FBC – Chapter 118 The Wedding

Mu Junyan let down the carriage curtain, the bridal sedan was lifted again, and the festive music resumed.

Gu Hua knew that Mu Junyan was nearby, and her tense heart finally eased.

However, those sorrowful and pained eyes kept flashing in her mind.

…Was it because she feared him too much?

Mu Junyan was on horseback. Chiyan approached and said in a low voice, “Those three were just petty thugs. The bows and arrows they used were the kind hunters would use. They’re part of the same group that caused trouble in front of the Gu residence. They confessed that it was Granny Lu from the Gu family who paid them.”

Mu Junyan nodded. “Bind them and settle the score tonight. Find out who the man with the silver mask is as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

The wedding was held according to the rites of a legitimate wife. They bowed to heaven and earth, to the parents, to each other, and then, at the call of “send into the bridal chamber,” they were led inside.

Gu Hua hadn’t expected Mu Junyan to set up the bridal chamber in the main room of Wenhan Pavilion.

She held a fan in one hand and the red silk ribbon in the other, being led into the room by Mu Junyan.

Originally, the matchmaker was supposed to follow them in to perform the ritual of lifting the bed curtains, but Mu Junyan sent her away.

Inside the bridal chamber, it was quiet—only the two of them remained.

Gu Hua sat uneasily. A large hand appeared before her, taking away her round fan and handing her a cup of wine.

Was this… for the nuptial wine?

“Wife, would you be willing to drink nuptial wine with your husband?”

Mu Junyan rarely spoke with such warmth. He gazed down at the delicate and radiant bride.

He had drunk quite a bit. Though not entirely drunk, there was a trace of tipsiness.

Gu Hua stole a glance at him, stood gracefully, took the cup, and shyly lowered her eyes.

“This concubine is willing.”

They linked arms and drank in one go. Four eyes met, emotions flowing.

Mu Junyan couldn’t help but lightly kiss her cherry-red lips.

Gu Hua’s ears turned bright red.

Today was her wedding night.

The one and only wedding night across two lifetimes.

Mu Junyan took her hand and led her to the dressing mirror, gently pressing her into a seat and began removing her hair ornaments.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing peeked through the window, covering their mouths and giggling, not daring to enter.

Dong Mo rushed into the courtyard. Seeing the two women standing by the door smiling, he anxiously stomped his feet and hurried over.

“Where is the Lord? He left right after the nuptial wine—everyone’s looking for him for toasts!”

Dong Hua quickly pulled him back and pushed him out. “Keep it down! The Lord and the young lady—no, the Madam—are removing makeup.”

“Removing makeup?” Dong Mo was pushed out of the courtyard, sighing helplessly. He could only return to the front yard to inform Old Madam.

Inside, Gu Hua felt a slight tug on her scalp and whispered, “My lord, let Dong Hua help me.”

Mu Junyan was struggling with the hairpin tangled in her hair, not daring to use force, afraid of hurting her.

He muttered slowly, “Call me Ziyuan from now on.”

Gu Hua turned her head slightly. “Ah—”

Mu Junyan, exasperated, gently tapped her head. “I’m not done yet. Why are you moving around?”

As he spoke, he gently massaged the spot where her hair had been pulled.

Gu Hua pursed her lips. “Ziyuan… is that your courtesy name?”

“Mhm. Do you have a courtesy name or childhood name?”

Gu Hua looked at the man reflected behind her in the bronze mirror and softly replied, “No. Concubine Pei hated me so much, she couldn’t wait to torment me to death. How would she have had the time to give me a courtesy name?”

Mu Junyan’s hands paused as he looked at the girl in the mirror.

“Tonight, we’ll settle everything.”

Gu Hua quickly held her hair in place and turned to stare at him, wide-eyed. “My lord…”

“Ziyuan.”

Gu Hua abruptly stood, her hands instinctively grabbing his wrists, eyes brimming with tears. “Ziyuan… are you saying I can reclaim my mother tonight?”

Mu Junyan looked into her tearful eyes and gently stroked her cheek. “Are you happy?”

Gu Hua nodded hard.

In just a dozen days, she had felt as though she lived another lifetime.

When she first returned, she had desperately wanted to tell her mother that she was the real daughter.

But having been switched at birth, with no witness or evidence, no one would believe her.

And once exposed, the Gu family’s reputation would be in ruins.

Favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife, a concubine wielding power, the reversal of legitimacy and illegitimacy—none of these were things the Gu family would allow to be made public.

If she didn’t have absolute certainty, and exposed the truth recklessly, the Gu family would stop at nothing to suppress it.

Mu Junyan placed his large hands on her trembling shoulders and smiled faintly. “Rest well and regain your strength. Tonight, we welcome your rebirth together.”

Gu Hua was overwhelmed with emotion.

At last, the moment had come.

The beaded curtain rustled as Dong Hua and Dong Qing entered carrying trays.

Dong Qing set the table. “Miss, you must be hungry. Have something to fill your stomach.”

“There were so many guests today. As soon as the Lord stepped out, everyone swarmed him for toasts.”

Dong Hua cheerfully recounted the lively scenes from the banquet.

Gu Hua’s mind was elsewhere, thinking only of what would happen tonight. She hastily ate a bowl of porridge and a steamed bun.

“Would you like to rest a bit, Madam?” Dong Hua asked, noticing her pale complexion.

Gu Hua also wished to be alone for a while and nodded.

The maids helped her change and lie in bed before tiptoeing out and quietly closing the door. They took their posts by the door, one on each side.

From dawn till now, so many hours had passed. As dusk settled in, Gu Hua was utterly exhausted. Lying on the soft bed, she soon drifted off to sleep.

Old Madam, weary, retired from the banquet early. Mu Junyan supported her as she returned.

“When do you depart?”

“His Majesty orders me to leave at first light tomorrow.”

Old Madam paused and looked up. “You haven’t told the girl?”

Mu Junyan shook his head. “Mother, I have a request.”

“Go ahead.”

Mu Junyan solemnly took out a letter and handed it to her.

“A divorce agreement?” Old Madam read the writing on the envelope.

“If I die in battle and she wishes to leave, I ask Mother to gather the elders from both families and give her the official divorce document.”

Mu Junyan had thought it through. Only if his mother presented the document in the presence of both families would Gu Hua be able to remarry in the future.

“She’s a concubine—not qualified for a formal divorce.”

“There’s also this.” Mu Junyan took out a red booklet.

Old Madam opened it—it was a document to raise Gu Hua to the status of a legitimate wife, stamped with the official seal, accompanied by a dowry list.

“I must trouble Mother to first elevate her to principal wife, then carry out the divorce ritual. I’ve also prepared a divorce compensation list, to leave her with some means to live.”

He was prepared to die…

Old Madam had already watched too many loved ones fall on the battlefield. Now her only remaining son…

But as the first female general of Great Liang, she had long accepted life and death. Joy and sorrow were fleeting to her.

Her eyes reddened slightly as she nodded with a smile. “You’ve thought of everything. That child is pitiful. But, Yan’er…”

Old Madam choked up. “You’re my only son now. You’d better come back alive.”

Mu Junyan’s red eyes welled with tears. He cupped his fists and knelt on one knee.

“Mother, you’ve feigned madness all these years to protect the Mu family army, giving me time to fulfill Grandfather and Father’s dream. This battle—I will drive the barbarians back to their lair and uphold the Mu clan’s blood-won glory!”

Old Madam helped him up. “Good child. Go to war with peace of mind. I will guard things here.”

Gu Hua suddenly awoke.

She was lying on her side, but she keenly sensed an unfamiliar presence in the room.

She held her breath, straining to identify it.

Indeed—there was the scent of a strange man in the room!