Chapter 328: Emotional Value Maximized

Li Dahong's death did not reveal to Chen Guanlou any purity or kindness in the Prince of Zhong.

Liu Shi's plight reeked of perversity—nothing at all like purity or kindness.

One can only say that people have many sides.

To his subordinates, to those in his chambers, the Prince of Zhong wore two entirely different faces. As for Li Dahong, in the lofty eyes of the Prince of Zhong, he was merely a lowly peasant—dead, and forgotten.

The arrogance of the powerful was something Chen Guanlou often felt in his work and life.

In a society rigidly stratified, the lower classes were collectively called cattle and horses—who cared about the life or death of a cattle or horse?

"You don't believe me," Xie Changling saw straight through Chen Guanlou's thoughts. Though Chen Guanlou felt he had hidden his feelings well, he could not escape a sharp gaze.

"I simply think there are no pure, kind people in that place. Maybe weak—but pure? Xie my lord, you ought to wash your eyes."

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Xie Changling grew displeased, as if a failing student had accused him of cheating on a perfect exam—his composure shattered.

Chen Guanlou cleared his throat. "People have many sides…"

"I've served beside the Prince of Zhong for years—do you think I don't know what kind of man he is? Have you even met him? Can you know him better than I do?"

Chen Guanlou: …

Fine—he was a "brain-dead" fan of the Prince of Zhong. Chen Guanlou refused to argue.

"You're right, Xie my lord. I have matters to attend to—I'll take my leave."

"You suddenly asked about His Majesty and the Prince of Zhong—could the bride's escape be tied to the palace?"

Chen Guanlou: …

He truly hated talking to clever people—nothing remained secret.

"I was right," Xie Changling laughed, smugly. His days in prison seemed calm, but were dull and tedious. A rare bit of amusement—especially one tied to Chen Guanlou himself—he wouldn't miss it.

Not only wouldn't he miss it—he'd actively join in.

His interest surged. He beckoned Chen Guanlou closer. "Tell me the truth, and I swear not a word will leak. I'll even be your strategist—give you advice, how about it?"

"Not at all. You gave advice to the Prince of Zhong—and he got stripped of his crown prince title. Your advice doesn't seem so brilliant." Chen Guanlou had clearly mastered the skill of poking Xie Changling's sore spots.

Xie Changling's nostrils flared. "That was a mistake."

"One mistake, and he's stripped of his title? The Prince of Zhong is truly pitiful!" Chen Guanlou continued his tirade.

Xie Changling nearly exploded, but quickly regained composure. "The Zhong family girl hasn't entered the palace, has she? No—no, if she could have entered the palace, the Zhong family wouldn't have been exiled. So the one who took her must have deep ties to the palace—ties so profound you can't even rage. Their identity must be extraordinary—so extraordinary you can only swallow this bitterness in silence."

Chen Guanlou: …

He stood motionless, neither denying nor affirming, his expression unchanged—afraid of revealing anything.

Xie Changling chuckled. He'd guessed right.

Chen Guanlou wouldn't let him enjoy it. He gave a mysterious smile, then spoke slowly: "Xie my lord, have you ever considered that the crown prince's removal might have been reversed? Have you ever thought someone might have stopped the old emperor's madness? Unfortunately, your information was poor—you never found the right person."

"What do you mean?" Xie Changling instantly grew agitated.

Chen Guanlou laughed heartily and walked away, leaving Xie Changling to endure each day as if it were a year.

Two convicted officials, lacking funds, came to Chen Guanlou seeking to sell their antique paintings and calligraphy.

Chen Guanlou told them the Marquis's lord was away; if they sought other buyers, the price would be low. If they could wait, once the Marquis returned to the capital, they'd get far more.

He had this one virtue: honesty. He never cheated or deceived—his reputation was flawless. Convicted officials gladly traded with him. Others who bought antiques? They feared being swindled and refused to deal.

This was Chen Guanlou's exclusive business. Though he had to share a portion of the silver to silence tongues, it was negligible compared to his profits—just a business cost.

By the time the Marquis returns, who knows when that will be? My case urgently needs money. With the crown prince deposed, the court is in chaos—many are falling. That means many opportunities. I must seize this chance, leverage my connections, and secure an early release. Chen jailer, please help me find a suitable buyer.

"Really won't wait?"

"No! I heard the Marquis's campaign against the rebels wasn't going well. If he doesn't return next year, the chance is lost."

"The border generals have all watched the crown prince's removal—they're deeply dissatisfied. Their fighting is half-hearted. The Emperor is old and foolish—doesn't he know instability breeds unrest?"

"The crown prince is the foundation of the state—removed so casually, even at the cost of mutiny? Absurd. Does the Marquis of Pingjiang even care about suppressing rebels?"

The convict vented at length—in short, he doubted the Marquis's sincerity in suppressing rebels, even suspected he was deliberately letting the rebels run wild. But with the crown prince deposed and ministers scrambling for advantage, it was only natural for everyone to think of themselves and their futures.

No one could blame the Marquis for doing wrong.

At least on the surface, the Marquis did nothing to criticize—he acted with method and order. Only because the crown prince's removal caused such upheaval and instability had the rebellion suppression been delayed.

Chen Guanlou respected his clients' needs. After agreement, he only needed to coordinate with the officials' household stewards.

Finished, he returned to the office and was told by a jailer that Jail Warden Lei had requested his presence.

"Today isn't the first or fifteenth—why is Jail Warden Lei coming to the prison to work?"

Chen Guanlou was puzzled. He tidied himself before heading to the warden's office.

"Servant greets the my lord! With your busy duties, may I offer any assistance?"

"Ah, Xiao Chen!" Jail Warden Lei's handsome face beamed warmly. "Sit down. Hmm, I heard you're getting married?"

Chen Guanlou: …

Explode right here!

Everyone cared about his wedding. Even came to his face to pry. Was a gossip so thrilling?

"So even the my lord knows about my affairs? Ah…" Chen Guanlou put on a wounded, reluctant-to-speak expression—as if mentioning it would shatter his heart.

Jail Warden Lei felt awkward. Should he continue or stop? Xiao Chen clearly suffered deeply. Would more talk hurt him further?

"Xiao Chen, don't be so disheartened. Where in the world aren't there fine women? If you wish, I'll arrange a match for you—a beautiful, blossoming maiden, guaranteed."

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord! But for now, I have no intention of marrying. I only wish to be still, to reflect—everything will wait until later."

"You're too sentimental."

"Yes, my lord is right!"

Chen Guanlou played the role of the betrayed victim perfectly—nodding along as Lei lectured, satisfying the warden's need to be a mentor, and finally smoothing over the scene. He subtly flattered Lei, leaving the man delighted, his emotional value fully maximized.