Forced to be a concubine? I turned around and married the scumbag's father.

The next day.

Before Gu Hua and the others could make a move, Duan Yu had already taken action.

Gu Hua heard from Chi Yu that Duan Yu had sent an envoy to the post station early in the morning.

In front of Wang Heng and Jiang Ruoxi, she angrily denounced Jiang Ruoxi for lacking virtue, being immoral, and abusing her power, deeming her unworthy to be the Queen Consort of Dali. She demanded that Wang Heng immediately petition the court to either replace her with a virtuous and talented woman for the marriage or to permanently halt peace negotiations.

If the two countries were to fall into war again, Daliang would also be overwhelmed.

Jiang Ruoxi went berserk and smashed her house to pieces, yelling that she wanted Yuan's army to come and destroy Dali.

Wang Heng was so angry that he was furious and overwhelmed with worry that he had no time to take over the Juzhou government office.

Even though the marriage alliance failed to materialize, the emperor wouldn't let him off the hook.

He had no choice but to write a memorial and send it back to the capital by express courier, while trying to get closer to the envoy and find out Duan Yu's true purpose.

The post station laid out fine wine and food, and invited the most popular dancers and musicians from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) to entertain the guests.

This envoy was the one who had met Gu Hua before. At this moment, he had a dark expression and didn't say a word.

Wang Heng, a member of the Langya Wang clan, was a man of high moral character and had always considered himself superior. Yet now he was forced to bow and scrape before an envoy from a mere small country.

But what could he do?

Who told him to end up with such a slut like Jiang Ruoxi?

"Lord Qiang, the rumors circulating are just gossip and cannot be believed. Although the princess is not of His Majesty's blood, Consort Jiang is deeply favored, and Prince Ping'an has a great influence; she is also a member of the royal family. If she becomes the Princess of Dali, she will definitely help His Majesty."

Lord Qiang glared at him.

"Lord Wang, do you think we're fools, that we can be easily fooled? Do you think that just because the Southern Frontier is far from Bianjing, we won't know anything about it? We from the Dali Kingdom also have people in your Bianjing. Everyone knows about Jiang Ruoxi's utterly rotten reputation."

Not only did she commit adultery with her own brother in public, but she also used every means to force Lady Mu into marrying the Duke of Yong, even resorting to murder. That such a woman is still alive—you Liang Dynasty are truly merciful.

Wang Heng's face was grim.

He also wished Jiang Ruoxi would die.

But Jiang Ruoxi is the face of the Prince of Ping'an.

If Jiang Ruoxi cannot become the Princess of Dali, she will have no other way out but death.

But her death can only be carried out by the King of Heian's word.

"Besides, everyone in Juzhou knows what happened yesterday. With her limited intelligence, she's more likely to become a burden to my king than an asset."

The envoy spoke without any politeness.

Wang Heng suppressed his anger and asked in a gentle tone, "Since the Dali Kingdom also has people in my Great Liang, they should know something about the princess of the Great Liang royal family. There really is no princess of marriageable age in Great Liang."

The envoy nodded: "That's true."

Wang Heng nodded with a forced smile: "So..."

The envoy interrupted him: "Therefore, our king said that regardless of whether they are royal women, as long as they are kind and intelligent, their status is not important."

Wang Heng was stunned.

He makes it sound so easy, but where are we supposed to find one?

Are they going to hold a beauty pageant in Liang?

It's too late.

The Prince of Ping'an promised him that if he could use the marriage alliance to subdue the Mu family's military power, the position of Minister of Rites would be his.

The envoy suddenly smiled and said, "In fact, Lord Wang need not be so troubled. There is a most suitable candidate right here. As long as the Emperor of Liang is willing to issue an edict to let her marry him, everything will be fine."

Wang Heng was overjoyed: "Does Prince Duan have someone he admires? I wonder who it is?"

"Gu Hua".

"Gu Hua? Gu Hua?"

Wang Heng was still pondering who the name belonged to when he suddenly widened his eyes: "Gu Hua! The widow of the Duke of Yong?"

The envoy nodded: "Indeed."

Wang Heng's expression changed slightly, and he blurted out, "This is absurd! She is already married and has two children. She is not worthy of being a princess at all."

The envoy sneered, "If she's not worthy, then no one in Great Liang is. We all know that Lady Mu is both wise and brave, and that she sent grain a thousand miles to save Juzhou. If it weren't for Lady Mu, I'm afraid Great Liang wouldn't have been able to defeat us so easily."

Wang Heng felt a surge of anger.

Do you know that you are a defeated nation?

Such arrogance and forcefulness, yet they still want to force the Duchess of Yong to marry into a foreign land!

Wang Heng suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

It might not be a bad thing for Gu Hua to marry into the Dali Kingdom. Once she leaves, only the old matriarch will be left, with two children still in swaddling clothes. The Mu family army will be leaderless, making it easier to subdue them.

Whether her becoming the Princess of Dali would be detrimental to the Great Liang Dynasty is a matter for later discussion.

A mere princess cannot influence the affairs of the court.

After he figured it out, he tentatively asked, "Has King Duan ever met Gu Hua?"

The envoy looked inscrutable: "I am but a subject, and I do not know the full story. But we are familiar with Lady Mu's deeds."

Wang Heng's eyes darted around: "Writing a memorial and returning to the capital will take at least a month. We still need to persuade Madam Mu and the Old Madam. They are both difficult to deal with, and they are stubborn."

The envoy smiled faintly: "I believe that Lord Wang can accomplish this."

Wang Heng froze.

Bullshit, he can't do it.

Isn't this just making things difficult for him?

"I cannot make a decision on this matter. Please allow me to write a memorial and return to the capital to discuss it with Madam Mu and the Dowager Madam."

After seeing the envoy off, Wang Heng immediately summoned the newly appointed governor, Lu Lei.

"Lord Lu, have you properly handed over all the account books and files of the prefectural government?"

Lu Lei looked dejected: "Where is the handover? This morning I went to the prefect's office, only to find it completely empty. The account books and files were neatly arranged on the desk, but there were no loopholes. As for the rest, all the people in charge of the handover went on strike. We are all outsiders, and we are completely clueless."

Wang Heng was so angry that his face turned green.

"Completely deserted?"

"Yes, oh, right, there are people in the jail. The cells are all locked, and there are no guards. The prisoners' files are also there, so we know who they are."

Wang Heng frowned; he hadn't expected them to pull off an empty city ploy.

If they can't even handle the prefectural government, how can they possibly suppress the Mu family army?

"By the way, the Huang family, the imperial merchants, are imprisoned inside. I asked around and they said they used to be the richest family in Juzhou. After they left, the government gave all their private property to the Pei family. They came back to try to reclaim their property, but Madam Mu arrested them."

Wang Heng's eyes lit up: "Are you sure it was Gu Hua who caught him?"

"Yes."

Isn't this a handle to use against me?

Wang Heng didn't want to see Gu Hua, but given the current situation, he had no choice but to.

Gu Hua, the old lady, Zhao Luoxuan, and Yuan Jieying were playing cards when the gatekeeper came to announce that Wang Heng was requesting an audience with Madam Mu.

Gu Hua put down the cards in her hand. "Here it comes."

Yuan Jieying quickly stood up: "Then I'll take my leave."

"You should go back now." Gu Hua stood up and helped the old lady.

"Mother, would it be alright if my daughter-in-law went with me?"

The old lady agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Luoxuan also stood up and supported the old lady on the other side: "I will go with you."

When Wang Heng saw the old lady come out, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting: "This humble official greets the old lady."

Gu Hua and Zhao Luoxuan looked at him.

According to rank, although Wang Heng was an imperial envoy, his rank had not changed, so he should have bowed to the two of them first.

Wang Heng bowed to Gu Hua, naturally unwilling to do so.

But since his target today was Gu Hua, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and bow to Zhao Luoxuan, and finally to Gu Hua.

Gu Hua found it amusing.

The first time I met Wang Heng, he was of low status, yet he always acted as if he were superior to others.

But now, for the sake of his future, he has no choice but to wade into muddy waters and bow down to the woman he despises the most.

Gu Hua returned the gift.

"Lord Wang, please have a seat."