FBC -Chapter 287 Longing Unfulfilled

The Dowager Queen suddenly laughed. “As expected of the woman my good nephew set his eyes on—you have courage.”

Gu Hua smiled. “Everyone has people and things they wish to protect.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s tense expression eased, and she quickly ordered someone to bring tea.

The Dowager Queen waved her hand. “No need. Xuanxuan, from now on you’re one of my own. There’s no need to be so formal. As long as you and Yu’er are in harmony and keep peace along our borders, that will be enough.”

Zhao Luoxuan bowed. “This daughter-in-law will abide by Mother Empress’ decree.”

The Dowager Queen glanced at Zhao Luoxuan, very satisfied with her obedience.

Then she turned to Gu Hua, her tone softening. “I’d like to discuss something with you. Would it be alright to entrust Xuanyu’s child to me to raise? He is the only remaining bloodline of our Ji family.”

Gu Hua thought for a moment.

The Dowager Queen immediately explained, “Don’t worry. I truly wish to raise him well. It will also ease my guilt toward Xuanyu.”

She even referred to herself as I, dropping her royal self-address.

Seeing her sincerity, Gu Hua nodded. “When the child arrives, I’ll bring him over. If he adapts well here, he can stay.”

The Dowager Queen grew excited and nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. Then I will have no regrets.”

A palace maid walked in. “Dowager Queen, Your Majesty, King Yong has come to fetch Princess Yong.”

Gu Hua hurriedly said, “I’m not a princess consort—I haven’t been granted a title.”

The Dowager Queen smiled. “You will be sooner or later. He must be worried—afraid I’ll devour you. Come, I’ll walk out with you.”

Gu Hua took Zhao Luoxuan’s hand. “If anything happens, tell me immediately.”

Zhao Luoxuan nodded. “Alright, Elder Sister.”

Her eyes reddened, reluctant to part.

Mu Junyan saw Gu Hua walking out with the Dowager Queen. When he saw them chatting and smiling, the tension in his face relaxed instantly.

He reached out his hand, and Gu Hua—slightly embarrassed—placed her hand in his palm.

“Dowager Queen, we will take our leave.”

The Dowager Queen inclined her head. “King Yong, I’ve long heard of your reputation. If not for you, neither I nor Yu’er would be sitting on the throne today. We will always remember this debt.”

On their way back to Juzhou, Gu Hua told Mu Junyan about the Dowager Queen wanting to raise Ji Xuanyu’s son.

“You were worried I would be upset?” Mu Junyan looked at her.

Gu Hua smiled. “When she first mentioned it, I did think you might be unhappy about it. But then I thought… he is, after all, their blood. He’s the only remaining male descendant of the Ji family. Growing up in the royal court may be better for him.”

She leaned against him shyly. “Besides, we still have our pair of babies to take care of. If we get overwhelmed, we might delay his upbringing.”

Mu Junyan felt his heart melt. He couldn’t help but lift her into his lap, circling her slender waist.

He whispered in her ear, “Not just two—we should have ten or eight.”

Gu Hua, embarrassed and angry, pushed him hard. “What do you take me for?”

Mu Junyan laughed and hugged her, planting a kiss on her.

His fingers hooked her sash lightly. “Shen Li said it’s alright now.”

Gu Hua blinked. “What’s alright?”

Seeing the desire in his eyes, she immediately understood. Her face flushed scarlet to her ears.

“Put me down!”

“No. I can’t endure anymore…”

The carriage traveled from the Dali Royal Court to Juzhou for two full hours. When it finally arrived at the gates of King Yong’s manor, it was already midnight.

Gu Hua’s legs were too weak to stand. Mu Junyan carried her off the carriage, only to meet Shen Li’s cold gaze.

Mu Junyan felt a little awkward and lowered his voice flatteringly. “Divine Physician Shen, you said the timing is fine now, correct?”

Gu Hua was too embarrassed to lift her head and buried her face in his chest.

Shen Li snorted. “Could the Lord not show a little mercy? It was only just barely…”

“Then that’s fine!” Mu Junyan hurriedly cut her off before she could say anything else that would mortify Gu Hua further, and rushed away with Gu Hua in his arms.

In an instant, they disappeared.

Shen Li: “…”

“Elder Sister Zhilan, am I really that scary?”

Zhou Zhilan forced a smile and looked at her seriously. “Not at all. You’re even gentle when you poison people.”

Shen Li shot her a cool glance. “Hmm. I heard the steward Zhou will arrive tomorrow morning. Need any poison?”

Zhou Zhilan’s expression shifted.

Shen Li continued, “Oh wait—you don’t need poison. I have aphrodisiacs too. One whiff and people go mad.”

Zhou Zhilan blushed. “You little girl—how can you speak so freely? Sounds like you’re eager to get married.”

“Hmph. Whoever wants to marry me will have to try all my poisons first. Only if he survives will he be worthy.”

“I’ve already tried plenty,” muttered Chiyu beside them.

Shen Li’s face darkened as she glared at him. “Want to try more?”

Chiyu paled. “No! Last time I tested your new poison, I vomited and had diarrhea for three days and nights. I almost messed up the Lord’s mission.”

“Hmph! Useless.” Shen Li huffed and walked away.

Zhou Zhilan stared at Chiyu. “You really test her poisons for her?”

Chiyu looked aggrieved. “If I don’t, she’ll test them on someone else! What choice do I have?”

Zhou Zhilan gave him a knowing look, pointed at him, and gave a thumbs-up.

“You have guts!”

Chiyu glared. “Tomorrow morning, Zhou—”

Before he could finish, Zhou Zhilan lifted her skirt and ran.

Mu Junyan carried Gu Hua into the bedroom. Dong Hua and Dong Qing didn’t dare enter.

“You two, serve the lady with her bath.”

Only after he stepped out did they hurry in.

Inside the bathing room, they saw Gu Hua’s body covered in red marks. Their faces flushed as they helped wash her carefully.

Gu Hua slumped lazily in the tub, looking utterly defeated.

That man was seemingly even stronger than before.

She had missed him desperately when he wasn’t around—but when he finally touched her, she simply couldn’t withstand him. What a torment.

Just as they were about to help her out, Mu Junyan walked in.

Both maids blushed and hurried out.

Gu Hua covered herself with her hands. “Y-you—you—what are you doing?”

Mu Junyan knelt by the tub, his gaze deep. “A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold. I don’t want to wait a moment longer.”

The steam had already made her flushed; hearing this, she nearly combusted.

Through the mist, Mu Junyan was practically blinded by her beauty.

She had always been quietly stunning, but now she was breathtaking—radiant, intoxicating.

Her skin snow-pale, peach-blossom lips, elegant nose, and those lively, enticing eyes…

Feeling his scorching gaze, Gu Hua grew frightened.

Two hours in the carriage had already been too much. She couldn’t survive more.

Not caring about modesty, she pushed him. “Go out—go take a bath first!”

Mu Junyan’s throat tightened. “I’ll carry you back to the bedroom first. You’ll catch a cold.”

He stood, picked up a towel, and opened it. “Still not getting up? Want me to climb into the tub and fish you out?”

Gu Hua panicked and stood immediately.

He wrapped her securely and carried her to the bedroom.

He gently placed her down. “Wait. I’ll go bathe.”

Dong Hua and Dong Qing watched, covering quiet smiles, thinking that their lady had truly reached the sweet days of life.

Gu Hua changed into fresh clothes and sat while Dong Hua dried her hair. Mu Junyan walked in, took the towel from Dong Hua. “I’ll do it.”

Everyone in the room sensibly withdrew.

Gu Hua gazed at the tall figure in the bronze mirror as his large hand slowly dried her long black hair.

The heat of his breath on her neck grew warmer and warmer. Why did it feel like her hair would never dry?

She felt she could barely sit still. She couldn’t help but turn around to look at him.

Just one glance—

Their eyes met, and flames roared to life.