Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Vanishing Confession

As Zhu Hao unfolded the sheet, the entire assembly erupted in astonishment. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face. But soon, noticing the skeptical gazes fixed upon him, he sensed something was amiss. Doubt crept into his heart: "Could there be an issue with this confession? Surely not—I examined it carefully at the time; there’s absolutely no chance of a mistake!" Confused, Zhu Hao slowly turned the paper over. The moment he did, he involuntarily gasped, the shock sending beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. The cause was plain: he saw that the paper he held was utterly blank—not a single word upon it.

This confession had never left Zhu Hao’s side since it came into his possession. He could not believe anyone could have switched it without his knowledge. If it was not swapped, there could only be one explanation: there was something wrong with it from the very beginning, during its writing. With this realization, he turned angrily to Fang Congzhe and demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"

Fang Congzhe had no intention of responding to Zhu Hao, but hearing the fury in his voice, he muttered in a barely audible tone, "This concerns my life, Your Highness; I must be cautious. I beg your forgiveness!"

Hearing Fang Congzhe’s near admission, Zhu Hao finally understood. He thought bitterly to himself, "I am still too young; I’ve been played by this old fox!"

Seeing Zhu Hao powerless against Fang Congzhe, Dowager Consort Zheng arrogantly addressed him, "Well, Fifth Prince, have you anything more to say?"

When Zhu Hao remained silent, Dowager Consort Zheng sneered, "Guards, take away this rebellious child who forged the late Emperor’s edict. Hold him until the new Emperor ascends the throne, then administer judgment!"

Hearing her intent to seize control, Zhu Hao knew that if he did not resist, the world would truly be thrown into chaos. With this in mind, he shouted angrily, "Hold!"

Dowager Consort Zheng regarded his interruption with contempt, "What? Fifth Prince, do you still have something to say?" She was confident; certain Zhu Hao lacked any further evidence to prove his innocence.

Indeed, Zhu Hao could offer no proof at the moment, but he still commanded five thousand imperial guards—the entire military force within the palace was under his control.

Dowager Consort Zheng had considered Zhu Hao’s command of the guards, but viewed him as a mere child; even with great courage, she believed he would never dare incite a coup. Thus, she boldly appeared before the Gate of Supreme Harmony, attempting to use the ministers’ power to coerce Zhu Hao into surrender.

Yet she misjudged Zhu Hao. As a traveler from another world, he put no faith in the moral codes of this era, nor was he bound by Confucian dogma. He believed only in one principle: might makes right.

Zhu Hao looked coldly at Dowager Consort Zheng and sneered, "Dowager Consort, you have it backwards. It should be I who asks if you have anything left to say. Have you forgotten that I command five thousand imperial guards?"

Hearing Zhu Hao cite his military strength, Dowager Consort Zheng retreated half a step, her voice fierce but her heart trembling, "What do you intend? Are you planning a coup?"

---

Zhu Hao shook his head and replied, "A coup? Treason? No, no, no; I never had such intentions. However..." He drew out the last word, then roared, "However, you wicked woman have violated the ancestral decree: 'No interference of the harem in state affairs!' I shall detain you for this violation and await the new Emperor’s ascension for further judgment!"

With a shout, he declared, "Imperial guards, attend!"

On such an important occasion, Xie Gang, commander of the imperial guards, was personally stationed at the Gate of Supreme Harmony. Hearing Zhu Hao’s voice, he stepped forward, "Your Highness, Commander Xie Gang reports!"

Zhu Hao regarded Xie Gang, his earlier unease somewhat eased. He spoke slowly and emphatically, "Dowager Consort Zheng, during the mourning for the late Emperor, has openly defied the ancestral decree: 'No interference of the harem in state affairs!' She has spread false edicts to confuse the officials, incited unrest, and disrupted the court. I order you to detain Dowager Consort Zheng immediately, and await the new Emperor’s ascension for judgment!"

Without a trace of doubt, Xie Gang responded, "I obey!" Pointing to Dowager Consort Zheng, he shouted, "Men, take her away!"

No sooner had Xie Gang spoken than two guards seized Dowager Consort Zheng. Seeing herself subdued yet again by this boy, she shouted in frustration, "How dare you! I am the favored consort of the Wanli Emperor! You cannot treat me this way! I swear you will regret this!"

No matter her protests, no one paid her heed—not even the ministers dared speak for her. Fang Congzhe, her ally, dearly wished to intervene, but knowing he too was targeted by Zhu Hao, he dared not utter a word, fearing he would be executed on the spot for the confession fiasco. Thus, Dowager Consort Zheng was dragged away like a dead dog by the guards.

The ministers had no desire to defend Dowager Consort Zheng. Their dislike stemmed from the chaos of the Wanli reign, where the Emperor’s favor for her sparked a succession crisis, leading to his prolonged absence from court, rampant injustice, and general misery throughout the land. All who served during the Wanli era regarded her with contempt.

Additionally, the ministers feared Zhu Hao. Despite his youth, the infamous incident at the royal hunting grounds—where he shot the Minister of Works, Cui Shi—had made his reputation legendary. Every official knew that the Fifth Prince was ruthless; he had slain the leader of the Donglin faction without hesitation.

For these reasons, even those inclined to speak dared not, lest they become his next victims.

Zhu Hao, seeing the ministers silent, continued, "Gentlemen, it is customary for filial sons to mourn for three years. As subjects of the late Emperor, you should follow this tradition. Yet, three years is too long, as the court still has urgent matters. Therefore, you shall mourn the Emperor here for three days; do not leave the palace. The guards will seal the gates shortly."

The officials knelt, grumbling inwardly, "This isn't mourning—it's house arrest! The Fifth Prince truly means to rebel!" Yet, remembering Zhu Hao’s bloody reputation, none dared voice their anger.

---

Seeing the assembly remain silent, Zhu Hao instructed Xie Gang, "Seal the palace gates at once. No one may enter or leave without my command. Anyone who violates this order, regardless of status, shall be executed on the spot!"

He paused, then added, "Also, deploy two thousand guards at the Gate of Supreme Harmony to protect the ministers!"

The ministers sighed inwardly, "We are truly imprisoned now. The Fifth Prince fears nothing!"

Xie Gang promptly relayed Zhu Hao’s orders and respectfully asked, "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

Zhu Hao considered for a moment, then continued, "Send another squad of guards to accompany Wei Xiaobao in searching for the Crown Prince." As he spoke, he seemed to remember something. Pointing at Fang Congzhe, he said to Xie Gang, "Fang, the chief minister, is the head of the cabinet. Personally attend to him—take good 'care' of him! No mistakes!"

Zie Gang understood the implication perfectly. He chuckled darkly, "Rest assured, Your Highness. I will personally see to the chief minister’s 'care'!" His emphasis on the word echoed Zhu Hao’s intent.

Satisfied, Zhu Hao nodded, then departed for his own chambers. Walking, he pondered the confession Fang had given him. "What is going on? I clearly saw writing on it, yet now it is perfectly blank. How bizarre!"

Perplexed, he once again drew out the confession and examined it carefully, turning it over and over, but found not a trace of writing, as if the paper had never been inscribed. Unable to comprehend such a mystery, Zhu Hao finally set aside his investigation, carefully folding the confession and placing it in his bosom. He was certain it held some secret. Though he did not yet know why the writing had vanished, Zhu Hao believed there must be a way to reveal it.