FBC – Chapter 133 Forming an Alliance

“Cousin Pei… you don’t blame me for making Concubine Pei lose all face?”

“I don’t.” Pei Yi let out a sigh.

“You don’t understand. My aunt has a strong personality—so much so that even her family feared her before she was married. My parents often spoke ill of her, saying she… has no bottom line when it comes to power and interests. I shouldn’t be saying these things to you, but for her to make you her kept man, I simply can’t accept it.”

Gu Hua fell silent.

After much deliberation, she decided to lay everything out honestly.

If the Pei family was willing to stand with her, so be it. If not…

Then they could look forward to meeting the same tragic end they did in her past life.

Gu Hua stood up, lifted her skirt slightly, and knelt on the prayer cushion, bowing formally to Pei Yi as a junior would.

“Sister Hua, what are you doing? Get up quickly.” Pei Yi was so startled that he hurriedly knelt as well.

Though she was his younger cousin, she was now also a noble concubine of the Duke’s manor—no small status.

Gu Hua sat up properly, still kneeling. “There’s something I must tell you truthfully.”

Seeing how serious she was, Pei Yi immediately composed himself as well. “Please speak, Sister Hua.”

“I’m not your biological cousin. Gu Wanru is.”

Pei Yi’s mind exploded with a buzz. “What did you say?”

With a calm expression, Gu Hua briefly recounted how Concubine Pei had swapped the babies and how she had been treated growing up. However, she didn’t show any of the searing hatred she felt toward Concubine Pei.

Pei Yi’s eyes grew wider and wider in shock, utterly unable to believe it. A chill crept over him.

Gu Hua sighed. “The Pei family is the richest household in Jiangling. You, cousin, have worked tirelessly in the capital trying to establish the family here. You’ve endured so many hardships—even your marriage was for the sake of the family’s interests. If the people of Bianjing found out what Concubine Pei did, I fear the Pei family wouldn’t be able to remain here.”

Pei Yi had thought of the same thing, which was exactly why he felt so afraid.

“She—how dare she!” Pei Yi opened and closed his mouth several times before finally squeezing out the words.

Gu Hua could tell from his expression that he too feared Concubine Pei’s actions might bring down the Pei family.

Businesspeople prioritize profit above all else.

As a future head of the family, bearing the rise and fall of the Pei clan on his shoulders, Pei Yi would weigh the pros and cons—he wouldn’t let emotions dictate his decisions.

That Concubine Pei could raise someone with such a mindset was clearly influenced by the Pei family’s values and upbringing.

Only difference was, compared to Concubine Pei, Pei Yi had a more upright character.

“Cousin, you’re a just and kind official, and now that you’ve married the legitimate daughter of an official family as your wife, your future will no doubt be bright. Though we are not blood relatives, you once treated me with kindness, and for that I am grateful. As for the silver you gave me for winter military supplies, I’ll return it to you another day.”

Pei Yi shook his head with a complex expression. “There’s no need. One person’s crime shouldn’t bring the Pei family to ruin.”

He had come to understand that the young woman before him only appeared gentle and demure on the surface.

Businesspeople were skilled negotiators, and psychological tactics were their forte.

At this moment, he seemed to catch a whiff of something else entirely.

“How is Aunt now? Will the Marquis of Wenchang divorce her? What does your father plan to do with her?”

Pei Yi spoke cautiously.

Divorce would be a light punishment—if it went to the authorities, the crime could be punishable by death.

Gu Hua’s voice was calm. “Last night, she was poisoned to death by Gu Wanru.”

“What?!”

Pei Yi shot to his feet, eyes bloodshot. He slammed his arms onto the low table, his whole body leaning toward Gu Hua.

Bang.

Dong Hua pushed the door open and rushed in when she saw the scene.

Gu Hua waved her hand. “Dong Hua, step out.”

Dong Hua took a glance and saw that Pei Yi was simply overwhelmed with emotion. She obediently withdrew.

Pei Yi slumped down as if all strength had drained from his body. He sat on the prayer mat, his usual graceful, refined demeanor vanishing in an instant.

She was dead.

Death wasn’t the problem—the problem was that it would definitely affect the entire Pei clan.

The Marquis of Wenchang’s household would surely hate her and would no longer help the Pei family in the future.

“Gu Wanru is your true maternal cousin. Now, her name has been removed from the family register, and she’s been demoted to a concubine-born daughter. But the Duke Yong’s manor decided to be merciful and still allowed her to remain as the young madam.”

“She’s not worthy!” Pei Yi said angrily.

“It was because of Gu Wanru that Aunt ended up like this. I don’t even understand why she obeyed Gu Wanru in everything. No wonder she handed over more than half the silver I gave her every month to Gu Wanru. No wonder the most profitable shops she owned were all given to Gu Wanru as dowry! And what did she get in return? No gratitude at all—just cruelty. She actually murdered her own mother!”

“What’s done is done. Brother Pei, what do you plan to do now?”

Pei Yi was momentarily stunned.

She called him ‘Brother’?

Gu Hua smiled. “We’re not related by blood, but you’ve always treated me well. I think you’re a decent person too. In the future, we can support each other. So, if I call you Brother, is that alright?”

Pei Yi hadn’t expected her to still be so composed and gentle with him, even after how his great-aunt and cousin had wronged her so deeply.

“Of course it’s alright,” he replied, quickly composing himself and sitting upright once again.

“Where is Aunt’s body now?”

“I’ve had it sent to the public mortuary. Brother Pei, you can go retrieve it yourself, but the funeral shouldn’t be too extravagant. The Marquis of Wenchang’s household won’t be pleased.”

Pei Yi nodded. The fate that befell his aunt still weighed heavily on his heart.

“The Marquis of Wenchang’s household…”

He had wanted to curse them out, but then remembered he was sitting opposite their legitimate daughter—he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Concubine Pei is now a criminal. The Marquis of Wenchang’s household definitely won’t hand over her dowry.”

“That’s not a big issue.” Pei Yi shook his head, still muddled.

Suddenly, he paused. “Since Gu Wanru assumed your identity as the legitimate daughter and married into the Duke’s household, her dowry should rightfully be returned to you. I know that the most valuable shops in Aunt’s dowry were given to Gu Wanru—I can help you get them back.”

Gu Hua hadn’t expected him to say that.

“These are minor matters. I asked to meet you today to ask one thing—do you still want to go through with the winter military supplies deal?”

Pei Yi composed himself and nodded. “Of course. This concerns the survival of the Pei clan. If we can’t obtain the rank of first-tier imperial merchant, we won’t be able to survive in Jiangling.”

Gu Hua understood.

“Do you trust me?”

Pei Yi looked at her and cautiously asked, “You don’t hate the Pei family?”

Gu Hua smiled sweetly. “They are them, you are you. Working with you benefits me too, doesn’t it? Besides, I can save the Pei clan.”

Pei Yi’s expression shifted. He immediately put aside everything about his aunt and became serious. “I trust you. The winter gear order totals three hundred thousand sets. Once it’s done, I’ll give you a hundred thousand.”

Gu Hua had known there would be money to make, but she hadn’t expected it to be this much.

“You don’t need to worry about Gu Wanru or the Gu family. This is just a mutually beneficial partnership between you and me.”

“Alright. I’ll give you the silver I originally allocated to the Gu family.” Pei Yi looked at her with newfound admiration in his eyes.

Gu Hua smiled faintly. “That won’t be necessary. I haven’t earned it.”

Compared to earning money, what she really wanted was for Mu An and Gu Wanru to reap what they sowed.

And also the Jiang clan.

The Jiang family had long been eyeing the Duke Yong’s household. Jiang Ruoxi hated her so much—there was no way she would give up easily.

If she could use this opportunity to strike a blow at the Jiang clan, that would be far more useful than just silver.

Mu Junyan held the sleepwear Gu Hua had sent, the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Bamboo leaves were embroidered on the cuffs, the stitches neat—quite well-made.

He carefully folded it himself, rewrapped it as it was, and placed it at the bottom of his chest.

On the battlefield, silk nightwear was completely impractical—it could tear easily. Besides, it was the first garment that little Gu Hua had made for him.

His gaze drifted to a poetry collection. He flipped through it.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

How could this girl have such a big heart?

Did she still think he was deeply in love with his late wife?

Just look at the message she sent—no concern for him at all, just instructing him to continue copying poetry from his late wife’s collection, to “keep her company”?

They were only temporarily camped here for the night, with no time to stay long.

Mu Junyan thought for a moment and then wrapped up the dagger he’d worn for over ten years.

“Send it to the Madam.”

The guard received it. “Shall I leave a message?”

Mu Junyan thought for a moment. “Tell her to learn martial arts.”

“Yes, sir.”