FBC – Chapter 360 Imperial Edict

A month after the Crown Prince had left the city, Mu Junyan’s memorial finally reached King Cheng, delivered in a leisurely fashion.

He hurriedly entered the palace to find Empress Sun, unusually flustered.

“Quick, take a look! Mu Junyan has gone way too far!”

Empress Sun, seeing the memorial, tore it apart in anger.

“How dare he replace a prefect without authorization! How dare he take troops to Gongzhou! How dare he confiscate Jiang Qifu’s property! And what’s this about Gongzhou and Luzhou suffering disasters, so the Emperor’s additional taxes should just be waived? This is blatant defiance against the throne!”

King Cheng’s face remained calm. “But he’s done everything meticulously. First, he listed Jiang Qifu’s crimes in detail, with all the evidence—witnesses and physical proof. Then there’s Du’s role in flood relief, corroborated by officials’ testimonies, with Cao Li attaching incident reports and even petitions signed by thousands of citizens. Mu Junyan merely discovered that Jiang Qifu was spying on Du Yun, scheming to seize his wealth and deliberately framing him. Du is innocent. The confiscated property of Jiang Qifu was used to compensate Gongzhou’s disaster losses and help the displaced people, which actually won the people’s hearts.

“Du is innocent. Mu Junyan, for managing the dikes and temporarily appointing Du as prefect in the Emperor’s place, submitted a memorial for the Emperor’s final decision—he did not directly appoint or dismiss anyone. If we debate this, at most Mu Junyan’s offense is overstepping, not defying the Emperor, and there’s no basis to convict him of a serious crime!”

Empress Sun’s anger flared further. “This is acting first and reporting later! His fief is in the three cities of the southern frontier—what right does he have to interfere in Gongzhou or other prefectures?”

Usually composed, Empress Sun rarely lost her temper, but now she was fuming. King Cheng, in contrast, remained calm.

“Empress, what has gotten into you? Normally, you are dignified and composed, but now you wear your emotions on your face. How can ministers support you in ruling from behind the screen if they see this?”

Empress Sun, chastised by her father, deflated but dared not point out that he himself had displayed the same temper.

“Father, you don’t understand—the Crown Prince is too timid. If Mu Junyan continues like this, other prefectures and generals might follow suit and amass troops, defying authority. What would we do then?”

“Then follow your original plan. Order Princess Yong and her son to enter the capital; I don’t believe they would dare disobey the imperial command!”

Empress Sun finally relaxed. “I’ve long intended to issue an edict, yet you still worry. I’ll send it with urgent dispatch across eight hundred miles.”

King Cheng nodded. “I will send all loyal warriors to protect the Crown Prince; someone may try to harm him amid the chaos.”

Empress Sun paled. “Then hurry! The Crown Prince has been away for a month.”

“The real problem isn’t that—it’s that Jiang Qifu has a ledger recording the silver he offered me.”

Empress Sun stiffened. “What? Jiang Qifu dared keep such a thing?”

King Cheng’s expression darkened. “The Jiang family is nothing but lowly merchants, always scheming. They used my authority to seize Du’s office and property, yet left evidence to threaten me. Damn them!”

Empress Sun snorted coldly. “Then let him die!”

King Cheng glanced at her. “You’re right.”

…

Back in Juzhou, Mu Junyan saw Gu Hua excitedly speaking with someone.

Hearing his footsteps, she turned and, seeing him, rushed over happily. “Xuanxuan has given birth to a son!”

In her haste, she stumbled. Mu Junyan’s face went pale as he leaped forward and caught her in his arms.

He scolded, “The mother of three children, and still so careless!”

Gu Hua glared at him. “I’m perfectly fine, didn’t fall! You ran over and grabbed me.”

Mu Junyan’s expression darkened. “And yet you dare argue!”

Seeing he was genuinely angry, Gu Hua softened, giving a sweet smile. “Thanks to you, husband, neither I nor the child fell. When the baby is born, I’ll tell him that his father is his savior.”

Mu Junyan was speechless.

To divert her from being overly sentimental, he asked, “Zhao Luoxuan gave birth to the legitimate prince?”

Gu Hua nodded emphatically. “Yes, ten days ago. Duan Yu has already named him heir apparent. Xuanxuan is finally safe.”

Mu Junyan looked at the messenger, one of Zhao Luoxuan’s attendants.

“Go claim your reward.”

The attendant bowed.

Mu Junyan held Gu Hua. “You’re about to give birth too. Be careful! If anything happens, you’ll make both Tuantuan and YuanYuan worry to death.”

Gu Hua rested her head against his chest as they walked toward the main hall.

“I know. I’ll stay indoors and wait for the baby to arrive.”

Mu Junyan’s eyes darkened. “The imperial edict should arrive in a month; we probably won’t have peace until then.”

Gu Hua looked up. “The Empress’s edict? What does she want?”

Mu Junyan led her inside, had her sit comfortably with a cushion supporting her back, and held her hand in his large palm. Softly, he said, “I’m sorry.”

Gu Hua looked confused. “Sorry for what?”

Her eyes widened. “Don’t tell me… you slept with Du Yun…”

A sharp tap struck her forehead. She winced, rubbing it. “Hey! What was that for?”

Mu Junyan sneered. “Punishment for letting your mind wander.”

Gu Hua muttered, “Then why else would you be sorry?”

Mu Junyan tenderly rubbed her forehead. “Sorry.”

Gu Hua pushed his hand away, grabbed it in reverse, and asked urgently, “Don’t say sorry again—it’s scary! Just tell me, what happened?”

Mu Junyan kissed the back of her hand. “Earlier, sorry for hurting you. Before that, sorry for dragging you into my perilous life.”

Gu Hua blinked. “Empress Sun wants to force me to the capital?”

Mu Junyan looked at her steadily. “You’re too sharp.”

Gu Hua rolled her eyes. “You look apologetic because there’s something only I can do—and it’s dangerous. Not hard to guess. Besides, there were previous hints she wanted me and the child to enter the capital.”

Mu Junyan frowned. “Who told you that?”

Gu Hua’s expression hardened. “Do we still have secrets between us? Chiyan, Chiyu, or anyone in the mansion could hide nothing from me. Or are you hiding something from me?”

Rarely seeing her so serious, Mu Junyan held her close.

“Don’t worry. If she dares force it, we’ll fight head-on.”

Gu Hua pushed him away. “No need to fight. All our efforts have been to avoid bloodshed. Mu’s army doesn’t fear battle, but the people do. I don’t want peace at the cost of rivers of blood. I won’t accept that.”

Mu Junyan’s face darkened.

Gu Hua sneered. “If Sun dares plant women for my husband to disturb our family, I won’t stay idle. Zhao Yuxuan is her treasure—I want to see how good a son she raised. If her son is unworthy of being Crown Prince, let’s see how bold Sun can be.”

“What are you planning?”

Gu Hua rolled her eyes. “Household strategy, nothing for men to interfere with. In a month, I’ll give birth. By then, the edict should arrive. I’ll take Tuantuan to the capital.”

Mu Junyan’s gaze was deep.

Gu Hua cupped his face. “So, husband, our safety is in your hands. We’ll be soft and hard, storming the capital.”

Mu Junyan frowned. “You just gave birth—you can’t move.”

“I’ll recover in a month. My body is strong now.”

She kissed his lips. “You endured a year for me; let’s not wait any longer. Can Zhao Yufeng be of use? If not, that high position is still yours.”

Mu Junyan shook his head. “That position leaves me alone. I just want to enjoy life with my wife and child.”

Gu Hua smiled, reassured. “Good.”

News arrived from Gongzhou: Jiang Qifu had nearly been killed but was saved. The assassin was caught, but committed suicide before interrogation.

Chiyan traced the assassin’s arm tattoo to King Cheng’s mansion, shocking Jiang Qifu.

Empress Sun’s edict was sent urgently to Juzhou but was delayed for unknown reasons. It only arrived after the New Year.

Meanwhile, Gu Hua gave birth to another child, and the Yong Mansion erupted in celebration.

February 15th

After over a month of rest, Gu Hua prepared to enter the capital with Tuantuan under summons.

The day before departure, Duan Yu accompanied Zhao Luoxuan, arriving at Juzhou in a flurry of dust.