FBC -Chapter 285 Aftermath

News arrived from Dali Commandery: in order to welcome Zhao Luoxuan as the principal consort with the grandest ceremony, the coronation of the Princess Consort would be held on the first day of the tenth month.

Gu Hua was very pleased to hear this. Whether they were a couple only on the surface or not, at the very least Zhao Luoxuan was given the respect she deserved.

When the time came, she planned to attend the ceremony with Mu Junyan to support Zhao Luoxuan.

One day, Qi Jun’s parents came to bid farewell, saying that Zhao Luoxuan intended to bring them to Dali Commandery to provide for them.

They also missed and worried about Zhao Luoxuan and wanted to follow her to take care of her.

Gu Hua had no reason to stop them, so she prepared several carts full of expensive gifts and arranged guards to escort them there.

She wasn’t worried—Chiyan had stationed scouts near Zhao Luoxuan, so if she ever faced danger or lived poorly, Gu Hua would know at once.

…

Days passed. Mu Junyan was still busy every day, leaving early and returning late, but he unwaveringly accompanied Gu Hua and the Old Madam for dinner each night.

Regardless of how Shen Li stared at him as if her eyes were nails, he needed to hold Gu Hua to fall asleep every night.

Gu Hua realized Mu Junyan’s patience was truly extraordinary.

He had said he wouldn’t touch her—and he truly didn’t cross a single line.

Every night, as Gu Hua listened to his disordered breaths against her neck, she felt distressed and whispered, “Maybe… we should sleep in separate rooms?”

“No. Without you, I can’t sleep.”

Then how did he sleep before?

Gu Hua didn’t believe it.

Mu Junyan rubbed her hair.

Gu Hua was flustered by his gaze, her heart trembling. She wrapped her arms around his head tenderly. “When the time comes, I will properly serve my husband.”

Mu Junyan happily pecked her lips hard. “Then you’d better practice well until then, or you’ll have no strength left.”

Gu Hua glared at him. “Even if I practice, I can’t beat a martial artist like you. Do you not know how to cherish your wife?”

Mu Junyan wrapped an arm around her waist, practically pulling her entire body onto him. “Of course I will. When the time comes, my lady doesn’t need to move—leave all the hard work to your husband.”

Gu Hua blushed scarlet and buried her head in his chest.

Another morning of sleeping in late.

When Gu Hua opened her eyes, she saw Mu Junyan lying on his side, his gaze soft as the warmest spring breeze, falling tenderly on her face.

“You’re awake? Why not sleep a little longer?”

Gu Hua’s voice was soft and tinged with the unique morning laziness as she stretched.

Like a little cat lazing with its belly exposed.

Mu Junyan smiled dotingly and gently stroked her soft cheek. “I couldn’t bear to sleep. I wanted to look at you. And I’ve been thinking about our two little babies, hoping the sky would brighten faster so I could go see them.”

Gu Hua laughed. “Alright.”

Hearing movement, Dong Hua and the maids entered the room.

Mu Junyan walked into the outer chamber, allowing Dong Mo to help him dress as usual.

“Oh right, there’s something I want to tell you.”

After Gu Hua finished dressing, she came out and personally straightened Junyan’s belt and collar.

“Go ahead.”

Gu Hua lowered her head, a little hesitant.

Mu Junyan took her hands. “You and I can say anything—don’t worry.”

Gu Hua looked up and met the trust in his eyes. “The child Gu Wanru gave birth to is still being raised by Biyu in Duke Yong’s manor. The child is too young. I’m not at ease. I want Biyu to bring the child here to Juzhou.”

Mu Junyan smiled. “The child is already on the way.”

Gu Hua was stunned. “Ah? You already arranged it?”

“Zhou Chunyu hasn’t returned yet because he’s dealing with all the aftermath. Duke Yong’s manor was bestowed by His Majesty. Since we won’t be returning, of course it must be returned. After handling everything inside and selling off the other estate properties, he set out. Naturally, he’s bringing Biyu and the child. And he’s bringing a big gift, too.”

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened with emotion. “You don’t mind?”

After all, it was her Brother Ji’s child.

“What should I mind? It’s not like you gave birth to him.”

Gu Hua choked and glared at him. “Let’s go. I’m embarrassed I can’t wake early every day to greet Mother.”

Mu Junyan pulled her back, wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed her.

“You!”

Gu Hua shoved him hard.

There were maids and attendants everywhere.

Mu Junyan held her hand as they walked out, laughing. “Mother can’t wait for me to pamper my wife every day, sleep in late, and then quickly give her ten or eight grandchildren to play with.”

Gu Hua was speechless. “What nonsense is that? Am I a pampered wife or a breeding sow?”

“You are a pampered wife. Naturally, my wife’s happiness comes first. As for children—if fate brings them, good. If not, we already have our two treasures. I’m content.”

Gu Hua rolled her eyes.

She never expected he would become so bold and shameless.

Bickering happily, they arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard.

Previously, Gu Hua had bought all the surrounding residences and gradually expanded the estate.

When Mu Junyan returned, he went big—turning the official residence into a fully expanded Yongguo Prince’s Manor.

As they walked and looked at the bustling construction everywhere, Gu Hua’s heart was full of happiness and longing.

She never expected she could live such a life in this lifetime.

Each morning, as soon as the Old Madam woke up, she would have the nanny bring the twins to her courtyard. One big and two small, jabbering away—whether they understood one another or not, they always ended up laughing together.

When the couple entered, the Old Madam was holding a tiny foot of one of the babies and shaking it.

“Look, your lazy parents finally woke up. We’ve already trained our legs for quite a while.”

Gu Hua blushed and hurried forward to greet her. “Daughter-in-law greets Mother.”

The Old Madam kept holding the baby’s feet and said quickly, “Ziyuan, help your wife up. Our Mu family doesn’t have such stiff mother-in-law–daughter-in-law rules. It’s tiring.”

Before she even finished, Mu Junyan had already helped Gu Hua up.

Gu Hua gave him a speechless look and walked forward.

Little Mu Chen’s round eyes were wide open like two shiny black gems. Her tiny fists waved energetically in the air, as if declaring her boundless vitality to the world.

She kicked relentlessly against her grandmother’s grasp, but the Old Madam held her tight so she couldn’t escape.

The little girl pursed her lips, then suddenly opened her mouth to cry.

Gu Hua immediately stroked her little face comfortingly. “Chenchen, be good. Grandmother is helping you train your legs.”

The little girl seemed to understand, kicking again indignantly.

The Old Madam burst out laughing and loosened her hold.

The little girl was instantly happy, waving her hands and feet excitedly toward her mother.

She wanted to be held.

Gu Hua smiled and was about to pick her up when a pair of strong arms reached over and swept the little girl away.

“Your mother is delicate. How can she carry such a plump girl? Let Father hold you.”

Gu Hua glared at him. “Why can’t I carry her?”

Mu Junyan grinned. “Your husband feels sorry for you—let me.”

Gu Hua puffed her cheeks. “You’re snatching!”

Mu Chen, suddenly lifted into his arms, stared blankly at his face, then turned to look at her mother.

Her lips trembled—

And she burst into loud wails.

Mu Junyan panicked. “No, no, good girl, don’t cry! I’m your father, your father who loves you most!”

Mu Chen wouldn’t stop, kicking furiously.

Gu Hua, distressed, quickly held out her hands. “Give her to me. Look at how you scared her.”

Mu Junyan handed the little girl over with a dark expression, giving her chubby bottom a gentle pat. “So it’s fine when Mother and Grandmother hold you, but not when Father does? Aren’t daughters supposed to be close to their fathers? Why aren’t you close to me?”

The moment she reached Gu Hua’s arms, Mu Chen stopped crying and grabbed a lock of her mother’s hair, giggling.

Mu Junyan was furious.

“Mother, is it normal that once a wife has children, she doesn’t need her husband anymore?”

The Old Madam nodded solemnly. “Yes. When I gave birth to you little monkeys, I didn’t bother with your father either.”

Mu Junyan sighed dramatically… then started laughing again.

“No matter. Then I’ll just pamper all three of my girls.”

He turned and looked at his quiet little son lying in the cradle.

He bent down carefully and coaxed him in a soft childish voice, “Son, I’m your father, you know?”

Mu Xi’s calm eyes were unlike a baby barely over a month old. He didn’t even look like the younger twin—more like an older, mature brother.

“Hua’er, don’t you think our elder son swapped personalities with our daughter? Why is he so quiet?”

Mu Junyan looked confused.

Gu Hua sat with Mu Chen beside the Old Madam and shot him a glance.

“Because our son takes after me. That’s why he’s quiet.”

Mu Junyan looked at the boy, then at Gu Hua.

“That’s true. He really does look more like you.”

Mu Xi suddenly giggled and reached out toward Mu Junyan.

Mu Junyan was overjoyed. “Son, are you asking Father to hold you? Alright then, Father will hold you. No crying this time!”

“Silly, babies don’t understand.”

Gu Hua laughed as well.

Mu Junyan carefully picked him up, and Mu Xi gave him a big smile.

“Son loves Father! My son actually loves his father!”

Mu Junyan was thrilled.