Chapter 47: Deep Connections

After two days of investigation, Chen Guanlou had a fairly clear picture of Yu Zhaoan’s situation. These two days brought substantial gains—he had established contact with Li Shiyeh, the private secretary to Fan Yucheng, and could now visit regularly.

Li Dahong had accepted his wine and was willing to make things easier. If anything came up, they’d look out for each other.

As for Yu Zhaoan, the core of his offense was utter disrespect—he had enraged the old emperor.

The old emperor had barely attended morning court when Yu Zhaoan, oblivious to his own fate, stood up despite others’ objections and pointed directly at the emperor’s nose, accusing him of being obsessed with alchemy and Daoist cultivation, neglecting state affairs, allowing governance to decay, and shaming his ancestors. He nearly called the emperor a fool and a tyrant outright.

The old emperor turned livid with rage, immediately ordering Yu Zhaoan beaten with bamboo staves, then thrown into Tianlaomiao. He denounced Yu Zhaoan as disloyal and unfilial, reckless and malicious, insisting someone must have instigated him, and commanded the authorities to investigate thoroughly without error.

According to the old emperor’s intent, he wanted to expand the case into a widespread conspiracy, sweeping up every official he disliked.

But Yu Zhaoan was a member of the Censorate, and the Censorate would never allow the case to escalate.

The Censorate was acting; the old emperor’s men were acting too. Both sides began to clash over Yu Zhaoan.

Tianlaomiao became the epicenter of the case, with Yu Zhaoan at its heart.

Chen Guanlou arrived at Cell 69. “Are you comfortable here, Sir Yu?”

Yu Zhaoan sat upright on his plank bed, snorting coldly, refusing to even glance at Chen Guanlou. In his eyes, Chen Guanlou—a lowly jailer—had no right to speak to him.

Chen Guanlou sneered. “So you’re settling in well, Sir Yu. Even in Tianlaomiao, you remain composed. No surprise—you’re a graduate of Jixia Academy.”

And Yu Zhaoan was a third-rank martial cultivator.

Third rank!

Chen Guanlou had never seen a third-rank martial cultivator in action—he was awe-struck.

He ordered the jailers: “Tell the cooks—Cell 69 gets no meals for a few days. Only swill to drink.”

Drink it or die of thirst.

Still playing the nobleman in Tianlaomiao? Does he think this place is a resort?

“Chief Chen, is this wise? He’s from Jixia Academy.”

“Yes, Chief Chen. This is the Jia-class prison after all.”

“Yu Zhaoan is a fourth-rank Assistant Censor. His classmates, peers, and fellow townsfolk fill the court. I also heard his wife is related to the Marquis of Pingjiang.”

“Chief Chen, think twice! Punishing Yu Zhaoan is easy. But offending Jixia Academy? Their members stick together and hold grudges forever.”

“Exactly. Never offend anyone from Jixia Academy. The Ministry of Justice has Jixia men too—if they find out we’ve humiliated Yu Zhaoan, we’ll all be held accountable.”

The four jailers spoke one after another, urging Chen Guanlou to change his mind. Let Yu Zhaoan keep his airs—he’s arrogant and clueless. But his family is sensible; they’ve already offered eight hundred taels to get him better treatment, and the money’s coming soon.

Chen Guanlou gritted his teeth—he truly despised Yu Zhaoan’s attitude, still playing the lord even in prison.

But offending a third-rank martial cultivator was indeed unwise.

His temper had been high lately—he hadn’t yet adapted to the ways of the Jia-class prison. No wonder everyone said the Jia-class prison was nothing but money. Being a jailer here was damn frustrating.

Unlike the Bing-class prison, where prisoners who defied jailers got sent to the interrogation room—broken limbs were the least of it.

He was used to the Bing-class prison, where jailers ruled with absolute authority. Suddenly thrust into the Jia-class prison as a squad leader, he naturally carried over his old habits, wanting to punish these disobedient prisoners.

Too bad.

These prisoners were all more powerful than the next, and the jailers had to treat them with polite care, fearing they might rise again—or that their students and former subordinates would seek revenge.

A government official crushing a lowly jailer was like swatting a fly.

Seeing the four jailers staring at him expectantly, he snorted. “Fine, fine. Keep his current treatment. But remind the Yu family—hurry up and send the money. The prison’s short on funds. Who knows whose rations might get cut.”

Seeing Chen Guanlou listen, the jailers all exhaled in relief. Thank heaven—he was reasonable.

During patrols, he’d make sure to check on Lord Jin, in case the man took his own life.

Lord Jin, in turn, advised Chen Guanlou: “I heard Yu Zhaoan of the Censorate was locked up.”

“Yeah. A few cells down from you.”

Lord Jin stood by the wall. In just a few days, his hair had turned mostly white.

He whispered: “Don’t offend him.”

“Because he’s from Jixia Academy?” Chen Guanlou asked.

Lord Jin nodded. “Not just because of Jixia Academy. Yu Zhaoan and Prince Jin are sworn brothers—they shared the same master. Prince Jin’s influence in court is growing, and the Right Chancellor is his father-in-law. Do you understand?”

Chen Guanlou whistled. “Powerful.”

“More than powerful—he’s at the very top,” Lord Jin said with a bitter laugh.

“If Yu Zhaoan’s connections are this strong, why hasn’t Prince Jin or anyone else moved to get him out?”

“You’ve studied a few years, but you still don’t understand the hidden rules of court politics. Even a prince must wait for the right moment to intervene—he can’t act on whim. Yu Zhaoan insulted the emperor. He must wait until the emperor cools down.”

“What if the emperor never cools down?”

Lord Jin chuckled. “Then Yu Zhaoan will die whether he wants to or not. Killing one man to save everyone else—that’s a deal Prince Jin will accept.”

Whew!

Chen Guanlou sucked in a sharp breath.

“Lord Jin, your tone suggests you have a grudge against Yu Zhaoan?”

“Hmph! I’m here because of him,” Lord Jin growled, his hatred so fierce he longed to slit the man’s throat.

It was Yu Zhaoan who led the impeachment that landed Lord Jin in prison.

Between them, it was a mortal feud.

Chen Guanlou blurted: “Why did they put the two of you in the same prison?”

“If I ever get out, the first thing I’ll do is kill Yu Zhaoan,” Lord Jin said without hiding his hatred.

“You just told me not to offend him—he’s too powerful. But now you’re acting like a fool. Old Jin, survival comes first. Don’t let emotion drive you. We’re delicate porcelain. No point smashing ourselves against an iron lump.”

Chen Guanlou turned around to advise Lord Jin.

Lord Jin laughed.

“Sometimes I think—better to be an iron lump than delicate porcelain. Unbreakable, invulnerable.”

“Even if you want to be iron, wait until you’re out first.”