FBC – Chapter 276 The Candidate for Princess Consort

The next day.

Before Gu Hua and her people could act, Duan Yu had already made his move.

Gu Hua heard from Chiyu that Duan Yu had sent an envoy early in the morning to the guest residence.

In front of Wang Heng and Jiang Ruoxi, the envoy harshly rebuked Jiang Ruoxi for lacking feminine virtue, having improper conduct, abusing power, and being unfit to become the Princess Consort of Dali. He demanded that Wang Heng immediately memorialize the court to either replace her with another virtuous and talented woman for the marriage alliance—or permanently cease all peace negotiations.

If the two nations fell into war again, Great Liang would not be able to bear the consequences.

Jiang Ruoxi went completely mad, smashing her entire room to pieces while screaming that she would have the Yuan family army march in and destroy Dali.

Wang Heng was so furious that smoke practically came out of his seven orifices. He was overwhelmed and had no mind to deal with taking over administration of Juzhou’s prefectural office.

If the marriage alliance failed, the Emperor would not forgive him either.

He could only write a memorial to be sent back to the capital by urgent express, while simultaneously trying to get close to the envoy to figure out Duan Yu’s true intentions.

At the post station, he laid out fine wine and lavish dishes, and even invited the most famous dancers and musicians from the jiaofang to perform for entertainment.

This envoy was the same one Gu Hua had met before; he sat with a dark expression, refusing to say a word.

Wang Heng, born of the prestigious Langya Wang clan and known for his upright pride, now had to bow and scrape before a mere envoy from a small country.

But what else could he do?

He was stuck with Jiang Ruoxi—that piece of rotten trash.

“Lord Qiang, rumors from the streets cannot be trusted. Though the princess is not of His Majesty’s bloodline, Concubine Jiang is much favored, and King Ping’an holds great power. She is still of imperial kin. If she becomes the Princess Consort of Dali, she will surely assist your king.”

Lord Qiang cast him a sideways glance.

“Lord Wang, do you take us for fools? Do you think just because Nanjing is far from Bianjing, we wouldn’t know anything? We Dali people also have our eyes and ears in your capital. Jiang Ruoxi’s rotten reputation is known to anyone you ask.

She not only engaged in indecent acts with her own elder brother in public, but also resorted to every underhanded tactic to force Madam Mu in order to marry Duke Yong—she even killed people. A woman like that is still alive? Your Great Liang is truly merciful.”

Wang Heng’s expression darkened.

He also wished Jiang Ruoxi would just die.

But Jiang Ruoxi represented King Ping’an’s face.

If she could not become Dali’s Princess Consort, she would have no path left—only death.

But even if she were to die, the order must come from King Ping’an.

“Besides, what happened yesterday is known throughout Juzhou. With that little brain of hers, she’d be a burden to our king, not a help.”

The envoy spared no courtesy.

Wang Heng held back his rage and asked pleasantly, “Since Dali has people in our capital, you must know about the imperial princesses. There truly is no princess of suitable age to marry.”

The envoy nodded. “That is true.”

Wang Heng smiled. “Therefore—”

The envoy interrupted him. “Therefore, our king has said: he does not require royalty. As long as the woman is kind and intelligent, her status does not matter.”

Wang Heng froze.

He made it sound so easy—where was he supposed to find such a person?

Hold a beauty selection throughout Great Liang?

There wasn’t enough time.

King Ping’an had promised him that if he used the marriage alliance to seize control of the Mu family army, he would become the next Minister of Rites.

The envoy suddenly smiled. “Actually, Lord Wang need not be troubled. There is already someone perfectly suitable right before your eyes. As long as the Emperor issues a decree for her to marry into Dali, the matter will be settled.”

Wang Heng brightened. “His Highness Duan Wang already has someone in mind? Who might it be?”

“Gu Hua.”

“Gu Hua? Gu Hua…?”

Wang Heng was still trying to recall who that was when his eyes suddenly widened. “Gu Hua! The widow of Duke Yong?!”

The envoy nodded. “Precisely.”

Wang Heng’s expression changed. He blurted out, “That—this is absurd! She is already married and has borne two children. She is completely unfit to be a Princess Consort.”

The envoy sneered. “If she is unfit, then no one in Great Liang is fit. Madam Mu is wise and courageous. We are well aware of how she journeyed a thousand li to deliver grain and save Juzhou. If not for her, Great Liang would not have defeated us so easily.”

Rage rose in Wang Heng’s chest.

So you do know you’re the defeated country?

So arrogant, yet you still want Duke Yong’s widow for a political marriage!

Suddenly, his heart lit up.

Having Gu Hua marry into Dali might not be a bad thing. Once she left, only the old madam and two infants would remain. The Mu family army would become headless—easier to seize.

As for whether her becoming Princess Consort of Dali would harm Great Liang—that was a future problem.

A mere Princess Consort held no political power.

Having thought it through, he probed, “Has His Highness Duan Wang ever met Gu Hua?”

The envoy looked mysterious. “I am but a minister; I know little of their private matters. But we all know of Madam Mu’s deeds.”

Wang Heng’s eyes flickered. “It takes at least a month for a memorial to go back and forth. And then we must persuade Madam Mu and the old madam—they are not easy to deal with. Both are extremely stubborn.”

The envoy smiled faintly. “I believe Lord Wang can accomplish it.”

Wang Heng froze.

Accomplish your damn nonsense.

This was giving him an impossible task.

“This matter is beyond my authority. Allow me to write a memorial to the capital first, then discuss with Madam Mu and the old madam.”

After sending the envoy off, Wang Heng immediately summoned the newly appointed Perfect, Lu Lei.

“Lord Lu, have you completed the handover of the accounting books and case files for the prefecture office?”

Lu Lei looked dejected. “What handover? When I went to the prefectural office this morning, it was completely empty. The books and case files were neatly placed on the desk, all completely flawless. As for everything else, all the staff have abandoned their posts. We’re all newcomers, so we have no idea what’s going on.”

Wang Heng’s face turned green.

“Completely empty?”

“Yes. Oh—though the prisoners were still in the jail. The cells were locked, but there were no guards. Their case files were there too, so we know who is being held.”

Wang Heng frowned. He didn’t expect they had pulled an empty-city gambit.

If he couldn’t even handle the prefecture office, how could he control the Mu army?

“Right, the ones imprisoned include the imperial merchants—the Huang family. I asked around; they used to be the richest in Juzhou. After they left, the prefecture office seized their private property and gave it all to the Pei family. They came back to reclaim their assets, but Madam Mu captured them instead.”

Wang Heng’s eyes lit up. “Confirmed that it was Gu Hua who seized them?”

“Yes.”

Was this not a perfect handle to grab?

Wang Heng originally didn’t want to see Gu Hua, but given the situation, he had no choice.

Gu Hua, the old madam, Zhao Luoxuan, and Yuan Jieying were playing leaf cards when the gatekeeper came to report that Wang Heng requested to meet Madam Mu.

Gu Hua put down her cards. “I’ll go.”

Yuan Jieying immediately stood up. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Go on.” Gu Hua stood and supported the old madam.

“Mother, shall we go together?”

The old madam answered without hesitation, “Yes.”

Zhao Luoxuan also got up and supported the old madam from the other side. “I’ll go with you.”

When Wang Heng saw the old madam come out, his heart skipped. He quickly stepped forward and bowed. “This official greets the Old Madam.”

Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan looked at him.

By rank, though Wang Heng was an imperial commissioner, his official grade had not changed—he ought to greet them first.

Wang Heng greatly disliked saluting Gu Hua.

But today, she was his target. He could only force himself to bow to Zhao Luoxuan first, and finally to Gu Hua.

Gu Hua found it amusing.

The first time she met Wang Heng, his status was not high, but he always acted superior.

Now, for the sake of his future career, he had to wade into muddy waters and bow his head to the woman he looked down on most.

Gu Hua returned the salute.

“Lord Wang, please sit.”