FBC – Chapter 235 He Didn’t Die

The old madam sneered coldly, “Young Master An, do you even know how your father died?”

The mention of “Young Master An” caused everyone to fall silent.

Mu An’s eyes widened in alarm.

Gu Hua was surprised—could there be a hidden truth?

Mu An immediately retorted angrily, “My father saved Duke Yong’s life! Otherwise, how could he have survived to inherit his title? And where would your First-Rank Madam’s honor come from?”

“Mu An, watch your words!”

Gu Hua was furious. How dare he speak disrespectfully to the old madam?

The old madam, however, seemed unbothered. She patted Gu Hua’s hand and looked at Mu An, her tone calm:

“Your father had a quick temper, always seeking quick success. He disobeyed military orders and attacked without authorization, which led him to be surrounded by the enemy. It was Mu Junyan who, with the Black Armored Guards, charged into the encirclement to rescue him.

During the retreat, he was struck by an enemy arrow. He happened to be right next to Mu Junyan, who shielded him with his own body and was also hit by an arrow. Fortunately, both of them were able to retreat safely under the desperate protection of the Black Armored Guards.”

Everyone present was stunned by her words.

The old madam had made it perfectly clear—who saved whom was no longer in question.

“Before your father died, he entrusted you to Mu Junyan, hoping he would help raise his only son. Mu Junyan, remembering the brotherly bond he shared with your father from their childhood training under the late Duke, and knowing that your father was a man of integrity who had bravely slain countless enemies, treated you like a true brother. Without hesitation, he brought you back to Bianjing.”

“Ask yourself honestly—since you arrived at the Duke’s mansion, has anyone treated you as a proper young master? You’ve been living in luxury, and what have you done with it? You said you didn’t want to be in the military, didn’t want to tie your life to the sword like your father, so Mu Junyan sent you to the National Academy.”

“But then you said you didn’t like studying, claiming that a warrior’s bloodline could not handle books. So we indulged you, letting you do whatever you wanted.”

“But we were all wrong. You were blinded by the splendor of Bianjing, forgetting the iron-boned courage inherited from your father, and became this shameless, decadent playboy! You live in debauchery, gambling, drinking, and even harming or killing others!”

“I never liked that Mu Junyan indulged you, fearing you would one day become a disaster for the Duke’s mansion. But he had no time to supervise you, and I, suffering from dementia for many years, was unable to control you, while no one else in the household dared to.”

“We arranged for you to marry Miss Gu because Mu Junyan had seen her and knew she was kind-hearted, hoping that her companionship and influence could turn you into a capable person. Unfortunately, Gu Hua was swapped, and you ended up marrying someone as selfish and self-centered as you—Gu Wanru.”

Wang Lanyi’s face was full of guilt. She looked at Gu Hua, feeling a pang of relief—otherwise, it would have been Gu Hua who married a scoundrel like Mu An.

The old madam suddenly smiled, “Thankfully, Hua’er is clever and brave, or she would have been ruined by you! She has become a daughter-in-law to be proud of.”

Only then did Gu Hua understand how complicated the situation had been.

She had never understood why Mu Junyan indulged Mu An so much, naively thinking it was just for show to outsiders, to make them think Mu Junyan had no successors.

“Mu An, reflect carefully. If you can become a man like your father and bring honor to the An family, there is still hope for you.”

After finishing, the old madam waved her hand. Several guards, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward and dragged him away.

“I don’t believe this! You’re lying! Mu Junyan owes my father his life, and you betray him! You’re ungrateful… wuwu…”

Gu Hua held the old madam’s hand. “Mother, don’t be frightened.”

Then she looked at Wang Lanyi. “Are you all right?”

Wang Lanyi nodded, “I’m fine.”

Gu Hua helped the old madam into the house and whispered so only they could hear, “Sealing the gate was Ziyuan’s idea.”

The old madam nodded, “The boy remembers General An’s favor.”

“Actually, he is a soft-hearted person.”

The old madam tilted her head to look at her, and they shared a knowing smile.

“Don’t worry, he’s clear-headed in major matters.”

“Mm.”

For the next half month, the emperor rarely displayed his iron-handed approach. He swiftly purged the Ministry of War, conducting investigations, dismissals, and even exiles.

Amid the turmoil, Mu Junyan worried that the Jiang faction would harm Gu Hua, so he instructed her to stay indoors unless necessary.

Occasionally, around the evening hour, Mu Junyan would return secretly to update Gu Hua on the progress. Though she didn’t leave the house, she remained informed about the outside situation.

Yuan Zhongyong was dismissed and sent back to the Yuan family’s forces in the northwest.

With this, the Jiang family’s hold over the Ministry of War’s top positions was wiped out.

The doors of the Zui Mo Xuan courtyard were repaired, and the Mu mansion no longer controlled his movements.

He was provided with a carriage and servants, free to come and go.

Mu An, long frustrated, immediately went to the Jiaofang Bureau.

After the Yichun Courtesan House incident, all private brothels in Bianjing were closed. High officials seeking pleasure had to go to the official Jiaofang Bureau.

Jiang Jingchuan saw the sulking Mu An and grinned, “Shall we bring you a few more companions today to lift your spirits?”

Mu An looked at him lazily, “Master Jiang, I’ve been cooped up for months. How can you still laugh?”

Jiang Jingchuan smiled and tugged a courtesan’s chin beside him. “Hurry and pour wine for our Duke’s legitimate son.”

The courtesan giggled and moved toward Mu An. “Young Master, let me keep you company and drink freely.”

Hearing Jiang Jingchuan’s sarcastic tone, Mu An snapped angrily, “Master Jiang, weren’t you supposed to be in confinement? Coming here to the Jiaofang Bureau for pleasure—aren’t you afraid of impeachment? Your Jiang family nearly got wiped out; it’s no better than my situation.”

Jiang Jingchuan scoffed, “The Jiang family is a centuries-old official family. What’s a little setback? My father remains firmly in the prime minister position, my grandaunt is still a noble consort, and my grandmother is the current empress dowager.”

Mu An glared at him, frustrated.

He snatched the wine from the courtesan and drank it in one gulp, not swallowing, but forcefully forcing it down her throat. The courtesan choked, struggling, but could not resist his strength.

Not satisfied, Mu An reached into her clothing and pinched her harshly.

The courtesan screamed, and he finally released her.

Her eyes red, she quickly pushed him away, standing angrily and bowing to Jiang Jingchuan, “Master Jiang, this young master is impossible. I’ll report to get someone suitable to serve him.”

She was about to leave.

Mu An, furious that even a lowly courtesan dared disrespect him, grabbed her foot and dragged her down. She fell to the ground, and he straddled her, tearing her thin dress.

While tearing, he shouted, “I’ll do this in front of them, see if you still have shame!”

The courtesan screamed and struggled, “Let go of me! Let go!”

Jiang Jingchuan smiled, “See? You don’t know how to cherish women. These courtesans are official, not like those private ones you could bully before.”

Several young masters rushed forward to pull him away.

The Jiaofang Bureau employed official courtesans, some exclusively contracted to high officials. Such chaos would be hard to justify, especially with Jiang Jingchuan under confinement.

Mu An was pulled away, and the courtesan cried as she scrambled off.

Jiang Jingchuan poured him a glass of wine, “With only an old widow left, what do you have to worry about? The Duke’s mansion will be yours sooner or later.”

Mu An took the wine, fuming. “You don’t know—she dared seal the courtyard I live in, separating it from the main mansion. What does she want? She just wants to monopolize the Duke’s mansion!”

“Ah, she’s even pregnant. If she has a posthumous son, the mansion will no longer concern you.”

Mu An couldn’t bear hearing this and drank the wine gloomily.

Jiang Jingchuan signaled to the other young masters, who wisely left.

He put an arm around Mu An’s shoulder, “I’ll tell you something. If you can do this, I’ll ensure you get everything in the Duke’s mansion.”

Mu An’s eyes lit up. “What is it?”

“We suspect Mu Junyan didn’t die.”

Mu An’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

Jiang Jingchuan smiled faintly, but his eyes were dark, “The Jiang family suffered a major blow, orchestrated by a hidden hand. Looking across all of Daliang, the only one capable of mobilizing the six ministries to oppose the Jiang and Yuan clans is Mu Junyan. Those who impeached my Jiang family are all connected to him.”

A chill ran down Mu An’s spine.

Jiang Jingchuan continued slowly, “If it’s confirmed that he’s alive, Mu Junyan would be guilty of treason against the emperor.”