FBC – Chapter 196 Princess Shuhe

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After settling Princess Shuhe in, Gu Hua returned to her room, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.

Zhou Zhilan noticed her mood wasn’t right and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong with you?”

Gu Hua pulled Zhou Zhilan close and whispered, “Sister, do you think Princess Shuhe is marrying for peace of her own will, or has she been forced into it? I remember that Princess Shuhe, Zhao Luoxuan, is Her Majesty the Empress’s second daughter—the most noble legitimate princess. Even if there’s a marriage alliance, why would they let a legitimate princess go? She’s only fifteen, just of age. I feel she’s rather pitiful.”

Mr. Min had once explained to Gu Hua in detail about the royal princes and princesses, and their mothers’ backgrounds.

Though the current Empress was not favored, her family was still a prestigious clan. Her seat as the Central Palace was stable, but since the Crown Prince had not yet been decided, things were tense.

The husband of the eldest princess was the son of a high-ranking censor, upright and incorruptible, a man whom even the emperor respected, with considerable standing in court.

Princess Shuhe was the sixth among the princesses, born to the emperor and empress in their later years. She was young, clever, and adorable, deeply loved by both.

Zhou Zhilan nodded. “Exactly. Our lord insists on fighting, and with good reason. These small neighboring states are greedy and ambitious. For decades, they’ve eyed us like wolves, harassing our southern borders again and again. How could marrying off one princess possibly solve that?

“Why are they so insistent on peace talks? Even if they wanted peace, shouldn’t we first beat them down before negotiating? Now, with Zi Yuan dead in battle and us suffering a temporary setback, they suddenly want peace? They must have ulterior motives.”

Gu Hua’s expression darkened.

The Jiang family wanted the war avoided so they could smuggle the empire’s minerals more freely. Perhaps they had other aims as well.

In any case, Jiang clan didn’t want war, and sought to curry favor with the enemy.

There could even be a larger conspiracy. Otherwise, why would Mu Junyan have to feign death to counter it?

“Madam.” Dong Hua entered quietly. “This servant heard Princess Shuhe crying. And the imperial chef they brought along—His Highness’s meals were barely touched.”

“Crying?” Gu Hua was surprised. “Right now?”

“Yes. Very softly, but I heard it. Also, the princess is coughing. They brought an imperial physician, yet I didn’t see any medicine decocted. Likely it’s nothing serious.”

Gu Hua thought for a moment. “Dong Hua, go find Mr. Min. I have something to ask him.”

In Mu Junyan’s study.

After hearing Mr. Min carefully analyze the power struggles within the palace, a daring idea sparked in Gu Hua’s mind.

“Since you say Concubine Jiang has ambitions for the throne, then surely the Empress, Concubine Jiang, and the Empress Dowager are not on good terms. If Princess Shuhe is chosen for this marriage alliance, the Empress must be heartbroken. But imperial orders cannot be defied—so the princess has no choice but to obey. Yet, if Princess Shuhe knew the alliance was unnecessary, and that it meant certain death for her, she would surely resist.”

Mr. Min nodded. “Madam’s analysis is correct.”

“Then I have an idea. Sir, please tell me if it’s feasible.” Gu Hua’s eyes lit up.

“Please speak, Madam.”

“If we persuade Zhao Luoxuan not to marry, as long as the princess refuses, Jiang Duo will have no way to proceed with negotiations.”

Mr. Min was gratified. The young lady was sharp—just a few days ago she had been rather naïve, and now she grasped the point immediately.

“Madam can try.”

Receiving his approval made Gu Hua happy. She carefully memorized the few lines of reasoning Mr. Min taught her. “Then I’ll prepare some refreshments to send over and test the princess’s mood.”

Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilan carried a food box to the guest courtyard. As they approached, faint sobs of a young girl could be heard inside.

Two eunuchs and two palace maids stood guard at the door.

Seeing them approach, they quickly stepped forward to block their way.

One eunuch said expressionlessly, “The princess has already retired for the night.”

Gu Hua smiled. “But I heard the princess crying.”

“Insolent! How dare you eavesdrop!” The eunuch’s face darkened.

Zhou Zhilan raised an eyebrow. “Does that even count as eavesdropping? We can hear it just standing here.”

The eunuch grew angry. “Insolence! A mere servant dares to speak so to me?”

Zhou Zhilan rolled her eyes. This lackey was so arrogant she almost wanted to hit him.

Inside, the crying had stopped, and the lights went out.

Clearly Zhao Luoxuan didn’t want anyone to know she’d been weeping.

Gu Hua patted Zhou Zhilan, and noting that the eunuch was a steward of rank, spoke politely: “Sir, I too came all the way from Bianjing to Juzhou, and know how hard the journey is. The princess must be weary from travel, with little appetite. I personally prepared some light pastries that are easy to digest, for her to try.”

The eunuch’s expression softened slightly.

Still stern, he replied, “The princess doesn’t eat anything of unknown origin.”

Zhou Zhilan couldn’t help but scoff.

Gu Hua smiled gently. “These pastries help the stomach and ease digestion. If the princess goes to bed hungry, she’ll find it hard to sleep. Surely you’re also concerned for her well-being?”

The eunuch hesitated, glancing back at the darkened room.

Gu Hua added patiently, “The princess is young—this is her first time leaving the palace, her first time away from the Empress. She must be homesick, and coupled with hunger and exhaustion, if she falls ill, how will she attend the peace negotiations?”

The eunuch still wavered, but then the candlelight inside was rekindled.

Gu Hua felt a spark of joy.

The door opened, and a female official came out. “Lady Gu, please come in.”

Gu Hua curtsied and followed her inside.

Zhao Luoxuan sat upright, her hair loose, dressed simply, eyes red from crying.

Gu Hua stepped forward and bowed. “Your servant greets the Sixth Princess.”

“Rise.” Zhao Luoxuan raised her hand, adopting a mature air beyond her years.

Zhou Zhilan opened the food box, presenting two plates of flower-shaped pastries, made with simple ingredients.

“This is yam osmanthus cake. Yam warms the stomach, osmanthus soothes cold and helps stop coughing. This is hawthorn jujube cake, which aids appetite.”

Though her face remained composed, Zhao Luoxuan’s phoenix eyes flicked toward the pastries.

The female official, noting her gaze, signaled the taster-maid to check them, then offered the princess a piece of each.

Zhao Luoxuan took a small bite, her eyes brightening, and quickly finished the rest. She felt her stomach ease considerably.

Her expression softened, and her voice, clear and sweet, said: “Not bad. You even know medicine?”

“Your servant traveled here from Bianjing as well. Like Your Highness, I lost my appetite and was plagued by nausea. I made these to comfort myself, and only after a few days did I recover somewhat.”

Zhao Luoxuan glanced at her. “Hmm. Not bad.”

Gu Hua looked at the female official. “Your Highness, there’s something I don’t understand, and I wish to ask.”

Zhao Luoxuan nibbled another hawthorn cake and nodded. “Speak.”

Gu Hua lowered her voice. “The war’s outcome is uncertain. If Your Highness marries now, the risks are great. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Insolence!” the female official’s face changed. “State affairs are not for women to meddle in!”

Zhao Luoxuan said nothing.

Gu Hua explained earnestly, “I am not presuming to debate politics, only speaking as a woman who pities Your Highness. I fought beside Duke Yong in Dali’s Stone City against enemy troops, and saw with my own eyes their cruelty and brutality. For Your Highness, still so young…”

Her voice choked with emotion.

Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes turned red again.

The female official frowned. “The princess must rest. You two may leave.”

Gu Hua looked sincerely at Zhao Luoxuan. “Your Highness, you need not marry at all. May I tell you the truth of our situation?”

“Insolent!”

The female official grew furious, waving to the maids. “Guards, see them out!”

Two palace maids stepped forward to drive them away.

Zhou Zhilan shoved them aside, while Gu Hua knelt directly before Zhao Luoxuan.

“This concerns Your Highness’s safety and lifelong happiness. Please, allow me to speak.”

The female official’s face darkened—Zhou Zhilan was clearly skilled, and she didn’t dare escalate. She prepared to shout for help.

Zhao Luoxuan quickly cried out, “Nanny Mo, don’t call anyone. I want to hear what she has to say.”

The female official, addressed as Nanny Mo, strode forward and whispered urgently, “Princess, these peace talks are a matter of state. Women must not meddle. Whatever she says is useless.”

“But what I speak of concerns the princess’s happiness. Will you really watch her leap into a fire pit with open eyes?” Gu Hua countered.

“You—!”

Nanny Mo’s face turned iron blue with rage. Yet fearing outsiders might overhear, she lowered her voice and scolded Gu Hua: “Do you understand what you’re doing? To shake the princess’s resolve for marriage, to sabotage peace negotiations—that is a capital crime!”