FBC – Chapter 174 Songbirds and Swallows

Gu Hua quickly stopped Chiyu.

She had already seen through it — this man wasn’t here to supervise the army, but to stir up trouble.

Perhaps he even wanted to seize the chance to avenge Yuan Zhongying.

So, she absolutely could not fall for it!

Gu Hua smiled. “Lord Yuan, you’ve only just set foot on the land of the southern frontier. Yet instead of going to the front lines to comfort the wounded soldiers, or inquiring into the hardships of the people of Ju Prefecture, you disregard military discipline and injure our local folk. All you’ve done is flap your lips to smear Duke Yong. Though I may be of humble birth, I was granted this marriage by His Majesty himself. And yet, my lord, you dare publicly slander me and malign the commander of our southern troops…”

She slowly stepped forward, her voice lowered, yet still clear enough for the nearby townsfolk to hear every word.

“My lord, with war imminent, is it your intention to disrupt the morale of the troops?”

“You—!”

Before he could continue, Gu Hua straightened her posture and raised her voice: “Why, the enemy’s spies from Yifeng Hall just assassinated the Prefect of Ju Prefecture in a plot to shake the people’s faith and unsettle the army. And here you come right on their heels, waving their banner and shouting their slogans?”

“My lord, dare I ask — which side are you truly on? Whose pay do you draw?”

Yuan Zhongyong’s face changed dramatically.

More and more commoners gathered around, and even many stationed troops were closing in.

The commander of his guards realized the danger — should public anger boil over, it would be disastrous.

He hurried closer to Yuan Zhongyong and whispered: “Lord Yuan, the official business is what matters.”

Yuan Zhongyong’s face darkened to iron, glaring at Gu Hua viciously. “Let’s go!”

Gu Hua and Chiyu watched him march straight toward Duke Yong’s official residence.

The two exchanged a glance — was he planning to stay there?

Chiyu frowned.

Originally, he intended to return to camp and report after escorting Gu Hua. But if Yuan Zhongyong insisted on living in the duke’s residence, with Madam also residing there, he feared more trouble might come, and her safety could be compromised.

“Madam, let’s go take a look.”

Gu Hua nodded, and together they followed into the residence.

As soon as Yuan Zhongyong entered, he bellowed furiously at the doorkeepers: “Take me to the main courtyard to rest at once!”

Gu Hua frowned.

The main courtyard was where Mu Junyan stayed — and where she herself now resided.

Fearing she’d suffer grievance, Chiyu quickly stepped forward to block him.

“Lord Yuan, the main courtyard is for our lord and lady. You will stay in the guest quarters.”

Filled with rage, Yuan Zhongyong jabbed a finger at him and roared: “I am the imperial inspector! Even Duke Yong must show me due respect! And what are you, to dare bar my way?”

Of course, Gu Hua could not allow him into the main courtyard — what if there were confidential military matters kept there?

The Jiang and Yuan clans were in league with one another.

The Jiangs had already colluded with Yifeng Hall — who could say whether the Yuans would betray them as well?

Gu Hua stepped forward and gave a formal salute. “Lord Yuan, both Duke Yong and I reside in the main courtyard. Would it not be rather inconvenient for you to move in as well?”

Yuan Zhongyong sneered with disdain. “Then you move out. What’s so inconvenient? A mere concubine dares claim residence in the main courtyard?”

Gu Hua gave a cold laugh. “This is the command residence of the Mu family army. My husband’s main courtyard contains military secrets. For you to barge in uninvited and try to seize our quarters by force — what exactly is your intention, my lord?”

Yuan Zhongyong’s expression faltered, recalling her earlier accusations.

If that venomous woman linked it further and let others use it against him, he might suffer a great loss.

But his pride wouldn’t let him back down. He huffed coldly: “I am a third-rank official…”

“My husband is a first-rank duke.” Gu Hua cut him off, calm and fearless.

Yuan Zhongyong trembled with fury.

“Fine, fine, very fine indeed!”

Gu Hua bent at the waist in a formal bow, then straightened and gave orders: “Someone, take Lord Yuan to the guest courtyard. Be sure to serve him well.”

Watching the group depart,

Gu Hua and Chiyu both frowned.

“We must inform our lord immediately.”

“Yes, he needs to know exactly what sort of man this is, so he can be on guard.”

“Agreed.”

They nodded, and each moved swiftly; Chiyu soon vanished.

Just as Gu Hua and Dong Hua turned, they heard a commotion at the gates.

Gu Hua looked over — a throng of painted women, songbirds and swallows, were quarreling with the doorkeepers.

“What is this? Even such people dare approach the duke’s residence?” Dong Hua was indignant.

“Let’s see.”

They walked to the gates, and the doorkeepers saluted Gu Hua.

“Madam, these are Ju Prefecture courtesans. They say Lord Yuan ordered them here to serve him.”

Gu Hua raised an eyebrow.

Hadn’t even settled in yet, and already calling for prostitutes?

What a dog of an official!

The doorkeepers scowled, shooing them away. “This is the duke’s residence. How dare you think to enter? Off with you!”

The most beautiful among them swayed her snake-like waist, lifting a delicate hand to display a jade token in her palm.

Arrogantly, she said: “This is Lord Yuan’s command token. Do you dare block us?”

Quick-witted, Gu Hua stretched out her hand. “Let me see — surely it’s not a forgery?”

But the woman pulled back warily. “Trying to trick me into handing over my token, is that it? Think I’m a fool?”

Gu Hua smiled. “Whether the token is real or not, you’ve already broken a grave taboo.”

The women blinked in surprise.

“What taboo?”

“In truth, the doorkeepers are doing you a favor. Lord Yuan is no ordinary official — he comes bearing His Majesty’s orders, as an inspector of the army. That makes him a military officer. And under the laws of Great Zhou, military commanders and officials may not keep private prostitutes. If they wish for female company, it must be formally recorded — from the Jiaofang Bureau, or camp followers in the army.”

The lead courtesan scoffed. “Hah, what difference is there? They all serve men the same.”

“Exactly — aren’t Jiaofang women and camp prostitutes all sold anyway? Who’s nobler than whom?”

“The Jiaofang are all convict-slaves. We’re better than them!”

They burst into coarse laughter.

Gu Hua laughed lightly as well. “Oh, it is quite different. When an official summons women from the Jiaofang Bureau or army, it is recorded in detail, and their identities and family backgrounds are documented. Should anyone dare collude with the enemy, an investigation would uncover it instantly. Thus, those women don’t dare act recklessly. But private prostitutes — you mingle with all sorts, from every walk of life. I don’t need to spell out the risks, do I?”

She deliberately enunciated the words “collude with the enemy.”

The women instantly caught her meaning.

Their faces paled in unison.

The lead courtesan’s smile darkened. “And what exactly are you implying?”

“My meaning is irrelevant. What matters is that you not bring ruin upon yourselves. The crime of collusion drags down nine clans.”

Her tone shifted, steady and grave. “With war upon us, better not invite disaster onto your own heads. Should you be used by others, who would stand up for those of base status like you?”

The words struck home — the women’s faces turned ashen.

“Sister Zhuohua, maybe we shouldn’t go…”

The lead courtesan, Zhuohua, looked at Gu Hua with icy eyes and a meaningful smile. “Who would’ve thought Duke Yong’s favored concubine had such a sharp tongue.”

She swayed her hips, glancing toward the interior. “Since the lady of the house forbids our entry, we can do nothing. Come, sisters.”

Watching their alluring figures retreat, Gu Hua arched a brow.

Lady of the house?

So they not only recognized her, but also knew her status in the residence?

News traveled fast indeed.

Yaoyao, Zhuohua…

Gu Hua suddenly felt a chill of doubt and unease.

Just then, Chiyu returned.

Their eyes met — she knew he had already sent the message.

Gu Hua gave him a subtle signal, and together they headed toward the main courtyard.

When no one else was near, Gu Hua whispered: “Just now, a group of courtesans came, claiming Lord Yuan gave them a token to serve him. But I find this suspicious. Such tokens aren’t casually given out. If one disguised herself as a common woman or a man, she could enter the military camp with it.”

Chiyu was shocked. “A token?”

“You find it unbelievable too, don’t you?” Gu Hua’s expression darkened further.

“An imperial inspector from the capital, only just arrived — and already the brothel girls have his token?”

She halted, lowering her voice. “Have you heard of Yaoyao? Peach blossoms young, dazzlingly in bloom. Yaoyao, Zhuohua…”

“Moreover, I feel this Zhuohua bore some resemblance to Yaoyao.”

Chiyu instantly grasped her meaning.

“I’ll send someone to investigate at once.”