Chapter 56

“He really said that?”

Chen Guanlou stood before Fan Yucheng, with Li Shiyao standing by his side. He nodded several times. “I dare not deceive my lord—Li Shaoqing said exactly that. As long as the benefits are sufficient, he’s willing to follow orders and submit his token of allegiance.”

Fan Yucheng and Li Shiyao exchanged a glance instantly. “What do you think he wants in return?”

Li Shiyao dared not speculate, but whispered a suggestion: “This matter must be reported to superiors promptly. Let them decide. Our master need only follow instructions—it’s the safest course.”

Fan Yucheng nodded, clearly agreeing with Li Shiyao’s advice. He was merely a lowly jailer, with no authority to make decisions—or even to participate in them. Better to be a loyal tool, take his due share, and in a year or two, secure a smooth promotion.

Fan Yucheng turned to Chen Guanlou. “You’ve done well this time. Alone, you persuaded Li Shaoqing to cooperate. Clearly, I didn’t misjudge you. This is how a man who’s studied should act—sharp-minded, steady-handed. Others would’ve turned the cell into another prison for a disgraced official, earning only a reputation for cruelty. From now on, I’ll give you more tasks. Work hard—I have faith in you.”

Chen Guanlou quickly pledged loyalty. “Thank you, my lord, for your guidance. I’ll work harder than ever. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go!” Fan Yucheng waved him off.

Chen Guanlou bowed slightly and withdrew from the office.

After he left, Li Shiyao stepped close to Fan Yucheng. “Do you truly trust Chen Guanlou? Isn’t he too young?”

“Youth has its advantages. His blood hasn’t cooled—he still wants to work. He’s read books, understands when to advance and when to retreat, not just obsessed with money. I’ve heard he never joins gambling rings.”

“You’re right, my lord. Chen Guanlou never joins gambling.”

“That’s how a man should act. Give him more responsibility. Let him be tested. He’ll eventually stand alone.”

“Chen Guanlou’s struck lucky—gaining your favor.”

“Hah! I’m always glad to promote capable men below me.” Fan Yucheng played the patron, secretly delighted.

Chen Guanlou’s competence in duty set him apart among jailers, proving once again Fan Yucheng’s discernment. Such a reputation was built bit by bit. Though the Heavenly Prison was a filthy place where no one cared, Fan Yucheng still relished showing off his ability to spot talent—distinguishing himself from other jailers.

To be an official meant trying anything—even a careless act might bring unexpected fortune.

Chen Guanlou returned to the Heavenly Prison and told Li Shaoqing to wait for news—he’d delivered the message. He also ordered his subordinates to treat Li Shaoqing well.

“Any request he makes, as long as it follows rules, fulfill it. If other jailers mistreat him, intervene. Don’t let him be humiliated. Understood?”

“Understood. Chen Tou, is Wan Yuli’s side confirmed safe?”

“So Chen Tou won’t be leaving?”

“Rest easy. I’ll stay assigned to the Jia-cell block. Wan Yuli is reasonable—he won’t make trouble for me.”

No one believed him.

But since Chen Tou said so, the jailers naturally agreed, praising Wan Yuli as a fair and upright official.

When Wan Yuli heard this, he sneered. “Chen’s good at playing people. He thinks praising me behind my back will make me spare him—how naive. In this prison, there are lifelong jailers, but no lifelong jailers-in-charge. Fan Yucheng will leave eventually. Then I’ll see how bold he still is.”

This time he took a blow he couldn’t return. He’d planned to crush Chen Guanlou, but Fan Yucheng crushed him instead. He lost face. Everyone in the Bing-cell block laughed at him—mocking him for failing to catch a bird and losing his feathers too.

New grudge added to old hatred—Wan Yuli’s fury burned fiercely. He wanted Chen Guanlou dead. But he wasn’t reckless. Without certainty, he wouldn’t provoke him openly. He wanted one strike, flawless, beyond reproach.

Now he saw clearly: Fan Yucheng truly protected Chen Guanlou. And Chen Guanlou, just by speaking, had persuaded Li Shaoqing—executed the task perfectly. Compared to other jailers, who were as dumb as wooden clubs, it was heaven versus earth. Before Fan Yucheng left the prison, there was no chance to touch Chen Guanlou.

Wan Yuli could only suppress his rage—for now.

One of his lackeys offered a stupid idea: “Wan Tou, shouldn’t we beat Chen up? He’s too bold, doesn’t even pay tribute to you.”

“Fool! Beating him once will help? Will it drive him away? Don’t do anything that gives them grounds to strike back. If you don’t act, don’t act at all. But if you act, act to the end.”

“You’re right, Wan Tou. I’m stupid, can’t think that far.”

Wan Yuli despised his lackeys. “If you’d just read a few books, like Chen Guanlou, and handled tasks with your mouth instead of your fists, I wouldn’t have to sweat like this. All you do is gamble, drink, and sleep with women. You won’t even open a book. Do any of you know three hundred characters?”

“Almost. Just… a few more, then we’ll hit three hundred.” The lackey mumbled, ashamed.

Wan Yuli exploded. “If you spent even half the money and time you waste gambling on reading, Chen Guanlou wouldn’t have a chance to show off!”

“Wan Tou, calm down. It’s not that we don’t want to improve—we just get dizzy holding books. I want to learn characters, but the characters won’t learn me.”

“Nonsense. Absolute nonsense.”

Wan Yuli glared at his lackeys, waving his arms. “Get out! All of you—get out! Don’t disgrace me with your presence.”

After they left, Wan Yuli idly picked up a book from his desk and flipped through it. After half a page, his head spun like porridge. This book was truly unbearable! Where was the silver? Where was the woman’s softness?

They say books hold beautiful women and golden houses—but he saw neither.

“Read books? What’s the point? Even if you read them all, you’re still a jailer.”

He tossed the book aside, letting it gather dust again.

With his knowledge, being a jailer was more than enough. He refused to believe Chen Guanlou could ever rise above him.

Chen Guanlou hadn’t even thought of rising above him.

After finishing his shift, he strolled home slowly, buying two catties of braised beef along the way. He planned to visit Master Du later for guidance.

A new tenant had moved into the house next door—Spring Fragrance’s. Word was, he was a scholar coming to the capital to study under a master, preparing for next year’s imperial examination. With limited means, he rented a side room from Spring Fragrance.