FBC – Chapter 165 Little Vixen

The fierce glare from the young girl held no threat whatsoever for Mu Junyan.

Those clear eyes, misted with a thin layer of tears, didn’t look like they were warning him — they looked more like she was acting spoiled.

Mu Junyan’s gaze darkened slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing gently. But when he saw the blisters on her feet and the carefully bandaged palms rubbed raw, a trace of guilt tugged at him.

Earlier, he had completely lost control — he’d nearly devoured her whole.

Now, all he could do was forcibly restrain himself. He carefully tucked her feet under the blanket and pulled both her and the quilt into his arms. His voice was low and gentle: “I’ll just hold you. I won’t do anything. Sleep well.”

Gu Hua looked up and shot him a resentful glance.

In a soft, aggrieved mumble, she muttered: “You said that just now too.”

Mu Junyan replied with a perfectly straight face, “Who told you to tempt me? I am your husband, a normal man. And you’ve got quite the charm — even the first time someone laid eyes on you, they were willing to sneak into the command tent at night for you. Clearly, you’re a little troublemaker who lures bees and attracts butterflies.”

Gu Hua let out a tiny huff of frustration: “I did not.”

She had even dressed as a man — how could she have such bad luck?

The more she thought about it, the more bitter she felt. She shot him a look and grumbled, “Your army camp has camp prostitutes too, doesn’t it? Like you’re any better. I’m not living half as freely as you.”

Oh ho.

She’s definitely grown bolder after this round of hardship.

Even her comebacks were getting smooth.

As punishment, Mu Junyan lowered his head and bit her pearl-like earlobe. The girl let out a soft gasp and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, whispering in protest: “You’re looking to die~”

Her delicate voice practically dripped with sweetness — it sounded far more like flirting than scolding.

A low chuckle rumbled beside her ear, his scruffy beard grazing her cheek. She tried to turn her face away, only to have him nuzzle closer.

Letting out a sigh of resignation, she gave up struggling.

After all, she had thrown herself into the wolf’s den.

Mu Junyan leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I’ve never touched anyone else. You experienced it just now, didn’t you? Your man’s got more than enough stamina.”

Gu Hua’s face instantly turned scarlet. She turned away and mumbled in embarrassment: “How would I know? If you’ve been with others, how could I tell?”

“You really don’t know?”

His low, magnetic voice oozed danger. His breath swept past her ear, making her feel like she was on fire — she hurriedly tried to push him away.

If she didn’t, she might just throw herself at him.

She missed him — terribly.

Mu Junyan laughed softly: “Then how about we try again and see whether you know or not?”

As he spoke, his large hand had already begun its slow, familiar path downward.

Gu Hua was so startled that she clutched his arm, her tone genuine and pleading: “No more, please — it’s almost morning! What are we going to do about a woman being in the barracks?”

Mu Junyan let out a low laugh, hooked a finger under her chin, and placed a light kiss on her soft, pink lips.

“You’re scared now, huh? Little Vixen, if it weren’t for the fact that you endured such a long and exhausting journey, I’d make sure you couldn’t get out of bed for three whole days and nights.”

Gu Hua’s face flushed red. She glared at him and huffed, “And here I thought the soldiers said you were pure-hearted and restrained. Hypocrite. Liar.”

Mu Junyan chuckled in exasperation, then lightly pinched her cheek. “You’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Climbing onto rooftops now? How dare you scold me?”

Gu Hua bared her teeth. “Only because you were bullying me first.”

Mu Junyan let go of her, gazing at her delicate and charming face. He tried to hold himself back, let out a sigh, and then couldn’t help but smile.

“Wasn’t it because you missed me that you traveled all this way to deliver supplies? Hmm?”

Gu Hua immediately reached out to cover his mouth. “You—you…”

Sh-she did not!

She sat there for a long moment, completely at a loss for words.

Mu Junyan’s eyes gleamed with amusement. Watching him laugh only made Gu Hua’s face burn even hotter. She huffed and sat up. “It’s almost dawn. I need to leave.”

Just as she raised her hips to get up, he hooked an arm around her waist and dragged her right back.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“Back to Juzhou, of course. Uncle Pei will definitely be worried.” Gu Hua avoided his gaze, afraid she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to leave if she looked at him.

“Women aren’t allowed in the military camp. If I stay any longer, it’ll cause trouble for you.”

If she didn’t leave now, and the soldiers started gossiping about their commander, that would be terrible.

She couldn’t let her presence damage Mu Junyan’s authority.

Mu Junyan tucked her back under the blanket, wrapped her up tightly, and held her close in his arms.

“You’ve already come, and everyone saw you enter my tent. Leaving now—what’s the point?”

His large hand caressed her chin as he lowered his voice huskily, “Stay a few more days. Even if you don’t miss me, I missed you.”

Gu Hua’s heart gave a jolt, and she lowered her head shyly. Her voice came out in a soft whisper, “But your army has strict discipline… the soldiers say you’re especially harsh…”

“That’s none of your concern.” Mu Junyan gently laid her back down, carefully positioning her head on the pillow.

He leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers, murmuring, “If I don’t let you go, can you even leave?”

The implication was sweet and ambiguous.

Gu Hua felt the urge to tease him. She wanted to reach out and touch his face, but she was wrapped up so tightly in the blanket that she could only shoot him a sidelong glance.

“So you’re not mad anymore? Do you really miss me, then?”

Mu Junyan stared at her. “Little Vixen.”

Gu Hua bit back a smile and whispered teasingly, “Your face is red. You’re blushing.”

Mu Junyan narrowed his eyes and pulled her, blanket and all, tighter into his arms. “Still not tired, are you?”

Gu Hua shivered, her cheeks instantly burning. She quickly begged for mercy, “Tired, tired, so tired. Ziyuan, please let me off. I’ve been on the road for a whole month—I haven’t even had enough sleep!”

Mu Junyan’s heart ached at that. He leaned down and gently kissed her lips.

Looking at her radiant, blooming smile and those misty eyes, he couldn’t bear to part with her—so he decided to keep teasing her.

“I’ve been gone for so long… did you miss me?”

Gu Hua was so embarrassed she didn’t know what to say. She turned her face away and mumbled like a mosquito, “Didn’t miss you.”

Mu Junyan loved seeing her shy like this and kept pressing, “Lying little thing. You came all the way to the southern frontier, and you dare say it was just to deliver supplies?”

Gu Hua’s eyes darted around as she replied solemnly, “I was worried the Mu family army might go hungry and not have the strength to fight.”

“Heh. The Pei family is wealthy and influential. If they wanted to curry favor with my Mu family army, they could’ve sent anyone to deliver the supplies. So why send a delicate little lady who can’t lift or carry anything?”

Gu Hua shut her eyes in frustration. When she opened them again, she shot him a fierce glare. “I have a heart for the country! Can’t I care about national affairs?”

Mu Junyan burst into laughter. “Hmm, not bad. Marrying me has really matured you. You’re even thinking about national affairs now. So why don’t you start by worrying about your husband first?”

Gu Hua raised her brows. “When have I not worried about you? I copied your late wife’s poetry collection for you. I made you underclothes. How’s that not worrying about you?”

She shouldn’t have mentioned the poetry—Mu Junyan instantly wanted to flick her forehead.

“Mhm, you copied my late wife’s poems. I’m very grateful. I even placed them right on my desk so I can see them every day.”

Gu Hua’s expression fell. Jealousy laced her voice. “Fine then. I’ll go back and copy more for you. I’ll give you several volumes so your deeply devoted late wife can keep you company.”

Mu Junyan let out a snort of laughter.

“‘Deeply devoted wife,’ and you’re going to copy more for me? Really?”

Amused and exasperated, he leaned in and gave her a playful bite on the cheek. “Shut it.”

Gu Hua froze, heart fluttering. Though she was irritated, she didn’t dare speak again.

Mu Junyan pinched her nose gently and shook it. “You silly thing, what nonsense are you imagining now?”

His fingers brushed against her cheek—and came away stained yellow. He rubbed it with his fingertip and frowned. “What did you put on your face?”

Gu Hua froze.

Oh no. She forgot to wash off the turmeric powder on her face.

She must look like she’d painted herself with random scribbles!

Looking like this, how on earth had the dignified Lord Duke managed to kiss her?!