Chapter 320

With Chen Guanlou's help, exchanging money, buying gold and silver jewelry, and hiring the Strike Guild for protection—all tasks were settled in half a day.

Part of the money was given to Inspector Zhong; the rest was delivered to the Zhong family.

The Zhong family had over twenty members; each took a little, and the distribution was quickly finished.

Previously, the Zhong family had been clueless about Zhong Susu's situation. Only these past two days did they learn the truth: Zhong Susu had been spared and would not be exiled with the rest of the family. But the reason was certainly not the private accounts—it was because of her beauty.

The Zhong daughters' eyes turned red with rage; the Zhong sons cursed they weren't women. Three thousand li ahead, they feared—feared dying on the road. They clung to Zhong Susu and wept bitterly, out of both envy and sorrow at parting.

"Susu, you must write to us!"

"The whole family counts on you, Susu—don't let us down."

"Susu, take care of yourself. If there's any news from the capital, write to us right away."

"Can we get more dried rations? I'm afraid the yamen runners will cut our food rations. Xiao Bao is so young—he can't bear hunger. I'm terrified he won't make it to the destination."

Thus, Chen Guanlou took on the errand again, preparing dried rations for the Zhong family—all easy to carry and long-lasting.

Then, he returned Zhong Susu to the female prisoners' quarters.

Zhong Susu, thinking she might never see her family again, wept against Chen Guanlou's chest. He seized the chance to wrap his arms around her and offered a few words of comfort.

Unfortunately, Zhong Susu's emotions came fast and faded just as quickly; she stopped crying in an instant and pulled away from his embrace.

Chen Guanlou felt a pang of regret. The girl had been warm and sweet in his arms. Their heights matched perfectly—her head rested just right on his shoulder. They were made for each other, a match of talent and beauty, truly a celestial couple.

Hehehe!

He was delighted!

On the official day of exile, as the future son-in-law, Chen Guanlou personally escorted Inspector Zhong out of the Heavenly Prison, bribed the yamen runners generously, and ensured they would watch over the Zhong family—just enough to guarantee they all survived the journey and didn't die en route.

The runners took the money and gave full assurances.

"Brother Chen, rest easy—your father-in-law is my father-in-law!"

Pfft!

Can't you speak properly?

"Brother Chen, rest easy—this is our usual job. We guarantee to deliver them all intact to the exile site."

Escorting exiles was a brutal duty—three thousand li on foot, then back again. Round trip: six thousand li, half a year spent on the road. Few could handle it. You needed youth, strength, good health, experience, and to be an outcast in the yamen. Ugh, stacked buffs.

Anyone with connections, money, or patrons would never take this job.

The job was too painful.

Thus, the runners assigned to escort exiles were mostly poor. Money was the easiest way to bribe them.

If Chen Guanlou could bribe them, so could others. So it was essential to hire a Strike Guild expert to secretly guard them.

He pulled Inspector Zhong aside, handed him a few names and a letter: "I don't know if these people can help you. They were exiled years earlier, to the same destination—if they're still alive, they've surely settled. Having a familiar face there will help."

The names he gave were those of Luo Jingtian's family and fellow sect members—coincidentally, both families were headed to the same exile site. Even if the exact locations differed, the distance would be minimal. A familiar guide would save them countless detours.

Inspector Zhong wept again, clutching Chen Guanlou's arm: "Son-in-law…"

Like wailing at a funeral.

Chen Guanlou's face darkened instantly.

"Don't forget old man! The only ones I can count on in this world are you and Susu. Son-in-law, treat Susu well—she's a sensible girl."

A doting father! Even now, he was still planning for his daughter.

Before Chen Guanlou could respond, Inspector Zhong wailed on: "Son-in-law, remind Susu—the whole family counts on her."

Then he leaned close to Chen Guanlou's ear and whispered: "Remind Susu to send money. The Zhong family must not die."

Chen Guanlou's lip twitched. "Inspector Zhong, rest easy. Susu and I will miss you in the capital."

Zhong Susu's brothers stared at him hopefully: "Brother-in-law…"

Chen Guanlou: …

He'd truly brought a mountain of trouble upon himself. He felt the Zhong family—except for Inspector Zhong—had not a single reliable soul.

Fortunately, departure time arrived soon.

The runners had KPIs to meet and dared not delay—they urged everyone onto the road.

Chen Guanlou waved goodbye, watching the Zhong family set off on their exile.

That same day, Zhong Susu was released.

Jailor Hu had handled everything flawlessly—all paperwork completed, no loopholes. No one could find fault.

Officially, Zhong Susu was now a commoner. From palace maid to commoner—in just an hour. Releasing palace maids was an old palace rule—who could accuse Jailor Hu of wrongdoing? Too young to leave? Who said that? The palace had no such rule. Zhong Susu's "release" was due to illness; the court had shown mercy and granted her freedom.

Chen Guanlou led Zhong Susu home.

Not the house behind Hou Fu.

He had earlier purchased a two-courtyard residence—small but perfectly arranged, with front and back courtyards and a tiny garden. Quiet amid the bustle, its neighbors were all urban middle-class—mostly merchants, occasionally a scholar or two. Overall, the neighborhood was excellent: mostly owner-occupied, few renters—ensuring familiarity and safety.

Chen Guanlou asked if she was satisfied with the house.

Zhong Susu's mind seemed elsewhere—distracted.

Chen Guanlou suggested inviting his elder sister's family over in a few days for a formal meeting to discuss their wedding. Since he was marrying her, there ought to be a ceremony. He'd need to find a temporary matchmaker. He couldn't take advantage of her being an orphan—money wasn't an issue, and she brought a rich dowry.

Zhong Susu opened her mouth several times but held back each time; when Chen Guanlou asked, she just shook her head and said nothing.

Chen Guanlou was busy with his own affairs—this was his first marriage in two lifetimes, so excitement was natural. He naturally missed some details.

That night, he ordered a full banquet from an outside restaurant—their first meal together.

Chen Guanlou poured the wine himself: "Susu, come—let's toast to your release from prison, your hard-won freedom."

Zhong Susu lifted her cup and drained it in one gulp: "This cup is to Brother Chen—I'm deeply grateful for your help these past days. I'll never forget it."

Then she poured herself another and drank it down: "This cup is for our meeting, and for Brother Chen's character. You're a good man!"

She drank it down again.

What the hell!

Out of nowhere, she handed him a Good Person Card. Instantly, Chen Guanlou felt a bad omen.

A Good Person Card was never a good thing!