Chapter 332: The Scapegoat

Chen Guanlou didn't want to get involved in this mess.

So he avoided Si Tong, which was in chaos, and didn't contact Li the Shopkeeper. Instead, he found another reputable antique shop to offload his goods.

Made a small profit.

The Si Tong affair eventually reached the imperial court.

Word had it that Prince Zhong refused food and drink for two straight days, weeping before a Daoist priest and lamenting his injustice. The priest relayed his words to the Daoists of Taiji Palace, and thus the old emperor learned of it.

The old emperor flew into a rage!

His beloved eldest son, stripped of his crown prince title, had suffered great injustice—he himself wouldn't dare further humiliate him, so how could outsiders dare to bully him?

Even if his eldest son had fallen from grace, he was still a legitimate imperial prince of the court. The Gao family had the audacity to bully a prince. Did they truly think imperial princes were worthless?

As expected, the Gao family sacrificed one man to appease the old emperor's wrath.

Thus, the Tianlao Prison welcomed a Gao family prisoner: the second son of the third branch, Gao the Sixteenth, known as Gao Shiliu.

Gao Shiliu was in his early twenties, perhaps mediocre in scholarly pursuits, never pursued an official career, and was assigned to manage the Gao family's assets in the capital. The bold move to seize Si Tong was his doing—at least on the surface. Who else was involved behind the scenes, whether Prince Yan had a hand in it—no one knew.

Gao Shiliu looked handsome: thick eyebrows, large eyes, appearing upright, yet his actions reeked of villainy.

Chen Guanlou assigned him to Wang Bandou's territory, letting Wang Bandou reap the benefits.

The Gao family was well-behaved: on the very day Gao Shiliu was locked up, they delivered the "share money," plus extra funds for meals.

"My young master has never known hardship. If he behaves improperly, please forgive him. If the meal money is insufficient, just say the word—the Gao family will make it up."

The Gao family sent a steward to negotiate with the prison.

A mere steward? Lei Yucheng scorned to speak to him. So Chen Guanlou stepped forward to handle the handover.

"Steward Gao, don't worry. Our Tianlao Prison has always been fair to all—money in, tasks done. Once payment is settled, everything runs smoothly. Also, our prison offers various packages. Would you like to buy one or two for the Sixteenth? After all, he's taking the fall for his family, isn't he?"

The steward smiled vaguely. "I must consult my master and ask my young master's opinion before buying any package. But my master already said: this time, my son acted recklessly—daring to lay hands on Prince Zhong's assets, truly audacious. He must be taught a lesson."

Tsk!

Chen Guanlou sneered—this meant no package purchase.

Fine. He didn't care.

"So, Gao Shiliu acted on his own, with no one directing him?" Chen Guanlou asked casually, as if making small talk.

The steward swore solemnly, "Absolutely no one directed him. This whole affair was handled solely by my young master. Only after it erupted did my master learn of it."

Chen Guanlou smiled faintly, as if believing every word. These steward types from great clans all played their parts perfectly. Even an outsider like him had heard the Gao family led the seizure of Prince Zhong's assets, yet they claimed no one inside the family knew?

Who would believe that?

As the saying goes: as long as you're not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others.

The steward spoke with solemn sincerity, swearing oaths. Chen Guanlou couldn't press further. He wasn't an investigating constable—he was merely a jailer guarding prisoners.

"Is there anything else you wish to convey, Steward Gao?"

"All matters have been settled. From now on, please take good care of my young master."

The Gao family, ever thoughtful, prepared a small gift for Chen the Jailor—not money, but a set of porcelain, worth no more than a hundred taels on the market.

Chen Guanlou accepted the gift and saw the steward off with proper courtesy.

Afterwards, he descended into the prison himself and stood before Gao Shiliu's cell.

"Sixteenth, your family has paid the share money. From now on, if you need anything, just tell the guards. In light of your family's standing, the entire Tianlao Prison will treat you with extra care."

Gao Shiliu bowed and clasped his fists. "Thank you, Chen Jailor. May I request a new quilt and bedding?"

The standard-issue bedding in the cells? Well, no normal person could endure it. Chen Guanlou couldn't either. But that's the prisoner's lot. Better bedding? No such thing—only family can send their own.

"Simple. Your family has already packed your spare clothes and bedding—they'll be delivered by the guards shortly."

Thwack!

Gao Shiliu slammed his arm hard, crushing a bug as big as his thumb.

The bugs in Tianlao Prison were larger than those outside. The prison's environment was simply ideal for them.

Gao Shiliu looked like he might cry.

He managed his family's affairs and often traveled. Even when sleeping in remote roadside inns, conditions were as bad as Tianlao—but he had servants to clean his quarters, burn incense, and drive away mosquitoes.

The Gao family's secret incense formula was exceptionally effective at repelling insects.

In all his years traveling, he'd never been bitten by a bug this large. He'd never suffered such hardship! His servants and maids—even in the wild—ensured he was pampered, never once inconvenienced.

Watching Gao Shiliu's near-tears, Chen Guanlou bit back laughter and said seriously, "These bugs are native to Tianlao. You'll grow used to them soon. Don't worry—they'll only bite you for a month. Once your skin toughens, they'll go after the new arrivals."

Gao Shiliu stared blankly, incredulous. "A month? I have to endure this for a month?"

"A month? What's that? Your charge is disrespect—you won't be out in less than half a year. If you're unlucky, you might rot here for three to five years."

Gao Shiliu suddenly panicked. "But before I came in, they told me I'd be out in one or two months!"

"Impossible," Chen Guanlou cried, mimicking his tone. "Your charge is disrespect—half a year to a year is already lucky. If it were grave disrespect, ten or twenty years would be normal.

Do you know Yu Zhaoan? His charge was grave disrespect. His family isn't any less powerful than yours—he's from the Jixia Academy—and he was imprisoned for years before release. You're not even an official, just a commoner, charged with disrespect, and you think you'll walk out in one or two months? Impossible. You were lied to!"

"I'm not a commoner—I bought an official rank. I'm an eighth-rank official."

Chen Guanlou exclaimed, "Huh?" and flipped through the case file again. "It clearly says 'commoner.' Look for yourself."

Gao Shiliu saw it and was devastated. "How? How could this be?"

Chen Guanlou pondered, then understood: "They must have revoked your rank during sentencing. You bought your rank—you have no scholarly credentials. You're legally a commoner. If you want to get out early, your family must push hard and spend generously. Either way, you won't be out in one or two months."