Chapter 272: The Traitor Must Go

Early in the morning, Chen Guanlou sat at his duty room desk, face stern. Anyone who walked in and glanced at him would tremble in their legs.

On ordinary days, everyone joked freely; today, all silently clamped their mouths shut, pretending to be busy whether they had work or not—anything to avoid the duty room.

Even Shi Hong, who usually clashed with Chen Guanlou, unusually refrained from provoking him.

"Chen Tou, you wanted to see me?" Chen Guanxin said nervously.

Chen Guanlou narrowed his eyes at him. "Close the door. Sit down and talk."

Chen Guanxin obeyed, moving cautiously, his heart prickling with dread.

"Tell me, how have I treated you?" Chen Guanlou spoke as if chatting over tea, but his tone was icy, sounding more like an accusation.

"Very, very well," Chen Guanxin whispered. "Thanks to your promotion, I bought a house, and my father plans to open a shop for me selling all kinds of goods."

"Is that so? Congratulations. If I've treated you so well, why did you repay kindness with betrayal?"

"Chen Tou, what are you talking about? When did I ever repay kindness with betrayal? You can call me lazy or deceitful, but don't accuse me of betrayal!" Chen Guanxin shouted, agitated.

Chen Guanlou chuckled. "The money the Meng brothers paid never went into the public account. You're the one who told the Second Lady of Hou Fu, right? I haven't wronged you, have I?"

Ah!

Chen Guanxin turned pale, then ashen, then purple with shock, utterly flustered.

Then he recovered. "Lao Ge, let me explain—it's not what you think. It's because…"

"Enough. I don't want to hear it. Starting today, you don't come back. Don't worry—I'll settle your salary for this month. Let's part ways amicably."

"Lao Ge, don't kick me out! It was an accident! We were just chatting, mentioned Old Zhao the Fourth, then the Meng brothers—I just slipped a few words. I never thought it'd reach the Second Lady! Lao Ge, believe me, I never meant to harm you—I swear it before heaven!"

"I believe you had no intention to harm me. But you no longer belong here. Leave. Don't force me to turn hostile. Xiao Jin, come in. Take Li Xin and handle the paperwork. From now on, he's no longer of Tianlaomiao. Notify everyone."

Chen Guanlou's order left no room for reversal. He could tolerate a gambler, a scoundrel, a man rotten to the core—but betrayal? Never. No matter the reason, betrayal was betrayal—unquestionable.

Chen Guanxin clearly understood. He slumped, defeated. "Must it be this way?"

Chen Guanlou chuckled. "I said—don't force me to turn hostile."

Chen Guanxin clenched his teeth. "Fine, I'm leaving! But I want it clear—I never did anything to hurt you, or any of the brothers. I have no guilt."

Chen Guanlou didn't bother listening. He waved his hand, signaling Xiao Jin to take him out.

Xiao Jin stood still, glancing left and right—really send him off?

Chen Guanlou snatched up a brush and hurled it at Xiao Jin's head. "What are you waiting for? Get him out now!"

"Oh!"

Xiao Jin picked up the brush on the floor. He knew there was no room for negotiation. "Ah Xin, come on. I'll see you out of Tianlaomiao."

"Don't worry—I won't take anything that isn't mine." Chen Guanxin clenched his teeth and turned to leave.

Xiao Jin followed behind, glancing back at Chen Guanlou. Seeing no change in his expression, he sighed inwardly and accepted this unpopular task.

After seeing Chen Guanxin off, Chen Guanlou resumed his cheerful smile—but no jailer dared approach or offer comfort. The more he smiled, the more they feared. Better to scowl—then at least emotion matched expression.

A smiling face was impossible to read.

Chen Guanlou cursed, "All cowards!"

On New Year's Eve, Old Zhao the Fourth was released to go home for the holiday.

Qi Wuxiu delivered the news to Chen Guanlou before the New Year's Eve dinner.

"Old Zhao the Fourth bribed his way through Hou Fu and paid to buy his freedom. I had no choice but to let him go."

"I know," Chen Guanlou said simply.

Qi Wuxiu was uneasy. "You alright? I heard the Meng brothers hanged themselves—clean and quick."

"Indeed, clean and quick."

"Even if the job wasn't done, the money's not being returned to you." Qi Wuxiu had been worried Chen Guanlou would demand his fee back.

Chen Guanlou glared at him. "I never asked for money. Go home and celebrate. I'm celebrating too."

"How will you celebrate alone?"

"Mind your own business." Chen Guanlou shoved him out.

During the holiday, he sharpened his knife. Sharpening calmed him, sharpened his thoughts.

He lay idle for three days, returned to work on the fourth.

During the Spring Festival, everyone was busy celebrating. Tianlaomiao had no major incidents. Chief Warden Niu was off until the fifteenth of the first month. Young Master Fan hadn't shown his face since the Grand Tutor affair.

He sat under the eaves, basking in the sun.

This year's New Year brought good weather—bright sun every day, no wind, not cold at all.

He spotted Liu Xiaochuan peering nervously outside the gate, waved him in.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just to check."

"Check enough. Get out." Chen Guanlou was blunt.

Liu Xiaochuan grinned. "Old Zhao the Fourth is dead."

"What?" Chen Guanlou stared, bewildered. "Dead? So what? What, are you suspecting me?"

"No. Just came to see."

Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly. "Do you believe that?"

Liu Xiaochuan stayed silent.

Chen Guanlou's lips twitched. "When? How?"

"Last night. Choked on his own vomit."

"His servants didn't clean him up?"

"They were asleep. He vomited in the middle of the night. No one noticed. When they woke up, he was already stiff." Liu Xiaochuan spoke plainly.

Chen Guanlou grunted. "Alright, I know. Anything else? Liu Guanxi sent you here for more than just this news. Say it straight—no beating around the bush."

"Master wants to know if you're aware of this."

"Aware of what? Bullshit!" Chen Guanlou exploded. "I've been sleeping at home, never stepped out. If he has proof, bring the officials to arrest me. If he doesn't, stop trying to frame me. Colluding with outsiders against Chen family—he's got guts. If he keeps acting this way, I'll take it to the clan and let the Chief Steward judge who's right."

Liu Xiaochuan stood dazed, then muttered, "I don't think it was you. You couldn't do it."

Chen Guanlou burst out laughing. "You've got good eyesight."