Chapter 290: The True Face of the Cunning Old Scoundrel

Fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, half an hour…

Time flowed as slowly as a snail.

No movement.

Chen Guanlou dared to twist his neck, like a rusted, broken machine straining to turn backward.

No one!

Above, no one!

Ahead, no one!

Looking around, no one!

The Master had left, just as quietly as he had come.

Chen Guanlou exhaled deeply—he had survived, escaped death.

Dawn was coming; he left without hesitation.

If he ever set foot in the imperial palace again, he'd be a dog.

This time he escaped by luck; there would be no next time.

He changed his appearance, restored his true face, and returned to the Tianlaomiao with a haggard visage.

Everyone gathered around, asking questions all at once.

"Brother Chen, are you alright?"

"Why did it take so long? Were you in danger?"

"What happened outside? How long must we stay?"

"Boss, we're all worried sick about you."

"Prison Warden Chen, have you heard any news? Say something!"

Chen Guanlou raised his hand, silencing all their chatter.

"Listen to me. Reliable reports say the Divine Artifact Camp and Divine Precision Camp were both ordered into the capital by the Emperor. All ministers are kneeling outside the Taiji Palace gates. Several have already died; their bodies haven't been collected. The Crown Prince remains in the Donggong, guarded by his personal guards. That's all."

"I didn't understand a word."

"Neither did I."

"Prison Warden Chen, is there really a rebellion?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure. If the higher-ups say there's a rebellion, then there is. If they say there isn't, then there isn't. Understand everything exactly as they command."

Chen Guanlou didn't reveal all the truth. Some things were better kept to oneself—no need to burden others or increase their chance of death.

Trouble comes from the tongue; the ancestors never lied.

"When can we get out?"

"Soon, soon. We'll be out very soon."

"The Divine Artifact Camp acts without restraint—no one's stopping them?"

"All civil and military officials are inside the palace—no one's stopping them."

"All the officials are useless."

"The Crown Prince is useless too!"

"How dare you call the Crown Prince useless?"

"If he weren't useless, how could he have been Crown Prince for thirty years? He'd have already—"

"Shut up! How dare you speak such words? Do you want to die? This is a government facility! You're spouting nonsense on government land—are you trying to get everyone killed?"

Chen Guanlou silenced their reckless talk. He knew they'd been locked up too long—their tempers were frayed. With no sign of resolution, even a spark could ignite an explosion. They weren't truly planning anything—just venting their fear and unease.

"Relax. We have food and drink. Even if the sky collapses, the Tianlaomiao won't be touched. Even if the entire capital burns, the prison won't fall apart. Have faith in yourselves."

"Brother Chen, be honest—will this end in ten or fifteen days?"

"It should."

"That's enough. Everyone heard it—there'll be results within ten or fifteen days. Disperse. Sleep if you need to, work if you're on duty. Keep your prisoners quiet."

The crowd slowly dispersed, carrying their grievances with them.

Chen Guanlou returned to the office to rest, glancing at Lu Mingchuan, who could now stand.

"Mr. Lu, if you want to leave, I'll arrange it now. Don't worry—the outside is perfectly calm."

"I am unwell, unfit to move. I must shamelessly remain in the Tianlaomiao. I beg you, young Chen, to understand."

Chen Guanlou sipped his hot tea and chuckled, "Zhao Mingqiao always says you're a great Confucian, devoted to justice, your whole life's pursuit to spread the Sage's words across the land. Tell me, Mr. Lu—did the Sage ever teach people to scheme, seek fame through deceit, break faith, or shift with the wind?"

He watched him with a half-smile, calm and waiting for a brilliant performance.

Lu Mingchuan's expression didn't change, not even a flicker in his eyes. "The Sage teaches goodness, the pursuit of truth, beauty, and virtue. He never taught scheming, fame-seeking deceit, betrayal, or shifting with the wind. These are evils inherent in human nature—the base flaws we're born with. Such people lack the Sage's teachings. If they join my school, I shall spare no effort to guide them into becoming upright men."

"So you believe human nature is evil?"

"Of course! It's unquestionable."

"Then why do all people say human nature is good?"

"That's just a lie used by hypocrites to blame the environment, blame others. Absurd! Young Chen, you too have fallen into the error of innate goodness. Turn back while you can. I'll help you wholeheartedly."

Chen Guanlou laughed. "If I join your school, how much tuition do you charge? I warn you—I'm broke. All I own is a few taels of silver."

Lu Mingchuan's lip twitched. "Young Chen, you jest. Everyone knows prison guards are greedy, money pouring into their pockets like water. Don't mock me."

"Ah, so you're not what the world says you are. Bottom line: no money, no teaching. You're a great Confucian—yet you lack even this basic awareness. Are you fit to be called a great Confucian?"

"Am I unfit? Are you?" Lu Mingchuan snapped. "You, boy, have ten thousand taels of wealth, yet pretend poverty to mock me. What's your motive? You're a prison guard—you've read the Sage's words—and yet you dare question me, question the Sage? How bold!"

"Don't put labels on me!" Chen Guanlou's face darkened. "I hate more than anything being labeled. Do you think I won't throw you out right now?"

"Y-you're utterly unreasonable!" Lu Mingchuan fumed, powerless.

"A performance—I've seen just how deep your skill runs. Truly impressive. Your scheme is magnificent." Chen Guanlou suddenly changed tone, grinning.

Lu Mingchuan frowned, watching him warily, far more tense than before. His mind raced, replaying every word—had he been tricked?

"You always forget—I'm Chen. Things others can't find out, I can uncover. I know why you hid in the Tianlaomiao. You're not fleeing soldiers—you're fleeing the palace. You're avoiding your duty, your stance, yet you don't want to be branded a cowardly, treacherous old scoundrel. So you feign a visit to the prison to hide from the storm inside. Tsk tsk…"

Chen Guanlou's mockery was blunt, unrelenting.

"The world should see your ugly face."