Chapter 249

The benevolent and loyal Crown Prince—who wouldn't like him?

No one likes a cold-hearted boss, only fears him. If given a chance to betray him, everyone would consider it.

The Crown Prince, disregarding his status, came personally to the Heavenly Prison to see Master Zhuang. This news, once spread, would surely earn him praise from civil and military officials: the Crown Prince truly values loyalty and emotion.

But it would surely anger the old Emperor—a scolding is certain, and house arrest is possible.

Yet, even if the Crown Prince hadn't come to the Heavenly Prison, would that please the old Emperor?

No matter how you calculate it, the gains from coming here far outweigh sitting idle in the Eastern Palace. Reputation is invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real.

Why, despite being despised by the old Emperor, do court ministers still firmly support the Crown Prince? Aside from his legitimate lineage, it's because his reputation among scholars and in court has always been excellent. Had the Crown Prince been an ignorant, overambitious, hollow shell, ministers would have long switched allegiance to other imperial princes.

The Crown Prince put on an expression of not wanting to return to the Eastern Palace, even suggesting he wished to sit in prison alongside Master Zhuang.

Master Zhuang was moved yet furious: "Your Highness, don't act childishly! This puts me in an impossible position. Secretary Sun, quickly escort the Crown Prince out. How could you bring him to such a filthy place?"

Sun Daoning felt deeply wronged; he meekly agreed but made no effort to persuade the Crown Prince—how could he, even if he wanted to?

"Don't scold Secretary Sun, it was my own wish to come. Life in the palace is too dreary, every day empty and dull. Seeing you off is better than sitting in the Eastern Palace like a prisoner." The Crown Prince spoke one bold statement after another, revealing his resentment without disguise, openly complaining.

Chen Guanlou lowered his head, thinking: Is this something a jailer should hear?

He wished he could plug his ears.

These nobles never consider the occasion. To them, it's nothing—but one careless word from them could bring ruin upon the lowly.

So the Heavenly Prison truly despises these high officials. What they welcome are big corrupt officials like Liu Daowen, mid-level bureaucrats—rich, easygoing, and willing to pay.

Just go! Get out already! Chen Guanlou screamed inwardly, wishing he could personally drag the Crown Prince away. The Heavenly Prison is too small to hold such a great Buddha.

"Your Highness, stop complaining," Master Zhuang rebuked sharply, speaking like an elder scolding a youth, a teacher reprimanding a student.

The Crown Prince bowed his head, listening obediently, not daring to utter a word in reply.

The jailers: …

Everyone collectively turned into invisible people.

Chen Guanlou felt like needles pricked his back; he mentally complained: If Master Zhuang wants to scold the Crown Prince, why not go inside and shut the door? Do it privately—don't drag all of us into this!

The only person here who could act was Sun Daoning.

He kept glancing at Secretary Sun, hoping the man would read his mind and act decisively.

But Sun Daoning, like a student, stood bowing, too afraid to interrupt Master Zhuang's long lecture.

This is deadly!

Should Chen Guanlou step forward himself?

Unless he was mad!

Seeing the hour grow late, Chen Guanlou signaled his subordinates to bring a pot of tea. Master Zhuang had spoken so long—he must be thirsty.

When the tea arrived, everyone finally realized the hour was late.

Master Zhuang drank a cup, waved his hand: "Go, go. Don't linger outside the palace too long."

"I will do everything in my power to rescue you, Master Zhuang. For now, endure this hardship. All jailers of the Heavenly Prison, listen: treat Master Zhuang well. If he falls ill or is harmed here, I will not forgive you!"

The Crown Prince, finally heeding advice, departed. But his final warning hung like a shadow over the heads of all jailers.

The Heavenly Prison has these conditions—everyone gets the same. Master Zhuang is elderly; if he falls ill from the environment, will it be blamed on the jailers?

That's absurd!

Why do these high officials insist on coming to the Heavenly Prison? Why not go to the neighboring Imperial Prison? Surely the Crown Prince wouldn't dare threaten the Embroidered Uniform Guard. In truth, they're just exploiting the Heavenly Prison's weakness—anyone can come here and shit on its head.

After seeing off the Crown Prince, Sun Daoning returned to the Heavenly Prison.

"Master Zhuang, are you tired? Why not eat first before going down to the cells?"

"No need!" Master Zhuang refused. "Don't treat me specially. Secretary Sun, lead the way."

Sun Daoning, unable to change his mind, obeyed: "Master Zhuang, this way, please."

Chen Guanlou followed with the jailers, whispering to Sun Daoning: "Officer Niu caught a cold and fears spreading illness—he's behind, Buganjinqian."

Sun Daoning grunted.

Xu Yuli, beside him, glanced gratefully at Chen Guanlou. He'd long worried for a chance to explain for Officer Niu—yet Chen Guanlou, so clever, acted to ease his superior's burden. Excellent. No wonder Officer Niu favored him and tacitly allowed him to sideline Young Master Fan.

With this wit and initiative, his rise is inevitable.

It was still the same cell that once held the Second Prince of Jin's princely mansion—the Heavenly Prison's ultimate VIP cell. After repainting, it looked little different from a guesthouse room, only with poor lighting.

Master Zhuang stood before the cell door and joked: "I didn't expect the Heavenly Prison to be this comfortable. Or am I the only one?"

Sun Daoning hurried to explain: "Master Zhuang is a pillar of the state—naturally different from others. The conditions are humble; please forgive us."

"This hardly counts as humble. I've seen real prisons. You've put in effort."

"Put in effort" made Sun Daoning's heart bloom; he was deeply satisfied with Chen Guanlou's handling. Among all these jailers, over the years, he remembered only Chen Guanlou's name. Clearly, this man had real ability, unique qualities—otherwise, he wouldn't have remembered him alone.

"It's merely my duty. Master Zhuang, please enter."

The cell door opened. Master Zhuang stepped inside with measured steps, sighing inwardly: "Secretary Sun, go attend to your duties. Now that I'm a prisoner, I must act like one. Doesn't your prison have a rule: every official inmate must pay silver? How much? I'll have my servants send it."

Now the awkwardness was real!

Every jailer present, without exception, stayed silent.

Sun Daoning also felt embarrassed. But the Heavenly Prison collecting money from inmates was an ancient, unquestioned rule—since its founding, it had always existed. Even the old Emperor couldn't abolish it.

Without money, what would they eat? Drink? Relying solely on Ministry of Justice allocations? They'd all starve. The lessons from last year and the year before were too clear: when the Ministry withheld funds and grain, jailers survived only by extorting bribes.

Besides, the Ministry itself depends on the Heavenly Prison's income to fund bonuses and improve their own conditions.