FBC – Chapter 115 The Proper Rites of the Legal Wife

Gu Wanru swept away her usual reserved pride and walked over hesitantly, intimately wrapping her arm around Madam Wang’s.

With a sweet, delicate voice, she called out, “Mother, are you angry with your daughter? Life has been so hard for me lately. The moment I saw family, all my grievances came rushing out with nowhere to go. I neglected your feelings, Mother. Please don’t be mad at me, alright?”

As she spoke, she leaned into Madam Wang’s embrace, tears falling as though they cost nothing.

Gu Hua watched her silently, without a word.

Madam Wang felt torn.

After all, this was the child she had raised pampered and loved for over a decade. Her heart had always been deeply tied to her.

Moreover, the issue of whether Gu Wanru was truly her daughter was still only a suspicion, with no concrete evidence. What if it turned out to be false?

She couldn’t bear to wrong Gu Wanru.

Madam Wang gently patted her and said softly, “Alright now. Your younger sister is getting married tomorrow. Don’t cry anymore.”

Hearing her speak with the same gentle tone as before, Gu Wanru felt reassured at once.

She shot a triumphant glance at Gu Hua, wiped her tears, and nodded obediently.
“Yes, Mother. Then let’s head back.”

“Alright.”

Madam Wang glanced at Gu Hua. “Granny Zhou, follow Miss Zhou and help Hua’er get everything ready.”

Granny Zhou responded at once, “Madam, rest assured. I will make all the arrangements properly.”

Gu Hua didn’t refuse. After all, she had no helpers in the Marquis Manor. With Granny Zhou’s assistance, things would be much easier to handle.

She respectfully saw Madam Wang off, then turned to have Dong Hua and Dong Qing inventory the dowry Madam Wang had brought over.

Zhou Zhilian tugged at her and whispered, “Didn’t you feel your mother was acting a bit strange?”

Gu Hua nodded.

Could it be that she had figured it out?

But she couldn’t rashly acknowledge anything yet. Only when both witnesses and evidence were in hand could Concubine Pei’s crimes be nailed down completely.

“We must keep a close watch on Concubine Pei. She and Gu Wanru tried every means to get me out of the Duke’s manor. They won’t give up so easily.”

“Don’t worry. Didn’t you see Dong Mo brought ten men along? There are still people guarding outside. Anyone with ill intent trying to approach the Marquis Manor won’t even get close.”

Gu Hua looked at the beaming Zhou Zhilian, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

“Get a good night’s sleep tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll be the most beautiful bride.”

Warmth spread in Gu Hua’s heart.

She didn’t feel even a trace of shame at becoming a concubine.

Whether concubine or legal wife—these were just empty titles.

The Duke’s manor was going all out, performing the marriage rites as if she were the official wife. Why should she dwell on technicalities?

So what if she wasn’t the legal wife?

Her own mother, the legitimate wife of the Marquis Manor, had lived a life of misery.

There was no one in the Marquis Manor she could rely on. Her father was a selfish man who cared only about appearances.

Once she married into the Duke’s manor and had a proper status, she would settle all the old scores, one by one.

Gu Yuan attached great importance to tomorrow’s wedding. He knew that the Duke was performing the rites for an official wife, so how could the Marquis Manor dare to be negligent? The entire household was lit up and decorated with red silk, no less than the grandeur of Gu Wanru’s wedding day.

Dong Qing and Dong Hua took a stroll around the manor and were quite satisfied. The people from the Duke’s manor finally relaxed and retired to rest.

Xianglan Courtyard.

Concubine Pei had nearly torn her handkerchief to pieces, anxiously staring out the window.

Not until the exact hour of Hai (9–11 p.m.) did she see Gu Wanru arrive alone.

With red-rimmed eyes, Concubine Pei pulled her into her arms and cried out dotingly, “My precious!”

Gu Wanru disliked her cloying behavior and pushed her away. Annoyed, she said, “Gu Hua’s already been brought out. Mother, do you have any way to stop her from entering the Duke’s manor tomorrow?”

Granny Lu saw Concubine Pei looking distraught and quickly interjected, “Young Miss, Madam took a fall today and injured her back.”

Gu Wanru frowned impatiently. “If her back is hurt, then call the physician.”

Concubine Pei shot Granny Lu a glare. “This is not the time for that nonsense!”

“Don’t worry, Ru’er. That little wretch won’t get married into the Duke’s manor so easily.”

She said smugly, “I’ve already spread the word that the kidnappers were deceived and actually abducted the little wretch, not the future young madam of the Duke’s manor. The kidnappers will surely come back looking for trouble.”

Gu Wanru was unconvinced. “What if they don’t come?”

Concubine Pei gave a sly smile. “If the real bandits don’t come, there will be fake ones. Besides, this isn’t the only thing I’ve arranged. Tomorrow, just wait and enjoy the show.”

Gu Wanru was half-convinced and half-skeptical.

That little slut Gu Hua had escaped several times already. If they couldn’t control her this time, there would be endless troubles in the future.

“Mother gave all her dowry to that little slut.”

Gu Wanru had just seen a set of head ornaments in the wooden box that she had always wanted, but Madam Wang said that set was the only valuable jewelry her mother had left her. The style was a bit outdated and not suitable for Wanru.

Yet Madam Wang was actually willing to give it to that little slut.

Concubine Pei sneered, “What good things does she even have? She boasts about being from the Langya Wang family, but she’s from a minor offshoot branch at best.”

Gu Wanru was still fuming.

“You should be content. Your father scolded me harshly today, all because I gave you four shops and most of the silver your Uncle Pei gave me.”

Concubine Pei suddenly squinted. “You said that little slut stayed with Duke Yong all night before returning? Were they dressed properly when they came back?”

“Mhm.” Gu Wanru replied weakly, in a foul mood.

“Then they must have slept together last night,” Concubine Pei said with certainty.

Gu Wanru rolled her eyes. “They’ve long been together. Otherwise, why would my father-in-law disregard taboos about fathers and sons marrying sisters and take her as a concubine?”

Concubine Pei’s eyes lit up with a gleam of calculation. “But the Emperor bestowed the title of noble concubine upon her. If it’s exposed that she lost her virginity before marriage—and on top of that, if it’s confirmed she was abducted by bandits—she won’t be qualified to be a noble concubine!”

Gu Wanru’s eyes suddenly brightened. “That’s right! But how can we find out where they spent the night?”

“I’ll have your uncle investigate. If Duke Yong stayed overnight, it must’ve been at one of the duke’s manor’s private properties.”

Gu Wanru seemed to see new hope. “As long as she becomes a lowly concubine, her status can never compare to mine. Even the children she bears would be the most low-born bastards.”

She grabbed Concubine Pei’s hand. “Mother, find the best gynecology doctor for me. I must get my body back in shape quickly. I need to get pregnant as soon as possible.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already had your uncle looking. He’s prepared the best medicinal herbs. As soon as the wedding’s over, I’ll have someone bring them into the manor for you. Also, I’ve selected two capable maidservants for you. They’ll accompany you to the duke’s residence tomorrow.”

Gu Wanru finally smiled. “Mother, you’re still the one who treats me best.”

Concubine Pei felt gratified. The heartache from being pushed aside by her biological daughter earlier immediately vanished.

At the break of dawn—

Gu Hua was abruptly yanked out of bed.

“It’s not even light out yet… Let me sleep a little longer…”

Still half-asleep, Gu Hua slumped back toward the bed, but was scooped up easily by Dong Hua, who was surprisingly strong.

“Miss, you just sleep—we’ll dress you up.”

Zhou Zhilan waved her hand, and a group of maids entered in an orderly line.

They had all come over from the duke’s manor an hour earlier.

Already exhausted from the earlier chaos, Gu Hua was so sleepy she could barely open her eyes.

She didn’t even notice what they were doing. By the time she was fully awake, she was stunned by the breathtaking bride in the bronze mirror.

She stared blankly at the mirror for a long while, hardly daring to believe it. “Is… this me?”

If not for the bright red bridal robe and phoenix coronet that she had tried on before, she wouldn’t have believed it.

“If it’s not you, is it a fairy descended from heaven?” Zhou Zhilan laughed proudly.

“All ready?” came Madam Wang’s voice.

Gu Hua stood up nervously.

Madam Wang was shocked by the sight of Gu Hua dressed in a brilliant red, ornate wedding robe.

“You… this wedding robe was prepared by the duke’s manor?”

“Yes. From head to toe, everything is from Linlang Pavilion and Xiubo Workshop,” Zhou Zhilan said with pride.

Madam Wang naturally recognized them, but…

Granny Zhou was also shocked. “Second Miss, this bright red color is traditionally reserved for the main wife.”

Isn’t this inappropriate? It could draw criticism.

Gu Hua had questioned it during the fitting—had they made a mistake with the color and style?

Zhou Zhilan said that since the lord would not take a principal wife again, and Gu Hua’s title was noble concubine, wearing the attire of a principal wife was not out of line.

Gu Hua guessed that this must be Mu Junyan’s decision.

Otherwise, how could Zhou Zhilan dare to act on her own?

“Miss Hua, Young Master Mu has arrived at the door with the wedding procession.”

Gu Hua was stunned.

Mu Feng?