FBC – Chapter 263 Political Marriage

Gu Hua led Pei Jinglei to visit the two orphan camps and the nursing home.

Pei Jinglei saw that the women there were all seriously learning embroidery, weaving, and jewelry making. He walked over to take a closer look — the craftsmanship was quite good.

“I didn’t expect to see such fine handiwork even in the southern borderlands.”

“I specially invited an embroideress from the capital — she once worked in the palace — to teach them. Shopkeeper Qiu from Linlang Pavilion also sent a master to instruct them in jewelry making. By learning a skill and earning their own livelihood, these girls can stand on their own.”

Pei Jinglei looked at Gu Hua, eyes filled with admiration.

“Such merit is immeasurable.”

Gu Hua smiled faintly. “Not really. I’ve suffered myself, so I know what women need most in this world.”

With a smile, she led him to the exhibition room. Embroidered works, ready-made garments, and ornaments dazzled the eyes.

“Impressive, truly impressive,” Pei Jinglei said, nodding repeatedly.

“Second Uncle Pei,” Gu Hua said, “our labor here is cheap. With their craftsmanship, do you think they could take on work from the Pei family?”

Pei Jinglei froze and looked at her in surprise. “You mean… they could take on our family’s embroidery and weaving orders?”

“Not only that,” Gu Hua replied with a bright smile, “but also kesi silk weaving.”

She tilted her head and smiled brilliantly. “I know that your family’s kesi has already entered the palace as tribute. The Pei family wants to make it more accessible, letting commoners afford it too. But kesi takes too much time and labor, which makes it expensive. That’s why these women are perfect — their wages are less than half of what workers in Jiangling cost.”

Pei Jinglei was genuinely taken aback.

He hadn’t expected Gu Hua to think so far ahead.

“Was this Mr. Min’s idea?”

“No, I came up with it myself this time. I want these women to have the ability to live independently — to never have to rely on men again.”

Pei Jinglei wasn’t offended by her words; after all, the women of the Pei family themselves went out to run businesses.

“Excellent! It’s settled then! We’ve been short of hands lately — the more orders we get, the less we can keep up.”

Before long, a reply came from the Third Prince of Dali Commandery, arranging to visit in three days to discuss trade matters.

Gu Hua spent a day or two accompanying Pei Jinglei, but she had been too busy lately — her body suddenly felt very fatigued.

Shen Li handed her a bowl of medicine, face stern. “You’re always like this. What if I’m not around to watch you?”

Gu Hua took the bowl with a coaxing smile. “That won’t do. I can’t live without my divine physician, Shen.”

Shen Li glared at her for a long moment without speaking.

Gu Hua obediently drank the whole bowl. Dong Hua quickly handed her a preserved plum to chase away the bitterness.

“Let me have a look,” Shen Li said.

Gu Hua lay down slowly as Shen Li lifted the blanket. She loosened her sash and opened her robe, revealing her underclothes and her high, rounded belly.

Shen Li gently pressed around her stomach. Suddenly, the skin bulged outward, startling her so much she nearly cried out.

Gu Hua burst into laughter. “The little one’s strong, isn’t he?”

Shen Li knew the baby had been moving for a while now, but this was the first time she’d been kicked.

She glared at the round belly. “That troublemaker must be a boy. A girl would be much gentler.”

Gu Hua blinked. “Huh? Two of them?”

Shen Li immediately clamped her mouth shut. The two women stared at each other before she finally sighed.

“Yes… twins. Father and I didn’t want to tell you earlier for fear you’d be too nervous.”

Gu Hua’s face lit up with joy. She tried to sit up, but her belly was kicked again, and she let out a soft cry before hurriedly lying back down, gently stroking her stomach to soothe the babies.

“Twins? Really twins? Could they be a dragon-and-phoenix pair?”

Shen Li tried to keep a straight face, but the corners of her lips curved up despite herself. She touched Gu Hua’s belly curiously. “Probably.”

Gu Hua beamed. “No wonder my belly’s bigger than most pregnant women’s. Two of them! When Ziyuan finds out, he’ll be over the moon!”

“Madam!”

Chi Yu burst in like a gust of wind, heading straight for the inner chamber behind the screen — and froze when he saw the scene inside.

Shen Li quickly pulled up the blanket to cover Gu Hua and turned, her face frosty. “What’s the meaning of this? Why didn’t you announce yourself before entering? Such recklessness!”

Chi Yu spun around instantly, stammering, “I—I…”

“Get out!”

He darted away like lightning.

Gu Hua chuckled. “He’s been coming and going often lately to deliver messages, so I told him he didn’t need to announce every time.”

Shen Li glared at her. “This is your bedchamber!”

Gu Hua grinned sheepishly. “All right, all right, my mistake. Usually, unless you’re checking on me, I’m decently dressed.”

Shen Li shot her another glare. “You’re becoming less and less proper.”

“I’m just following my husband’s lead. A warrior’s wife shouldn’t be too fussy.”

Shen Li couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve grown quite the sharp tongue!”

Gu Hua giggled. “Talking all day every day, how could I not? Come now, dear sister — Chi Yu must have something urgent.”

Shen Li sighed helplessly. “Get back in here!” she called toward the door.

Gu Hua: “…”

This stern-faced girl really did have a kind heart.

When Chi Yu came back in, he kept his head low, sneaking a glance toward Shen Li — only to be met with another icy glare that made him instantly look away.

He spoke from behind the screen, properly: “Madam, a decree has come from Bianjing. The Crown Prince will be leading a marriage envoy to Juzhou, to escort the Princess of Dali Commandery back to the capital for a political marriage.”

Gu Hua froze. “A political marriage? Who’s getting married?”

“It’s…” Chi Yu glanced toward the shadow behind the screen. “Jiang Ruoxi.”

“Jiang Ruoxi?”

Gu Hua sat up in shock. “She—!”

Damn it. She just had to come here to stir up trouble!

“Has Ziyuan said anything?”

“There’s no message from the Lord.”

Gu Hua thought for a moment. “Let her come, then. If troops come, we block them; if floods come, we hold the soil. Tomorrow, I’ll meet the Dali envoy.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and have Mr. Min and Zhilan wait for me in the front hall.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Gu Hua was already getting out of bed as she spoke.

Shen Li hurried over, kneeling to help her put on her shoes.

Gu Hua looked down at her. “Thank you.”

Shen Li’s nose stung; she wanted to scold her but couldn’t bring herself to.

Gu Hua had worked too hard — everyone around her could see it.

All of her people were striving just as hard, because they knew she wanted to turn Juzhou into a land of peace and prosperity for the common folk.

When her lord returned, Juzhou would already have the strong foundation and resources to support Mu Junyan’s grand ambitions.

When Min Dongsheng heard that Jiang Ruoxi was coming for a political marriage, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

“I can’t tell whether it’s the Jiang family refusing to give up, or His Majesty has another plan in mind. If Jiang Ruoxi marries the new King of Dali Commandery, she’ll surely find ways to hinder the Mu army. Our plans to use Dali’s trade routes for salt, grain, tung oil, and minerals will all face more risk.”

Gu Hua replied, “Exactly. That’s why I intend to make sure the marriage never happens. I have an appointment with the Dali envoy tomorrow. He’s still in Juzhou, discussing the trade agreement with the prefect. All we need is for him to return with a message — one that convinces the new king not to marry Jiang Ruoxi.”

Zhilan’s expression darkened. “If that woman wants a political marriage, she should go to the north! Coming here just to disgust us!”

“Then tomorrow, Mr. Min and Sister Zhilan will come with me to meet the envoy.”

“Of course,” they both answered in unison.