Chapter Twenty-One: Gongsun Solves the Case

Just as Zhu Hao was feeling a bit pleased with himself, he suddenly remembered something important—he was still pretending to be withdrawn and uncommunicative. When he had met Xie Gang earlier, his eagerness to win him over had made him forget to keep up the act. If word of this got out, it could stir unnecessary trouble. With this in mind, Zhu Hao immediately ordered Wei Xiaobao to hurry after Xie Gang and tell him not to mention to anyone that he had met with Zhu Hao that day.

Wei Xiaobao received his orders and left Zhu Hao’s chambers. Only then did Zhu Hao breathe a little easier. Looking out at the sky, already brightening outside, he knew that, tired as he was, sleep was now out of the question. He could be sure that his father and mother would soon come to see him. If he were found sound asleep, the imperial physicians would surely be summoned to fuss over him once more.

So, Zhu Hao forced himself to sit upright at the edge of his bed, resisting the urge to lie down for fear that he would fall asleep and not wake for some time.

As expected, about half an hour later, Zhu Changluo and Consort Liu arrived at Zhu Hao’s bedchamber. Zhu Hao looked at his mother’s eyes, still swollen from weeping, and felt a sharp pang in his heart. His father’s face was haggard as well; clearly, neither of them had rested any better than he had the night before.

Once inside, Zhu Changluo approached Zhu Hao, scrutinizing him from all sides and asking, “Youjian, I heard there was an assassination attempt on you last night? Where were you hurt? Tell your father!”

Zhu Hao shook his head. “I’m fine, Father. You needn’t worry.” Seeing that Zhu Hao’s gaze was still blank and unfocused, Zhu Changluo ground his teeth and said, “That venomous woman! I haven’t even settled accounts with her, and she dares lay hands on you. I won’t wait another moment!”

With that, he ordered the eunuch behind him, “Bring my sedan chair here at once. I’ll take the Fifth Prince with me to Kunning Palace right now!”

He strode from the room in a fury, but at the door he suddenly remembered something. “And have Gongsun Ce come as well!” With those words, he left.

Ordinary princes such as Zhu Hao had no right to ride in the imperial sedan within the palace. Yet Zhu Changluo now permitted Zhu Hao to use it, showing the depth of his concern.

A great entourage set out for Kunning Palace. Zhu Changluo led the way, and when they reached the palace gates, he didn’t wait for an announcement but strode up and kicked the closed doors. This only vented a portion of his fury; the doors did not open, bolted from within. Rather than have someone knock, he commanded the guards, “Break down the doors!”

For the Emperor to order the doors of the Empress’s palace broken open was an extraordinary humiliation for her. It also showed just how furious Zhu Changluo was on Zhu Hao’s behalf.

The guards dared not defy him. With a few shouts, it took only two tries to break the bolt, and the doors swung open. Inside, the palace maidservants and eunuchs all prostrated themselves, not daring to make a sound, not even to greet the Emperor. Everyone knew he was here for retribution, and none dared draw attention to themselves for fear of incurring his wrath.

Zhu Changluo ignored these small fry and went straight to the main hall. He kicked open the door and entered, with Zhu Hao following. They found Empress Guo sitting straight-backed and composed on the throne, utterly unruffled, her demeanor calm and serene.

Zhu Hao felt a sense of unease. Did this woman have some hidden card to play? Even with her powerful family behind her, no one would dare speak on her behalf after such a crime. What, then, was her confidence based on? Zhu Hao could not fathom it.

At that moment, Empress Guo rose, bowed to Zhu Changluo, and said, “Your Majesty, may you enjoy everlasting health.” Without waiting for his response, she sat back down, as if wholly unconcerned with his anger.

Zhu Changluo, enraged, laughed coldly. “Excellent—just what one would expect from Prime Minister Guo’s daughter. I see I underestimated you!”

Empress Guo gave a scornful little laugh. “When has Your Majesty ever looked at me properly? What’s this talk of underestimation? If you’ve come to my palace, Your Majesty, why not state your business outright instead of pretending at conjugal affection that never existed?”

Zhu Changluo had not expected her to speak so brazenly, without a shred of courtesy or restraint. His face darkened with rage. “Very well, very well. Let’s have everything out in the open, one matter at a time, so you have nothing to dispute!”

He shouted, “Where is Gongsun Ce?”

Gongsun Ce stepped forward. “I am here, Your Majesty.”

Zhu Changluo’s face was grim. “In front of the Empress, tell us the truth of the palace fire you investigated.”

Gongsun Ce bowed. “The great fire in the palace was no accident; it was arson, and the one who ordered it was Her Majesty the Empress.”

Empress Guo scoffed. “Utter nonsense! You say I ordered the fire—why would I? The East Hall houses the Crown Prince, my own child!” She turned to Zhu Changluo. “If you wish to punish me, Your Majesty, at least find a plausible reason. Such wild accusations will convince no one, even if you do have me punished.”

Gongsun Ce bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty need not be so anxious. Since I claim you ordered the fire, I do have evidence.”

He carefully took out a cloth-wrapped object and unfolded it, revealing a piece of charred wood. “This is my proof. This comes from the wood of the side hall that was not yet consumed in the fire.”

Empress Guo’s expression was scornful. “How absurd! You expect me to believe that a piece of burnt wood proves I ordered the fire? Who was foolish enough to employ you as a tutor? Did reading with an idiot make you one yourself?”

Zhu Hao cursed inwardly, “This old witch, still mocking me at a time like this. I’ll see her torn limb from limb today!”

While Zhu Hao could only curse in silence, Zhu Changluo’s anger was unrestrained. He snarled, “Vicious woman! My child’s present condition is thanks to you! You dare to bluster still? Do you think my blade too dull to reach you?”

Empress Guo sneered. “If Your Majesty wishes to kill me without cause, why waste time on this rambling tutor?”

Zhu Changluo was so furious he could only point at her, speechless. Gongsun Ce quickly interceded, “Your Majesty, please calm yourself and allow me to explain.”

Zhu Hao tugged Zhu Changluo’s sleeve, and this small gesture was enough to soothe his father’s anger.

Gongsun Ce continued, “This is no ordinary piece of charcoal, but a crucial piece of evidence. It is wood from the side hall, not yet fully burned during the fire.”

At this, Zhu Hao noticed Empress Guo’s complexion change. She shot a venomous glare at her maid, Spring Peach, clearly blaming her for failing to dispose of the evidence while accompanying Gongsun Ce. Spring Peach, bewildered, looked back at the Empress, evidently unaware of when Gongsun Ce had obtained the evidence.

Gongsun Ce observed all this and said, “Your Majesty need not blame Spring Peach. Your loyal maid did her utmost. When I followed your maids to the imperial kitchen to collect evidence, unfamiliar as I am with the palace, Spring Peach led me on a long detour. Only after evening meal preparations began did we reach the kitchen. I asked the steward, who said all the unburned wood from your palace had been taken and used for cooking. Seizing the chance, I slipped away from Spring Peach and found this half-burned piece of wood in the ashes. This is the very piece I now hold.”

Zhu Changluo snorted, “Obstructing an imperial investigation—I'll deal with you later, you wretched servant!”

Empress Guo, though now uneasy, tried to maintain her composure. “Even if all you say is true, even if this wood comes from the fire, what does it prove? That I ordered the arson?”

Gongsun Ce shook his head. “Of course not. But if you smell this piece of wood, you’ll notice it is different from ordinary firewood.”

He offered the charcoal around, finally handing it to Zhu Changluo.

Zhu Changluo sniffed it lightly. “Let the Empress smell it as well, so she can't claim I’m just playing along with your act.”