FBC – Chapter 366 Choosing Sides

Every day, Gu Hua listened as Min Dongsheng and Chiyu discussed the happenings at court.

Originally, with the emperor’s passing, the crown prince’s succession was legitimate, and the mourning rites were supposed to be presided over by him. Yet some ministers at court had begun to question the crown prince’s capabilities.

Of course, this was orchestrated by Mu Junyan and Gu Hua.

King Cheng and his allies were busy suppressing and eliminating opponents while secretly dispatching the Yuan family’s troops to Bianjing.

Gu Hua wasn’t worried about the Yuan troops—that was exactly what Mu Junyan wanted at this time.

Naturally, the Yuan troops couldn’t arrive, and the opposition couldn’t be entirely removed. Mu Junyan and Gu Hua, one handling alliances among court ministers and the other managing insider information from their residences, might not yet be able to counter the Sun family’s influence—but at the very least, King Cheng and his faction couldn’t fully control the court at this point.

Gu Hua and the Pei family bribed only those of lowly status in each household.

Each estate had only a few principal figures who looked down on servants and commoners. Yet it was precisely these lower-ranking people who grew like wild weeds, spreading throughout the shadowy corners of every estate.

Even rats and cockroaches in hidden channels were more ubiquitous.

Naturally, they were the most informed.

When Gu Hua entered Bianjing, she brought all the newly crafted kesi skirts with her, giving a set to every official’s family member who could use them.

Once this net was cast, everyone’s general stance became clear.

The prowess of the Mu family army was well-known throughout Daliang, and that Mu Junyan had only Gu Hua as his wife showed the depth of his love.

How could he then allow his beloved wife and eldest son to enter the capital as hostages?

The husbands of these officials were all clever men in the political sphere. They didn’t need to be told to guess what the Sun faction intended or what would happen when the Mu princess was forced to bring her son into the capital.

Now was the time to choose sides.

Of course, some chose to wait and see—after all, failure in power struggles could cost their heads.

Gu Hua’s approach was simple: those who were obedient were courted; those who weren’t, she would dig up every hidden scandal in their households, ready for Mu Junyan to use to strangle them metaphorically when the time came.

So even in dangerous situations, Gu Hua remained calm and composed.

Because of this, King Cheng and Empress Dowager Sun grew anxious and increasingly unscrupulous.

The crown prince had not officially ascended, and the empress dowager had not yet assumed her position. Her usual image of virtue and propriety had long vanished.

The inner palace descended into chaos, with some concubines led by Consort De uniting to oppose the Sun faction’s attempts to eliminate all the princes.

King Cheng also realized that pretense wouldn’t work now. If he didn’t take decisive action to seize control of the court quickly, the “duck on the table” might fly away.

Some openly opposing ministers either quietly disappeared or were dismissed on some pretext.

At this time, Qing’e sent news that she was pregnant.

Meanwhile, the manor welcomed two visitors: Marquis Jingwen and Zhao Chufei.

Previously, Zhao Chufei had suddenly written to Gu Hua saying she didn’t want to marry Zhao Yuxuan. Gu Hua had written back to gauge her intentions, but Zhao Chufei had not replied further.

Gu Hua understood that for an elite noblewoman, family interests and political power often outweighed personal feelings.

Especially for the eldest daughters of noble families, marriage and love were never truly their choice—they were important pieces in the family’s strategy.

When Gu Hua saw Zhao Chufei, before any formal greetings, Zhao Chufei ran forward, hugged her, and began to cry.

Gu Hua was surprised—they admired each other but weren’t close enough for this yet.

She glanced at Marquis Jing, who remained silent and composed.

Min Dongsheng had analyzed that given his background, for a marquis to remain so calm after decades in service was exceptional.

After Zhao Chufei finished venting, she awkwardly wiped her tears.

Gu Hua comforted her while inviting Marquis Jing to sit.

Though she had analyzed his character and family background through Min Dongsheng and Mu Junyan, she had not directly interacted with him and remained cautious.

But before she could speak, Marquis Jing said: “I came to ask whether Prince Yong intends to ascend the throne or has other plans.”

Gu Hua had not expected such directness.

Since he had come personally and was being open, she had no reason to hide anything. Time was tight, and only sincerity could secure a true ally.

She smiled.

“Marquis, I am but a weak woman. My only wish is a harmonious family and a peaceful life—and the prince feels the same. That position is too lofty for us. But if the person in that position cannot tolerate us and tries to harm my family, neither the prince nor I would agree.

As the saying goes, if others do not provoke me, I do not provoke them. If others provoke me, I will retaliate.

You must have heard that the Fourth Prince has returned. He has trained in the Mu family army for two full years. We believe he will be a wise ruler, one who will not selfishly pursue trivial gains or resort to unscrupulous methods for personal or familial advantage. Such a wise ruler, the prince will surely support.”

Marquis Jing was not expecting this answer.

After a long pause, he nodded. “This is the Mu Junyan I know.”

He looked Gu Hua in the eye. “Because he married you, a delicate and kind princess, he was spared from taking reckless risks when pushed to the brink. Even without the Mu army taking action, the leverage you hold over the families could achieve his aims without shedding a single drop of blood.”

He knew everything.

Indeed, he was a man who quietly accomplished great deeds.

That letter from Zhao Chufei refusing to marry the crown prince was probably her father’s way of testing Mu Junyan.

Gu Hua smiled humbly. “You flatter me, Marquis. I never imagined I would become the prince’s wife. It is my fortune to marry him. Since my husband has chosen this path, I, as his wife, will fully support him.”

Marquis Jing smiled. “I have observed your actions these past years, Princess. Truly, a heroine among women.”

Gu Hua smiled softly. “You overpraise me, Marquis. The prince himself says that the only person truly worthy of being a first-rank marquis is you.”

She noticed a brief glimmer in his eyes, but his expression remained unchanged as he waved it off: “All external titles are meaningless.”

Indeed, he wasn’t avoiding competition—he was a cunning old fox. He would never engage in a battle without certainty. With his background, being a stable marquis was far better than becoming a pawn after being granted a title like the Yuan family.

Zhao Chufei looked at her father and Gu Hua, growing restless.

“Ha’er, what should we do now? The Sun faction is dead set on me. The palace is holding mourning rites while preparing a grand wedding—it’s infuriating!”

Gu Hua smiled. “Do you have a crush? Or perhaps, is it the crown prince you wish to marry?”

Zhao Chufei blushed and glanced at her father.

She had known from childhood that she couldn’t choose her own marriage. Her father, though reserved, had always ensured she was raised as a top-tier noblewoman.

Marquis Jing said, “I heard there’s a woman named Qing’e—Princess Mu seems to know her?”

Gu Hua couldn’t help but grin. “Nothing escapes you, Marquis. The latest news is that Qing’e is pregnant. And the other news is that the crown prince can no longer have children.”

Zhao Chufei could hardly contain herself, her eyes widening: “Is it true?”

“True.”

Gu Hua smiled meaningfully. “It seems the royal family of Daliang has a tradition: when a prince marries a legitimate wife, the palace sends a maid to guide her. This person can be chosen by the bride’s family.”

Zhao Chufei blinked, utterly confused.

Marquis Jing’s eyes brightened: “Thank you for the guidance, Princess Yong.”