FBC – Chapter 209 Keeping the Child, Discarding the Mother

The Second Prince Zhao Yuxuan, the Sixth Prince Zhao Yuwen, and Zhao Luoxuan finished offering incense. Zhao Luoxuan immediately clung to Gu Hua’s arm impatiently.

With concern, she said, “Sister Hua, don’t be too sad.”

“I’m fine.” Gu Hua smiled faintly.

Zhao Yuwen added, “Sister Hua, Mother said she’ll ask for your child to be granted the title of heir apparent. Father will surely agree. By then, you’ll have nothing to fear.”

Gu Hua was surprised. “How can an unborn child be made heir? We don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl yet.”

Zhao Yuwen replied, “It doesn’t matter. Whether boy or girl, it’s Duke Yong’s only child. Even a daughter can inherit the title—because she’s the Duke’s most noble, only child.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s big eyes sparkled. “Sister Hua, don’t worry. If Father doesn’t agree, I’ll cry and make a fuss. Father dotes on me most.”

Gu Hua shook her head. “Let’s not speak of sealing the title yet. The child is only two months along. Better to wait until he’s more stable, or he might not be able to bear such a fortune.”

The three were stunned by her words.

Gu Hua patted Zhao Luoxuan’s hand. “I know the two princes, the princess, and Her Majesty the Empress mean well. Even underground, the Duke Yong would be grateful for her kindness.”

Zhao Luoxuan looked helplessly at her second brother.

Zhao Yuxuan nodded. “It was thoughtless of us. But rest assured, the heir’s position will belong to your child.”

Gu Hua gave a gentle smile and personally escorted them out.

Along the way, high-ranking nobles greeted them respectfully, then whispered among themselves.

“Is Her Majesty setting herself up as the Duke Yong’s widow’s backer?”

“Of course. Think about it—the Mu Army is now headless. His Majesty must appoint someone to take command of the Gu Army. The Second Prince once served there, and the Sixth Prince was even a disciple of Duke Yong. Naturally, the Second Prince would take over.”

“Is this about military power? Isn’t it more about the Crown Prince’s seat?”

“Shh! You’ll get yourself killed talking like that here.”

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Watching the princes’ and princess’s carriages depart, Gu Hua turned and met Zhou Zhilan’s gaze.

Min Dongsheng had analyzed it last night. The Empress’s kindness—partly for Zhao Luoxuan, but mostly to gain Gu Hua’s support in the struggle for the Crown Prince’s position.

By recognizing Gu Hua as a foster daughter, and by petitioning the Emperor to grant her a noblewoman’s title, the Empress was making it clear: the Mu family belonged to her faction.

How much of this was true repayment for Zhao Luoxuan? Likely, the Crown Prince struggle weighed heavier.

Right now, every eye in court was fixed on the Duke Yong’s household.

With hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers—whoever controlled them would be the victor.

Min Dongsheng advised to feign ignorance, and let them fight it out.

Gu Hua thought—perhaps this was the true meaning behind Mu Junyan’s feigned death.

After a long, exhausting day, Gu Hua bathed, changed clothes, and ate some restorative soup with minced chicken porridge. Her energy returned somewhat.

Shen Li entered, expressionless, plopping down on the soft couch.

Gu Hua tilted her head. “What’s wrong? Worn out?”

“Gu Wanru is pregnant.”

Gu Hua froze.

“Pregnant? Whose child? Mu An’s?”

Zhou Zhilan sat beside her, lowering her voice. “I interrogated her. It should be…”

Gu Hua stared at her. “Who else could it be?”

Zhou Zhilan frowned. “I can hardly bring myself to say it.”

Gu Hua was puzzled. “Something you can’t say?”

“Do you remember the musician she invited to teach her?”

Brother Ji?

Gu Hua’s heart tightened. “It’s…”

“Yes. That man.” Shen Li lifted her skirt, kicked off her shoes, and sat cross-legged on the couch.

“I’ve already ordered abortion medicine prepared. We’ll have her drink it and be done.”

Gu Hua snapped out of her shock. “No!”

Both turned to look at her.

Gu Hua steadied herself, remembering Ji Xuanyu’s words:

‘Hua’er, I left you one last thing. Gu Wanru deserves death—you’ll understand when you return.’

So this… this was intentional. Ji Xuanyu had done it to punish Gu Wanru.

But in her womb was Brother Ji’s only bloodline.

He had strayed from the right path, but without Concubine Pei and Gu Wanru, would he have turned out that way?

All of this was their sin.

Gu Hua sneered. “Come, let’s see her.”

How could she let Gu Wanru die so easily?

The once-splendid Jinxiu Pavilion was now desolate, overgrown with weeds.

Inside the main room, a brazier burned faintly, an old servant woman muttering curses while warming herself.

“Leave us,” Zhou Zhilan ordered.

The servant quickly saluted and withdrew.

Wrapped in a cloak, Gu Hua entered, coldly staring at Gu Wanru curled up on the bed under a tattered quilt.

Dong Hua looked around—no chairs—so she fetched one and placed it.

Gu Hua sat, calmly gazing at Gu Wanru.

Gu Wanru stared fixedly at Gu Hua’s mourning clothes.

“Who died?”

Gu Hua toyed idly with her hand warmer. “Not you.”

Gu Wanru frowned. “You’re in mourning? Did Duke Yong die?”

Her eyes suddenly lit up. She threw off the quilt and scrambled to the bed’s edge. “Duke Yong died? He must have! That’s why you’re in mourning! Mu An’s dead, you must be thrilled! Yes, it must be the Duke who’s dead!”

She suddenly laughed wildly. “Wonderful! He’s dead! You never bore a child in time, so Mu An can inherit the title! And I’m carrying Mu An’s son—my son will be Duke Yong’s heir!”

Gu Hua raised her eyes, studying her curiously.

How could she be so stupid?

“Whose child is in your belly?”

Gu Wanru’s laughter stopped abruptly.

She immediately shielded her stomach. “Of course it’s the Mu An’s son. Don’t you dare harm him! If you touch my child, I’ll report you to the authorities!”

Gu Hua arched a brow. “Think carefully. Whose child are you carrying?”

Gu Wanru’s face stiffened.

Gu Hua, disgusted by her, rose slowly, looking down at her.

“Gu Wanru, you committed adultery, carrying another man’s child. You’ve violated the Seven Grounds for Divorce. You are hereby cast out of the Mu family.”

Gu Wanru roared, “How dare you! You’re just a lowly concubine—what right have you to dismiss me, the official wife?”

Zhou Zhilan slapped her hard.

“Impudent! How dare you speak so to our Madam!”

Gu Wanru clutched her cheek, glaring at Zhou Zhilan.

Gu Hua smiled. “Elder Sister, our positions have reversed. You are the Gu family’s concubine-born, I am the legitimate daughter. You’re now the Mu family’s discarded wife, and I am His Majesty’s personally conferred Duchess Yong, with the rank of Third-Class Lady of Virtue.”

Gu Wanru was shocked, her voice trembling. “Duchess? A Third-Class title? You lie! You’re mad!”

Gu Hua sighed. “You mustn’t lose your mind.”

She leaned close, whispering only for Gu Wanru to hear. “Don’t worry. Brother Ji will use your womb for a child—I will raise him well.”

She stepped back quickly, Dong Hua rushing forward to shield her.

“What did you say? Brother Ji?!” Gu Wanru’s face went ashen, clutching the bed’s edge.

Gu Hua bent slightly, smiling faintly. “Brother Ji—you invited him yourself. Wasn’t it your choice to lend him your womb?”

Gu Wanru froze.

Gu Hua straightened, her voice icy. “Mu An’s original wife, Gu Wanru, committed adultery and conceived a bastard. By law she deserves death. Out of pity for the child, I strike her name from the Mu genealogy. She will be sent to a convent, to take vows. After childbirth, she will atone with death.”

“Gu Hua, you dare! I won’t give birth! I won’t bear a bastard!”

Gu Wanru shrieked, flailing toward her.

Dong Hua and Zhou Zhilan pinned her firmly, careful not to harm the child.

“Tie her to the bed. Do not hurt the child.”

Dong Hua summoned several sturdy women to bind Gu Wanru tightly.

“Tell Steward Zhou: tomorrow, file the divorce papers with the yamen, and submit documents naming Gu Wanru as Ji Xuanyu’s concubine. From now on, she will bear the Ji surname, a lowly concubine of Ji Xuanyu.”

Gu Hua turned and left, her stifling anger at last dispersed.

Gu Wanru, live well until the child is born. Suffer in Concubine Pei’s stead!

Brother Ji, I’ve left you a child. This time, I’ll raise him into an excellent man.