FBC – Chapter 217 Only Lacking the East Wind

Gu Huan was kissed until she was utterly dazed, her mind spinning, before she was finally released.

Mu Junyan carefully placed her on the bed, tucked the quilt over her, and said softly: “I’ll light the lamps. I want to look at you carefully.”

Gu Huan quickly grabbed his sleeve, her tone anxious: “What if someone notices? That wouldn’t be good.”

Mu Junyan patted her hand gently, his voice tender: “Don’t worry.”

Only then did Gu Huan let him go. She watched as he lit the two crane-shaped lamps at the bedside. The room instantly brightened.

Looking at his tall and imposing figure, Gu Huan’s heart felt full, and she smiled sweetly at him.

Mu Junyan’s gaze fell upon her face, illuminated by the orange-red glow of the flames. Whether it was because she had become a mother or because they had been apart too long, he felt she was even gentler and more beautiful than before.

His heart skipped a beat. Unable to restrain himself, he pulled her back into his arms and kissed every inch of her face.

Gu Huan, set aflame by his teasing, pushed him away in both annoyance and laughter.

“All right, stop licking my face. I’ll still need to wash up later.”

But Mu Junyan couldn’t bear to release her. He cupped her face, studying it intently.

“Don’t move. Let me look at you a little longer.”

Blushing, Gu Huan let him gaze at her.

A lotus-like face, willow-leaf brows, a delicate and charming nose, cherry lips.

When he first met her, she had been like a lotus bud just opening. Now, she was in full bloom.

At seventeen, more than two months pregnant, she was poised between maidenhood and womanhood. Every smile and frown radiated both elegance and allure.

“Becoming a mother has only made you more enchanting.”

Flustered at his direct praise, Gu Huan blushed and gave him a playful punch: “So you’ve learned to sweet-talk and coax people now?”

“Do you not know your own beauty? Otherwise, how could you have known I’d fall for you back then?”

Gu Huan’s cheeks burned. She glared at him, then turned her head away.

Her hair fluttered lightly, and her bashful smile was as radiant as the first morning sun.

Mu Junyan’s heart stirred. His broad palm brushed through her hair, then slid naturally to the back of her neck as he lowered his head to capture her lips once again. The two of them kissed deeply, reluctant to part.

Panting softly, Gu Huan leaned against his chest, listening to the strong, steady thump of his heartbeat. Her own heart beat in rhythm with his.

At this moment, she truly felt they had become one.

The feeling of being husband and wife was so wondrous.

“Have you settled everything? Can you finally come back now?”

Gu Huan longed for his swift return. After all, funerals were ill-omened for the living, and she wanted to be with him every moment.

Mu Junyan didn’t hide the truth: “Yes.”

He stroked her cheek, speaking in a low voice: “Huan’er, do you know? It’s you who made me change my view of court politics—and even grow ambitious.”

Gu Huan was curious: “What do you mean by that?”

Mu Junyan held her tighter: “Before, I only wanted to fulfill the wishes of my late father and brothers: to completely subdue the southern tribes, and give the people of the southern borders a peaceful place to live. I only needed to control the Mu family’s army. Nothing else mattered. But after you appeared, I began to desire more. For example…”

His palm gently caressed her lower abdomen. “…a beloved wife and child.”

Gu Huan’s heart ached with tenderness, and she hugged him tightly.

“That’s why I must return to court. The Jiang clan, head of the aristocratic families, is deeply entrenched. To uproot them is no easy task. Their power grips the highest posts of the Three Departments and Six Ministries. A single misstep could ruin everything.”

Gu Huan nodded solemnly: “Yes, I know. The Jiangs, the Yuans—these imperial clans are bound by marriage ties, and they have disciples spread throughout the court.”

Mu Junyan suddenly smiled, lifting her chin: “And here I was, not knowing my little wife was so capable—rescuing a key criminal from my Juzhou prison, and even recruiting him for her own use.”

Gu Huan had just been pondering his words about the Jiang clan’s hold over the ministries, but was startled by his sudden question.

“I… didn’t.”

She felt a little guilty.

He knew about Min Dongsheng, after all.

Was he finally going to settle accounts with her?

“Min Dongsheng bore the suspicion of colluding with the enemy. You dared to use such a man.”

Gu Huan’s apricot eyes widened: “You kept him locked up, fed and housed him well. I merely helped you make the best use of him. Otherwise, wouldn’t it have been a waste of food?”

Mu Junyan chuckled lowly: “Your tongue has gotten sharper too.”

Gu Huan smirked proudly: “As your wife, of course I must help you save resources and manage life well.”

He flicked her nose playfully: “Yes. My wife is capable.”

“Because my husband taught me well.”

Gu Huan giggled, rubbing her head against his cheek, reminding him of how he once thought she was like a little kitten seeking affection.

He couldn’t resist ruffling her bangs.

After another round of sweet intimacy, they returned to business.

“Any great power must first rely on military authority. The Yuans hold the army in the northeast, while the Jiangs hold it in Bianjing. The Jiangs also covet the Mu family’s military power. So I’ll use their move against them—first cutting off all their claws in the Ministry of War, and then blinding the Yuan army’s eyes within the capital.”

Gu Huan lifted her head to look at him.

Worried her neck might tire, Mu Junyan shifted her so her head rested on his arm, her gaze meeting his directly.

He smiled faintly: “Now, all preparations are complete—we only lack the east wind. The Jiangs are about to act. I’ll need to trouble my wife to stir that wind.”

Gu Huan’s eyes lit up: “What do you need me to do?”

The New Year in Bianjing was as lively as always.

Only the gates of the Duke Yong’s mansion remained shut, with no one going in or out.

Yet inside, there was no idleness.

Zhou Chunyu and a team of craftsmen busied themselves behind closed doors in the right wing courtyard. On the racks in the back, rows of newly made crossbows were neatly arranged.

The Old Madam had invited close friend, who daily instructed Gu Huan in court etiquette and the ways of interacting with officials’ wives.

Just after the Lantern Festival, Chi Yan returned to the residence to meet Gu Huan.

At the sight of him, Gu Huan could barely contain her excitement. She knew—the east wind Mu Junyan had spoken of was arriving.

Mu Junyan had not given her many details, only telling her that when the right opportunity came, she was to enter the palace and seek an audience with the Emperor.

“You mean the Ministry of War has summoned Deputy General Qi and the others back to the capital to report?”

This news caught her by surprise.

“Yes. They’ll arrive the day after tomorrow. My lord ordered me to inform you—that opportunity you’ve been waiting for is nearly here.”

Gu Huan instinctively touched the embroidered pouch hanging at her waist, feeling the item inside.

“All right. I understand.”

The next morning.

Just after finishing breakfast, Gu Huan received a visitor—Zhao Luoxuan.

“Sister Huan, I heard Deputy General Qi will be arriving in the capital tomorrow?”

Looking at the young girl’s eager expression, Gu Huan didn’t know what to say.

“Yes. I heard the Ministry of War summoned them back to give their reports.”

Zhao Luoxuan didn’t care why they were returning. She only cared that she would see Qi Jun again.

Blushing, she tugged at Gu Huan’s sleeve and whispered: “Qi Jun wrote me back.”

“What? You two have been writing letters?”

Gu Huan was shocked.

“Mhm.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s delicate face turned crimson.

“But… I wrote him ten letters, and he only replied to one.”

Gu Huan was at a loss for words.

Qi Jun’s return was no blessing for Zhao Luoxuan.

But she couldn’t bear to dash the girl’s hopes, so she asked with a smile: “What did he write?”

At the question, Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes grew watery, her face aggrieved: “He… only wrote: ‘Peace and health to the princess.’”

Gu Huan: “…”

Ah, what to do?

“Princess, he truly isn’t suited to be a prince consort.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s round eyes brimmed like a rabbit’s, gazing at her so pitifully that Gu Huan’s heart softened with sympathy.

She hesitated, then said: “You must find a way to persuade the Empress to speak on your behalf.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes brightened instantly: “That’s why I came! I want you to enter the palace and help me plead with Mother.”

“I don’t think I’m the right person…”

“You’re the most suitable! Mother admires you very much. Even Second Brother holds you in great esteem.”

Gu Huan sighed inwardly.

It would be better if the Second Prince didn’t admire her.

If possible, she wished all members of the royal family would stay far away from her.

The struggle for the crown prince’s seat was about to begin with the Jiang clan’s move against the Mu family’s army.

Whoever seized control of the Mu army would become the ultimate victor.