FBC – Chapter 12 Don’t Dream of Escaping My Palm

The space between Mu Junyan’s brows was tight enough to squash a mosquito.

“I understand. Go on.”

Gu Hua gave a small bow and slowly turned to leave.

Mu Junyan watched her faltering steps.

Last night… he had indeed been a bit too rough.

He pressed his fingers against his temples and rubbed hard.

Before seeing her today, he had thought she was a schemer who dared to manipulate him in an attempt to climb higher.

But after seeing her again, she seemed more like a timid kitten.

Always hiding her round, darting eyes, curling up defensively in a corner, as if hoping no one would notice her at all.

Zhou Chunyun watched Gu Hua disappear into the night before quickly approaching Mu Junyan.

Mu Junyan looked up. “Keep a close eye on Mu An. Don’t give him too much money—he’ll squander it and spoil himself.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Chunyun couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Master, the young master’s rear courtyard is truly disgraceful. He even redeemed a courtesan and brought her back—she’s pregnant now. The rumors outside are getting worse by the day.”

Mu Junyan sighed softly. “It’s my fault. Having a son like that helps certain people lower their guard. I didn’t expect it would actually harm him.”

Since the age of ten, he had followed his grandfather and father to war, witnessing firsthand how generals with too much merit would fall.

Before his father died, he had warned him of this too.

He understood very well: he could only remain absolutely loyal to the Emperor, protect the country, and never have any weaknesses—no woman he loved, no biological children.

Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t feel secure.

But now, an anomaly had appeared—Gu Hua.

Zhou Chunyun was saddened. “Master, you’re only twenty-eight. Surely, you should leave behind a child of your own. Otherwise, who will carry on the Mu family line?”

“If I had a son, he’d follow me onto the battlefield, head tied to his belt, with no guarantee of tomorrow. What difference would it make whether he was born or not? If it were a daughter, she’d be disadvantaged in marriage. Lineage means nothing. People are born, and they die—why bring a child into the world just to suffer?”

Zhou Chunyun sniffled hard and quickly changed the subject. “Regarding the gifts to be sent to the Gu family for their young daughter, do you have any instructions?”

“Handle it yourself. At the same time, give the Marquis and his wife a warning. Don’t let them use her as a stepping stone to seek unrealistic things.”

Mu Junyan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Chiyu, have someone investigate Gu Hua’s situation in the residence—and also look into her biological mother. Why treat her own daughter so cruelly?”

“Yes.”

He had to do something for her—as a form of compensation.

Gu Hua pushed open her door. A shadow suddenly appeared, startling her into stumbling back.

Mu An grabbed her arm and tried to drag her inside.

Gu Hua panicked and bit down hard on his wrist.

“Ah!”

Mu An screamed and flung her off. Gu Hua quickly ran to the courtyard and shouted toward Gu Wanru’s room.

“Sir, if you desire me, why be so hasty? Let me finish copying the scrolls for the lord first—it’s not too late. Making him angry won’t do you any good.”

Inside the room, Gu Wanru perked up. “The young master didn’t leave? He’s hiding in Gu Hua’s room?”

Yinzhi ground her teeth in hatred. “Slut! Always seducing the young master!”

Gu Hua’s screams rang out. Gu Wanru quickly put on her shoes and rushed out.

She saw Mu An grabbing Gu Hua by the hair, ready to slap her. Gu Wanru hurried over and stopped him.

“Don’t hit her face! If Father sees, it won’t look good.”

She noticed blood dripping from his wrist and shouted angrily, “You bit the young master?! If not for Father, I’d beat you to death right now!”

Gu Hua had had enough. She stood tall, eyes blazing. “Then kill me now!”

Gu Wanru froze. She dared to talk back?

“Then you should be killed right now, you slut!” Mu An lunged again.

Gu Wanru quickly wrapped her arms around him, whispering, “Don’t let Father misunderstand because of a mere maid. I’ll punish her properly for you.”

She turned to Jin Kui, who had come out wearing only a robe. “Help your master apply medicine!”

Mu An’s wrist was bleeding. He pointed at Gu Hua’s nose and cursed, “You slut, don’t think you can escape my grasp! Even if Father really accepts you, he can’t protect you! He walks with death every day—when he dies, you’ll be crawling into my bed!”

Jin Kui rushed over to help, only to be shoved away. “Get lost, useless thing!”

As he stormed off, Gu Wanru dropped her act and turned cold.

“Yinzhi, bring the needles.”

Yinzhi ran gleefully into the house and soon returned with a silk-wrapped bundle.

Jin Kui frowned slightly at Gu Hua but said nothing.

Gu Hua felt icy cold all over, her body trembling.

They liked to stab her hands, feet, or body with needles—this was her mother Pei Yiniang and Gu Wanru’s favorite punishment.

Truly a mother and daughter—cruelty passed down exactly.

Yinzhi yanked Gu Hua’s collar and tried to drag her back inside.

Gu Hua resisted, grabbing Yinzhi’s injured hand and squeezing. Yinzhi screamed and let go.

Gu Hua seized Gu Wanru’s wrist, voice shaking: “I’m copying scrolls for the late Madam to please the lord. If he finds out you’re punishing me now, he might think you’re unhappy that he asked me to do it. You’ve been married half a year—you should know the Duke’s estate doesn’t tolerate excessive punishment of servants.”

Gu Wanru had never seen Gu Hua this bold and was momentarily stunned.

Gu Hua pressed on. “Even if I’m favored by the young master, what good does it do you? It’s just a passing fancy. When he tires of me, what then? Will you send other concubine-born sisters to his bed? You know it hurts, don’t you?”

Gu Wanru stared in disbelief.

Who would’ve thought Gu Hua could be so sharp-tongued?

A moment later, Gu Wanru recovered and sneered, “Sending you is enough. Once I have a legitimate son, I won’t fear the rest of those sluts.”

“Then you can’t afford to offend the Duke. Those concubines are already getting arrogant. When you grow old, what then? Even if you have a son, others may too. Haven’t you seen powerful families where favored concubines replace the wife?”

Gu Wanru’s face darkened.

Gu Hua had hit her where it hurt.

Seeing her reaction, Gu Hua pushed further, tears falling down her cheeks.

“Elder sister, rest assured—I’m of servant birth. Even if the Duke likes me, at most I’ll become a bed servant, nothing more. You, with your grace and talent, must know I’d be most valuable to you.”

“If I’m favored, I’ll speak well of you at his pillow. Help you gain control of the household. With that, no one can steal your position as the wife of the heir. All those women in his courtyard—wouldn’t they be at your mercy? You and your son would have real support.”

The household power—that’s what Gu Wanru really wanted.

Gu Hua knelt down with a thud. “Sister, I don’t want to be a thorn in your side. I don’t want to steal your husband’s affection. I’m willing to become a blade in your hand—to be used as you see fit.”

She had become so persuasive—but something still felt off.

Gu Wanru narrowed her eyes. “So this was all your plan, wasn’t it? Volunteering to write poetry today—to show off your talent to Father?”

Gu Hua clutched her sleeve and wept.

“You misunderstand! My slave registration is in your hands—how could I go against you? The Lord asked for it—could you refuse? You’re known as a talented lady in the capital—you can’t let people find out it’s all false. If I write well, that only shows your skills are even better! Someone as brilliant as you will surely run this household one day.”

Gu Wanru stared at Gu Hua as if seeing her for the first time.

She watched her silently for a while, anger slowly fading. Her tone softened, and she helped her up.

“You’re good with words.”

Gu Hua bowed her head humbly. “It’s thanks to you and Mother’s fine teaching.”

Gu Wanru raised her brows.

Her low-born mother did know how to train people. No wonder—she came from a merchant’s family.

One word: cheap.

She was never worthy of being her mother.