FBC – Chapter 169 Too Fierce

Zhou Zhilian had taken Gu Hua riding at the Duke Yong’s manor a few times, and by now, Gu Hua could already handle the reins on her own.

But this horse was really too tall, and the terrain was very uneven. Sitting atop it, Gu Hua felt scared and didn’t dare to let loose and gallop.

Naturally, Mu Junyan didn’t dare let her ride freely either—after all, this was a warhorse, spirited and unruly.

He led it by the reins, walking slowly.

After a short distance, he noticed Gu Hua shifting uncomfortably in the saddle, frowning, her whole posture looking off.

He stopped the horse. “What’s wrong?”

Gu Hua hesitated, biting her lip, unwilling to speak.

Mu Junyan suddenly guessed the reason. He placed a large hand on her waist and asked in a low voice, “Your waist is sore?”

Gu Hua’s ears turned red, but she didn’t answer.

Mu Junyan felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t held back last night, forgetting how tired she must’ve been from the long journey.

He opened his arms toward her. “I’ll help you down. You can ride again in a couple of days.”

Gu Hua’s backside really was rubbed sore, and her legs felt weak and wobbly. She didn’t try to push through—she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let him lift her down like a child.

The moment she was on the ground, her expression relaxed. Leaning on his arm, she hugged his waist tightly from the side, like she was tucked under his arm.

She looked up, ready to smile—but suddenly saw him grimace and furrow his brow.

“What is it?” Gu Hua quickly let go. “Did I…”

A thought struck her, and she grabbed his arm in panic. “Did you get hurt? Did I touch the wound?”

“No. You’re just too heavy,” Mu Junyan said, dodging her hand.

“I’m heavy?” Gu Hua pointed at her own nose.

How could she be heavy?

Sure, she was a bit full in some places, but overall she was still slim.

He used to carry her like she weighed nothing—like a little chick!

Mu Junyan led the horse toward the stable.

Gu Hua stared at his back, frowning.

Only now did she notice something off about the way he walked—his posture wasn’t as straight as usual, and his back seemed stiff.

She quickened her pace and caught up with him, patting his back. But the moment her hand landed, his spine went rigid, and he glanced back at her.

Gu Hua instantly noticed the way he furrowed his brows again. Now she was sure—something was wrong.

Mu Junyan seemed to sense her suspicion and quickly returned to normal, taking her hand and saying as they walked, “Tonight I’ll have them cook you chicken noodle soup. The chickens here aren’t the kind that walk on the ground—they fly in the sky. The meat’s not great, but the broth will definitely be tasty.”

Gu Hua leaned against his arm, looking up at him carefully.

The more she looked, the more off he seemed. His face was a bit pale.

She stopped walking and held his hand tightly, frowning. “No, something’s wrong. You’re hurt. Let me see.”

Saying that, she reached for his belt.

Mu Junyan blocked her hand. “What nonsense are you thinking? We’re in a ceasefire. Where would I get hurt?”

Gu Hua didn’t believe him.

A breeze passed by, and suddenly she caught the faint scent of medicine… and blood.

A thought flashed through her mind.

Her eyes flew open. “What were you doing so early this morning?”

Mu Junyan’s expression didn’t change. “Took the soldiers out for drills.”

He tugged her hand, trying to keep walking. “Let’s put the horse away, then head back for noodles. You’ll see—we can make delicious food even with a big communal pot.”

“You… don’t tell me you took the whipping in my place?” Gu Hua held his hand tight, forcing him to face her.

She reached out to feel his thick belt, running her hands around his waist and toward his back to undo it.

Mu Junyan hadn’t expected it and stumbled backward until he was pinned against a tree.

The little lady looked stubborn, clearly determined not to give up until she got that belt off.

Mu Junyan was helpless. He quickly grabbed her hands, but he couldn’t help chuckling as he whispered, “If you want to undo your husband’s belt, at least wait a little.”

Your husband?

Gu Hua was furious—he was still teasing her at a time like this!

“No, right now. Immediately.”

For the first time, the little lady looked truly domineering. Mu Junyan raised a brow and glanced ahead. “You’re sure you want to undo your husband’s belt here and now? Just to see my body?”

Those words… were far too suggestive.

Gu Hua was furious. “I’m just worried about you!”

“Mm, yes, your husband knows you’re concerned. It’s just…”

He placed both hands on either side of her head and gently turned it. “It seems that… doing this in broad daylight, with so many eyes watching, might not be very appropriate?”

Only then did Gu Hua realize that a whole squad of patrolling soldiers was staring at them, dumbfounded.

Each one of them wore an expression more colorful than the last—shock, awe, admiration…

The Duke’s noble concubine is seriously fierce—she actually tore at His Lordship’s clothes right out in the open! No wonder she managed to crack open that steel heart of his!

They thought of the many versions of the recent gossip spreading through the army—their commander had finally taken a wife. The one common thread: the Lord had no interest in the noble daughters of the capital and had remained ascetic for decades, only to be conquered by a delicate little beauty with stunning curves.

Just this morning, many soldiers had seen this favored concubine. They’d all agreed she looked like a fairy descended from the heavens, so pure and sweet—definitely not the type to seduce anyone.

And now—

Turns out she’s a tiger in a white flower’s skin!

Gu Hua froze.

Her cheeks instantly burned red as she quickly pulled her hands back and instinctively dove into Mu Junyan’s arms, hiding her face.

Mu Junyan chuckled lowly and wrapped his cloak around her.

He heard her muttering indignantly, “Why didn’t you warn me? That was so embarrassing!”

Mu Junyan laughed. “I told you to wait, but you just had to start undressing right away. Could I have stopped you?”

Gu Hua was fuming, but too embarrassed to look up. She could only grit her teeth and mutter, “Make them leave!”

Mu Junyan simply lifted her up and patted her head. “Who was the fierce one just now? And now you’re shy?”

Gu Hua, still red-faced, sneakily pinched his waist. “Hurry up!”

Mu Junyan bared his teeth in pain, then quickly composed himself and looked toward the patrol soldiers. “What’s the matter? Your patrol’s over?”

The group finally snapped back to their senses and swiftly turned their faces away. The lead captain quickly waved his hand. “Resume patrol!”

Their formation had originally been moving in a slow, rhythmic march, but now they sped up in perfect unison, their boots kicking up clouds of dust as they vanished like the wind.

Gu Hua strained her ears until the footsteps disappeared completely. Only then did she slowly peek her face out from Mu Junyan’s cloak, revealing one eye.

She looked around cautiously and whispered, “They’re really gone?”

Mu Junyan looked down at the little ostrich burrowed in his arms, stifling his laughter. “Not bad, huh? Hugging your husband feel good?”

Gu Hua’s face turned crimson again. She quickly let go and stepped back, her head darting around to scan the surroundings.

Far off near the stables, some soldiers seemed to be glancing in their direction—but it looked like they couldn’t see clearly.

She shot Mu Junyan a fierce glare, then stomped her foot and ran off toward the main tent.

After a few steps, she turned back and called in a tiny voice, “Hurry up and come back!”

Mu Junyan chuckled as he straightened his belt, waved to the soldiers at the stables, then let go of the reins and strode after the rabbit-like girl who had darted away.

Gu Hua darted into the main tent, her face still burning.

She covered her face with her hands and stomped her foot in frustration.

After a long while with no sign of him, she sneakily lifted the tent flap to peek outside—just in time to see that meals were being distributed across the camp.

Mu Junyan was currently inspecting how food was being distributed to the various units.

He normally ate with the soldiers and didn’t have a separate kitchen. But since Gu Hua had arrived, he’d been worried that she, used to fine food, wouldn’t be able to stomach army rations. So he had specially ordered someone to prepare noodles just for her.

The “chicken” was actually some wild bird, tough and stringy—not good for eating, but still decent for soup.

Before long, Chi Yu arrived carrying a food box. He saw her peeking out from under the flap, looking around.

“Madam, it’s time for your meal.”

Gu Hua glanced at the food box, then at the soldiers crouched on the ground eating.

They were all chewing on dark, rough steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

It was winter. In the southern borderlands, there were no good vegetables to be had.

She thought of the plain white porridge she’d had that morning and felt a wave of guilt.

“Where’s the Lord Duke?”

“He always eats with the soldiers, Madam. Right now, he’s in the infirmary. This chicken noodle soup was made just for you.”

Chi Yu opened the food box, revealing a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup.

“Take me to him,” Gu Hua said.

And with that, she walked out of the tent.

Chi Yu was surprised but could only comply and led her toward the infirmary tents.