FBC – Chapter 336 Prodding

“Madam Qian, why don’t you take a look at some of the other pieces? These are extremely expensive. We also have ones made by craftsmen from Juzhou, which are much cheaper than those from Jiangling, but the quality is just as fine.”

Gu Hua led her to another exhibition hall.

All the pieces here were made by the Juzhou brocade workshop itself, modeled after the high-quality works of the Pei family craftsmen.

In terms of quality, they were no worse than the Pei family’s, but since Juzhou brocade wasn’t famous, the prices were nearly half.

Gu Hua pointed at a peony piece. “Look at this one—it was custom-made for the King of Dali. It’s now hanging in the princess’s bedchamber.”

“Then look at this magpie piece—it was also made for the palace.”

Li Shi had seen the large-scale birthday congratulatory paintings for the Queen Mother, so smaller pieces didn’t impress her.

She looked at the shopkeeper. “How much would it cost if Juzhou were to replicate that Queen Mother birthday painting?”

The shopkeeper glanced at Gu Hua. “For a Juzhou product, you’d have to ask Her Highness the Princess.”

Li Shi looked at Gu Hua in surprise.

Gu Hua smiled sheepishly. “The Juzhou brocade workshop is my business; it’s a collaboration with the Pei family.”

Li Shi’s mouth opened in shock.

“Yours?”

She couldn’t believe that the princess, younger than herself, actually had her own business.

Moreover, she knew that Juzhou brocade sold extremely well. Noblewomen in neighboring regions who couldn’t afford Jiangling’s brocade would buy Juzhou’s instead.

Even the finest products from Juzhou were nearly impossible to buy, even with money. Many noblewomen took pride in owning top-quality brocade.

Gu Hua smiled kindly. “That’s why I can offer you a reasonable price and guarantee the quality won’t be worse than Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s piece.”

Li Shi was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful.”

She hesitated for a moment, then confessed, “Princess, I truly need this brocade piece, but I only have five hundred gold coins to spare.”

This was all her savings.

She wanted to personally bring this painting back to the capital, to gain favor with her birth mother, and ideally, to meet the Virtuous Consort and her father, so she could also gain her husband’s goodwill.

“Alright, five hundred gold coins it is.”

Gu Hua smiled. “Also, I’ll give you a set of brocade skirts as a gift. You’ll look splendid wearing them at the birthday celebration.”

Li Shi’s eyes widened. “R-Really?”

“Of course.”

Li Shi’s eyes teared up with gratitude, and she hurriedly kowtowed. “Thank you, Princess.”

Gu Hua steadied her. “No need for formalities. I heard that when your father, Minister Li, was in Bazhou, he had a very good relationship with the Mu family. Your father dotes on you, leaving you in your hometown to marry the prefect. With this gift, when you pay respects to your birth mother, she will surely be pleased.”

Li Shi felt a bitter twinge in her heart but couldn’t speak it aloud.

“For Minister Li’s wife’s birthday, I will also send a gift and mention our friendship. Surely, your mother will grant you a bit of leniency.”

Li Shi was both shocked and delighted. “Then… if Princess ever has any task, I am willing to serve diligently.”

Gu Hua said, “No need to be so formal. My husband has a relationship with your father, and I also wish for your safety and well-being.”

Li Shi was momentarily taken aback.

The Virtuous Consort had secretly sent the Fourth Prince to serve in the Mu family’s army. Initially, it was claimed he was returning to Bazhou for ancestral rites, but on the way back to the capital, he encountered an assassination attempt and was rescued by the Black Armor Guards. They decided to play along with the ruse.

Everyone assumed the Fourth Prince was missing. The palace searched for him for a long time with no results and presumed he was dead.

This was also why Prefect Qian no longer cared about his father-in-law and the Virtuous Consort’s influence and sought a higher connection through Wang Heng.

It was also the source of Li Shi’s worries.

Li Shi glanced around warily. The shopkeeper was clever and immediately led everyone else out, leaving only Gu Hua and Li Shi in the room.

Gu Hua looked at her with a smile. “Madam Qian, you’re probably worried about Mr. Qian’s future, right? You’ve done so much just to secure it. But… does Mr. Qian feel the same way?”

Li Shi’s expression changed.

She forced a smile. “Matters concerning men… I dare not ask and do not understand.”

Gu Hua knew she didn’t yet trust her and had no authority.

“If Mr. Qian’s wishes don’t align with yours, have you considered whether your marriage can continue?”

This question struck Li Shi in her heart.

Gu Hua didn’t wait for her reaction. “You wish to secure Mr. Qian’s future, but you must first see what kind of future he wants. Will he go with the current flow, or cling to old powers? You can give him a message from me: if he truly wants a bright future, he should remember that evil cannot triumph over righteousness. If he’s unclear, let him think of Wang Heng’s end.”

Gu Hua knew she couldn’t make decisions; she only wanted her to relay the message.

Madam Qian returned home with her mind burdened.

After sending Li Shi off, Gu Hua had a sudden idea.

“Shopkeeper, prepare four sets of the latest brocade skirts for me. I want to gift them to the prefects’ wives in the four provinces.”

“Yes. They will be ready in half a month.”

“Good.”

Gu Hua realized that brocade was very popular among noblewomen, so she could use it as a door-opener and gauge their reactions.

Back at the mansion, Gu Hua summoned Dong Qing and Dong Mo.

“Any updates from the spies in the mansion?”

Dong Mo immediately reported everything regarding monitoring Yin Tao and Yi Yun.

That day, Yin Tao threw a wooden hairpin out of the wall, and someone came to pick it up.

Mu Mansion’s people tracked the person—they were a vendor who usually delivered greenery to the Wang Mansion.

Due to seasonal changes, three or four people had come to replace plants recently. One of them had blended in.

That night, after picking up the hairpin, this person had left messages along the paths Yin Tao and Yi Yun traveled daily, arranging a meeting—but the two had never noticed the tiny “ant letters.”

The person, however, was not very capable and hadn’t discovered the mansion’s spies.

Gu Hua smiled. “Well, otherwise, they would have reacted long ago. Despite being here so long, no news has leaked.”

“Keep observing quietly. No need to alert them. Wait until Chiyu and the others investigate Yi Yun’s father first.”

Dong Mo: “Understood.”

“You may leave now. I still have questions for Dong Qing.”

Dong Mo left. Gu Hua patted the chair beside her. “Come, sit.”

Dong Qing bowed slightly and sat down properly. Her delicate face remained calm, but her reddened ears betrayed her.

“How are things with Mr. Min?”

Dong Qing guessed what Gu Hua was about to ask.

Her face flushed. “How could I… with Mr. Min? It seems he doesn’t have any feelings for me.”

“But he didn’t reject you. Didn’t he specially help you find a book?”

Dong Qing’s face grew redder. “Princess, you even know this?”

“I’m helping you make a connection—of course, I know. When you were repairing his robe, didn’t you measure it carefully, thinking of making him clothes?”

Dong Qing’s eyes widened in shock.

The princess knew all about her actions.

Gu Hua noticed some caution in her gaze and realized she had misunderstood.

“I didn’t have anyone watch you. You asked Dong Mo yourself if there were unused quality fabrics in the mansion that could be sold to you cheaply—I just guessed it.”

Dong Qing quickly stood. “I dare not doubt Princess, nor would I.”

Gu Hua held her back. “Are you really that scared? After serving me for so many years, don’t you know what kind of person I am? Sit down.”

Dong Qing hurriedly sat.

“I’ve already asked Dong Mo to pick two suitable pieces of fabric for you.”

Dong Qing’s eyes reddened with gratitude. “Princess, you’ve been too kind to me.”

Gu Hua patted her hand. “I’ve been through life’s ups and downs, and I want the people around me to find happiness too.”

“Mr. Min Dongsheng has experienced great rises and falls, is ambitious, and devoted in love—he is truly a worthy match. He doesn’t dislike you; he probably just doesn’t dare to think of it. So, don’t rush. Use your gentle heart to warm him, and you will surely soften him.”

Dong Qing nodded firmly. “I believe so. If I could become Mr. Min’s wife, I would have no regrets in this life.”

Gu Hua smiled. “Good. When you marry, I’ll make sure your wedding is grand and splendid.”

Tears welled up in Dong Qing’s eyes. “Princess, you’re too kind.”