FBC – Chapter 223 The Emperor’s Heart is Hard to Read

In the side hall of the Chongzheng Hall, Gu Hua met the Emperor.

“Rise, be seated.”

The Emperor raised his hand. Zhao Luoxuan stepped forward to help Gu Hua up, but Gu Hua shook her off, insisting on kneeling.

She raised the tiger tally high above her head with both hands. “Your Majesty, the Grand Madam ordered this concubine to present the tiger tally of the Mu Army.”

The Emperor’s expression shifted slightly at the sight of the tiger tally. “What is the meaning of this?”

Yet Gu Hua caught the faint ease and pleasure in his tone.

So… he had been waiting for the Mu family to hand it over willingly all along?

Gu Hua steadied her heart and spoke firmly. “My husband has already fallen in battle. Now the Mu Army is left leaderless, while the southern border is perilous. If the army’s morale is not stabilized soon, I fear we won’t be able to resist foreign invasion.”

“But the Mu Army is a force that has never known defeat. To train a band of brave, loyal generals is no easy feat. Does Your Majesty still remember five years ago, when the old generals under the late Duke were unjustly implicated and tortured to death in Juzhou Prison? If they had still been alive, Da Liang would never have needed five years to suppress the enemy. The southern border would already have been peaceful, and the people would be living in security.”

“But now, the people suffer, soldiers are slaughtered in great numbers, and though they bled and died to defeat the enemy, they were lured into the capital and thrown into prison. Such generals, covered in merit, now sit in chains. The people are already whispering. Anyone with eyes can see someone harbors ulterior motives. Your Majesty is a wise ruler, how could you not know this?”

The Emperor’s gaze sank.

So… she knew everything. Was this about avenging the injustice of five years ago?

Gu Hua didn’t pause to consider what he thought, and finished reciting the words Min Dongsheng had taught her.

“The old generals’ wrongful deaths are one thing. What matters more is that no one leads the army now, no one defends Your Majesty’s southern borders. That is Your Majesty’s true loss! If what happened five years ago happens again, who can guarantee we can raise another generation of capable generals in just five years?”

“Princess Shuhe has been to Juzhou. She saw with her own eyes how arrogant the enemy was. Even after King Duan of Dali was captured, he remained defiant. If he were released, if our ranks lack seasoned leaders, how could we resist? Your Majesty is a wise ruler—surely you understand the danger.”

“Impudent!”

The Emperor’s face darkened completely. “Are you trying to instruct me on how to rule?”

“Father, Sister Hua is not—”

The Emperor glared at Zhao Luoxuan and barked, “Leave!”

“Father!”

“Guards, escort the princess out!”

The eunuchs rushed to obey. Zhao Luoxuan looked anxiously at Gu Hua, her eyes full of worry.

Gu Hua gave her a small nod, reassuring her.

Helpless, Zhao Luoxuan retreated. The Emperor also dismissed the rest.

Only then did Gu Hua feel at ease.

The Emperor descended from his throne, came to stand before her, and softened his tone. “Rise. You are still carrying Ziyuan’s child. That is his only bloodline. If anything happens, I would have no way to face him and the heroes of the Mu family.”

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened as she slowly stood. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty’s grace.”

The Emperor’s gaze fell on the tiger tally in her hands. “How did this tally end up with you?”

Gu Hua knew he was suspicious.

“It was brought back by Chiyan, who served at Ziyuan’s side. I am only a woman, ignorant of state affairs and unfit to meddle. The Grand Madam is aged and can no longer command troops. Only Your Majesty can earn the generals’ trust and lead. Naturally, the tiger tally must be given to Your Majesty. But… just as I was about to hand it over, General Qi Jun and the others were arrested. I hesitated for a few days, harboring selfish thoughts.”

The Emperor arched a brow. “Oh? What selfish thoughts?”

“This concubine feared that Your Majesty might not trust Ziyuan, and instead trust treachery.”

The Emperor gave her a long, meaningful look. “Ha, you’ve grown bold indeed. Treachery—whom do you mean?”

Gu Hua raised her eyes, meeting the full force of his imperial gaze. “Whoever tries to seize control of the Mu Army over Your Majesty’s head—that is treachery! The southern war was just won, yet King Duan has not been dealt with. Talks of peace between the two nations have not even begun. At such a time, the leading generals should not have been summoned back to Bianjing, only to be imprisoned without cause, tortured to extract confessions. This only gives the enemy a chance to rescue King Duan and return in force!”

“Furthermore, the generals have just won victory. Many are still wounded. To treat them so is not only to chill the hearts of the people, but also the hearts of tens of thousands of soldiers! The malicious intent of certain individuals could not be more obvious!”

The Emperor raised his brows. “Gu Hua, you’ve changed.”

Gu Hua’s eyes brimmed red, her voice choked. “Replying to Your Majesty, I once traveled a thousand li delivering provisions. I saw corpses strewn across the fields, saw soldiers shed their blood on the battlefield. I am not made of stone—how could I not change? My only regret is that I lack the strength to lift a blade, to slay Your Majesty’s enemies myself!”

She clasped her hands and bowed deeply.

“I am but a woman, unfit to meddle in state affairs. The Grand Madam is aged, unable to lead. Only Your Majesty can inspire and command the army.”

“This concubine has sinned. Earlier, I went to the imperial prison to see the generals. They swore Your Majesty could not have known of their plight, that it was someone else’s doing. Only then did I resolve to hand over the tiger tally, and beg Your Majesty to save them. To lose them would be to lose Da Liang’s strength!”

When she finished, her face was streaked with tears.

Her heartfelt plea moved the Emperor.

Since Mu Junyan’s death, no one had willingly surrendered the tally.

He had believed it was in the Grand Madam’s hands, and her refusal meant she had other intentions.

And speaking of the Grand Madam—her dragon-headed staff could even strike an emperor.

As long as the Mu family didn’t rebel, he had to respect the Mu clan’s standing in the hearts of the people.

Thus, he had turned a blind eye to the Ministry of War’s imprisonments and tortures.

He certainly didn’t want the Mu Army falling into the Jiang or Yuan clans’ hands—otherwise he could never balance against the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort.

He had simply wanted the Mu family to surrender the tally themselves, so the world wouldn’t say their Emperor discarded loyal servants and seized power the moment Mu Junyan died.

The Emperor took the tally into his palm. Finally, his heart settled.

He tested her. “Madam Mu, did the Grand Madam say who might be suitable to supervise the Mu Army?”

Gu Hua sneered in her heart.

The old lady and Min Dongsheng had predicted this exactly.

Of course the Emperor would ask.

She answered steadily. “The Grand Madam and I dare not meddle in politics. But this concubine witnessed enough to beg Your Majesty never to entrust it to anyone of the Jiang or Yuan clans.

“Yuan Zhongyong, as imperial overseer, galloped through the streets, harmed the people, and even brought prostitutes into camp, inciting condemnation from both officials and citizens of Juzhou. People thought it was Your Majesty’s permission! As for Jiang Duo, his words during the peace talks made people suspect him of collusion with the enemy. Moreover—”

Gu Hua raised her eyes and met the Emperor’s squarely. “He is suspected of smuggling national ore. The Mu Army guards the southern mines. My husband suspected the Jiang clan forced Your Majesty to sacrifice the beloved Princess Shuhe in marriage not to appease the enemy, but to curry favor so they could smuggle ore!”

If the Jiang and Yuan clans were barred, that left only the Second Prince.

And he had even trained with the Mu Army before.

The Emperor frowned.

“Do you have proof?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, investigations are underway. Clues have already emerged. Also, the Grand Madam bade me ask Your Majesty one question—do you wish to be free of the Empress Dowager’s shackles once and for all?”

“Impudent!”

The Emperor’s face darkened.

Gu Hua knelt again, raising her clasped hands high. “This concubine conveys the Grand Madam’s words. The Mu family swears eternal loyalty to Your Majesty. The Mu family will sacrifice blood and bone, will be the sword in Your Majesty’s hand!”

The Emperor studied the woman’s straight back. Gone was the frail, delicate girl he had first met.

Now, Gu Hua bore a trace of the Mu clan’s steel.

The Emperor reached out, gently raising her arm. His tone softened. “Rise and speak.”

Gu Hua’s tightly clenched heart finally eased.

It was done!

“Quan Zhong.”

“At your command.” A figure stepped forth.

Gu Hua recognized him—it was the head of the eunuchs, the foremost attendant at the Emperor’s side.