FBC – Chapter 148 The Formidable Matriarch

Zhou Zhilian and over a dozen guards, including Chiyan, immediately followed.

Gu Hua turned back and waved her hand. “No need for so many people. It’s not like we’re going to fight. Chiyu, you just returned from the southern frontier—it’s best if you’re not seen. You and Chiyan take the guards and escort the lords out. Find a way to get them into the palace to see His Majesty as soon as possible.”

“Sister Zhilian, just have the maids follow me.”

Zhou Zhilian waved to Zhou Chunyu, “Hurry up and go! We’re just a bunch of women—they won’t dare go too far.”

Chiyan and Chiyu exchanged a glance, then nodded in silent understanding.

Chiyu led the lords and followed Zhou Chunyu toward the secret tunnel.

Chiyan directed several guards to hide along the courtyard walls near the gate, providing covert protection for Madam Gu.

Gu Hua led Zhou Zhilian and the others to the front courtyard just as the gate was broken open.

Gu Hua rushed forward, spread her arms wide, and blocked the entrance.

With a sharp voice, she shouted, “Who dares to act so brazenly? Smashing the gates of Duke Yong’s estate and trespassing in our manor!”

Zhou Zhilian and the others quickly surrounded Gu Hua protectively, swords drawn in confrontation.

A loosely ranked officer clad in a golden soft armor stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt, speaking with arrogance and mockery.

“This must be Duke Yong’s new concubine, eh? I’m just doing my duty, so why don’t you step aside? Otherwise, if you get hurt and Duke Yong starts disliking your face, don’t come crying to me.”

Gu Hua’s expression turned cold, rage surging to the top of her head.

This was Mu Junyan’s face he was threatening!

Even facing a fully armed group of men, she showed no fear. With head held high, chest out, she walked step by step toward the insolent officer.

He stood more than a head taller than her—Gu Hua had to look up to meet his gaze.

The officer raised an eyebrow. This delicate-looking woman certainly had guts.

Suddenly, Gu Hua leaped up without warning and slapped him hard across the face.

The crisp sound of the slap stunned everyone.

The officer never imagined this dainty woman would dare strike him in public. He stood there, frozen.

Gu Hua quickly stepped back two paces, and Zhou Zhilian and the others immediately shielded her again.

Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, throbbed with pain.

He was so tall, even when she jumped, she had only managed to hit his jaw.

Gu Hua raised her voice, stern and sharp: “Insolence! I was bestowed in marriage by the Emperor himself. To insult me is to insult the Emperor!”

The officer finally came to his senses and exploded in anger. “You think the Emperor’s name can suppress me? I’m acting under the Empress Dowager’s edict to arrest fugitives. You think you can pit the Emperor against Her Majesty the Dowager?!”

As he spoke, he lunged forward, flinging his arm.

“You damned slut! You dare strike me? You’re courting death!”

Dong Hua and another maid rushed forward to block him, but they couldn’t raise arms against an official. The officer slapped them both harshly, but they refused to back down.

He lifted his foot, ready to kick.

Zhou Zhilian drew her sword and, in the blink of an eye, pressed the blade to the officer’s neck.

The officer shouted furiously, “You rebels! Men, seize these filthy women!”

The soldiers were about to charge.

“Let me see who dares!”

A commanding voice rang out like thunder.

Gu Hua’s heart leapt. She turned to see the old Madam Mu, dressed in a first-rank matron’s formal robe and leaning on a golden dragon-headed cane, leading a grand procession forward.

The old lady gave Gu Hua a nod.

Gu Hua felt a weight lift from her chest but also feared the old lady might be dragged into trouble, her heart anxious and uneasy.

Zhou Zhilian sheathed her sword and stepped back beside Gu Hua.

The officer was taken aback.

Even without the title, everyone knew the origin of that dragon-headed cane. This was a woman who had once struck the Emperor himself—who was he, a lowly officer, to challenge her?

He quickly bowed respectfully. “Your servant greets Madam Mu.”

The old lady gave him a frosty look. “You just hit someone from Duke Yong’s household?”

“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I’m acting under the Empress Dowager’s orders to apprehend suspects who fled into this manor. This concubine must not be familiar with official protocol, hence the confusion.”

Gu Hua stepped forward and supported the old lady’s arm.

Clearly, the old lady had come fully informed, dressing formally and bringing the dragon cane.

She patted Gu Hua’s hand and turned her cold gaze on the officer.

“Whoever he struck—strike him back! Is Duke Yong’s household so easily bullied?”

Gu Hua’s eyes burned with admiration.

The old lady was formidable!

Dong Hua and the other maid stepped forward without hesitation and gave the officer four resounding slaps, two on each side.

The officer was livid. Being slapped by women in front of his subordinates was humiliating beyond measure.

But he didn’t dare retaliate.

This old lady, before she developed senility, had even struck the Empress Dowager.

And now that Mu Junyan had taken a concubine and thrown a grand wedding, it seemed her mind had cleared right up.

Getting slapped was minor—what mattered was the mission from the prince to intercept fleeing officials. He couldn’t afford to botch it.

Forcing a smile, he said, “Madam, please don’t be angry. Might I be allowed inside to apprehend the fugitives? You may scold or punish me afterward.”

The old lady sneered, “What a joke! Since when could any random dog or cat stroll into Duke Yong’s estate?”

The officer’s face turned ugly, but he dared not argue.

“I ask you—why is the Empress Dowager involving herself in chasing fugitives? What right does she have to meddle in state affairs? Or are you forging an imperial edict?”

His face changed slightly.

“I… your servant…”

The old lady waved him off, not even wanting to hear it. “Hua’er, we’re going to the palace. I’ll see what sort of edict the Empress Dowager dares issue.”

“Yes, Mother,” Gu Hua replied with a smile.

The officer panicked. “Madam, there’s no need to trouble yourself—”

“Out of my way!” The old lady suddenly swung her dragon-headed cane with surprising force, smacking the officer squarely on the buttocks.

“Ow!”

He yelped, stumbled, and missed a step, tumbling down the stairs with a loud crash.

His soldiers scrambled to help him up.

The old lady slammed her cane to the ground. “Guard the gate. Anyone who forces entry—beat them back!”

Everyone in Duke Yong’s household shouted in unison, “Yes, madam!”

The deafening response made the palace guards instinctively take a few steps back.

The old lady marched forward with imperial might, and the guards continued retreating in step.

The carriage arrived. Gu Hua helped the old lady in, and the gates of Duke Yong’s residence slammed shut with a thunderous bang.

The guards looked at one another in confusion.

The officer, furious, began kicking those near him. “Why are you still standing here like idiots?! Get out of my sight!”

“In a panic?” the old lady asked, tilting her head at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua shook her head, then realized she was gripping the old lady’s hand too tightly. She quickly let go.

With an embarrassed smile, she said, “Your daughter-in-law is useless—too timid.”

The old lady looked at her with deep admiration. “You’ve done wonderfully. It’s rare to see a young lady with your kind of courage.”

Gu Hua’s heart pounded with unease.

She had stirred up such a mess and hadn’t even warned the old lady in advance.

“Mother…”

“No need to explain. I trust you.”

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened with emotion. “But I’ve made the situation worse…”

“No. You didn’t make it worse. It’s those lawless fools trying to defy the Emperor and tear apart the heavens. You’ve exposed a massive conspiracy. You deserve merit.”

Gu Hua’s face flushed deeper.

She had acted out of personal revenge, not realizing how many people would be implicated, how many would bleed and suffer.

“Mother… are we really going to the palace?”

“Yes. If we don’t, how will the case of the stolen military supplies ever be resolved?”

Gu Hua’s eyes widened.

“Mother, you know about the stolen supplies?”

The old lady gently caressed her anxious face.

“My good child, whatever you wish to do, go ahead. I’ll shield you from everything.”

Gu Hua couldn’t hold back anymore—tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks.