Chapter 966: Today He Didn't Die

Zhang Yulang’s condition fluctuated, and Sun Daoning was very satisfied.

During this time, Wang Huaimin was interrogated, Zhao Jinming was interrogated, Inspector Geng was interrogated…

Except for Wang Huaimin, everyone else was tortured during their interrogation.

The most desperate was Zhao Jinming.

He had thought that with the imperial examination fraud case erupting, his own case could be delayed—perhaps even avoid execution and be commuted to exile. But the Ministry of Justice wasn’t lazy; they still found officials to interrogate his case.

He spent money to bribe Ministry of Justice personnel and found out: execution by immediate beheading was certain, with no chance of reprieve.

Precisely because the imperial examination fraud case had erupted, the Emperor was furious and ordered the Three Judicial Departments to handle the case strictly and severely, executing many to curb the corrupt practices in the bureaucracy.

Traitors like Zhao Jinming must be executed!

If he isn’t executed, Emperor Jian Shi’s anger won’t subside, and no one in the Ministry of Justice will have an easy life.

They can only suffer, Zhao my lord.

Zhao Jinming grabbed Chen Guanlou, crying—his wailing was heart-wrenching. From suspecting he’d be executed to being certain of it, his mental journey was entirely different.

The former might still cling to hope—what if? What if a miracle happened?

The latter? Completely finished. No hope. No miracle possible.

“Chen Yucheng, what should I do? Think of a way for me.”

Chen Guanlou easily broke free from his grasp and stepped farther from the cell door. “Zhao my lord, what’s so terrifying about death? A scar the size of a bowl—eighteen years later, you’ll be a fine man again. Think of it this way: when you die, your family survives. Your Zhao lineage, your descendants, still have hope. What’s this called? Dying with purpose! You must accept it!”

“I can’t accept it! Even in death, I can’t accept it!”

Zhao Jinming sobbed, tears and snot streaming, “I don’t want to die.”

“Nobody wants to die! But everyone dies—only the timing differs. Change your perspective: imagine you fell gravely ill, and—snap—you’re gone. Wouldn’t that feel better?”

Zhao Jinming shook his head, feeling even worse! If he truly fell ill, at least he could lie on a warm bed, attended by beautiful maidservants, his children and grandchildren filially by his bedside…

In his final moments, though painful, there was still beauty.

But what is this now?

Look at this sunless, dark prison, this filthy environment—he received not a shred of comfort.

Chen Guanlou sighed with him. “Cheer up! At least this month you won’t be taken to the execution ground—you still have time to live.”

Zhao Jinming wiped his nose. “I heard the palace is selecting concubines to replenish the harem.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Don’t ask where I heard it—it’s true. The Ministry of Household Affairs has already begun mobilizing. I have a daughter, sixteen years old, as beautiful as a flower. Chen Yucheng, can you help me get my daughter selected for the imperial harem?”

Chen Guanlou clucked in admiration—these officials truly knew how to scheme. Even as death loomed, they still scoured every opportunity to maneuver.

What kind of spirit is this?

Life never stops, struggle never ends!

“I must warn you—even if your daughter is a celestial beauty, survives every screening, and enters the palace, you still can’t save your life. You’re doomed!”

Zhao Jinming clenched his teeth and said solemnly, “I know! I don’t expect my daughter’s selection to save me. I only think: after I die, the Zhao family will surely decline—perhaps in ten years, twenty, even thirty. If that happens, won’t I have died in vain? Better to send my daughter to the palace and take a chance. If fortune smiles, the Zhao family may rise again—easily!”

Hearing this, Chen Guanlou felt profound emotion.

Facing death, still planning for his family’s future—what could one even say?

He sincerely admired him.

He had never experienced such a mental journey—he couldn’t fully understand.

“You’re about to die, yet you still think of everything else—why not think of yourself?”

“What’s left for me to think about? As you said, I’m going to die—I must plan for my family.”

Chen Guanlou clucked again. “Admirable. But I can’t help you. The harem selection falls under the Ministry of Household Affairs—I’ve never dealt with them, don’t know anyone there.”

“I don’t know anyone there either. Chen Yucheng, I’ll give you silver—can you help me bribe the Ministry of Household Affairs? My daughter is a vision of beauty. In looks alone, she rivals any noblewoman in the capital. And this selection is only to replenish the Emperor’s harem—few noblewomen will compete. My daughter still has a chance.”

Chen Guanlou frowned. “How much silver are you offering?”

“Three thousand taels? No—five thousand! That’s all I have left. If my daughter enters the palace, I won’t have a single tael to bribe for her—she’ll have to fend for herself in the harem. Alas…”

“You send your daughter to the palace with no money? You’re dreaming.”

The harem is a battlefield—every step requires silver.

Even the Empress Dowager spends silver everywhere.

“I must take a chance! My daughter isn’t just beautiful—she’s been clever since childhood. There’s still a chance.”

Chen Guanlou snorted. “I can’t help you. I have no connections—find someone else.”

“In all of Jingcheng, besides you, Chen Yucheng, who else can help me?”

“Save your silver for your funeral.” Chen Guanlou turned and walked away, ignoring his delusions.

Zhao Jinming screamed desperately, still unwilling to give up.

Inspector Geng was far quieter.

Every time they met, he asked: “Has Zhuang Yifei died yet?”

Chen Guanlou would truthfully reply: “Not yet.”

Each time, Inspector Geng grew more disappointed. “He’s a bandit—why isn’t he dead? Is there no one in the world who can kill him?”

“Perhaps the price you offered was too low—the assassins think it’s not worth it.”

“Too low? A thousand taels! What right do those gangsters have to complain? Where else in this world can they find such a lucrative job?”

“Talking to me about this is useless—I’m not from the underworld, I don’t understand their rules. Bottom line: Zhuang Yifei isn’t dead, and you’re still alive—you two will keep Jiuchan .”

“He must die! Chen Yucheng, you’re a government official—how can you stand idly by while a bandit roams right under your nose?”

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. “I told you before—I’m a prison official. I only guard prisoners. Arresting bandits isn’t my duty.”

“Then report him to the Six Ministries—have them arrest him.”

“Not my responsibility!” Chen Guanlou spread his hands—he refused to do anything extra, even for money.

“You—you—you! I’ll impeach you!”

“Wait till you’re out of prison—impeach me all you want! I’ve served the government for years and never been impeached—I’d like to experience it. I’ll record it.”

He looked eager, almost excited. Inspector Geng was so furious he nearly fainted.

How could such a shameless scoundrel exist in this world!

It’s infuriating!