Chapter 307

With the first batch of summer grain stored, grain prices dipped slightly but did not fall to last year's levels. To ordinary people, the price was still too high.

Especially this year, after the capital suffered military unrest and labor wages dropped, every rise and fall in grain prices tugged at the nerves of countless people.

The baozi stalls on the street saw much less business; the noodle soup shops were clearly in decline. Even the braised meat stall, Chen Guanlou's favorite, was barely surviving.

The state of daily life was accurately and swiftly reflected in the marketplace.

He was confined in Tianlaomiao, his income largely unaffected—and even significantly increased. As more officials were imprisoned, his purse visibly swelled.

He bought a few meat baozi, carried a pound of braised meat and a flask of wine home. He cut half a pound and took it to Chunxiang Sao, who refused outright. Chen Guanlou then suggested she make him dumpling soup for a few days—he loved her dumpling soup; no one else could replicate its flavor, and everyone else's always fell short.

Chunxiang Sao, considering her children hadn't eaten meat in a long time, nodded in agreement.

Chen Guanlou leisurely left Chunxiang Sao's house, only to see a plain carriage parked outside his door, clearly waiting for him.

He walked over and knocked on the carriage.

Immediately, the carriage door opened from within, revealing Liu Shi's exquisite face—still gentle, her eyes brimming with emotion.

Liu Shi had originally been a maid in the Eastern Palace, then became Li Dahong's widow, and now was a concubine of Prince Zhong.

Chen Guanlou invited her inside, glanced at the beautiful maid beside her, and placed a cup of tea beside her. "How did you get out? At a time like this, can you move around freely?"

Liu Shi traveled with only one maid and one coachman. The coachman was guarding the carriage outside; she had only the maid with her.

Liu Shi was now a concubine with official status in Prince Zhong's household. Since giving birth, her circumstances had improved considerably. Logically, as a woman of the inner quarters of Prince Zhong's mansion, under the current situation, she should have had no chance to leave alone.

Liu Shi's expression turned sorrowful. "Since the Prince was deposed, everyone has been in constant grief. Later, when we moved to the Prince's mansion, the Princess fell ill and stopped managing affairs. The back courtyard isn't tightly controlled. I claimed I was going out to burn incense and pray for blessings—the Prince gave his consent, so I came out. Once out, I didn't rush back. I hadn't seen you in a long time, and since it was still early, I came hoping for luck. I never expected to run into you so perfectly."

"Drink your tea," Chen Guanlou tapped the table. "How have things been in the Prince's mansion these days?"

"Not well," Liu Shi clutched her teacup, tears already welling in her eyes. "The Prince is depressed, grown thin, and his temper has turned volatile. But in front of his subordinates, he still maintains composure. Everyone is low-spirited, deeply fearful, terrified that one day the Embroidered Uniform Guard will come knocking and we'll all be killed."

"You worry too much. So far, there's no sign the Emperor intends to take Prince Zhong's life."

"But everyone says that since ancient times, no deposed crown prince has ever died a natural death. Death is inevitable—we will all die, even children are not spared. Cut the grass and remove the roots. Even if the Emperor doesn't act, the new Emperor will settle accounts after ascending the throne."

Liu Shi looked terrified, trembling all over. Her maid trembled beside her.

"It won't happen," Chen Guanlou's reassurance rang hollow, for he had no solid evidence to convince her. Since ancient times, deposed crown princes never met a good end—it was an unbreakable rule, with virtually no exceptions.

"Don't comfort me. Death—I'm not afraid of it. But my child is so young. How can I watch him be… Can you help me?"

"How can I help you? Every person in Prince Zhong's mansion, even the maids, is registered. One missing person is a massive matter—let alone a Prince's son."

"Then what should I do? Just wait with my child to die?" Liu Shi wept silently, her maid weeping with her. "My family is gone. I've served in the Eastern Palace since childhood. The two years I spent married to Li Dahong were spent in seclusion—I know no one. Except you, I truly have no one else to turn to."

Liu Shi spoke of her situation—helpless, fragile.

Chen Guanlou sighed inwardly. "It may not be as bad as you think."

Liu Shi whispered weakly, "But since ancient times, no deposed crown prince has ever escaped death. It's inevitable."

"We won't speak of Prince Zhong's situation—but the children, they won't go that far."

"I wish it were as you say—that they aren't so cruel, that they'd at least leave the Prince a single drop of blood. But what if they are?" Liu Shi's tear-blurred eyes fixed on Chen Guanlou. Those eyes seemed to speak, pleading desperately; her delicate face stirred pity.

Chen Guanlou hardened his heart. "I'm just a jailer."

"I know. This is too much to ask of you. I just… can't find anyone else. I've come shamelessly to beg you. I shouldn't have burdened you with something so life-or-death."

Liu Shi swiftly wiped her tears, forcing herself to rally—her expression sorrowful yet pretending strength.

Chen Guanlou nearly lost control and pulled her into his arms. But he remembered—Liu Shi was Prince Zhong's woman. Prince Zhong was currently the epicenter of the capital.

Liu Shi's outing might already have been watched.

"The Prince took a liking to Bi Lv," Liu Shi drew her maid forward. "Chen Tou, may I give Bi Lv to you?"

Huh?

The turn was utterly unexpected.

The maid Bi Lv dropped to her knees. "Mistress, don't send me away. I won't go anywhere. I only wish to serve you."

"But the Prince desires you. How can I bear to part with you?" Liu Shi wept.

"I—I—" Bi Lv stammered in panic.

"I refuse," Chen Guanlou, as the party involved, did not remain silent—he spoke directly. "Bi Lv clearly wishes to serve Prince Zhong. Why force her to follow me? What do I have to offer? No fine food, no noble status—just a stinking jailer, despised by all."

Bi Lv clearly sought to climb higher. Even if Prince Zhong was a fallen phoenix, in Bi Lv's eyes, he was still a towering tree.

Chen Guanlou had no taste for being a replacement husband.

"Really?" Liu Shi looked at Bi Lv with pain. "Do you truly wish to serve the Prince?"

Bi Lv said nothing. Silence was affirmation.

Liu Shi felt regret and anger—at herself for failing to see through her own maid's intentions.

"You're foolish!" she told Bi Lv. "Prince Zhong's mansion is a sinking ship. One big wave, and everyone aboard dies. I arranged for you to leave because you served me faithfully—I wanted to save your life. I never imagined you'd refuse."

"Mistress, I'm not ungrateful. I know you've been kind to me. But if you're all gone, can I truly survive alone?"