Chapter 271

Liu Guanshi of the Hou Fu sent someone to invite Chen Guanlou to the mansion for a drink, saying they hadn't seen each other for a long time and should get together.

Chen Guanlou:...

What is there to get together for?

But thinking about the free wine and food, he went anyway. Carrying a package of spiced beef and a pot of wine, he arrived at the Liu Fu.

The gatekeeper, Liu Xiao Chuan, opened the door, still wearing his usual dead-man face.

Chen Guanlou stepped inside the gate and asked curiously, "Have you ever been beaten?"

Liu Xiao Chuan rolled his eyes at him and then told him, "I'm getting married next month; remember to come and drink the wedding wine."

"You, getting married? Who is the bride? How could she fancy you?" Chen Guanlou teased.

"I'm marrying Xiujuan." After Liu Xiao Chuan finished speaking, he gave a smug smile that looked particularly punchable.

Chen Guanlou gave an "en" sound. Xiujuan, the maid by Liu Wan Shi's side. He has quite the luck with women!

"You were also eyeing Xiujuan, but you have no chance now!" Liu Xiao Chuan's mockery skills were maxed out.

"What eyeing or not eyeing, don't slander me." Chen Guanlou denied it firmly.

Liu Xiao Chuan laughed, his face clearly saying: Keep making it up! Keep making it up! Let's see if you can make up a flower out of it.

Chen Guanlou was furious, but he didn't lower himself to the other's level; he flicked his sleeves, walked past the screen wall, and entered the Liu Fu.

When Liu Guanshi saw Chen Guanlou, he was extremely enthusiastic. "Xiao Lou is here, sit down, sit down quickly. You are a rare guest indeed. If I didn't invite you, would you refuse to come to my door?"

"You are joking. You are a high-ranking manager of the Hou Fu, busy with a thousand things; how could I dare to disturb you at will? However, as long as you give me a call, I will definitely come. Look, I rushed over here as soon as I got off duty today." Chen Guanlou presented his gift and took a seat in the guest chair.

Liu Guanshi laughed heartily; he was very satisfied with Chen Guanlou's attitude. "It's enough that you came; why bring gifts?" He then ordered the servants to take the spiced beef and wine away to be heated.

"Xiao Lou, let's have a drink first."

"I toast you!" Chen Guanlou raised his wine cup. "Back then, it was thanks to your help that I have today. I'll finish mine; you drink as you please."

Liu Guanshi didn't drink as he pleased but finished his along with him. The two chatted about family matters while drinking; with the Master away, the Hou Fu became lively.

Look at how they spoke, as if the Master were some kind of ferocious beast.

The fact was, if the Master were at home, neither the First Branch nor the Second Branch would dare to play around recklessly. Many unnecessary banquets were canceled. Once the Master left, the Second Branch stood tall again, and the days from the first to the fifteenth of the first lunar month were all arranged, with banquets every day. They hadn't been idle in the twelfth lunar month either, inviting guests to drink every day.

Chen Guanlou became increasingly curious; the Hou Fu was so busy, yet Liu Guanshi had time to invite him to drink.

He remained calm and accompanied him in idle chatter.

His tolerance for alcohol was too good, and Liu Guanshi couldn't hold up, so he took the initiative to steer the topic to serious business.

"Xiao Lou, you know about the Meng family, right?"

"Which Meng family?" Chen Guanlou played dumb. He understood in his heart that Liu Guanshi invited him to drink for the sake of Zhao Laosi. Tsk...

"The two prisoners who were transferred to the Heavenly Prison earlier."

"Oh!" Chen Guanlou put on an expression of sudden realization. "Those two are already dead; they committed suicide, and there was no stopping them. Honestly, the two brothers were truly miserable; not only were their tongues cut out, but their manhood was also cut off. They couldn't even be proper men anymore; no wonder they sought death. It's a pity I even had the medical official treat them with all his heart at the beginning."

Liu Guanshi frowned. "Were their tongues and manhood really cut off?"

"The Meng family took the bodies back; didn't the Meng family say anything?"

Liu Guanshi raised his wine cup. "I didn't see it with my own eyes, so I dare not believe it."

"How could such a thing that brings shame to the ancestors be shown to outsiders?"

Liu Guanshi's eyes darted around, seemingly pondering the pros and cons.

Chen Guanlou followed up and asked, "I heard people say that this matter has a connection to Zhao Laosi? Didn't the Meng family seek revenge on Zhao Laosi?"

Liu Guanshi suddenly came to his senses. "If the Meng family wants revenge, they have to see if they have the ability. However, I heard that someone is plotting against Zhao Laosi behind his back, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard has moved." He stared fixedly at Chen Guanlou.

Chen Guanlou looked blank, then gave a sneer. "You don't think I'm the one plotting against Zhao Laosi, do you? Ordering the Embroidered Uniform Guard around—you think too highly of me. Liu Guanshi, Uncle Liu, who is whispering in your ear that you would actually suspect me? I, a tiny prison guard, have no ability at all."

"Xiao Lou, don't belittle yourself; you have great ability. Although you are a prison guard, you are the one who calls the shots in the Jia-sized prison cells; that place is your territory. If you want to do something, who could stop you?"

"Don't, don't praise me to death. I don't know where you got your news, but I'll say one thing: Zhao Laosi's matter has nothing to do with me. I'm not familiar with the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Chen Guanlou kept a straight face, appearing extremely serious.

Liu Guanshi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Chen Guanlou snorted coldly. "What is it, is the Hou Fu going to stand up for Zhao Laosi?"

Liu Guanshi suddenly laughed. "They are distant relatives, and since they came to the Hou Fu for help, we can't just ignore them. The Second Young Mistress wants face!"

"That doesn't mean you can frame me."

"I heard people say that the Meng family handed a sum of money to the Heavenly Prison."

"Your news is quite well-informed. They did indeed hand a sum of money to the Heavenly Prison, but that is the rule. Entering the Jia-sized prison cells, no matter what your status is, you have to pay. Seeing that the two Meng brothers were in trouble, I specifically gave them a discount. Is that why Uncle Liu suspects me?"

"But as far as I know, this money did not enter the public account."

Chen Guanlou narrowed his eyes instantly.

There is a mole in the Heavenly Prison.

Only a few people knew whether the money entered the public account or not. Yet Liu Guanshi stated this matter accurately; his news is well-informed enough. The Heavenly Prison is indeed a sieve.

He gave a cold laugh. "Whether it entered the public account or not is none of your business. You are not an official of the Ministry of Justice and have no right to question the accounts of the Heavenly Prison."

He simply turned hostile, tearing off his mask of hypocrisy.

Liu Guanshi was indeed shocked, seemingly unable to accept that Chen Guanlou could be so arrogant in front of him, not giving him any face at all. His face also sank. "Young man, hot-blooded impulsiveness is unavoidable. However, there are some people you cannot provoke just because you want to; you must know how to conduct yourself."

"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Chen Guanlou tapped the table lightly and gave a sneer. "First, what evidence do you have to prove that I am plotting against Zhao Laosi? Zhao Laosi has offended so many people; why did you think of me? Second, my surname is Chen, and you are the manager of the Chen family. You are framing a Chen family member for an outsider, turning your elbow outward; do you think the Master would allow such a thing to happen?"

"The Master is not in the capital."

"So you can do whatever you want? A mere Zhao Laosi—how much silver did he give the Second Young Mistress to make you sell your lives to help him, and even dream of framing me?" Chen Guanlou's expression was half-smiling. "Aren't you afraid the silver will burn your hands?"

"Young man, don't think that just because you've achieved a little success, you can look down on others. You cannot afford to offend the Second Young Mistress. If you have a part in this, I hope you stop as soon as possible. If you don't, let's just consider it a misunderstanding."

Chen Guanlou gave a cold laugh and stood up. "It seems this wine can't be drunk anymore. I have remembered your old man's teachings. Please tell the Second Young Mistress and the Zhao family that this matter has nothing to do with me. Zhao Laosi doesn't act like a human himself, yet he doesn't allow anyone to clean him up—who does he think he is!"