Chapter 209

Early in the morning, the Liu family's steward arrived at Tianlaomiao but was stopped by the jailer guarding the gate.

"Who the hell are you? Do you even know where you are? This is Tianlaomiao. You think you can just waltz in? Who do you think you are?"

The Liu family's steward looked stunned.

"Young man, it's me—I'm the steward of the Liu household."

"I don't care whose steward you are. You're not getting in."

"Why can't I get in?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Just then, someone else arrived to visit the prison; the jailer took their money and let them pass without hesitation.

"He—he—he got in! I paid too!"

"So what if you paid? I said no, and no you won't. Get out before I beat you." The jailer swung his water-and-fire staff, his face twisted with menace.

The Liu family's steward quickly stepped back, his mind racing.

Later, after paying off someone, he learned that Chen Guanlou had issued an order: he was forbidden from entering Tianlaomiao.

Hearing this, the Liu family's steward understood at once—something had gone wrong.

Things had been quiet these past few days; he'd thought no one knew about his secret meddling. But it wasn't that no one knew—it was that they were waiting to shut him down at the most critical moment.

Oh no, what should he do now?

If he couldn't enter Tianlaomiao, he couldn't exchange messages with his master—what should he do?

He had to find a way to resolve this.

"Chen Tou, as ordered, I didn't let the Liu family's steward in."

"Good job. Reward coming."

Chen Guanlou paid generously, and the jailers were eager to do his bidding.

"If you have any other requests, just say the word."

"The Liu family's steward is bold enough to offend Chen Tou. Let's just bag him, toss him into the sewer, and give him a good washing."

"If Chen Tou has anything you can't handle yourself, just tell us. We know how to do this kind of thing."

Chen Guanlou couldn't help but laugh and groan.

He'd known the jailers here were ruthless, skilled in every dirty trick—and sure enough, they proved it.

He waved his hand. "Enough. Take your money and scatter. If I need you, I'll call."

"Got it! Chen Tou, we'll leave you be!"

The jailers departed.

Chen Guanlou propped his feet on the desk and closed his eyes to rest.

Shi Hong entered from outside. "I heard someone offended you, and you're planning to have them beaten up?"

Chen Guanlou opened his eyes. "Hong Tou, finished your shift already? Where'd you hear that rumor? I'm just a lowly jailer—what could I possibly do to anyone? I only told the jailers under me to follow the rules. Especially where certain people are concerned—strictly follow the rules."

"Your words are all smoke and mirrors. Whoever offended you is in trouble. I'm leaving early—family business. Watch things for me. If anything comes up, send someone to my house to notify me."

"Go on, go on. I'll keep an eye on things."

After resting a while, Chen Guanlou summoned his jailers and asked: "Has Liu Daowen shown any movement these past few days?"

"Report, Chen Tou: Liu Daowen has been completely quiet. He eats, drinks, ignores everyone, and hasn't spoken a word."

"Not spoken a word?"

"That's right! He's given up."

Could Liu Daowen really give up so easily?

Chen Guanlou picked up his water-and-fire staff and went to inspect the cells.

At Liu Daowen's cell, he tapped the bars. Liu Daowen glanced up, then lowered his head again, retreating into silence—utterly mute.

"Liu Daoren, how have you been lately?" he asked politely.

Liu Daowen hesitated slightly, waved him off, making it clear he didn't want to speak. He was nothing like his old, talkative self. His spirit seemed drained—he looked weak, listless, dazed.

"Liu Daoren, why so down? You must cheer up!"

Liu Daowen gave a bitter laugh, still silent, slumped against the corner, his expression gloomy.

"Your steward has been sneaking around, scheming against me—you know about this, right? Let's talk about it. What should we do? You're working together to harm me. Harm me, and you harm Hou Fu. Harm Hou Fu, and you harm the entire Chen clan. This feud is deep!"

At these words, Liu Daowen could no longer sit still.

"Chen Tou, don't speak nonsense! Who harmed you? Who could harm you? Isn't this some misunderstanding? I still need your help—why would I harm you? Think about it."

Chen Guanlou sneered. "Didn't you give up talking?"

Liu Daowen lowered his head, sighed heavily, looking both miserable and embarrassed. "I'm suffering—my whole body aches, my chest throbs like my heart's about to burst. For days, my steward hasn't come to visit. I truly don't know what's happened. Tell me! I repeat: I need your help—I would never harm you. This must be a misunderstanding."

Chen Guanlou smiled faintly—he didn't believe a single word.

Still, he followed his lead and dropped a hint: "Liu Daoren, do you remember the painting in your household—'Plum Blossom Beauty'? A court painting from the previous dynasty?"

Liu Daowen gasped, then stared in disbelief, utterly shocked. "You have that painting?"

"What do you think?" Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly.

"That's impossible!" Liu Daowen rushed to the bars, glanced around, then lowered his voice: "I told my steward to destroy it—burn it, throw it away, anything. How could it be in your hands? This… this must be the steward acting on his own. I had no knowledge of this. Chen Tou, if you don't believe me, I'll confront him face-to-face."

Chen Guanlou snorted. "Liu Daoren, do you take me for a three-year-old?"

"I swear I'm not lying. Every word I say is true. Chen Tou, please believe me. I have no intention of harming you—or Hou Fu. Burn the painting. Burn it now. Let it be as if it never existed. Will you?"

Liu Daowen was direct—he demanded the evidence be destroyed, every trace erased.

Chen Guanlou studied him for a moment. "You truly didn't know?"

"I really didn't. The steward acted behind my back. These past months, since I've been imprisoned, he's handled every matter in the household. Clearly, he had other plans. Ah… I misjudged him."

"Forget your steward for now. Tell me about the painting's origins," Chen Guanlou said casually, as if chatting.

Liu Daowen hesitated. "This… just burn the painting. No need to ask about its history."

Chen Guanlou smiled. "The painting has already passed before the Lord of Hou Fu. Do you understand?"

Liu Daowen's face froze. His eyes darted around, then he whispered: "What did the Marquis say?"

"That depends on your performance," Chen Guanlou kicked the cell bars. "There are many ways to die. A dignified death. A torturous one. Or your whole family wiped out. Think carefully, Liu Daoren."

"This… this…"

"Don't cling to false hope. The Lord of Hou Fu has no obligation to clean up your mess. What you've done—even if you don't speak—it won't stay hidden. The Lord will find out eventually. But the difference in treatment? You know it well."

"I'll tell you. Please convey to the Marquis: I never meant him harm. That painting—I took it from the Jiang household. Jiang Daoren saw I liked it and gifted it to me. At first, I had no idea of its origin. Later, by accident, while reviewing archives at Lan Tai Temple, I learned it was a hot potato. But I couldn't return it, and I dared not destroy it—so I hid it at home. Had I not been arrested, it would have stayed hidden forever. After I was thrown into prison, I ordered my steward to dispose of it immediately. I never imagined he'd delay so long… and that he'd hand it to you. Ah…"