FBC – Chapter 270 Vicious Intentions

This family’s surname was Huang — the head of the household known as Master Huang.

Master Huang stood up with a dark expression and bellowed, “Who dares act so lawlessly and seize people at will!”

The troublemakers immediately straightened their backs, finding courage now that their supporter had arrived. “Father, it’s… the Princess and Lady Mu.”

Master Huang shot a cold glare at Zhao Luoxuan and Gu Hua, sneering, “Truly, the morals of this world have gone to ruin. Women today know nothing of propriety and virtue — relying on their husbands’ status to bully and dominate!”

The other families present were relatives of the Huangs, their interests deeply entwined. Naturally, they all chimed in, echoing the same vicious words as the instigators earlier.

Chi Yu and the guards were so furious that they almost charged forward, but Gu Hua stopped them with a single sharp glance.

Gu Hua smiled faintly, her clear voice cutting through the noise like a blade. “Master Huang, both the Princess and I are titled ladies of the court. Even if you are older, you should show us respect. Since you, as an elder, know no propriety, why should we respect you? Speaking so rudely to nobles — that is the crime of great disrespect. Chi Yu, tell them the punishment for such a crime.”

Chi Yu replied in a deep tone, “According to the Penal Code of Great Liang, the crime of great disrespect—for failing to show proper manners to one’s superiors—can be punished by death through strangulation.”

The crowd instantly turned pale.

Gu Hua shot Chi Yu a reproachful look, then said softly, “Not necessarily. Not everyone is put to death for this crime. Explain the law clearly so Master Huang and the others know whether they might qualify for leniency — that way, others won’t accidentally commit the same offense and lose their lives.”

The hall filled with suppressed murmurs.

“Madam, the Prefect has arrived.”

The guards outside announced as the Prefect entered, followed by his yamen officers and a contingent of black-armored soldiers.

Gu Hua glanced toward the doorway. “Invite the Prefect in. Open the gates and let the common people hear this as well.”

In the southern frontier under the Mu family’s command, the laws were more lenient due to the harshness of war and the struggles of rebuilding. Ordinary folk were treated with compassion; only those guilty of truly heinous crimes were punished harshly.

So, after peace returned, while most civilians lived diligently, some villains exploited the leniency to commit misdeeds.

Gu Hua and her people had established academies and shelters for orphans and widows precisely to protect the weak.

Since the Mu army guarded the cities tightly, few dared act openly lawless—until now.

This group had chosen to make trouble in broad daylight. Perfect timing. Gu Hua could use this to make an example and restore order.

The Prefect stepped into the hall and quickly understood what was going on.

The Huangs and their allies were regular troublemakers at the yamen, always accusing the government of selling off their “imperial merchant” properties to the Pei family at unfair prices.

And now they were here, making a scene in front of the Duke of Yong’s wife and the Princess.

The Prefect bowed respectfully to Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan. Both women rose and returned the courtesy.

Then the Prefect turned, his expression stern. “Master Huang, you dare behave so insolently toward your betters and create chaos here? Do you have a death wish?”

Gu Hua smiled slightly. “The southern border has always followed the Duke of Yong’s instructions to deal with offenses leniently. Many may not understand the severity of Great Liang’s laws. Just now, Chi Yu explained that failing to show respect is the crime of great disrespect, punishable by death. But, Prefect, please clarify for everyone whether these offenders might fall under the ‘Eight Categories of Privileged Persons’ who can be granted leniency, or whether they hold any official positions.”

The Prefect gave a cold laugh and swept his gaze over the crowd. “The ‘Eight Categories’ refer to those of kinship, merit, virtue, talent, service, rank, diligence, and hospitality. The local court cannot sentence such people; only the emperor may decide. As for officials, by the Founder’s decree, ‘No scholar-official may be executed,’ so they face exile, branding, or caning instead. But these here—merchants all—hold no official rank.”

Master Huang quickly interjected, “I am Huang of Jiangning Prefecture, an Imperial Merchant!”

Gu Hua raised a brow.

Well, well — enemies truly meet on a narrow road.

Then this Master Huang was likely acting under the Jiang family’s orders.

So, the Huang family of Jiangning had settled in Juzhou after all.

Gu Hua’s tone sharpened. “The Huang family of Jiangning? Tell me, after that Concubine Huang returned home from the Marquis of Wenchang’s household, did your family even let her live?”

Master Huang’s face turned ashen.

Gu Hua continued coldly, “Not all imperial merchants are equal. For instance, the Pei family of Jiangling — though also imperial merchants — voluntarily donated funds and risked their lives to deliver grain across a thousand miles to aid the Mu army in Juzhou. For that, they were granted the title of Left Assistant Minister and elevated to first-rank imperial merchants.

“But your Huang family? Once also first-rank imperial merchants, yet when Juzhou faced famine and ruin, you ignored the starving people, shut down your grain shops, clothing stores, and suppliers of winter goods, and fled to evade taxes! Tell me, how can your Huang family compare to the Peis?”

Her voice grew sharper and louder with every sentence.

The entire hall—and the crowd outside—erupted in uproar.

Many had never known the truth. Now that they did, fury boiled over.

Those farther back couldn’t see, but the ones in front shouted the news until the whole street was filled with curses.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Master Huang puffed out his chest and pointed at Gu Hua, shouting, “You—wife of a titled official, mistress of the southern territories—collude with the Princess and use your power to oppress others! You conspire with merchants and local officials to seize the wealth of imperial merchants! I’ll go to Bianjing and accuse you before the Emperor himself!”

“Presumptuous!”

The Prefect slammed his sleeve and roared, “Scoundrel! Lady Mu and the Princess spent their own fortunes to rebuild Juzhou with the people. And you now crawl back here, trying to steal the fruits of their labor? Shameless!”

Master Huang strode forward, hands on his hips, shouting angrily, “This tavern is mine! And many other properties too—how did they suddenly all become Pei property? If that isn’t theft, what is it?”

He was unafraid.

The Jiang family had sent word: once the peace delegation arrived, they’d help him reclaim everything.

The Pei family’s newly renovated tavern was magnificent — once it returned to Huang hands, business would resume immediately.

The Prefect trembled with fury. “Rogue! You handed your deeds to the yamen yourself. It was I who asked the Mu army to escort you safely out of Juzhou. And now you dare bite the hand that helped you?”

Gu Hua glanced at the Prefect, instantly understanding the truth.

Master Huang smirked. “Indeed, I handed over my deeds to the Prefect — but I never sold them. If it was a sale, where is the bill of sale? If there isn’t one, then the properties still belong to me!”

“Exactly! The officials are abusing their power!”

His son and the other troublemakers, once untied, scrambled to their feet and joined in the shouting.

Master Huang exchanged a look with his son — both their eyes gleamed with malice.

Suddenly, they charged straight toward Gu Hua.

Zhou Zhilan and the others, standing protectively beside her, drew their swords to block.

But Master Huang abruptly shoved his own son forward with all his strength.

The mob erupted, overturning tables and chairs, swinging broken sticks and clubs as they rushed out in chaos.

Chi Yu and the guards moved instantly, subduing them within moments.

One burly man lost his footing and fell forward, arms outstretched — right toward Gu Hua.

Zhou Zhilan and the others hesitated for a fraction of a second and angled their blades away from his vital spots. But the man didn’t care about the sharp swords at all; he threw himself at Gu Hua with single-minded intent.

Gu Hua’s eyes flashed cold — she stepped back, but there was a chair behind her.

Losing balance, she gasped and fell backward.

Zhao Luoxuan, closest to her, screamed and lunged forward. At the same instant, another figure darted in like the wind.

The two bodies caught Gu Hua as she fell.

A low grunt came from the man at the very bottom — Zhao Luoxuan froze in shock.

Chi Yu and his men, furious, turned and struck down the remaining attackers.

Zhou Zhilan and Dong Hua hurriedly helped Gu Hua up.

As Gu Hua turned to look, her face drained of color.