FBC – Chapter 159 Want to See Him

Overseer Luo led Gu Hua and the convoy’s chief guard toward the warehouse to handle the delivery and signing procedures. As they passed, they happened to come across a group of drunk men laughing and joking as they headed toward the camp prostitutes’ tents.

“You all think our Commander is ascetic and pure-hearted, but in truth, he just has high standards. He’s used to the exquisite delicacies of the capital and can’t bring himself to touch the wild herbs our camp prostitutes offer.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. All those noble ladies in Bianjing City threw themselves at the Commander, and he didn’t spare a glance at any of them.”

“That’s because they weren’t beautiful or charming enough! But now he’s taken in a noble concubine, hasn’t he? And the Commander personally asked the Emperor for a marriage decree. That’s giving her serious face.”

“Oh? Then this noble concubine must be an absolute stunner! Vice Commander Qi, you returned to the capital with the Commander last time—did you get a look at this noble concubine?”

Vice Commander Qi let out a loud laugh and boasted proudly, “Of course I saw her! All of us who went back with the Commander attended the wedding. The grandeur of it—those betrothal gifts and dowry stretched for ten miles! All the ceremonial standards were those of a formal wife. Just think how much our Commander dotes on her. How could she not be beautiful?”

His words sparked a chorus of gasps and exclamations, and those who hadn’t seen her became even more curious.

Gu Hua happened to brush past them at that moment. Her face flushed red at what she overheard, but she was also curious about how they were discussing her, so she slowed down and perked up her ears.

“How does she compare to the official wife?”

“The official wife was a sickly weakling. The Commander didn’t even want to marry her—he was forced into it. Average-looking at best. No comparison at all.”

“Then tell us quick—what does this noble concubine look like?” All the generals had eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Vice Commander Qi, who had caught only a glimpse of Gu Hua at the wedding, was so smug he looked like a giraffe stretching its neck.

“Beautiful—truly beautiful. But her status is a bit… complicated.”

“Huh? What do you mean, complicated? Come on, don’t keep us in suspense.”

“She’s the younger sister of Young Master Mu An’s wife. And get this—there’s more! Turns out the two sisters were switched at birth by a scheming concubine. Our noble concubine is actually the legitimate daughter, while the so-called official wife is the illegitimate one.”

Another round of exclamations burst forth.

These men were all trusted commanders under Mu Junyan. Of course they knew who Mu An was.

The story of General An bravely saving the Duke was well known in the army. His only son was taken in and adopted by Mu Junyan as a foster son, and Mu even arranged for him to marry the legitimate daughter of a marquis. They’d all heard about this, but had never seen the people involved.

“Whoa, so she’s that young? Tsk tsk, an old cow eating tender grass! Ow! Why’d you hit me?!”

The one who spoke got a smack on the head.

Vice Commander Qi glared at him. “Don’t be so vulgar. Our Commander isn’t even that old—he’s only twenty-seven!”

“Ignore him. Tell us how our Commander managed to hook up with his foster son’s sister-in-law.”

A group of gossip-hungry men clustered together, eyes gleaming, completely forgetting about the camp prostitutes.

There was no gossip better than juicy tales about the Commander.

Vice Commander Qi lowered his voice mysteriously. “So the young lady—she was pitiful. Originally, the official wife dragged her into the household to become a concubine for her husband, trying to secure her own position. But somehow the Commander found out. He felt sorry for her and discovered that her handwriting was exactly like his late wife’s, so he kept her in his study to grind ink for him. And guess what?”

“What?”

“Tell us already! You can be first with the flower girl later if you spill!”

“Bull! That flower girl’s mine alone!”

“Fine, fine, she’s all yours—just hurry up and talk!”

Vice Commander Qi leaned in mysteriously. “Our Commander didn’t leave the study for days. Every morning, when the young lady came out, she could barely walk straight.”

“Wow.”

“Wow.”

“Oh my god.”

“Is that why she’s not being let go—because he’s finally broken his abstinence?”

“The young master’s sister-in-law must be unbelievably beautiful. Otherwise, how could she make our old iron-hearted commander bloom like a tree in spring?”

Vice General Qi smacked his lips, looking utterly entranced by the memory. “That noble concubine really was irresistible. On the day of the wedding banquet, all the noble ladies and young misses were dressed to the nines, but the moment the bride stood there, she looked like a fairy from the heavens surrounded by a bunch of wild hens from the earth.”

“When she held her round fan and walked step by step toward our commander, it was like lotus flowers bloomed beneath her feet. Everyone she passed could smell a faint, lingering fragrance. Her waist was slender like a willow branch that could be held with one hand, and her figure was as graceful as drifting smoke.”

The big, brawny heads all went quiet at once.

They fell into a deep imaginative daze.

They racked their brains trying to picture what kind of woman could possibly be that beautiful—but couldn’t come up with anything close.

Vice General Qi looked at their dumbstruck expressions and curled his lips into a sly smile. “Just think, what kind of extraordinary beauty could possibly crack open the iron heart of our commander? If he’s had a taste and wants more, of course he’d want to claim her for real. But since the commander’s said he’ll never take a wife, he’ll have to take her as a concubine.”

Only then did the gathered officers snap out of their reverie.

“How can a proper wife compare to a concubine? As the saying goes: ‘a wife can’t compare to a concubine, and a concubine can’t compare to an affair.’ Our commander, huh—started with an affair!”

A group of burly generals burst into loud laughter.

Scandalous affairs always made for the most entertaining gossip.

Especially when it concerned their normally upright and disciplined old “iron tree,” who just so happened to be their commander—and a first-rank titled duke at that.

But of course, it was all just their imagination, just some harmless joking to amuse themselves.

After all, they’d fought alongside Mu Junyan for years, and he had never once shown any fondness for such things. He was cold and stoic by nature.

Forget about camp prostitutes—even a female fly that flew too close might get swatted dead by him.

The group laughed and joked their way toward the camp of the entertainers.

It was all just talk, really.

Gu Hua’s ears were burning red.

Mu Junyan, abstinent and pure?

Just those few times and she already had bruises and swelling in so many places. At night, she couldn’t even wear her sleeping trousers, and her undergarments rubbed so painfully.

Gu Hua lowered her head and quickened her pace to catch up with Overseer Luo.

Luo, boisterous and oblivious, didn’t notice anything odd about the person trailing behind him.

By the time all fifty wagons of grain had been unloaded, night had already fallen.

There were no lanterns inside the warehouse, so moving things in was impossible for now.

Overseer Luo, aware that the mountain roads were difficult and the group had come from Jiangling—likely unfamiliar with the terrain—worried that an accident might happen.

So he said, “Why don’t you all stay the night? You can take care of the handover tomorrow morning.”

Gu Hua was indeed exhausted. After a month on the road, and a particularly nerve-racking journey through the mountains that morning, she had blisters on her feet. Staying a night sounded ideal.

She thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Will the Duke himself be inspecting the grain and supplies?”

Overseer Luo chuckled. “The commander is busy with military matters—how could we trouble him with this? But rest assured, the food, winter clothes, and medicines the Pei family sent came at the perfect time. I’ll be sure to pass on your sincerity. Once the commander returns victorious, he’ll report your family’s contributions to His Majesty. Who knows, you might even receive a grand reward.”

Gu Hua had expected that, but still felt a touch of disappointment.

She had discussed it with the Old Madam beforehand—not to notify Mu Junyan, in case it distracted him.

So at this moment, he likely had no idea she had come with the supply convoy.

This little affair probably wasn’t significant enough to catch his attention either.

A trace of disappointment flickered across Gu Hua’s face, though a hint of stubbornness lingered in her heart.

She murmured, “This humble one has long admired the Duke’s reputation and would really like to see him. Would you be able to relay a message for me?”

“At this hour?”

Overseer Luo raised an eyebrow and turned to glance at a large tent nearby, glowing with lamplight.

“I’m afraid not. The commander is likely still in council.”

Gu Hua followed his gaze, and her heart tightened. Her eyes reddened slightly.

Was that his tent?

“He’s… still in council even after dark? Is it that grueling?”

Overseer Luo looked up at the freshly risen moon. “This is nothing. A while back, the commander went three days and nights without closing his eyes. He even led a charge himself—his boots filled with the blood that pooled around the corpses. There’ve been plenty of times he couldn’t even eat all day. Now that we’ve entered a short ceasefire, he can finally eat and sleep a bit—it’s already a big improvement.”

Gu Hua felt her chest tighten painfully.

In his recent letters, Mu Junyan never mentioned any of this. He only told her gently to eat well and sleep well.

Suddenly, Gu Hua was overwhelmed with the urge to see him.

She was still carrying the snack she’d gotten up early to make that morning.

With limited ingredients, all she could make were some sunflower seed crisps.

She’d guarded them carefully all the way here—she didn’t even know if they had broken.