Chapter 42 Follow-up Handling

The next day, at the First Prince's Mansion.

Numerous aristocratic young ladies were seated in the courtyard, somewhat puzzled as to what the First Prince was up to.

"Could that rumor actually be true?"

"Do you really believe it? It's probably just being spread by those who couldn't get their hands on any, wanting us to give up ours."

"Who's to say otherwise? So many storytellers are using the exact same excuse. Do you find that believable?"

The ladies gathered in small groups, their eyes filled with lingering doubts.

Naturally, this opened the floodgates for discussion.

The rumor this time had come on so fiercely that even those who were skeptical felt a twinge of unease in their hearts.

Not to mention, the First Prince had yet to show his face at this critical juncture.

"Ladies, Miss Hu has invited you here today for the sole purpose of debunking those malicious rumors."

Accompanied by these words, Zhou Hao slowly stepped forward.

A trace of doubt flickered in everyone's eyes.

They called them rumors, but where was the proof?

Surely they couldn't just rely on empty words?

"Do you suppose I am here to deny the rumors?"

"No. Since my actions are upright and my conscience is clear, why should I be the one to refute gossip?"

"Tell me, ladies, when has any corpse ever been brought into my First Prince's Mansion? If a body had truly entered my estate, it would have been seen by others long ago. Why would anyone need to resort to storytellers to spread tales?"

"Submitting a memorial to His Majesty asking for punishment would hardly be a difficult task for me."

At this point, Zhou Hao paused, his expression casual and relaxed.

"However, to offer no response at all would show a lack of backbone. Since the rumor claims that using Huazhijie causes skin to ulcerate, I shall use it myself."

With that, several servants brought out a basin of water along with jars of Huazhijie.

Right under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Zhou Hao not only used Huazhijie to wash his face and hands, but thoroughly scrubbed his forearms as well.

"If your skin were to ulcerate, mine would do the same. Do you ladies still believe these rumors are true?"

No matter what, the First Prince's status was vastly superior to these young women.

Since the First Prince dared to use his own face and reputation as proof, peace settled into the hearts of those present.

As for Zhou Hao?

He naturally noticed that quite a few people were still hesitating.

Therefore, he immediately dropped another heavy hammer.

"If anyone still does not believe, you may take back your deposits and pretend you never purchased Huazhijie in the first place. How does that sound to you all?"

"It's just that once you take your money back, should you ever wish to buy Huazhijie again in the future, do not blame this prince for showing no mercy."

"As long as anyone else sells you Huazhijie, that person will also lose the right to ever purchase it again."

Zhou Hao's words carried immense weight, naturally causing many of the aristocratic ladies to abandon any thoughts of backing out.

They had already harbored doubts about the rumors to begin with, let alone in the face of Zhou Hao's consecutive pieces of evidence.

Furthermore, the thought of never being able to use Huazhijie in the future was entirely unacceptable to these young women.

How could they possibly bear the thought of a life devoid of Huazhijie?

Even when Zhou Hao had silver brought out, not a single aristocratic lady stepped forward to retrieve her deposit.

"Your Highness, what kind of people do you take us for? Would we lose trust over such a trivial matter?"

"Indeed, Your Highness! Did you truly think we would believe such nonsense?"

"It was kind of you to come and clarify, but going to such lengths was entirely unnecessary."

Many of the aristocratic ladies smiled apologetically as they slowly filed out of the First Prince's Mansion.

Since this matter required no further discussion, their next course of action was clear... they should thoroughly investigate where the rumor had originated in the first place.

Watching the dispersing crowd, Zhou Hao said in a cold voice, "It was either the Third Prince or the Empress behind this. It is time for us to pay them back."

Hearing this, Bi Rushe cast a skeptical look his way.

Without even conducting an investigation, how could Zhou Hao speak with such absolute certainty?

"Miss Bi need not overthink it. The only people who currently hate me like sworn enemies are the Third Prince and the Empress. Although His Majesty the Emperor holds no affection for me, he naturally welcomes a development like this."

Such a treasure existing within the imperial capital naturally delighted the Emperor.

Even if it was created by Zhou Hao, as long as it elevated the prestige of Great Zhou far and wide, the Emperor was willing to swallow his pride and tolerate it.

However, the Third Prince and the Empress were different.

Even if it meant bringing him down, they wanted Zhou Hao thoroughly eliminated.

"Yet both the Third Prince and the Empress are currently confined to their quarters. Seeking revenge won't be easy to handle."

Bi Rushe calculated in her mind, contemplating finding an opportunity to haul the Third Prince out and give him a sound thrashing.

As for the Empress?

The Empress was indeed a difficult puzzle to solve.

Zhou Hao let out a cold laugh.

"Beat him? That would be far too merciful, not to mention I can't even see the Third Prince's face right now, making it impossible to strike him."

"However, I know of a method that will hurt the Third Prince far worse than a physical beating. Come, let us go pay a visit to the Chancellor."

Zhou Hao led Bi Rushe to the Chancellor's residence.

This estate was remarkably unassuming. Despite holding the highest office of Chancellor, his dwelling was less spacious than that of a common junior minister.

"First Prince, and Miss Bi Rushe, what brings the two of you to my humble abode today? Do you have some plan or intention in mind?"

The Chancellor raised his eyes, gesturing for two cups of tea to be placed beside Zhou Hao.

His expression was smiling, as if he were supremely surprised by their arrival.

Zhou Hao spoke in a cold voice, "The Third Prince has quite a few channels under his command generating silver for him, doesn't he?"

"How about handing over a list of those channels to me?"

The Chancellor was stunned for a moment, unable to believe how direct Zhou Hao was being, casually demanding something of that magnitude right to his face.

"First Prince, isn't that asking a bit too much? You come empty-handed and expect to just take these things away?"

"Besides, how could someone like me, the Chancellor, possibly possess such information?"

The Chancellor picked up his teacup, a leisurely look in his eyes.

"Don't sit there pretending you know nothing!"

"You have it in your hands, and I know it. I won't make you give it to me for free, either. Consider this jar of Huazhijie as your compensation."

Although Huazhijie was cheap to manufacture, to the outside world, it was a priceless treasure that thousands of gold pieces could not buy.

To prevent the Chancellor from misunderstanding, Zhou Hao deliberately added, "Rest assured, this is a specially crafted bamboo-scented Huazhijie, free of any floral fragrances."

Upon hearing these words, the Chancellor placed his hand upon the jar and slowly opened it.

A subtle, refreshing scent of bamboo instantly diffused into the air around him.

The Chancellor took a deep breath, a flicker of genuine surprise in his eyes.

"First Prince, could it be that the Third Prince is behind those rumors?"

"Or perhaps the wealthy merchants had a hand in it?"

The wealthy merchants in the capital were all profit-driven opportunists. Seeing such a lucrative business slip through their fingers, they naturally resorted to all sorts of slander.

They were determined not to let the First Prince enjoy his success in peace.

Backed as they were by numerous officials, they had no fear of the First Prince's retaliation.

Initially, the Chancellor had suspected those merchants to be the source of the rumors.