FBC – Chapter 259 Returning to Juzhou Once More

After Gu Hua got into the carriage, she noticed new silk cushions and a large embroidered pillow had been added. All were made from the finest kesi silk—elegant yet understated, soft and luxurious.

Several boxes of freshly made tea pastries and special Jiangling snacks were placed on the tea table.

Pei Jinglei had really paid attention to the details.

The Old Madam nodded approvingly. “No wonder the Pei family’s business thrives—they have people who understand how to do things properly.”

Gu Hua picked up a pastry and handed it to the Old Madam. “Although Aunt Pei committed evil deeds, after meeting Pei Yi, I realized not all members of the Pei family are short-sighted. Aunt Pei is Aunt Pei, and the Pei family is the Pei family. They’re willing to send real grain to Juzhou at their own expense—clearly, they have foresight.”

The Old Madam took a bite. “Mmm, delicious. Even more delicate than the pastries in Bianjing.”

Gu Hua smiled and offered one to Yuan Jieying as well.

Yuan Jieying hurriedly accepted it, thanking her repeatedly, her eyes glowing as she looked at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua felt embarrassed under that gaze and touched her face. “What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?”

Yuan Jieying smiled and shook her head, savoring the pastry slowly.

The Old Madam chuckled. “Miss Yuan must be admiring you.”

Gu Hua blushed and pouted playfully. “Mother, you’re teasing your daughter-in-law.”

The Old Madam laughed. “I’m not teasing. Even I didn’t think of having the Pei family do business in Nanjing.”

Yuan Jieying nodded earnestly. “Exactly. I was astonished when I heard that—Madam Mu is truly admirable.”

Gu Hua smiled faintly. “Miss Yuan, you can just call me Gu Hua—or Hua’er.”

“Then, Hua’er, you can call me by my given name, Min’er.”

“Alright, Sister Min’er.”

The two smiled at each other, as if they’d found kindred spirits.

“Yi Niang, Zhilan, try some too. The osmanthus cakes melt in your mouth—they’re delicious.”

“One piece isn’t enough; I want a few more.”

“Eat as many as you want—even ten pieces. There’s a whole box underneath.”

Laughter filled the carriage.

After a month and a half on the road, the convoy finally arrived in Juzhou.

The city gates were crowded with people—citizens of Juzhou, stationed soldiers, General Fang, and Commander Luo.

At the front stood a young woman.

“Xuanxuan!”

Gu Hua’s eyes lit up with joy as the girl ran toward her.

Zhao Luoxuan first bowed to the Old Madam, then turned with reddened eyes and threw her arms around Gu Hua. “You’re finally back! I’m so happy!”

Gu Hua looked her over fondly. Her face was tanned, and she’d lost weight, but she looked healthier.

She wore a dark red ruqun and had her hair done in a married woman’s style—yet her pretty face still carried a trace of girlish youth.

With so many people watching, Gu Hua didn’t ask too many questions.

Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes fell on the woman behind Gu Hua, head lowered—she looked familiar.

Tilting her head, her expression changed slightly.

“Isn’t that the wife of the Prince of Ping’an’s heir?”

Yuan Jieying immediately bowed. “Yuan greets Your Highness.”

Zhao Luoxuan turned to Gu Hua, puzzled.

Gu Hua smiled. “Let’s go home first—we’ll talk later.”

“Yes, yes—you’re heavily pregnant. You must be exhausted.”

Zhao Luoxuan cheerfully took one of Gu Hua’s arms and one of the Old Madam’s. “Old Madam, you must be tired too.”

Seeing how lively and bright Zhao Luoxuan was—her eyes like shining stars—Gu Hua felt reassured.

It seemed she was doing quite well.

When they arrived at the Duke Yong’s residence, Gu Hua was astonished to see the courtyard newly renovated.

“This is…”

Zhou Chunyu came out smiling, followed by Shen Li and Min Dongsheng.

Gu Hua’s eyes widened. “Why are you here? You even arrived before us?”

Zhou Chunyu grinned. “We hurried ahead on fast horses. The estate was too simple before. Since Old Madam and Madam were returning, of course we had to fix it up properly.”

Zhao Luoxuan chimed in proudly, “I’ve been helping here for days, too.”

The residence had absorbed two adjacent compounds, expanding into a four-courtyard mansion with two three-bay side wings and a larger garden.

“I live next door now. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law wanted to come greet you at the gate today, but I asked them to stay behind and prepare the welcome banquet.”

Hearing this, Gu Hua’s heart suddenly ached at the thought of Qi Jun’s tragic death.

Zhao Luoxuan noticed her silence and squeezed her hand gently. “His parents are kind people. They know everything that happened. They said it was their son’s fortune from past lives to marry me—they’re grateful, truly.”

Gu Hua forced a small smile. “I see.”

But guilt still pressed heavily on her heart.

Zhou Zhilian and the maids rolled up their sleeves to help prepare dinner.

Seeing everyone’s familiar faces gathered together, chatting and laughing as they ate, Gu Hua couldn’t help missing Mu Junyan even more.

He was still alone in Bianjing—was he eating properly?

At least Dong Mo and Wen Hanxuan, his close attendants, hadn’t come along. And Chiyan and the others were there to protect him.

“Old Madam, Madam,” Zhao Luoxuan said, bringing over Qi Jun’s parents with wine cups in hand.

Gu Hua tried to rise, but Zhao Luoxuan quickly pressed her back down.

“You shouldn’t move so much—you’re heavy with child. Father- and Mother-in-law insisted on toasting you, so I brought them.”

Gu Hua stood anyway, lifting her cup and bowing slightly, her voice trembling. “Gu Hua toasts the two elders.”

The couple hastily bowed low, keeping their cups down. “We dare not, we dare not! Madam’s great kindness—allowing our son to wed the Princess—we’re the ones who should thank you!”

Tears welled in Gu Hua’s eyes. “From now on, please treat me as your daughter. Xuanxuan and I will honor you both together.”

The elderly couple were deeply moved, eyes red, stammering that they didn’t deserve it.

After the cheerful banquet ended, everyone urged the Old Madam and Gu Hua to rest. Hot water was prepared for bathing and changing.

Zhao Luoxuan followed Gu Hua like a little tail and finally refused to leave, insisting on sleeping with her.

Gu Hua couldn’t refuse and agreed.

Lying in bed, neither could sleep.

Zhao Luoxuan excitedly recounted everything she’d done in Juzhou.

The emperor had granted her ten thousand acres of tea hills in the western part of Juzhou, which she distributed among the war-displaced refugees so they’d have a home and livelihood.

She’d also reclaimed a barren mountain to plant tung trees, recruiting skilled oil refiners and building a tung oil processing workshop.

She’d founded an orphanage for homeless children.

And even built a school, hiring teachers so that poor children could study for free.

Gu Hua gave her a thumbs-up. “Now that’s what a true princess looks like.”

Zhao Luoxuan lifted her chin proudly. “I’m not some pampered, useless flower in a golden cage—I can be useful.”

“Of course you can.”

Zhao Luoxuan hugged Gu Hua’s arm. “Sister, your return—was it because something happened in Bianjing?”

Gu Hua didn’t hide anything and told her everything that had occurred.

After all, in the future, the two of them would work together to make Juzhou a strong, prosperous place where the people could live in peace.

When Zhao Luoxuan heard that the Second Prince would most likely become the Crown Prince, her expression didn’t show much joy.

Instead, she frowned slightly. “Second Brother has always been cautious—too rigid, even. If he becomes emperor, I fear he won’t be able to handle those cunning, treacherous courtiers.”

Gu Hua widened her eyes. “You don’t want him to take the throne?”

“It’s not that I don’t want him to. I just worry that once he sits on that seat, he won’t live long enough to warm it. That throne—so high and cold—isn’t a blessing.”

Gu Hua looked at her with newfound admiration.

For someone so young, she was remarkably clear-minded.

Zhao Luoxuan suddenly grinned. “Enough about them—let’s talk about us. Now that Old Madam, the Zhou siblings, and Chiyu are all here, it looks like we’ll be staying a long while. Sister, what are your plans?”

Gu Hua smiled softly. “I want to work with you to make the southern border a land everyone dreams of living in. How about that?”

“Of course!”

Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes sparkled brightly.