Chapter 61

Xiujuan brought in tea, the first new harvest of the year.

Chen Guanlou sat upright in his chair, expression solemn and righteous, a paragon of virtue—clearly a model youth, someone everyone should emulate.

He lifted the teacup, took a small sip, and praised: “Miss Xiujuan’s tea-making has improved greatly.”

Xiujuan shot him a glare, then stepped beside Liu She and stood ready to serve.

Liu She sighed softly—she looked every bit the proper, virtuous daughter-in-law.

“Xiao Chuan is locked in the Heavenly Prison; he won’t be out anytime soon. You’ll have to look out for him a bit.”

“Madam, you’re being too formal. Even if you didn’t ask, I’d take the initiative.”

Liu She smiled in satisfaction. “This time, the main and second branches have clashed. The eldest master sits back and watches. The second master wants to meddle, but only if Inspector Zhang is willing to give him face. My husband is just unlucky—he’s been dragged into this, stuck in the middle, helpless. I haven’t had a good rest these past few days either.”

“Madam, rest easy. This matter will be resolved eventually. No matter how fierce or powerful Inspector Zhang is, he can’t afford to ignore the Hou Fu’s face.”

“It’s not that simple. Those censors love catching noble families’ mistakes—safe, risk-free, and a quick way to boost their reputation.”

Censors targeting nobles to build reputation? That’s an ancient script, especially obvious in our dynasty.

Nobles are born into wealth and glory; generation after generation monopolize the empire’s finest resources. Scholars, by contrast, must endure decades of cold-window study just for a sliver of chance to enter court and sit alongside nobles as officials.

Envy!

Any proper scholar who witnesses the nobles’ extravagant excesses can’t help but envy them. Once given the chance, they’ll relentlessly impeach the nobles to the point of destruction. Whether the old emperor listens doesn’t matter—what matters is showing an unyielding stance against the nobles, to win the scholars’ praise.

Scholarly praise may seem trivial, but those who navigate officialdom know it’s the real currency for advancement. With such reputation, even the old emperor must weigh his actions—he can’t humiliate them recklessly, lest he lose the hearts of scholars across the land and earn the title of a foolish ruler.

Scholars may be mediocre in every other skill, but ruining an emperor’s reputation? That’s second nature to them. Even if they dare not tarnish him while he lives, once he dies, they’ll unleash everything. The new emperor can’t stop them—not at all.

“Even if you want to build reputation, you should consider the consequences,” Chen Guanlou said calmly, sidestepping Liu She’s point with idle chatter.

Liu She glanced at him, thinking: bold little brat, clever mind.

She sipped her tea. “The real issue is my husband is stuck in the middle, helpless.”

“Has Liu Guan been overworked lately? Shouldn’t you summon a physician to examine him?” Chen Guanlou offered casually.

Liu She sighed again. “He can afford to be sick for a while, but not forever. I heard it was you who advised Master Du to go complain to the eldest master.” She fixed him with her gaze—clearly, her intent was hostile.

Chen Guanlou flatly denied it. “Don’t say such things lightly. I’ve only studied for a few days—how could I possibly advise Master Du? Madam overestimates me.”

“Whether you’re overestimated, you know best. I also heard that after Master Du met the eldest master, the eldest master suddenly had a whim and summoned an unfamiliar physician to treat the eldest young mistress—and changed her prescription. Now, with the new medicine, the eldest young mistress has regained enough strength to storm to the old lady’s chambers, threatening suicide, forcing the second young mistress to kneel and beg forgiveness before the old lady.”

With that, Liu She snorted.

This whole affair traces back to Chen Guanlou. Had the eldest young mistress not improved, she wouldn’t have had the energy to cause trouble.

Without trouble, Inspector Zhang’s second son could always be placated. The matter would vanish without a trace. Liu Guan wouldn’t suffer the squeeze, and Liu Xiao Chuan wouldn’t have ended up in the Heavenly Prison.

Chen Guanlou: …

Oh my, there’s even kneeling punishment? How entertaining!

But how dare Liu She pin the blame on him? That’s outright bullying!

He didn’t hold back, firing back: “Madam, you’re connecting two things with no relation whatsoever. If I had that kind of power, do you think I’d be a jailer?”

“Who doesn’t know you’re obsessed with martial arts? You’ve been in the Heavenly Prison, daily begging prisoners for martial manuals.”

Huh?

Chen Guanlou looked genuinely startled. “Has this even reached the Hou Fu?”

Liu She rolled her eyes. “Do you think? Your antics aren’t exactly secret—word spreads easily. It’s natural it reached the Hou Fu.”

Chen Guanlou: …

Good—he hadn’t exposed his true secret. As for collecting martial manuals in the prison, that couldn’t be hidden. So from the start, he never tried to conceal it—nor did he advertise it. If people wanted to gossip, he couldn’t stop them.

Let the Hou Fu know. At least now, when he uses martial arts, he’ll have an excuse. As long as he doesn’t reveal his inner energy cultivation, it’s fine.

“Don’t ask why I became a jailer. In short, the Hou Fu’s affairs have nothing to do with me. If you’ve come to accuse me, I’m afraid I can’t entertain you further.” Chen Guanlou made it clear he was dismissing her.

Liu She looked at him, then burst into laughter. “Look at you, flustered! Did I say I came to accuse you? How dark do you think my intentions are?”

So sweet, so playful—utterly intoxicating!

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly, unmoved. “So you’re not here to accuse me?”

“Of course not. Inspector Zhang may be fierce, but the Hou Fu has ways to handle him. As long as Zhang doesn’t try to escalate things or trample on the Hou Fu’s dignity, we’re willing to give him face. Originally, this task should’ve gone to that young man Ye. But he’s determined to defend the eldest young mistress—he’s been playing hard to get, refusing to budge unless he gets enough concessions.”

“What are you suggesting?” Chen Guanlou asked, curious—this had nothing to do with him.

Liu She smiled softly. “My husband heard Yu Zhaoan is imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison—and under your jurisdiction. Could you deliver a message to him?”

“What does Yu Zhaoan have to do with this?” Chen Guanlou looked baffled.

Liu She set her teacup down carelessly; Xiujuan quickly took it and held it.

She pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped her lips, her expression calm as she said: “You don’t know? Yu Zhaoan has always been at odds with Inspector Zhang.”

“Yu Zhaoan is a disgraced official. Even if he’s at odds with Zhang, what can he do?”

“Lately, Inspector Zhang has been very active—he led the charge to impeach Jiang Tu, building up a huge reputation. Worse, he’s secretly coordinating, hoping the Censorate will abandon Yu Zhaoan first. Yu Zhaoan is from the Jixia Academy, with Prince Jin behind him. If he learns Zhang is stabbing him in the back, he won’t stay silent. Now, is this too much to ask?”