Chapter Sixteen: The Old Witch’s Schemes

After listening to Gongsun Ce, Zhu Hao understood the meaning behind his words—it was because Gongsun Ce had witnessed the sorrow of his parents. But wasn’t he himself heartbroken as well? Just moments ago, seeing his father’s desolate expression and his mother collapsing in grief, his own anguish was no less bitter. Strictly speaking, there was no blood relation between them, yet after so many days together, Zhu Hao had truly felt the sincere affection and love that Consort Liu and Zhu Changluo had for him. Unknowingly, he had blended into this world, into this different family. He didn’t even realize when he had begun to treat them as his real parents.

He let out a faint sigh, looked at Gongsun Ce, and said, “Gongsun, how could I not know that things cannot go on like this for long? Seeing Father and Mother so pained just now, I’m afraid even if I manage to escape the Empress’s persecution, my parents will fall ill from worry for me. That would be a loss far outweighing the gain! But right now, I truly have no better plan.”

Gongsun Ce, moved by his words, replied, “Your Highness’s filial heart is deeply moving. I believe Heaven will surely protect you! My main concern now is to quickly get to the bottom of the fire in the palace, and perhaps by doing so, we can help Your Highness out of this predicament.”

Zhu Hao nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Gongsun. In that case, we mustn’t delay. Let’s go! By now, the whole palace likely believes I’ve gone mad. If I accompany you, perhaps this ‘madman’ may even provide unexpected help in your investigation!”

Indeed, what Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce had conspired that morning was exactly this—a performance that would allow Zhu Hao to accompany Gongsun Ce in his investigation. In reality, Gongsun Ce could have handled the matter alone, and Zhu Hao’s presence made little difference. However, Zhu Changluo, having tasked Gongsun Ce with investigating the cause of the palace fire, had overlooked a crucial detail when Zhu Hao suddenly fell ill. Gongsun Ce was only Zhu Hao’s tutor; without a special edict, he could not move freely about the palace. Zhu Changluo had forgotten to grant him this privilege. Unless Zhu Hao left his chambers, Gongsun Ce would not be able to investigate at all.

But to outsiders, Zhu Hao was supposed to be bedridden and unconscious; how could he walk out of his own quarters? He and Gongsun Ce had spent the morning devising the plan for Zhu Hao to feign madness—this way, he could continue to pretend illness to avoid the Empress’s retaliation, and at the same time leave his chambers, giving Gongsun Ce the opportunity to investigate.

As Zhu Hao followed Gongsun Ce out of the royal quarters, he no longer played the role of the irascible Third Prince Nezha, but instead greeted everyone he met with a foolish grin and repeated the same lines he had uttered that morning: “Mother, where are you? Where am I? What is this place? Who am I?” Seeing his deranged state, everyone avoided him with fear and would not approach.

The two quickly arrived at Kunning Palace. Since Gongsun Ce was investigating the palace fire by imperial order, everyone in the palace was aware of it. Moreover, with the mad Fifth Prince in tow, they encountered no obstacles along the way, and once more Zhu Hao stood at the scene of the fire.

But the sight before him shocked Zhu Hao. The ruined annex was spotless—not a trace of ash, nor any sign of a burnt frame. The place where the fire had raged was now an empty expanse, as if the annex had never existed at all.

Such utter disappearance, as if teleported away, left Zhu Hao astonished. He exchanged a look with Gongsun Ce, and both saw the same confusion in each other’s eyes.

As Zhu Hao was playing the madman and could not speak coherently, Gongsun Ce stepped forward and asked the palace maid who had led them to the site, “Is this really the scene of the fire? How is it that not even a speck of ash remains? Was the fire so thorough as to leave nothing at all?”

The maid, who appeared to be about sixteen, couldn’t help but laugh at his question. “You jest, sir! No fire could burn so cleanly. Her Ladyship ordered that all unburnt timber be sent to the Imperial Kitchen as firewood, and we maids spent hours scrubbing the ground spotless.”

Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce had already suspected the Empress Guo would destroy evidence at the scene, but they had not expected her to be so thorough. Unwilling to let go, Gongsun Ce pressed further, “When was the unburnt wood sent to the kitchens?”

The maid, with no guile in her, answered directly, “This afternoon.”

Gongsun Ce nodded. “In that case, we’ll take our leave and not disturb Her Ladyship further.” With that, he prepared to depart with Zhu Hao.

At that moment, a voice interrupted them: “Well, isn’t this the Fifth Prince? I heard you fell ill after leaving Kunning Palace yesterday, and I have been so concerned! I wanted to visit myself, but as I am currently confined by His Majesty’s orders, I cannot leave. Since you are here, there’s no need to rush off—let me properly inquire after your health.”

As she spoke, she signaled to several attendants, who immediately stepped forward to block their path.

With their way barred, Gongsun Ce, as only a prince’s tutor, dared not confront the Empress or act rashly. But Zhu Hao was different—everyone knew he was mad.

Zhu Hao immediately leapt up and shouted, “I am Nezha, the Third Prince! Today I shall exterminate you demons!” With that, he lunged at the palace maids and eunuchs blocking the way.

The Empress Guo, standing at the entrance to the main hall, gave a cold snort and waved her sleeve. The maids and eunuchs rushed forward and subdued Zhu Hao in an instant. However fiercely he acted, he was still only an eleven- or twelve-year-old child; so many hands easily pinned him to the ground, rendering him motionless.

Unable to bear it, Gongsun Ce saluted the Empress and pleaded, “Your Ladyship, the Fifth Prince is, after all, His Majesty’s son and a master in this palace. For so many servants to hold him down is improper and diminishes your grace.”

The Empress sneered, “I saw the prince having a fit and ordered these servants to restrain him so he wouldn’t hurt others and disgrace His Majesty’s virtue. What’s wrong with that? Even if it damages my reputation, I am willing for His Majesty’s sake!”

Pinned to the ground, Zhu Hao could only curse the Empress in his heart. He had hoped to avoid her vengeance by feigning madness, only for her to use his act as an excuse for her lackeys to humiliate him. He vowed that he would never forgive this grievance.

Helpless, he could only fume inwardly, while Gongsun Ce, understanding the situation, spoke again: “Your Ladyship, I am under imperial orders to investigate the fire and am engaged in official business. Please allow us to proceed.”

The Empress nodded. “I know you are carrying out His Majesty’s command, and I will not hinder your duty. To make your task easier, I shall send my personal maid, Chuntao, to accompany you wherever you wish to go. As for the Fifth Prince, I merely intend to keep him here for a while to inquire after his condition.”

Her meaning was clear: Gongsun Ce could leave, but Zhu Hao must stay behind. She had even cut off his next possible excuse—since he was only the prince’s tutor and could not leave the palace freely, she would send her maid to accompany him, so he would have access anywhere.

Gongsun Ce was left without words. He glanced at Zhu Hao, who gave him a slight nod—their understanding was instant. Gongsun Ce bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Ladyship. When I return from my investigation, I shall collect the Fifth Prince. I hope you will not refuse me then, or I will have nothing to report to His Majesty.”

The Empress, clearly displeased by this remark, snorted, “Did I not make myself clear? I only wish to keep the prince here for two or three hours to look after him. When you return, you may take him back. If you do not trust me, you may remain in Kunning Palace yourself.”

Gongsun Ce quickly bowed again, “In that case, I thank Your Ladyship on behalf of the prince. I take my leave.”

Satisfied, the Empress turned to a maid of about twenty and instructed, “Chuntao, accompany Gongsun Ce and remember—your task is only to accompany him, speak as little as possible, and do not interfere in his investigation!”

Chuntao curtsied and followed Gongsun Ce out of Kunning Palace.

Pinned to the ground, Zhu Hao could only sigh inwardly: “I really underestimated this old witch. She has struck three birds with one stone. No matter what Gongsun Ce chooses, she comes out ahead. If he stays in Kunning Palace, by the time supper is over, the remaining firewood will have been burned away. If he leaves, Chuntao will be there to sabotage him, just as the old witch hinted. Everything she said was the opposite of her true intent. Most importantly, she has kept me here, so she can test whether I am truly ill or only pretending. If she uncovers my act, I won’t even need to fear her retaliation—my own father will not spare me. The next two or three hours will not be easy. I only hope Gongsun Ce can find evidence quickly, or my sacrifice will have been too great this time.”