Chapter 355

"Prince, please calm down! Could there be some misunderstanding here?"

"No misunderstanding. I know Yu Zhaoan's character well. Court officials all assume he will favor me, that he will look out for my interests. But in truth, he is a thoroughgoing selfish man; unless there is sufficient profit to sway him, he gives no one's face any heed."

Prince Jin gnashed his teeth, seething with hatred.

He simply could not understand why, upon assuming the post of Chancellor, Yu Zhaoan would choose this critical moment to impeach Prince Zhong.

Prince Zhong has already been deposed—what use is impeaching him? A waste of paper. Better to impeach the rebel Prince Chu, earn the title of having toppled the rebel leader, and seize control of the pacification campaign, thereby gaining command of military and financial power, commanding the winds and rains.

It sounds like a daydream, but Prince Jin thought: if Yu Zhaoan were willing, he could actually pull it off. It had always been this way—whatever Yu Zhaoan set his mind to, he accomplished. Even when everyone doubted him, even when all deemed it absurd, Yu Zhaoan still had the ability to achieve his goals.

"Should His Highness submit a memorial to beg forgiveness?" the strategist asked softly. "Cut ties with Chancellor Yu promptly."

Prince Jin pressed his hand to his forehead, frowning in deep thought.

"If I submit a memorial to beg forgiveness, will the Emperor conclude I am trying to conceal something, hiding ulterior motives?"

That…

Very likely.

After all, the old Emperor was well into advanced paranoia—this was a universally acknowledged fact.

"So do nothing? Let Yu Zhaoan ruin His Highness's reputation?"

"Perhaps His Highness should enter the palace and beg forgiveness face-to-face with the Emperor."

"That would only make me appear guilty," Prince Jin fumed inwardly. Yu Zhaoan had presented him with a dire dilemma—neither advancing nor retreating was viable.

"What if Her Highness the Princess Consort visits the palace to speak with the Empress? Let the Empress intervene on His Highness's behalf?"

"The Emperor has not visited the inner palace in a long time. No concubine may enter the Taiji Palace without explicit imperial decree."

Clearly, the strategy of influencing through the inner palace was unworkable in practice.

Prince Jin, inwardly agitated, waved his hand. "Enough. Let me think in peace."

"His Highness might invite Chancellor Yu to the mansion for a visit and have a proper talk."

"That is a sound strategy. But the Prince's mansion is unsuitable—Chancellor Yu would never come. Better to meet outside, preferably in disguise."

Prince Jin nodded silently, approving the strategist's plan.

Indeed, he ought to meet Yu Zhaoan and speak with him properly.

Let Yu Zhaoan go mad if he wishes. But don't drag me down with him.

I am indeed watching that position—but that doesn't mean I wish to be the first to stick my head out.

There are so many brothers. Let the others charge ahead first; I'll wave the banner from behind, observe the situation, then act. The old man's health—he still looks strong; he may live several more years. Rushing out now would make me an easy target.

Prince Zhong is the best example.

The legitimate eldest son, guilty of no unforgivable offense, was deposed on a whim. I am merely one among many princes—I won't be so arrogant as to believe I have a better chance than Prince Zhong.

Of course, if I get the chance to step on Prince Zhong, I'll certainly press down hard.

Chen Guanlou drank tea in the official office. A basin of ice cooled the room; in his hand, a bowl of chilled mung bean soup, refreshing to drink.

Xiao Jin entered from outside, drenched in summer heat. He crouched before the ice basin, fanning himself vigorously.

"It's so much more comfortable here, Boss."

"The duty rooms are cool too," Chen Guanlou said, engrossed in reading outdated court bulletins.

The duty rooms were half-buried underground, drawing in the earth's chill—extremely cool. But too cold for long exposure; it harms the body. Don't blame the jailers for slacking off—they're here to earn money, not to die. Completing basic patrols, slipping out to bask in the sun—it's perfectly normal.

"No matter how cool the duty rooms are, they can't compare to Boss's office," Xiao Jin chuckled.

Chen Guanlou grunted. "How are the prisoners?"

"Don't worry, Boss. The prisoners are adapting well. Only Zhang Wenfu is still suffering from diarrhea. The physician changed the prescription, but the effect is poor."

"That's psychological stress manifesting as diarrhea. Leave him be. Time will help—he'll adjust to the environment eventually. Anything else?"

Chen Guanlou studied him—he clearly saw Xiao Jin hesitating.

Xiao Jin paused. "There's something… I'm not sure whether I should say it."

"What's there not to say? Speak," Chen Guanlou gestured for him to close the doors and windows, to prevent intruders.

After securing the doors and windows, Xiao Jin said carefully: "About the unnamed prisoner in the deepest part of the prison—the laborer who used to deliver meals has revealed something."

"What?"

"Someone secretly visited the unnamed prisoner."

Someone secretly visited Wang Qiren?

Chen Guanlou beckoned for Xiao Jin to elaborate.

"The laborer recalled two occasions. I cross-checked the dates. Once, during the imprisonment of the rebel Zhang Daohe, the laborer delivered food and noticed oil stains on the unnamed prisoner's lips—clearly someone had visited secretly and brought food. Another time, seven or eight days before the unnamed prisoner's death, the laborer noticed a distinct palm print on the bars. Boss, we have a traitor among us."

"Don't put it so harshly. We don't have traitors—only a few who take money to pass messages."

Chen Guanlou dismissed Xiao Jin's phrasing lightly.

Xiao Jin looked confused. "So… Boss doesn't intend to investigate?"

"The man's dead. What's there to investigate? Don't stir up trouble. There are so many jailers here—ask any of them: who hasn't taken money to pass messages or give special treatment to a prisoner?"

Chen Guanlou lifted the bowl and drained the last of the chilled mung bean soup.

"Informants can't be fully rooted out. The prison holds all kinds of people, hiding all sorts of secret dealings. Sometimes, it's better to turn a blind eye. If you really want to investigate, how exactly do you plan to do it?"

"I cross-checked the shift roster and narrowed it down to twenty-odd names. If Boss wants to investigate, start with these men."

Chen Guanlou gestured; Xiao Jin immediately handed over the list.

Looking at the familiar and unfamiliar names, Chen Guanlou lit the list on fire right before Xiao Jin's eyes.

Xiao Jin understood—and didn't understand.

Chen Guanlou told him: "Your role now is squad leader. Your duty is to guard the prisoners under you, manage your jailers, and keep your patch in order. Deliver your money on time and in full—let us all profit. Don't involve yourself in extra matters."

Informants? Hmph. The prison is like a sieve—no informants would be strange. If you investigate and stumble upon someone powerful, how will you handle the fallout? This job is safe, yes—but dangerous too. I want us all to live out our days in peace."