Chapter 10: A Day Trip to the Ministry of Justice Prison

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Seeing the prison guards standing there in a daze, the head guard quickly gave orders.
“Stop overthinking. We’re just small players here; just follow orders.
You, go inform Commander Mao to bring that suitcase and backpack.”
“You, fetch some buckets of water and get some towels—looks like the gentleman wants to freshen up.”
“And you, arrange a meal for the table, priced at two guan per table. Later, claim reimbursement from above, saying Commander Mao requested it.”

The guards sprang into action. Before long, Mao Xiang personally delivered the suitcase and backpack, along with a full set of furniture, bedding, and other daily necessities.

The neighboring prison cell, home to the Nine Clans, grew uneasy again at the sight. The brief silence they had managed to maintain was shattered by their noisy bickering once more.

“Chen Lin, I swear to—”

Chen Lin pressed his ear, then snapped his fingers, pointing toward the other side.

Mao Xiang immediately caught on and snapped his fingers as well. The cell door across was flung open by a group of fierce-looking guards, and then the fighting started!

Heh heh ha hou…

Listening to the screams from across the hall, Chen Lin rummaged through his backpack and suitcase.

“Wait a minute, where’s my phone? And the potatoes, tomatoes, and underwear?”

Mao Xiang leaned in to explain, “A few items, His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to take away for study. Those aren’t important…”

“Here’s some news: the Empress has fainted again. There’s chaos in the palace now. His Majesty and the Crown Prince are both at her side, and no one is managing state affairs.”

“I reckon it won’t be long before you, Immortal Lord, can leave here.”

Chen Lin pulled out a bar of soap from the suitcase and tossed it to Chen Xiaolan, along with the T-shirt and beach shorts he was wearing.

These items had always been packed inside the suitcase; they were brought along before his time travel, even including some leftover individually packaged shampoo from a trip, which he also handed over to Chen Xiaolan.

“Set up a curtain yourself, wash up thoroughly, so you can conveniently serve me when it’s time for bed.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

After arranging for Chen Xiaolan to wash up, Chen Lin looked at Mao Xiang. “So, you mean that old Master Bi from the Zhu family still wants me to save someone?”

“To save them like how you saved the Crown Prince?”

Mao Xiang nodded, then shook his head. “His Majesty is torn over this. After all, your way of saving people is too dangerous. If anything goes wrong midway, then…”

Chen Lin tore open a packet of instant noodles—tomato beef flavor.

“Send over a pot of boiling water and some clean bowls and chopsticks.”

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Mao Xiang quickly ran out to arrange everything. When the boiling water was poured into the bowls, releasing a rich aroma, Chen Lin covered the bowls and finally asked, “What’s His Majesty’s decision?”

Mao Xiang stared fixedly at the two covered bowls of noodles. He knew these were for Chen Lin and his maid; none was for him.

He licked his lips before answering, “His Majesty and the Crown Prince are now interrogating the Crown Prince in detail. They want to confirm that his revival poses no safety risks before making a decision.”

Chen Lin lit a cigarette. “Do you think I should agree to that old Master Bi from Zhu?”

Mao Xiang was a little fed up. He kept calling him “old Master Bi.” If this got back to His Majesty, what kind of trouble would he get into?

But the question had to be answered. After thinking for a moment, Mao Xiang asked, “May I ask, Immortal Lord, is your willingness to die a form of training some kind of technique?”

Chen Lin was stunned. A technique?

Such a wild idea?

But on second thought, his desire to die was so obvious that their suspicion was understandable.

Besides, it was a good excuse. He might as well go along with it and fabricate a lie.

“You’re clever, but some things I can’t reveal. Secrets of heaven must not be leaked, understand?”

Mao Xiang cursed inwardly but nodded fervently on the surface. “Understood, understood. Immortal Lord is a transcendental being—no, an immortal from the heavens—far beyond the reach of mere mortals like me. But His Majesty…”

Chen Lin wasn’t stupid, and he suspected Mao Xiang wasn’t either. This was clearly an attempt to fish for information, a trick from Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

And Mao Xiang was deliberately playing the innocent in front of him. How obvious!

The mighty Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Ming Dynasty’s top secret agent, and this was the best trick he could pull?

“Don’t worry about old Zhu. If he has questions, let him ask me himself. That’s all. You may leave now.”

Mao Xiang was stunned and furious inside.

The proud Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, summoned around to run errands and make connections, and now being ordered to take the backseat?

Who did he think he was? Did he really think he was an immortal?

Damn it, I’m holding it in…

“All right then, I’ll take my leave. I’ll notify you when there’s news.”

Chen Lin didn’t look back at Mao Xiang and waved dismissively, “Remember to lock the door.”

Mao Xiang left. The noodles were almost ready. When Chen Lin lifted the lid, a rich fragrance immediately wafted out, quickly filling the entire cell.

After the guards disciplined the Nine Clans next door, they had quietly watched Chen Lin and the Embroidered Uniform Guard commander converse, shocked to their core. Now, the strong aroma floated over to them.

“This isn’t fair! He’s the one who insulted the Emperor first. Why is he getting special treatment?”

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An old uncle stepped forward, clutching the bars. “Chen Lin, do you have a connection with the commander? You’ll definitely be fine, right? Take Uncle with you too. When you were young, Uncle cared for you the most.”

“Young Master, we know we were wrong. Please have mercy and take me with you when you leave!”

Besides the three uncles, everyone in the neighboring cell, whether kin or servants, begged Chen Lin for rescue.

Chen Lin pressed his ear again, then carried his noodles to the cell front, blowing on them gently to cool.

“If I had known it would come to this, why act the way I did in the beginning?”

Seeing Chen Lin so resolute, the other cell knew he would never help them. Losing hope, they resumed their noisy bickering and insults.

Chen Lin turned his back, slurped the noodles.

Delicious!

Even the guards were drawn by the aroma and ran over.

Chen Lin was generous, tossing out the three remaining noodle packets, sparking a scramble among the guards.

Those who benefited from Chen Lin’s kindness swiftly returned to beat up the Nine Clans again with renewed vigor.

Chen Lin listened to their screams, comfortably eating his noodles, feeling satisfied.

After finishing, he lay down on the bed Mao Xiang had delivered and stretched luxuriously.

At that moment, the head guard brought the prepared meal. Chen Xiaolan had just finished washing, the soap’s fragrance lingering on her, her wet hair draped over her shoulders. She lifted the makeshift curtain and stepped out.

“Young Master, your servant has cleaned up.”

Chen Lin crossed his legs, watching Chen Xiaolan wearing his T-shirt and beach shorts. It was clear she wore nothing underneath.

Because her original clothes were foul-smelling, Chen Xiaolan changed completely to spare her young master the stench, going without underwear.

Chen Lin pointed to the noodles and the meal on the table. “You must be starving. Eat first, and after you’re done, help me massage my temples.”

“Yes, your servant will eat now…”

He lifted the lid.

“Wow, it smells so good!”

“Sniff sniff, it’s delicious, so delicious.”

“Young Master, what kind of noodles are these? How can they be so tasty?”

Chen Lin lay on the bed, staring at the cell’s ceiling. “What’s so great about delicious food? Serve your Young Master well, and you’ll enjoy a life of luxury…”