Chapter 334

Gao Shiliu had no Zhao Mingqiao's scholarly knowledge or official credentials; his diplomas and official posts were both bought with money.

This time in prison, both his diplomas and his official rank were stripped away, leaving him instantly reduced to commoner status.

That meant, after he got out, he could never replicate Zhao Mingqiao's path to build reputation—even worse, he might be scorned.

Before coming to the Tianlaomiao, he'd imagined it beautifully: sit a month or two in prison, then return to his old position, receive compensation from his family, and even be entrusted with more responsibilities; eventually, he might even represent the family in managing official connections.

Who knew that just two hours after being locked up, Chen Guanlou doused him with icy water, leaving him utterly chilled to the bone.

Getting out in one or two years is vastly different from getting out in one or two months.

He knew exactly what the family was really like inside.

Precisely because of that, right now, his heart was cold.

Though the Gao family always kept a low profile, they were extremely proud of their face. From the eldest branch down to the third branch and all subordinate lines, internal competition had always been fierce, with constant backstabbing—but outwardly, they always pretended harmony, and anyone who dared expose family affairs to outsiders and bring shame upon the clan would face the harshest reprimands and suppression.

Sitting a month or two in prison was helping the family shoulder its burdens.

Sitting one or two years in prison wasn't helping—it was bringing shame.

Someone who brought shame upon the family dared to seek further advancement? Dream on!

Gao Shiliu's face turned deathly pale. "Is there truly no way to get out in one or two months?"

"There's absolutely no way."

"What if Prince Yan intervenes on my behalf, negotiates for me? Won't that help?"

Chen Guanlou let out a dry laugh. "When the second son of the Jin Prince's mansion was imprisoned, he sat for half a year—only after news of victory came from the northwest was he released. Do you think your status is higher than the Jin Prince's second son?"

Gao Shiliu was embarrassed.

What merit did he have to compare his status with the Jin Prince's second son?

Right now, he was on the verge of crying.

His face twisted into a bitter gourd.

"But I don't want to sit in prison."

"No one here wants to sit in prison. Before you came in, what exactly did your family tell you?"

"They said not to worry—I'd be out in one or two months at most."

"And you believed them? You're not a three-year-old child—do you just swallow whatever they say without any judgment of your own?" Chen Guanlou was baffled; Gao Shiliu alternated between cleverness and foolishness, sharpness and stupidity—he couldn't tell which version was the real one.

Gao Shiliu.

But Gao Shiliu shot back, "Why shouldn't I believe them? They're experienced, well-traveled, and their judgments are mostly right. As a junior, isn't it natural for me to obey my elders?"

Huh?

Now it was Chen Guanlou's turn to be confused.

Well, in both his lives—whether studying or working—he'd always relied on himself, never succeeded by following his elders' advice.

In his past life, his parents left him alone; as long as his grades were decent, they never interfered. His first job happened to match his major, and he smoothly entered the workforce. After years of grinding in the workplace, he'd gathered enough experience to need no parental guidance.

In this life, his parents died early; his elder sister Chen Xiaolan had simple wishes: she just hoped he'd marry and establish himself, and she was delighted he inherited their late father's job as jailer—there was no room for elder advice here.

Master Du often nagged him, but only the same three points: study, pass the exams, become an official. He'd heard it until his ears were calloused.

Gao Shiliu's upbringing was completely different from his—he was willing to listen to elders and trust their judgment, so it wasn't surprising he cheerfully came to prison.

The truth had just been brutally exposed, and Gao Shiliu was indeed panicked—but he still clung to a sliver of hope that this time, his elders' judgment might still be right.

Chen Guanlou, "unable to bear" watching him be deceived, said: "What if your elders' judgment wasn't wrong—just that they didn't tell you the truth?"

Gao Shiliu: …

His heart ached!

"Does Chen Jailor really enjoy stabbing people right in the heart?"

Chen Guanlou grinned. "I want every prisoner here to clearly understand their situation, not cling to unrealistic hopes. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. I don't want anyone to suffer an accident from crushing disappointment. I want all prisoners to stay safe until they're released, exiled, or beheaded. Understood?"

"Beheaded too?" Gao Shiliu gasped.

"This is the Tianlaomiao—beheading isn't normal? Every execution day, the Tianlaomiao gets a few slots. You didn't know that?"

"How could I know? I'd never pay attention to such things. Chen Jailor, don't scare me!"

"I'm not scaring you. But don't worry—your crime is disrespect, and you're from the Gao family. Since they didn't execute you immediately, they won't execute you later. Even if they ignore the Gao family's face, they'll still respect Lady Gao's and Prince Yan's faces, right?"

This barely comforted Gao Shiliu.

"Could the Chen Jailor notify my household steward? I need to speak with him privately."

"You want to ask about your imprisonment?"

Gao Shiliu nodded, not denying it. Even if he had to die, he wanted to die knowing why. He couldn't spend one or two years in the Tianlaomiao without understanding why. He had to get answers.

"Fine. I'll arrange for a jailer to notify your household. Whether they come or not, I can't guarantee."

"They'll come. They definitely will."

Chen Guanlou calmed Gao Shiliu. "Do you have any other requests?"

"I want wine!"

"Fine! Your family paid enough silver—you can get alcohol. Anything else?"

Gao Shiliu shook his head, lying listlessly on the plank bed. He no longer cared about the filthy, stinking bedding—his mind was full of gloom.

Chen Guanlou grinned and told Wang Bantou to keep a close eye on Gao Shiliu.

"This Gao Shiliu is a little god of wealth. Treat him well, and the income will keep flowing."

Wang Bantou chuckled. "Master, rest assured—I'll take excellent care of Young Master Shiliu."

The Tianlaomiao jailers loved prisoners like Gao Shiliu—easier to fool and fleece than seasoned officials.

Chen Guanlou then visited Xie Changling.

In recent days, Xie Changling's eyes looked odd—bloodshot, red-rimmed, clearly having had no rest.

Ever since Chen Guanlou told him the deposed crown prince's downfall could've been avoided if they'd just found the right person, Xie Changling had lost his appetite, endlessly replaying the coup days in his mind.

Seeing Chen Guanlou at last, he grabbed the bars, desperate: "What did you mean by what you said last time? Chen Jailor, please explain clearly."

Despite his inner turmoil, Xie Changling still maintained his poise and courtesy—he used the word "please"!