FBC -Chapter 293 Gained Weight

The tenth day of the tenth month.

From noon onward, the street in front of Prince Yong’s manor was lined with a long stretch of banquet tables.

Anyone could sit down and enjoy the feast.

By this time, the place was already bustling with people.

The main gates saw a constant flow of guests delivering gifts and offering congratulations.

The hour of Wei was the auspicious time.

Thirty banquet tables were set up in the main courtyard of Prince Yong’s manor, and all commanders of the Mu Family Army ranked qian zong and above were present.

At the same time, banquets were also held in every military camp of the Mu Family Army—everyone celebrated this auspicious day together.

Gu Hua, dressed in the luxurious ceremonial attire of a princess consort, stood with Mu Junyan to receive the formal bows.

The pair of dragon–phoenix twins, dressed in bright red ceremonial outfits, were held by their nannies as they received blessings from the crowd.

Mu Chen and Mu Xi were full of energy, waving their little arms and babbling excitedly at anyone they saw.

Their nannies couldn’t hold them still, so they had to pass them into the arms of Chi Yu and Zhou Chunyu, who carried them around to greet everyone.

After one round, the babies’ collars were stuffed with red envelopes and small gifts, which only made the little ones even more excited.

After the formal bowing ceremony, the wedding ceremony of the prince and princess consort began.

This wedding followed the customs of the Southern Territories.

After a lively series of rituals, it was already the hour of Xu.

Gu Hua was feeling tired, and Mu Junyan noticed her eyelids drooping.

When she finally heard the words “the ceremony is complete,” she felt relieved. Supported by her maids, she headed toward the inner courtyard.

Once inside, she let out a breath. “You all go eat at the banquet. I’ll take my time going back.”

“How could that do? You still have to drink the cross-cup wine in the bridal chamber,” Dong Hua said with a laugh.

Gu Hua let out a small “ah”: “We still have to drink cross-cup wine?”

“Of course. His Highness ordered that everything must be done properly.”

Gu Hua sighed.

Mu Junyan treated her extremely well—but it was really tiring.

“Tired?” His deep voice came from behind her.

Gu Hua turned back, gave a faint “mm.”

The early-summer night of the tenth month was hot and stuffy. Dressed in heavy ceremonial attire, she began sweating after just a few steps.

“Shall I carry you?”

Gu Hua gave him a half-annoyed look but said nothing.

Mu Junyan responded with a calm “mm.”

He slid one arm under her knees, the other around her waist, and easily lifted her up.

Night thickened, lanterns glowed.

Mu Junyan carried Gu Hua through the inner courtyard. There were still many female guests passing through, and seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but admire how deeply Prince Yong cherished his consort.

Gu Hua wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at his serious face with a snort.

Only she knew how improper the man beneath this gentlemanly façade truly was.

She secretly pinched his neck.

Mu Junyan felt the slight pain and frowned.

He glanced at the lovely woman in his arms and gently soothed: “We’re almost there. Bear with it.”

Then, he jostled her upward a little and said solemnly, “You’ve gotten heavier.”

Gu Hua looked heartbroken.

They reached the main bridal chamber. Dong Hua and Dong Qing had already run ahead to prepare the bathwater in the cleansing room.

Mu Junyan glanced at the steamy, misty room. “Dong Hua and the others are getting smarter.”

Gu Hua looked over, blushed instantly, and pinched the back of his neck again.

Then she obediently let him carry her inside.

Mu Junyan gently set her on the soft couch, then lowered himself onto her and began kissing her.

Gu Hua grew nervous, struggling to respond to his kisses while trying to block his wandering hands.

Mu Junyan lifted his head and met her moist almond-shaped eyes, staring weakly yet accusingly.

Taking advantage of that moment, Gu Hua pushed him away and hurried into the cleansing room.

Watching her flee, Mu Junyan let out a low laugh.

Dong Mo, who had followed from afar, hurried to the door and poked his head in. “Master, are you bathing?”

Mu Junyan gave him a cold look. “You’re far worse than Dong Hua and the others.”

Dong Mo stiffened and quickly retreated to prepare bathwater.

Gu Hua’s body had fully recovered, and the ice chests in the room kept everything cool and comfortable.

After bathing, Gu Hua’s face was even redder, glowing.

She shot a glance at Mu Junyan—who had already bathed and was lounging on the soft couch—her eyes filled with grievance.

She secretly scolded herself for being useless.

Why was she less and less able to resist him? One kiss and she melted.

Feeling upset, she tightened her robe, wrung her hair-cloth, and walked over.

Mu Junyan stood up and took the towel from her hands to dry her hair for her.

Gu Hua glanced at the newly made bed, which was sprinkled with red dates, longan, and other auspicious fruits.

Her heart felt sweet, but she muttered, “This is already the second time. Why bother with all this?”

“Of course we must. You’re worth it.”

He lowered his head to whisper by her ear, “And we’re still drinking cross-cup wine.”

Gu Hua’s face flushed again.

She quickly pushed him away. “It’s too hot. Let me rest.”

Mu Junyan smiled slightly. “Third Master Pei sent over a basket of lychees. Yiniang made chilled lychee drink for you.”

“Really? Bring it quickly!”

Gu Hua brightened instantly.

Dong Hua came in with a jade bowl filled with chilled lychee drink.

“Don’t drink too much—it’s cold.”

“Mm.”

Gu Hua took it, the cool touch immediately soothing her heat.

She began drinking in small spoonfuls.

Mu Junyan propped his chin and watched her.

Normally she wasn’t allowed more than a sip or two of such cold drinks. But today was their joyous day, and she was exhausted and overheated, so he let her indulge a bit.

“That’s five spoonfuls.”

Seeing she looked ready to drink the whole bowl, he couldn’t help reminding her.

Gu Hua ignored him. “Stop staring at me.”

Mu Junyan took the bowl from her hand. “If I don’t look at you, who should I look at?”

Gu Hua glared at him. Not wanting her lychee drink taken away, she quickly grabbed his arm and leaned forward to drink directly from the bowl in his hand.

Mu Junyan watched her like a little kitten and couldn’t resist patting her head. “You really have gotten fatter.”

Gu Hua froze, pulled back sharply, and stared at him in horror. “Really? I really got fat?”

Mu Junyan nodded seriously. “Mm. Your waist is softer, your legs too. More flesh.”

No woman wanted to hear she’d gained weight.

And Gu Hua, barely eighteen and at the age when girls cared most about beauty, was instantly alarmed.

“I did gain some weight after giving birth, but I’ve been practicing every day this past month. Shen Li even prescribed tonics to help restore my figure. I’ve been drinking them daily!”

She rushed to the bronze mirror and twisted her body in front of it.

She didn’t look fat—she’d already recovered almost completely from childbirth.

Still doubtful, she felt her waist. “I feel it’s the same as before I had the babies.”

Mu Junyan watched her with amusement.

Despite having twins, her waist was still as slender and supple as when she was a maiden.

His palm could encircle it easily.

Gu Hua was tall for a woman, and now that she’d begun training in martial arts, her legs were long, straight, and beautifully toned.

As she twisted her waist in the mirror, the loose night robe outlined exquisite curves, and her soft bosom was fuller than when she was younger.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. He walked over steadily and said in a deep voice, “You’ve definitely gotten fatter.”

The lingering sweetness of the lychee drink suddenly tasted strange on Gu Hua’s tongue.

Still, she refused to give up. “Where exactly am I fat? Why don’t I see it?”

Seeing his serious expression, she panicked and went looking for Dong Hua and the others for confirmation.

But there was no one—just the two of them.

“Tch, they’ve learned to slack off.”

Well then, no more lychee drinks.

Seeing her worried expression, Mu Junyan felt a bit sorry. He picked her up and settled her on his lap. “Wake up early and practice sword with me. You’ll return to your old figure quickly.”

But Gu Hua was exhausted, and her mood gone. She murmured, “Let me sleep first… I’m so tired.”

She curled weakly in his arms, but the moment his hand roamed across her body, flames bloomed under her skin.

She suddenly understood—

Mu Junyan only said she’d gotten fat so she wouldn’t drink too much cold lychee drink.

In truth, he adored her body.