Chapter 253

Chen Guanlou felt vexed and went to chat with Zhao Mingqiao.

Over the past few months, Zhao Mingqiao had adapted to life in the Heavenly Prison and appeared remarkably carefree. His eyes still sparkled, and his faith had not wavered an inch.

As long as they didn't discuss his master or matters of values, the two could still interact like friends—only one was inside the prison gate, the other outside.

"The Grand Tutor was locked up today," Chen Guanlou said bluntly.

Zhao Mingqiao stiffened visibly. After a moment, his eyes moved, and he came back to himself. "Has the Son of Heaven truly no room left for the Crown Prince?"

"For years, the old emperor has relentlessly suppressed the Crown Prince—and still he doesn't trust him. This shows the Crown Prince's faction is far too powerful. To be honest, more than half the court officials support the Crown Prince. The old emperor's unease is understandable," Chen Guanlou said, speaking fairly.

Had the Crown Prince's faction been just three or five percent weaker, the old emperor wouldn't have been so terrified—terrified that one morning he'd wake up and find himself replaced by the Crown Prince.

"They're father and son!" Zhao Mingqiao roared, helpless against the inevitability of it all. "The Crown Prince is the son of the Empress Dowager—his position is legitimate, unmatched by any. Suppressing the Crown Prince is shaking the very foundation of the state."

"That's an old refrain," Chen Guanlou cut in bluntly. "The old emperor's ears are worn out from hearing it. Why can't you officials understand that, in the old emperor's eyes, imperial power is all that matters? Even his own son cannot seize it from him—not even by hinting at such intentions."

"It's not seizure—it's succession!" Zhao Mingqiao raged helplessly, pacing frantically inside his cell. Suddenly he rushed to the prison gate. "Is the Grand Tutor all right?"

"Don't worry—the entire Heavenly Prison will treat the Grand Tutor well."

"Can I go see him?" Zhao Mingqiao suddenly made an unreasonable request.

Chen Guanlou frowned. "Does he know you?"

Zhao Mingqiao awkwardly shook his head.

"What would you even say to the Grand Tutor? Don't bring trouble upon yourself," Chen Guanlou advised. "I heard your master has criticized the Crown Prince."

"My master only despairs that his student hasn't lived up to his potential. On the matter of upholding the Crown Prince's legitimate status, my master has never hesitated—he bears full responsibility," Zhao Mingqiao said, trying to salvage his master's reputation.

His spirits were low.

"You're right. What could I possibly say to the Grand Tutor? I've overestimated myself—I'm just a newcomer to officialdom, with no achievements to my name."

Chen Guanlou comforted him: "Just serve your time. Let your master use some connections—or wait until my lord crushes the rebels Da Ming Wang and Guo Dachun, then maneuver to get you released sooner."

"Aren't you saying the court hasn't decided yet to appoint Pingjiang Marquis as commander? How can you be so certain he'll get the post?"

Chen Guanlou chuckled. "Who else besides my lord can both fight and subdue those unruly border troops? Each of those frontier generals represents a mountain stronghold.

Without immense prestige and seniority, getting them to obey is pure fantasy. Even my lord suffered setbacks two years ago when suppressing Da Ming Wang—he lost him because the soldiers refused orders. No one else could even begin this campaign."

Zhao Mingqiao nodded silently. "But the Son of Heaven still won't give the order. The people of the northwest border will keep suffering."

Chen Guanlou muttered under his breath, "The old emperor just hasn't been beaten hard enough."

"What did you say?"

"I say I don't understand court politics or the games of intrigue. But I reverse-engineer outcomes from goals. The court's goal is to crush the rebels—completely eliminate Da Ming Wang and Guo Dachun. Aside from my lord, the court can't find a second person with that ability. My lord is a cripple—he poses no threat to imperial power."

"You…" Zhao Mingqiao was about to rebuke him for daring to insinuate such insults—even against the old emperor—but then he thought of all the old emperor's deeds over the years, each one deserving of condemnation. He himself wanted to curse him bitterly—especially now that he'd learned the Grand Tutor was imprisoned, his blood boiled.

He sighed. "At least in the Heavenly Prison, you can speak without restraint. Thank you for telling me about the Grand Tutor. Ah…"

He was deeply disappointed. He felt profound disillusionment with the court, with the old emperor. For the first time, his beliefs began to waver.

Chen Guanlou noticed his mood. "Don't let your mind wander. Things will turn around eventually."

Zhao Mingqiao gave a bitter laugh. "You mean when Pingjiang Marquis crushes the rebels?"

Chen Guanlou nodded.

Zhao Mingqiao shook his head, weary and hopeless. "I hope so." He wasn't optimistic.

…

Sun Daoning acted swiftly. On the third day, the Eastern Palace sent a squad of personal guards to the Heavenly Prison, rotating in three shifts to protect the Grand Tutor's safety.

Niu Yucheng let out a long breath, thanking heaven and earth and all the gods for their protection.

Sun Daoning told them, "The Crown Prince says these men are Eastern Palace guards—utterly loyal and trustworthy. You need only cooperate fully. Fulfill all their requests, and all expenses will be covered by the public account."

"But the public account is nearly empty," Niu Yucheng seized the chance to complain.

Sun Daoning made an immediate decision: "Leave one-tenth of the public account funds—dedicated solely to the Grand Tutor's needs."

Niu Yucheng was thoroughly satisfied.

As long as his own interests weren't harmed, he had no objections.

After settling most matters, Sun Daoning separately called Chen Guanlou aside.

Chen Guanlou acted "humbly terrified." What merit did a lowly jailer like him have to earn the attention of a Minister?

"Your Excellency has orders? I'll spare no effort to serve you," Chen Guanlou declared his loyalty first.

Sun Daoning hesitated, then finally said, "The squad leader, Commander Cui, is from the Cui family of Qingzhou. The Cui family has a daughter serving the Crown Prince. Treat Commander Cui well."

Chen Guanlou quickly agreed, probing: "Doesn't the Cui family also have a daughter serving the Emperor?"

Sun Daoning nodded. "The Imperial Consort Cui is from the Cui family—she's the aunt of the Crown Prince's Consort Cui."

Imperial relatives!

"And Commander Cui is…" Chen Guanlou couldn't help his curiosity, seizing the chance to learn more.

Sun Daoning didn't hide it—these facts were easy to find if you looked.

He said, "Commander Cui is a collateral branch of the Cui family—he's the cousin of Consort Cui. So he's absolutely trustworthy."

"What about Imperial Consort Cui? Does she have children?"

Sun Daoning gave Chen Guanlou a meaningful look. "Imperial Consort Cui has one son and one daughter. The Eighteenth Prince is her son—but he's only eight years old."

Eight years old, while the old emperor was already in his seventies. With so many adult older brothers, the Eighteenth Prince had zero chance of succession.

"I understand. Your Excellency, rest assured—I'll get along well with Commander Cui and cooperate fully."

"The Eastern Palace's move to assign guards for the Grand Tutor has angered the Taiji Palace. You must know your limits."