FBC – Chapter 10 The Younger Sister-In-Law Is Still Unmarried?

Gu Hua quickly finished writing all three poems. Zhou Chunyu had a servant lift the rice paper and display it.

Mu Junyan gave a slight nod. “Excellent poetry and fine calligraphy—no wonder the Gu family is known for producing talented women.”

Gu Wanru blushed modestly. “Father-in-law flatters me.”

Mu An’s expression softened at seeing his wife praised by his father. He gently patted Gu Wanru’s hand. “A wife chosen by Father on my behalf is, of course, the best.”

Gu Wanru smiled demurely.

Watching her elder sister act so prim and proper, Gu Hua sneered inwardly.

If the world knew that Gu Wanru’s reputation as a gifted woman was entirely built on her efforts, could her sister bear it?

Mu Junyan had been watching Gu Hua all along, catching even the slightest twitch of her expression. Though she wore an innocent and easily deceived face, her glittering eyes betrayed her little schemes.

Her face—with willow-leaf brows like smoke and starry eyes tinged with a faint pout—was a delicate blend of purity and allure.

Her figure was curvier and more matured than her sister’s.

Two words flashed through Mu Junyan’s mind: purely seductive.

The intoxicating sensations from the previous night came rushing back to him.

Mu Junyan rubbed the bone china wine cup in his hand; the smooth, delicate feel reminded him of the soft skin from last night.

Casually, he asked, “Second Lady Gu, how old are you this year?”

Gu Hua’s heart pounded wildly. Her voice was barely audible. “This girl is seventeen. I was born on the same day as my sister, just an hour later.”

Mu Junyan seemed relieved. “Already of age… and not yet engaged?”

Gu Hua’s face flushed red, and she lowered her head as if to bury it in her chest.

An unmarried woman should never answer such a question in front of an unrelated man!

Gu Wanru couldn’t grasp her father-in-law’s intent and looked toward her husband in panic.

Mu An gritted his teeth silently—he could sense his father’s growing interest in Gu Hua.

Under the table, he reached out and patted Gu Wanru’s leg.

Startled, Gu Wanru dropped her chopsticks onto the table.

Mu Junyan looked over.

Flustered, caught under two pairs of sharp eyes, Gu Wanru braced herself and replied, “Mother cherishes my younger sister and doesn’t want her to marry too early. However, she has already arranged a good match for her. Sending her to me was to let her learn how to be a proper wife.”

Surely Father wouldn’t take an already betrothed sister-in-law for himself?

She had planned to delay until her father-in-law left for the southern border, then have her husband consummate the marriage with Gu Hua.

Once that was done, even if her father-in-law had intentions, he’d have to give up.

Mu An immediately added, “I’ve met my sister-in-law’s future husband. He’s quite the gentleman.”

Gu Wanru followed up, “Mother has prepared a generous dowry for my sister, and I’ve also added a trousseau gift. I guarantee the young couple will live comfortably and happily.”

Zhou Chunyu raised an eyebrow, glancing at his lord and then at the tense-faced Miss Gu.

This couple could lie without even blushing.

They’re afraid the lord might take a liking to her, aren’t they?

Mu Junyan gave a noncommittal “Mm” without revealing any emotion.

That… mm~

What did it mean?

Gu Wanru’s heart pounded like a drum.

Her husband was determined to have Gu Hua. If she couldn’t make it happen, he would surely blame her.

Panicking, Gu Hua quickly shot Mu Junyan a glare.

He clearly knew she was the woman from last night, yet he refused to acknowledge it.

Old man, if you want her dead, just say so and be done with it!

When Mu Junyan caught that daring glare from the little girl, his sword-like brows lifted.

She had guts—how dare she glare at him?

That look in her eyes—sparkling, teary, full of quiet resentment—

To his surprise, Mu Junyan didn’t feel angry. He lowered his eyes and chuckled lightly, putting down his cup and changing the subject.

“Steward, did you find a literate maid to assist me with ink work in the study?”

The sudden shift caught Zhou Chunyu off guard for half a breath. Then his quick-thinking brain lit up.

He blinked twice and put on an exaggeratedly troubled expression.

“My lord, please forgive me. The requirements for the maid are too high. To transcribe the late madam’s poems and writings, she must be skilled in the delicate flower hairpin calligraphy. Only noble ladies from scholarly families learn such writing. How could they possibly enter the Duke’s manor as servants? This task is truly too difficult.”

In the capital, it was fashionable among noble ladies to write in that delicate style. Common girls or servants would never have learned it.

Gu Hua’s almond-shaped eyes widened.

That excuse…

Who would believe it?

Gu Wanru, seeing a glare from her husband, felt her heart thumping again.

Mu Junyan sighed. “I’m rarely home. Can’t I even have this small wish granted?”

Gu Hua: “…!”

Hello?!

The very person you’re looking for is right here in front of you!

Why don’t you just ask her?

Is he trying to force her to offer herself?

But how could she dare?

If she volunteered, wouldn’t that be the same as admitting guilt?

If she dared to scheme against Mu An and his wife, once Mu Junyan left, her sister and brother-in-law would surely try to kill her.

Zhou Chunyu feigned difficulty, his eyes casually falling on Gu Hua—and lit up.

“How long does Second Lady Gu plan to stay at the manor?”

Gu Hua’s heart skipped.

Suppressing her excitement, she showed a timid expression and looked toward Gu Wanru, replying softly, “I’ll follow my sister’s arrangements.”

Gu Wanru was just about to speak when Zhou Chunyu quickly cut in.

“The lord won’t stay long at the manor. If Second Lady Gu is free, would you be willing to ease the burden for him? The young madam surely won’t object. It’s also an act of filial piety toward the late madam.”

Gu Wanru choked.

That remark was so sharp, she dared not respond.

Mu An protested, “Father, isn’t this improper? Gu Hua is a lady of the Gu family. How can she be treated like a servant?”

Mu Junyan looked at him blandly. “I’m merely asking Second Miss Gu to copy your mother’s writings—not making her a servant. Or do you mean your mother’s affairs can’t trouble your sister-in-law?”

Mu An’s father had been one of Mu Junyan’s lieutenants and died in battle when Mu An was just eight. Mu Junyan had taken him into the manor, and since his original wife had passed away, he placed the boy under her name, granting him legitimate heir status.

Now that his father had invoked his mother, how could Mu An say no?

Flustered, he said, “That’s not what I meant… Does the madam agree?”

He kicked the decision back to Gu Wanru.

Cornered, Gu Wanru forced herself to nod. “If Father requires it, of course it’s acceptable. However… would it be proper for Gu Hua to stay at Wenhan Pavilion? If word gets out, it might damage your reputation.”

“Yes, yes. No women are ever allowed into Wenhan Pavilion,” Mu An quickly added, giving his wife an approving glance.

As long as Gu Hua stayed at Jinxiu Pavilion, he would have a chance to get her.

When Mu Junyan’s first wife married into the family, she had been ill and confined to the inner court. She never once set foot in Wenhan Pavilion before her death.

“I only need someone to transcribe my late wife’s manuscripts. She doesn’t need to stay at Wenhan Pavilion.”

Gu Wanru breathed a sigh of relief and looked nervously toward her husband, afraid he might be angry.

Mu An was at a loss.

Then Mu Junyan added, “Naturally, I can’t let Second Lady Gu help for free.”

Gu Hua blinked her almond eyes.

He’s going to give her silver?

Perfect—she needed money to run away.

“Steward Zhou, send a generous gift to the Gu family on my behalf—as a dowry addition for Second Lady Gu.”

“Yes, I’ll handle it right away,” Zhou Chunyu replied with a smile, casting a meaningful glance at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua was stunned, then stole a quick glance at Mu Junyan.

Was he trying to back her up?

But—why give the gift to the Marquis’ estate?

Wouldn’t that be throwing meat to the dogs?

Gu Wanru’s eyes widened, fury burning within.

The Duke’s manor had never sent extra gifts to her maiden home—not even after the betrothal. When she returned home after marriage, the gifts were plentiful in number but cheap in value. Even now, pregnant, her treatment hadn’t improved.

This time, everyone had their own concerns and barely touched the food. Of the entire table of dishes, only the plate of stir-fried lily, lotus seeds, and lotus root in front of Gu Hua was emptied.

Gu Wanru and Mu An rose to take their leave, and Gu Hua had no choice but to follow and offer her farewell.

Mu Junyan suddenly spoke. “Second Lady Gu, stay a moment. I need to discuss the transcription arrangements.”

Gu Hua looked up—only to meet Gu Wanru’s warning glare. She lowered her head in fear.

Her tense heart finally eased slightly. At least this man still had a shred of conscience.

But after all that, being left alone with him—her heart was gripped by both shame and dread.