FBC – Chapter 250 The Beautiful Madam

Zhao Yuxuan’s horse had been startled, yet he still won first place.

This victory carried immense weight.

Though the emperor was in poor spirits, he still bestowed heavy rewards upon Zhao Yuxuan — five newly tributed Ferghana horses and the Star-Moon Sword, a treasured blade passed down from the late emperor himself.

The gazes of the court ministers toward Zhao Yuxuan all changed.

Zhao Yuze’s face turned ashen.

There were only five of those Ferghana horses in total this time. He had once requested one from his father, but the emperor had said he would distribute them to the princes after the competition. Yet now, all five had gone to Zhao Yuxuan.

And that Star-Moon Sword — the ancestral heirloom of the imperial line!

Did this mean… his father intended to make Zhao Yuxuan the crown prince?

Consort Jiang’s body went limp with despair.

Prince Ping’an remained silent.

Lady Yuan and the ministers who supported the eldest prince each harbored their own troubled thoughts.

The emperor and the empress dowager both returned to the palace with dark expressions.

Meanwhile, Gu Hua sat in her carriage on the way back to the Duke Yong’s mansion, her face radiant with joy.

For the first time, she truly felt the thrill of victory in a battle of schemes.

The one who had arranged that “stray arrow” was none other than Mu Junyan.

After releasing the arrow, he had immediately withdrawn. Amid the chaos, no one noticed a thing. By the time they discovered that the horse had been injured, he had already blended seamlessly into the imperial guards — vanishing without a trace.

Upon returning to the Duke’s residence, Gu Hua unfastened her cloak and instructed softly,  “Have the boy Chi Yan brought back come see me.”

Dong Hua, who was holding her cloak, immediately understood who she meant. Handing the cloak to Dong Qing, she hurried off.

Before long, Chu Huai was brought to the Lan Yue Pavilion.

Gu Hua had already changed into a light-colored home robe. She sat at a low tea table, personally brewing tea.

Chu Huai’s severed arm had been reattached by Doctor Shen. It was splinted and bandaged, suspended from his neck.

He hadn’t expected to be brought to Duke Yong’s residence. The people who escorted him refused to explain anything, leaving him terrified. Yet, since he was treated with kindness, his panic gradually subsided.

Now, seeing a serene and beautiful young madam seated before him — her every gesture exuding grace and nobility — he instantly understood.

This must be the Duchess Yong!

Chu Huai didn’t dare look directly at her. Instead, he suddenly dropped to his knees, his kneecaps hitting the stone floor with a sharp crack that made even the listeners flinch.

Gu Hua’s hand paused mid-pour. Looking at the kneeling youth, she smiled faintly and said softly, “Doesn’t that hurt?”

Her voice was gentle and tender like water, stunning Chu Huai for a moment. He hadn’t expected the duchess to be so kind and mild.

He wanted to lift his head but didn’t dare. His forehead stayed pressed to the floor.

“Replying to the duchess,” he said, voice trembling, “it doesn’t hurt. I only beg the duchess to help my elder brother receive justice!”

His words carried a sobbing tone.

“Rise and tell me slowly,” Gu Hua said.

Chu Huai thanked her and got up.

Gu Hua smiled. “Come, have some tea.”

Startled, Chu Huai lifted his head and met her clear, luminous eyes. His face flushed red, and he quickly looked away.

He moved forward obediently, stopping a full zhang away, standing upright with hands folded before his stomach and head bowed.

Gu Hua’s lips curved in amusement. “Sit here. If you’re that far, I can’t hear you properly — how am I to help your brother seek justice?”

Chu Huai’s small face tensed. He carefully shuffled closer and sat on the edge of a small wooden stool, his back straight.

“Drink,” she said, handing him a cup of tea herself.

Her slender, jade-like fingers held the delicate white porcelain cup — the sight nearly blinded Chu Huai.

That hand was too beautiful.

Startled, he shut his eyes tight, stretched out both trembling hands — even his injured one — to take it.

Gu Hua couldn’t help smiling as she studied his tense, youthful face.

His round cheeks were taut with nervousness, his posture rigidly proper. Though his injured wrist trembled, he stubbornly held it up.

Amused, Gu Hua teased, “Taking tea without opening your eyes — that’s rather rude, isn’t it?”

Chu Huai quickly opened his eyes — and once again met her soft, smiling gaze. His heart skipped a beat.

His eyes darted away frantically as he took the cup. His nerves made him grip it too tightly, sending a sharp pain through his injured arm. He winced, almost dropping it — but Dong Hua caught it in time.

“Careful!” Dong Hua scolded. “That cup’s an imperial kiln piece, a rare treasure. Break it, and your life won’t be enough to repay it.”

Chu Huai turned pale. “Y-yes, ma’am, I’ll hold it steady…”

He stared down at the cup in his hands, his childish face flushing red as he nearly whimpered, “Madam… could I have a rougher bowl instead?”

Gu Hua laughed. “Just drink this one. It’s not so precious — if it breaks, so be it.”

Chu Huai dared not argue further. He carefully lifted it and downed the tea in one gulp.

Dong Hua clicked her tongue. “You drink like a farmhand! That was southern tribute tea, worth a fortune.”

“Ah…” Chu Huai grimaced. “Sister…”

Dong Hua couldn’t help chuckling, taking the cup from him. “Alright, since you called me sister, I’ll stop teasing you.”

Chu Huai wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Thank you, sister.”

Gu Hua asked, “Now tell me — what exactly happened with your brother that made you hate Jiang Jingchuan so much you wanted to kill him?”

At the question, Chu Huai immediately stood and bowed.

“Madam,” he said, “my brother’s name was Chu Run. Our parents died early, and he raised me himself. He never wanted to become a courtesan — he was forced.”

“My brother was a scholar. He came to the capital two years ago for the imperial exam but failed. Having spent all his savings, he thought to find work in the city to earn some silver — both to return home and to fund my studies.”

“But…” His voice broke, and tears filled his eyes.

“He was noticed by Young Master Jiang and imprisoned in the Nan Hall. But my brother was a commoner, a decent man, a licentiate! He was innocent — how could they defile him? He refused to yield and was tortured to death.”

Gu Hua had never heard of this before. She turned to ask Chiyu, “What is this Nan Hall?”

Chiyu looked uncomfortable. “It’s… uh…”

Dong Hua interjected, “This servant knows. The Nan Hall is the most famous male courtesan house in Bianjing. Its patrons are both men and women.

“The place is gorgeous, with many private rooms where guests can choose their companions. The courtesans there are not only good-looking but also skilled in the four arts — qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The first floor is for tea and performances. Guests pick their favorite courtesan for conversation, music, or other entertainments — and, of course, overnight stays.”

Chiyu glared at her. “How do you know that in such detail?”

Dong Hua blinked. “I’ve been there.”

Chiyu’s eyes widened. “You have?! You’re a woman — why would you go to such a place?”

Dong Hua raised an eyebrow. “Precisely because I’m a woman. What, should I go to a brothel instead?”

“You—!”

Chiyu was fuming, at a loss for words.

Gu Hua, amused by his fluster, looked at Dong Hua curiously. “Women can go there too?”

Dong Hua nodded. “Of course. Mostly wealthy widows. Even some royal widows sneak in secretly.”

Chiyu turned red. “Then why did you go? You’re no widow.”

Dong Hua gave him a sidelong glance. “Because I saw you go in — so I followed.”

Chiyu: “…”

Gu Hua looked at him. “So you investigated?”

He straightened. “Yes. When my lord discovered Chu Huai’s case, he ordered me to look into it. The Nan Hall’s owner is Jiang Jingchuan.”

Gu Hua raised an eyebrow. “Him again? That Jiang Jingchuan is truly fearless. I assume you’ve uncovered everything about the Nan Hall’s dealings?”

Chiyu cupped his hands. “Yes.”

Gu Hua nodded.

Mu Junyan must have already made his move. All that remained now was to wait quietly for the emperor’s announcement regarding the crown prince.

“Chu Huai,” she said gently, “stay here and recover first. Are you preparing for the autumn exam?”

He bowed respectfully. “Yes, madam, I intend to take it.”

“Good. I’ll recommend you a teacher. Don’t think about anything else — focus entirely on your studies. If you pass the exam, won’t that fulfill your brother’s dream and repay his sacrifice?”

Chu Huai’s eyes reddened, and he nodded vigorously. “Thank you, madam!”

Gu Hua smiled softly. “You’re a good one — your future is bright.”

Chu Huai blinked, dazed.

The beautiful madam had said he had a bright future!

Gu Hua rose, and seeing his stunned expression, she thought of her own two younger brothers — soon to be his age in a few years.

She smiled warmly. “You’re about the same age as my brothers. From now on, I’ll treat you as one of them.”

Chu Huai was dazzled by her radiant smile.

Such a beautiful, kind madam… without her husband — how pitiful.