Chapter Eleven: The Chancellor’s Visit

Glancing over the surrounding servants, Zhou Hao sneered coldly.

Looking at their palms, not a single one bore a callus.

Can these really be servants?

Surely some of them must be spies sent in.

The Queen’s, the Third Prince’s, and even those so-called “brothers” of his—

It was likely that the number of spies far exceeded that of genuine servants.

But driving them out now wouldn’t solve the problem.

Keeping these spies around would allow him to feed them false information.

There was no need to clean house completely.

Zhou Hao stepped into the main hall and casually leaned against the seat of honor, fixing his gaze on the trembling eunuch.

“Speak. What is your purpose?”

The eunuch immediately knelt, not daring to raise his head.

“Your Highness, I have no ulterior motive. I am merely ostracized within the palace and seek a position here with you.”

Ostracized?

That made sense, but with just that, Zhou Hao wasn’t convinced.

“Is that all?”

The eunuch knew well that if he didn’t prove his worth, the Crown Prince had no reason to keep him.

“Your Highness, you may not know, but the Queen plans to exact revenge on you. Tomorrow night, she intends to send an assassin to drug you and then...”

The eunuch faltered, unwilling to speak further.

“Speak boldly. Whatever it is, say it.”

“The Queen intends to remove your kneecaps so that you will be confined to a chair for life.”

Zhou Hao sneered coldly, fully understanding that the Queen was capable of such cruelty.

If his kneecaps were taken, he wouldn’t even be able to stand in battle.

Which emperor would be a cripple?

She was trying to sever all hope of his becoming Crown Prince.

Ruthless, yes, but unnecessary.

Still, if he wasn’t prepared, it would be easy to fall into her trap.

“You understand, your position close to the Queen must be significant. Why turn to me?”

Zhou Hao’s gaze was icy as he looked at the eunuch.

“You don’t know, but I’m the scapegoat for this scheme.”

“When your kneecaps are gone, the Queen will push me forward, accusing me of harboring long-standing grudges and hiring the assassin to kill the Crown Prince.”

“By then, I would neither be able to live nor die peacefully. It’s better to seek refuge with you while I can.”

Zhou Hao nodded, acknowledging the eunuch’s words.

But trust him completely? Impossible.

At least he would wait to see if the assassin arrived tomorrow night.

“Very well. What is your name?”

“My lord, I am called Little Zhang.”

Little Zhang hung his head low, avoiding Zhou Hao’s gaze.

“Fine. When I set out for my fiefdom, I will bring you along. But for now, you must return to the palace.”

“If the Queen makes any moves, you must report to me at once.”

Receiving this promise, a smile blossomed on Little Zhang’s face as he backed out of the hall.

Leaving Zhou Hao alone.

Regardless of the truth of Little Zhang’s claims, it was certain the Queen bore him ill will and sought revenge.

But hiring an assassin so clumsily was almost too amateurish.

It certainly seemed like something the Queen would do.

Zhou Hao clapped his hands, and a maid stepped out from the courtyard.

“Your Highness, do you require anything?”

Just a glance at her palms and Zhou Hao immediately knew she was a spy.

Entering right after the clap, she must have been eavesdropping nearby.

He didn’t know which faction had planted her, but such carelessness was unprofessional.

“Nothing, just thirsty. Brew some tea and bring it in.”

The maid obeyed and left.

Though numerous spies were scattered throughout the mansion, at least it was far more comfortable than residing in the Third Prince’s residence.

Still, some servants would have to be purged.

Those who clearly were not servants had to be cast out.

Only then would the intelligence from the remaining spies be credible.

Unfortunately... only the Grand General in the imperial city was trustworthy.

Asking him to arrange servants would be unreasonable.

Zhou Hao sighed deeply; without loyal men, he had to handle everything personally—it was truly troublesome.

Before he could rest, the servants’ voices rang out.

“The Chancellor has arrived.”

The Chancellor?

What was he doing here?

Zhou Hao’s mind was full of questions as he looked up to see the Chancellor striding confidently into the hall.

Upon seeing Zhou Hao, the Chancellor bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Crown Prince.”

“Please rise, Chancellor. Whether I am recognized by the Emperor is still uncertain; you needn’t be so formal.”

The Chancellor maintained his solemn demeanor.

“Does your Highness believe that without the Emperor’s recognition you are not the Crown Prince?”

“Your Highness, the current Emperor has indeed troubled you.”

Hearing this, Zhou Hao showed no change in expression, silently watching the Chancellor.

He trusted the Grand General because the general had become his father-in-law.

Moreover, the general’s words were always sincere.

But the Chancellor...

Though he aided him at court, how much of it was truly for Zhou Hao’s benefit remained unknown.

“What brings the Chancellor here?”

The Chancellor pondered briefly, speaking softly.

“I have come to urge Your Highness to abandon prejudice against the current Emperor.”

At these words, Zhou Hao’s expression turned puzzled.

Had the Chancellor grown senile?

How could he say such nonsense?

It was not that he wronged the Son of Heaven, but that the Son of Heaven wronged him!

“I know these words are improper, but if you leave the palace, at least pretend to play the game.”

“Your Highness wishes to escape the palace’s intrigues, I understand. But if you do not yield, the Emperor will certainly set traps for you.”

Zhou Hao chuckled lightly.

“Chancellor, do you think I haven’t already been tripped up enough?”

“If that’s all you came to say, then I shall take my leave.”

Such empty words were beneath Zhou Hao’s attention.

Who couldn’t speak flattery?

And to follow him home to say it was even more ridiculous.

“Ah, Your Highness, no need to be so cold. I too have grievances against the Emperor, but you must build a team in the palace, yes?”

“You are surrounded by enemies in the palace. Without a few people you can truly trust, everything you do will be twice the effort for half the result.”

“Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to achieve greatness even in your fief.”

As the Chancellor spoke, Zhou Hao’s face grew colder.

There was an ulterior meaning in his words.

“Speak plainly. There’s no need for us to beat around the bush.”

“I wish to send my son to serve under your command. What do you think?”

Finally, the Chancellor revealed his intention.

“Hm? What do you mean?”

First the Grand General, now the Chancellor—was Zhou Hao so unwelcome?

The two heads of military and civil government both seemed to lack faith in the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, why say that? I am a subject of the Great Zhou, not merely of the Crown Prince.”

“It would be a blessing for my son to serve by your side.”

The Chancellor smiled as he drew a letter from his sleeve.

“You may read this letter first, then decide.”