Chapter 49 What Do I Agree To

Looking at the luxurious prison cell before him, Chen Kan couldn’t help but recall the miserable situation he faced when he first crossed over.

Both were prison cells, yet why was the difference so vast?

Chen Kan was moved to tears, exclaiming, “This is what a proper prison cell should be!”

Glancing at the trembling, plump cook, Chen Kan immediately revealed a sharp, cutting expression and pointed at the stove, saying, “I’m hungry. Cook for me immediately.”

The cook, wearing a forlorn expression, replied, “My lord, can’t I prepare the food outside and bring it to you?”

Chen Kan’s face hardened. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I offended Prince Jin. I’m afraid someone might poison me. You cooking right under my watchful eye puts me at ease.”

Chen Kan’s reasoning was airtight, leaving the cook no room to refuse.

Though the cook wanted to argue—after all, this was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the masters of poison. Who would dare poison food under their watch?

But he didn’t dare.

So, he obediently stoked the fire and began cooking.

Perhaps this was the tragedy of the small folk.

Chen Kan lay on the bed, silently waiting for the cook to finish, all the while calculating the potential developments.

Zhu Jixi’s provocation in the court had been easily defused by Fang Xiaoru, yet Zhu Di was clearly taking sides.

So the matter had circled the court without any substantive progress.

If political maneuvers failed, Zhu Jixi would likely resort to other means—assassination, poisoning, and other vile tactics.

Chen Kan’s own measures required at least half a month to bear fruit.

That meant his life now depended entirely on the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s vigilance during this crucial fortnight.

As for the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Jixi lacked concrete evidence. In these times, there were no cell phones or surveillance cameras. And as for witnesses, Chen Kan doubted the people of Yongning Street would dare enter the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s headquarters to testify against him.

By the time they investigated, gathered proof, and finalized charges, the half month would have passed. By then, Zhu Jixi would have already fallen.

Good. So far, the situation remained firmly under Chen Kan’s control.

Satisfied that no link had faltered, a ruthless gleam flashed in Chen Kan’s eyes.

Originally, he had intended to strike at Prince Ning, Zhu Quan.

But since Zhu Jixi had come knocking himself, he wouldn’t hesitate to be merciless.

If a cut was to be made, why not cut wherever it was needed?

“My lord, the meal is ready. Please enjoy.”

The plump cook carefully placed the dishes on the table beside Chen Kan’s bed and was about to retreat.

“Stop!”

Chen Kan snapped out of his thoughts, looking at the abundant spread. “There’s too much food for me alone. Bring a bowl and try a little of everything with me.”

The cook was taken aback.

Chen Kan smiled. “That’s right. I simply don’t trust you.”

The cook was speechless.

Even if you don’t trust me, must you say it so bluntly? Do we cooks have no dignity?

Feeling insulted, he tearfully ate three large bowls of rice.

Meanwhile, in the side hall of Fengtian Palace, Zhu Di sat opposite Daoyan and Li Jinglong.

Zhu Di was reading memorials, nibbling carefully on food delivered from the imperial kitchen.

Li Jinglong fidgeted as though he had an itch he couldn’t scratch, scratching his ears and shifting in his seat.

Only Daoyan ate earnestly.

“Sit properly!” Zhu Di suddenly barked. Li Jinglong obediently straightened up, no longer moving about.

Having finished the memorials and the food, Zhu Di put down the papers and asked, “Do you know about the trouble Chen Kan has caused?”

“No, I don’t know. It has nothing to do with me.”

Li Jinglong shook his head vigorously as if it were a rattle.

“Hmph!”

Zhu Di snorted coldly. “Go tell Chen Kan that I have approved his plan to curtail the princes’ power.”

Li Jinglong muttered softly, “Your Majesty, that was my plan.”

Zhu Di ignored him and turned to Daoyan. “Master, where are the men Chen Kan sent the day before now?”

Daoyan replied, “Your Majesty, they should be nearing the Songzhou border.”

“Good.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Di said, “Since my good nephew is so eager to stay in the capital, then let him remain there forever.”

Daoyan shook his head with a smile. “Your Majesty, if it’s only Chen Kan’s limited methods, it will be difficult to silence the endless voices of the world.”

Zhu Di asked seriously, “Then what do you suggest?”

“Your humble servant suggests adding more fuel to the fire. When everyone adds wood, the flames rise higher. A small fire cannot burn down a man.”

Daoyan finished with an inscrutable expression.

Zhu Di suddenly understood.

Only Li Jinglong looked utterly baffled—what were they talking about, and why were they discussing setting fires again?

After a moment, Zhu Di seemed to make a firm decision, looking at Li Jinglong as he ordered, “Send another troop to Taiyuan. Tell the Shanxi Provincial Administration to have Zhou Jing and Zhang Chun fully cooperate with the men Chen Kan sent.”

“Yes.”

Li Jinglong rose, unclear but respectful.

Meanwhile, on Chen Kan’s side, the first visitor to the prison arrived.

Zhu Gaoxu: “That’s right, it’s me again!”

Chen Kan found it strange; their relationship hadn’t seemed that close yet.

Why did he run into Zhu Gaoxu everywhere?

Seeing Chen Kan’s conflicted expression, Zhu Gaoxu frowned. “What’s that look? Don’t tell me you’re not glad to see me?”

“No, Your Highness, you honor this humble cell with your presence. It’s like a bright light, almost too dazzling to bear.”

After moving a stool for Zhu Gaoxu, Chen Kan curiously asked, “May I ask the purpose of your visit, Your Highness?”

A sly smile curved Zhu Gaoxu’s lips. “I heard you landed back in the big prison. Naturally, I came to see you, you unlucky fellow.”

“What do you mean ‘back’? I call this self-preservation. High-ranking princes can never understand the hardships small people endure just to survive in the cracks.”

Chen Kan’s words carried a double meaning.

The moment he finished, Zhu Gaoxu’s expression changed.

If Chen Kan’s previous words in prison could be dismissed as coincidence, now Zhu Gaoxu was certain Chen Kan knew something.

His heart was unsettled. Sitting down on the stool, he spoke with double meaning, “Chen Kan, I came partly to visit an old friend, and partly to rescue you. If you’re willing, I can petition Prince Jin to pardon you right now.”

Chen Kan smiled. “Willing? Willing to what? To serve Your Highness?”

Zhu Gaoxu sprang up, eyes wide with shock. “Chen Kan, do you know what you’re saying?”