Chapter 969

For Chen Guanlou’s proposal, Lady Liu was clearly intrigued, even eager.

Just a few days later, a middle-aged eunuch came to find Chen Guanlou.

“Have you thought it through?”

“If that Zhao girl truly possesses the beauty rumored, my lady will grant her a life of wealth and honor.”

Chen Guanlou smiled at this. “Change your attire, put on a beard, and come with me to the Heavenly Prison to meet Zhao Jinming. Discuss the details directly with him.”

He scoffed at Lady Liu’s promise. This woman, in her desperation for favor, had descended into madness, willing to do anything—likely even harboring ambitions to secure the throne for her son.

After the middle-aged eunuch completed his disguise and shed his eunuch aura, Chen Guanlou led him into the Heavenly Prison, heading straight for the Jia-class cells.

He brought him directly to Zhao Jinming’s cell.

“Lord Zhao, this is Eunuch Lai from the palace. You wish to send your daughter into the palace to vie for favor and secure a future for your Zhao family. Fortunately, my lord’s mistress has the power to fulfill your wish. Now that you’ve met, talk it out—I’ll take my leave.”

“Eunuch Chen, wait!” Eunuch Lai called out to stop Chen Guanlou. “This is our first meeting, and we’re discussing something of great importance. Could you please serve as witness, so both parties may feel at ease?”

“Yes, yes, be our witness!” Zhao Jinming snapped out of his surprise. “Please don’t refuse, Eunuch Chen. Without you here, we can’t speak freely. A familiar face puts us both at ease.”

Chen Guanlou gave a wry smile. “Be your witness? What’s there to witness? One sends his daughter to court for advancement; the other needs a new favorite to hold onto favor. You both gain what you want—why should I, an outsider, stand here listening to your negotiations?”

“It’s necessary! Absolutely necessary!” Eunuch Lai said solemnly. “Before coming, my lady specifically instructed me to ensure Eunuch Chen serves as witness. Without you, neither side can rest easy.”

“That makes sense!”

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly. “Fine. Talk. I’ll stand by and witness.”

Both of them were such pains in the ass.

With Chen Guanlou’s presence, their conversation quickly turned serious.

Eunuch Lai’s demands were simple: first, money; second, proof that Zhao’s daughter truly possessed the beauty Zhao claimed—meaning she must be brought to the capital for inspection before the deal could proceed.

Zhao Jinming demanded a guarantee from Lady Liu; without it, he wouldn’t pay a single copper, nor entertain cooperation. Chen Guanlou was to be the witness to this guarantee.

Chen Guanlou pinched his nose. A young woman’s entire future had become a commercial transaction—he didn’t know what to say.

Eunuch Lai spoke solemnly: “If Lady Zhao truly possesses heavenly beauty, my lady guarantees she will be granted the rank of Beauty upon entering the palace.”

“Really?”

“With Eunuch Chen as witness, what reason does Lord Zhao have to doubt?”

Zhao Jinming looked at Chen Guanlou, half-skeptical.

Chen Guanlou spread his hands. “Don’t look at me—I understand nothing. Palace affairs? You officials should know better than I do.”

Zhao Jinming’s eyes flickered. “From what I know, Lady Liu has no other support besides Prince Seven, and she’s not even favored. How can she guarantee my daughter will be granted the rank of Beauty upon entering the palace?”

Eunuch Lai frowned, his expression turning haughty. “Even if my lady isn’t favored, she’s spent years building influence in the harem. She has several reliable people under her control. If your daughter truly is as beautiful as you claim, securing the rank of Beauty is a mere formality.”

Zhao Jinming remained doubtful.

He turned to Chen Guanlou for help. “Eunuch Chen, should I trust them?”

Chen Guanlou waved him off. “Don’t ask me—I don’t know. It’s you who wants to gamble, and it’s still you hesitating. Lord Zhao, if you can’t make up your mind, just forget it.”

“I can’t give up now! My daughter is breathtakingly beautiful—she deserves to serve the Emperor and secure our Zhao family’s future!” At that moment, Zhao Jinming finally made his decision.

They then began haggling over the amount of silver.

Zhao Jinming offered only five thousand taels; Eunuch Lai demanded ten thousand, claiming it was needed to bribe officials of the Ministry of Finance and palace insiders.

Eunuch Lai spoke persuasively: “Lord Zhao, you’ve spent years in officialdom—you know well: to gain something, you must pay its price.”

“If Lady Zhao wants the rank of Beauty immediately upon entering the palace, she must bribe everyone around the Emperor. That’s at least a thousand taels per person. And that’s just one. From selection to palace entry to bestowal of rank, you’ll need to bribe at least ten people. Is ten thousand taels too much?”

“Do you really think my lady covets your Zhao family’s meager silver? That’s laughable. Let me be frank: most of this ten thousand taels will go directly to your own daughter. As the saying goes: no sacrifice, no gain.”

“Without money, even heavenly beauty will never set eyes on the Emperor. Without seeing him, how can she win his favor? How can she rise in rank? How can she bear a child? How can she secure wealth and honor for your Zhao family?”

His words were logical, undeniable.

After another bout of inner turmoil and struggle, Zhao Jinming finally nodded. “Fine! Ten thousand taels! But you must guarantee my daughter receives the rank of Beauty immediately upon entering the palace—and that she wins the Emperor’s favor as soon as possible.”

“My lady shares the same goal—she will assist, never hinder. Our interests are aligned, Lord Zhao, rest assured,” Eunuch Lai said solemnly.

Hearing this, Zhao Jinming exhaled in relief.

He immediately summoned writing brushes and ink, penned a letter to his family, ordering them to send his daughter to the capital without delay.

He also prepaid one thousand taels to Eunuch Lai.

“My daughter’s beauty—I’m not exaggerating. When you see her, you’ll realize I’m being modest!”

Eunuch Lai’s expression darkened with a new concern. “If your daughter is truly as beautiful as you say, Lord Zhao, was she harmed or dishonored during your arrest?”

The filth within officialdom—those who know, know.

Eunuch Lai’s question was entirely reasonable.

Zhao Jinming tensed. “Is there a problem?”

“Does this mean your daughter is no longer chaste?” Eunuch Lai asked bluntly, almost aggressively—as if ready to walk out.

Zhao Jinming’s face turned ashen. “Don’t speak nonsense. I am a man of honor—even after my arrest, my family was protected by officials.”

Eunuch Lai suddenly laughed. “Actually, even if your daughter lost her virtue, it wouldn’t matter. Lord Zhao, do you know the Emperor has certain… peculiar tastes? Ask Eunuch Chen.”

Chen Guanlou silently raised his middle finger, then said to Zhao Jinming: “The Emperor apparently likes married women.”

Huh?