FBC – Chapter 240 An Unexpected Turn

Someone couldn’t help but read the poem aloud softly.

“Spring arrives across the Nine Regions, a thousand blossoms bloom.
Emerald willows and peach trees glow beneath the dawn light.
Purple swallows flutter gracefully, their shadows dancing in the clouds;
Golden bees drift about, the dew fragrant upon their wings.
A gentle breeze caresses the face, stirring tender thoughts;
Fine rain moistens the robe, the mood lingering and long.
In this season of beauty, the scenery is worth beholding—
To stroll at leisure brings boundless joy.”

“Excellent poem!”

“And the calligraphy is exquisite! This Zanhua Xiaokai style is the finest I’ve ever seen.”

Hearing that, Zhao Chufei set down her teacup and looked over.

Jiang Ruoxi and her companions exchanged glances. They had wanted everyone to laugh at the sight, but this was the complete opposite of what they expected.

Unable to hold back their curiosity, they walked over to take a look—and were dumbfounded.

Didn’t Gu Wanru claim that her illegitimate younger sister was illiterate, that she couldn’t even read or write and only knew how to seduce men?

How had it been less than half a year, and she could now compose poetry and write such beautiful calligraphy?

Qian Peiqin deliberately raised her voice. “I heard that the Duke Yong only took a liking to her because she could imitate Miss Jiang’s Zanhua Xiaokai. She must’ve learned it hastily just to please him!”

Jiang Ruoxi suddenly recalled something and sneered. “A pale imitation, that’s all. My elder sister’s Zanhua Xiaokai is the true standard—who in the capital would dare compete with her in calligraphy?”

Among the noblewomen of Daliang, the Zanhua Xiaokai style of calligraphy was the current trend. Of those who practiced it, the finest were Zhao Chufei and Jiang Ruoyun.

Had Jiang Ruoyun not been frail, she might have rivaled Zhao Chufei for the title of the most talented woman in the capital.

Zhao Chufei also stepped forward.

Seeing her approach, Jiang Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly smiled ingratiatingly. “Sister Zhao, please don’t take offense. I only spoke up for my late sister’s sake—it wasn’t meant to demean you.”

Zhao Chufei’s expression was cool. “Why bother competing with the dead? I’m not that idle.”

Jiang Ruoxi’s face froze.

Zhao Chufei walked up to the poem. Her eyes brightened slightly, and she spoke clearly: “No. Madam Mu’s handwriting surpasses mine.”

Standing quietly to the side, Gu Hua hadn’t spoken a word.

She had written that poem for Mu Junyan’s sake.

She didn’t want anyone to say Mu Junyan’s wife was talentless.

Hearing Zhao Chufei’s comment, she looked up in surprise.

Was she… acknowledging that Gu Hua’s calligraphy was better than hers?

A Hanlin scholar standing nearby nodded repeatedly. “Many people can mimic the appearance of Zanhua Xiaokai, but they fail to grasp its spirit. The strokes look similar yet lack vitality.

But this calligraphy pays attention to every detail—the left-falling strokes are slender and elegant, like a beauty’s fine hair; the right-falling strokes are restrained and rounded at the tip, while the vertical lines stand graceful and straight, exuding composure. Every character flows in harmony, dignified and refined—this is true artistry.”

Praise rippled through the crowd. One after another, people turned to look at the woman standing quietly in the corner.

Seeing their gazes, Gu Hua offered a polite curtsey and a gentle smile—without a hint of arrogance despite the acclaim.

Someone couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “Indeed, they say a person’s writing mirrors their character. Madam Mu truly embodies that saying.”

Jiang Ruoxi’s face turned ashen, the silk handkerchief in her hand nearly shredded to pieces.

At that moment, Zhao Chufei finally met Gu Hua’s gaze.

Sensing her eyes, Gu Hua looked back calmly.

Then a clear voice spoke—

“This palace would also like to clarify something on Madam Gu’s behalf.”

The Empress had approached unnoticed, now standing beside Gu Hua.

“Last year, during the Flower Appreciation Banquet, the three poems that astonished everyone and earned My praise and reward—were said to have been written by Gu Wanru. But later, I learned that those poems were actually composed by Gu Hua. All of Gu Wanru’s so-called talents were, in truth, Gu Hua’s.”

Gu Hua hadn’t expected the Empress to suddenly reveal this.

She looked at her, surprised.

The Empress smiled warmly and took her hand. “Gu Hua was the one who hid her brilliance. And let it be known—Gu Wanru has already been expelled from the Gu family. Gu Hua has no elder sister. Do not mistake that again.”

Her tone softened, yet her next words carried weight.

“I officially declare: Gu Hua is the lifesaver of the Sixth Princess and also this palace’s goddaughter. Should anyone dare to slander or defame her again, do not blame this palace for being merciless!”

Though her face bore a smile, her gaze was sharp as a blade.

The noble ladies who had gossiped earlier turned pale and lowered their heads, retreating hastily, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Those who had intended to befriend Gu Hua now rushed forward, surrounding her with flattering words.

Suddenly, Gu Hua caught a glimpse of a shadow flickering within the crowd.

She immediately excused herself politely. “Pardon me, I must take my leave for a moment…”

Everyone understood and stepped aside at once.

Gu Hua bowed to the Empress. “Your Majesty, I shall return shortly.”

“All right. Be careful,” the Empress replied, glancing at a palace maid who quietly followed Gu Hua.

Gu Hua turned to her and said softly, “Sister, I’m just heading to the ladies’ room.”

The maid understood her desire for privacy and respectfully pointed the way. “It’s right over there, Madam. Please be cautious.”

Gu Hua smiled. “I will. I’ll be back soon.”

After turning several corners and ensuring no one was around, she quickly made her way toward a nearby rockery.

Chi Yu emerged from behind it.

“Madam, something just happened.”

“Speak.”

Gu Hua had ordered Chi Yu to keep a close watch on the young Marquis Jiang. Any suspicious move was to be reported immediately.

She could not allow him to disrupt Mu Junyan’s plans today.

“The young scholar who won at the sub-venue has just been brought before Young Marquis Jiang,” Chi Yu reported quietly. “The boy praised him excessively and even gifted him a poem. The young marquis was delighted, rewarded him with a hundred taels of silver, and secretly ordered him to be taken to the west chamber to rest.”

“What’s the boy’s background?”

Chi Yu’s voice dropped further. “According to a message from Chi Yan, that boy’s elder brother used to be a courtesan—played with and killed by Young Marquis Jiang, his body dumped in a mass grave. This youth is likely here for revenge. He was planted by our lord.”

…

A quarter of an hour earlier, Jiang Jingchuan had been drinking and joking with his dissolute friends and courtesans from the Entertainment Bureau when his attendant announced that a talented young scholar from the sub-venue wished to pay his respects.

Jiang Jingchuan immediately understood what that meant.

His men all knew of his fondness for handsome youths. Seeing that this scholar was fair and delicate, they guessed the marquis would be interested and tricked the boy into believing that Jiang Jingchuan wanted to promote him—then brought him over.

Facing the fair-skinned youth, visibly nervous, Jiang Jingchuan could tell he was untouched and grew even more intrigued.

“So, you say you admire this young marquis?”

The youth, desperate to gain favor, had no choice but to nod.

His jade-like face flushed crimson in embarrassment. “I—I greatly… admire your talents, my lord. If I could gain your favor…”

Jiang Jingchuan’s eyes gleamed with amusement. He reached out, hooked a finger against the boy’s palm.

Startled, the scholar stumbled back, blushing furiously.

Jiang Jingchuan, thoroughly aroused by his shyness, chuckled. “I’m drinking with friends right now. Go wait in the next room. Soon, I’ll test your ‘scholarship’ properly.”

The servant understood perfectly.

The youth, feigning joy, bowed and left.

But once inside the “resting room,” he found it dark—no lights lit—and before he could react, the door was locked from outside.