FBC – Chapter 11 The Duke Is a Heartless Man

The young attendants bustled back and forth, quick-footed and silent, efficiently cleaning up the Moon Gazing Pavilion. Soon, the tea table was set again, a charcoal stove was lit, and a teapot placed atop it.

No one noticed that Gu Hua had her head lowered, though she stole glances from the corners of her eyes—first at the retreating figures of the couple Mu An and his wife, then at the Duke, whose expression remained calm and unreadable.

Zhou Chunyu waved his hand, and everyone vanished in an instant.

He himself withdrew to wait silently ten paces away.

Mu Junyan tapped rhythmically on the stone table with his powerful fingers. The air around them seemed to chill suddenly. His sharp hawk-like eyes locked onto the flustered young girl.

Gu Hua felt the weight of that gaze—like a thousand pounds pressing down on her. The overwhelming pressure surged toward her. She dared not lift her head, and her hearing became unusually sharp.

Every tap of his finger on the stone table felt like a punch to her chest. Her heart skipped a beat each time.

Her legs were weak, and her palms—clasped tightly within her sleeves—were drenched in sweat.

Was he planning to pull up his pants and then settle the score afterward? Give her thirty lashes and sell her off?

Gu Hua secretly braced herself.

She was prepared for the worst.

Being sold off would still be better than staying by that treacherous, heartless couple.

“You have nothing to say?”

The man’s voice was cold, like that of a judge interrogating a criminal.

Gu Hua, frightened, instead flared up with a burst of anger.

What was she supposed to say?

Was she supposed to admit—as a girl—that she climbed into a man’s bed?

Shouldn’t he, as the man, be the one to bring it up?

What kind of man bullies a woman like this?

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered—let alone a human!

…But she didn’t dare say any of that.

Tears welled in her lovely eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak but then hesitated, looking at him as if he were a heartless scoundrel—like the infamous Chen Shimei.

Mu Junyan: “……”

One was weak, the other strong—a completely unbalanced confrontation. He suddenly felt like he was the one bullying her.

Mu Junyan softened his tone. “Did you go to Wenhan Pavilion last night?”

The girl’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “I did…”

Huh, so honest?

Mu Junyan didn’t expect her to admit it so straightforwardly.

She’s not going to pull the same trick again, pretend to twist her ankle, and throw herself at him, is she?

His expression darkened with suspicion, and he barked, “Do you even know the rules of the Duke’s residence?”

She had the audacity to break the rules and sneak into Wenhan Pavilion—and even stole his sleeping robe!

That wasn’t bravery—it was courting death.

Gu Hua looked completely blank. “This lowly girl only recently entered the residence… I don’t know them yet.”

That innocent face couldn’t look more pitiful, her apricot-shaped eyes glistening with tears.

She’s acting!

Mu Junyan let out a breathless laugh, angry to the point of amusement.

He slammed his hand down on the tea table.

Bang!

The stone table shook. A teacup bounced twice, tilted, and spilled its contents.

Gu Hua jumped in fright, her knees buckling as she collapsed to the floor with a thud.

She pulled out a silk handkerchief and covered her lips, sobbing softly, “Please, my lord, spare me! This lowly servant did not sneak in on her own—it was my elder sister who wanted to show her filial piety and sent me to inquire about your whereabouts. I was afraid, so I drank a little wine beforehand to gather some courage. I must’ve gotten a bit muddle-headed…”

Mu Junyan frowned.

So… it wasn’t intentional?

Could it be that he, drunk out of his mind, had stumbled across a young maid lost in the dark and—unable to restrain himself—took advantage of her while she was intoxicated?

…In that case, she deserved one more chance.

“Master lost a piece of clothing in the study and is investigating a thief. Did you see anything?”

Gu Hua’s ears turned red. She stammered for a long while, unsure how to respond.

Mu Junyan grew irritated. “If you know, say you know. If you don’t, then say you don’t!”

Gu Hua forced herself to speak, “This servant does not know.”

Still refusing to admit it, huh!

This little girl was Gu Wanru’s younger sister—couldn’t be beaten or scolded. Mu Junyan held in a simmering anger.

Any woman he had touched, he couldn’t bear to see touched by another. Naturally, he couldn’t just let her go.

He also wasn’t the kind of scoundrel who would take a woman’s innocence and then shirk responsibility. But he didn’t want a woman by his side either.

Besides, he didn’t know what this little girl actually wanted.

For the first time, Mu Junyan felt there was something in this world that truly stumped him.

After a moment’s thought, he said slowly, “Last night I was drunk and a bit muddled…”

Gu Hua’s face filled with fear and she cried as she interrupted, “Last night Master was drunk and remembers nothing. This servant didn’t encounter anyone either.”

She had been waiting for this moment.

She hadn’t done it on purpose—it was by accident that she became a tool for the Duke to vent his drunken desires.

She was sensible. She gave the Duke enough dignity.

Only if the Duke felt guilt would he truly consider her situation.

Mu Junyan was momentarily stunned.

Her petite body trembled uncontrollably.

So scared? Was that really necessary?

He had already been quite gentle.

Besides, he hadn’t said he wouldn’t take responsibility. Didn’t she say she had a fiancé? He at least needed to figure out what she wanted.

The memory of her soft body enduring beneath him last night resurfaced. His heart involuntarily softened.

“Get up. The floor is cold.”

Gu Hua slowly stood up, tears brimming in her eyes, her legs trembling. She looked pitiful.

“Sit.”

Mu Junyan, used to giving commands, tried to soften his tone—but it still came out stiff.

Gu Hua cautiously perched on the edge of the seat.

She wanted to hear what arrangements he would make for her.

Mu Junyan didn’t want to beat around the bush. Sternly, he said, “If it were someone else, you’d have been dumped as a corpse in a mass grave already. But you’re Gu Wanru’s sister, so I’ll spare your life. Besides, you already have a fiancé. I can send you off with a generous dowry. If you have thoughts you shouldn’t, best give them up now.”

Men are all bastards!

Gu Hua looked at him with tearful, dazed eyes.

After a long pause, she mustered the courage to plead with a sob, “This servant… has no fiancé. I don’t dare ask for more—just beg to stay by Master’s side, to serve as a maid, working like an ox or horse.”

Not admitting she has a fiancé?

So she just wants to cling to someone powerful.

“I don’t need women to serve me,” Mu Junyan rejected her flatly.

Gu Hua quickly responded, “This servant knows Master shared deep affection with the late madam, which is why you’ve remained unmarried for ten years.”

“But the Duke has fought hard for the nation and has finally returned to the manor—you deserve some comfort. No young manservant can serve with the same care a maid can. I am an excellent cook…”

Mu Junyan interrupted coldly, “I have no appetite for food or drink.”

This old man is completely immune!

Gu Hua’s face turned red as she pitifully unwrapped her hands: “A woman’s touch is different from a servant boy’s. I can wash your feet, scrub your back… the feeling is very different.”

After she spoke, her face burned with embarrassment—but she bravely met his gaze.

Mu Junyan looked at her small wrapped hands. A faint yellowish fluid seeped through. His gaze moved upward and landed on a glimpse of smooth, white skin on her arm.

That night… those soft little hands indeed…

Gu Hua saw the tips of his ears redden.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s a man for you.

Pretending to be a gentleman—but his eyes and ears betrayed him.

Last night… at first he seemed inexperienced, but then turned into a ravenous wolf.

Hadn’t touched a woman in a long time, clearly.

“Did you apply medicine?” Mu Junyan averted his gaze, lifting his teacup to hide his slightly stirred emotions.

Gu Hua retracted her hand and softly replied, “Yes.”

“You may go now.”

Mu Junyan, now twenty-eight, had never had to talk to a woman so laboriously before.

It was honestly more exhausting than going to war.

Thankfully, he hadn’t married—or he’d have been nagged to death long ago.

Gu Hua stood up and said softly, “I’ll come to the study first thing tomorrow morning…”

“No need.”

Mu Junyan blurted out, but felt agitated when he saw those tear-filled almond eyes looking at him.

So he changed his tone: “No need to come too early. Get enough sleep first.”

He knew Mu An had improper thoughts toward her, and considering how hard she worked last night, he should protect her a bit.

As for Mu An…

Mu Junyan’s eyes darkened.

“Oh, by the way—”

Gu Hua turned back, her sparkling eyes fixed on him.

Mu Junyan frowned. “Why do you keep calling yourself a ‘servant’? Even if born of a concubine, you’re still the daughter of a marquis’ household. No need to belittle yourself.”

Gu Hua sighed softly. “It was my stepmother who sent me to the Duke’s manor, claiming it was to put my elder sister at ease. She forced me to sign a slave contract. I am now officially a bondservant.”

If not for that, she would have escaped long ago.

The only one who could help her remove that slave status—was Mu Junyan.