FBC – Chapter 208 The Scumbag Father

Gu Yuan and Wang Linyi entered side by side.

The moment Wang Linyi looked up, she saw her daughter—whom she had not seen for nearly two months—speaking with an official who had come to pay respects.

The once gentle and delicate face was now tanned, the charming eyes had taken on a sharpness and chill. When receiving high-ranking officials and nobles, her every gesture carried calm composure—she had grown much more mature.

It was almost as if she no longer recognized her.

Wang Linyi’s eyes reddened.

Her poor daughter had struggled so hard to carve out her own patch of sunlight, only to lose her husband. It was simply too pitiful.

And she, as a mother, had been far too negligent.

Gu Yuan, upon learning that Gu Hua had become the Empress’s goddaughter, that his principal wife had been elevated, and that his household now held a third-rank title, had immediately become elated. He dragged her along to pay respects to Duke Yong, hoping to mend ties with his daughter.

But husband and wife had long since ceased to speak to each other. Wang Linyi had been oppressed by Wang Heng and was unable to escape the shackles of the Gu household.

Yet, as a daughter of the Wang clan of Langya, she still strove to maintain what dignity she could.

When Gu Hua finished her courtesies with the previous official, she stood and gave her father and mother the formal bow due to elders.

Although Wang Linyi was a third-rank titled lady and Gu Hua’s birth mother, Gu Hua was the Empress’s goddaughter now, her status no lower.

Wang Linyi pulled her up at once, unable to stop the tears spilling down.

“Hua’er, you’ve suffered.”

Gu Hua’s expression was calm and distant. She said nothing, only noticing that her mother’s complexion was poor and her spirit seemed weak. Her brows furrowed slightly.

While Gu Yuan and Wang Linyi offered incense, Gu Hua whispered a few instructions to Dong Qing.

After all, they were her parents. In front of so many high officials who had come to mourn, she did not make things too difficult for them. She led them to the western warm chamber, where guests were received with tea.

A maid brought refreshments. Gu Hua lifted the hot tea. “Please, warm yourselves with some tea.”

Gu Yuan, somewhat pleased with himself, took a sip and brightened. “Excellent tea.”

This kind of tribute tea—he had not tasted it for years.

Gu Hua made no reply, only took a small sip herself.

Seeing her cool attitude, Gu Yuan felt displeased, but since his purpose today was to repair relations, he forced himself to swallow it down.

He smiled. “Hua’er, I have some good news to tell you.”

Gu Hua raised her eyes to him, waiting for him to continue.

“I’ve just taken a new concubine—the daughter of the Huang family, imperial merchants of Jiangning Prefecture. Her dowry is generous. Our marquis household will enjoy ever better days.”

Gu Hua arched a brow and glanced at Wang Linyi.

She quickly lowered her head, sipping her tea to hide her embarrassment.

Of course she knew Gu Hua must despise her—but what could she do?

Her life, and her parents’ lives, were all in Wang Heng’s hands. All she could do was endure humiliation until death released her.

Just then, Shen Li came in with Dong Qing.

Gu Hua set down her cup and said softly, “Mother’s complexion seems unwell. Let Doctor Shen take her pulse.”

Gu Yuan’s face changed. “Ah, that’s not necessary. Your mother only lost sleep from the excitement of hearing you were back yesterday. That’s why her complexion is poor.”

“Oh? Father cares for Mother so much? You even know she didn’t sleep all night?”

Her tone was thick with sarcasm, and Gu Yuan’s face grew ugly.

Shen Li couldn’t care less whether permission was given—if someone was ill, she would take the pulse, come thunder or lightning.

After checking both wrists, her face immediately darkened. “Poisoned again! What’s going on here? Treating the body like a plaything?”

The whole room changed color.

Wang Linyi, already pale, went completely bloodless. “Poisoned? Poisoned again?”

Gu Yuan quickly protested. “Impossible! Her courtyard is tightly guarded. No one could meddle with her food and drink.”

Gu Hua shot him a glance. “Why so eager to defend yourself, Father? Doctor Shen never said it was from food. Yet you’re so certain it must be?”

Gu Yuan choked, glancing nervously between Shen Li and Wang Linyi.

Gu Hua asked Shen Li, “Sister Shen, is it serious?”

Shen Li gave no answer, simply strode out.

Everyone: “……”

Such a temper…

Soon she returned, prescription in hand. She shoved it into Madam Zhou’s grasp and left again without a word, ignoring all their questions.

Gu Hua, seeing this, knew it wasn’t life-threatening.

But judging from her mother’s face, if the poison was not cleansed quickly, it would soon sap her life away.

A chill struck Gu Hua’s heart.

Could it be that the trajectory of her previous life could not be changed after all?

In her last life, Mu Junyan had died in battle a month ago.

After that, she herself had been killed in the Duke Yong estate. Whether Mu Junyan had truly died or only feigned death remained unknown.

But her mother had indeed died.

Perhaps her rebirth had altered her own fate and a few events, but what was destined still would come.

Looking at Wang Linyi, she could indeed see signs of decline.

Gu Yuan, meanwhile, had played his old trick again—taking another imperial merchant’s daughter as concubine. Who knew what kind of temperament she had?

Gu Hua no longer cared.

Her bond with Wang Linyi was faint. All she wished was that her mother could at least protect her two younger brothers.

Just then, Zhou Zhilan poked her head in. “Madam, the Second Prince, Sixth Prince, and Sixth Princess have arrived.”

Gu Hua quickly stood. “Pardon me, I must go receive the princes and princess. Dong Qing, see the guests out.”

Without waiting for their reaction, she followed Zhou Zhilan out.

Gu Yuan’s face darkened. “Does she not even acknowledge her father anymore?”

Wang Linyi, muddle-headed, was supported out by Madam Zhou.

Gu Yuan grew angry. “And you—you’re learning her insolence now, too?”

Startled by his shout, Wang Linyi came to herself, turned back, and said with bitterness, “I’m about to die. What rules do you still want me to observe?”

Gu Yuan choked on the words. Unable to answer, he stormed out in a huff.

Wang Linyi’s vision blackened, and she collapsed into Madam Zhou’s arms.

“Madam!” Madam Zhou was close to tears, distressed as she pinched her mistress’s philtrum and fanned her.

Shen Li returned just then, swiftly producing silver needles. She pricked two acupoints, and Wang Linyi gasped back to consciousness.

Dong Qing said softly, “Our Lady Duke bids that Madam Gu rest here at the estate until you feel well enough to leave.”

Madam Zhou was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful.”

Wang Linyi’s tears fell like rain.

Dong Qing arranged for her to stay in the guest courtyard. Soon, a maid brought over a bowl of medicine, said to have been brewed by Shen Li herself, to detoxify and nourish.

Madam Zhou asked, “Might our Young Lady Hua be free now?”

“The Lady Duke Guo is with the princes and princesses and already very tired. She will rest afterward. If Madam Gu feels better and can walk, I will prepare a carriage to send you back.”

“Ah? Our Young Lady Hua won’t see Madam again?”

Dong Qing replied coolly, “Isn’t it inappropriate to keep calling her ‘Young Lady Hua’ now?”

Realizing her mistake, Madam Zhou slapped herself. “This old servant deserves death. I misspoke.”

Dong Qing quickly caught her hand. “Enough, enough. Our Lady has been truly exhausted these days and really has no time for more visits.”

With tears in her eyes, Wang Linyi said, “Madam Zhou, let’s go home.”

Dong Qing arranged a carriage and personally helped them aboard.

Before they left, Dong Qing added, “Madam Gu, our Lady asked me to convey this: ‘Fate is not fixed. Cut what must be cut, and life will find a way.’”

Wang Linyi froze.

Fate is not fixed. Cut what must be cut—only then is there a way to live?

Was Gu Hua telling her to divorce?

But the Wang family would never let her go!

Sitting in the carriage, Wang Linyi clutched Madam Zhou’s hand tightly. After a long struggle, she finally steeled herself.

“Madam Zhou, find an opportunity to speak with Hua’er for me…”