Chapter 327: Everyone Loves to Watch the Melon

"Boss, just say the word, I'll personally lead a team to drag that Zhong girl back."

Xiao Jin ran up to Chen Guanlou and volunteered eagerly.

Chen Guanlou immediately rolled his eyes.

Drag her back?

Where's your confidence?

One look from Cheng Lingzi and she'd turn you to ash.

She climbed onto a powerful man's leg, and he climbed onto hers. It's a food chain—a chain for ensuring your own safety—and you can't let this idiot ruin it.

"The situation here is complicated, not like what the outside rumors say."

"No matter how complicated it is, the Zhong family can't break their promise. Boss, you went through hell to get that Zhong girl out, and now she's gone in a flash. Boss, can you really swallow this insult? Everyone's talking. If you do nothing, soon everyone will shit on your head."

"Fuck your mother's dogshit! Who dares shit on my head?" Chen Guanlou's face darkened. "You don't understand the situation—don't go stoking fires. That girl has a big shot behind her, someone we can't touch. Order everyone: keep your mouths shut, or you won't live to see tomorrow. I don't want to be collecting your corpses every other day!"

Xiao Jin didn't understand.

But seeing his boss's serious expression, it didn't seem like a joke.

"Then… then if the Zhong girl really has a powerful backer, why did Zhong Censor come begging to you?"

"Who doesn't have secrets these days? Does Zhong Censor really know his own daughter? Besides, escaping seems hard—but how do you know she's not just having fun?"

The truth couldn't be spoken outright, but Chen Guanlou could hint to his men—not to act rashly. Even though Cheng Lingzi wasn't in the capital, her network filled the palace. The old emperor himself was her fanboy, chasing after her like a madman. If everyone keeps cursing and insulting Zhong Susu, someone might hear it in the palace—and one order from her could wipe out everyone in Tianlaomiao.

Xiao Jin was a seasoned veteran, and a smart man—he caught the deeper meaning in Chen Guanlou's words, and looked as if he'd been terrified out of his wits.

"Boss, that Zhong… girl… is really that powerful?"

"Imagine the strongest possibility—you won't be wrong." Chen Guanlou chuckled. "That's all I'll say. You know what to do."

Xiao Jin gasped. "Boss, you're so unlucky—your bride just vanished, and…"

"If you can't speak properly, shut up!"

Chen Guanlou snorted. His wedding chamber was wasted. When property prices rise, he'd just sell it.

Right now, he suddenly remembered—the gift Zhong Susu left him was still in the wedding chamber.

After today's shift, he'd go take a look.

He made his usual rounds of the cells.

Zhang Wenfu screamed the moment he saw him—he couldn't eat or sleep, the itching persisted despite ointment. This spoiled nobleman's skin was too delicate; the prison's insects adored him. Unlike other imprisoned officials, old and worn from years of wine, women, wealth, and greed, their skin was leathery and tough—not nearly as tasty as a young man's.

Chen Guanlou gave his usual lines: "Don't be so delicate. Endure it. Everyone went through this. You need to adapt quickly."

"I've tried hard to adapt. Warden Chen, can't you move me to another cell?"

"No chance. This cell is top-tier. Move you again, and you'll get the same treatment as the Grand Tutor. Are you sure you can handle that?"

Zhang Wenfu hesitated. "I, you…"

"Stop dreaming," Chen Guanlou cut him off.

"Warden Chen, you've got a heart of stone. I heard you got married—yet I've never seen you smile." Zhang Wenfu grumbled.

Chen Guanlou's face darkened. "Married? Who told you that? Stop wasting time gossiping. You deserve every bit of this suffering."

Zhang Wenfu: …

Even if you don't want to talk about marriage, you don't have to be this cruel.

Chen Guanlou snorted and walked off.

He visited Xie Changling next.

Xie Changling was also a gossip enthusiast. "Heard you got married, congratulations!"

Chen Guanlou let out two cold laughs.

Xie Changling raised an eyebrow. "Such bitterness? Did your wedding fall through? Did the bride back out—or run off with someone?"

Chen Guanlou's head throbbed.

That's why he hated dealing with smart people.

He hadn't said a word—and the man had already spoken for him.

"Not a cancellation—but she ran off, right? I'm not wrong, am I?" Xie Changling's lips curled up, unable to suppress his grin. He was clearly enjoying the drama.

Chen Guanlou glared. "You're all locked up in cells—and still have such sharp ears. Instead of gossiping, think about how to get out."

"Getting out isn't urgent. But your lifelong happiness? That's worth paying attention to. Look at you—you're not angry at her. So if the marriage didn't happen, you shouldn't be upset. Oh, I get it. Your colleagues are teasing you, and you're frustrated—but can't explain the real reason. Wow, so her running away must involve some huge secret."

Chen Guanlou frowned. That's why he hated geniuses.

"If you're so good at analysis, why didn't you figure out why Prince Zhong was deposed?"

Just jab him in the lungs.

Look—just a second ago, Xie Changling was analyzing seriously; now he was shattered, his expression crumbling like an eggshell—crack, crack, cracks spreading everywhere.

Instantly, Chen Guanlou's mood improved.

Come on, let's hurt each other!

Xie Changling sighed. "There's a saying: the observer sees clearly. Your situation? I see it at a glance. But your own affairs? You always get lost in the fog."

Chen Guanlou suddenly asked a question he shouldn't have asked: "What's your first impression of the old emperor? Wise? Foolish? Bright? Dark? Weak? Or commanding?"

Xie Changling's reaction was sluggish—he seemed to have nearly twisted his waist from the sudden topic shift.

"His Majesty… is a very complex man."

"Just the first impression. The most direct one. No analysis." Chen Guanlou cut him off.

Xie Changling paused, then suddenly snapped back. "Why are you asking this now?"

"Don't ask why. Just answer."

Xie Changling smiled suddenly, his gaze deep and loaded. "My first impression of His Majesty? Profound. His thoughts run too deep—bottomless."

"What about Prince Zhong?"

"Prince Zhong? Reality, but with idealism woven through."

Chen Guanlou didn't quite understand.

"Don't be fooled by Prince Zhong's age—he thinks idealistically sometimes. Even though he knows reality is far crueler than he imagines, even though he knows things might turn terrible, he still holds onto his idealistic hopes. The court supports him not just because of his legitimate lineage, but because of this idealism—it makes him seem pure, kind. A rare quality among all the imperial princes."

Chen Guanlou: …

Are they talking about the same person?