FBC – Chapter 189 Subjugation

The man imprisoned was named Min Dongsheng, about forty years old.

He had once been the top-ranked scholar in the imperial examination of the former dynasty, but because he was arrogant, conceited, and dared to speak boldly before the late emperor—advising him to abolish the hereditary system of nobility, reward military achievements, build a strong army, and unify the Central Plains—

The late emperor judged him as someone aiming too high, ambitious beyond his years, rash and unfit for use. He was directly sent to the southern frontier as a mere seventh-rank county magistrate.

Yet, only half a year later, he resigned and, for unknown reasons, became an aide to the prefect of Juzhou…

Gu Hua listened as Chiyu explained everything she knew, and she began to form a plan.

But when she saw him in person, she was taken aback.

The middle-aged man, dressed in coarse prison clothes, sat cross-legged on a stone bed with only a thin cotton pad, eyes closed as he practiced breathing exercises.

When Gu Hua and the others approached the cell door, his eyelids twitched—clearly aware of their arrival—but he pretended not to notice and continued his routine.

Chiyu wanted to call out to him, but Gu Hua stopped her.

She didn’t disturb him, only studied him closely.

This man was nothing like someone who had been imprisoned for five years. His beard was clean-shaven, his hair combed meticulously, not a strand out of place.

Indeed, he considered himself above others. Even in prison, he insisted on dignity.

He was confined in a solitary cell, without the disturbance of other prisoners. It was clean, furnished with a table, an oil lamp, and even paper and brushes.

As Chiyu had said, Mu Junyan had not treated him poorly.

Gu Hua waited quietly until he finished.

Chiyu pulled over a chair for Gu Hua to sit, but she shook her head.

With someone so prideful, putting on airs would never loosen his tongue.

After a quarter of an hour, the man finished his practice and twisted his neck.

“Mr. Min.”

At the sound of a soft female voice, the man abruptly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the two women suddenly present before his cell.

He recognized Chiyu, but his cold gaze landed briefly on Gu Hua before withdrawing, indifferent.

Chiyu frowned and introduced, “Mr. Min, this is the Madam of Duke Yong.”

At that, Min Dongsheng sharply raised his head, staring at Gu Hua as if reassessing her, scrutinizing her carefully.

Gu Hua straightened her back, meeting his rude gaze head-on.

His tone was dripping with disdain: “So in the end, he ignored my advice, failed the test of beauty, and is just another ordinary man.”

He even sighed afterward.

Gu Hua arched a brow. “It was you who advised Duke Yong not to take a wife?”

“He wished to fulfill the aspirations of his father and brothers. Only by remaining unmarried and childless could he survive. Otherwise, he would have died long ago. I wonder—has the Old Madam gone mad yet?”

Gu Hua was shocked.

So it was Min Dongsheng who had given Mu Junyan this idea. No wonder Mu Junyan still treated him well.

But then why was he imprisoned and unused?

Gu Hua stepped forward and respectfully saluted. “I, Gu Hua, have seen Mr. Min.”

Min Dongsheng narrowed his eyes at her. “Since you’ve come to the prison, you must have questions. Go ahead and ask.”

So, unless she asked correctly, he wouldn’t answer?

Gu Hua carefully began, “Mr. Min, you’ve been waiting for Duke Yong to trust and employ you. Unfortunately, he is a gentleman of principle and disdains your methods.”

Min Dongsheng’s eyes flew open, glaring at her—but he said nothing.

Gu Hua knew then—she had guessed right.

Mu Junyan valued talent, but disdained trickery and schemes, so he did not employ him.

Yet Min Dongsheng, brimming with ambition but unrecognized, still believed only Mu Junyan could realize his vision. Thus, he chose to remain imprisoned in the south rather than leave.

These two men… were both too stubborn.

Gu Hua also felt Mu Junyan was too upright, making him vulnerable to plots.

“You two wait outside. I will speak with Mr. Min alone.”

Chiyu protested, “Madam, no, it’s too dangerous.”

Zhou Zhilan also objected, “Yes, you can’t be left alone.”

Min Dongsheng sneered. “The cell door is locked. What, you think I can squeeze through and kill your lady?”

Gu Hua’s face hardened. “If you still recognize me as your lady, then obey me. Leave at once!”

Seeing her anger, Chiyu and Zhou Zhilan had no choice but to retreat a short distance, keeping wary guard.

Gu Hua approached the cell, lowering her voice. “Mr. Min, I hope you will lend me your strength.”

“Give me a reason.”

“I have already died once. Mu Junyan is my savior. I have no grand ambitions, only the wish to protect those who love and respect me.”

Gu Hua’s tone grew earnest. “Mu Junyan knows your strategies are correct, but at heart, he is loyal to his sovereign and compassionate to the people. He disdains using petty means to achieve his goals. But I cannot watch the late Duke Yong, the deceased heir, and the fallen second son of the Mu family become sacrifices of power—only for Mu Junyan to follow in their footsteps.”

Her hands rested on her lower abdomen, her voice softening. “Because, I carry his child. I wish to preserve the bloodline of the Mu family.”

Min Dongsheng’s gaze shifted to her stomach. His expression lost some of its mockery.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

She did not hide anything—explaining how she discovered the swapped winter clothes, foiled the Jiang family’s scheme, uncovered the Yifeng Hall conspiracy, persuaded the Pei family to willingly provide grain, personally delivered the provisions south, and accompanied Mu Junyan to Shicheng County.

Gu Hua knew—if she wanted to win over this man, she could not appear weak.

Min Dongsheng sat straighter, light flickering in his eyes.

Indeed, any woman Mu Junyan favored was not ordinary.

“I’ve uncovered what happened five years ago. Surely, Mr. Min knows best what transpired then?”

Suddenly, Min Dongsheng leapt from the bed and strode to the cell door.

Gu Hua was startled but forced herself to remain calm.

“What do you know of five years ago?”

“The prefect colluded with the enemy, selling secrets to a foreign state. Mu Junyan’s assault failed—he barely survived—while his two elder brothers were ambushed and killed.”

“But I obtained a letter—a letter written by Prince Ping’an to the prefect.”

Min Dongsheng’s eyes widened. “You obtained that letter?”

So—he knew of its existence.

Gu Hua didn’t answer, but asked instead, “Mr. Min, what is it you want?”

He countered, “And what do you want?”

Her gaze deepened. “I want to use my meager strength to protect as many lives as possible. But I know this isn’t about a few lives—it’s the treacherous tides of the court. For this, I need you.”

Min Dongsheng grew agitated. “The problem is—Mu Junyan doesn’t care about court struggles! All he wants is to hold the Mu army’s command and unite the southern lands. That coward—he has no ambition! He doesn’t understand—whether he yields or not, whether he fights for power or not—those families, the Jiangs, the Yuans, and that old witch behind imperial power—they will never allow the Mu family to hold such military might!”

Gu Hua secretly breathed easier.

Good—he was stirred.

She abruptly shifted the topic: “You hate the Empress Dowager? Because of your wife?”

His face froze. “How do you know?”

She had only guessed.

The Min family was once a prestigious clan in the capital.

The night he ranked among the top three in the exams, a grand banquet was held. That same night, his wife was assaulted in her own chamber. She hanged herself in despair.

And the man who violated her was none other than Yuan Zhongyong.

Gu Hua stepped closer, smiling faintly. “Do you know—the true culprit behind your wife’s death is in Juzhou right now?”

Min Dongsheng’s eyes turned scarlet. He lunged forward, grabbing her sleeve. “What did you say?!”

In an instant, Chiyu and Zhou Zhilan rushed over. Chiyu drew her sword, ready to slash his hand.

Gu Hua quickly raised a hand. “Chiyu, stop.”

Zhou Zhilan shielded Gu Hua, gripping Min Dongsheng’s arm. “Let go!”

But Gu Hua locked eyes with him, speaking slowly, word by word: “Do you want revenge for your wife? Killing Yuan Zhongyong alone is not enough. The Jiang clan is also my enemy.”

At that, Min Dongsheng abruptly released her sleeve, took a step back, and cupped his fists in salute.

“I, Min Dongsheng, am willing to follow Madam!”

Gu Hua’s heart leapt with joy.