FBC – Chapter 264 The Lord’s Command

After Gu Hua discussed things thoroughly with everyone, she was about to return to her room when Dong Hua’s voice came from outside.

“Captain of the guards, why are you here?”

The captain was Chi Yan.

For him to come back personally meant something important had happened.

Gu Hua quickly called out, “Come in, quickly.”

Chi Yan looked travel-worn and exhausted—his face covered in dust, eyes sunken, with dark circles beneath them.

Gu Hua was startled. “You haven’t slept for days and have been rushing back all this time?”

Chi Yan rasped hoarsely, “Ten days.”

His voice was rough, and his lips were cracked.

A journey that normally took a month—he made in ten days. This could only mean something urgent and confidential.

Gu Hua hurriedly told him to sit and turned to Dong Hua. “Go to the kitchen and tell them to make an easy-to-digest bowl of noodles. Use minced pork, chicken, or fish—no big chunks of meat. Slice the greens finely and crack an egg in it.”

“Yes, madam!” Dong Hua dashed off.

Zhou Zhilan poured him a cup of hot tea.

Chi Yan was truly exhausted. He obeyed, sat down, and drained the tea in one gulp.

“Do you need them to leave?”

Min Dongsheng and the others were about to excuse themselves when Chi Yan shook his head. “I bring new information—and the Lord also gave instructions.”

Without wasting words, Chi Yan went straight to the point. “Among the delegation traveling to Nanjiang this time is the First Prince, Zhao Yuze. The imperial envoy responsible for the peace talks is Wang Heng. Moreover, His Majesty has appointed an official to take over the position of Prefect.”

Min Dongsheng’s expression darkened. “Zhao Yuze and Wang Heng? Why send those two? And appointing a new Prefect—doesn’t that mean they intend to seize control of Nanjiang’s administration and finances?”

Gu Hua’s heart gave a jolt.

“Whose idea is this?”

Min Dongsheng didn’t even hesitate. “Naturally, the Emperor’s.”

Zhou Zhilan’s face turned grim. “Is His Majesty trying to suppress both sides? Using our Lord to check the Empress Dowager’s faction, then using them to suppress us?”

Gu Hua understood immediately. “That’s exactly what he means.”

She didn’t care much about the rest—but what she worried about most was Mu Junyan.

In the past, troops stationed long-term at border garrisons were tacitly allowed to collect local taxes to supplement their rations, pensions, and other expenses.

Especially the Mu Family Army in the South and the Yuan Family Army in the North—their territories only remitted twenty percent of the taxes to the court.

After all, the funds allocated by the imperial court were far from sufficient.

The Emperor knew perfectly well that Mu Junyan was alive, yet he still dared to openly reclaim Nanjiang’s administrative and financial control. What did that mean?

The Empress Dowager’s clan must still be unaware that Mu Junyan lived—otherwise, they’d never have allowed Gu Hua and the Old Madam to return to Juzhou.

The Jiang family had remained silent for a month or two—they must have been waiting for this peace negotiation.

Gu Hua asked, “Was it already decided that the Crown Prince would handle both the peace talks and the trade discussions?”

Chi Yan nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Hua exchanged glances with Min Dongsheng and the others. Everyone understood.

After suffering a blow, the Jiang clan behind the Empress Dowager had lain low, waiting for a chance to strike.

They likely suspected that Mu Junyan wasn’t dead, so they colluded with Mu An to set the fire. Though their plan failed and Mu Junyan was hidden by the Emperor, they knew clearly that the Mu Family Army remained the greatest threat.

The officials all believed the Crown Prince, Zhao Yuxuan, wanted to bring the Mu Army under his control. So, after agreeing to the Dali Kingdom’s marriage alliance, the Emperor sent the Crown Prince to negotiate peace—it was only natural to also have him subdue the Mu Army.

The Jiang family seized this opportunity to send their unmarried daughter, Jiang Ruoxi, to Dali for the alliance. The Emperor had no reason to refuse.

Mutual marriage alliances between two countries—what could be more profitable?

With Jiang Ruoxi’s mission, sending an imperial envoy for peace talks made perfect sense.

Under the pretext of escorting his sister for marriage, the Jiang clan inserted Zhao Yuze into the delegation—again, perfectly reasonable.

The Emperor wanted the two factions to confront each other.

Whoever won would become the future Crown Prince—and if both sides were weakened in the process, all the better for him.

That damn Emperor—how vicious!

Gu Hua frowned deeply.

Chi Yan stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, “The Lord commands that the entire Scout Battalion be placed under Madam’s command.”

Gu Hua froze. “Me?”

Mu Junyan—aren’t you overestimating me?!

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her.

She grew nervous. “In the past, it was always Ziyuan who planned everything, and Mr. Min guided and strategized. I merely cooperated. How can I command the Scout Battalion?”

“Not only the Scouts,” Chi Yan said gravely, “the entire Mu Family Army is to obey Madam’s orders.”

He carefully took out a black sandalwood box from his robe, opened the lid, and presented it to her with both hands.

Inside lay a rectangular jade token of white Hetian jade—engraved with a single character: Mu (慕).

Zhou Zhilan gasped. “The Mu Family’s Commander Token!”

Gu Hua’s eyes widened. “The Commander Token?”

“Yes!” Zhou Zhilan looked at her excitedly. “Whoever holds this token—before the entire Mu Army—it’s as if the Commander himself stood there. All must obey!”

So this was what Mu Junyan meant when he said even the Emperor’s Tiger Tally was useless against the Mu Army.

“No… no, I can’t.”

Gu Hua’s face turned pale with fright.

Chi Yan lifted the box toward her, kneeling on one knee. “Subordinate Chi Yan, leading the entire Scout Battalion, awaits orders.”

Zhou Zhilan also knelt. “Zhou Zhilan, at your command.”

Min Dongsheng followed suit, lifting his robe and kneeling. “Subordinate Min Dongsheng, at your command.”

“You… all of you…”

Gu Hua stamped her foot anxiously. “I can’t do this! I’m just a woman confined to the inner chambers—how can I hold the Commander’s Token? Don’t force me.”

“We are all your support,” Min Dongsheng said firmly. “Right now, you are the only suitable one to hold it.”

The Old Madam’s cheerful voice came from outside.

Gu Hua looked up, flustered. “Mother! I can’t do it. You should take it—it suits you far better.”

The Old Madam walked in with a warm smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll all stand behind you. Just do what you must. Don’t forget—everything you do now is for Ziyuan’s safe return.”

She picked up the jade token from the box, gently stroking its smooth surface.

“I once held this token too,” the Old Madam said softly. “Back then, when Ziyuan’s father and brothers were besieged, I led troops to rescue them. But I was a step too late—only Ziyuan survived. I carried this token to protect him as he inherited the title. Then I returned it to him.”

She took Gu Hua’s hand and placed the token in her palm.

“Good child, Ziyuan trusts you—and I trust you even more. Follow your heart, and do what you believe is right. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Gu Hua’s palms were slick with nervous sweat. She gripped the warm jade tightly, feeling as if a blazing flame ignited in her heart, spreading warmth throughout her body.

Her back straightened.

She understood now—both the Old Madam and Ziyuan trusted her completely, because they knew her heart.

Gu Hua clutched the token firmly and nodded solemnly. “Alright—then let’s face them head-on, together!”

Chi Yan said, “The Lord also said: this battle will be a fierce one without smoke or fire. First, ensure the Crown Prince’s safety—do not let them scheme against him. Second, prevent Jiang Ruoxi’s marriage alliance. Third, Madam must protect herself.”

Gu Hua’s heart trembled slightly.

The first two were exactly what she’d been thinking.

The Old Madam squeezed her hand gently and said softly, “According to their schedule, they’ll arrive in about two months. By then, you’ll be close to giving birth. But don’t worry—this old woman will protect you.”

Gu Hua nodded firmly. “With Mother here, your daughter-in-law fears nothing.”

The Old Madam turned to Chi Yan. “At dawn tomorrow, summon all generals of rank five and above to gather here.”

Chi Yan responded respectfully, “Yes.”