FBC -Chapter 295 The Emperor Is Critically Ill

Gu Hua was so angry that her willow-leaf eyebrows practically flew up. Though she was holding in a bellyful of resentment, she still obediently drank the medicine.

Shen Li had said the medicine was good, and exactly what she needed.

If they didn’t suppress this chill in her womb now, she would need another year of nursing before she could conceive again.

For several days in a row, Mu Junyan always disappeared whenever she woke up, and only returned after she had fallen asleep.

Finally, one day, Mu Junyan wasn’t too busy and stayed to have breakfast with her in the morning.

Dong Hua brought over the medicine Shen Li had decocted. Gu Hua picked it up, casting a resentful glance at Mu Junyan.

“It’s really bitter.”

Mu Junyan’s face was stern. “If you don’t drink the medicine, how will your body recover?”

“Oh, then I want candied fruit. Go get one for me.”

Mu Junyan raised a brow.

Her courage had fattened, daring to order him around now.

Seeing how pitiful she looked, he reached into the jar in Dong Qing’s hands, chose a dried yellow peach, held it between his fingers, and walked toward her.

“Drink.”

Gu Hua took tiny, obedient sips. With every mouthful, her little face scrunched up.

Mu Junyan watched her pitiful appearance, annoyed yet amused. After she finished this dose, he would switch her back to the milder prescription.

Gu Hua finished drinking. Dong Hua took the empty bowl—she hadn’t even handed over the rinse cup yet—

Suddenly Gu Hua hooked her arms around Mu Junyan’s neck and kissed him without warning.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing widened their eyes, then instantly reacted, cheeks turning red as they retreated from the room.

Mu Junyan’s brows knit together. Just as he was about to pull her off, she suddenly wrapped herself around him entirely.

Their mouths were full of the bitter medicinal taste, and the remaining herbal liquid slid right into Mu Junyan’s throat.

Mu Junyan slapped her lower back hard. Only then did Gu Hua release him and step back.

She looked at him full of grievance. “Bitter?”

Mu Junyan wiped the residual medicine from his lips and shot her a look. “Good medicine tastes bitter.”

Gu Hua huffed angrily. “You’re always bullying me!”

Seeing her fluff up like an angry kitten—adorable beyond measure—Mu Junyan couldn’t help but laugh. “Who told you to be greedy and disobedient?”

Gu Hua’s eyes filled with tears. She picked up the cup of water Dong Hua had left and downed it in one gulp.

She slammed the cup down. “Was it my idea to make lychee syrup? Didn’t you ask Yiniang to make it? I drank it and you’re blaming me? I’m already feeling unwell, and you still give me such bitter medicine. My mouth has been bitter for days—everything tastes bland.”

Mu Junyan walked over and gently wiped the two tears at the corner of her eyes. “Really? You didn’t think it was bitter last night.”

Gu Hua froze. Realizing what he meant, she quickly pushed him away as he leaned closer. “Don’t change the subject!”

Mu Junyan caught her by the waist and pressed her against the dressing table. “You drank water. I haven’t.”

And then he kissed her again.

The bitterness she had just washed away instantly returned, making Gu Hua so furious she lifted her foot to kick him.

But the man was tall and solid—her kicks reached nowhere. With her struggling, the two ended up pressed even closer.

The room’s temperature rose instantly.

Sunlight streamed in at an angle, outlining Mu Junyan’s handsome face with a glowing halo.

Gu Hua cupped his face, staring dazedly.

Mu Junyan smiled faintly. “Is your husband handsome?”

Gu Hua snapped out of it and quickly pushed him away. “I’m hungry. I want breakfast.”

Mu Junyan chuckled and pulled her up.

He had always believed that a warrior shouldn’t look too good-looking. Normally, he was too lazy to even shave.

But now, he shaved clean every day, revealing the face that could charm his wife.

Mm, if it could lock his wife’s heart, this face was indeed useful.

When they finished fooling around, Dong Hua and Dong Qing came in to help Gu Hua dress her hair.

Mu Junyan sat to the side watching.

Gu Hua suddenly frowned. “If my health doesn’t recover properly, what will we do? Mu Chen and Mu Xi were both born early because I was too weak. If I can’t get pregnant again in the future…”

“It’s fine.”

Mu Junyan didn’t mind at all.

“Raising three is trouble enough.”

Gu Hua turned her head, glaring at him vigilantly. “Where did three come from?”

Mu Junyan gave her a meaningful look.

Gu Hua suddenly realized—he meant her.

“You… you think I’m trouble? Then I won’t have any more children!”

Her apricot eyes widened in anger.

Mu Junyan clasped his fingers together and sighed. “If you don’t, that’s fine. Saves you from having your whole heart filled with children and forgetting your husband. I’d be so pitiful, with no one to fuss over me.”

Gu Hua ground her teeth. “When did I ever neglect you? Who is the one clinging to me every day?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she remembered the maids were present and her face turned red.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing pressed their lips together, stiff-faced, pretending they heard nothing.

Gu Hua shot a furious glare at the culprit.

Mu Junyan shrugged.

He hadn’t done anything.

His little kitten had grown bolder—biting back, glaring, everything.

Mu Junyan was busy with external affairs, while Gu Hua managed the household, handled the many responsibilities of the prince’s estate, and even helped with Zhou Zhiluan and Zhou Chunyu’s wedding. She was so busy her feet barely touched the ground.

Still, no one in the estate dared to trouble her. Everyone was respectful. And with the Old Madam backing her, life progressed smoothly.

Half a year passed quickly.

The dragon-phoenix twins were now nine months old.

Both babies grew fast—especially Mu Chen, who was round and adorably plump.

Gu Hua was distressed. She pinched Mu Chen’s chubby cheek. “Isn’t she too fat? What girl is this chunky?”

Mu Chen bared her tiny teeth. “Mo—Mother—pain…”

Gu Hua immediately let go, glaring at her. “You’re not allowed to eat so much.”

Mu Chen blinked, stunned for a moment. Then her mouth opened, and she wailed loudly.

Madam Wang Linyi and the Old Madam rushed over to soothe her.

“Eat—we’ll let you eat whatever you want. So what if she’s chubby? She’ll slim down when she grows.”

Gu Hua rubbed her forehead.

She turned toward the calm Mu Xi.

Seeing his mother look at her, Mu Xi instantly smiled sweetly, reached out his tiny arms, and cooed, “Mama, hug.”

Gu Hua picked him up with a smile. “Mu Xi is still the good one. I can’t even lift Mu Chen anymore.”

Mu Chen seemed to understand and cried again.

Gu Hua was speechless. “Why does she cry so much?”

Afraid Mu Chen would choke from crying, she walked closer with Mu Xi, intending to comfort her too—but when she looked closely—

Not a tear in sight. Just loud fake wailing.

Mu Chen sensed she’d been caught and stopped crying, her big eyes staring pitifully at her mother.

Gu Hua burst out laughing. “Aiyo, I wonder who she takes after—such acting skills.”

The Old Madam laughed. “Can’t say who she resembles. When Ziyuan was little, neither twin was like this—they were mischievous, not crybabies.”

Gu Hua looked at the pair. “Mu Xi’s temperament is more like mine.”

Madam Wang said while teasing Mu Xi, “Mu Chen may be quiet, but she’s clever. She can recognize more characters than her brother.”

The Old Madam squeezed Mu Chen’s sturdy arm. “I think the older sister will be a female general someday.”

As everyone gathered around the twins laughing and playing, Gu Hua saw Mu Junyan stride in—but just as he reached the door, the gatekeeper ran up to him and whispered something. Mu Junyan turned back and left again.

It wasn’t until the entire estate lit its lanterns that Mu Junyan returned.

Seeing his expression was not good, Gu Hua removed his outer robe and asked softly, “What happened?”

“The Emperor is critically ill.”

Gu Hua was startled. “The Emperor is only fifty. He’s always been healthy. How is he suddenly dying?”

Mu Junyan pulled her onto his lap and held her. “Recently, many ministers submitted memorials saying the Crown Prince is weak and mediocre. They’re demanding His Majesty name a new heir.”

Gu Hua was shocked. “That’s serious!”

“Yes. These past six months, although I haven’t meddled in court affairs, I know well the shifts in the capital. If they don’t provoke me, we can continue living peacefully. But if someone harbors ill intentions… our calm days may pause for a while.”

“I’m not afraid.” Gu Hua wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Whatever comes, we’ll handle it. We fear no one.”

This past half-year had matured Gu Hua greatly.

Mu Junyan stroked her back. “We’ll observe first.”

Then his tone shifted. “Do you remember Prince De’s fourth son, Zhao Yufeng?”

“I remember. He’s around my age—seventeen this year?”

Mu Junyan nodded. “Half a year ago, he came to the Mu Army. Under an alias, he started as an ordinary soldier. The boy’s not bad—within just half a year, he’s already become a squad leader.”

Gu Hua was surprised. “A squad leader? He can command a hundred men?”

“Yes. When Consort De sent a letter asking for him to be delivered discreetly, I thought he wouldn’t last long. But the child has good character.”

Gu Hua nodded. “Consort De was born into the family of the Minister of Works. I’ve heard her upbringing is excellent.”

“The important thing is—she knows how to lie low.”

Gu Hua studied his expression. “So you took the risk of keeping him in the army… to groom him?”

Mu Junyan kissed her lips lightly. “Smart. I can cultivate an emperor who will truly let the Mu Army live in peace.”