Chapter 261: Indeed, Her Hand Was Very Dark

"I don't know. I really have no idea!"

Qi Wuxiu swore an oath, terrified that Chen Guanlou wouldn't trust him.

"There's definitely a Grand Master stationed inside the palace; whether other departments have any, I'm not sure."

"Do you have confidence in catching that overriver dragon?" Chen Guanlou swiftly changed the subject—Qi Wuxiu's rank was still too low; he had no access to information about the Grand Master level.

"As long as the overriver dragon remains in the capital, he'll eventually be caught."

"How could an overriver dragon possibly clash with a ninth-rank martial artist? Unlikely. Could you have been deceived?"

"Impossible!" Qi Wuxiu declared firmly. "I can't tell you the exact reason, but the matter is certainly true."

Oh!

Chen Guanlou drank his tea listlessly.

Qi Wuxiu kept boasting, trying to persuade Chen Guanlou to join him, claiming the money was plentiful.

"More money, more trouble. What's better than more money, less trouble?" Chen Guanlou shut down all of Qi Wuxiu's persuasion with one sentence.

"Both reputations are terrible, so I'd definitely choose the one with more money and less trouble. Unlike you, out late at night working, not even getting a hot meal."

Qi Wuxiu: …

Suddenly he felt how miserable he was, as if he'd chosen the wrong profession. He gave up trying to convince Chen Guanlou to switch careers.

Chen Guanlou resolved to keep a low profile for the coming period—must stay low, avoid wandering outside, hide himself completely; survival came first.

The winehouse of Little Fan the Official opened, and the jailers of the Jia-sized prison all went to offer gifts to lend some atmosphere.

Chen Guanlou's new clothes were finished; he went across to pick them up, but unfortunately didn't meet Madam Qu, instead chatting with Master Qu.

Master Qu, adhering to the principle that harmony brings wealth, greeted everyone with a smile, especially since Chen Guanlou supported his business.

He sighed deeply, "If I hadn't rented this house back then, I'd never have connected with the Hou Fu, and I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Master Qu acts with generosity and righteousness—even without the Hou Fu, you'd have found the Zhang or Li households eventually, and would have broken through in the capital anyway."

Master Qu, inwardly pleased yet humble, said, "Elder Chen, you flatter me. When I first came to the capital, I was determined to burn my boats. Fortunately, my fortune was good—I met a few benefactors and finally broke through. I also owe you much for your help, sparing me many troubles."

"Master Qu, you're too modest. We're neighbors—we should help each other."

"Exactly! Tonight, Elder Chen, please stay. I've already ordered the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes—I hope you'll grace us with your presence."

Chen Guanlou readily agreed.

During the drinking, Madam Qu appeared to offer a toast.

Master Qu, drunk, seized the chance to boast: he happened to be passing by during the confiscation and saw Fang Shi. Madam Qu's maiden surname was Fang.

Whether it was lust at first sight or love at first sight, the point was he couldn't forget her after seeing her. He spent money to investigate, then paid to have her ex-husband sign a divorce decree, severing all ties with Fang Shi. Afterwards, he spent a fortune to bribe connections within the Hou Fu, using their influence to get her released.

Madam Qu sat quietly beside him, blushing as she listened to Master Qu's boasts about the past. Her eyes carried affection and gratitude, her posture soft and delicate, never uttering a word. When Chen Guanlou stole glances at her, she acted as if she hadn't noticed—her gaze never once turned toward him.

After Master Qu finished boasting, Madam Qu found an excuse to rise and leave, leaving the banquet to the two men.

Chen Guanlou then asked, "Which member of the Hou Fu did you approach to get her out? It must've cost you a fortune."

"I originally planned to approach Second Elder. But someone advised me to go to Second Young Mistress instead. She listened to my story, said I was loyal and righteous, didn't charge much, and helped me get her released."

Chen Guanlou understood, and held up his fingers to gesture.

Master Qu nodded. "About that."

Chen Guanlou thought: Second Young Mistress's methods were as ruthless as ever—getting a female relative out, not even the main culprit, and she charged two thousand taels. That price at Tianlaomiao could get you not just one accessory, but three or five.

Master Qu added, "Too bad you're not assigned to the Jingzhao Prefecture. If you were, I'd have asked you for help."

Chen Guanlou smiled. "Next time you want to get someone out, as long as it's not the main culprit, just let me know—the price is negotiable."

Master Qu caught the implication immediately and leaned in close, whispering, "Elder Chen, do you have connections?"

Chen Guanlou looked at him with a half-smile and gave him the truth: "Except for the Shaofu and the Dalisi, any notable prison in the capital—if you come to me, I'll arrange the pathway. Prices are market rate. Only accessories, never main culprits."

Ah?

Master Qu hurriedly asked, "If I'd asked you to get my wife out back then, how much would it have cost?" The merchant's nature—first concern was always price.

Chen Guanlou lifted his cup and spoke vaguely, "That's hard to say."

He wouldn't expose Second Young Mistress in front of outsiders. He couldn't say: five hundred taels minimum, at most a thousand to get someone out.

He was surnamed Chen too—his elbow couldn't bend outward. His relationship with Master Qu wasn't close enough for that.

As a shrewd merchant, Master Qu naturally sensed the unspoken meaning. He'd paid too much going through the Hou Fu. But then he reconsidered: this chance to cultivate ties with the Hou Fu was worth it—far better than merely buying connections.

He raised his cup. "Elder Chen, I toast you! If you ever need anything, just say the word. I have no other talent, only a few coins."

"Master Qu, you're too modest. Many envy you for your wealth, home, and business."

"Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning!" Master Qu laughed. He spoke humbly, but inwardly thrilled. A commoner breaking through in the capital was truly worth boasting about. Return home, and he'd be treated like a star among the crowd. The Hou Fu! He'd actually connected with the Hou Fu—say that aloud, who wouldn't envy him?

"I was just lucky. When I looked for a house, I set eyes on this courtyard first." He firmly believed his good fortune came from this house. Had he not rented it, he'd never have connected with the Hou Fu; without the Hou Fu's prestige, he'd never have broken through in the capital or competed with the big textile merchants.

"Luck is part of ability. Come, I toast Master Qu—may your wealth flow endlessly."

"Let's both prosper, let's all prosper!" Master Qu downed his cup in one go.

The two chatted for a long while longer until Master Qu finally got drunk, passed out cold.

Madam Qu entered with a servant to attend to him, dragging Master Qu back to his room to rest.

Chen Guanlou offered to help, but Madam Qu refused: "It's late. Elder Chen must report for duty early tomorrow. Rest now—our servants can manage."

She kept her head down, radiating an air of icy distance.

Chen Guanlou pinched his nose, smiled wryly inside, and nodded. "Alright, I'll head back."