Chapter Eleven: Gongsun Ce's Analysis

Gongsun Ce responded with a calm smile, saying, "Your Highness, do not be anxious. The reason I speak thus is because I have my reasons. Wildfires, as natural disasters, originate from three causes: first, lightning strikes; second, dry weather; third, the presence of flammable materials such as oil. In my opinion, only the first—fire caused by lightning—can truly be considered a natural disaster. The second and third are results of human negligence; fire only breaks out if a spark is present. Of course, we can loosely call them natural disasters as well."

Zhu Hao nodded in agreement, signaling Gongsun Ce to continue.

Seeing Zhu Hao’s approval, Gongsun Ce’s expression showed a hint of pride as he went on, "Lightning usually strikes tall buildings. However, Your Highness resides in a side palace, and moreover, it was not a stormy night. Thus, lightning can be eliminated as a cause.

The second possibility needs no analysis, it can be directly ruled out. We are currently in the rainy season; though it did not rain that night, the weather has been humid, so dryness could not have caused the fire.

As for the third possibility, it is nearly impossible. Your Highness does not reside in a warehouse, so how could there be large quantities of flammable materials? If there were, I would suspect deliberate intent.

With these three natural causes excluded, I can confidently inform Your Highness that this fire was the work of someone with malicious intent!"

Zhu Hao smiled and nodded, saluting Gongsun Ce, "Young Master Gongsun, your wisdom is remarkable. I bow to you! For this palace fire case, I shall rely on your talents!"

Gongsun Ce quickly knelt, "How could I, Gongsun Ce, ever deserve such honor? Your Highness’s gesture is too much for a humble man like myself!"

Just as Gongsun Ce finished speaking, a system prompt sounded:

"Ding!"

"Host has shown respect to Gongsun Ce, increasing his favorability!"

"Gongsun Ce's loyalty increases by 10 points!"

"Gongsun Ce's current loyalty: 70 points!"

At that moment, Zhu Hao wanted to burst into song to express his joy. He had not expected that simply saluting Gongsun Ce would raise his loyalty by ten points. After pondering, Zhu Hao realized the reason: Gongsun Ce was a man from the Northern Song era, renowned for his talent but repeatedly failing the imperial examinations, ultimately serving as an aide to Bao Zheng. The corruption of the era had prevented him from achieving greater accomplishments.

Just now, his gesture of respect had greatly pleased this man who carried the trait of "a talented but unappreciated scholar." Zhu Hao silently mused, "It seems that if I want to quickly gain favor with the figures I summon, I must understand their backgrounds." He regretted not majoring in history; he knew some famous ministers and generals, but little about their personal circumstances, making it hard to quickly boost their loyalty. This left him somewhat disheartened.

Yet, this feeling lasted only a moment. Zhu Hao soon realized he already had a powerful summoning system—if he could also rapidly increase loyalty, it would be akin to cheating. After all, one cannot expect all good fortune to fall upon oneself.

Having thought it through, Zhu Hao let go of his worries about rapidly increasing loyalty and helped Gongsun Ce up from the ground, continuing, "Young Master Gongsun, since you have deduced the fire was man-made, do you know who the culprit is?"

Gongsun Ce glanced at Zhu Hao with a mysterious smile, replying, "Your Highness, why ask what you already know? I suspect you have the answer in your heart, lacking only the evidence. Why ask me?"

Zhu Hao understood whom Gongsun Ce was referring to, so he did not dwell on the matter. He asked, "I see you are confident—have you obtained any evidence?"

Their veiled conversation left Wei Xiaobao scratching his head. He timidly asked Zhu Hao, "Your Highness, who is the culprit you and Young Master Gongsun are talking about? If Your Highness tells me, I’ll catch them right away. I refuse to believe the culprit is so tough—I’ll make them confess!"

Hearing Wei Xiaobao’s words, Zhu Hao was tempted to reveal, "The culprit is the Empress, that old witch. Go and bind her up—I want to give her a beating right now." But the words remained unsaid. He knew Wei Xiaobao’s loyalty was at ninety-eight, so he would treat Zhu Hao’s orders as imperial decrees. If he truly dragged the Empress before him, the consequences would be dire.

Zhu Hao did not answer Wei Xiaobao; he merely patted his shoulder, "You're truly loyal!" and turned his attention back to Gongsun Ce, awaiting his reply.

Wei Xiaobao was deeply gratified by Zhu Hao’s gesture, his face beaming with joy, like a lottery winner. Zhu Hao sighed inwardly—leadership often requires no grand actions, only sincere care and encouragement, and subordinates will work diligently.

Seeing Zhu Hao look to him, Gongsun Ce bowed slightly and replied, "Your Highness, I have only just entered the palace today and have not visited the site of the fire. I have no evidence yet. What I said earlier was only based on motive analysis, not concrete proof."

Zhu Hao nodded, realizing his previous question had been too hasty. Gongsun Ce, despite being rated a three-star civil official by that damned system, was not a god. How could he have evidence without visiting the site?

Aware of his mistake, Zhu Hao smiled awkwardly, then said seriously, "Young Master Gongsun, time is of the essence. I shall take you to see the Crown Prince, and together we will investigate the scene."

In truth, Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce could handle the matter themselves, but he insisted on involving the Crown Prince for two reasons: to help his somewhat timid elder brother gain favor with their father, and because it was an investigation in the Empress’s quarters—since the Crown Prince was nominally her son, his presence would make things easier.

Zhu Hao led Gongsun Ce to the Eastern Palace to seek his brother, Zhu Youxiao. Upon seeing them, Zhu Youxiao was overjoyed, especially when Zhu Hao introduced Gongsun Ce as the detective he sought. Ignoring his princely decorum, Zhu Youxiao repeatedly thanked Gongsun Ce, leaving him embarrassed and looking to Zhu Hao for help.

Zhu Hao smiled and intervened, "Brother, don’t be so excited yet. Let’s wait until Young Master Gongsun uncovers the truth, then thank him properly. For now, let’s examine the scene to search for clues."

His words snapped Zhu Youxiao out of his excitement, and he laughed dryly to cover his embarrassment, saying, "You’re right, I was too anxious!" Turning to Gongsun Ce, he added, "Please don’t take offense, Young Master Gongsun! My father is deeply angered, and I wish to catch the culprit soon to ease his worries."

Gongsun Ce bowed respectfully, "Your Highness, your filial devotion is admirable. I am impressed! I will do my utmost to help you and your brother apprehend the culprit as quickly as possible!"

Seeing the pleasantries exchanged, Zhu Hao said, "We must not delay—let's go to Kunning Palace at once!" Kunning Palace, during the Ming dynasty, was the Empress’s residence.

Zhu Youxiao and Gongsun Ce agreed, and the group set off. However, upon arriving in haste, they were barred from entering.

The one stopping them was none other than Xi Ning, the chief eunuch of the Empress's palace. This old eunuch appeared to be in his fifties, with graying temples and a stooped posture. Though he greeted them with a smile, Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce both caught a flash of coldness in his eyes.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing. Only Zhu Youxiao looked anxious, unsure what to do.

Zhu Hao whispered a few words into Zhu Youxiao’s ear, causing him to stare in astonishment, "Is this... is this really wise, brother? After all..."

Zhu Hao cut him off, "After all what? Don’t you want to uncover the truth? Or do you prefer our father’s wrath?"

The plan Zhu Hao proposed was something Zhu Youxiao had never dared to attempt. To help him make up his mind, Zhu Hao invoked the fear of their father.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhu Hao finished, Zhu Youxiao steeled himself, stepped forward, and slapped Xi Ning hard across the face, saying, "You wretched dog! How dare you block my way? Are you blind? Get out of my sight, or I won’t be so merciful!"

Xi Ning, accustomed to frequent contact with the Crown Prince, saw him as weak and indecisive. He never expected Zhu Youxiao to not only berate him but also strike him. Xi Ning was utterly dumbfounded.

He stared at Zhu Youxiao in shock, making the Crown Prince uneasy, causing him to step back. Just as Xi Ning regained his composure, thinking Zhu Youxiao had retreated, Zhu Hao jumped out from behind his brother.