FBC – Chapter 130 Elder Sister, Let’s Settle the Score

Gu Hua unfolded the letter, glanced at it casually, and then immediately closed it with a calm expression.

She returned to the main hall of Wenhan Pavilion before reopening it for a closer look.

Mu Junyan had written to inform her that the bandits who kidnapped her last time had not been completely wiped out yet. He had already instructed the Patrol Division to intensify their eradication efforts. He reminded her that if she went out, she must bring more guards with her, and under no circumstances was she to leave the residence unless absolutely necessary.

If she didn’t have enough people on hand, she could go to Zhou Chunyu or the Old Madam—they would definitely help her.

The final line said: Do not trust strangers lightly.

Gu Hua felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

She had indeed been worried about this matter.

Mu Junyan had left the capital so quickly, and she still didn’t know whether the bandits had been apprehended or not.

If the person behind it all was merely Concubine Pei, then there was nothing to fear. But if others were involved—say, someone from the Jiang clan—that would be troublesome.

She was not yet in a position to go up against the mighty and powerful Jiang family.

Suddenly, Gu Hua stood up and walked to the door, where Dong Mo was waiting.

When he saw her, he smiled and asked, “Madam, have you written a reply?”

“Can I send something along with the message to the Lord?”

“Huh? This was delivered by carrier pigeon. A pigeon can’t carry anything else.”

Gu Hua looked visibly disappointed.

Dong Mo quickly explained, “Carrier pigeons are the fastest and safest way to send messages. For transporting items or military reports, we use couriers or mounted messengers. If Madam has something to send to the Lord, we can arrange for them to deliver it. However, the trip will take several days.”

Gu Hua brightened. “That’s fine! The Lord left without me even knowing—I didn’t get a chance to send him anything important.”

“Dong Hua, wrap up that set of sleepwear I made, and bring it to me at Guanshan Tower.”

After giving her instructions, she hurried off toward Guanshan Tower.

Dong Mo followed closely behind.

Gu Hua wrapped up the poetry collection she had transcribed from Jiang Ruoyun, and soon Dong Hua arrived holding a fresh set of white sleepwear.

Dong Mo looked at the poetry collection with wide eyes. “Madam… are you sure you want to give this to the Lord?”

Gu Hua carefully wrapped both items in cloth, tied it with the silk ribbon from her hair, and finished it off with a beautiful bow, finally satisfied.

“Of course. The writings of the late Madame were what the Lord most wanted to take with him. This way, it’ll be something for him to remember her by—it’s also like I’m accompanying him in her stead. This set of sleepwear is newly made. He left before I had a chance to give it to him.”

Gu Hua handed the bundle to Dong Mo. “Make sure to take good care of this—don’t let it get all crumpled. The silk wrinkles very easily.”

Dong Mo looked conflicted. “Madam, perhaps… you should leave out the poetry collection?”

Wasn’t Madam jealous?

And she still wanted the Lord to keep looking at the former Madame’s writings every day? Wouldn’t that only deepen his longing?

What kind of thinking was this?

“Why should I leave it out? Have you forgotten that the Lord kept me here in the first place because of this task? I’ve been busy with other things lately, and I’ve only managed to copy this much. Tell the messenger to pass on my words—that I’ll keep transcribing, and once I finish, I’ll send the rest. Tell the Lord not to worry.”

At the very least, even if he were to die in battle, it could be burned with him to accompany him in the afterlife.

Dong Mo sighed internally. Keep copying? Is that really necessary…?

“Hurry up and tell them to deliver it as soon as possible,” Gu Hua urged.

“Yes, Madam,” Dong Mo said helplessly, taking the bundle with him.

Gu Hua finally felt a little more at ease.

Mu Junyan had gone off to war while she’d been sound asleep. She felt quite guilty. Sending these two items would hopefully make up for it, even just a little.

“Let’s go to the kitchen and make some snacks for Mother.”

In high spirits, Gu Hua headed for the kitchen, taking Dong Hua and Dong Qing with her.

Inside Xiangrui Hall, the elderly lady and the young girl drank tea and ate pastries, chatting and laughing as they kept the Old Madam company until after dinner.

Back in the main room of Wenhan Pavilion, Gu Hua thought for a moment and said, “Dong Hua, Dong Qing, let’s move back to Yayun Pavilion tomorrow.”

“Huh? Why?”

“This place is large, and there are too many servants around.”

The two maids were surprised.

“Yayun Pavilion is close to Xiangrui Hall where Mother lives. It’ll be more convenient for me to serve her. Besides, Wenhan Pavilion is in the front courtyard, with many outsiders coming and going. It’s too big and not comfortable to live in. Yayun Pavilion may be smaller, but it’s more refined. I like it better.”

Upon hearing this, Dong Hua and Dong Qing felt it made sense.

“Alright, this servant will arrange for the move in the morning.”

Gu Hua quickly reminded them, “There’s no need to move much, just take some clothes and jewelry. Yayun Pavilion has everything else. Whatever you do, don’t make a big fuss out of it.”

“Understood,” Dong Hua smiled.

If Gu Hua hadn’t said anything, she really would’ve planned to move all the furnishings and decorations too—after all, everything here was of the finest quality.

While waiting for Chiyan to return, Gu Hua, having nothing to do, went to Guanshan Tower to copy books.

Although the entire Duke’s Estate treated her as the Madam, she couldn’t afford to lose sight of her position.

She still had many things to do, and everything required money. There were some matters she didn’t want the Duke’s Estate to know too much about, so she wouldn’t ask them for money.

After Pei Yi took back the thousand-tael banknote he had given her last time, all she had left was some loose silver.

Mu Junyan said her monthly allowance wasn’t due yet.

And in the worst-case scenario, if Mu Junyan died in battle and the Old Madam no longer kept her around, she’d still have to find a way to survive.

Gu Hua pulled out a rare manuscript and began copying it carefully.

Before she knew it, the evening watch bell rang.

Chiyan finally returned.

Gu Hua excitedly put down her brush and looked at the wooden box in his arms. “You got it?”

“Mm. Please take a look, Madam.”

Gu Hua opened the wooden box, took out the account books, and flipped through them. “The dowry from the Pei family is quite substantial. The Pei family really went all out to latch onto a high-ranking official.”

There were five account books in total, with a dowry list bearing the official seal of the government placed at the bottom.

It belonged to Gu Wanru.

“This is Drunken Crimson.” Chiyan took out a black porcelain bottle from his robe.

Gu Hua glanced at it, then put the account books and the dowry list back, closed the box, and placed it in the wooden compartment at the bottom of the bookshelf.

“Let’s go.”

In the spacious Jinxiu Pavilion, only the main room had a single candle lit.

A sudden wind had picked up that night, making the autumn chill even deeper.

Inside the empty room, the temperature was low. Gu Wanru curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging a thin quilt, staring blankly.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed at the courtyard gate. Several maids entered in a line, carrying bright lotus lanterns.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing flanked Gu Hua as she gracefully entered.

Dong Mo followed behind with two young attendants carrying food boxes.

Behind them, Chiyan arrived with two tall guards.

Gu Wanru stared at them through the lattice window in a daze, her eyes fixed on Gu Hua’s radiant face—it felt like a lifetime ago.

How had things turned out like this?

Gu Wanru’s eyes blurred with tears.

Was she really wrong?

She had just been trying to give Gu Hua a way out. If Gu Hua had stayed in the estate, their mother definitely wouldn’t have found her a good match. But if she became a concubine to her husband, at least she would have wealth and glory.

If she got pregnant and had a daughter, perhaps she could even be kept.

But why did Gu Hua seduce the older father-in-law instead?

Did she hate her that much?

While she was lost in her thoughts, the bedroom door was pushed open.

Dong Hua entered with a cold face. “Young Madam, the Madam wants you to come out.”

Young Madam?

Madam?

Tears welled up in Gu Wanru’s eyes as she let out a bitter laugh.

How ironic.

Truly, the tables had turned.

When Dong Hua saw she wasn’t moving, she added, “If you can’t walk, we’ll have the guards carry you out.”

Have the guards carry her out?

She still had her pride!

Gu Wanru hurriedly got out of bed, but the dressing table had been taken away, and there was no bronze mirror to fix her appearance. She could only use her hands to smooth her messy hair and tug at her wrinkled dress.

Gu Hua sat at the head seat, wearing the sweet, gentle smile she always used.

Gu Wanru was both angry and afraid.

The girl before her was no longer the half-sister she once knew.

“It’s been a long time since we sisters had a drink together. Tonight, let’s settle some scores,” Gu Hua said with a soft smile.

With a wave of Dong Mo’s hand, the two attendants brought out eight dishes and one soup from the food boxes, a pot of wine, and two wine cups, which they placed on the Eight Immortals table in the main hall.

A strange fear rose in Gu Wanru’s heart. She turned to flee, but Dong Hua shoved her back.

Gu Wanru panicked. “What are you doing? Are you going to kill me?”