FBC – Chapter 207 Winning Favor

Gu Hua returned to the manor with the Old Madam. Her heart was unsettled, full of questions, so she supported the Old Madam back to Xiangrui Hall and recounted everything that had happened in Juzhou in detail.

“Mother, Jiang Duo has already met with His Majesty. He will surely slander Ziyuan and the Mu family army. And since both the peace treaty and the marriage alliance were decreed by His Majesty himself, wouldn’t the Emperor be furious?”

The Old Madam brushed away the sorrowful expression that had briefly appeared on her face, patted Gu Hua’s hand, and smiled. “An emperor’s heart is deep and unpredictable—what he plays is the art of balance. Now that Ziyuan has ‘fallen in battle’ and the Mu family army is leaderless, do you think His Majesty can truly rest easy?”

Gu Hua suddenly realized: “You mean His Majesty is appeasing us on one hand, but on the other, he’s considering who should take over the Mu family army?”

The Old Madam held her hand tightly. “Ziyuan swore not to marry or have children, all to safeguard the Mu family army. But now, with you and the child, he must protect it all the more. The Jiang family will not have their way—rest assured.”

Gu Hua froze.

Looking closely at the Old Madam’s face, she noticed that behind her reddened eyes glimmered a hint of cunning.

Her eyes widened, and she whispered, “Mother… you knew?”

The Old Madam nodded. “Of course I knew. Otherwise, how could I have paved the way for you in advance, and petitioned for your conferment of title?”

Gu Hua was so stunned she couldn’t speak for a long moment.

The Old Madam had pretended to be senile before, and now pretended her son had died in battle—what a performance!

“My good child, you only need to protect the baby and bring him safely into the world.”

Suddenly, Gu Hua felt like crying. She threw herself into the Old Madam’s arms and sobbed.

She was so happy.

After her rebirth, she had actually gained Mu Junyan’s respect and the Old Madam’s love—something she hadn’t even dared to dream of before.

Just then, Yiniang hurried in, her face full of joy. “Old Madam, Madam, the imperial edict has arrived. You are requested to come out and receive it.”

The Old Madam took Gu Hua’s hand. “It must be the edict conferring your title.”

“So soon?” Gu Hua was astonished.

The Old Madam smiled. “His Majesty wants to show the world, so naturally it must be swift.”

Gu Hua understood.

The one proclaiming the decree was a fourth-rank official, Tongzhi Geishizhong.

Both women knelt to receive the edict. Not only was Gu Hua granted the title of Third-Rank Lady of Virtue along with the official robes, she was also formally bestowed as Mu Junyan’s legitimate wife by imperial marriage edict bearing the jade seal. The Old Madam was elevated to the extraordinary honor of Supreme Lady of the First Rank.

In addition, the Emperor sent down lavish gifts: gold and silver, fine ornaments, rare medicinal herbs—ten full chests of treasures lined up in a long row outside the residence.

The streets were packed with onlookers, buzzing with chatter.

The Tongzhi Geishizhong, seeing the mourning attire draped over the entire household, dared not offer congratulations. He only maintained a solemn expression and said, “Might this humble servant offer incense for the late Duke Yong?”

“Please do, My Lord.” Gu Hua supported the Old Madam as they stepped aside.

After the incense was offered, the official sighed. “Old Madam, Madam Mu, as long as the green hills remain, there will be no lack of firewood. Please accept my condolences.”

“Many thanks, My Lord.” Gu Hua choked out.

When the official was gone, Gu Hua and the Old Madam turned to look at the piles of rewards.

“What do you think?” The Old Madam seemed intent on testing her.

Gu Hua replied calmly, “It looks like a lot, but nothing unique. It must have been pulled directly from the Ministry of Rites’ stores.”

The Old Madam nodded. “Not bad—you’ve got a good eye.”

Just as they were about to return inside, they heard the sound of horse hooves approaching rapidly.

Turning back, they saw it was none other than the Second Prince, Zhao Yuxuan.

He had brought along two carriages as well.

Leaping off his horse, Zhao Yuxuan quickly ascended the steps. After exchanging formal greetings, he said, “Old Madam, Madam Mu, these are gifts from my mother to her newly acknowledged foster daughter.”

Gu Hua was startled. “How could I dare to accept?”

Zhao Yuxuan earnestly replied, “You are my mother’s foster daughter now, and thus my foster sister. To be honest, my mother, Sixth Brother, and I are all deeply grateful that you saved Xuanxuan. She was young and pampered since birth, and when she was forced into the marriage alliance, my mother and she cried until their hearts broke. We thought we would never see her again. But now—she’s home.”

His eyes were red, his voice thick with emotion.

“My mother said, no matter how many gifts she sends, it can never express her gratitude.”

He held out a small rosewood box. “This is the Empress’s jade plaque. In the future, whenever you need anything, you may use this plaque to enter the palace and see my mother directly—no one will dare stop you.”

Gu Hua glanced at the Old Madam, who nodded. Overcome with emotion, she accepted it with both hands.

Respectfully, she said, “Please ask His Highness to convey my deepest gratitude to Her Majesty. Once the mourning period for the Duke has passed, I will enter the palace to give thanks.”

Zhao Yuxuan exhaled in relief. “You are my foster sister now, don’t be so formal. Visit the palace often to keep my mother company—she likes you very much.”

After he left, Gu Hua unfolded the gift list.

Tribute pearls, one hundred; luminous pearls, ten; a red coral tree; a golden-threaded soft armor; a pair of purple jade ruyi; a pair of emerald ruyi; a set of luminous amber cups; two sets of jade hair ornaments; a Third-Rank coronet with pearl phoenixes…

There were also rare jade vases and other unique ornaments.

Every single item was of immense value.

Zhou Zhilan opened two chests for inventory while gasping in amazement at each piece.

Gu Hua, supporting the Old Madam, whispered, “Aren’t these rewards far too lavish? Is the Sixth Princess truly so important to the Empress?”

In two lifetimes, she had never seen such treasures.

The Old Madam whispered back, “The Sixth Princess herself isn’t worth so much. The most important thing is that the Second Prince came today.”

“The Second Prince?” Gu Hua instantly recalled Min Dongsheng’s analysis of the imperial princes.

Her eyes widened, and in a low voice only the Old Madam could hear, she asked, “Could it be that the Empress and the Second Prince want to draw close to us, hoping to use the Mu family army to push His Majesty into naming him Crown Prince?”

The Old Madam’s eyes lit up. “I hear you’ve gained a strategist by your side—truly remarkable. You’ve already learned to grasp the key so quickly.”

Gu Hua blushed. “It’s just a little insight.”

The Old Madam chuckled meaningfully. “Just wait—soon, our Duke Yong’s residence will be bustling with activity.”

Gu Hua frowned. “But since this concerns the Crown Prince’s position, can we really accept such gifts?”

The Old Madam answered as if it were obvious. “Of course we can. These are rewards you earned at the risk of your life. As for who becomes Crown Prince—His Majesty has his own mind. He is weighing the pros and cons. All we need do is add our weight to the scale and support the one we deem suitable.”

Gu Hua nodded.

After the trip to Juzhou, she understood well that the Mu family must become a force in the imperial struggle if they were to truly protect the Mu family army.

One of the chief reasons she risked her life to save Zhao Luoxuan was precisely because she was the Empress’s daughter.

Consort Jiang was determined to climb to the top, but the Empress and she were enemies in all but name.

Mr. Min had said: the enemy of one’s enemy is one’s friend.

Gu Hua knew clearly: to bring down the Jiang and Yuan families, they had to help the Empress’s son become Crown Prince.

She would have to use her connections with high-ranking women to give Mu Junyan the support he needed.

And Zhao Luoxuan was the best pathway.

The next day—

Duke Yong’s residence truly became lively, even more than on the day of Gu Hua’s marriage.

Friends, acquaintances, even those with strained relations all came.

Even the Jiang heir and Yuan heir arrived.

Because she was pregnant, the Emperor had decreed that Gu Hua could remain seated while receiving condolences, and no one was to demand that she rise in greeting.

Gu Hua didn’t stand on ceremony either. No matter who came, she obeyed the imperial decree and remained seated, returning their courtesies.

The news that Gu Hua had been re-bestowed as Mu Junyan’s legitimate wife, granted the title of Third-Rank Lady of Virtue, and acknowledged as the Empress’s foster daughter spread across the capital overnight like wildfire.

“Madam, the Marquis of Wenchang and his lady have come to offer condolences,” reported Dong Qing, who was in charge of receiving guests.

Gu Hua’s gaze darkened slightly. “Please, show them in.”