FBC – Chapter 21 A Mother and Daughter’s Scheme

Zhou Zhilian was peeling a pomegranate, gently picking out the ruby-red seeds into a white porcelain bowl. Then she scooped a spoonful with a silver spoon and brought it to Gu Hua’s mouth.

Gu Hua, holding a small storybook, opened her mouth and took in the seeds, chewing them slowly. The sweet and tangy juice instantly lifted her spirits.

No wonder it had been so peaceful lately—turns out Gu Wanru was too busy to bother with her.

Zhou Zhilian gave her a sidelong glance, then suddenly changed the topic.

“Sigh, the lord is too busy to manage things in the household. If only the residence had a mistress. The rear courtyard is an utter mess.”

Gu Hua nodded in agreement, looking as if she deeply shared that sentiment.

Since they were already talking about the male lead in the storybook, it was time to take some action.

She set down the storybook and walked over to the writing desk. Picking up the brush, she wrote: “The lord truly needs a noble lady of virtue and talent. Otherwise, if the Duke Yong’s estate gains a bad reputation, it would be a waste of all the effort the lord has poured into winning the people’s hearts and building his legacy.”

Zhou Zhilian tilted her head. “If the lord takes a wife, would you be jealous?”

Gu Hua wrote: “Why would I be jealous? I would be content just to stay by the lord’s side and serve him, like Elder Sister does.”

Zhou Zhilian pointed at her and laughed. “Ha! And you still say you don’t like him?”

Gu Hua panicked and quickly wrote: “The lord is strong and noble. All women under heaven admire men like him. I don’t like him in the romantic sense like in storybooks—it’s admiration for a hero, reverence for a deity. In my heart, the lord is a dignified, upright, and heroic man.”

“Wow, you’re so good at praising people,” Zhou Zhilian said, eyes wide with amazement. She grabbed the piece of xuan paper. “I’m taking this to show the lord!”

Gu Hua’s face turned pale. She rushed forward in a panic, a hoarse “No, no, no!” escaping from her throat.

The two girls ran around the ginkgo tree in the courtyard, laughing and chasing one another.

Suddenly, a tall figure appeared at the gate.

The lord!

Zhou Zhilian froze, instinctively shoving the piece of paper into Gu Hua’s hands.

Gu Hua’s doe-like eyes widened in panic as she crumpled the paper and stuffed it into her sleeve.

Mu Junyan observed the girls’ flustered expressions and gestures with amusement.

It had only been three days, yet he discovered a more lively side to the girl.

What had she written that she didn’t want him to see?

Curiosity arose.

“Give it to me.”

Gu Hua stared at the outstretched hand, lips trembling, her delicate face flushing red. She nervously handed over the crumpled ball of paper.

Mu Junyan unfolded it. “…”

Why did he feel oddly pleased?

His gaze swept coldly over the girls, and he straightened his face. “You’re still recovering. Why are you running around?”

Gu Hua lowered her head, too afraid to make a sound.

Mu Junyan realized his tone was too harsh, so he softened his voice: “Zhilian is busy lately. I’ve arranged for someone else to take care of you.”

Gu Hua caught his wording precisely.

“To care for her”—not to “serve” her.

And since the person was personally brought by the lord, it was clearly not a maid.

Gu Hua looked up and finally noticed the cold-faced young girl behind Mu Junyan.

The girl was also coolly sizing her up.

Gu Hua bowed slightly, her voice hoarse but audible: “Thank you, my lord.”

“Speak less,” Mu Junyan replied.

Each time he saw her, he felt a strange sense of guilt—as if he were an old cow coveting tender grass yet unwilling to admit it.

He was a noble, righteous man in the heart of this young girl…

Not wanting to say more, he turned on his heel and left.

Gu Hua didn’t look up until she heard the fading footsteps.

Zhou Zhilian excitedly grabbed her arm just as Dong Hua ran in, panting.

“Miss, your birth mother is here. She’s asked you to go to Jinxiu Pavilion.”

Concubine Pei had entered the estate?

Gu Hua’s hands clenched instinctively.

In her previous life, Concubine Pei had never stepped foot in the Duke’s estate.

Firstly, her status was too low—she had no right. Secondly, Gu Hua had been obedient. Since Gu Wanru despised her, Concubine Pei had no reason to come in and get sneered at.

Zhou Zhilian thought she was scared and grabbed her wrist. “I’ll go with you.”

“Sister…” Gu Hua’s voice was still hoarse as she shook her head.

She didn’t want the person who treated her best to witness her humiliation in front of her own family.

“I’ll go with Miss Gu,” said the cold-faced girl, stepping forward. “The lord asked me to care for her.”

Both Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilian looked at her.

“My name is Shen Li, a disciple of Master Wu.”

“Oh! You’re the final disciple of the physician from the Wu residence?” Zhou Zhilian was surprised.

Gu Hua looked confused.

Zhou Zhilian explained, “Last time when you fainted, the lord asked if Master Wu’s last disciple would be willing to come take care of you. That’s her.”

Gu Hua opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

She felt somewhat moved.

Zhou Zhilian tugged Dong Hua over. “Dong Hua’s strong. If anyone bullies you, let her punch them!”

Dong Hua rolled up her sleeves. “I’m good at beating people up.”

Gu Hua didn’t object. If anything happened, it would be good to have a witness from the Duke’s estate.

“No need. Just poison them into paralysis.”

A cold voice suddenly interjected.

Everyone turned, stunned, to look at the girl who had spoken.

“…!”

With that chilly expression, she definitely seemed like someone capable of saying that.

Zhou Zhilian whispered, “You’re supposed to heal people, not…”

“I specialize in poison,” Shen Li replied blankly and succinctly.

Gu Hua didn’t know what to say. She quickly tugged on Dong Hua’s sleeve, smiled at Shen Li, and the three of them walked toward Jinxiu Pavilion together.

Shen Li suddenly sped up and caught up to Gu Hua, placing a small green pill into her palm.

Gu Hua trusted her and ate it with a smile.

It had a sweet, minty taste and melted in her mouth. Quite delicious.

A cool sensation rose from her throat all the way to her crown.

Before long, Gu Hua felt her throat had improved significantly. She tried speaking: “Mm… Ah… Much better.”

She was pleasantly surprised.

Shen Li gave her a mock astonished look.

The three of them reached the entrance of Jinxiu Pavilion.

Gu Hua paused.

It was the first time since her rebirth that she was about to face the main culprit who had stolen her life.

Anger surged uncontrollably in her chest.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

Just then, Jin Kui lifted the curtain and saw her. She immediately stepped back into the room, only to return moments later.

“Concubine Pei is here. Second Miss, please enter.”

Jin Kui had started calling her “Second Miss” now—before, she had always called her by name.

Gu Hua felt a cold chill in her heart.

What were this “mother” and her fake “elder sister” scheming this time?

As she stepped through the door, before she could even look up, she heard Concubine Pei’s sharp voice.

“You wretch! Get in here this instant!”

Dong Hua and Shen Li’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Gu Hua walked in calmly.

Gu Wanru’s eyes were swollen from crying. Concubine Pei glared with fury.

Facing the woman who had stolen her life, trampled her underfoot, and caused her a tragic death, Gu Hua couldn’t even pretend anymore.

She looked at them with cold indifference.

That once meek and obedient face was now expressionless and icy. Concubine Pei’s eyes burned with rage, and she suddenly shot to her feet.

Gu Wanru, noticing a maid from the Duke’s estate nearby, quickly grabbed her arm and sobbed, “Auntie, please don’t be angry. We’re in the Duke’s estate.”

Concubine Pei realized she couldn’t afford to offend anyone here.

Swallowing her anger, she said coldly, “Outsiders should leave. This is a private conversation between mother and daughter.”