FBC – Chapter 28 Divorce Letter

Gu Wanru was seething with rage, pointing at Gu Hua’s nose and hurling insults.

“You shameless slut! Throwing yourself into a man’s bed like a whore—you should go hang yourself! And you still expect me to cover for you? I must report this to Father and Mother. You’re coming back to the mansion with me right now to confess your crimes!”

Gu Hua ignored her curses and replied lightly, “Elder Sister, whether I return to the Marquis’ Mansion or not—that’s for His Grace the Duke to decide.”

Gu Wanru trembled with fury. “You—you planned this from the start, didn’t you? You actually dared to deceive me!”

Gu Hua gave a slight smile, discarding even the pretense of politeness. “Haven’t you lied to me more than enough? When you sent me to the Duke’s estate, what did you say? That I could learn at your side, and that using the Duke’s name, you could find me a good match.

But what you really wanted was to use me as your stepping stone. You and your husband trampled me underfoot, treating me like the most worthless thing. What, now that your toy is resisting, you can’t handle it?

Elder Sister, open your eyes wide and see clearly—I’m not a thing. I’m a person. And as a person, I have the right to choose how I live.”

She and her mother had believed they were using Gu Hua to secure her favor and status, never expecting they were letting a wolf into the house.

Gu Wanru lunged forward in anger, raising her hand to slap her.

Chi Yu, hidden in the shadows, was about to act when a flash of movement beat him to it.

Gu Wanru didn’t even see who it was. She just heard a sharp crack as the bones in her wrist snapped. She screamed in pain, clutching her arm, drenched in cold sweat.

She looked up suddenly—and found herself face to face with Mu Junyan’s stern figure.

Her cries choked back in her throat. Enduring the pain, she gasped, “F-Father… how can you do this to me? How will I show my face as your daughter-in-law?”

Mu Junyan cast a cold, disdainful glance at the crumpled Gu Wanru, his body radiating a chilling aura.

“In this Duke’s estate, we do not tolerate bullying or oppression. As Mu An’s legitimate wife, you ought to be a proper partner and mother, yet you’ve allowed him to mistreat other women. If not for the child in your womb, I would hand you a divorce letter right now.”

Gu Wanru’s face turned deathly pale.

Ignoring the pain in her hand, she fell to her knees, sobbing and pounding on the stone floor.

“Father, you’ve been bewitched by this wench! She came here only to climb the ranks, to become my husband’s concubine. But once she saw you, she set her sights even higher. Father, I’m your daughter-in-law—it’s my duty to protect the family’s name. How can we allow my own sister to disgrace the Mu family?”

Gu Hua watched the once-arrogant Gu Wanru now descend into madness and thought of the suffering she’d endured in her past life.

Her voice was calm but slow, each word heavy with meaning. “You’ve always twisted right and wrong since we were children, always shifting blame to me. Did a dog eat your memory?

You couldn’t win your husband’s heart. You couldn’t control his women. Yet to keep your place as the Marquis’ daughter-in-law, you and Concubine Pei tricked me into entering the estate, forced me to sign a slave contract, and shoved me into his bed.

How did it come to this? Isn’t it because Concubine Pei sacrificed me for your so-called future? Every inch of my body was pricked by thousands of needles because of you. I lived in cold and hunger, drank urine, ate filth—was that not your doing?

You didn’t treat me as a human being—but I am human. Why should I lie down and let you slaughter me?”

Each word from Gu Hua’s lips bled sorrow and fury.

All the suffering of her past life surged forth in that moment.

She wore a faint smile, but blood welled in her eyes.

Mu Junyan furrowed his thick brows.

If she ever learned the truth about being switched at birth, would it break her completely?

He gently squeezed her trembling shoulders and gave her a look of reassurance.

Then he turned, shielding her behind him, and stared coldly at Gu Wanru.

“Gu Hua will return to the Gu residence today. Mind your tongue. Otherwise, you’ll only have a divorce letter left to your name.”

Gu Hua was stunned, staring at the tall figure protecting her, her nose stinging with emotion.

Gu Wanru’s lips trembled. For a long time, she couldn’t say a word.

Her father-in-law was actually considering divorcing her because of that wretch!

She couldn’t be cast aside!

Gu Wanru crawled forward a few paces, pleading tearfully, “Father, have you forgotten why you arranged my marriage to your son? Do your promises to my parents at the Gu residence mean nothing?

I let Gu Hua become his concubine only to make your son happy. What have I done wrong to deserve being dismissed? Gu Hua is just upset with Concubine Pei and taking it out on me.

With her lowly birth, she’d be lucky to marry a poor scholar or a merchant. But by following me, she became the Duke’s son’s only concubine and future heir’s consort. If fortune smiled, she might even become a secondary wife. That’s the blessing of several lifetimes! How did I wrong her?

She’s just clinging to you to take revenge on me. Father, please see through her vile intentions!”

Gu Hua let out a furious laugh.

So all the abuse she suffered was supposedly for her own good?

She stepped to Mu Junyan’s side, looking down at the kneeling Gu Wanru. “Yes, I clung to His Grace on purpose—because I wanted to live.

Elder Sister, care to tell me why—when I am clearly Concubine Pei’s real daughter—she was willing to sacrifice me for your glory and wealth?”

Gu Wanru’s sobs halted abruptly, her face full of panic.

Did she know the truth?

Gu Hua locked eyes with her, and from her reaction, she was certain Gu Wanru knew everything.

Her mother had doted on her like a precious treasure—only for that daughter to torment her birth mother’s real child!

Gu Wanru’s voice turned feeble. “B-because Concubine Pei wanted to please me. She’s of low birth, a merchant’s daughter, uneducated, uncultured…”

What would Concubine Pei think, hearing her own daughter call her lowborn?

Gu Hua chuckled softly. “Please you? By sacrificing me? Anyone hearing this would think you’re her real daughter.”

Gu Wanru didn’t want to continue this topic—terrified the truth would come out.

She turned to Mu Junyan, weeping again. “Father, I haven’t broken any of the seven grounds for divorce. You can’t dismiss me. Gu Hua is still a Gu family daughter—are you really going to offend your in-laws for her?

The Gu family may be a marquis household, but it’s served the court for generations. If word gets out that father and son both took sisters as concubines, not only would the Gu family’s honor be ruined, your own reputation would be destroyed. The censors would surely impeach you. Please, Father, reconsider.”

Gu Hua was displeased and poked her head out from behind Mu Junyan. “His Grace earned his reputation by defending the country with blood and steel, protecting the people—not from two little women like us. Elder Sister, don’t flatter yourself.”

Mu Junyan pushed her head back behind him, his face turning colder. “Gu Hua will return to the Gu residence on her own. You are to reflect on your actions in isolation.”

Gu Wanru froze.

Gu Hua would go back freely, but she would be confined?

But just this afternoon, her husband was waiting for Gu Hua at Yichun Courtyard.

If he found out the woman he desired had gone to his father, he would surely blame her!

“I want to return with her!” Gu Wanru shrieked.

Mu Junyan’s voice was deep and firm. “Take her away.”

Jinkui, who hadn’t dared make a sound, hurried forward to help her. “Young Madam, let’s go.”

“No! I must take her back—!”

I can’t let that little tramp get her way! I won’t let her trample over me!

Chi Yu chopped her lightly on the neck. Gu Wanru collapsed bonelessly into Jinkui’s arms.

Jinkui trembled in fear, unable to lift her limp body.

Chi Yu made a face, and two men suddenly appeared from nowhere. They picked Gu Wanru up like a dead pig on a stretcher and carried her off.

Jinkui, lips trembling, scrambled to her feet and stumbled after them.

Mu Junyan turned to Gu Hua. “Go get ready. You’ll be returning soon.”

Gu Hua was stunned. “I…”

“I’ll have someone escort you. Don’t worry.”

Mu Junyan fastened her cloak, adjusting her collar. “When you return, I have something to ask you.”

Gu Hua nodded obediently. “Okay.”

What did he want to ask?

Was he trying to confirm her motives again?

Her mind was in turmoil. Just now, she’d said the boldest words of two lifetimes—only to provoke Gu Wanru.

She looked up at the sky. A breeze blew across her face, the first hint of early autumn, and scattered the thrill of defiance she had just felt.

That family had driven her to hell, leaving her without even a grave…

Still, she wanted to see her birth mother again.

But the thought twisted her heart with pain and dread.