FBC -Chapter 315 The Third Prince

Gu Hua stepped out the door and saw Zhou Chunyu kneeling in the courtyard, staring fixedly at the entrance.

She sighed and walked forward. “Steward Zhou, you may go see Sister Zhou now, but…”

Seeing him jump up excitedly and bow to her, Gu Hua quickly added, “Let me warn you—you’re not allowed to force her. If she ever says she doesn’t want to see you again, you must disappear from her sight immediately. Otherwise, I’ll have someone drag you away.”

Zhou Chunyu nodded through tears. “Thank you, Princess Consort. I will obey.”

“Wipe your tears. A dignified former general, crying like this.”

Zhou Chunyu hurriedly wiped his face and strode into the room.

Gu Hua followed him and personally closed the door, standing behind Zhou Chunyu to reassure Zhou Zhilan.

Zhou Zhilan turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Zhou Chunyu knelt by her bed and reached out with trembling hands to hold hers.

The moment he carefully touched her cold fingers, his heart twisted in agony. Tears streamed down uncontrollably—he couldn’t utter a single word.

Gu Hua felt speechless. Say something! At least comfort Sister Zhilan a little!

He was usually full of schemes and strategies, always appearing composed. Why was he suddenly acting stupid?

She lifted her foot and kicked the back of his.

Zhou Chunyu jolted and turned to glance at her. Gu Hua glared back.

Regaining his senses, he turned to Zhou Zhilan and spoke softly, “Zhilan, it’s all my fault. I failed to protect you and let you suffer.”

Zhou Zhilan stared at him blankly, tears falling in streams.

Zhou Chunyu hurriedly wiped them, gently caressing her face. “From now on, I swear I won’t let you suffer even the slightest harm. The Prince and Princess Consort are hunting down those criminals. Once they’re caught, I’ll personally tear them to pieces to avenge you.”

Zhou Zhilan’s expression suddenly changed. Her fingers stiffened, lips trembling. It looked like she was silently saying no, no, no, no.

Zhou Chunyu panicked. “Physician Shen—!”

Gu Hua quickly knelt beside the bed. “No need to call Shen Li.”

Zhilan had shown that same reaction earlier. So she probably…

Gu Hua asked gently, “Sister… do you recognize the attacker?”

Zhou Zhilan’s pupils shook. Panic flashed across her face as she shook her head vigorously.

Gu Hua cautiously tried another question. “You… don’t want us to continue pursuing the criminals?”

Zhou Zhilan stopped shaking her head, but tears continued to fall.

A chill ran through Gu Hua’s heart. She recalled the jade pendant the guard found—said to belong to Zhao Yuchen.

Could it be…

Both Zhou Chunyu and Gu Hua had their suspicions, but with Zhou Zhilan present, neither could say anything aloud.

But they could both see it—the man who violated Zhou Zhilan might be someone she knew.

Zhou Chunyu burned with fury, wanting to flay the culprit alive.

Outside, they heard Mu Junyan’s voice. He was asking Shen Li about Zhilan’s condition.

Gu Hua checked Zhou Zhilan again. She seemed stable enough and wasn’t rejecting Zhou Chunyu anymore.

She whispered, “Steward Zhou, stay with her. I’m going to ask if the Prince caught anyone.”

Zhou Chunyu answered hoarsely, “Yes.”

Gu Hua gave Zhilan another look, and seeing she was calm, left the room.

Mu Junyan saw her and immediately stepped forward, taking her hand. “How is she?”

Gu Hua nodded. “Sister Shen is watching over her.”

She held Mu Junyan’s hand and pulled him outside.

The moment they stepped out of the Zhou residence, Gu Hua stopped and turned to him. “Well? Did you catch them?”

“We caught a few. The rest… came here on their own.”

Gu Hua blinked. “Came on their own? What do you mean?”

Mu Junyan’s expression darkened. “Zhao Yuchen.”

Gu Hua’s eyes widened. “You mean Third Prince Zhao Yuchen?”

“Yes,” Mu Junyan replied. “We captured three of them. Not long after, Zhao Yuchen arrived himself—along with two personal guards who turned out to be part of that group.”

Fire lit in Gu Hua’s eyes. “They actually dared to come themselves?”

“Zhao Yuchen wants me to return the men we captured… and Wang Heng.”

Gu Hua let out an incredulous laugh. “Where are they?!”

“In the Prince’s manor.”

Gu Hua stormed straight toward the manor.

Zhao Yuchen was leisurely drinking tea in the main hall.

He was eighteen this year, carrying a roguishly handsome look, lounging like he was the one in charge.

Gu Hua strode up to him with a cold face. “Third Prince.”

Zhao Yuchen’s eyes flashed with appreciation when he saw her. “Oh? So this is the famed beauty, Princess Consort of Yong? Truly stunning—much more enchanting than the rumors say.”

Mu Junyan’s face darkened instantly. He stepped forward, blocking Gu Hua. “Third Prince, mind your words.”

Zhao Yuchen snorted and crossed his legs. “I’m not even blaming you for your rudeness, yet you’re telling me to mind my words?”

Gu Hua could no longer hold back. She pushed Mu Junyan aside and shouted, “Was it you who abducted Sister Zhou?!”

Zhao Yuchen raised a brow. “Abducted? What do you mean abducted? She was invited. Invited.”

Gu Hua’s rage exploded. She pulled out her dagger and struck straight for his throat.

His two attendants grabbed their swords in fury—but before their blades were fully drawn, both their hands were severed. They collapsed, screaming in agony.

Zhao Yuchen’s face blanched. He tried to jump up, but Gu Hua’s dagger was already against his throat.

His eyes filled with panic. He hadn’t expected the delicate beauty to have such frightening skill.

“You—you—you would dare assassinate this prince? Are—are you trying to rebel?!”

Gu Hua pressed closer. “You’re the one who violated Sister Zhou, aren’t you?!”

“O-of course not! I’ve seen countless beauties—why would I look at her? It—it was my subordinates who acted foolishly. I’m here to apologize, aren’t I?”

Mu Junyan grasped her hand and whispered, “Don’t be rash.”

Gu Hua trembled with fury. But he was a prince, after all.

She forced herself to withdraw the dagger, though she had no intention of letting the culprit go unpunished.

“Your Highness, since the kidnappers were your men, now that everyone is here, we should question them publicly.”

Gu Hua looked at Mu Junyan with cold warning in her eyes.

If he stopped her, she wouldn’t care about marital harmony.

Zhao Yuchen’s face turned pale. He glanced at the two howling subordinates and cursed under his breath.

Outside, Wang Heng and the rest lay on the ground, tightly bound.

The moment Wang Heng saw Zhao Yuchen, he started crying out.

“Your Highness, please save me! That vicious woman Gu Hua stabbed me! They’re trying to rebel!”

Gu Hua approached slowly, dagger in hand. Wang Heng trembled with fear.

But Zhao Yuchen was present, so he couldn’t back down.

He forced himself upright. “Y-you—you wicked woman! Daring to assault a court official—according to the law, you deserve death!”

Gu Hua raised her dagger toward him. “You dare plot to kidnap a female officer of the Mu army, injure her, violate her—you’re the one who should die! Killing you would be nothing more than justice for Sister Zhilan. Even before the Emperor, I’d be justified. Speak—who violated Sister Zhilan? If you don’t talk, I’ll castrate you right now. Then your prestigious Langya Wang family can look forward to ending its line!”

Wang Heng stared at the cold blade inching closer. He nearly fainted.

“Y-Your Highness—Your Highness!”

Zhao Yuchen hadn’t expected Gu Hua to be this vicious… castrate…?!

He instinctively squeezed his thighs together in fear.

Seeing Zhao Yuchen wasn’t going to save him, Wang Heng panicked. “No—no! It wasn’t me! Really not me! I planned it, yes—but I wasn’t even in Dali at the time! They’re the ones who abducted her! They’re the ones who insulted her!”

Gu Hua’s eyes swept coldly over the group. “Men. Castrate them all.”