Chapter 936: Poisoned, Death Approaching

After meeting the chief steward, Dr. Mu was summoned to examine the medical prescriptions and case records.

Chen Guanlou was left in the side chamber; he spoke up decisively: “How is the old lady’s condition? The atmosphere is tense—it doesn’t look simple.”

The chief steward stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly asked, “Can I trust you?”

Chen Guanlou: …

“You’ve had me do countless shadowy deeds for you, and now you ask if I can be trusted? Chief Steward, isn’t this question a bit too late? It hurts!”

“It’s not like the old lady’s current illness was caused by Dr. Mu. Impossible! I’ve worked with Old Mu for years—I can’t say I know him inside out, but I’m at least ninety percent certain he’s not the kind of man you suspect.”

Chen Guanlou spoke with conviction.

Though still unaware of the old lady’s exact condition, the situation made it clear—it was bad! Very bad! Perhaps the eldest master won’t escape the fate of returning to the capital this year.

That would mean heaven itself stood on the side of Emperor Jian Shi.

Filial piety isn’t just empty words these days!

A stepmother is still a mother!

If the old lady dies, and the eldest master dares to use official duties as an excuse to avoid returning to the capital for mourning and filial observance, his reputation—and the Hou Fu’s—will be ruined instantly, reeking so badly the stench will carry three li downwind.

His personal prestige and authority will be buried with this scandal. Afterward, rallying the noble clans will be impossible. He might even face rebellion from his own troops.

After all, the Great Gan Dynasty hasn’t yet reached its final collapse, teetering on the brink of ruin tomorrow.

With Xie Changling and his patchwork crew, the Great Gan vessel can still be patched and sail on.

“I don’t suspect Dr. Mu, and the heir doesn’t either,” the chief steward said after a pause. “Let me tell you this: the old lady has been poisoned.”

“What?” Chen Guanlou stared in shock. “The old lady was poisoned—in the Hou Fu? You’re not joking?”

“How could I joke about something like this? A third-rank maid in the old lady’s quarters died, and her entire family is dead too. What do you make of this…? I never imagined it—day after day guarding against this and that, yet the problem came from within the old lady’s own quarters, from an insignificant little maid. Who could have foreseen it?”

Chen Guanlou inwardly whistled. “So, why did you bring Dr. Mu here—to treat the poison, or to investigate?”

“Both! The poison on the old lady’s body was already neutralized when first discovered. But as you said, she’s elderly and has endured poisoning—her body likely… won’t last long. We brought Dr. Mu here for two reasons: first, to ask if anything unusual occurred in the past month; second, to hope he might have the skill to save her.”

Chen Guanlou nodded in understanding. “Have you investigated the maid who poisoned her? A little maid—where did she get the poison? Who was her accomplice? Who was the mastermind? Poisoning like this can’t be done alone by a maid; she couldn’t have left the estate.”

“Of course we investigated! Everyone in the old lady’s quarters—maids, servants, even her personal attendants—have all been arrested and interrogated. So far, nothing useful has come out. You don’t need to concern yourself with this. Since you’re here today, just in case, you must personally go see the eldest master.”

The chief steward made the request.

Chen Guanlou asked directly: “What do you need me to do?”

“There are surely many eyes watching both the eldest master and here in the Hou Fu—some messages can’t be passed openly. But you’re different. Outside of the Grand Masters, no one can detect your presence if you choose to hide.”

Chen Guanlou understood.

The entire Hou Fu was preparing for the old lady’s funeral.

Whether she lived or died, whether she survived this deathly crisis, preparations had to begin.

Some things were too dark to reveal—like the Hou Fu’s hidden armed forces, which could never be publicly displayed.

But once the old lady died and the eldest master was forced to return to the capital for mourning, those hidden forces would need to be shown—to intimidate those plotting to move against them. The precise balance of this maneuver required the heir, Chen Guanfu, to seek the eldest master’s approval before acting.

Other arrangements too—whether to activate court connections, and how to do so.

Should ties within the palace also be stirred…?

Everything was chaotic, tangled, numerous and complex.

Many of these matters required the eldest master’s decision.

Because outside, some people recognized only the eldest master, not Chen Guanfu. Unless Chen Guanfu inherited the title and could hold the Hou Fu against the Emperor, they wouldn’t acknowledge him.

Outsiders chose to cooperate with the Hou Fu based on strength—not merely ancestral legacy!

That’s why there are so many noble families in the capital who still hold titles but are called ruined houses.

When the head of the household can’t uphold the family, what else is he but a ruined house?

They merely live off ancestral wealth, scraping by in comfort for a few more decades. As for nobility? Ha—no longer noble! Wealth and nobility—wealth alone is useless. Without reviving ancestral glory, if the head of the house is incompetent, he’ll eventually be crushed, his wealth seized as a matter of course!

“When do we leave?” Chen Guanlou didn’t refuse—he’d lend his strength when the Hou Fu needed him.

“Best if it’s today!”

“Alright!” Chen Guanlou agreed.

Before leaving, he met with Dr. Mu. “You know the old lady’s condition. Do you have any hope?”

Dr. Mu shook his head. “If the King of Hell wants someone at three in the morning, even if I can hold them until five, they’ll only last until five. Those destined to die will die—it’s fate, beyond human control.”

Chen Guanlou nodded knowingly. “Keep it secret. Don’t utter a word. I’ll be busy these days, staying here to assist the Hou Fu—I won’t be reporting to the Heavenly Prison. If you have any matters, set them aside until I’m done.”

Dr. Mu guessed from his words that Chen Guanlou might be leaving the capital. But he understood protocol and didn’t press—only said: “My lord, rest assured. I’ve served for decades—I know how to behave. Go ahead and attend to your duties; the Hou Fu’s affairs come first.”

That same day, Chen Guanlou took a single bag and left the capital, heading straight northwest.

He knew the route well.

At midnight, he arrived at the Central Army Camp and headed straight for the commander’s tent!

The personal guards were alert—they instantly opened their eyes. “Who’s there?”

Though they saw no sign of Chen Guanlou, no human presence, their instincts were sharp—they sensed something had entered the tent.

“All of you, withdraw!”

The Marquis of Pingjiang awoke from light sleep and dismissed his attendants.

The candle lit up; Chen Guanlou stepped out of the darkness.

“My lord, so carelessly dismissing your guards—aren’t you afraid I’m an enemy agent sent to kill you?”

“I knew it was you the moment you arrived.”

The Marquis of Pingjiang sat up on his bed. “They sent you—has the old lady met with another misfortune?”

“So the messenger hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Messengers on foot or horse can’t match your speed. Tell me—what happened to the old lady?”

“Poisoned. Her time is short.”