FBC – Chapter 205 Welcoming the Coffin

Inside the room, only Gu Hua and Princess Zhao Luoxuan remained.

Zhao Luoxuan tugged at her sleeve, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Gu Hua deliberately asked, “What instructions does the Princess have?”

Zhao Luoxuan stammered, her pretty face flushing red. “Will General Qi escort us back to the capital?”

Gu Hua looked at her. “Why is the Princess so concerned about General Qi?”

“He’s very brave,” Zhao Luoxuan blurted out, her ears instantly burning red with shyness.

“When Jiang Duo forced me out of the city, he was the first to lead the Mu family army to rush over and protect me. He even threw Jiang Duo out directly. I was terrified then, but he shouted at me, ‘Princess, as long as this humble official is here, there is no need to fear!’”

She mimicked Qi Jun’s voice as she smiled, repeating his words.

“I don’t think there are many noble sons in the capital who could compare with his might.”

A young maiden’s heart stirred with first feelings—truly the most enchanting sight.

Only then did Gu Hua understand why Zhao Luoxuan held such a deep impression of Qi Jun.

The pampered princess seldom left the palace, rarely encountering such a valiant man.

Especially when it was a hero saving a maiden—it was far too easy to touch a girl’s heart.

Gu Hua thought for a moment. For her sake, it was best to cut off this budding notion.

“Princess, he is from Ju Prefecture. His family has served in the military for generations, and among them, his rank is the highest—yet still, he is only a fifth-rank general.”

Zhao Luoxuan understood what she meant.

“But military men can always earn rewards and titles with great merit. I will speak on his behalf.”

Gu Hua looked at the innocent young girl and sighed inwardly.

The next day, before dawn, Gu Hua took Zhou Zhilan and Dong Hua out.

In the western outskirts of the city, atop a small hill, there stood a lone grave, its tombstone facing Shu Prefecture.

Dong Hua laid out offerings from the food box, while Zhou Zhilan placed an incense burner before the tomb.

Gu Hua knelt, lit three sticks of incense, and bowed three times.

“Brother Ji, Hua’er is about to return to the capital. Rest in peace. When I have the chance to return, I will burn incense for you again.”

As she spoke, she recalled the joyful moments with Brother Ji.

At that time, she was drowning in grief and despair. Even the smallest glimmer of hope from Brother Ji had been like a dazzling light to her.

She had clung to that light with all her strength, cherishing it deeply.

Just as, after her rebirth, she had desperately clung to Mu Junyan in her hopelessness.

Yet comparison brought out differences.

Mu Junyan was like the sun—no darkness or hardship could eclipse his brilliance, no difficulty could extinguish his fiery spirit.

Anyone near him would feel his steadfastness and strength.

Every time Gu Hua thought of Mu Junyan, she was filled with courage, fearing nothing.

After paying respects to Ji Xuanyu, the heavy stone in her heart was finally set down.

Back in the city, the princess’s carriage was prepared. Together with the Black Armored Guards escorting the coffin of Duke Yong, a grand procession of over two hundred was ready to depart.

The commoners and soldiers of Ju Prefecture all came to send them off, watching the coffin pass by.

Gu Hua stood on the carriage, leading the procession as it slowly moved forward. Over a thousand people knelt in unison, their cries filling the air.

Tears welled in Gu Hua’s eyes as she bowed deeply to them.

Zhao Luoxuan lifted the curtain and peered out. The sight reddened her eyes as well.

Her gaze fell on Qi Jun, astride his horse not far away, clad in black armor, heroic and imposing.

Qi Jun seemed to sense her gaze. He looked back, and their eyes met. Startled, he quickly bowed his head and clasped his hands in salute.

Zhao Luoxuan thought for a moment, then grabbed Nanny Mo’s hand, pressing into it a jade pendant she had personally threaded with a beaded tassel.

“Nanny, give this to General Qi as thanks for saving me.”

Nanny Mo was shocked. “Princess, this jade pendant is…”

“Is my life not worth a single piece of jade? Hurry.”

With no choice, Nanny Mo stopped the carriage, dismounted, and went straight to Qi Jun.

He leapt down from his horse. Seeing the jade pendant, he was shocked and repeatedly waved his hands, refusing to accept it.

But Nanny Mo shoved it into his arms and hurried back to the carriage.

Qi Jun stood dumbfounded, clutching the pendant. Looking up at Zhao Luoxuan, he blushed crimson at such a public gift from a princess.

Zhao Luoxuan, too embarrassed to meet his eyes, dropped the curtain and urged the carriage forward.

Gu Hua had seen it all, and her worry deepened.

She knew too well how tragic the outcome of love across such class divides could be.

What’s more, a princess’s marriage was never her own choice.

Still, once they returned to the capital, the two would never meet again. With time, the princess would forget—after all, they had just met, and feelings had yet to run deep.

The grand procession left the city. Gu Hua collected her scattered thoughts.

Returning to the capital was no promise of peace—it would be the true beginning of court struggles for power.

Suddenly sensing something, she lifted the curtain and scanned around.

On a distant slope ahead, a lone figure on horseback stood in black. Though too far to see the face clearly, Gu Hua instantly recognized him—Mu Junyan.

Their gazes met from afar, and Gu Hua’s heart surged with emotion.

Mu Junyan was returning to the capital too!

With him by her side, Gu Hua felt utterly reassured.

Perhaps it was the imposing sight of the princess’s carriage and the coffin escort, bolstered by Mu Junyan’s presence, but their journey went smoothly. Not even a trace of the mountain bandits Gu Hua had once encountered appeared.

A month later, the procession reached the outskirts of Bianjing.

From afar, they could already see the throng of officials and commoners crowding at the city gate.

The Sixth Prince, Zhao Yuwen, stood in a bright yellow dragon robe, awaiting eagerly.

“Sixth Brother!” Zhao Luoxuan hastily lifted the curtain and rushed down from the carriage, bursting into tears.

Zhao Yuwen hurried over, waving excitedly. “Xuanxuan, you’re finally back.”

She nodded vigorously. “Yes, I’m back. But Sixth Brother, why are you here?”

“News from Ju Prefecture has already reached the palace. Father commanded me to lead the officials here to welcome you and the coffin of Duke Yong.”

Her eyes brimmed red with emotion. At his words, she quickly pointed to the coffin in the procession. “Sixth Brother, quickly go pay respects. And this is Duke Yong’s widow, Sister Hua—she saved my life.”

“Very well. I shall first pay my respects.”

Zhao Yuwen led the officials toward the rear. Zhao Luoxuan followed.

With Zhou Zhilan’s support, Gu Hua stepped down from her carriage. Seeing the prince, she bowed low. “This concubine greets Your Highness, Sixth Prince.”

Zhao Yuwen strode forward and raised his hand. “Please rise quickly. It is I who should thank the Lady.”

Gu Hua forced out a few tears as she straightened.

“Father ordered me to receive the coffin.” Zhao Yuwen looked at the massive black coffin, sorrow welling in his heart.

“Ziyuan was the war god, undefeated in battle. To think that…”

Gu Hua knew he was close to Mu Junyan and could be an ally.

“Your Highness must not grieve too deeply. As a general, my husband had long been prepared to sacrifice for the country.”

For the first time seeing Gu Hua up close, Zhao Yuwen noted her plain mourning dress and pale complexion—surely the toll of long travel.

Yet her face did not overflow with grief. Her back was straight, her will clearly strong.

The reports from Ju Prefecture had long been delivered to the palace at urgent speed. Gu Hua’s deeds were already known, shocking court and city alike.

The Emperor and Empress had even summoned the Grand Madam to confirm the news—that Gu Hua had risked her life to deliver grain a thousand miles to Ju Prefecture, enabling the Mu family army to win a great victory.

Reports also said she had saved the Sixth Princess multiple times. The Empress and Sixth Prince were endlessly grateful.

“Lady Mu,” Zhao Yuwen said solemnly, clasping his hands in salute.

Gu Hua hurriedly returned the gesture. “Your Highness, I am but a commoner’s wife, unworthy of such courtesy.”

“Sister Hua is worthy!” Zhao Luoxuan interjected urgently. “She is my lifesaver!”

Zhao Yuwen nodded. “Xuanxuan, do not be anxious.”

“By Father’s order, I invite Lady Mu to first return to her residence. At You hour, together with the Grand Madam, you will enter the palace to be received. Father and Mother have prepared a banquet to welcome you, as well as bestow rewards.”

Gu Hua hesitated. “But I am still in mourning. Is it proper to face the Emperor?”

“It matters not. Father has granted you and the Grand Madam permission to enter in plain mourning clothes.”

Her heart eased slightly.

“This concubine obeys.”

Zhao Yuwen cast a glance at Jiang Duo, who had followed along, and spoke indifferently. “Lord Jiang, you’ve worked hard.”

Back in the capital—this was Jiang family’s domain. Jiang Duo’s spine stiffened immediately.

Yet the prince had ignored him earlier, going straight to receive the coffin. It was a clear refusal to give him face.

Jiang Duo replied coolly, “This humble servant merely fulfilled his duty, completing the peace negotiation with Princess Shuhe. I dare not call it hard work.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s phoenix eyes widened.

Shameless!

Zhao Yuwen shot her a glance to restrain her.

Then he turned back to Gu Hua. “Lady Mu, please return to rest. I hear you are carrying Duke Yong’s posthumous child. You must ensure the safety of both mother and child.”

“Yes. I will present myself at the appointed hour.”

Gu Hua did not linger further—her body truly was weary.

Her thoughts turned to Grand Madam.

How heartbroken must the old lady be now?