Chapter 255

"The Grand Tutor's consideration for us is our fortune, but we cannot become lazy or neglect the Grand Tutor's safety," Chen Guanlou said softly, standing by.

Grand Tutor Zhuang smiled. "How did you end up as a jailer? Didn't the Hou Fu give you a posting?" His tone was casual, with not a hint of disdain—like chatting over tea. No wonder he was a superior; when he chose to, he could make everyone feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

"My father was a jailer. I took over his post," Chen Guanlou replied honestly.

"Oh! Following in your father's footsteps—good." Grand Tutor Zhuang smiled. "I see you're in good physical shape. Have you ever thought of joining the military?"

"To be frank, Grand Tutor, I'm a coward, afraid of death. I dare not enlist—I'd be ashamed to disgrace my ancestors," Chen Guanlou chose self-deprecation without hesitation.

At these words, not only did Grand Tutor Zhuang stare, but even Medical Officer Mu sneaked several glances at him. Afraid of death? He didn't look it. He could chat calmly with the Grand Tutor of the realm and stand unshaken before the Crown Prince—how could this be called fear of death?

When did fear of death become synonymous with audacity? He'd never heard of such a thing!

Grand Tutor Zhuang first froze, clearly unprepared for someone to self-slander before him instead of striving to impress. Then he burst into loud laughter.

"Little Chen, you're amusing!"

Chen Guanlou forced a stiff laugh in return.

Medical Officer Mu finished his diagnosis. "The Grand Tutor is in good health. He merely needs to pay slight attention to his diet—keep it light."

"The imperial physicians say the same. But since childhood, I've always favored rich flavors. Decades of habit—I can't change."

Medical Officer Mu stopped there, saying no more. His daily duty was simply to ensure the Grand Tutor's health—just as when he first entered prison—and that was enough.

Chen Guanlou personally escorted Medical Officer Mu out of the Heavenly Prison.

Medical Officer Mu hesitated, then whispered to Chen Guanlou: "The Grand Tutor may have xiaoke syndrome. His diet must be strictly controlled."

Diabetes?

Chen Guanlou's expression changed. "Are you certain it's xiaoke syndrome?"

"I've observed him for several days. I'm nearly certain. A light diet is critical. If possible, have the Grand Tutor rise and move more."

Chen Guanlou frowned. The Heavenly Prison's conditions were what they were—diabetics imprisoned here were effectively sentenced to death with delay.

"Do you have any suitable prescription to alleviate symptoms, at least control them? The Grand Tutor must not fall ill here in the prison," Chen Guanlou vaguely recalled diabetes complications: blindness, itchy skin, gangrenous legs and feet, extreme weight loss, constant hunger, and uncontrollable eating.

Medical Officer Mu shook his head. "I have little experience with xiaoke syndrome. You should report this immediately. Have the Ministry of Justice assign a physician, or summon an imperial physician from the Taiyi Academy. Otherwise, if complications arise later, you'll be able to distance yourself from blame."

"Thank you for the warning. I will report this situation immediately."

He wasn't a professional scapegoat. If trouble came, he'd report it—let those above worry.

As Sun Daoning had ordered, all information regarding the Grand Tutor was to be reported directly to him. The message reached Sun Daoning at once, requesting his decision.

Sun Daoning's head throbbed at the three characters: xiaoke syndrome.

He'd seen this illness before—his own elderly relative had suffered from it. It was extremely troublesome.

After much thought, Sun Daoning dispatched messengers to inform the Eastern Palace while arranging for another physician to confirm the diagnosis. Once confirmed, he boldly requested an audience with the Emperor, hoping to persuade him to spare the Grand Tutor from prison.

"It's truly xiaoke syndrome?"

Inside the Taiji Palace, the old Emperor wore a Daoist robe. Years of cultivation hadn't granted him much, but he'd certainly acquired a certain aura of celestial grace. At a glance, he looked less like an emperor and more like some Daoist priest who'd wandered into the palace.

But upon closer inspection, his eyes remained those of an emperor—utterly devoid of the transcendent, carefree spirit of a true Daoist. In truth, he was still just a mortal, clinging desperately to imperial power, a vulgar man through and through.

"Your Majesty, the diagnosis is confirmed," Sun Daoning bowed. "The Heavenly Prison's conditions are harsh, and the Grand Tutor is elderly. I humbly beg Your Majesty to permit him to return home and reflect in seclusion, in lieu of imprisonment."

Hmph!

The old Emperor sneered twice. "Minister Sun, withdraw."

Sun Daoning was stunned.

Just like that? No room for negotiation? Was the old Emperor truly so terrified of the Crown Prince that he wished him dead?

"Your Majesty!"

"Withdraw!" The old Emperor was clearly impatient. What did xiaoke syndrome matter? The man wasn't dead—don't bother him.

Sun Daoning felt profound disappointment.

At that moment, a eunuch entered and whispered something into Qiu Defu's ear.

"What is it?" the old Emperor snapped.

Qiu Defu had no choice but to speak up. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is outside the palace gate, requesting an audience."

"Refuse him! Tell him to return to the Eastern Palace, study hard, and learn what filial piety means! Ask him—what prince in history has constantly defied his own father? This is gross disrespect!"

The old Emperor was unusually furious, nearly ranting, desperate to brand the Crown Prince as unfilial across the land, to make everyone judge him.

He hated how court ministers kept interfering, always thwarting attempts to tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation.

The people didn't believe the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Anything spread by the Embroidered Uniform Guard was automatically dismissed as slander and rumor.

Coupled with the literati's steadfast defense of the Crown Prince's reputation, their relentless whitewashing and condemnation of the old Emperor's folly, the Crown Prince's popular standing was clearly superior to the Emperor's.

No one believed accusations of unfilial conduct against the Crown Prince.

Public opinion was controlled by scholars—and scholars overwhelmingly supported the Crown Prince.

Even a powerful Emperor like him couldn't reverse it. He couldn't issue a public decree declaring the Crown Prince unfilial—he still had some dignity. Besides, the situation hadn't reached that point; everything remained contained within the court. A public proclamation would only follow if he truly decided to depose the Crown Prince.

That decision was not easy.

Sun Daoning was disappointed and furious. Had he not been bound by his duty as a minister, had he not feared for his neck, he would have confronted the old Emperor on the spot: What nonsense! How is the Crown Prince unfilial? Is suppressing him this severely not enough? Do you intend to force him to beg for his own deposition?

Absurd!

Sun Daoning left the Taiji Palace in anger. Outside the palace gate, he saw the Crown Prince kneeling on the steps.

He sighed. What a fine Crown Prince—why could he not be tolerated?

He stepped forward to urge him. "It's useless. Your Highness, return to the Eastern Palace."

"The Grand Tutor is unwell. I've consulted the imperial physicians—xiaoke syndrome can be mild or severe, entirely dependent on care. That tiny prison cell, never seeing sunlight—how can the Grand Tutor's condition improve? I must at least try. What if I succeed?"

Sun Daoning felt both heartbroken and relieved. Relieved that the Crown Prince was a man of feeling and loyalty—yet pitiful that the old Emperor either could not see it, or chose to ignore it. No matter how well the Crown Prince behaved, how deeply he showed loyalty, the old Emperor had always despised him.

A foolish ruler!

He cursed inwardly!