FBC – Chapter 134 Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Gu Hua returned to the Duke’s Manor and went to find Zhou Zhilian.

She handed Zhou Zhilian the list of Gu Wanru’s dowry. “Sister Zhou, can you help me take a look at these four shops—are they valuable?”

Zhou Zhilian glanced at it and said, “How about this? I’ll have someone secretly investigate the shops to see how their business is doing, then come back and report to you. Would that be alright?”

“That would be wonderful.”

Gu Hua smiled and took her arm. “It’s so reassuring to have you around.”

Zhou Zhilian tapped her nose playfully. “You’re already a married woman, yet still act like a child.”

“I’ll always be your little sister,” Gu Hua said with a giggle.

Once Zhou Zhilian left, Gu Hua went straight to Jinxiu Pavilion with her attendants.

She was going to beat the grass to scare the snake—lure the snake out of its hole.

When Gu Wanru saw her enter, fury surged straight to the top of her skull, but she didn’t dare let it show.

She forced a smile. “Little sister.”

Gu Hua smiled and nodded. “Although you should really be calling me ‘stepmother,’ it does sound quite awkward.”

Gu Wanru cursed inwardly.

Stepmother? Disgusting!

But she didn’t dare show it.

“All your clothes, meals, and daily allowances are being given according to the standard for a young madam. Are you satisfied with that?”

“Of course. I must thank my dear sister for her kindness and virtue.”

Gu Hua could hear the gritted teeth in her words but pretended not to notice.

Gu Wanru used to receive several hundred extra taels of silver every month, living lavishly and extravagantly. Now that she’d fallen from the clouds into the mud, it was naturally hard to adapt.

“Since the master ordered you to be confined, I can’t go against his wishes, so you still can’t leave the manor freely. But you and Mu An share deep marital affection—I can’t very well let a husband and wife sleep apart forever. Besides, you’re responsible for managing Mu An’s concubines, so you may freely come and go from Jinxiu Pavilion.”

Gu Wanru sneered inwardly. Was she supposed to thank her for that?

Gu Wanru bent slightly in a show of submission. “Thank you…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say stepmother, and she wasn’t about to call that little wench sister either.

Gu Hua walked straight over to the seat of honor and sat down. Dong Qing handed her the teacup she’d brought with her.

She took it, lifted the lid, brushed away the foam, and took a leisurely sip.

When had she ever endured such humiliation?

Gu Wanru’s expression darkened.

“Sister, this is a copy of your dowry list—see if it’s accurate,” Gu Hua said, signaling for Dong Qing to hand over the copied list.

The veins on Gu Wanru’s temples throbbed violently as she read through the long list, trying to guess the little wench’s intentions.

Could she be trying to seize her dowry?

But most of her dowry had already been given to Mu An—he’d said it was to grease the wheels in officialdom.

All she had left were those four shops.

Gu Wanru cautiously said, carefully watching Gu Hua’s expression, “It’s accurate… It’s just that much of the silver and jewelry were taken by my husband. He needed it for social obligations.”

Gu Hua nodded. “I just needed you to verify it. The Concubine Pei is now a criminal—her dowry must be reclaimed by the Wenchang Marquis Manor. As for how it’s reclaimed, Father and Mother will make the decision.”

With that, she stood up and walked out with practiced grace.

Gu Wanru’s face turned ashen with rage.

What did she mean by reclaiming her mother’s dowry?

Did they even want to take back what had been used for her own marriage?

Gu Wanru thought for a moment, then clenched her teeth. She quietly pulled out a small wooden box from beneath her bed and took a land deed from it, hiding it in her clothes before heading straight for Jiaochun Garden.

Lately, life in Jiaochun Garden hadn’t been going well either. Their expenses were being restricted, half of the servants had been dismissed, and even Zuimoxuan was running on a tight budget.

Yao Yao and the other two concubines were munching on melon seeds and playing leaf cards when they looked up and saw Gu Wanyu walking in.

“Well, well, what a rare guest.”

The other two concubines quickly stood up to greet her, but Yao Yao remained seated.

Gu Wanyu suppressed her anger and smiled gently. “No need to be so formal. From now on, you don’t need to greet me like that.”

Yao Yao sneered, “Exactly. The title of ‘young madam’ is pretty much in name only now. The Duke is kind enough to let you keep your status, but let’s not pretend we don’t know how things are. Don’t you agree, Young Madam?”

Gu Wanyu trembled slightly with rage, gripping her silk handkerchief tightly, but kept her smile intact.

“Yao Yao, you’re the clever one. You’re absolutely right.”

Yao Yao raised her eyebrows.

Turned over a new leaf?

Gu Wanyu held her temper and spoke to the two other concubines. “I have something to discuss with Concubine Yao. Please leave us for a moment.”

The two concubines bowed and excused themselves.

Gu Wanyu stepped closer and sat down beside Yao Yao.

She tried to appear kind and gentle as she spoke in a low voice, “Yao Yao, I need your help with something.”

“Oh? Has the sun risen in the west today?” Yao Yao straightened up and looked at her with a smile.

“A courtesan like me, who’s been used and discarded by countless men—does a lady like you really need something from me?”

“No matter where you came from before, we’re sisters now. I was immature in the past. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Yao Yao was truly surprised this time. She stared at her wide-eyed, trying to read her expression.

“Gu Wanyu, what kind of trick are you playing this time? I’m not that foolish little sister of yours—I’m not that easy to fool.”

Gu Wanyu took a deep breath and pushed a property deed in front of her.

Yao Yao looked at her with suspicion and opened it. Her eyes widened at once. “A property deed for a shop? What do you mean by this?”

“We’re sisters.”

Yao Yao tossed the deed aside. “I can earn silver quite easily on my own. Just tell me what you want. If it’s murder or arson, I’m not doing it.”

“Of course not.”

Gu Wanyu scooted closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Yao Yao’s expression changed dramatically—she looked at Gu Wanyu like she was some strange creature.

“You’re serious? You want to learn seduc—”

Gu Wanyu quickly covered her mouth. “Please, my dear aunt, could you keep your voice down?”

She had already swallowed all her pride to make this request. The last thing she wanted was for it to become public knowledge.

Yao Yao raised an eyebrow and picked up the property deed to examine it. “Good location. The business brings in decent profit. Fine, I’ll take this deal.”

Gu Wanyu was overjoyed. “Yao Yao, from today onward, we’re allies. Please put in a good word for me in front of my husband. I can help him earn silver. Once it’s done, I’ll give you a share of the profits.”

Yao Yao smiled as she folded the deed and tucked it away. “Mhm. Sounds great.”

“You’ve given me such a generous gift, I should return the favor. Wait right here.”

Gu Wanyu watched her sway away with her snake-like waist, still smiling. But once Yao Yao turned her back, her smile disappeared, replaced by disdain and loathing.

A whore. Once I win back my husband’s heart, I’ll deal with you next!

Not long after, Yao Yao returned carrying a makeup box.

“Fix yourself up a little. Look at your face—you’re starting to look like an old maid.”

Gu Wanyu was so furious she nearly threw the box across the room.

She forced herself to smile. “Thank you.”

She carried the box back to Jinxiu Pavilion, face dark with anger. She raised the box, wanting to smash it, but paused, then sighed and set it down on the table instead. She opened it.

Inside were used rouge and powder, along with various half-used skincare creams popular among the girls of Yichun Courtyard.

As Gu Wanyu stared at them, tears began to fall.

Had she really fallen so low that she needed to use leftover cosmetics from a prostitute?

But she needed them.

She had smashed all the ones she used before, and the Duke Estate hadn’t replaced them.

Her pride no longer mattered. She had to win Mu An’s heart back.

As long as she could secure that military supply order from the Pei family, Mu An would see her worth. The Pei family would realize that working with her was valuable.

Then, they would continue supplying her with silver, and she would have hope for her future.

Gu Hua listened as Dong Hua reported that the maid tailing Gu Wanyu said she had gone to Jiaochun Garden and spoken with Yao Yao for quite a while.

The two of them had ended the conversation on very friendly terms.

Yao Yao?

Gu Hua chuckled.

So she was forming alliances now?

“Send this to Biyu, and check how her injuries are healing,” Gu Hua said, pointing to a fresh plate of pastries.

“Yes, ma’am.”