Chapter Twenty-Two: A Troublesome Problem

Admitting to being a spy might lead to death, but the consequences would not extend to one's family. However, to admit to being an assassin—whether for the attempted assassination of the First Prince or the destruction of the Ministry courtyard—would be to place a heavy burden of guilt squarely upon one's own head. In such a case, the extermination of one's entire clan would be the baseline penalty. How could anyone possibly confess to that?

"This is merely a matter of expediency; there is no need to worry so much. By handing over these spies, we can completely silence the Emperor of Zhou," Zhou Hao said, dropping the pretense. He referred to the monarch as the "Emperor of Zhou" repeatedly, his tone devoid of any respect.

The Great General, however, remained troubled. He wondered what should be done next—should he follow Zhou Hao's lead, or perhaps help find a sacrificial pawn?

"Father, I think it would be better to listen to my brother-in-law on this matter."

"Hmm? Why are you skulking over here, boy?" The Great General glanced at Bi Yutang, who was approaching, his eyes filled with suspicion. Why was he here? Could it be that this matter involved his good-for-nothing son as well?

Bi Yutang forced a stiff smile and looked at the Great General. "Father, my brother-in-law is right. If we are going to stir up trouble, we should make it even bigger. We can gradually fill the Emperor of Zhou with frustration until he finally turns his suspicions toward the Empress. Even if the Emperor doesn't fully believe it, he and the Empress will inevitably fall out. For them to be at odds with each other is the best possible news for my brother-in-law."

Bi Yutang’s analysis made Zhou Hao nod repeatedly. That was exactly what he had in mind. In the imperial court, he had three major enemies: the Empress, the Emperor of Zhou, and the Third Prince. The Third Prince and the Empress were inseparable, like grasshoppers tied to the same rope; they could almost never be divided. However, there was a conflict of interest between the Emperor and the Empress. As long as he could sow discord between them, the attention directed at him would diminish. Naturally, he could then develop his influence in secret and even transport suspicious goods to his fiefdom.

Once these words were spoken, the Great General immediately understood Zhou Hao's intent. Yet, there were still a few minor problems in this strategy that troubled him. "But to pin all these matters on the Empress, we don't have any more assassins."

Of the assassins who had targeted Zhou Hao, only one had been captured alive; the others had committed suicide by poison. That last survivor had also died in the prison last night, leaving them at a loss. Where were they supposed to find another death-sworn loyalist of the Empress to pose as an assassin? This matter, after going around in circles, remained a difficult problem to solve.

"That's easy enough. If we can't find one, we can fabricate one, pretend, or force them to show their flaws. Since the Empress has been living quite comfortably these past two days, I shall go and provoke her through the Third Prince," Zhou Hao said with a smile. If the Third Prince wouldn't seek out trouble with him, why couldn't he seek out trouble with the Third Prince?

There was no reason not to. The more miserable the Third Prince’s situation became, the more frequent the Empress's foolish blunders would be—all he needed was to seize a single opening. Even if the Emperor did not impose a public punishment, as long as there was discomfort and a thorn in his side, Zhou Hao’s strategy would be a success.

With that, Zhou Hao rose and left, prepared to cause some real trouble for the Third Prince.

"It seems this son-in-law of mine is truly a formidable character," the Great General remarked, picking up a teapot and drinking directly from it. His amazement toward Zhou Hao grew even more. He truly hadn't expected the son-in-law he had brought into the family to be so ruthless in his schemes. This single move was intended to split the entire imperial family in two. Even if the Emperor and the Empress maintained the title of husband and wife, the reality of their union would be gone.

...

Zhou Hao was a man of his word. Leaving the Great General's estate, he headed straight for the Third Prince's residence. Since he was there to stir up trouble, he had no reason to hold back.

"Stop right there!" Before he could even enter, two servants blocked his path, their expressions fierce. "First Prince, His Highness does not wish to see you again. Please leave."

Leave? What a joke! If he couldn't find the Third Prince, how could he just walk away?

"I have come today to maintain the bond between us brothers! You servants are blocking my way—are you trying to force me to punish you?"

"We wouldn't dare, but Your Highness, the Prince truly does not have much desire to see you lately..."

Before the servant could finish, Zhou Hao slapped him across the face. The servant spun like a rolling gourd, tumbling several times before shakily climbing to his feet.

"Get lost! If you block my path again, I will have your dog head chopped off!" Zhou Hao kicked the two servants aside and then slammed his foot against the gate. With a creaking sound, the doors swung open.

Zhou Hao strode into the Third Prince's residence, sneering, "Where is the Third Prince? I have nothing to do today, so I specifically came to find you for some 'entertainment'."

The "entertainment," of course, meant giving the Third Prince a sound thrashing. Who told him to bully the original owner of this body so mercilessly? Even now, the injuries had not fully healed.

"Hmm? Who is this? If it isn't my dear eldest brother," the Third Prince said, walking slowly toward him with a dark look in his eyes and a smile that didn't reach his lips. "Why are you at my residence today? Do you feel that the days you spent in my estate were quite comfortable? Or is your skin itching for a beating?"

Zhou Hao remained nonchalant. Sharp-tongued, as expected. He would be docile enough after a beating.

"Why did you lead with your left foot?"

"What left foot?" Before the Third Prince could react, Zhou Hao's iron fist slammed into his face, instantly flattening his nose and drawing two streams of blood from his nostrils.

"I asked, why did you lead with your left foot?" Zhou Hao demanded. "Don't you know that during my ten years in the land of the barbarians, leading with the left foot was considered a grave disrespect?"

Did such a custom even exist in the barbarian lands? The Third Prince's eyes were filled with resentment, but he dared not speak out. It was his own residence, yet he felt so stifled; a hint of malice flashed across his face. *Zhou Hao has come to humiliate me for no reason, so I must pay him back in kind. Mother, I will have to have your people deal with this later.*

For now, however, the Third Prince dared not provoke Zhou Hao further. He retreated with his right foot, intending to move away from him first. He couldn't goad him, or things would get worse.

"Hmm? Why did you lead with your right foot?"

As the words fell, another punch landed, this time square on the Third Prince's eye socket, making him see stars.

"Left foot is wrong, right foot is wrong! You are clearly just looking for trouble!"

It was true, but Zhou Hao could not admit it. If he admitted it, how could he continue to stir up trouble?

"Oh, you misunderstand me. The rules of the barbarian lands are that leading with the left foot is an insult, but leading with the right foot while walking backward is also an insult," Zhou Hao said. "Since you don't understand these things, I'll give you two punches as a lesson."