Chapter 434

"Su Zishi has a narrow heart and holds grudges over every slight?" Chen Guanlou couldn't help asking.

Xie Changling shook his head and said only: "After enduring great calamity, one's nature inevitably changes. His in-laws all died, his child died, his elderly mother died. His clan is said to have been dragged down by his association."

"He now serves in the Princess's mansion. Logically, he has opportunities to re-enter officialdom, yet he willingly remains as a guest minister in the Princess's mansion, bearing all manner of vile gossip. Can you guess whether his temperament has changed? In my view, he is no longer the former Minister Su."

"What about him and the Princess?" Chen Guanlou couldn't resist asking a gossip question.

"I don't know if it's true, and I won't comment. Do you think I'm good-looking?"

The topic shift was painfully awkward.

But Chen Guanlou still nodded along—of course he was good-looking. Among officials in the court, not one was ugly. If you were ugly, you were fit only for remote postings as a county magistrate, never to become a capital official, let alone appear before the Emperor.

This world that values looks is simply that cruel.

"You're good-looking too. But even the two of us combined aren't as good-looking as Su Zishi."

Xie Changling answered Chen Guanlou's unspoken question.

Chen Guanlou was utterly stunned. His own looks—no bragging—he could make courtesans throw themselves at him. He'd never seen anyone better-looking. Xie Changling was barely his equal.

And yet, even the two of them together weren't as good-looking as Su Zishi?

How handsome could he possibly be?

Hard to imagine.

"Can't believe it, right? Back then, during the palace examination, when Su Zishi first appeared before the old Emperor, he nearly had his exam eligibility revoked."

"Why?"

"Naturally, because the old Emperor entertained base, lecherous thoughts. Let me tell you this: Jiang Tu's appearance bears a faint resemblance to Su Zishi."

This this this…

This gossip, Chen Guanlou felt, required time to digest.

"Had it not been for several ministers intervening, the state nearly erupted into a shocking scandal."

After speaking, Xie Changling's eyes glinted with mockery—his disdain for the old Emperor was utterly unhidden.

"If that's true, why did Su Zishi end up in the Princess's mansion?" Chen Guanlou couldn't understand.

"Because someone told the Emperor that Su Zishi would interfere with his cultivation pursuits. The Su family must be kept far from court. Su Zishi's great calamity was tied to this prophecy—someone seized the chance to kill him. Jiang Fangxiu took advantage by kicking him while he was down; unsurprisingly, retaliation was inevitable. Princess Qingyang rescued him at all costs, saving his life. Su Zishi chose to remain as a guest minister in her mansion, refusing to return to office, likely because of that prophecy. If he re-entered officialdom, he might die a second time—and Princess Qingyang might not be able to save him again."

Xie Changling analyzed Su Zishi's situation calmly and methodically.

"Jiang Fangxiu has been dead for days, yet his body remains unburied. Without doubt, Su Zishi's hatred has not faded. Asking me to contact him is unlikely to work—it might backfire."

Chen Guanlou grimaced. This was a difficult situation.

The web of grudges and vendettas here, even at a glance, reeked of bloodshed.

"We must get the corpse out." He spoke firmly. "No matter what, the body cannot remain in the Heavenly Prison any longer."

"Fine. For everyone's safety, I'll write a letter—you figure out how to deliver it to the Princess's mansion. Actually, you should use the Hou Fu's channel; your chances are higher. After all, the Princess's mansion ought to grant Hou Fu some face."

"I don't have that much face to ask the Hou Fu's heir to represent me," Chen Guanlou said plainly.

"Chen Guanfu—he's someone I met once. Seems difficult to deal with. The Hou Fu's training of clan members is mediocre, but their cultivation of heirs is excellent. Successive generations of heirs have all been quite capable," Xie Changling remarked, offering both praise and criticism.

Chen Guanlou advised him: "If you can't get Su Zishi to cooperate and the corpse can't be moved, you'd better find a way to get out of prison early."

"Don't worry, Prison Warden Chen. I have a feeling you'll succeed in this. I don't need to rush my own release."

"I don't even believe in myself—you're surprisingly confident in me." Chen Guanlou teased.

Xie Changling feigned mystery and smiled: "I have full faith in your abilities, Prison Warden Chen. Even without using the Hou Fu's channel, I'm certain you'll find a way to resolve this."

"Thank you for believing in me."

Chen Guanlou took the letter and now had to figure out how to deliver it to Su Zishi—asking him to let go of his grudge and quickly arrange for Jiang Fangxiu's corpse to be taken out of the city.

To ensure the letter reached Su Zishi's hands, Chen Guanlou shamelessly sought out Chen Guanxiang again.

"Brother Xiang!"

The moment Chen Guanxiang saw this dog of a man, his head throbbed.

He rolled his eyes several times, nearly slammed the door—though he knew slamming it wouldn't help.

"Don't call me Brother Xiang. Every time you do, it's trouble."

"What are you saying? Who are we to each other? Come on, I'll treat you to drinks."

"I won't drink your wine—I'm afraid you'll kick me over."

"Slander! Pure slander! You're not Chen Qingqing—why would I kick you? Come on, come on! Zui Xiang Lou—top-grade banquet, top-tier courtesans. My treat."

"So generous? First tell me what you want me to do."

"It's nothing—just a tiny favor."

Chen Guanlou dragged him off straight to Zui Xiang Lou. Chen Guanxiang went reluctantly, half-pulled, half-pressed into coming.

After five courses, three rounds of wine, and beautiful girls attending them, their bodies relaxed and minds at ease, Chen Guanlou finally brought up the matter.

"Guest Minister Su?"

"Is this difficult? With your connections, Brother Xiang, it shouldn't be."

Chen Guanxiang's cheek twitched twice. "I'm just a gatekeeper—how could I possibly speak to Guest Minister Su?"

Seeing Chen Guanlou's face fall, Chen Guanxiang added uncomfortably: "Fine. I do know a few stewards in the Princess's mansion. I'll deliver the letter and pass on your message. Whether they'll show mercy is beyond my guarantee."

Chen Guanlou immediately beamed. "Of course only Brother Xiang can do it. When Brother Xiang acts, nothing in the capital is unsolvable."

"Stop flattering me. If you'd just stop giving me the cold shoulder twice, I'd thank you. What kind of person are you? If I don't help, you give me the silent treatment. Being brothers with you is the worst luck in eight lifetimes."

"Same here! But we're blood brothers from the same ancestor—no force can break this bond!" Chen Guanlou performed with flair, making the girls around them laugh.

Chen Guanxiang thought: If not for the pleasure of the girls today, he'd have ignored Chen Guanlou entirely. He was generous, yes—but that dog-like temper, ready to turn on you at the slightest provocation, no courtesy at all. As if brothers were meant only to be used.