaven's hounds, had no such fear. They did not rise through civil examinations; their advancement and wealth depended entirely on the Emperor's whim—they needed only to serve him well.

When the Emperor ordered an arrest, even a sage would be seized without hesitation.

Today, they would officially record the interrogation of Yu Zhaoan, to prevent anyone from digging up old grievances later.

Xiao Jincheng harbored a hidden motive: he wanted to use Sun Daoning's outburst as leverage to petition the Emperor for an imperial decree severing ties with Jiangtu. A hound growing too close to a corrupt minister was dangerous—it invited the Emperor's suspicion.

Young Master Fan peered from the doorway, saw Chen Guanlou pacifying the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and exhaled in relief.

Fan Yucheng also watched the signing room, surprised, and asked his private secretary Li Shiyeh, "Why aren't the Embroidered Uniform Guard in a hurry now? Earlier they were frantic!"

Li Shiyeh pointed upward and muttered, "Judging by the signs, the top is fighting. The Embroidered Uniform Guard got the imperial edict, but how far they go in interrogation must follow protocol. Yu Zhaoan's family isn't some local strongman—they're a proper aristocratic clan, once even producing an Empress."

Fan Yucheng nodded repeatedly. "That's sound reasoning. Prince Jin is Yu Zhaoan's senior brother—given that connection, Sun Daoning might actually find a way."

But Li Shiyeh held a different view: this round clearly belonged to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, meaning Jiangtu had won. Jiangtu was like a rabid dog—insane enough to target Yu Zhaoan, slapping the face of Jixia Academy, utterly reckless. And yet the Emperor granted the Embroidered Uniform Guard the edict—does that mean the Emperor also enjoys seeing Jiangtu slap Jixia Academy's face?

This was not a good omen.

For no reason, Li Shiyeh's heart lurched—he was terrified. He dared not think further.

In the forty-seventh year of Taixing, barely the start of the year, such chaos had already erupted—this year would surely be even more turbulent than last.

When dusk fell, Sun Daoning arrived.

With him came Xiao Jincheng, surrounded by Embroidered Uniform Guards—he had come to slap faces, specifically Sun Daoning's.

"Sir Sun, I've come to fetch the prisoner. Here is your official warrant. This time, you won't dare block me, will you?"

He wore the posture of a victor, lips curled in mockery, radiating the Embroidered Uniform Guard's signature arrogance: others were nothing; commoners were pigs and dogs.

Sun Daoning's face turned ashen, his eyes wild yet tightly suppressed.

He gritted his teeth: "Don't get too cocky! The Emperor ordered only interrogation—no torture. If I find out you've tortured Yu Zhaoan behind closed doors, I'll fight this case to the end."

"Sir Sun, rest assured—the Embroidered Uniform Guard always follows procedure. No unauthorized actions. Men, bring Yu Zhaoan out. Tonight, I'll preside over the interrogation myself." Xiao Jincheng's expression darkened; an oppressive aura swept through the prison, as if he now controlled it entirely.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards chorused their assent and stormed into the Jia-class cells.

Chen Guanlou hurried ahead with the jailers to warn Yu Zhaoan: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard brought the imperial edict and warrant—they're taking you. Even Sir Sun can't stop them. Yu Sir, pray for your own fortune."

Yu Zhaoan's face was ashen, utterly crushed; his lips trembled twice before he spoke: "This fate was written in my destiny—I can't escape it. Was the letter delivered?"

Chen Guanlou nodded. "I delivered it myself into the hands of your household's chief steward."

"Good, good!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has come. Yu Sir, don't resist. Don't provoke them with words." With that, he opened the cell door himself.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards pounced like wolves, seizing Yu Zhaoan's arms and dragging him away like a dog.

Yu Zhaoan heeded the advice—he offered no resistance, no verbal defiance, and thus suffered less physical pain.

As a jailer of the Heavenly Prison, Chen Guanlou knew well: there were countless ways to break a prisoner without torture. He advised Yu Zhaoan to cooperate with the Embroidered Uniform Guard out of genuine concern. The methods used in the Imperial Prison far surpassed those of the Heavenly Prison. No need to suffer extra torment over stubborn words.

The jailers stood before the bars, watching the Embroidered Uniform Guard drag Yu Zhaoan away. All fell silent—silent with resignation, fear, and resentment toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Qian Fugui stood behind Chen Guanlou and muttered, "I wonder if Yu Sir will walk out of the Imperial Prison whole."

"I doubt it. The Embroidered Uniform Guard came in full force—they're making an example of him." Xiao Jin spoke, as always—his old experience had pierced the true intent behind their actions.