Chapter 350: We Don

"Then how should I play?"

Zhao Mingqiao suppressed his embarrassment, set aside his shyness, and for the first time dared to look others in the eye and ask.

"Play straight and upright! Defeat your enemies with open strategy—only then can you win hearts and gain support. Only then will your loose coalition of like-minded individuals not become a tool in others' power struggles."

"Playing straight and upright—how difficult that is."

Chen Guanlou immediately fired him up: "Aren't you the one who claims to hold the only correct ideology? Aren't you the one who dedicates yourself to defending so-called orthodoxy? What is orthodoxy? Straightforwardness is orthodoxy; openness and honesty are orthodoxy.

Your so-called orthodoxy is far too narrow—it fixates only on titles. Let me tell you, orthodoxy is the realm, the empire, the rivers and lakes, the hearts of the people, a good life, striving for strength, striving for progress—not sneaking around poisoning people. I don't even resort to poison and murder; what are you playing at? If you must kill, kill straight and upright—kill with public justice!"

Chen Guanlou spoke with righteous indignation, as if he were the embodiment of justice, the sunlight, the direction, the driving force forward.

He was quite good at putting on a show.

But he put it on successfully.

His words weren't entirely empty—they did contain some substance.

He didn't play double standards.

He killed only out of personal grudges. Even though he wore a disguise, he truly killed straight and upright. Yes, he was very open.

Zhao Mingqiao frowned, drinking heavily in gloom.

Chen Guanlou gazed at the moon, regretting he hadn't spent the night at a brothel.

It was past midnight—he'd played mentor for a while and was exhausted.

Thud!

The wine cup slammed down on the table.

Zhao Mingqiao's eyes gleamed like lightbulbs: "Brother Chen is right—I was too narrow-minded before, my vision too short. As Brother Chen said, I should fix my gaze on the realm, on the empire—not on any single person or title."

"What do you intend to do?"

"The Emperor is foolish and stubborn. Then it is our duty to act!"

"Wait—you're planning rebellion?" Chen Guanlou thought. That step is too big—watch out you pull something. And he noticed Zhao Mingqiao's understanding always found a way to veer off in another direction.

Was this the barrier of the age?

Or was his own expression too unclear?

"No! I am an official of the court—how could I lead a rebellion? Besides, would rebellion make the Emperor repent? No!"

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Zhao Mingqiao smiled mysteriously: "Brother Chen, better not know! Thank you for enlightening me tonight—I was about to make a grave mistake. It's time to change course. If we succeed someday, I'll surely treat you to a drink."

With that, he lifted his cup, drained it, stood, opened the door, and left.

He arrived with guilt in his step; he departed with grace and boldness, like a hero about to ride into battle.

Chen Guanlou watched him go, preparing to shut the courtyard gate.

But the gate across the way opened a crack—behind it stood Madam Qu.

Chen Guanlou greeted her: "Still awake so late?"

Madam Qu hesitated, then opened the gate wider: "It's too hot to sleep. The man who just left—is he a friend of yours, Brother Chen?"

"He used to rent from Sister Chunxiang. Now he's an official, with a brilliant future. Didn't expect him to still remember me, a nobody." Chen Guanlou joked.

Madam Qu made an "oh" sound.

Chen Guanlou asked, "Has Master Qu not returned yet?"

"The shipment went badly—delayed on the road. He'll be back in a few days."

"As long as he's safe, that's all that matters. Tomorrow you're on duty—go sleep. You should sleep too."

Madam Qu murmured "mm," her thin summer robe clinging to her, revealing every curve.

Chen Guanlou sighed inwardly—Master Qu had great luck. Madam Qu's figure was top-tier, soft enough to squeeze water from.

He pulled his gaze away, quelled his stirring thoughts, and shut his gate first.

Madam Qu bit her lip, then silently closed her gate.

Early in the morning, Sister Chunxiang's house was as lively as a marketplace—her children rivaling three thousand ducks in noise. Chen Guanlou marveled inwardly: Sister Chunxiang was incredible—a woman who kept her household in perfect order, raised several children, and still took temporary work at Hou Fu.

As the young masters and ladies of Hou Fu grew older, the household grew busier, frequently hosting banquets and gatherings to invite familiar families over for meals.

It was all to plan for the children's marriages.

A girl's youth cannot be wasted; a boy's marriage must be planned early. Good girls with noble lineage, beauty, and ability were scarce resources—must be secured early.

Likewise, good young men with noble lineage, beauty, virtue, and ability were scarce—must be watched closely and seized early. Delay, and someone else would snatch them.

Jingcheng was vast, but the circles were small; marriageable good young men and women were even fewer.

Sister Chunxiang worked temporary jobs at Hou Fu to earn pocket money, bringing her own daughter along to gain experience. In a few years, perhaps the girl could stand on her own—then she'd ask Second Mistress for a permanent post at Hou Fu.

Hou Fu's banquets didn't include Chen Guanlou.

But he'd received several invitations to family gatherings.

Weddings, daughter's marriages, birthdays, funerals…

Whenever he had time, he attended; if not, he still sent a gift. Over these years, the gifts he'd given amounted to a considerable sum.

Chen Xiaolan often complained: "When are you getting married? At least earn back the gifts you've given out."

Whenever the topic turned to this, Chen Guanlou dodged it with jokes.

After having her son, Chen Xiaolan no longer avoided socializing as she once had. Now she loved visiting Hou Fu—whenever there was an event or banquet, she brought her child along.

In her words: "Giving gifts builds connections for the child—it's worth it. You know Su family's situation—all poor relatives, only my father-in-law has any ability. He earns money but still has to support the poor relatives. When the child grows up, the Sus won't help. He'll need Chen family."

Chen family is my natal family; it's natural for me to keep close ties. When the child grows up, I don't ask he serve the Marquis—just a stable job would do. Even serving at Hou Fu is better than begging outside."

Besides planning for her son's future, another reason: Chen Xiaolan had Chen Guanlou's financial support—she had no shortage of money. A few gifts were nothing to her.

Even if Su Pozi scolded her for being wasteful, she'd simply say, "My brother gave me private money," and silence her.

Su's eldest sister only cursed herself for not having a brother like Chen Guanlou—a wandering benefactor who constantly slipped money into Chen Xiaolan's secret stash, as if the coins fell from heaven.