Chapter 291: Sending the Master to the Palace

"You're slandering me with false accusations!"

"How dare you slander an innocent man without cause!"

"You maliciously defame me—I will not rest until I am rid of you!"

Chen Guanlou watched the man's theatrical rage and shouting with cold eyes, then said only, "Bring him. Take the old master to the palace—to fulfill his duty!"

"You—you—you, Chen Guanlou! Who gave you the right? You can't do this! I won't go—I won't go anywhere! Whoever lays a hand on me, I'll die right here before him!" Lu Mingchuan panicked—truly panicked.

He had hidden in the Tianlaomiao precisely to avoid going to the palace. Chen Guanlou sending him there meant all his efforts were wasted.

No, no, no—no one must send him to the palace.

"Even if I die, I must die inside the palace—that is the only worthy death!"

Chen Guanlou brooked no argument; he waved his hand, and the jailers rushed into the office, grabbed him by arms and legs, and carried Lu Mingchuan out.

The commotion was loud enough to draw every jailer out to watch.

Chen Guanlou stood beneath the eaves and shouted to the crowd, "Master Lu is a great Confucian of our age, deeply distressed by the current state of affairs. As a renowned Confucian, famed throughout the capital, how could he possibly be absent at this critical moment? His sense of duty forbids him from lingering in this prison. Therefore, I have decided to help him—send him to the palace. What do you all say? Good?"

"Good!"—those who didn't understand the truth.

"Master is benevolent!"—those playing the fool.

"Master, please urge His Majesty to stop his magic at once!"—those merely watching the spectacle.

"Master, tell His Majesty of our suffering—the capital cannot remain in chaos!"—those still clinging to a sliver of idealism.

"Send the Master to the palace! Send the Master to the palace!"

The jailers shouted in unison. At that moment, Lu Mingchuan's image swelled to towering heights. The famed Confucian of the capital suddenly became real in their minds—clear, vivid: Master Lu, who grieved for the nation, who took responsibility upon himself, who marched bravely toward death!

Only by dying could one become a true Confucian!

Benevolence!

Great courage!

No wonder he's a great Confucian!

This is how a true Confucian should act!

Master Lu had barely regained his strength and already insisted on going to court—how deeply moving!

Whether true or false, stirring up the crowd—they were all professionals.

The jailers volunteered en masse to personally escort Master Lu to the palace.

Chen Guanlou finally appointed Xiao Jin and Lu Datou to lead the escort—this was a matter of great importance, allowing no room for error.

"If you meet soldiers on the road, simply state your purpose. They understand great principles—they all have patriotic hearts. They won't stop you."

Xiao Jin was skeptical—this sounded like pure nonsense.

Lu Datou chuckled, his grin sly and lewd. He whispered, "What did that Lu guy do to you?"

"Nonsense! Do I look like a man who settles personal scores?" Chen Guanlou spoke with righteous indignation.

Lu Datou nodded vigorously—he looked exactly like one.

Chen Guanlou snorted, "Just deliver him to the palace gates. That's all. Easy enough."

Lu Datou subtly made a throat-slitting gesture. "Should we… finish him off on the way?"

"No! We jailers eat the state's rice—we follow the state's rules. We cannot break the law. Don't you dare. Your mission is to help Master Lu fulfill his great righteousness—not to soil your own hands. Lu Datou, don't give me trouble."

"Understood. This is on me—I'll get him safely inside the palace!" Lu Datou puffed out his chest, smug as ever.

Xiao Jin grimaced.

Chen Guanlou beckoned him closer. "Ensure Master Lu's safety on the way. Never let him out of your sight. Don't let him escape."

Xiao Jin froze, then understood. "Sir, rest assured—I'll keep my eyes locked on him."

"Go!"

Lu Mingchuan had no way to refuse. Surrounded by the furious mob of jailers, he was powerless.

Chen Guanlou had used public opinion to trap him—now he was stuck on a tiger's back.

He raged inwardly, screaming in silence.

He was hoisted into the basket, turned back, and glared fiercely at Chen Guanlou: This isn't over.

Chen Guanlou grinned, waved his arms, and called out, "Master, fare well! I'll pray for you here in the prison. Should anything happen to you, rest easy—your place here will always be kept."

Pah!

Lu Mingchuan was finally gone.

Chen Guanlou felt relieved. He went to inspect the prison cells.

One meal a day had left the imprisoned officials listless, all drained of spirit—yet their eyes glowed bright with hunger.

"Warden Chen, what's happening outside?"

"Who's really rebelling?"

"Is the Crown Prince still well?"

"Give us more food—one meal a day isn't enough!"

"Chaos is good. When the new emperor ascends, he'll pardon all—then we'll be free."

"Break into the prison and rescue us, the wronged ones!"

As he walked, the prisoners screamed at him—some seeking news, some begging for food, others hoping for total collapse.

Finally, he reached Zhao Mingqiao's cell. "Lord Zhao, I must tell you: Master Lu, in his righteousness, insists on leaving the prison to advise His Majesty. I couldn't stop him—I could only support him. Just now, we sent him off. Don't worry—I've assigned enough jailers to escort him. He'll reach the palace safely."

Zhao Mingqiao blinked, stared deeply at Chen Guanlou, then sighed. "Thank you for enabling him."

Huh?

He doesn't actually believe this, does he?

"Aren't you surprised?"

Zhao Mingqiao smiled. "From the start, I opposed my teacher hiding here—it's not the way of a true gentleman. But he insisted, and as his student, I could say nothing. Thank you, Warden Chen—for finally letting him step out and do what he must."

He bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude.

Chen Guanlou: …

Felt like he'd played the villain for nothing.

He forced a awkward smile. "You don't mind? I thought you'd worry about Master Lu's safety."

"Personal safety means nothing compared to the safety of the state. The Crown Prince is in mortal danger; His Majesty stubbornly persists in error. Someone must step forward to urge him to stop. It is our duty. Had I still been in court, I would have been there too—even if it meant dying, it would be a worthy death."

"Excellent!" Chen Guanlou truly admired him. "Master Lu is lucky to have you as a disciple—he gained far more than he lost. Too bad the master himself is unworthy!"

Zhao Mingqiao lowered his eyes, pretending not to hear the slander.

He looked troubled, murmuring softly, "Can this world still be saved?"

"Of course it can. So long as even one person lives, the world can still be saved."

"Who will save it?"

"Not you, not me—then it must be someone else." Chen Guanlou sounded relaxed. Unlike others, who pinned hope on the Crown Prince or the old emperor's awakening, he thought: if all else fails, I'll just overturn the world and rebuild it.

The world doesn't need the old emperor.