FBC – Chapter 274 Rebellion

After getting into the carriage, Gu Hua was still fuming with anger.

Duan Yu actually dared to flirt with her right to her face!

He clearly didn’t take Mu Junyan or her seriously at all.

Zhou Zhilan was even angrier: “He’s too much! Why don’t we just kill him, then storm straight into Dali afterwards?”

Dong Hua nodded vigorously. “Exactly! To dare insult our lord and madam — how could we possibly forgive him?!”

Gu Hua quickly calmed down. “What matters is that he must marry a princess of Great Liang. Who would be suitable?”

At her words, Zhou Zhilan was stunned, thinking for a long while.

“It seems… there’s no suitable candidate. Should His Majesty search among the imperial clan’s daughters?”

“Did you notice he said he’s afraid of marrying someone he doesn’t like? That means no matter who we choose, he has to agree.”

Thinking of this, Gu Hua no longer felt angry.

Perhaps… this was a signal Duan Yu deliberately released.

Does that mean he already has a target in mind?

Of course not her.

She was a married woman, mother of twins. How would a dignified king take a liking to her? He was just using her as a stepping stone, wanting her to relay a message to His Majesty.

“We shouldn’t overthink it. Jiang Ruoxi and the others will arrive the day after tomorrow — we just follow the plan.”

As long as Duan Yu didn’t marry Jiang Ruoxi, it was their victory.

…

To welcome the peace delegation, Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan spent their own silver to refurbish the official post station.

At noon, the peace delegation finally arrived in Juzhou City.

The Prefect, leading all officials of Juzhou Prefecture, went out to receive them.

Officials led by Wang Heng cleared the way. A hundred imperial guards escorted Princess Jiang Ruoxi’s procession, marching magnificently toward the city gates.

The city defense commander and his officers also waited with the Prefect. The people of Juzhou had already heard the news — that another political-marriage princess had arrived — and eagerly gathered to watch.

Traders from foreign states had also heard that a Liang princess had arrived; of course they wouldn’t miss the spectacle.

The East Gate was packed to the brim, bustling with noise.

The officials led by Wang Heng all wore arrogant expressions. Seeing the crowd of Juzhou citizens and foreigners in strange clothing, their faces darkened.

Why had only a mere Prefect come to welcome them?

Wang Heng spoke. “Prefect Wu, why did no generals of the Mu family army come to receive us?”

Prefect Wu smiled lightly. “My lord should be aware that civil and military affairs are separate. You and the Princess come to negotiate peace — it does not concern military matters. The generals have their duties; it is normal they do not come. There is nothing improper.”

His response gave no face at all.

And worse — in front of such a large crowd.

Wang Heng sneered.

His real purpose was to seize command of the Mu family army.

A show of force must be made!

“How could the Lady of Duke Yong not come to greet the princess? As a titled noblewoman of the court, she should bow to receive the princess. Such disrespect — does she also have official duties so pressing?”

Prefect Wu immediately cupped his hands. “Lord Wang, the Duchess recently gave birth prematurely to a pair of dragon–phoenix twins and has not yet recovered. As for the Madam Dowager Mu, she is rank Super First Grade — naturally she is not required to greet the princess. Rather, Lord Wang and the Princess should visit the Duke Yong residence to pay respects to the Madam Dowager.”

Sitting stifled in the carriage for two months, Jiang Ruoxi couldn’t bear it anymore.

She abruptly flung open the carriage curtain, shouting angrily: “I should visit her? I am the personally appointed peace princess of the Southern Border! If I did not risk my life to come, would she be living peacefully now? Should she not come? Should she not kneel and bow before me?!”

Jiang Ruoxi held in so much resentment. She could have entered the palace as a consort, but had been sabotaged by that wretch Gu Hua.

Now she had humbled herself to come for a peace marriage, yet the Mu family dared disrespect her!

Prefect Wu smiled calmly. “Your Highness, you were merely a County Princess elevated to a Second-rank Princess. In terms of rank, you still fall short…”

“Impudent!”

Jiang Ruoxi threw the curtain fully aside and stepped out.

Looking down from above, as if towering over everyone, she pointed at Prefect Wu and shouted, “A mere Fifth-rank Prefect — you commit the crime of great disrespect!”

Prefect Wu remained composed. “May Your Highness enlighten this humble official — how have I been disrespectful?”

“Your backtalk alone is disrespect!”

She didn’t care — the man was to be replaced anyway. Wang Heng had brought his “crimes.” Now they didn’t even need them; they could condemn him with great disrespect.

Jiang Ruoxi was impatient. Even a Prefect dared defy her — this was rebellion!

“Lord Wang, according to Liang law, the crime of great disrespect is punished by execution on the spot!”

Wang Heng frowned.

But Prefect Wu suddenly knelt, removing his official hat with both hands. “This humble official has always acted fairly, yet is now being unjustly suppressed. If you wish to place blame, any charge will do. I hereby resign.”

The crowd of townspeople, merchants, and soldiers erupted in uproar.

Prefect Wu was known to be upright, diligent, and kind.

Since taking office, he had devoted himself to rebuilding Juzhou, working tirelessly. His reputation was excellent.

Now these capital officials and the princess arrived only to bully him — even though he had done nothing wrong.

A princess opening her mouth wanting to kill someone — that was too much.

“Prefect Wu is innocent!”

“Yes! Prefect Wu only spoke the truth — you can’t frame him!”

“Prefect Wu, don’t resign! After the Duke’s passing, you are the best official the people of Juzhou have!”

Seeing Wang Heng silent, Jiang Ruoxi’s face darkened.

Looking toward the noisy crowd, she sneered: “Perfect. His Majesty has appointed a new Prefect. Since you resign voluntarily, let the new Prefect take over immediately.”

“Princess.”

Wang Heng couldn’t hold back anymore and interrupted sharply.

Was it her place, a woman, to speak on official appointments?

Cold-faced, he turned to Prefect Wu. “Do you admit your crimes?”

Prefect Wu lifted his hat over his head and declared loudly: “I know of no crimes. Please enlighten me, my lord.”

Wang Heng glanced at the man beside him.

This was the new Prefect — Lu Lei.

Lu Lei opened a memorial, shaking his head as he read out a long string of accusations.

When he finished, he closed it and said, “Do you admit your crimes?”

The surrounding crowd fell silent.

What nonsense was this?

He accused Prefect Wu of embezzling disaster funds?

Of colluding with the enemy?

Of selling military intelligence, causing the Duke’s death?

Prefect Wu froze.

Master Min and the Duchess had discussed with him earlier: they expected the capital officials to accuse him falsely. The plan was for him to resign publicly, stir public outrage, expose Wang Heng’s plot, and then walk away, unaffected.

The traps in the prefecture office were already set — waiting for Wang Heng’s group to fall in.

But he hadn’t expected them to fabricate such deadly accusations.

They wanted him dead.

Slowly rising, hat in hand, Prefect Wu’s eyes hardened. “These accusations are baseless! I have done none of these things and will not admit to them!”

Wang Heng had never intended for him to admit anything. Whether he admitted it or not, he was going to be killed — otherwise, how could they seize all authority over Juzhou?

He barked, “Men! Arrest him!”

The city defense commander stepped forward at once, shielding Prefect Wu.

“Lord Wang,” he said firmly, “You would condemn Prefect Wu for a single memorial? Isn’t that too rash?”

Wang Heng said coldly, “It is not by a memorial — but by imperial decree.”

He raised the decree in his hand. “Do you intend to defy an imperial order?”

The commander wasn’t intimidated. Juzhou had the Duchess, the Madam Dowager, and Princess Zhao Luoxuan present.

“You have not read the decree aloud, my lord. How can we be defying an order? Lord Wang, you really love speaking nonsense.”

Jiang Ruoxi snapped impatiently. “Lord Wang, why waste time? These people intend to rebel — arrest them all!”

The word rebel dropped like a bucket of ice water into boiling oil.

Instantly, a wave of fury erupted.