Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 112 Opportunities in the Struggle
For someone like Chen Qing, a member of the Zhenfu Division, entering the Imperial Prison was an easy and natural thing. But for outsiders, let alone visiting prisoners, even seeing the family members of a criminal was a difficult task.

Moreover, when ordinary people enter the imperial prison or visit prisoners in normal prisons, they usually visit from outside the cell.

But Chen Qing went straight to jail!
Looking at the wide-open prison door, the former Vice Minister Zhao even rubbed his eyes. Only after confirming that there were no Zhenfu Division personnel watching outside did he turn his gaze to Chen Qing.

At this moment, although he did not speak, Chen Qing clearly saw the word "question" in his eyes.

Young Master Chen flashed the key in his hand and said with a smile, "I came in by opening the door."

Zhao Shilang's gaze became even more puzzled.

If it weren't for his extremely long beard, it might still be visible now, and his expression has become quite strange.

Chen Qing knew that this Lord Zhao had lost trust in him. He sighed, squatted down, and said in Huzhou dialect, "I come from Deqing and have only been in the capital for a short time."

After saying this, he took out a folding fan from his sleeve and unfolded it in front of Vice Minister Zhao: "This is a fan that Lord Zhao wrote for Uncle Gu before."

Zhao Shilang took it and looked at it. Although it was very dark in the prison, he was used to the brightness and quickly recognized that it was indeed his own handwriting.

Chen Qing spoke up, "Lord Zhao, can you trust me now?"

Vice Minister Zhao handed over the fan, shook his head, and said, "The Garrison Command is all-powerful; what can't be faked?"

Chen Qing smiled.

"Lord Zhao is indeed cautious."

He paused, turned to look behind him, then suppressed his smile and lowered his voice, saying, "I still have official duties to perform, so it's inconvenient for me to stay here any longer. I'll explain to Lord Zhao later. I came today only to ask Lord Zhao a few questions on behalf of Uncle Gu."

Zhao Shilang tidied his hair, which was now as messy as a wild man's, and continued to look at Chen Qing.

"You ask first and let me hear it."

Chen Qing nodded and said softly, "Uncle Gu wants to ask if there is any possibility that Lord Zhao can get out, and if so, what needs to be done by him?"

"If it's unlikely that Lord Zhao will be able to leave, what can Uncle Gu do for him while he's out there?"

"Again."

Chen Qing looked at him and said, "Uncle Gu doesn't know what exactly happened in the court more than three years ago, so he also wants to know what should be done about Lord Zhao's family?"

Perhaps because he hadn't had much contact with people for three or four years, or perhaps because Chen Qing asked too quickly, Vice Minister Zhao remained silent for a long time before looking at Chen Qing.

By now, he was starting to believe Chen Qing to some extent.

"Gu Shao, have you arrived in the capital?"

"I came here more than half a year ago, but I've been like a headless fly, unable to find a way in."

Vice Minister Zhao looked at Chen Qing, his expression suddenly turning serious: "Are you from the Zhenfu Division?"

Chen Qing thought for a moment and nodded, "It is now."

Zhao Shilang's gaze sharpened: "Gu Shao wouldn't have married Xiao Pan'er to you just so you could come to see me in his place, would he?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing was speechless: "Lord Zhao, do I really look completely unsuitable for Pan'er?"

Vice Minister Zhao raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Chen Qing looked at him, stood up and sighed: "I know some things are hard to say. I'm already on the list of the Zhenfu Division, so Lord Zhao doesn't need to answer me right away. You can think about it for a few days, and I'll come back to hear your reply in a few days."

Vice Minister Zhao sighed and asked, "How are my family members?"

"do not know."

Chen Qing shook his head and answered decisively: "Previously, Lord Zhao was a wanted criminal, and his family was not easily seen. Neither Uncle Gu nor I were able to see them. However, it will be much easier for me to see them in the future. In a few days, after I finish what I'm doing, I can go and see them for Lord Zhao."

"Ah."

After a moment of silence, Minister Zhao said, "I have no intention of going out."

"If you can, please help take care of my family."

Hearing his words confirmed Chen Qing's suspicions.

This Lord Zhao said that he "does not intend to go out," meaning that if he wanted to go out, it was still possible for him to do so.

Furthermore, the emperor had specifically instructed that he be kept here but not allowed to die here, which suggests that the emperor did not want to kill him, and may never have even considered killing him.

That leaves only one possibility.

These two people... are probably arguing about things like principles, concepts, etc., which are not specific matters.

The emperor might have been waiting for this old man to back down and bow his head. These matters are somewhat sensitive, so after hearing his words, Chen Qing stood up and said, "I understand. I'll come see Lord Zhao again another day."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Does Lord Zhao have any favorite foods? I'll bring them to you in a few days."

Zhao Shilang shook his head and said, "They won't let me have a good time here. You don't need to worry about it, lest you cause yourself trouble."

At this point, he looked at Chen Qing again and grumbled, "You kid, you don't look like an honest man."

"You must not bully Xiao Pan'er from now on."

Just as Chen Qing was about to speak, Lord Zhao turned his back and said his last words: "Tell Gu Shao for me that he is kind and I appreciate his kindness."

"I will repay him in my next life."

After saying that, he turned around, facing away from Chen Qing, and didn't say another word.

Chen Qingzhen wanted to say something, but Yan Cong was already walking quickly over from not far away. Chen Qingzhen knew that it was almost time, so she bent down, walked out of the cell, and locked the door.

He had just locked the door when Yan Cong approached and whispered, "Brother Zizheng, the Crown Prince has come to the Zhenfu Division and is looking for you."

Chen Qing nodded, handed the key back to Yan Cong, and said with a smile, "Thank you, I'll go see the young master now."

He strode towards the outside of the Zhenfu Division prison, while Yan Cong stayed where he was, glanced at Zhao Shilang who had turned away, and then followed Chen Qing in a few steps.

After they both left, Zhao Shilang, who had turned his back to them, turned around, looked outside, stared blankly for a moment, and then turned back to continue facing the wall.

…………

Inside the Zhenfu Division, Chen Qing strode forward to greet the chubby boy, smiling as he said, "Young Master, what brings you to the Zhenfu Division?"

"What words."

The chubby boy glared at Chen Qing and said in a low voice, "I am now the deputy commander of the Yiluan Division. I am in charge of wiping out the White Lotus Sect this time. How could I not come?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing simply smiled and did not respond.

Everyone knows that this nobleman is just a figurehead; no one expects him to do anything substantial.

Seeing Chen Qing's expression, the chubby boy sighed. He got up, pulled Chen Qing aside, and lowered his voice: "I went to the palace this afternoon. His Majesty asked me to write a memorial in my own hand, to write clearly and plainly about the suppression of the White Lotus Sect."

"He also told me that if any ministers asked me about what happened, I should be able to answer fluently."

Chen Qing thought for a moment and said, "That's easy. Lord Yan should also submit a memorial. We can just have Lord Yan write a copy for the heir."

“I have met Yan Hu. He meant that this time it was mainly due to the efforts of you and me, and he dared not take credit for it.”

At this point, the chubby boy pointed at Chen Qing, then at himself: "What I mean is, this matter mainly involves the two of us."

This nobleman, somewhat indignant, said, "Those pedantic scholars wield considerable power; even the emperor's personal guard, like Yan Hu, cowers in fear!"

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said, "I don't think Commander Yan is necessarily afraid of those civil officials."

Prince Jiang looked up at Chen Qing with a questioning expression.

Chen Qing looked around and whispered, "The problem is that he's unsure whether His Majesty can stick to his position and for how long."

The emperor has been ruling in his own right for more than three years, and he is now clearly on the path to seizing power. Having members of the imperial clan serve in his household is the first step the emperor takes to protect himself.

However, there has been no precedent for members of the royal family to serve in official positions for over a hundred years.

If Yan Hu and the chubby boy get too involved, and the emperor changes his mind a year or two later, a single document could send the chubby boy back to Bianzhou to be his own heir.

What can be done about Yan Hu?
Those civil officials might want to find someone to take charge, to make an example of them, and thus completely cut off the possibility of members of the imperial family serving in government positions in the future.

The chubby boy stroked his chin, then looked at Chen Qing and clicked his tongue: "Well done, Chen Qing, you're really smart."

He patted Chen Qing on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Since they're afraid of trouble, let's not go with them. Here's what we'll do: you write the memorial, and draft one for me as well. We'll submit them together later!"

"Also, tell me in detail what exactly happened these past few days, so that I won't be unable to answer when those old men ask."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I can help the young master draft his memorial, but I'll have Lord Yan submit my own memorial to me."

"Whatever you want, whatever you want, none of this matters!"

The chubby boy waved his hand dismissively.

"The important thing is that I can get away with this!"

(End of this chapter)