FBC – Chapter 224 Qi Jun Goes Missing

“Pass on my decree—order the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice to immediately release the generals of the Mu Family Army.”

Gu Hua’s tears almost fell. She quickly bowed deeply and said, “Your Majesty, this humble wife has one more presumptuous request. I beg Your Majesty to grant it.”

The emperor looked at her, his expression stern, his tone neither warm nor cold. “Speak.”

“Today, when this humble wife saw them, their injuries were quite severe. I beg Your Majesty’s grace to allow me to bring them back to the Duke’s Manor for proper care. The generals will surely be grateful to Your Majesty and serve with even greater loyalty.”

The emperor’s expression softened, and he nodded. “Granted.”

Since he had already agreed to release them, why not go along with it?

Gu Hua could no longer hold back her emotions. The tears that had been welling in her eyes finally spilled over. She bowed respectfully. “This humble wife will accompany Lord Zuoban Dudu Zhi to receive them.”

Though Lord Zuoban Dudu Zhi held only the fifth rank, he was the emperor’s closest aide. Naturally, Gu Hua had to show him respect.

Zuoban Dudu Zhi smiled. “Lady Mu, you are with child and have already been rushing about for hours. Surely you are exhausted. Don’t make the Old Madam worry, nor disappoint His Majesty’s good intentions. Please return to the manor first. I will personally ensure their safe arrival.”

His words left no room to argue. Gu Hua could only bow and say, “Then I must trouble you, Lord Dudu Zhi. Please also arrange for carriages, for they seem unable to walk.”

“Rest assured, Madam. I will see it done properly.”

But how could Gu Hua truly rest assured? If she didn’t see them with her own eyes, accidents could happen at any moment.

Still, this was the most she could do.

Both the Mu Army and the Yuan Army each had their own tiger tally. Even without it, they would obey imperial commands—but whoever held the tally commanded absolute authority over the troops.

The tiger tally represented supreme military power.

Gu Hua understood well. Mu Junyan had surrendered the tally precisely to set the emperor’s mind at ease, to make the traitors lower their guard, and reveal their fox tails.

Outside the hall, Zhao Luoxuan anxiously paced back and forth. When she saw Gu Hua emerge, she quickly rushed forward.

“Sister Hua, how did it go?”

Gu Hua forced a smile. “His Majesty has already ordered Lord Dudu Zhi to release them. They will be sent to the Duke’s Manor.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Zhao Luoxuan jumped with joy. “I’ll go wait with you at the manor!”

Gu Hua had no choice but to bring up the empress. “Princess, you must first report to Her Majesty. Otherwise, this humble wife dares not let you see General Qi at the manor.”

Zhao Luoxuan grew anxious. “Mother won’t refuse. I’ll only see him for a moment before leaving. Good sister, I want Qi Jun to see me the instant he arrives at the manor.”

So you already know the empress won’t approve?

Gu Hua sighed. “Princess, don’t make things difficult for me.”

Zhao Luoxuan stomped her foot. “Fine, fine! I’ll go report to Mother right now. Sister, wait for me—we’ll go together.”

Watching her flit away like a butterfly, Gu Hua felt a mix of emotions.

Zhao Luoxuan’s fervent affection for Qi Jun—was it blessing or disaster?

Unexpectedly, the empress agreed to let Zhao Luoxuan accompany Gu Hua to the Duke’s Manor.

On the carriage ride back, Gu Hua felt a vague unease. She silently prayed for the safe return of the generals.

One sat heavy-hearted, the other brimming with excitement.

When they arrived at the gates of the manor, Zhao Luoxuan leapt down eagerly. “Have they come? Has General Qi arrived?”

The gatekeeper looked confused. “No, not yet.”

Zhao Luoxuan froze, then grabbed Gu Hua. “Father wouldn’t lie to us, right?”

“No. He is the sovereign of the realm—his word is iron.”

Relieved, Zhao Luoxuan smiled happily. “Then it must just be that Lord Dudu Zhi is too slow.”

“Yes. Let’s prepare everything first. As soon as the generals return, they’ll need treatment.”

“Good.” Zhao Luoxuan linked arms with Gu Hua, her face radiant with anticipation.

Feeling her girlish excitement and blossoming smile, Gu Hua only grew more uneasy.

Zhou Zhilan hurried past them, saying, “I’ll arrange the rooms and the kitchen, and notify Shen Li and Doctor Shen to be ready.”

The entire manor came alive with bustling activity.

Servants swept floors, tidied rooms, carried flower pots, fetched bedding.

The kitchen roared to life, smoke curling as chickens were slaughtered and fish cleaned in a frenzy.

Someone even jumped into the half-frozen pond, breaking the ice to catch carp beneath.

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened.

Everything was prepared. Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan, with Shen Li and Doctor Shen, waited at the gates. Zhou Zhilan and Zhou Chunyu also stood ready, with stretchers carried by pairs of men.

“Why aren’t they here yet?” Zhao Luoxuan craned her neck, tiptoeing to peer down the street.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed.

“They’re here!” Zhao Luoxuan leapt with joy and ran forward, lifting her skirts.

Lord Dudu Zhi had indeed done things properly, arriving with three carriages under the guard of imperial soldiers.

Zhao Luoxuan flitted around the carriages like a butterfly. “Qi Jun! Where is Qi Jun?”

But when the generals were helped down one by one, she froze.

Zhou Zhilan and Zhou Chunyu directed the men to carefully place them on stretchers and carry them inside.

Gu Hua’s face turned grave. She stepped forward. “Lord Dudu Zhi, where is General Qi?”

He looked baffled. “There were only four generals in the prison. I brought them all. I had no idea there was another—this General Qi.”

Gu Hua’s face changed dramatically.

Zhao Luoxuan went pale, tears threatening to spill. “How is that possible? Sister Hua and I just visited him in prison! We went straight to Father afterward. How could he be gone already? You’re lying!”

Lord Dudu Zhi quickly said, “Oh, Princess, how could I dare? This was His Majesty’s order—how would I dare defy it?”

Zhao Luoxuan pressed on, but Gu Hua pulled her aside and gently asked, “Then, Lord, before you arrived, do you know who might have taken someone away?”

Lord Dudu Zhi glanced at her, admiring her clear questioning. “Madam, I heard Lord Jiang Duo came earlier. It seems he took someone.”

Gu Hua’s mind exploded.

Jiang Duo!

That scoundrel!

Zhao Luoxuan was stunned. “Jiang Duo? What right does he have to take someone? He’s just using this chance for revenge!”

Lord Dudu Zhi dared not comment. “Princess, I heard Lord Jiang is in charge of interrogations. Perhaps he didn’t know His Majesty’s decree had come down and took him elsewhere for questioning.”

Gu Hua and Zhou Chunyu exchanged glances, both sensing grave trouble.

Zhao Luoxuan panicked. “I’m going to the Jiang residence to demand him back!”

Gu Hua held her firmly. “Princess, you mustn’t act rashly. He may not even be there.”

Zhao Luoxuan burst into tears. “What do we do then? He’s already badly injured, and now that beast has taken him—who knows what torment he’ll suffer!”

Gu Hua glanced at Lord Dudu Zhi, who remained outwardly calm. She couldn’t fathom what medicine the emperor was hiding in his gourd.

But one thing she felt certain—Qi Jun’s being singled out by Jiang Duo must somehow involve Zhao Luoxuan and the empress.

“Lord, please return to the palace and report. I will console the princess.”

Relieved, Lord Dudu Zhi agreed with a smile. “As you wish.”

Gu Hua pulled Zhao Luoxuan back inside and immediately ordered Dong Hua, “Quickly—find Chi Yu.”

Then she soothed Zhao Luoxuan. “Princess, you must not go. The Jiang clan is just waiting for leverage against the empress. Though His Majesty has permitted their release, if Jiang Duo insists on charges of collusion, you being involved will only drag the empress down with you.”

Zhao Luoxuan bit her lip, eyes red, but said nothing.

Soon, Chi Yu rushed in.

“Find out at once where General Qi has been taken!”

“Yes!”