FBC – Chapter 236 Changing the Tide

“Madam, these past two days, the Young Master has been meeting with the son of the Jiang family at the Jiao Fang Office.”

Gu Huan listened to Chiyu’s reply. “So they finally couldn’t hold back. Did you hear what they were saying?”

“No one can get close to them for now. Every time Young Master Jiang calls, it’s always a few familiar courtesans from the Jiao Fang Office. These few never serve anyone else—only Young Master Jiang and his circle.”

“Then we need to find a way to win over one or two of them. We must find out exactly what they are plotting.”

“Yes. Chiyan is already on it.”

Recently, Gu Huan had received quite a few invitations from officials’ wives. She felt it was time to go out.

Coincidentally, the newly made clothes and jewelry from Xiubofu Workshop and Linlang Tower had arrived.

“Dong Hua, have Mr. Min come over.”

She needed to discuss with Min Dongsheng which officials’ wives were the most important to befriend, and where there might be openings to leverage.

Soon, Min Dongsheng arrived, carrying a list.

Gu Huan was pleasantly surprised. “Mr. Min, you’ve already prepared this?”

“Knowing that Madam is going out, it’s only natural to prepare in advance. This list has been updated based on information from Chiyu and Chiyan.”

Gu Huan opened the list and examined it carefully. It wasn’t just a list—it contained detailed information on the officials’ wives, even some hidden secrets.

Her eyes widened in astonishment as she looked up. “This is true?”

Min Dongsheng smiled. “Are you scared, Madam?”

Gu Huan shook her head. “Not scared, but a little hard to believe.”

After all, she had experienced Mu An’s shameless bullying with no limits. She had read similar things in gossip books, but she never expected them to happen among these high-ranking women.

Gu Huan closed the list, now understanding Min Dongsheng’s intention, yet she asked, “Sir, are you trying to sow discord between the Yuan and Jiang families?”

Min Dongsheng nodded. “The Duke uses courtly etiquette to weaken the Yuan and Jiang families’ control over the Six Ministries. And you can use the matters within the inner residence to stir resentment between them. Sometimes, the most hidden secrets become the sharpest sword.”

Gu Huan nodded. “I understand. Fortunately, the first day of the third month is the busiest day in the capital. The Emperor will celebrate with the empress and the people, and hold a banquet for officials’ wives. It’s the perfect time for me to appear.”

After bathing and changing, Gu Huan instructed Dong Qing to prepare some light snacks for the evening, and stewed a bowl of white fungus, peach gum, and milk soup. She found a leisure book to read while lying in the concubine’s chair, hoping Mu Junyan would return tonight.

On the nights she couldn’t see him, Gu Huan always waited like this, until exhaustion made her fall asleep.

At the hour of Xu (7–9 pm), Mu Junyan indeed returned.

It was February, and the spring chill still lingered. Fine, light rain fell from the sky.

Mu Junyan wore a black cloak, droplets of icy water clinging to it. Cold seeped through his clothing into his skin.

Gu Huan felt a pang of worry and helped him wipe his face with a hot towel, softly asking, “Have you eaten?”

Mu Junyan reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her rosy cheek.

To move more easily, he had grown a beard. Now, most of his face was covered, and his hair was messy. At first glance, no one would think this was the majestic and handsome Duke Yong—he looked like a rugged, coarse man.

Gu Huan laughed softly at his prickly beard, unwilling to move away.

Mu Junyan, knowing his beard could hurt her delicate skin, quickly let go. “Seeing you makes me neither hungry nor tired.”

Gu Huan blushed and coquettishly said, “Do I have such power?”

“My wife is a feast for the eyes.”

He couldn’t resist kissing her again, pressing her to his chest, stroking her gently before reluctantly letting go.

“Don’t catch a chill in the rain outside.”

Gu Huan, being pregnant, was sensitive to the cold. A small charcoal stove warmed the room—not hot, but cozy.

She helped him change into comfortable inner clothing, feeling his cold hand. “Do you want a hot bath to warm up?”

“No need. I need to leave soon; I have something important to tell you.”

Gu Huan’s expression immediately became serious. She brought him the warm bowl of white fungus, peach gum, and milk soup. “Warm up first.”

Mu Junyan ate while watching her carefully.

Gu Huan touched her face. “What is it? Something dirty on me?”

“No, I just missed you so much.”

Gu Huan couldn’t maintain her serious face, smiled softly, and gently pushed his stiff arm. “Nonsense, it’s only been a few days.”

Mu Junyan touched her cheek. “You’ve been waiting for me every day. You’ve lost weight and have dark circles. This isn’t good.”

Gu Huan held his hand, rubbing her cheek against his palm. “It’s fine. I couldn’t sleep anyway. It’s good that you can come back for a while. If not, that’s fine too.”

Every night she couldn’t see him, she worried for him, but she didn’t want to hold him back.

She didn’t want him to take risks while maneuvering in secret, worrying about her as well.

Mu Junyan put down the bowl and cupped her face in his hands, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Don’t worry, it’s almost over.”

Gu Huan was overjoyed. “Really?”

“Yes. Once the Emperor appoints the Crown Prince, I can return.”

Gu Huan was surprised. “Has the Emperor decided? Has the memorial about the Second Prince leading the army arrived?”

By the calendar, Zhao Luoxuan wouldn’t reach Juzhou for another half month, so the generals’ memorials hadn’t reached the capital yet.

“I came back tonight to tell you this. You must prepare in advance. The first day of the third month is very important. After this, the outcome will be decided.”

Gu Huan looked at her elegant husband, longing for his warm chest. She stood, straddled his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Seriously, she said, “Tell me everything; I’m listening.”

Mu Junyan: “…Does she know this pose will make me distracted?”

“What is it?”

Gu Huan blinked.

He tightened his embrace and sighed helplessly, “Alright.”

“Do you know that the first day of the third month is the happiest day for the people of the capital?”

Gu Huan nodded. “Yes, every year on this day, Jinming Pool and Qionglin Garden outside Shuntian Gate open to the public. Anyone, regardless of status, can enter. The Emperor holds a banquet at Lingshui Hall, dragon boat races, poetry gatherings, and competitions. Officials’ wives also participate. I’ve been once—it was quite fun…”

Mu Junyan stared at her, then interrupted, “Brother Ji took you?”

Gu Huan: “…Not the serious matter?”

Where did this tangent come from?

She leaned closer, soft and sweet. “No one wanted to take me. That day, after school, Gu Wanru also wanted to go. Brother Ji took her and brought me along.”

Mu Junyan realized he’d been ridiculously jealous.

Apologetically, he said, “I still can’t take you properly this year. I promise next year we’ll go wherever you want. No, wherever you want, I’ll accompany you.”

“With you, anywhere is happy.”

Her eyes sparkled like stars, full of admiration and love.

He couldn’t resist kissing her again, turning her in his arms until she gasped, reluctantly letting go.

Blushing, she pushed him away. “Let’s talk seriously; dawn is near.”

She felt clinging to him too long would get too heated.

She stood and sat on the bed, fixing her hair.

Mu Junyan followed, smiling. “Then let’s talk slowly in bed, so you and the baby don’t get cold.”

Gu Huan glared but got in, moving inward.

He pulled her into his arms. “Let’s continue.”

Gu Huan sighed, leaning against his chest, listening to his heartbeat and every word of his plan. She felt reassured.

Mu Junyan now explained everything meticulously, analyzing his decisions and the coordinated moves.

He truly treated her as his wife.

Time passed quickly.

On February 28, Gu Huan received a pigeon letter from Zhao Luoxuan.

She had safely reached Juzhou. In the presence of the people and the tens of thousands of Mu family soldiers stationed there, she held a posthumous marriage, followed by a grand funeral for Qi Jun.

She even personally carved Qi Jun’s name on the high merit pillar in front of the city gate.

She wrote that she returned daily to the orphanage to teach, and that she planned to let the homeless and struggling people cultivate the land in her large mountain forest, providing them with a stable livelihood.

She wrote that Qi Jun’s parents, siblings, and in-laws treated her with love, as if she were truly family.

Gu Huan’s eyes reddened as she read.

Spring was like a fickle child—full of life, yet still cold at times.

Outside, the drizzle had started again.

It was time to change the tide.