Chapter 129: Open Schemes and Hidden Plots

Zhu Hao glared coldly at Gao Yuan, his mind churning with dark thoughts. "If I wait until the time comes and you find nothing, you can’t pin the charge of 'interfering with local judicial affairs' on me. But the label of being 'unreasonably troublesome' will surely be slapped on my head. If that happens, how can I remain in Zhejiang? Even if I were to shamelessly cling to my post, you would all join forces to submit a memorial to my elder brother, and I would inevitably be ignominiously recalled to the court to answer for it. The corruption in the Zhejiang provincial examinations would then be swept under the rug just like that. You truly have a clever scheme; you’ve left me in a real dilemma! It’s a pity that someone with your talent is a mere official instead of a shopkeeper."

Thinking this, Zhu Hao realized that the matter required a long-term plan. He understood that searching the Cheng residence today would be difficult, yet he did not give up. He secretly mused, "Since these people are all obstructing me, the Cheng residence must have something to hide. But since an overt search is impossible, I must resort to other means. If I can’t do it openly, I will find a way to search in secret. Once I catch Cheng Sanjin and prove that there was indeed cheating in this year’s provincial examinations, who would care what methods I used?"

Although such actions might invite criticism, Zhu Hao did not care. He was not afraid of being criticized for solving the case; what he feared was finding nothing and ending up with a tarnished reputation for no reason. That, Zhu Hao could not accept.

As long as the Zhejiang examination case was solved, the system would not punish him, and he would have excised a few malignant tumors from the Ming Dynasty. That was enough. As for his reputation, it mattered little to him at that point. Besides, people only look at the victors; who cares how they won?

With this in mind, Zhu Hao decided to lull the Zhejiang officials into a false sense of security. He spoke up, "Provincial Administration Commissioner Gao, what you said makes perfect sense. It was my oversight. Let us call off the search of the Cheng residence. Just assign men to keep a day-and-night watch on everyone entering and leaving. If Cheng Sanjin is spotted, bring him to see me immediately!"

No sooner had Zhu Hao finished speaking than Gao Yuan eagerly replied, "Your Highness is wise! My Surveillance Commission is willing to take on the duty of monitoring the Cheng residence for you! May I have your permission?"

Zhu Hao did not refuse, nodding instead. "Then I shall leave it to you, Commissioner Gao. I am quite tired today, so let us conclude our discussion here. We shall talk again another day."

Stretching and yawning, he added, "I must return to my quarters for a nap; I rose much too early today."

With that, Zhu Hao rose and left the Provincial Administration office. Was he truly sleepy? Of course not. He knew that lingering at the office would yield no results and only waste time. Claiming fatigue was merely a tactic to lower the guard of the Zhejiang officials and an excuse to make his departure.

Upon returning to his residence, Zhu Hao took Qin Hui to his study. Wei Xiaobao had been sent out to expand the intelligence network, leaving Zhu Hao without attendants, so he had kept Qin Hui by his side for the past few days to run errands. Fortunately, none of the Zhejiang officials had noticed that this servant, who followed him everywhere, was one of the twenty-four students who had originally lodged the complaint.

Even if someone suspected, they would never believe that Zhu Hao would keep Qin Hui, the leader of the twenty-four petitioners, so brazenly by his side. This was likely what the books meant by "the greatest recluse hides in the city."

Inside the study, Zhu Hao had Qin Hui close the door and asked, "Qin Shun, you saw what happened today. What are your thoughts?"

Qin Hui replied immediately, "Reporting to Your Highness, this student believes that these Zhejiang officials are colluding to bully... err, to boycott Your Highness." He had meant to say "bully," but decided it was an inappropriate word and changed it to "boycott."

Zhu Hao showed no signs of worry, acting as if he were entirely unbothered by the events at the Administration office. The face that had been dark moments ago now broke into a smile. "You meant to say 'bully,' didn't you? Let them bully me then. I, too, feel they are bullying me. Do you think I was genuinely angry today? It is normal to encounter some resistance, and I can accept that. My anger was for the benefit of those Zhejiang officials, to make them believe I am young and naive. Only when they lower their guard can I snatch the chestnuts from the fire and uncover the truth."

Qin Hui was stunned, then bowed respectfully. "Your Highness’s magnanimity is something this student admires!" He had not expected that Zhu Hao’s anger, displayed while being repeatedly challenged, was merely an act. He was genuinely impressed that someone of such a young age could possess such profound schemes.

In truth, what Zhu Hao told Qin Hui was half-truth and half-deception. He had been genuinely angry at first, but later realized that these officials wanted to see him lose his temper. Thus, his subsequent behavior—including yielding to Gao Yuan—was largely a performance, not a reflection of his true feelings.

Hearing Qin Hui’s flattery, Zhu Hao shook his head slightly. "Enough, no need to flatter me. I have been in Zhejiang for several days now, and the examination case is still at a standstill. There is nothing to praise."

Qin Hui’s expression dimmed as he blamed himself. "It is all this student’s fault for dragging Your Highness into this conflict. If Your Highness truly finds it difficult to investigate, perhaps you should depart for the capital tomorrow and stop taxing your mind with this. I truly cannot bear to see you suffer so."

Zhu Hao thought to himself, *No wonder history calls you a treacherous official. You’re always trying to make me retreat. I want to back out too—I never wanted to wade into these murky waters. But can I retreat now? You unlucky kid, you didn't just drag me into the Zhejiang exam case; you dragged me into a system mission I absolutely must complete!*

Though he thought this, he did not blame Qin Hui, as the words were quite considerate and lifted his gloomy mood. He couldn't help but think, *No wonder this guy became a Chancellor; he certainly knows how to speak well.*

Pulling himself from his thoughts, Zhu Hao took a deep breath. "Qin Shun, if you wish to stay by my side, you must remember one thing: I am not someone who gives up easily."

Qin Hui nodded earnestly. "Your Highness, this student will remember! I shall never speak of giving up again!"

Zhu Hao looked at his serious expression and nodded. "The Zhejiang officials will surely lower their guard now. It is the perfect time for me to strike. I hope to uncover the truth in one fell swoop."

His eyes were filled with confidence, prompting Qin Hui to ask, "Your Highness, do you have a plan in mind?"

Zhu Hao smiled without answering, his expression unfathomable, leaving Qin Hui thoroughly confused.

That night, dark clouds masked the moonlight. The area outside the residence of the wealthy merchant Cheng Baiwan in Hangzhou was pitch black, eerily quiet, save for the occasional dog bark that signaled the night's unrest.

Sure enough, this eerie silence was shattered by a loud shout: "Seize the rebels!" The area instantly erupted into light. A group of over a hundred brocade-clad guards charged into the Cheng residence like wolves into a flock of sheep. The house was thrown into chaos, filled with the shouts of men and the weeping of women and children.

In this scene, no one would have guessed that the mastermind was a boy of eleven or twelve. Yet, this child was different; he was the younger brother of the current Emperor, the Imperial Envoy, Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian.

Zhu Hao did not sleep that night. He had planned everything and had been waiting outside the residence for a long time. The Brocade Guards had charged in under his command.

After the guards had entered, Zhu Hao remained in the shadows, waiting for the results of the search.

He had staged this "rebel-catching" play because Gao Yuan had accused him of interfering with local justice by searching the Cheng house. By claiming to be pursuing rebels—an act entirely within the scope of the Brocade Guards' duties—he made the search perfectly legitimate. It could no longer be labeled as interference in local judicial affairs.

Most importantly, Zhu Hao never appeared on