Chapter 311

Zhang Wenfu normally strutted about, arrogant and domineering, as if no one else mattered.

After being thrown into the Heavenly Prison, he became a bird startled by every breeze, flinching at the slightest rustle. The jailers mocked him: "A high official? You're shaming the title."

Look at the other imprisoned officials—they aren't even afraid of losing their heads.

People are so different from one another!

Chen Guanlou patrolled the prison cells and stopped before Zhang Wenfu's cell. "Is Zhang Da Ren comfortable here?"

Zhang Wenfu scratched at his skin as he shuffled to the cell door. "It itches so badly—every inch of me is bitten by bugs; my skin's been scratched raw. Can you give me some medicine?"

"Itching? That's something you must learn to endure. Once your skin toughens and your flesh thickens, the bugs won't bite you anymore. You're new here—your skin's still soft, perfect for them. Push through it; next month it'll get better. Applying medicine now won't help—it'll only make you suffer more."

"But I really can't take it anymore!" Zhang Wenfu held out both arms, covered in raw, patchy wounds—clearly severe.

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Fine. Since your family paid generously, I'll have someone bring you medicine. But the real fix is you overcoming it. This is the Heavenly Prison—conditions are what they are. Your case won't be resolved anytime soon. You must adapt quickly. Otherwise, when it gets hotter later, you'll suffer terribly."

"Can't I be moved to a better cell?" Zhang Wenfu panicked at the thought of more suffering. "I heard the Heavenly Prison has VIP cells. Can't you arrange for me to stay there?"

Chen Guanlou smirked. "Do you know who stays in the VIP cells? One's the Second Young Master of Jin Prince's Mansion. The other's Grand Tutor Zhuang. Are you sure you want that?"

Zhang Wenfu fell silent. What merit did he have to compare himself to a prince's son or the Grand Tutor? If this got out, calling him arrogant would be the kindest interpretation. Accusing him of harboring grand ambitions? That would be the view of his political enemies.

He immediately gave up the idea of switching cells, face flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't say anything."

Chen Guanlou nodded approvingly. "That's better. Officials with higher rank, higher status, better family backgrounds—all of them accepted the conditions without complaint. You, fresh in, demanding a better cell? That'll stir up public outrage."

These prisoners may be captives, but they still wield enormous influence. If they want to ruin you, it's not hard. Don't think my words are harsh."

If not for your Zhang family pulling strings at Hou Fu, I wouldn't be telling you this. Watching you make a mistake, provoke everyone's anger, and die from your own petty cleverness? I'd bear no blame. I might even get a thank-you payment afterward."

Zhang Wenfu turned pale with shock. "Chen Jailor, you must help me!"

Chen Guanlou smiled reassuringly. "Since I promised Hou Fu I'd look after you, I won't ignore you. Any reasonable request—tell the jailers. They'll usually grant it."

Don't ask to switch cells again—it's against the rules. Don't entertain unreasonable wishes. Food and drink? No limits—but pay in silver.

The jailers work hard, run errands, support families. A little silver isn't too much. Don't complain about the prices here—that's just how it is. Even Grand Tutor Zhuang paid the same when he was locked up."

"So the Second Young Master of Jin Prince's Mansion paid too?" Zhang Wenfu forgot his situation, curious about gossip.

Chen Guanlou realized: Zhang Wenfu might be full of flaws, but he had little cunning. Two years in office hadn't hardened him—he'd been coddled too long, never faced real storms.

"Don't pry into irrelevant matters. Remember—this is Rule One of the Heavenly Prison."

Zhang Wenfu bristled, itching all over, mood foul. But he still had sense—he dared not lash out at Chen Guanlou. "Just hurry up and bring the medicine—I can't stand the itching anymore."

He rolled up his pant legs and lifted his shirt—his body was covered in patches and stripes of red swelling, some from bug bites, others from his own scratching.

"Alright, alright. Someone's coming with medicine soon. Remember—if you want to stop itching, toughen up fast. Eat coarse grain, avoid refined food. Refined food makes your skin smooth and flesh tender—who else would the bugs bite?"

After giving his advice, Chen Guanlou strolled away calmly.

He arrived at Xie Changling's cell.

A scholar is a scholar—even in prison, he remained unruffled, engrossed in a tale, even commenting aloud. If there were comment sections, he'd be a furious one, spouting brilliant insults left and right.

"Is Xie Da Ren comfortable? Any requests?"

"I've never seen a jailor as idle as you," Xie Changling shot back without restraint.

Chen Guanlou retorted, "Xie Da Ren, this is your first time in prison, yet your tone suggests you've been here many times, met countless jailors."

"I may never have eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run. This place is filthy. Don't you mind?" Xie Changling teased.

Chen Guanlou laughed. "This is my domain—I wouldn't mind how filthy it is."

"Then clean it up."

"It's clean enough. If you'd come last year, it was worse. At least your bedding this year is new—lucky you caught the upgrade." Chen Guanlou grinned.

Xie Changling glanced at his bedding—its original color was unrecognizable. And this was supposedly new? What must the old ones have looked like? Hard to imagine.

"Keep reading, Xie Da Ren. I'll continue my rounds."

"How is Prince Zhong?" Xie Changling suddenly asked.

Chen Guanlou shook his head. "That's beyond my scope. I'm just a lowly jailor—how could I know Prince Zhong's situation? But I heard Grand Secretary Wu was dismissed and retired. Grand Secretary Li has been promoted to Grand Tutor and still leads the Political Council."

He expected relief. Instead, Xie Changling frowned.

"You're dissatisfied?" Chen Guanlou asked curiously.

Xie Changling sighed. "Prince Zhong's situation is growing harder."

"Why do you say that?" Chen Guanlou asked humbly.

"Tell me—what must Prince Zhong do to please the Emperor and deserve this arrangement?"

Chen Guanlou fell silent.

After thinking, "ignoring it" was better. At least Prince Zhong could choose to slack off.

Now, the old Emperor dismissed Wu Dashou and kept Li Liangcheng in power. Li Liangcheng is openly part of the Crown Prince's faction. In this situation, can Prince Zhong afford to slack off? He must perform well, strive to please the Emperor—to repay this "kindness"!

Exhausting.

Utterly soul-draining.

First he's ruined, now the Emperor pretends kindness—what good is that?

Even if he performs well, what difference does it make? He's already been deposed—he'll never be reinstated as Crown Prince. His right to inherit the throne was stripped the moment he was deposed.

Since ancient times, no deposed Crown Prince has ever ascended the throne. The people won't accept it.

A deposed man has lost his right to inherit— Pingshenmenengzuohuangwei?