Chapter Twenty-Six: Caught in a Deadlock

Hearing the eunuch’s reply, Zhu Hao was far from satisfied. Seven days was simply too long for the theory brewing in his mind. Now that suspicion had taken root, he was unwilling to let it go so easily. He asked the eunuch, “Who in the palace knows exactly when the Imperial Kitchen last sent someone out to make purchases?”

The little eunuch had no idea why the Fifth Prince had taken such a sudden interest in when the kitchen sent people out for supplies. It was utterly baffling. Still, as a lowly servant, he had learned since childhood that there were things in the palace one should never question. His confusion, therefore, was not something he dared voice.

Despite his puzzled expression, the eunuch answered dutifully, “Luo Xiang, who is in charge of purchases for the Imperial Kitchen, would know best. He’s always handled those matters.”

Zhu Hao nodded. “Go back, then. Tell my father that I wish to speak with Luo Xiang, the Imperial Kitchen’s supplier, in person.”

The eunuch hurriedly bowed and withdrew, leaving Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce alone in the chamber. Gongsun Ce was certain there was intent behind Zhu Hao’s questions, but he couldn’t quite fathom what the prince was thinking.

As soon as the eunuch departed, Gongsun Ce could no longer contain his curiosity. “Your Highness, have you discovered something? Might you share it with your humble servant?”

Zhu Hao, trusting Gongsun Ce’s absolute loyalty, did not hesitate to confide in him. He smiled slightly. “Gongsun, consider this: in the palace stores, aside from the steward who embezzled a barrel of kerosene, the quantity of kerosene was not lacking. Is it possible… the kerosene came from outside the palace?”

Gongsun Ce’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “You suspect the Empress used the kitchen’s trips out to secretly bring kerosene into the palace, thus concealing her use of it to start the fire?”

Zhu Hao nodded. “Exactly. Once Luo Xiang arrives, we’ll have our answer.”

With that, Zhu Hao and Gongsun Ce settled in to wait. Not even half an hour had passed when a sharp voice called from outside the door, “Your servant Luo Xiang, supplier of the Imperial Kitchen, presents himself at His Highness the Fifth Prince’s command!”

Zhu Hao thought to himself, “My father truly spoils me. All I said was that I wanted to tell Luo Xiang myself what I’d like to eat, and he immediately issued an imperial edict summoning him. He must be afraid Luo Xiang would otherwise dawdle. My father’s devotion is really something.”

Clearing his throat, Zhu Hao called out, “Luo, come in and speak.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than a sycophantic, shifty-eyed old eunuch entered, a servile smile plastered across his face. One look was enough—he was the very picture of a fawning, cunning flatterer.

Zhu Hao’s first impression of Luo Xiang was anything but favorable, but solving the arson case was paramount, especially since Gongsun Ce’s life now hung in the balance.

Luo Xiang bowed deeply. “Your humble servant Luo Xiang, supplier to the Imperial Kitchen, pays his respects to Your Highness the Fifth Prince. May Your Highness enjoy boundless health!”

Zhu Hao smiled warmly. “Rise, and speak. I’m sorry to trouble you to come all this way—it weighs on my conscience.”

Luo Xiang, having just risen, dropped to his knees again in a flurry of panic. “It is my blessing, not a hardship, to serve Your Highness. Please, tell me what delicacies Your Highness desires; I shall leave the palace tomorrow to procure them for you!”

Zhu Hao shook his head. “That can wait. Tell me, Luo, when did you last go out to buy vegetables for the palace?”

Luo Xiang didn’t know why Zhu Hao was interested in that, but the timing of purchases was no secret in the kitchen, known to many. Puzzled though he was, he answered honestly, “Two days ago, Your Highness.”

Zhu Hao thought, “It fits! Two days after the fire. That means the old witch first used the month’s kerosene meant for lighting to set fire to the side hall, leaving none in Kunning Palace. The very next day, she sent someone to collect more kerosene from the stores, coinciding with my father’s order for a thorough investigation. Then, on the day of the kitchen’s outing, she must have feared exposure and had them quietly bring back three barrels of kerosene to replace what was used, covering her tracks. That’s why Gongsun Ce found nothing amiss when he checked Kunning Palace’s stores.”

Convinced he’d unraveled the truth, Zhu Hao pressed further, “Luo, when you last went out, did you buy anything besides vegetables? For instance… kerosene?”

Luo Xiang shuddered as if a cat had just cornered him, a mouse hiding in the shadows. Zhu Hao, seeing this reaction, felt more certain than ever of his deductions and waited for a confession. But after a moment, Luo Xiang raised his head and replied, “Your Highness, I swear, I bought nothing but vegetables. I certainly did not buy kerosene! I’m just the kitchen supplier—whatever would I need kerosene for? Please, Your Highness, don’t tease this old servant.”

When Luo Xiang denied it, Zhu Hao decided to try a bluff. “Luo Xiang! How dare you. I already know you bought kerosene, acting on the Empress’s orders. Confess now, and I will petition my father for leniency.”

Luo Xiang hurriedly kowtowed. Zhu Hao thought he had him, but Luo Xiang replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I truly did not buy kerosene. If Your Highness tries to force a confession for something I did not do, even if it kills me, I cannot admit to it. And to claim the Empress ordered me? How could I, a lowly servant, even approach someone so exalted? Surely Your Highness does not wish to make me slander the Empress—such a thing cannot be. Even if it means my death, I will not comply. And allow me to say, though Your Highness is not her own son, she is still your elder. To do this would be to violate propriety and the order of things. I beg Your Highness to let this matter rest, lest you invite Heaven’s wrath!”

Zhu Hao, hearing this, finally understood: this old eunuch, whatever his actual connection to the Empress, was a diehard loyalist. Damn it all!

Though Zhu Hao fumed inwardly, he had no leverage over Luo Xiang. Earlier, he’d been able to threaten the storekeeper with the Embroidered Guard because theft had already been uncovered. Here, lacking evidence, such threats would be empty—and Luo Xiang surely knew it.

It was clear he would get nothing from Luo Xiang today. Zhu Hao waved him off. “You may go.”

Luo Xiang all but fled, relieved beyond measure, not even waiting to ask what Zhu Hao wished to eat.

Though Luo Xiang’s guilty demeanor made Zhu Hao suspicious, there was no proof of a direct connection between the surplus kerosene in the Empress’s quarters and Luo Xiang. Even if there was a link, Luo Xiang refused to admit it and had even tried to lecture Zhu Hao on morality, leaving him with a pounding headache.

It seemed useless to try and pry the truth from the old eunuch; Zhu Hao would have to devise another plan. Yet Luo Xiang’s words left him uncertain—was the extra kerosene in the Empress’s residence really from outside the palace?

As Zhu Hao pondered, a junior eunuch entered and announced, “Your Highness, the lamps need more kerosene. Shall I refill them?”

Distracted, Zhu Hao nodded his assent. The boy set about refilling each lamp in the room.

When he reached the lamp closest to Zhu Hao and lifted the shade, a faint scent of osmanthus wafted through the air. Suddenly, Zhu Hao remembered what Liu He, the steward of Kunning Palace, had told him in front of the stores: “The palace kerosene is specially treated. When burned, it gives off a subtle osmanthus fragrance. Yet today, one lamp in Kunning Palace, after being refilled, produced thick black smoke!” That lingering fragrance brought Liu He’s words vividly to mind, and in a flash, Zhu Hao saw a way forward.