FBC – Chapter 119 Childhood Sweethearts—Meeting Again as Strangers

Mu Junyan escorted the Old Madam back to her room, and the guests in the front hall gradually began to leave.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yun Hall was still bustling with lively chatter. It was a rare gathering for the Gu and Wang families, and everyone was joyfully discussing the grand wedding held today.

In their eyes, even if she was merely a concubine, as long as it benefited their family’s future, it was worth celebrating.

Mu Junyan made his way toward Wenhan Pavilion, and Chiyan quietly appeared, quickening his pace to catch up.

“Master.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve discovered something related to Concubine Hua.”

Mu Junyan stopped walking and looked at him. “What is it?”

“It has been confirmed that Ji Xuanyu, who knew Concubine Hua since childhood, was killed by Concubine Pei.”

Mu Junyan frowned. “Who confirmed this?”

“Yinzhi said her mother once said it herself—Concubine Pei, in order to prevent Concubine Hua from escaping her control, bribed people to lure Ji Xuanyu up the mountain and pushed him off a cliff. When I investigated, a hunter said he did see Ji Xuanyu’s body, and even mentioned that someone from the Pei family came to verify the identity. Later, they took back a piece of clothing that had been torn by wolves.”

Mu Junyan’s expression remained calm, revealing no emotion.

Gu Hua hated Concubine Pei and Gu Wanru to the bone. She wanted nothing more than to crush them into the dirt and tear them limb from limb.

Because of that hatred, she was willing to curry favor with him through desperate means, just to get revenge on the Pei mother and daughter. But aside from Concubine Pei abducting her, abusing her, and forcing her to become Mu An’s bed servant to help Gu Wanru retain favor—what other reason could there be?

Mu Junyan lowered his eyelids, linking all his memories of Gu Hua together in his mind.

Was she trying to avenge Ji Xuanyu?

If he helped her today—helped her get back on the right path, and exposed the truth about the Pei family and Gu Wanru’s background—would she stay in the State Duke’s Mansion or would she leave?

Mu Junyan had never believed that Gu Hua was as docile and timid as she appeared on the surface.

Otherwise, she never could have escaped from the bandits’ hands.

“Keep an eye on those few people.”

“Yes.” Chiyan turned and left.

“You go too.”

Chiyu assumed that his master didn’t want to be disturbed on his wedding night with the bride, chuckled to himself, and quickly ran off.

But he didn’t dare to really go far—he trailed behind at a distance.

Gu Hua stood frozen with her back to the man who had snuck into her room under the cover of darkness. She remained in that deadlock for nearly a quarter of an hour, cold sweat soaking her clothes.

She had a strong feeling that the intruder was the man with the silver mask.

But the idea felt absurd.

He was the one who ordered his subordinates to insult her, yet he also helped save her twice.

Recalling the look in his eyes…

Could it be… he recognized her?

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching, and the soft mattress sank slightly.

He was sitting at the edge of her bed!

Gu Hua’s entire body stiffened—she didn’t dare move a muscle.

This man was a ruthless killer!

Ji Xuanyu had taken an arrow for her in front of the bridal sedan and secretly warned himself to stay away from Hua’er.

But he couldn’t help it—he quietly followed her all the way back.

He had lingered outside the State Duke’s Mansion for a long time, but in the end, he couldn’t resist the urge to see her one more time.

He wanted to ask her—

If he was still alive, did their promise from back then still count?

He couldn’t take her away now, but as long as she still had him in her heart, even if he had to brave fire and blades, he would find a way to rescue her and give her a peaceful, happy life.

Feeling the real, breathing woman he loved lying on the bed, surrounded by her unique scent, Ji Xuanyu tried his best to resist the urge to touch her.

But he couldn’t stop himself from softly calling out, “Sister Hua…”

Hearing that voice was like being struck by lightning—Gu Hua suddenly sat up, eyes wide as she stared at the dark figure at the bedside.

The two of them stared at each other across the pitch-black space.

Gu Hua’s voice trembled. “Y-You… who are you?”

Why did that voice sound like her Brother Ji?

Ji Xuanyu suppressed the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms. “I… am Ji Xuanyu.”

“Brother Ji? Y-You’re still alive?”

Gu Hua felt like the blood in her veins had frozen. She couldn’t even breathe.

Hearing her shaken voice, Ji Xuanyu could imagine the shock and emotion on her face. His heart softened with warmth.

She hadn’t forgotten him.

“I’m lucky—I didn’t die.”

He tried hard to keep his tone calm and even.

“Brother Ji!” Gu Hua cried out and lunged toward him in excitement.

Ji Xuanyu’s eyes burned with emotion. He opened his arms, wanting to catch the girl rushing toward him, but in the next second, she abruptly stopped, then suddenly shrank back into the corner of the bed.

His arms hung in mid-air. His heart sank—empty, hollow, and unbearably painful.

Gu Hua stared hard at the face in the darkness. She couldn’t see his features clearly, but she could feel the fire in his heart still burning.

“Brother Ji, I… I…”

She took a deep breath, trying hard to make her voice sound calm and even with a hint of a smile.

“Today, I got married—became someone’s concubine.”

She no longer deserved the gentle, jade-like Brother Ji.

Ji Xuanyu’s whole body went cold.

Was she willing?

He slowly stood up and cupped his hands toward Gu Hua in a formal gesture. “I was presumptuous. I, Ji Xuanyu, wish Miss Gu a life with one beloved, endless spring, boundless wealth and honor, a deep love between gentleman and concubine, entwined forever!”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Brother Ji!”

Gu Hua leapt up, barefoot, rushing off the bed to grab his arm.

Ji Xuanyu clenched his jaw tightly. He didn’t turn around and said coldly, “Miss Gu Hua, you are now the favored concubine of the Duke Yong. Your future will be filled with riches and splendor. There’s no need for us to meet again.”

Gu Hua’s heart twisted with pain. She could no longer hold back and began to cry softly, her voice suppressed by grief.

“Brother Ji, I survived a near-death ordeal just to avenge you! The Pei family pushed you off that cliff because of me. I owe you, Brother Ji. I had no choice but to come this far.”

Ji Xuanyu closed his eyes, biting his lips until the taste of blood filled his mouth.

It’s not time yet.

Hua’er, give your brother a little more time.

Once I finish off the Pei family and Gu Wanru, clear my name—then I will come back and ask for your heart.

He knew that Mu Junyan would depart for the front tomorrow. Hua’er wouldn’t stay by his side for long.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and held the girl’s trembling shoulders.

From his angle, he could see her beautiful face under the moonlight. But his own face was shrouded in the shadows—Gu Hua couldn’t see him.

He spoke softly, gently, “Hua’er, I am no longer the Brother Ji of the past. I still have things to take care of. Stay safely in the Duke’s manor. When I return, if you’re still willing to leave with me, I will definitely take you away.”

Gu Hua’s mind buzzed, unable to take in his words fully.

Afraid he might disappear again, she clutched tightly at his sleeve. “Brother Ji, where are you going? What are you doing now?”

Ji Xuanyu couldn’t resist reaching out to gently touch her cheek, smiling faintly. “I’m planning for our future.”

“Master, Concubine Hua is asleep. I will go wake her,” came Dong Hua’s soft voice from outside.

The sound of the beaded curtain separating the inner and outer room followed shortly after.

Startled, Gu Hua instinctively let go.

Ji Xuanyu’s expression darkened.

If anyone discovered Hua’er was with him, and his identity was exposed, it would bring her great harm.

“I’m leaving. We’ll see each other again very soon.”

With that, Ji Xuanyu leapt out the back window and vanished.

Gu Hua stared blankly at the spot where he disappeared in the blink of an eye…

Brother Ji knows martial arts now?

Mu Junyan stood behind the beaded curtain, gently brushing his fingers over it. His expression calm as wind and clouds—but he didn’t step inside.

As a martial artist, his hearing was sharp. From the moment he entered the courtyard, he sensed something was off. Slipping under the window of the inner room, he had heard every word of the conversation inside.

So… she survived her ordeal just to avenge her childhood sweetheart, Brother Ji?

Now that Ji Xuanyu had returned, she wanted to elope with him?

So that’s how it was.

So her heart had always belonged to Ji Xuanyu. Everything with him—Mu Junyan—had been a lie, a pretense.

Good.

Very good.

Mu Junyan’s rage teetered on the brink of eruption. His clenched fists were rigid, his fingertips pressed tightly against the jade ring on his finger.

Crack.

A faint snapping sound.

The jade ring shattered, shards piercing into his palm as the sharp scent of blood spread instantly.

Fresh blood flowed from between his tightly clenched fingers, dripping onto the stone floor.

Bathed in the light of the palace lamps, the blood pooled into a vivid patch of crimson.

Strikingly shocking.

Yet Mu Junyan felt no pain at all.

He had once thought Gu Hua was a clever little woman—one who understood how to assess situations, how to flatter, how to show weakness to gain favor.

It all began with pity. Step by step, she tested his boundaries, using her delicate gentleness to make him let down his guard.

He was willing to protect her with his life, to plan her future.

But in the end, she turned out to be someone who knew how to kill with a dagger to the heart.