FBC -Chapter 286 The Dowager Princess

Suddenly, Mu Xi stopped laughing, her little face scrunching up.

Mu Junyan was startled. He quickly scooped the little baby into his arms and gently rocked her. “Don’t be upset, Father is just learning how to hold a little one. Give Father a chance, hm?”

As he spoke, a faint smell drifted over. Mu Junyan frowned.

At the same time, his hand supporting the baby’s bottom felt something soft and squishy—something mushy seemed to be squeezing out between his palm and the tiny butt.

Gu Hua smelled it too. Laughing, she called out, “Nanny, quick, come check. Did Mu Xi poop?”

When Mu Junyan lifted the baby’s bottom and looked—sure enough—his entire palm was covered in a yellowish mushy mess.

He: “……”

A… meeting gift?

The maids all laughed as they brought a copper basin and water for their lord to wash his hands.

The nanny quickly took Mu Xi into her arms, carefully unwrapping the swaddling cloth. As expected, the little boy was blinking up at her with big innocent eyes, his tiny body wriggling now and then.

Mu Junyan had seen all kinds of slaughter and bloodshed, but this was the first time he’d seen such a huge mess… on his own hands.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “Let me change it.”

Gu Hua exchanged a look with the old madam.

It was rare for him to be a father for the first time—he had that earnest new-father glow about him—so they decided to let him have this moment.

“Nanny, let the lord do it. Just guide him.”

The nanny stuttered but, seeing Lord Mu eager to try, could only let go and step aside to instruct.

Mu Junyan stood tall beside the tiny baby, his big hands completely at a loss.

He who handled political affairs effortlessly on a daily basis was now completely helpless before a small diaper.

He clumsily took the clean diaper the nanny handed over, trying awkwardly to change it. But the little boy seemed to be deliberately causing trouble—his two tiny legs kept kicking, leaving Mu Junyan with no way to proceed.

Sweat gathered on his forehead as he muttered softly, “Little ancestor, stop moving…”

After much struggle, he finally got the little butt cleaned and placed the new diaper, getting ready to tie the straps—when suddenly, pffft—a bit more mess shot out and landed right on his hand.

Mu Junyan opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Gu Hua and the old madam, who had been watching the whole time, burst into laughter.

The servants also couldn’t help laughing.

Mu Junyan looked at her helplessly and forced a smile. “I… admit defeat.”

The nanny quickly stepped in. “These tasks are what we servants are used to. Allow me.”

Mu Junyan immediately stepped aside.

Gu Hua teased him with a smile. “You act so majestic every day, yet even a tiny baby can defeat you.”

Mu Junyan scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. “So raising children isn’t easier than fighting battles.”

Who knew—after this incident, Mu Junyan seemed to unlock a new hobby. Whatever the twins needed, he insisted on learning.

He even wanted to personally bathe them.

In just a few days, he actually got pretty good at it.

Shen Li said Gu Hua had given birth early and had been weak before, so she needed proper recovery and couldn’t touch cold water.

Thus, Mu Junyan refused to let her do any of those chores.

Gu Hua watched, amused, as the tall, burly man spent all day fussing around the two little babies. Before long, the twins became very attached to him.

Aside from the hours he spent on government affairs, he was practically glued to the babies when he was home—and then glued to Gu Hua at night.

The Mu household had not experienced such warmth and happiness in a long time.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

The first day of the tenth month.

This was the day Zhao Luoxuan was officially to be granted her title.

Gu Hua and Mu Junyan set out early for the Dali royal court.

Even Wang Heng, who had stayed behind in Juzhou, came with the officials from the capital, giving Zhao Luoxuan full honor.

Dressed in the splendid ceremonial attire of the Dali princess consort, Zhao Luoxuan walked out gracefully beside Duan Yu.

Gu Hua’s eyes grew misty.

After everything she’d gone through, Zhao Luoxuan still became a marriage alliance princess—and she chose to marry far away because of Gu Hua.

She didn’t know whether Zhao Luoxuan intended to accept Duan Yu or if they would remain husband and wife only in name.

But no matter what, she could no longer live freely like she did in Juzhou. She would face the Dali royal harem and bear the responsibility of stabilizing relations between the two nations.

There were even risks.

Zhao Luoxuan saw Gu Hua and Mu Junyan and visibly relaxed. She smiled faintly, signaling Gu Hua not to worry.

Duan Yu’s gaze fell on Mu Junyan standing beside Gu Hua, and his eyes darkened.

He wasn’t dead!

The ceremony was grand and elaborate, showing that Dali was giving Great Liang full respect.

Once the complicated rituals ended, the state banquet began.

Gu Hua whispered, “I’ll go speak with Xuanxuan.”

Mu Junyan nodded. “Alright. Be careful.”

Zhou Zhilan and Shen Li accompanied Gu Hua into the rear palace.

Zhao Luoxuan hadn’t even removed her makeup yet. She was craning her neck impatiently toward the doorway.

She urged her attendant, “Go see if Sister Hua is here yet.”

“Yes, this servant will go right away.”

The attendant understood her mood. Just as she stepped out, she saw Gu Hua hurrying over.

“She’s here, she’s here—Lady Mu has arrived!”

Zhao Luoxuan rushed out herself, grabbing Gu Hua’s hand. Her eyes filled with tears.

“I missed you so much.”

Gu Hua gently touched her cheek. “You’re a princess consort now—don’t cry.”

Zhao Luoxuan clung to her arm, leaning her head on Gu Hua’s shoulder to act spoiled. “I don’t have a single family member here. Seeing you feels like coming home.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go talk inside.”

Arm in arm, the two sisters walked in, warmly sharing everything that had happened in the past month.

Gu Hua listened as Zhao Luoxuan said that Duan Yu treated her with respect, often stayed the night in her residence, and publicly showed everyone he favored her.

But they slept separately and had not consummated the marriage.

“What do you think about that?”

Zhao Luoxuan looked calm. “This is perfect. This is what I prefer.”

“But if years pass and you still haven’t conceived, what will you do?”

Zhao Luoxuan shrugged. “I can adopt the child of a concubine and raise him as my heir. Or after I get older, I can ask my father for permission to retire from this marriage alliance and return to Juzhou.”

Gu Hua squeezed her hand, heart aching. “You’re doing this because of me.”

“No.” Zhao Luoxuan thought of Duan Yu’s sinister methods and didn’t even know where to begin.

“How does the Dowager Princess treat you?”

“She’s fine. She looks gentle, but she’s actually very shrewd.”

“So that’s how the princess consort sees me?”

A soft yet authoritative voice came from behind.

Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan both jolted and stood to bow toward the Dowager Princess, who arrived surrounded by attendants.

The Dowager Princess looked at Gu Hua and said calmly, “Rise.”

Gu Hua stood, meeting her gaze.

This woman was her Brother Ji’s blood relative—his aunt. Seeing her familiar features stirred up indescribable emotions within Gu Hua.

The Dowager Princess spoke bluntly. “I came specifically to find you, Gu Hua.”

Gu Hua bowed slightly. “What does the Dowager Princess wish to instruct me?”

“I heard Xuan Yu left behind a child?”

“Yes. The child should arrive in Juzhou in the next few days.”

The Dowager Princess’s expression shifted slightly. She stared at her. “Originally, I hated you deeply. It was you and your family who drove him into a dead end. But since your sister bore him a child and you have treated the child well, the grievances between us are settled.”

Gu Hua smiled gently. “Grudges can’t be untangled if we insist on calculating them. As his aunt, if you had guided him onto the right path instead of letting him fall to such a disgraceful state, he wouldn’t have died the way he did. You weren’t the one who saved him—you were one of the reasons he had no way back.”

The Dowager Princess’s face darkened.

Gu Hua continued steadily, “But he redeemed himself with his life in the end. Now, for the sake of both nations, we should all put our grievances down. Otherwise, if war continues—regardless of who wins—the people and the families of the soldiers will suffer endlessly. Is that the outcome the Dowager Princess wishes to see?

Your power on the throne comes from your ability to bring peace to this country. Otherwise, what value do you have? Or do you still want to rely on Yifeng Hall? And surely, you do not wish to see its master ever again. His death should please you—should it not?”

The Dowager Princess’s expression changed greatly.

Gu Hua met her gaze without fear.

Everything between her and the master of Yifeng Hall had long been uncovered by Chiyan and the others.

Otherwise, how could a former palace slave rise to her current position?

The Dowager Princess stared at Gu Hua for a long while, speechless.

Zhao Luoxuan watched, heart pounding.