FBC – Chapter 198 On the Brink of Conflict

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The next day.

Jiang Duo and his men were neatly dressed, waiting for Princess Shuhe to come out.

He had already contacted the people of Dali in secret. As long as Princess Shuhe was taken out of Juzhou City today and set foot in Dali, he would no longer fear the emperor going back on his word. At the same time, this would force the Mu family army, who were still searching for the King of Dali everywhere, to retreat.

After waiting for some time, he unexpectedly saw Gu Hua walking out side by side with Zhao Luoxuan. Zhao Luoxuan’s attendants hadn’t brought any luggage, not at all looking like they were about to leave Great Liang for a marriage alliance, but rather like two sisters going out for a stroll.

Jiang Duo’s brows knitted.

That Gu Hua was truly troublesome—who knew what tricks she was up to again!

Last night, he had seen Yuan Zhongyong, beaten so badly and thrown into the official courier station. The sight had made Jiang Duo furious.

If not for the importance of the peace talks and the marriage alliance, he would have long since dealt with this wretched woman Gu Hua.

He led his men forward and saluted Zhao Luoxuan. “Your subject greets Your Highness the Princess.”

Zhao Luoxuan waved a hand. “Rise.”

“Princess, today we must set out for the capital of Dali. Your carriage and belongings must be fully prepared.”

Without waiting for Zhao Luoxuan to respond, Jiang Duo’s face darkened as he pointed at Nanny Mo. “Why are you standing there? Hurry and bring out the princess’s things! If you delay the auspicious time, none of you will be able to bear the blame!”

Nanny Mo glanced at Zhao Luoxuan.

Zhao Luoxuan looked astonished. “Today we’re going to the capital of Dali? Shouldn’t we first understand the situation before making arrangements?”

A flash of disdain crossed Jiang Duo’s face before he resumed a respectful tone. “Your Highness, this humble official has already arranged everything. The emperor’s decree is for the princess to go directly to Dali and meet the King of Dali—”

“To offer myself as a concubine?” Zhao Luoxuan could no longer hold back and interrupted him.

Jiang Duo looked at her in shock.

Zhao Luoxuan’s young face turned cold. “What a joke! Great Liang has suppressed Dali for decades, leaving them unable to even breathe properly. Why should I, a legitimate princess of Great Liang, lower my status to beg for a place in the bed of some tiny, insignificant state? Lord Jiang, is this truly my royal father’s will—or your own scheme?”

Jiang Duo frowned, casting a cold glance at Gu Hua, who stood nearby.

It must be that wretched woman who had sown discord in the princess’s heart.

Even so, Jiang Duo cared nothing for women’s opinions—princess or not, she had no right to meddle in state affairs.

“Princess, you are mistaken. Matters of state are not child’s play. This humble official acts only on the cabinet’s resolutions and the emperor’s decree. How could I dare act on my own? Your Highness must not question the decisions of the court.”

Zhao Luoxuan sneered. “I represent my royal father in coming south to negotiate peace. Naturally, I must fulfill the duties of a princess. The soldiers and people here have defended the southern borders with their lives—so that we may enjoy peace and prosperity. Now that I am here, my first duty is to comfort the army and the people. Only then can we speak of peace talks.”

Jiang Duo hadn’t expected the young princess to publicly defy him, a second-rank official.

His face sank, and he barked sternly: “Princess! You have no authority to decide on peace matters. You must follow me immediately!”

At his wave, the Tianwu soldiers at his side stepped forward.

“Presumptuous! Who dares lay a hand on the princess!” Nanny Mo shouted angrily.

The princess’s guards immediately surrounded her, swords drawn and eyes vigilant.

The Black-armored Guards led by Chiyu moved in as well, their expressions grim and murderous.

Jiang Duo said coldly: “Princess, are you trying to resist the imperial decree?”

Gu Hua suddenly spoke up. “Lord Jiang, as Associate Minister of the Privy Council in charge of military defense and troop deployments, have you not received the military reports? The King of Dali has already abandoned his capital and fled. The royal city no longer exists. Who exactly do you intend for Princess Shuhe to marry? Or perhaps Lord Jiang knows where the King of Dali has fled—and can still contact him?”

Her eyes brightened. “In fact, Lord Jiang should quickly report the king’s whereabouts to the generals pursuing him—so they can capture this runaway monarch. That would give us far more leverage in negotiations, wouldn’t it?”

Jiang Duo’s fury instantly turned on Gu Hua. He pointed at her and roared: “You insignificant concubine—how dare you slander before the princess and meddle in matters of state! Men! Drag her down and lock her up!”

“You dare!”

Zhao Luoxuan hadn’t expected Jiang Duo to attempt an arrest right before her eyes. She quickly stepped in front of Gu Hua.

Chiyu and his men instantly drew their blades with a sharp sound—both sides now stood at sword’s edge, ready to clash.

Jiang Duo shouted in fury: “I act under the emperor’s decree! Whoever dares defy it will be executed on the spot!”

From behind Zhao Luoxuan, Gu Hua poked out her head and said loudly: “In the past two months, the Mu army has won victory after victory, even driving the King of Dali out of his capital. Now is the time to strike while he’s down. Yet Lord Jiang wishes to save this drowning dog? Tell us, Lord Jiang, which side do you truly serve?”

“You—!”

Jiang Duo was enraged but unwilling to waste more words on women. The important thing was to reach the appointed place on time—once they saw the princess, the matter would be settled.

He stepped back and bellowed: “Men, escort the princess to the carriage!”

But Gu Hua pushed aside Zhao Luoxuan’s hand, stepped forward, and shielded the princess behind her.

Her face hardened as she shouted: “Mu family army, protect Her Highness the Princess! Anyone who dares harm her is guilty of treason and will be cut down without mercy!”

The Black-armored Guards roared in unison: “We swear to protect the princess to the death!”

The murderous aura honed on the battlefield was nothing the Tianwu soldiers could compare to. Jiang Duo and his men instinctively recoiled.

Zhao Luoxuan’s phoenix eyes widened, her hand trembling as she pointed at Jiang Duo. “Jiang Duo, you dare show such disrespect to this princess on Great Liang’s own soil? Do you mean to abduct me and deliver me to traitors? You are the one who commits treason and defies the throne!”

The accompanying officials grew anxious, tugging at Jiang Duo’s sleeve and whispering: “Lord Jiang, His Majesty only ordered the princess to represent Great Liang in the peace talks. If she refuses to go, then going without her is meaningless. But you cannot force the princess!”

Jiang Duo’s face was dark with fury.

With the Black-armored Guards protecting her, Zhao Luoxuan grew bolder. “I will write to my royal father at once, reporting the true situation here—so he can see your treacherous face clearly!”

That struck a nerve. Jiang Duo’s eyes blazed with menace. “I’m afraid, Princess, that your letter will never be sent.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s little face flushed red, her eyes wide with fear. She quickly turned to Gu Hua. Gu Hua gave her a reassuring look.

Zhao Luoxuan steadied herself.

As a late-born legitimate princess, cherished by both the emperor and empress, she had never dealt directly with ministers. She never imagined they would dare treat her with such contempt.

“Ah, I’ve arrived late! I beg the Princess and Lord Jiang not to take offense.”

The new Prefect of Juzhou hurried over, laughing to smooth things over. “This humble official, Prefect of Juzhou, greets Your Highness the Princess.”

Zhao Luoxuan straightened her back, struggling to maintain her dignity, and raised her hand slightly. “Rise.”

The prefect bowed again to Jiang Duo. “This humble one greets Lord Jiang. After such a long journey, I should have prepared a banquet to welcome the Princess and all the esteemed ministers. But alas, Juzhou has suffered bitterly these past months—we can scarcely gather chicken, duck, or fish.”

Zhao Luoxuan asked in surprise: “Ah, then how do the common people survive?”

“Your Highness, I came at your summons to escort you to the porridge kitchens and orphan camps. The emperor ordered you to comfort the people. Fortunately, His Majesty governs with benevolence and compassion, putting the people first. His virtue shines upon the land. Your Highness’s own benevolence will surely be recorded in history and praised for generations—”

Gu Hua: “…”

Why was this prefect so good at spouting flowery words?

Jiang Duo’s fury mounted. He snapped harshly: “What exactly are you trying to do?”

The prefect bowed respectfully. “I am here to guide Her Highness. The people of Juzhou all know the princess has arrived—they are waiting eagerly to behold her grace.”

Jiang Duo frowned.

But with things as they were, if he pressed further, it would give others a handle against him.

It was still early. He wanted to see just what tricks that troublesome woman could possibly pull.