FBC – Chapter 233 Deep Affection

Mu Junyan asked softly, “Are your hands still sore?”

“Mm… yes, sore.”

“Let me massage them for you.”

“Mm…”

Gu Hua’s wrists were so weak they felt as though they might break. Her whole body was limp, nestled in the man’s warm embrace, hands spread open as he gently kneaded them.

She had only wanted to make her husband, who had gone without such comfort for years, feel better—who knew her own hands would be the ones to give out.

Mu Junyan massaged her tenderly, though he couldn’t hide the upward curve of his lips.

“You’ve never done this before. Naturally your hands hurt.”

Gu Hua reflexively widened her eyes. “Of course I haven’t! What—have you?”

Then she realized—with a start—that in this life, she was still an untouched maiden.

Annoyed, she shot him a glare. “Right, you had a first wife, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you actually—”

Mu Junyan quickly cupped her face, cutting her off with a firm kiss on her fragrant cheek.

“No. Absolutely not. I barely saw Jiang Ruoyun a few times. I accepted the marriage only to ward off others who had their eyes on me—and to stop His Majesty from arranging a wife of his own choosing.”

Gu Hua burrowed deeper into his arms, half turning to look at him seriously.

“Then why were you able to refuse the marriage later, but she wasn’t? She waited for you for so many years. Don’t tell me your heart never wavered?”

As she spoke, she poked at his solid chest with a slender finger.

At eighteen, her beauty was at its peak—graceful and radiant—and now, newly wed, she carried a subtle charm that bloomed like a flower at full glory.

Her eyes, soft yet accusing, her voice half teasing, half tender—made Mu Junyan’s iron will melt into gentleness.

He couldn’t resist capturing her lips, kissing away her murmurs. Gu Hua dared not move or speak again—her arms were nearly useless already. If she stirred him up again, who knew what part of her would have to pay for it next.

She was tempted too, but the child in her belly couldn’t bear such strain.

When he finally let her go, Mu Junyan personally dressed her, then put on his own clothes—lest skin-to-skin contact spark another flame.

The third night watch sounded.

Only then did they truly settle down.

Gu Hua lay against his arm, gazing up at him.

“What now? The Six Ministries—cleaning them up one by one will take too long.”

If that was the only way for him to return openly, it would be an endless wait.

Mu Junyan arched an eyebrow. “You’re quite ambitious—planning to swallow all six at once?”

Gu Hua pouted. “I’m not. I have a small heart; I just want to live peacefully. But now I have a husband and a child. I must learn to protect both of you. Their power is vast, and we’re already at odds—they won’t let us go easily. Rather than wait for them to strike, we should take advantage of our momentum.”

Mu Junyan couldn’t help but pinch her nose affectionately.

“I knew it—I married a clever and strong wife.”

Flustered by his praise, Gu Hua blushed, cupped his face, and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

“It’s because I met you. You gave me the chance to become strong.”

He hooked an arm around her neck, brushing her lips again. “You were bold enough to seduce me first. What if I had been a bad man?”

Gu Hua’s lips curved in a secret smile.

Could she tell him she had been reborn?

Back then, she had planned to let him die early; if she conceived, she’d raise the late duke’s heir in comfort. If not, she’d take some silver and buy her freedom.

But then she discovered—he refused to die.

Since he would live, she could only protect him—and their child’s father—with all she had.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’d heard of the duke’s heroic deeds long ago and already admired you. At the time, trapped under Gu Wanru and Mu An’s control, you were the only good match in the entire household. Of course I had to hold on to your leg.”

Mu Junyan chuckled.

“Sharp eyes, sweet tongue. But since you looked into me, you must’ve heard I was cursed to bring misfortune to my wife. Weren’t you afraid?”

Gu Hua’s thoughts flickered through all that had happened since her rebirth. She took his hand gently, rubbing her thumb over his palm, her eyes misting.

“I’m not afraid. My life’s just as hard. I even came back from the dead.”

Her voice softened, sincere. “It’s my good fortune—because my husband cherishes me.”

Mu Junyan held her hand tightly. “You’re such a good woman. How could I not love you? As for Mu An, I’ll have him moved out soon.”

Gu Hua looked up. “Directly splitting off his household? Won’t he cause trouble? Jiang Shizi kept him close just to spy on us.”

“Don’t worry. He won’t dare protest.”

Mu Junyan pulled her back into his arms, stroking her arm gently.

“I had it arranged long ago. It should’ve been done earlier—would’ve saved you and Mother needless trouble. I was delayed, that’s all.”

Gu Hua said nothing.

She had once hated Mu An to the bone—wanted him flayed alive.

But over time, that hatred had ebbed away, replaced by hope for the future.

Now she had a loving husband, a caring mother-in-law, and affectionate sisters around her.

As for Mu An, she’d rather leave it to Mu Junyan to decide.

After all, Mu An’s father had once saved Mu Junyan’s life.

“I only wonder what you think,” she said quietly.

Gu Hua’s eyes shimmered as she looked at him. “Your kindness to me has washed away my hatred for him. If he can behave himself and stop harming others, I can let the past go.”

Mu Junyan caressed her face, grateful. “I planned for him to stay in the capital anyway. I’ve already transferred General An’s household registry here. I bought him a three-courtyard residence. If he’s willing, he can work in the Ministry of War; if not, the Duke Yong’s estate will provide his living expenses.”

Gu Hua hummed softly.

Would Mu An accept that?

He’d long fancied himself the heir of Duke Yong’s household.

When he learned he’d been stripped of that and made merely a member of the An family again, would he submit?

Lately, she hadn’t checked on Drunken Ink Pavilion—his residence—since she was busy. It was separated by a wall and a door from the other courtyards, guarded day and night to prevent him from causing trouble.

She didn’t know what he’d been up to, but he lacked for nothing.

Biyu now served in the Old Madam’s hall and never went there; Gu Hua didn’t bother asking for updates.

Mu Junyan noticed her expression and said softly, “He won’t dare act rashly. Otherwise, I won’t forgive him.”

Gu Hua smiled. “I know. I’m not afraid—besides, Mother’s here.”

Only then did Mu Junyan relax.

Dawn approached.

The two clung to each other for a long moment before parting.

Gu Hua personally dressed him, listening as he explained every detail of his upcoming plans, memorizing them carefully.

His next targets were the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue—

the Jiang clan’s purse strings.

Without control of the army or the treasury, they’d be nothing but wingless fowl.

As he watched her bow her head to fasten his belt, the corners of Gu Hua’s eyes reddened. He knew she was hurting.

He lifted her chin, his voice gentle. “Don’t worry. I’ll still be in the capital. I’ll come home often.”

Gu Hua blinked, tears slipping down her cheeks.

She truly wasn’t afraid anymore.

Mu Junyan had said—he would work from the shadows, she would act in the open, husband and wife united against corruption.

But Gu Hua knew—saying it was easy; doing it would be perilous.

Aside from the main household and the Black Armored Guards, only a handful of loyal ministers and four returning generals knew that Mu Junyan still lived.

Now, even the emperor knew.

If His Majesty used Mu Junyan to strike down the Jiang faction, then turned around and accused him of deceit, there would be no way to defend himself.

Unless the emperor himself created a situation that forced Mu Junyan to appear publicly—

only then could he safely and officially return to the world.