Chapter 273

This matter is definitely tied to Chen Guanlou.

Liu Guanshi slammed his fist on the table in furious rage.

Liu Wanshi sipped her tea, "Why are you so certain this has to do with Chen Guanlou? Zhao LaoSi choked to death on his own vomit—blame his personal servant for neglecting his duties."

"What do you know? How could such a coincidence happen? Zhao LaoSi had only been out of prison two days when he died at home. Do you believe that?"

"What's there not to believe? He just came out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was overjoyed to be free, drank a few extra cups—couldn't hold his liquor, vomited in the middle of the night. It's the New Year, the servants and maids all wanted rest, so they slacked off on duty. Everything lined up, an accident happened, no one wanted it. But that's the truth. How can you unjustly blame someone? Don't forget, he's a Chen—his name's on record with the Elder Master."

Liu Wanshi was reminding Liu Guanshi not to stir up trouble.

Zhao LaoSi paid money solely to have the Hou Fu secure his release. Once he was freed, the job was done, payment settled. Now that he's dead, it has nothing to do with the Hou Fu, nothing to do with Liu Guanshi. No need to take up for Zhao LaoSi. He simply met his fate—he didn't die in the imperial prison, but in his bed from drunken vomiting. That's destiny.

Hah!

Liu Guanshi sneered repeatedly, mocking Liu Wanshi's naivety.

Liu Wanshi bristled, "Then tell me—how could Chen Guanlou possibly have the ability to make Zhao LaoSi die silently in his home at night?"

"Chen Guanlou doesn't have that ability himself—but he's got plenty of money. With money, even ghosts can be made to push millstones." Liu Guanshi spoke with finality—he was certain it was Chen Guanlou, no other thought crossed his mind.

Liu Wanshi sighed slowly, "I recall Zhao's household had several bodyguards—all second- or third-rank cultivators. So tell me, where could Chen Guanlou find someone capable of slipping past them, killing Zhao LaoSi without a trace? Are there any such men among Beijing's known gangs? If someone truly had that skill, why would they stay in a gang? They'd have been snatched up by noble families or enlisted in the military long ago."

Liu Guanshi fell silent, unable to refute her.

Gangs rely on numbers, not individual prowess. Even if they have cultivators as fronts, they're mostly first- or second-rank. Third-rank and above cultivators have long since been recruited—pursuing better futures. No fool would cling to a dead-end gang job.

Liu Guanshi clenched his teeth, then a sudden insight flashed through his mind: "Don't forget—Chen Guanlou is a jailer in Tianlaomiao. That prison holds a host of notorious bandits and Jianghu scum. For him, finding someone to assassinate Zhao LaoSi is easy—just a word. For others, it's impossible. For him, it's nothing."

Liu Wanshi: …

Now it was Liu Wanshi's turn to fall silent.

"What motive could he have to kill Zhao LaoSi? They never even knew each other."

"Hmph! Young men, full of reckless passion—maybe for some 'justice,' maybe because he couldn't stand it, maybe he was paid. Who cares what his reason is? Chen Guanlou is no good. He knew Zhao LaoSi was under the Hou Fu's protection, yet he still dared to undermine it. He's gone too far!" Liu Guanshi roared.

Liu Wanshi pondered a moment, then urged, "This has no evidence—you can't go blabbing to the Young Mistress. My advice? Don't bother whether Chen Guanlou is involved or not. Better to avoid trouble. The Zhao family isn't even proper kin to the Hou Fu—just distant connections. No need to defend Zhao LaoSi. Besides, he was a scoundrel. Better he's dead—won't keep harming people."

"You know nothing!"

Liu Guanshi paced the room, furious, unable to calm down.

"Zhao LaoSi infiltrated the Beijing garrison and linked up with Jiang Tu. Now that he's dead, that thread is severed."

"I don't like the sound of that. How is this tied to Jiang Tu? Jiang Tu didn't even protect Zhao LaoSi—what link is there?"

"You know nothing! Jiang Tu dared not defend Zhao LaoSi—he already crossed the old Emperor by meddling in military authority. He's scrambling to wash his hands clean, how could he dare defend Zhao LaoSi? That's why Zhao LaoSi paid a fortune to have the Hou Fu intervene. The Chief Steward gave the order personally—he speaks for the Elder Master's will. Do you understand the implications?"

Liu Wanshi nodded, then shook her head, half-understanding.

Liu Guanshi sighed, "Forget it. Now Zhao LaoSi is dead, all the arrangements are canceled. Chen Guanlou ruined everything—he must be held accountable."

"You need to consult the Chief Steward. If he doesn't speak, why are you worrying?" Liu Wanshi spoke plainly—if this were truly serious, the Chief Steward wouldn't remain silent.

"I still say—you can't spread rumors without proof. Chen Guanlou seems like a quiet, honest man. Are you mistaken? How would he dare hire assassins? And for Zhao LaoSi, someone he had nothing to do with?"

Liu Wanshi pictured Chen Guanlou's face—a handsome young man. How could he possibly be so cruel?

Facial features determine character.

Liu Wanshi firmly stood by Chen Guanlou, defending him wholeheartedly. She believed handsome boys must have good hearts. Even working as a lowly jailer, his nature couldn't be corrupted. She trusted her own eyes—she couldn't be wrong. As for her husband Liu Guanshi—he was prejudiced, judging by appearances, jealous, and determined to pin a crime on Chen Guanlou.

She hated men like that.

"He's got guts. His father spent years in Tianlaomiao, stuck on the cold bench, earned little, suffered constant humiliation. But Chen Guanlou? In just a few years, he's risen to prominence, made plenty of money, even branched into antiques and calligraphy, and used it to connect with the Elder Master."

The more Liu Guanshi thought, the more certain he became that Chen Guanlou was no ordinary man—he felt everyone had been fooled by him.

Liu Wanshi rolled her eyes, "You imagine him too cunning. Can't he just have real talent?"

"Real talent? What talent does a jailer need? It's about reading the room, knowing how to please superiors, easing their burdens. You—you're blinded by Chen Guanlou's looks."

"Then what should we do now?" Liu Wanshi asked, slightly defiant but still measured.

Liu Guanshi was pondering the same question.

He stroked his beard, frowning, his mind agitated and burning. He swallowed the dregs of his tea, and his unease only deepened.

"Even if you tell your suspicions to others, the Zhao family won't thank you—except maybe that concubine, Hua Niang. Besides, the Meng brothers died horribly, no full corpse left. Zhao LaoSi at least has a whole body."

Liu Guanshi froze, "The Meng brothers truly had no full corpse?"

Liu Wanshi snorted, "I went to pay respects, asked quietly—no full corpse. His genitals were missing; the imperial prison threw them away as waste."