Chapter 423

Someone like Xie Changling, a young, educated, high-ranking talent, could never be detained long in Tianlaomiao. Even if he himself were willing, his patrons would never allow it.

The officialdom is a battlefield, and age is a tremendous advantage.

One must undergo trials at the appropriate age and smoothly enter the court when the time comes, advancing step by step, to possibly become the youngest chancellor in history, holding the highest office under heaven.

Wasting one's prime years in Tianlaomiao is the worst strategy. Some things are merely for show. For instance, showing respect to the old emperor's face by pretending to undergo training in Tianlaomiao as a Donggong subordinate, satisfying the old emperor's desire to purge Donggong officials.

"Are you, Officer Chen, trying to drive me away? Does Tianlaomiao not welcome me?" Xie Changling smiled faintly, lifting his teacup and gazing at the other imprisoned officials sunbathing in the courtyard.

The outdoor exercise system is excellent, deeply humane. Seeing is believing—the mental states of all the imprisoned officials have stabilized considerably. It's just a bit expensive.

Chen Guanlou pulled his cotton robe tighter and said casually, "You're a great Buddha; Tianlaomiao is a small temple. A small temple can't hold a great Buddha. Your training is complete. You can adapt to any situation—I'm certain that once you return to the officialdom, no one will be your match. Aside from lacking seniority, there's nothing wrong with you."

Xie Changling laughed heartily, "Officer Chen, you really think Tianlaomiao is a training academy for imprisoned officials?"

"Tell me—after nearly a year in Tianlaomiao, have you achieved any transcendence? Has your thinking improved? Has your body been tempered? Has your will grown stronger? Isn't this comprehensive progress? Moreover, Tianlaomiao has taught you how to rationally wield your wealth."

Chen Guanlou spoke fluently, utterly unembarrassed, his expression one of absolute conviction, as if it were self-evident truth.

Xie Changling, by contrast, felt slightly awkward, even tempted to reflect on himself.

"If you say that, then the neighboring Zhaoju must be even better for training."

"Wrong! We are training, not pursuing physical destruction or pain-based education. Master Xie, you've misunderstood the direction. The neighboring Zhaoju has taken a deviant path from the very beginning. Only Tianlaomiao is correct, enlightened, and promising. When you leave, spread the word—encourage your fellow officials to choose Tianlaomiao. Tell them that when officials come to Tianlaomiao, it's like returning home."

Chen Guanlou spoke with solemn sincerity, uttering nonsense—and Xie Changling nearly spat out his tea. His lips twitched, barely holding back, "Your talent is wasted here in Tianlaomiao."

"Master Xie, don't flatter me. Many have seen my strengths and repeatedly reminded me that Tianlaomiao confines me, that I deserve a broader world. But one must never forget the source of one's water—I developed my abilities within Tianlaomiao. For the rest of my life, I am a man of Tianlaomiao. I hope you understand."

Chen Guanlou bowed slightly, his expression clearly saying: Don't even think of tempting me to switch posts—I will refuse.

Xie Changling burst into laughter, "Officer Chen, I finally understand why some people hate you and others love you. Those who hate you want you dead; those who love you wish you a hundred years of life."

Pfft! Pfft!

A hundred years of life? That's a curse.

He was immortal. The longevity the old emperor had sought in vain, he already possessed.

"Being in Tianlaomiao inevitably offends a few petty people. I trust Master Xie has a broad mind and won't hold a grudge against me."

"I certainly won't hold a grudge. But I still have more to say."

"It's almost the New Year—why aren't you leaving?" Chen Guanlou was astonished. "Are you really so reluctant to leave Tianlaomiao?"

"It's not that I'm reluctant to leave Tianlaomiao—it's just not the right time. You yourself said I'll become chancellor. How could a future chancellor not experience celebrating the New Year in Tianlaomiao? I've decided—I'll spend this New Year here. Officer Chen, please take extra care: on New Year's Eve, add two more dishes and a pot of wine."

Chen Guanlou bared his teeth.

"You're really not leaving this year?"

"There's nothing to do outside. Better to train in Tianlaomiao," Xie Changling said naturally, as if fully accepting the notion of "training in Tianlaomiao."

Chen Guanlou narrowed his eyes, feeling a headache coming on.

The rebel Da Ming Wang was a powder keg, with its fuse already lit, ready to explode at any moment.

He hoped that when the explosion came, as few personnel as possible from the Jia-graded cells would be present. Ideally, all the prisoners would go home for the New Year, conserving manpower.

"Officer Chen, do you have any troubles? Speak up—perhaps I can help you resolve them."

"Da Ming Wang is imprisoned in the Jia-graded cells. Do you wish to see him?"

"Why would I see him? A failed rebel, utterly worthless. Oh, I forgot—the emperor will offer sacrifices to heaven next year, and Da Ming Wang is the sacrificial offering."

Xie Changling chuckled to himself, then added, as if kindly warning, "Officer Chen, be careful. Da Ming Wang is a hot potato—watch out you don't get burned."

"Getting burned is minor; losing your life is major."

"Officer Chen, don't joke. Da Ming Wang alone won't cause the Tianlaomiao guards to die with him—he's not worth it. But unrest is real."

Chen Guanlou chuckled twice—he didn't need to be told that things wouldn't be peaceful.

When he said unrest was real, it truly was.

Only two days passed, and first thing in the morning, he received bad news: Da Ming Wang appeared to have been poisoned.

Chen Guanlou rushed down to the dungeon and arrived at the cell gate, where Physician Mu was already busy inside.

He hurriedly asked, "What's the situation? Is he truly poisoned?"

Physician Mu was too busy to speak, gesturing for him to stay silent.

Chen Guanlou summoned the on-duty jailer and the squad leader Xiao Jin. "What happened?"

The men looked at each other, all silent.

"Xiao Jin, you speak."

"Your Excellency, I've checked everyone thoroughly and found no issues. I truly don't know how Da Ming Wang was poisoned or how it happened. I'm incompetent—please punish me."

"Have you checked everyone?"

"Everyone has been checked. As you ordered, all prisoners must move in pairs—even when using the latrine. No one had a chance to act alone. The keys remain in the duty room, repeatedly confirmed—no one touched them. Last night, before sleeping, I placed a single hair on the keychain; this morning, the hair was still there."

Xiao Jin felt deeply wronged.

He had done everything possible—yet Da Ming Wang was still poisoned. He couldn't fathom it. He checked and rechecked, certain his work had no lapses, certain every step was properly executed—why had this accident occurred?

Could someone have become invisible, sneaking into Tianlaomiao to poison him?

But from last night until this morning, Da Ming Wang hadn't eaten or drunk a single drop of water—how was he poisoned? As for last night's dinner, the on-duty jailers tasted it first to ensure it was safe before giving it to Da Ming Wang. So far, the on-duty jailers remain healthy, showing no symptoms of poisoning.