Chapter 318: Son-in-Law, Save My Father-in-Law

The prison clerk Hu got the tea and a large sum of hard-earned fees, and he worked with great enthusiasm.

Three days later, Chen Guanlou received notice that Zhong Susu's name had been removed from the Zhong family register. Next, they would bring Zhong Susu to the women's prison for a few days.

Chen Guanlou had already informed Zhong Susu beforehand, and she had prepared herself. With Chen Guanlou's secret bribes, upon arrival at the women's prison, she was directly placed in the VIP room—aside from being confined, her conditions were no different from those in her boudoir.

The VIP room in the women's prison was equivalent to a side chamber in a wealthy household, fully furnished, primarily to accommodate the noble female relatives of disgraced officials.

Compared to those, the VIP room here in the Heavenly Prison was like a latrine—unbearable to look at.

Upon learning his beloved daughter had escaped safely, Zhong Yushi felt a great weight lifted.

His life was finally spared.

That damned girl dared threaten him; when he rises again, he would teach her a harsh lesson.

Facing Chen Guanlou, he smiled again, "If I'd known Prisoner Chen had such abilities, why would I have groveled to others in the first place? Not only was I humiliated and mistreated, but nothing got done. Only Prisoner Chen is truly suited to this work—in just a short time, he resolved my deepest concern. Allow me to bow to you."

Zhong Yushi still observed proper etiquette, bowing deeply, and Chen Guanlou accepted the bow without hesitation—even though the man was his future father-in-law.

Seeing Chen Guanlou accept his bow without refusal or avoidance, Zhong Yushi silently cursed: What an arrogant, ignorant little scoundrel. How dare he accept my bow? Doesn't he fear shortening his lifespan? I'm still his future father-in-law, and he doesn't even understand basic propriety—he deserves to be a prison guard for life.

He then remembered that the private ledger was in Zhong Susu's hands; after the family's confiscation, all future operational funds were now under her control. His heart was filled with hatred, panic, urgency—and yet, a quiet confidence.

A young girl, no matter how clever, cannot escape the bonds of her family.

When I get out, I'll find a chance to have a proper talk with my daughter. A woman's life cannot be separated from family care and support. Take Lady Zhong, for instance—had she not had her natal family behind her, how could she have escaped so easily?

Zhong Susu is clever, yes, but she's still a woman. She must understand the importance of family. Men are unreliable—they all grow tired of old loves. Besides, Chen Guanlou is a seasoned rake, a regular at brothels; they say most of his earnings end up in the girdles of brothel girls.

Zhong Yushi had lived for money and died for money—he'd worn himself out worrying over it.

Soon, Zhong Yushi's case was decided.

As expected, the entire family was exiled three thousand li to serve in the military. This was the harshest exile—military camps cared only for strength, not rules.

Upon hearing the verdict, Zhong Yushi wished he were dead.

Those soldiers would surely humiliate him terribly; he couldn't even find someone to plead for him in time. He feared his sons would be used as cannon fodder, sent to the frontlines. He still relied on them to carry on the family line.

Money!

A fortune!

If no one would plead for him, he'd have to buy his way out—pound the path to survival with gold.

He was still imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison; in two days, they would begin the exile journey.

Zhong Yushi shed tears of anguish.

He had once despised this wretched place; now he realized how good it was—and how desperately people longed for it.

He clutched the prison bars, weeping as he spoke to Chen Guanlou—then froze in shock at his own words: "Son-in-law!"

Chen Guanlou jumped straight up in place. "Master Zhong, don't call me that! Where did you get a son-in-law? Your daughter's still locked in the women's prison. I haven't even touched her hand."

"No problem, no problem. Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers—I'll write the betrothal right now, and you're my son-in-law!"

Chen Guanlou rolled his eyes. "Master Zhong, stop calling me son-in-law. Just tell me what you really want."

"Can I meet Susu? After this, we may never see each other again. I truly… can't bear to part!" Zhong Yushi wept, wiping his tears, the very picture of a doting father, desperate to see his beloved daughter.

Chen Guanlou had met many officials—all sharing one trait: acting!

Every official was a born actor.

Experience-based, method-based, performance-based—every school dazzled the eyes.

He was immune to the performances of disgraced officials—he was stone-hearted.

"Master Zhong, don't cry yet. Meeting Susu violates protocol. But since you're my future father-in-law, I'll try to arrange half an hour for you to meet. Say what you must quickly, and settle your affairs."

"Son-in-law, you're truly kind!"

"Don't call me son-in-law, or I'll turn on you."

Chen Guanlou grunted. He wasn't ready to be a son-in-law—not even close. Keep calling, calling like you're summoning a ghost!

I'll let you call me son-in-law after I've bedded Zhong Susu.

"Yes, yes, I won't call you son-in-law—how about Little Chen?"

Chen Guanlou wanted to beat Zhong Yushi senseless—how dare he push his luck? But then he remembered the man was Zhong Susu's real father, so he held back. Zhong Susu was beautiful—partly because her mother was stunning, partly because Zhong Yushi was a handsome man.

The other Zhong daughters weren't as lucky—their looks were merely average. After all, not every mother is a beauty. Some were concubines from humble families, some were minor concubines, some were concubines with equal strengths and flaws.

Children born to different concubines naturally differed. Not every child was lucky enough to inherit both parents' best traits. Some children were cursed, inheriting only their parents' flaws—there was nothing to be done.

Zhong Susu was the luckiest of all—beautiful and intelligent.

Seeing Zhong Yushi about to begin his exile, Chen Guanlou wasted no time and arranged the meeting promptly. The location was the official office.

Had Zhong Yushi not been his future father-in-law, he would never have cared so much.

Other prison clerks teased him relentlessly; everyone's amusement lately came from Chen Guanlou, forcing him to treat them all to a night at Guanmei Pavilion. His only demand: stop joking about him—especially with lewd jokes.

The father-daughter reunion, how tender and heartfelt it was, need not be detailed.

Chen Guanlou shut the door, leaving the space to the pair. He sat next door, drinking tea.

It was only his sharp hearing that betrayed them—the father and daughter began with gentle, hushed words, but soon their conversation turned sour, and they began to argue.

More accurately, Zhong Yushi argued alone; Zhong Susu mostly stayed silent. When she spoke, she struck straight to the core—enough to drive Zhong Yushi to death.

"I don't care about anything else—tomorrow I'm exiled three thousand li. Give me money first. You can have Prisoner Chen deliver it."

"I'm locked in the women's prison—how am I supposed to get money?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you think I don't understand how this place works? You're just pretending to be imprisoned—you only need to tell Chen Guanlou to give a word, and you're free. You don't want your whole family to follow me into starvation and dust, do you? You've escaped your troubles now—give your family a chance to live. All these years, the family treated you well—whatever you wanted, you got. We never shortchanged you. Don't be heartless!"