Chapter 401: On a snowy day, hot pot is the best match

It's snowing in the capital!

The first snow of this winter came earlier than last year.

Chen Guanlou stepped on a thin layer of accumulated snow, which crunched under his feet.

In his previous life, he was born in the south and studied and worked there, so he rarely had the chance to see snow.

In this life, the capital is located in a more northern region, and it snows every year. He has seen heavy snow like goose feathers, light flurries, and icicles. After several years, his curiosity about snow has vanished, leaving only the craving to eat hot pot in snowy weather.

When he left the house this morning, he gave Sister Chunxiang a string of copper coins, entrusting her to purchase wine, food, and various spices for him. Once he finished his shift and returned home, he could immediately light the fire and cook hot pot.

Who should he eat with?

He could invite Master Du to his home as a guest, or he could invite Qi Wuxiu. It's just that he doesn't know if Qi Wuxiu has the time. That guy Lu Datou is busy gambling; he probably wouldn't be willing to waste time on eating and drinking.

When he arrived at the Heavenly Prison, the snow in the courtyard had long been cleared away by the laborers, and a layer of straw had been spread to prevent slipping on the wet ground.

The prison guards were all holding hot tea to warm their stomachs.

As soon as Chen Guanlou entered the door, a sharp-witted guard had already filled his teacup with tea, which would be ready to drink after cooling slightly.

"My lord, Young Master Tian Da has come to deliver silver," a guard reported.

Young Master Tian Da is a very filial son. With Master Tian imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, he is terrified that his father will suffer and endure hardships inside. Without needing any urging, he consciously and punctually runs to the Heavenly Prison to hand over silver. Furthermore, he strives to chat with his father for a while.

The father and son look very much alike, the difference being that Young Master Tian Da's eyes are clearer, and his thoughts are not as complex or deep.

Since Young Master Tian Da took the initiative to deliver silver, Chen Guanlou naturally had to offer a few words of greeting, invite him into the office, and serve him a cup of guest tea.

"It's snowing; the road must be difficult to travel. Young Master Tian is purely filial to come out in such weather. Actually, it wouldn't have mattered if you were two or three days late. We in the Heavenly Prison follow the rules, unlike the Imperial Prison next door."

"Many thanks for your kindness, Prison Clerk Chen. It's just that whenever I think of my father suffering in prison while I enjoy life by the stove at home, I feel deeply guilty."

"Master Tian's imprisonment has nothing to do with you; why should you feel guilty?"

"Everything my father did was for the family, for us useless children and grandchildren." Young Master Tian Da, despite his age, sobbed twice like a child.

Chen Guanlou watched coldly. "I hear Young Master Tian has been pulling strings and clearing connections to rescue Master Tian. Has there been any progress?"

Young Master Tian shook his head, looking dejected. "My father's many students are also trying to find ways, but there hasn't been any progress. I'm afraid my father's case is..."

"Has Master Tian offended anyone?"

"I'm not sure either. I teach at the academy and don't understand much about officialdom. Has Prison Clerk Chen heard anything?"

"It's normal for those in officialdom to have a few political enemies. In a while, you can ask Master Tian to point you toward a clear path. With such a big matter, you shouldn't be running around blindly. When it comes to finding connections, the key is finding the right person, wouldn't you say?"

"Many thanks for your guidance, Prison Clerk Chen."

After finishing the cup of tea, the small talk ended. A guard led Young Master Tian Da down to the Heavenly Prison to see Master Tian.

Chen Guanlou secretly ordered two sharp-witted guards to keep an eye on them and listen to what the father and son talked about.

Xiao Jin suggested, "Since you don't like Master Tian, why not tidy him up and make him behave?"

Chen Guanlou sneered, "Master Tian is a high-quality client of the Heavenly Prison. Treat high-quality clients as politely as possible; distinguish them from other imprisoned officials and make them a benchmark and an example. Let all imprisoned officials know that in the Jia-grade prison, as long as the money is there, everything is negotiable. We prison guards cannot give the prisoners freedom, but we can provide them with service."

"Does that mean you won't make things difficult for Master Tian?"

"As long as he doesn't cause trouble, don't make things difficult for him. My heart isn't that narrow."

Xiao Jin responded, understanding, and then sighed, "Young Master Tian Da is truly a filial son; he delivers the silver in person every time. Other imprisoned officials usually have their house stewards show up; it's very rare to see family members come to visit."

"This place, the Heavenly Prison, is somewhere no one wants to visit a second time. As long as the silver is there, don't worry about the rest."

"You are right, my lord."

Logically speaking, in snowy weather, one generally wouldn't go out, preferring to lie at home.

Yet today was an exception.

Young Master Ye, accompanied by two or three good friends, came to visit Zhang Wenfu.

Zhang Wenfu, that unlucky fellow, still hasn't had his case judged; he's likely to spend the New Year in the Heavenly Prison. Last time, when Chen Guanlou ordered the Jia-grade prison to be closed, Zhang Wenfu suffered greatly and lay there for over half a month before gradually recovering. He lost several circles of weight, but his spoiled habits were cured; he didn't even mind the filth of the Heavenly Prison, adapting well by sitting on the ground and chewing on straw roots.

It's just that he would lose himself in thought from time to time, as if his soul had left his body.

Chen Guanlou once worried that the kid had been locked up until he became a fool. After chatting a few times and seeing that the other party's logic was clear and his speech was coherent, he finally felt relieved. It's good he isn't a fool.

Young Master Ye both despised the filth of the Heavenly Prison and couldn't let go of his good friend Zhang Wenfu. After hesitating for a long time, taking advantage of the snow today, or perhaps remembering the beautiful days when the two were good friends, plus the fact that his family had sent money—with money in hand, he felt confident—he temporarily invited two or three friends, brought wine and food, and went to the Heavenly Prison to visit Zhang Wenfu to celebrate the first snow of this winter.

When Zhang Wenfu saw his good friends, he managed to keep his emotions in check at first, wanting to show that he had attained enlightenment, sublimated, and improved his realm, and was no longer the rookie of the past. But as they chatted, when Young Master Ye mentioned the first snow of last year and the days they spent freely in the mountain Daoist temple, Zhang Wenfu couldn't help but cry, his face covered in tears and snot.

Young Master Ye took out a new handkerchief prepared for him by a maid, embroidered with a red plum blossom, and handed it to Zhang Wenfu to wipe his tears and snot. "Brother Zhang, don't be too sad. I believe that by the first snow of next year, we will surely be able to gather outside, discuss poetry, and talk about the Dao—how happy that will be."

Zhang Wenfu wiped his nose while nodding, completely losing his image.

Young Master Ye couldn't bear to look, thinking to himself: How inhumane! A fine young gentleman of the world, ruined into a crude passerby.

This Heavenly Prison is no place for humans.

How sad!

How lamentable!

In any case, he would never be thrown into prison. If he committed a crime and it was dug up, he had the Marquis Prefecture to protect him; he certainly wouldn't need to go to prison.

Thank heavens he had the Marquis Prefecture as his backing. He didn't have to suffer like Zhang Wenfu.

He slightly regretted coming to the Heavenly Prison to visit today. Zhang Wenfu was no longer the noble Young Master Zhang in his heart.

"Brother Zhang, regarding your case, what does your family say?"

"No progress yet."

"It's been so long, why is there no progress at all? Sigh, it's all my fault for being useless and unable to help."

"Brother Ye, please don't say that. The fact that you are willing to come and visit me is already doing your utmost."

"Brother Zhang, please be patient and wait a little longer. The Marquis's heir is about to return to the capital. When the time comes, I will ask my brother-in-law to step in, and he will surely be able to help you."

"Will Chen Guanfu help me?" Zhang Wenfu didn't dare to hold out hope.

Young Master Ye put on a brave face and said, "If that doesn't work, I'll beg my cousin. My cousin and the heir are one, so I imagine the heir won't be so heartless." ===== CHAPTER 402 =====