FBC – Chapter 339 Weakness

“If the Prince really wanted you, would he even care about his reputation? That’s why, from the very beginning, the Empress never intended to leave you any way out, isn’t that so?”

Yin Tao froze.

She hadn’t considered that angle.

Gu Hua spoke very gently, “I called you here today because I think your fate has been harder than Yi Yun’s. You were sold to a brothel as a child and suffered countless hardships. You thought that fortune had smiled upon you when the Empress selected you to serve Prince Yong, but it turns out you were merely expendable pawns. As a woman myself, I have no desire to make things harder for you.”

Her tone shifted, and the next words sent Yin Tao into a chill like falling into an icy pit.

“But if you haven’t realized this and intend to continue serving the Empress, your only path will be death. Not that I want you dead, but the Empress will not allow you to live.”

Yin Tao’s eyes darted anxiously. “Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood! I have always served Prince… oh no, I am willing to serve Your Highness, and I would never have improper thoughts toward Prince!”

Gu Hua smiled, “I’m afraid you’ve never heard of those women in Bianjing who fancied the Prince; their ends were never good. Otherwise, why would the Prince have waited until now to marry me? Do you think you are some unrivaled beauty, daring to have such thoughts? Does it help?”

“The Empress… you don’t understand her. She wields sweetness and a dagger together. When she needs you, she treats you with care. When you’re useless, she crushes you like an ant.”

Yin Tao’s face turned pale.

“And if you’re useless to me, there’s no need for me to keep you. Of course, since you were sent by the Empress, you won’t die outside the Mansion.”

Yin Tao looked at her in terror.

Wasn’t the Mansion supposed to praise the Princess as kind and beautiful? Could she really kill her?

Gu Hua seemed to read her thoughts and smiled softly, “I’ve always been kind and soft-hearted. How you die can be negotiated. Thrown into a well, drowned, hanged, poisoned wine, or…”

Frightened, Yin Tao collapsed to the ground with a thud and cried, “Mercy, Your Highness! We were forced into this! We could not disobey the Empress’s orders!”

Gu Hua smiled silently.

Yin Tao sobbed, out of breath, “I am willing to serve Your Highness and follow your every command!”

“Then show me your value if you want to live.”

Yin Tao hesitated, then said, “Whatever Your Highness wishes me to do, just command me.”

Gu Hua sneered inwardly.

“Go back and think carefully.”

Gu Hua lifted her teacup, and Sui’er stepped forward to escort her out. “Please, Your Highness.”

Terrified, Yin Tao returned to the small courtyard. Yi Yun wanted to ask her something but noticed Sui’er following behind.

“The Princess requests your presence.”

Yi Yun glanced at Yin Tao, who looked pale, then composed herself nervously and followed Sui’er.

Yi Yun performed the proper greeting, standing with her eyes lowered, appearing obedient and gentle, yet her expression carried a quiet dignity.

Gu Hua glanced at her, speaking calmly, “Du Yun, do you want to save your father?”

Yi Yun, who had prepared herself for everything, was suddenly thrown into shock.

Her eyes widened. “Y-Your Highness… my father? You know my real name?”

Gu Hua smiled and nodded. “Yes. Isn’t all this scheming of yours meant to save your father?”

Yi Yun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward, lifted her skirt, knelt, and kowtowed to Gu Hua solemnly.

When she stood again, tears filled her eyes as she choked back sobs, “I beg Your Highness to save my father. He was wronged!”

Gu Hua said, “Stand and speak.”

Yi Yun remained kneeling, kowtowing again. “I know Your Highness is kind, and the Prince is just and upright. I came to Juzhou with all my effort to find a way to save him. I know only the Prince and Your Highness can save my father.”

Gu Hua glanced at Sui’er.

Sui’er stepped forward, supporting Yi Yun’s arm. “If you want to save your father, stand properly and speak.”

Yi Yun quickly complied.

“Sit. Yun’er, serve the tea.”

Gu Hua studied Yi Yun.

She was quite attractive, delicate and refined, carrying the poise typical of a well-educated noble girl.

Clearly, her upbringing had been excellent.

“Your father served as the Magistrate of Gongzhou with notable achievements, beloved by the people. He was framed because Jiang Qifu coveted you. When his proposal failed, he schemed against your father and sought to take you, but you escaped Gongzhou.

In Bianjing, you intended to find a chance to save him, but no one could help. When you learned the Empress would select girls for the palace, you seized the opportunity. Discovering the Empress intended to send you to Juzhou, you gained her trust.

“You hoped to use our power to save your father, yet feared the Empress’s agents would discover your intent, meaning you might die before saving him. So, you worked hard to appear useful to the Empress while avoiding truly offending the Prince’s Mansion. Am I correct?”

Yi Yun gasped, “All correct.”

Gu Hua smiled. “So, what do you plan to do?”

Yi Yun immediately stood and removed a hairpin from her head, offering it with both hands. “This hairpin was personally given by the Empress for me to transmit messages. I also tried to find someone planted in the Mansion to defect to Your Highness, but I’ve been too clumsy and haven’t found anyone yet.”

Gu Hua examined the wooden hairpin. “Anything unusual about it?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s hollow, used to send messages.”

Yi Yun twisted it open to reveal the hollow interior.

Gu Hua nodded.

“We’ve confirmed your father is alive, but his health isn’t good.”

Yi Yun immediately burst into tears. “Please, Your Highness, save my father! I have no other way, no one else can help!”

Gu Hua smiled, “Then it depends on your value.”

Hearing this, Yi Yun quickly wiped her tears. “Then I’ll be proactive, and try to draw him out. I think he’s inside the Mansion. That day, I had Yin Tao throw the hairpin according to the schedule, but the next day I saw it in the garden. Though I couldn’t find the person, there’s still one final secret method of contact I’ve never revealed, fearing Yin Tao might really contact them or Your Highness might think I truly work for the Empress.”

Gu Hua studied Yi Yun closely.

Her age seemed similar, but her mind and character were impressive.

She had planned carefully, relying on no one, yet returned to Nanjing and even entered the Prince’s Mansion.

Gu Hua understood clearly that only the Prince could save her father.

Quick-minded and logical, she could be a valuable asset if properly used.

Gu Hua said, “Good. I’ll be watching.”

Yi Yun beamed. “I need a reason to leave the Mansion.”

“A contact point outside?”

“Yes. But I don’t know the exact location, only a place to leave the hairpin. If someone from the Mansion follows me secretly, we can catch the person.”

Gu Hua thought for a moment. “Go back first. I’ll think of a reason to let you leave without drawing attention.”

Yi Yun quickly bowed. “Yes, I’ll wait for Your Highness’s orders.”

After Yi Yun left, Sui’er tidied the teacups and asked, “Does Your Highness trust her?”

Gu Hua said, “Once a person has a soft spot, they can be trusted a little. Her father is her only close family, and she’s alone—I understand that feeling. Anyone with a loved one will cling desperately.”

Just like back then, even without feelings for her birth mother, Wang Shi, she still tried to hold on.

“The Prince will return tonight. Have the kitchen prepare dinner to his taste.”

Sui’er nodded, “Yes.”

After a moment, she asked, “Should we prepare wine?”

“The Prince doesn’t drink much, no need.”

“Yes.”