FBC – Chapter 16 A Desperate Escape

Yinzhi’s face was dark as she shouted, “Where the hell were you slacking off? Coming back this late? The madam is calling you—if you don’t get over there right now, she’ll break your legs!”

Gu Hua could only lift her skirt and step onto the wet ground.

But just as she reached the doorway, she instantly sensed a dangerous aura hurtling toward her.

The curtain swayed, and a sapphire-blue robe came into view.

Mu An!

Gu Hua’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. She panicked and turned to flee.

“Whore! Trying to run?”

Mu An grabbed her sleeve and yanked her forcefully into his arms.

Gu Hua screamed and, in desperation, swung the oiled paper umbrella at Mu An’s body.

The edge of the umbrella scraped across Mu An’s face. Furious, he slapped it away.

Seeing her attempt to flee again, he seized her waistband and gave it a vicious pull.

The belt snapped. Her top came loose, and like an autumn leaf, she fell straight into the arms of the ravenous wolf. Mu An picked her up sideways and, grinning maliciously, turned and carried her toward the main house.

Gu Wanru stood at the doorway, both anxious and enraged.

Her husband had actually torn the clothes off that little slut right in front of her—and now he wanted to consummate with her in her own room?

Did he even acknowledge her as his official wife anymore?

Gu Hua, dangling midair, didn’t care about her exposed body—she kicked and struggled desperately, crying out, “Elder Sister, do you remember what you promised me yesterday? Save me—it’s good for you too!”

Hearing that, Mu An’s rage exploded. “No one can save you today! I’m taking you now—let’s see who dares take you from me!”

Gu Wanru felt like she’d swallowed a fly—disgusted and unable to speak.

She stepped in front of the doorway, tears spilling down her face. “Husband, what if Father holds you accountable? You can’t do this!”

Mu An cursed her viciously: “Get out of my way, you useless wretch! Block me again and I’ll divorce you!”

Sobbing and unwilling, Gu Wanru stepped aside.

Gu Hua frantically reached for her hair, but her silver hairpin was gone—her hair had come completely undone.

Terrified to the core, she fought wildly, screaming in despair. She was just about to be carried into the house—

Suddenly, Mu An let out a cry. His calf cramped, and with a thud, he dropped to one knee. Gu Hua was thrown from his arms.

She tumbled out into the rainy courtyard, rolling twice in the mud. One shoe flew off. Looking up, she saw Mu An starting to rise, and fear overwhelmed her. Ignoring her disheveled clothing, she scrambled barefoot into the downpour, fleeing for her life.

Boom!

A muffled thunderclap exploded overhead.

The lanterns under the corridors swayed violently in the wind, their flames flickering weakly.

The torrential rain beat down on Gu Hua’s bare shoulders and pale arms. The sound of footsteps behind her terrified her soul.

The ravenous wolf was in pursuit, refusing to let her go. He would devour her.

No—he would drown her.

Fear consumed her entirely. Like a cornered beast, she bolted into the storm.

Chi Yu, unwilling to draw attention to himself or to assist a half-dressed girl, followed her from the shadows at a safe distance.

Watching her run, he couldn’t help but marvel—those short legs were surprisingly fast.

Gu Wanru, tearful, watched Yinzhi support Mu An. And suddenly, Gu Hua’s words made sense.

Gu Hua could not become Mu An’s concubine.

Not because of the benefits she could bring by being close to the Duke—but because if Mu An could go mad for her like this, what would become of Gu Wanru’s position in the future, if Gu Hua whispered in his ear at night?

Favoring the concubine over the wife—Gu Hua had used that phrase.

Gu Wanru was shaken. She steeled her nerves, calmed herself, and stepped forward with a gentle voice. “Husband…”

Mu An grabbed her collar and snarled, his face twisted with fury. “It was you, wasn’t it?! You pushed that little slut to someone else! You did it to spite me, didn’t you?!”

Terrified, Gu Wanru tried to pry his hand off, her voice trembling. “H-Husband, please don’t be like this—I’m pregnant with your child… you’re frightening me…”

Yinzhi, ignoring the pain in her injured hand, tried desperately to pull Mu An away, screaming, “Master, master, please let go of the madam! That slut seduced the Duke herself—this has nothing to do with the madam!”

Mu An’s eyes were bloodshot with rage. He lifted Gu Wanru and threw her out into the rain-soaked courtyard. Then, grabbing Yinzhi’s arm, he dragged her into the room.

Yinzhi screamed in terror, “Master! Let me go… help! Madam, help me!”

Jin Kui was horrified. She rushed to intervene. “Master, master! Yinzhi is already betrothed—she’s getting married and leaving the household soon—ah!”

Mu An’s foot lashed out and kicked Jin Kui hard into the courtyard. The door was left open as he dragged Yinzhi and threw her onto Gu Wanru’s bed.

Yinzhi’s shrill screams, the sound of fabric being torn, thunder, and rain all mingled into a chaotic nightmare.

Gu Wanru knelt in the muddy yard, knees throbbing in agony. She couldn’t move for a long time. Dazed, she watched her crazed husband assault her maid.

Only then did Jin Kui recover her wits. She rushed to help Gu Wanru up, sobbing, “Madam! You must stop him! How will Yinzhi ever marry after this?”

Gu Wanru bit her lip until it bled, eyes full of murderous intent. She stared at the bed—her bed—where her husband was violently thrusting on top of her maid.

“Madam…” Jin Kui had never seen anything like this from either the madam or master.

Gu Wanru slowly walked to the door and shut it.

Inside, the screams and beast-like growls of a man venting his lust echoed without end.

Staring at the door, Gu Wanru’s face was pale—but then she suddenly smiled.

Jin Kui was too frightened to say a word.

“Take me to your room,” Gu Wanru said. “And call for the physician—I’m not feeling well.”

Clutching her belly, Gu Wanru’s face was ghostly white. She bit her lip, trying to block out the sounds from the main room.

The heir of the Duke’s family must be kept safe.

Jin Kui had no time to worry about Yinzhi. She helped Gu Wanru to her room, then dashed into the rain to find the doctor.

The storm raged. All the servants had taken shelter, and no one noticed the young girl, barefoot and in only her underclothes, running frantically toward Wenhan Pavilion.

Behind her, Chi Yu signaled to the air. Shadowy figures flitted through the darkness, clearing the path ahead.

Gu Hua couldn’t see where she was going. Through the rain, she saw a tall figure rushing toward her, water crashing from all sides—

She was going to drown… She was utterly hopeless.

The overwhelming sensation of suffocation came, and she slowly closed her eyes, her body going limp and sinking into the water.

Her final thought—please don’t let her come back this time. Let her die and be gone forever.

She had suffered enough in this world.

Suddenly, she vaguely heard someone calling her name.

“Gu Hua, breathe—breathe! Quickly, breathe…”

She wanted to.

But she was being held under. The ice-cold water surged into her nose and mouth, suffocating her.

“Gu Hua, breathe! Breathe, Gu Hua!”

“Listen to me—exhale!”

Gu Hua struggled, tried to exhale—but couldn’t. Her mouth opened and closed desperately, her chest heaving, like a fish thrown ashore, gasping—yet unable to take in air.

“Miss, miss, wake up!”

Was that her mother?

Mother, do you finally recognize your daughter?

Your daughter is no longer clean, no longer pure—yet you still recognize her?

Mu Junyan wrapped the drenched girl in his cloak. She curled up in his arms like a fragile bundle, her little mouth opening, still refusing to breathe.

Her face was turning blue and purple from lack of oxygen—she was on the brink.

The doctor was sweating, his hands shaking as he stuck in needle after needle, all useless.

“It’s over… she doesn’t want to live anymore,” he muttered in panic.

Chi Yu was just about to suggest pressing her philtrum when Mu Junyan suddenly bent down, sealing his lips over hers.

The surroundings fell utterly silent.

The Duke…