Chapter 471: Out of Prison

"What's there to talk about?" Qiu Qiu Defu's face was full of displeasure.

Chen Chen Guanfu said with a half-smile, "This young lord merely wishes to get closer to Eunuch Qiu. Why must Eunuch Qiu keep people at arm's length?"

Qiu Qiu Defu's brows and eyes shifted slightly, but he said nothing.

Chen Chen Guanfu observed the man as he continued, "Did Your Majesty truly leave no instructions beforehand?"

"What exactly does Young Lord Chen wish to know?"

"Did Your Majesty truly not foresee that he would fall into an unconscious state?"

Qiu Qiu Defu pressed his lips tightly together.

"Is Your Majesty truly in a coma? If Your Majesty never wakes, how much longer can he hold on? Who exactly does Your Majesty favor in his heart? Eunuch Qiu, as the most trusted man by Your Majesty's side, don't tell me you know nothing."

Chen Chen Guanfu had a smile at the corner of his mouth, but in his hand he was toying with a sharp dagger. As if issuing a threat.

Qiu Qiu Defu let out a snort of laughter. "What do you want me to say?"

"Your Majesty's condition."

"Your Majesty is truly in a coma, absolutely not feigning. The altar exploded—you were all on the scene. Whether Your Majesty was injured and how severe the injury is, you know better than anyone. Besides, I too would like to ask Young Lord Chen: on the day the altar exploded, who exactly sent those assassins? Who exactly were they trying to kill?"

"How would I know. Right now the court has ground to a halt, no one has the time to investigate the altar explosion. Everyone's eyes are fixed on the palace. Difficult indeed!"

Chen Chen Guanfu sighed, then continued, "Your Majesty's injury can't be allowed to drag on like this. Does Eunuch Qiu have any plans?"

"I have no plans. Everything is entirely in the hands of you lords." Qiu Qiu Defu put on an appearance of single-minded devotion to the public good, looking utterly loyal.

Chen Chen Guanfu chuckled lightly and asked again, "How much longer can Your Majesty hold on?"

"If Young Lord Chen is trying to ask when Your Majesty will pass away, I'm sorry, I won't say a thing. The only thing I will say is that Your Majesty's fortune is as vast as the heavens—your petty schemes will not succeed. I urge you all to remain loyal to the nation and not lead yourselves astray. This realm has always borne the surname Song; it cannot become the Chen surname."

"Those words cut to the bone! Our Chen clan has been loyal for generations. My father is at this very moment up north braving wind and sand, eradicating the rebel Guo Guo Dachun on behalf of the court. Eunuch Qiu's words—aren't you afraid they'll chill the hearts of loyal ministers?" Chen Chen Guanfu's expression was gloomy, his eyes suppressing fury as he stared at Qiu Qiu Defu in displeasure.

Qiu Qiu Defu snorted coldly. "It would be best if it were as you say—the entire Chen clan is loyal. When you make contact with the Three Great Camps shortly, I hope Young Lord Chen doesn't play any petty tricks. No matter how Your Majesty's injury fares, the heavens will not change."

Chen Chen Guanfu laughed, lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside—as if facing a formidable enemy!

"If I were you, I'd be considering retirement right about now. You've toiled all your life; you ought to enjoy a few years of happiness, so the journey through this world wasn't in vain." Chen Chen Guanfu turned back to look at Qiu Qiu Defu. "After this, you'll be very busy. The Imperial Princes won't let you off. They're far more anxious than ministers like us, and far more ruthless. Earlier you asked me who really caused the altar explosion? Take a guess—if something happens to Your Majesty, who benefits the most? Besides those Imperial Princes, who else could it be."

"You can't speak carelessly." Qiu Qiu Defu instantly grew tense. "Your Majesty isn't dead yet. Don't dare covet what you shouldn't covet. Your Majesty will certainly be safe and sound."

Chen Chen Guanfu toyed with the dagger in his hand and chuckled lightly. "Then take a guess—do the pills presented by the Jixia Academy truly make a person ten years younger? I believe another saying more: every medicine has its poison!"

"What do you mean?"

"What ill intentions could this young lord possibly have? I am the descendant of loyal men, wholeheartedly concerned for Your Majesty and the court. Eunuch Qiu, just watch—watch carefully—how I communicate with the men of the Three Great Camps. When the time comes, don't wrongfully accuse me of harboring malicious intent."

The carriage passed through the city gate, and Chen Chen Guanfu headed toward the Three Great Camps.

……

Over at the Heaven Prison, an official document suddenly arrived from the Ministry of Justice.

The jailers were all astonished.

They hadn't expected the Ministry of Justice to still be functioning at a time like this, with someone still on duty handling affairs. They had all assumed the Ministry of Justice was unmanned, its yamen at a standstill.

Inside the document was a release notice: release Xie Changling, immediately. Do not delay.

Several shift leaders exchanged glances and asked Chen Chen Guanlou, "My lord, this document can't be fake, can it? At a time like this, how could the Ministry of Justice suddenly issue a document to release a prisoner? The Ministry probably doesn't even have anyone on duty."

"The document is genuine." Chen Chen Guanlou said expressionlessly, "The seal is also genuine. It is indeed a document issued by the Ministry of Justice. Don't worry about it—the rules of the Heaven Prison are to follow protocol. As for who signed and issued the document, that's none of our business, and we shouldn't inquire. According to the document's intent, Xie Changling is to be released today. Xiao Jin, go prepare the paperwork; I'm going down to see Lord Xie. The rest of you are dismissed—those with duties, get to work; those resting, make the most of the time to rest."

Chen Chen Guanlou took the Ministry of Justice document and went down into the prison, where he met Xie Changling.

"You officials truly have more tricks than anyone. You come in whenever you want, you leave whenever you want."

Chen Chen Guanlou showed the document to Xie Changling. "The Ministry of Justice has issued an order. Lord Xie, you are free. Congratulations!"

Xie Changling looked visibly relieved. "Many thanks to Warden Chen for your help. Without your assistance, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly." Having said that, he began packing his things, preparing for his release.

Chen Chen Guanlou was very curious. "Lord Xie is in such a hurry to leave—may I ask why? At a time like this, everyone is dodging left and right, yet you actively jump into the pit ahead. It seems you have no small ambitions."

Xie Changling laughed twice upon hearing this and said, "Since you've guessed my ambitions are no small matter, why press further? Knowing too much is no good thing. Especially for a prison warden."

He took off his outer garment, wearing only his inner clothes, and straightened his back as he looked at Chen Chen Guanlou.

"Warden Chen, the world outside is about to change. I know you have curiosity, but let me offer one piece of advice: since you've chosen this job at the Heaven Prison and don't intend to leave, don't meddle in outside affairs. The Heaven Prison has one particularly good feature—once the gates are shut, it becomes an independent world. No one would think to come here to act violently. I imagine this is also one of the reasons you chose the Heaven Prison. For the sake of this peace, stay away from outside affairs."

Xie Changling's advice was absolutely heartfelt.

Chen Chen Guanlou smiled. "Many thanks to Lord Xie for your kind counsel. You officials treat imprisonment like a cultivation retreat—I truly don't understand. I wish Lord Xie a bright future and that all your wishes come true."

He personally opened the cell door and respectfully saw Xie Changling out of prison.

Xie Changling stepped across the cell door, took a deep breath—the air of freedom.

He turned back to look at Chen Chen Guanlou. "I ask Warden Chen to see me off one last time. Once I leave this time, life and death are uncertain. I may, as you wished, have a bright future, or I may fall into the eighteenth level of hell and never rise again. If one day I die and am condemned by a thousand tongues, I ask Warden Chen, for the sake of our friendship, not to join the crowd in cursing me."

"Lord Xie, rest assured. I am an adult with my own sense of right and wrong. I won't just follow the herd."

"Very well then!"