Chapter 48 An Ambush

The next day, Zhou Hao lazily emerged from the residence of the Eldest Prince only at noon.

“Tsk, I wonder if the Third Prince has really made any preparations.”

With those words, Zhou Hao swung himself onto his horse, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

It was time to collect some interest from the Third Prince.

The silver given yesterday was already starting to bear fruit today.

Before Zhou Hao could even issue a command, the guards had gathered early by his side, ready to begin their deployment.

The guards’ trust in Zhou Hao was natural—not only because he had handed over silver yesterday but also because he was the son-in-law of the Grand General.

These dual factors had elevated the majority of the guards’ trust in him to a remarkably high level.

Now Zhou Hao could proudly say that as long as he gave the order, even if it was to have the guards launch a surprise attack on the Third Prince’s residence, they would carry it out directly.

Let alone just raiding some private iron and salt smugglers.

Leading a group of guards, Zhou Hao boldly headed toward another of the Third Prince’s clandestine channels.

There was no attempt to hide; he sat openly atop his tall steed, asserting his presence.

If not for this show, the Third Prince’s backup plans would have been useless.

Though he appeared exposed, Zhou Hao was closely followed by several guards on horseback, and he himself wore thick cotton armor beneath his clothes.

If anyone attempted an assassination, they would end up dead here.

Upon arriving at the private iron smuggling den, before Zhou Hao could give any orders, the gate suddenly burst open, and several burly men wielding swords and knives charged out.

Their speed was swift, catching the guards off guard for a moment.

However, the confusion was only temporary; the guards quickly regrouped and engaged in fierce combat with the smugglers.

At first, these private iron dealers relied on their reckless attacks to make some impact.

But when the guards launched a decisive charge with disciplined formations, these untrained smugglers scattered like birds and beasts.

Zhou Hao remained mounted, unmoving.

“Arrest these criminals who dared to commit violence within the imperial city and escort them to the Court of Justice. The live ones, too.”

With a single command from Zhou Hao, he prepared to leave.

Without putting pressure on the assassins in this place, they wouldn’t move.

Zhou Hao understood this well.

As he turned his horse, a sharp whistling sound erupted.

A masked assassin, wielding a crossbow, took aim at Zhou Hao’s head and fired.

Fortunately, Zhou Hao was prepared; upon hearing the whistling, he instinctively hugged his horse, narrowly evading the attack.

Immediately, Zhou Hao dismounted, rolled on the ground, and blended into the ranks of the guards.

Even if the assassin tried to continue the attack, they could no longer find Zhou Hao’s figure.

The guards quickly swarmed, capturing the assassins completely.

“Heh, Third Prince, your tricks are still too amateurish and utterly useless.”

Zhou Hao snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve.

The surrounding guards tightly bound the assassins and brought them before Zhou Hao.

“Who sent you?”

As expected, there was no answer.

But Zhou Hao wasn’t seeking a response; instead, he said flatly,

“The Third Prince, huh? Don’t worry, even if you don’t speak, I already know.”

“Record this: assassins attacked in the street, claiming loyalty to the Third Prince, and were killed on the spot by the Eldest Prince!”

The assassin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

How dare he?

He hadn’t confessed anything, and there were so many guards around—how could they fabricate such a record out of thin air?

Did the Eldest Prince think no one knew?

But when the assassin looked up at the surrounding guards, many didn’t even bother to lift their eyes.

Not only would they disregard any fabricated claims, but even if the Eldest Prince spoke of treason, the guards would pretend not to hear.

As for the common folk?

They were too far away to hear any conversation between the assassin and the Eldest Prince.

The assassin tried to argue but Zhou Hao drew his sword and slit the man’s throat.

Now was not the time to completely sever ties with the Third Prince.

At least, not yet.

Zhou Hao had neither cultivated his own power nor established a stable backing.

He was effectively operating on the Third Prince’s home turf within the imperial city.

Under such conditions, how could he confront the Third Prince head-on or tear apart their facade?

Having the guards record this incident was a warning to the Third Prince.

I already know what you mean, and I know this man was sent by you.

But I’m leaving you a little face—you don’t need to tear us apart.

As long as we haven’t left the city, the Third Prince and Eldest Prince can still maintain appearances.

Because if this matter escalated, it would do Zhou Hao no good.

Who could he complain to?

The Son of Heaven? Or the Empress?

Those two fools would only blindly favor the Third Prince.

Going to complain would be handing others a weapon against himself.

Not to mention that this matter could be made either big or small at the discretion of the Son of Heaven.

In this situation, if Zhou Hao took his grievances to court and targeted the Third Prince, he would be walking right into a trap.

So recording this was simple.

The assassin said it, but Zhou Hao didn’t believe it.

At least outwardly, the two still maintained normal relations.

But in secret?

Zhou Hao and the Third Prince both wished they could kill each other outright.

“All right, soldiers, escort the stolen goods and prisoners to the Court of Justice. Today’s matter is concluded.”

“Afterward, each of you can come to my residence to collect ten taels of silver.”

Zhou Hao’s orders were decisive.

After all, his goal was achieved, and he could afford to curry favor with the guards.

If anything happened next, he would still rely on them.

A mighty dragon does not suppress the local snake, especially when these guards had already become a considerable force within the imperial city.

Once the guards agreed, Zhou Hao leisurely returned to the Eldest Prince’s residence as if none of what had happened concerned him.

He was curious to know what the Third Prince would think when he learned that most of his funds had been wiped out by Zhou Hao.

Would he be so angry he wished he could strangle him from afar?

Bi Ruxue, seeing Zhou Hao in such high spirits, smiled faintly.

“Why are you so happy, Young Master Zhou? Could it be that something good has happened?”

Good things? There were too many to count. At least for now, nothing was bad.

“Of course. Meeting Miss Bi is the greatest good fortune I’ve encountered in a long time.”

“Not to mention that today, we dismantled the Third Prince’s private iron smuggling operation. Truly, good things keep coming.”

Bi Ruxue smiled in response, a rosy flush appearing on her cheeks.

“You really know how to joke, Young Master Zhou.”