Chapter 316: This World That Judges by Looks

The reasoning makes sense.

Chen Guanlou silently reviewed it: Zhong Susu's explanation had a complete logical chain and clear facts. Someone like Zhong Yushi would certainly have two sets of books.

Considering Zhong Yushi's rise to power, his distrust of those around him—his accountant, steward, private secretary—all seen as outsiders—was understandable.

Zhong Susu was his own daughter, exceptionally clever and skilled in accounting. It made sense for Zhong Yushi to entrust her with the books. Those illicit accounts must be handled by someone trustworthy. Who could be more trustworthy than blood? And she was a young lady who never stepped beyond the inner chambers, entirely dependent on him.

But Zhong Yushi never expected his daughter to be too clever—she had secretly kept a private ledger.

No one knew better than Zhong Yushi himself how many evil deeds he had committed, how much money he had embezzled, how many families he had ruined, how many lives he had taken.

Precisely because he knew, he understood that if the private ledger were exposed, even dismemberment by five horses would be mercy.

At all costs, the private ledger must not be revealed.

"Did Zhong Yushi tell you the specifics of the transactions?"

"You mean becoming your woman?"

Cough, cough, cough…

Chen Guanlou hadn't expected the girl across from him to speak so boldly and directly.

"Before I came, I was unwilling—you're a woman, and I… though my family has declined, my upbringing made it hard for me to accept at first. But now that I've met you, becoming your woman doesn't seem so unbearable." Zhong Susu finished and laughed aloud.

Chen Guanlou took a sip of tea to mask his embarrassment. "You judge by looks?"

"Who in this world doesn't judge by looks?" Zhong Susu tilted her head slightly, curious. "Surely Chen Yuli doesn't ignore looks?"

Chen Guanlou: …

He was left speechless. He'd been outmaneuvered by a girl.

"Are you willing?"

Zhong Susu pondered. "To say I'm willing would be dishonest. But I'm only a sixteen-year-old girl. If I escape, I have no relatives to turn to, nowhere to go, and no way to protect myself. Staying with you gives me at least a place to stand. I've heard you're educated, so you must be a man of propriety—you wouldn't make things too hard for me, right? If all else fails, I can pay. Just don't find my money tainted."

"I never find money tainted," Chen Guanlou said plainly—he only found people filthy.

"You know removing your name will be difficult, with wide-reaching consequences, requiring substantial bribes."

"So you're willing to help me? Thank you!"

Zhong Susu smiled, her eyes sparkling, her expression pure and lovely.

Chen Guanlou cleared his throat. "I'll negotiate the exact price with Zhong Yushi."

"No need. I brought the money."

No wonder she was the family's accountant.

Zhong Susu pulled out two envelopes from her bosom, placed them on the table, and pushed them toward him.

"One is for your effort. The other is for bribes. If it's not enough, tell me—I'll do my best to raise more."

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow, picked up an envelope, and glanced inside—impressive sum.

His fee alone was two thousand taels. The bribe money totaled ten thousand taels.

A girl this young handing out twelve thousand taels—she managed the books well indeed.

"Are all the Zhong family's funds now in your hands?" he asked.

Zhong Susu wanted to deny it, but after thinking, she nodded. "The family's been seized, and all public funds were confiscated. What's left are my private savings, accumulated over years. I told you—I'm clever. I understood from a young age that Father's deeds would eventually catch up to him. So since I took over the ledgers, I've been preparing. I never expected it to come so soon. Don't worry—the money I'm giving you is clean, unrelated to those ill-gotten gains."

Chen Guanlou sighed inwardly—what a wealthy woman!

His own meager funds couldn't even compare to this woman's wealth—not even worth polishing her shoes.

The Six Ministries' fools couldn't even clean out a raid properly.

A corrupt official this large—anyone with half a brain knew he had private accounts. Why didn't they search or interrogate? Or had the Six Ministries already feasted on the public accounts and no longer cared about the private ones?

"You've been so open with me—aren't you afraid I'll later renounce my word and force you to reveal where the money is? The Heavenly Prison has many ways to make life unbearable. Everyone says the Imperial Prison is terrifying, but the torture chambers of the Heavenly Prison are no less cruel—perhaps even worse. Only, the Heavenly Prison rarely uses such methods unless absolutely necessary."

"You said yourself—only if absolutely necessary. Tell me, Chen Yuli, have you reached that point? Besides, if I become your woman, what's mine is yours. Then, even if you don't ask, I'll tell you."

Huh?

Could such a thing exist?

Gain a beautiful girl—and a fortune too?

Zhong Yushi, father-in-law, I'll take your embezzled money. Father-in-law, rest easy—I'll take good care of your precious daughter.

But this happiness felt unreal.

"Don't fool me!"

Women's lips are deceitful.

He wasn't some greenhorn—he was an experienced rogue.

Zhong Susu bit her thin lip. "Truthfully, I don't fully trust you. I fear you'll betray me for merit, use me to climb the ranks. Men all seek fame and office. Chen Yuli—can I trust you?"

"I would never betray a woman for merit, nor am I obsessed with advancement. I have my principles." Chen Guanlou spoke solemnly, nearly swearing an oath.

Zhong Susu smiled brightly, radiant and joyful. "Good! Father was right—you're different from others, a man with boundaries. Indeed! Chen Yuli, my future rests in your hands!"

She rose and bowed deeply.

Chen Guanlou felt pleasantly uplifted—changing a girl's fate seemed deeply rewarding. Especially when that girl was beautiful, soon to be his woman, and bringing a vast dowry. So perfect—he could wake from dreams laughing.

"Shall we—"

"It's late. I must return. If I'm late, someone might notice—then it'll be hard to come out again."

Zhong Susu pulled on her veil and hurried to leave.

Chen Guanlou quickly said, "Let me escort you."

"No need! Beneath the Son of Heaven's gaze, safety is assured. Goodbye, Chen Yuli—I hope to hear good news soon."

"Rest assured—I'll handle this as quickly as possible," Chen Guanlou promised.

"I trust you!"

Zhong Susu spoke those words and hurried away.

Chen Guanlou clutched the two envelopes, his palms slightly warm—for the first time, he felt the urge to do something for a girl. He could not stand idly by and watch such a brilliant girl fall into the courtesan quarters, to be defiled by a pack of bloated, brainless men.