FBC – Chapter 29 Backing

When Gu Hua returned to Yayun Pavilion, Dong Hua and Dong Qing’s attitudes had become even more respectful.

The two of them efficiently assisted her in bathing and changing clothes.

Shen Li walked in carrying a bowl of medicinal decoction. After setting it down, she directly took Gu Hua’s wrist and carefully checked her pulse.

She frowned. “Your body hasn’t recovered yet, and you’ve already started messing around again. All those precious medicines over the past few days have gone to waste.”

Gu Hua blushed. “Thank you for your efforts.”

“Drink this,” Shen Li said, pushing the bowl toward her.

Gu Hua obediently picked it up and drank it all in one go.

Shen Li frowned. “Not bitter?”

She had used a heavy dose and brewed it strong. Even she felt nauseous just smelling it.

Gu Hua smiled faintly. “I’ve gotten used to it.”

Shen Li glared at her. “If you don’t cherish your own body, who will?”

With that, she stormed off with the empty bowl, clearly annoyed.

Gu Hua laughed, but her eyes filled with tears.

It was truly a blessing to be surrounded by people who cared about her.

While she was getting her hair combed, Zhou Zhilan arrived.

Gu Hua felt a bit embarrassed to face her and lowered her head, blushing without speaking.

Zhou Zhilan pretended not to notice her discomfort and went straight to the wardrobe. She picked out a set of pale green and white garments recently sent from Embroidery Pavilion—a matching top and skirt—then retrieved a sky-blue cloak.

“Wear this one. It matches the silver-inlaid jade jewelry from Linlang Pavilion.”

Gu Hua looked up, her eyes rimmed red. “Isn’t it too extravagant?”

This set wasn’t adorned with lavish embroidery or embellishments, but the skirt was made of seven-colored glazed silk—a rare and priceless fabric—pressed into fine pleats. It was as light as feathers and shimmered with a pearlescent sheen when still. When moved, it rippled like a rainbow-lit lake, dazzlingly beautiful.

The top was a high-quality, plain silk satin in pale green, without any embroidery. The cloak was made of the same fabric as the skirt.

The silver waistband matched the color of the skirt’s ribbons, and the jewelry, though simple in design, was of superb quality—silver inlaid with jade.

Altogether, the outfit was elegant and understated yet extraordinarily luxurious.

Truly, simplicity was the pinnacle of sophistication.

Gu Hua naturally loved it.

She said nothing and obediently let Zhou Zhilan dress her, fastening the cloak tightly—just enough to cover the ambiguous traces from the previous night.

Dong Qing was skilled at hairstyling and makeup. She styled Gu Hua’s hair into a multiple-loop bun suited for an unmarried woman and gave her a subtle sandalwood makeup look. Combined with the outfit, Gu Hua looked like a celestial maiden descended to earth.

Zhou Zhilan looked at her, full of amazement. After a long moment, she sighed. “I’m not sure if this is truly good for you. I’m starting to regret it.”

Gu Hua was deeply touched. Her eyes turned red, and she softly replied, “It’s good.”

In her past life, she never even dared to dream of such a day.

Even if it was short-lived, just ten days or so, she was happy.

Zhou Zhilan’s eyes reddened too—she was a woman, after all, how could she not understand?

Gu Hua smiled sweetly at her.

Zhou Zhilan smiled back and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry. The Lord is a good man.”

Gu Hua panicked slightly and glanced nervously at the two servant girls tidying things up.

Zhou Zhilan took her hand and led her outside, speaking softly, “Relax. The ones who serve closely are all trustworthy. They know how to keep their mouths shut. As for the young madam, you don’t need to worry either. The Lord has spoken—no word of this will get out.”

Gu Hua felt a little more at ease.

She needed time to prepare.

Suddenly thinking of something, she tugged on Zhou Zhilan’s hand and whispered, “I want to bring Shen Li back home with me. I have a younger brother who is very weak. I’d like her to take a look.”

“Dong Qing, go ask Shen Li to wait at the gate.”

Zhou Zhilan escorted Gu Hua to the main gate, where a luxurious cobalt-blue carriage was parked. Standing at the entrance was Zhou Chunyu, and Shen Li stood to the side with a cloth bag slung over her shoulder.

Seeing them approach, Zhou Chunyu smiled and gestured politely. “Miss Gu, please get in the carriage.”

Gu Hua froze. “Isn’t this too much?”

It felt far too ostentatious.

“What’s wrong with it? You’re now the noble lady appointed by the Duke Yong to transcribe the former duchess’s writings. Your status is highly esteemed. This was the old madam’s carriage—go ahead.”

Zhou Zhilan pulled her onto the carriage.

Dong Hua and Shen Li followed after them.

Gu Hua lifted the curtain and saw Zhou Chunyu leaping onto his horse. She couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Steward Zhou is coming too?”

Zhou Zhilan nodded proudly. “Didn’t I say the Lord is a good man? To give you face, even the Duke’s top steward and chief housekeeper are personally accompanying you home.”

Gu Hua was both amused and shocked, but also a little delighted.

She hadn’t expected Mu Junyan to back her up like this.

Mu Junyan sat with a dark expression, glaring at Mu An.

“Was five strokes not enough?”

Mu An lowered his head and said nothing.

“Mu An, your father originally wouldn’t interfere in your backyard affairs. But you know how many eyes are watching the Duke Yong’s household, don’t you? You’re becoming more and more reckless!”

Mu An protested, “Father, you once said all the Duke Yong’s glory and wealth would be mine. So what if I have a few women in my backyard?”

Mu Junyan suppressed his fury. “Properly marrying concubines is fine, but visiting brothels and forcing your sister-in-law? And you dare say nothing is wrong!”

Mu An’s anger flared. “Gu Hua was offered to me by Gu Wanru herself. Why shouldn’t I take her? Yaoyao is deeply devoted to me and is pregnant with the Duke’s grandchild. If I don’t take her in, wouldn’t I be heartless? Father, are you angry because I went too far—or because you covet Gu Hua and want to compete with your own son for a woman?”

Smack!

The tea table shattered under Mu Junyan’s palm. Teacups and teapots scattered to the ground.

Mu An’s eyes flickered, but he still raised his head defiantly. “Father, when you brought me back to the mansion, you said everything that was yours would be mine. Now I just want a woman, and you’re fighting me for her?”

Mu Junyan suddenly stood, the chill in the air intensifying. He pointed at him coldly. “Back then, when your father died heroically, what did you say? You said you’d follow in his footsteps, shed your blood for the country, and die without regret! Have you forgotten?”

Mu An straightened his back. “But you said my father died saving you. You said you and he were closer than real brothers. You said you owed him a life and didn’t want the An family line to end, so you told me to give up martial training and pursue academics. You even said the Duke’s household would be mine. Are you going back on your word now?”

Mu Junyan’s face darkened with rage, unable to speak for a moment.

He had already arranged everything. After he died in battle, he planned to entrust his followers to Mu An and leave most of the Duke’s estate to him, even helping him reestablish the An family. But now that Mu An had turned out like this—how could he trust him?

He hated himself for raising his brother’s son so poorly and for marrying him to the wrong woman.

Mu Junyan stepped forward, grabbed Mu An’s collar, and said coldly, “I gave you the name ‘An’ to preserve the An family. Your father was the bravest general under my command. For generations, your An family has produced men of iron will. Their names are engraved on the immortal stone in the southern border.

And you—are you going to rot, or stand up and carry your family’s legacy? Think carefully!”

Mu An’s eyes burned with fury.

What did he mean by carrying on the family name?

Was he planning to kick him out? To say none of the Duke’s estate belonged to him?

So he never intended to leave him anything from the beginning!

Mu Junyan suddenly released him. “Go kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect before your father’s spirit!”

Mu An stormed out in anger.

Chi Yu quietly entered. Seeing the master’s livid face, he dared not speak.

“Tell me—did I make a mistake?” Mu Junyan rubbed his temples.

Chi Yu thought for a moment. “The young master is still young.”

Mu Junyan’s gaze darkened. “His father led me into battle at thirteen. I saw him as a teacher and a brother. He was a peerless warrior and died to save me. I thought being good to Mu An was the best way to repay him. But now Mu An is eighteen—useless in both civil and martial matters. I raised him into this mess. I’ve failed his father.”

Chi Yu began to speak, “Actually, General An wasn’t—”

Mu Junyan shot him a cold glance. Chi Yu immediately changed the subject. “The young madam also isn’t doing well. She can’t control the young master…”

Chi Yu realized he’d said the wrong thing again and quickly stopped, stealing a glance at the master.

Back then, the master had brought eighteen betrothal gifts and personally went to the Gu residence to ask for the hand of the Gu family’s eldest daughter—for Mu An.

The daughter-in-law he had personally chosen turned out to be like this. The master must be disappointed.

Mu Junyan’s gaze turned deep and cold.

“Find proof as soon as possible.”

“Yes,” Chi Yu understood what he meant.