FBC – Chapter 173 The Vile Official

The Pei family’s businesses were busy, and for this batch of grain supplies, nearly all the men from their escort agencies across the provinces had been pulled in. Because of this, Pei Jinglei was also eager to return.

After seeing that Gu Hua was safe, he too was anxious to leave.

Yesterday, once the grain convoys had all converged, the handover was completed in Ju Prefecture. From there, the Mu family army would transport the supplies to the front lines. Pei Jinglei had already gathered his carts and horses, ready to depart.

Before leaving, he called Gu Hua aside and handed her a banknote worth one thousand taels.

Gu Hua hurriedly declined. “I can’t take this. Your family has already spent a great deal donating this military grain.”

Pei Jinglei pressed the note into her hand and said quietly, “The food and supplies are for the Mu army, but this banknote is for you.”

“But…”

“You’ll surely find use for it. Yesterday I walked around Ju Prefecture—the common folk live in misery. Who knows if our shipment is even enough? I saw the Mu army leave half behind here, likely for the people.”

Hearing this, Gu Hua no longer refused.

“When the Duke returns victorious, your righteous deed will surely be reported to the court. As long as the Mu army triumphs, Pei family will enjoy even greater wealth and honor.”

Pei Jinglei was overjoyed, cupping his fists and bowing deeply.

“The Pei family will not forget Miss Gu’s support. We will always be your backing.”

Gu Hua returned the bow with courtesy.

Pei Jinglei was about to board his carriage when, after some hesitation, he turned back to her.

Gu Hua looked at him curiously, waiting for him to speak.

“Miss Gu, Pei Yi and the family have explained your situation. Though it was she who caused you to miss out on half a lifetime with your birth mother, though her methods were cruel and her heart venomous—she is still a daughter of the Pei family. For what she did, we feel deep remorse toward you. Rest assured, though we are merchants, our family teachings are strict. She is a criminal woman, her crimes deserving of death. What’s more, she poisoned her own flesh and blood—her sins merited retribution.”

Gu Hua’s heart gave a jolt.

So it was Pei Yi who had dissolved the grudge between her and the Pei family, smoothing the way for her to make use of them.

Gu Hua bowed again. “The righteousness of the Pei family. I did not place my trust wrongly in you.”

Pei Jinglei shook his head. “It is you who are righteous, with a kind heart. These two days in Ju Prefecture, I saw with my own eyes how much the Mu army has sacrificed to protect the nation. That we enjoy wealth and honor is thanks to them.”

Gu Hua felt a warmth in her heart as she respectfully sent them off.

Yet inwardly, she was deeply surprised.

Concubine Pei was such a venomous and selfish woman, but her family was completely different.

As she watched the carriages leave, Gu Hua turned to return home.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching quickly. The rider whipped his horse furiously, heedless of the stalls on either side of the street.

All at once, a child darted out, followed by a woman screaming, “A horse! Quick, get out of the way!”

The child, startled by the sudden oncoming horse, plopped onto the ground and began wailing loudly.

The rider made no move to pull the reins, instead cursing harshly: “Lowly peasants, out of the way!”

Gu Hua’s face darkened. She turned to Chiyu.

“Save him!”

Without hesitation, Chiyu flashed forward like lightning. In an instant, he had the child scooped into his arms, then swung his sword across the horse’s head.

Bang!

A heavy blow landed on the horse’s neck. The animal reared violently, neighing in fright, and the rider screamed as he was thrown off.

The child’s mother scrambled forward in tears, snatching her child from Chiyu’s arms, then slapped his backside over and over, crying furiously, “Didn’t I tell you to listen? Didn’t I? If that horse had trampled you, I couldn’t have lived on!”

Mother and son wept in each other’s arms.

The troop was thrown into chaos. Some rushed to help the fallen rider, while others drew their swords to surround Chiyu.

“How dare you! You’ve offended Lord Yuan, the Commandant!”

Lord Yuan, the Commandant?

Gu Hua’s heart jolted.

Could this be the imperial inspector sent to oversee the Mu army?

Yuan?

A chill swept through her.

She had always been wary of anyone surnamed Jiang or Yuan.

Could this Yuan be kin to Yuan Zhongying, who had been executed as a scapegoat?

Chiyu, unflinching, swept a cold gaze over them. “This is Ju Prefecture. By its laws and by the Mu army’s military code, no one may ride recklessly in the city. Whoever violates and endangers the people must be punished, no matter who they are!”

Lord Yuan was helped forward, glaring viciously at Chiyu. “I am Yuan Zhongyong, an imperial Commandant, sent by His Majesty to oversee the Mu army. What, I have barely arrived and you already seek to silence me with murder? Do you mean to rebel?”

At his words, anger flared in Gu Hua’s chest. She strode forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Chiyu.

“My lord, your words are ill-spoken.”

Gu Hua’s tone was firm. “Since you were sent by His Majesty, naturally you represent his face. Do you mean that His Majesty instructed you to disregard the people’s lives, to ignore the law of the land? That he granted you privileges above all others? If so, then please show us His Majesty’s decree, so we may be convinced.”

Her sharp words brought a wave of applause from the watching crowd.

Unnoticed, a large group of commoners had gathered around.

Chiyu looked at her in surprise, eyes full of admiration. He had not expected that the once-timid young woman would have such a commanding presence.

Worthy indeed of being the Duke’s woman.

Courage and eloquence both!

“Well said!”

“That’s right! The Mu army has defended the southern borders for nearly a hundred years, and never have they harmed the people. We don’t believe His Majesty would send some dog of an official to bully us common folk! Any man who mistreats the people is no good official!”

“That’s right! Throw out the traitor!”

“Yes, out with him!”

“Impudent!” The red-armored guards surrounding Chiyu suddenly rushed at the outspoken commoners, beating and kicking them savagely.

Gu Hua trembled with rage. “Stop at once!”

Chiyu nodded to the black-armored guards at his side. Already seething, they charged forward and in a matter of moments had floored the red-armored soldiers, pinning each one underfoot with drawn swords at their throats.

The remaining red-armored guards blanched in terror, quickly forming a protective ring around Lord Yuan, but their hands on their swords shook.

Dong Hua too drew her dagger, shielding Gu Hua and watching the men intently, ready to strike if they made a move.

Gu Hua noticed.

These men… were cowards through and through.

Chiyu sneered. “The Tianwu Army is still this spineless.”

So they were Tianwu Army!

Gu Hua grew anxious. Last time, it had been the Tianwu Army who swapped the grain shipment and tried to kill witnesses.

The Tianwu Army was under the Imperial Guards Command, most of its officers sons of royalty or noble families.

In arrogance and recklessness, they were unmatched; but in real skill, they were no match at all for the battle-hardened Mu army.

They relied only on their untouchable status to bully others wherever they went.

Shamed by Chiyu’s mockery, the leading officer flew into a rage.

“Insolence!”

He was about to step forward when the circle of black-armored guards raised their gleaming swords, silencing him instantly.

Lord Yuan stiffened, but unwilling to bow his head, he barked, “You two—state your names!”

“I am Chiyu, first-rank personal guard to the Duke Yong.”

Lord Yuan’s expression shifted.

A first-rank guard to the Duke Yong might not hold office, but as part of a duke’s official household, he still bore recognized rank.

Gu Hua straightened, offering a proper bow. “I am Gu Hua, concubine of the Duke Yong, and pay my respects to Lord Yuan.”

The concubine of the Duke Yong—Gu Hua!

Lord Yuan’s face changed further.

Her rank might not be high, but her name was infamous.

Though she rarely stepped outside, the waves she stirred were enormous.

And his own second brother, Yuan Zhongying, had been executed thanks to her schemes with a pack of troublemakers!

He stood tall, fixing her with an icy glare.

“So the Duke Yong fights at the front, yet still drags along a woman to warm his bed. Pathetic! While his soldiers gamble their lives for his glory, he wallows day and night in the arms of women!”

Gu Hua’s expression darkened.

Chiyu and the guards were all so enraged they rolled up their sleeves, ready to thrash him.