FBC – Chapter 334 Seeking Attention

After Gu Hua finished talking, she realized the man wasn’t responding. Looking up, she noticed his expression had turned stormy.

She asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Mu Junyan pointed to his chest.

Gu Hua’s face went pale. “Chest pain? And you still left the residence? You should go back and rest immediately.”

“Sui’er, go fetch Doctor Shen at once.”

Mu Junyan grabbed her hand, which was trembling slightly from nervousness, and said softly, “No need for Doctor Shen. You can fix it.”

“Me?” Gu Hua was puzzled.

Sui’er and the other maids had already sensed their master’s intention and quickly stepped back, turning their bodies sideways and averting their gaze.

Yes, the servants could see nothing and hear nothing.

Gu Hua widened her eyes and looked at him innocently.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“You did nothing wrong. The one at fault is me.”

Oh? The “me” came out?

He must be really angry.

Gu Hua’s little mind darted around, noticing that the servants either stared blankly or looked out the window.

She hunched her shoulders, turned her face back, and lightly stroked his firm chest with her delicate hand. In a slightly pouting, playful voice, she asked, “My lord, you are my heaven. Even if you’re wrong, you’re still right. I trust no one, heed no one’s words, only yours.”

A woman’s voice was naturally laced with charm, soft and pliable like a cat’s paw.

When deliberately pitched to be coquettish and slightly teasing, it was like a fluffy little cat claw gently scratching the palm.

Mu Junyan felt a tingle of delight, his body softening.

He lowered his head, looking aggrieved. “Men of the military can’t compare to scholars—coarse and careless. They need their wives’ care and attention. Otherwise, if a husband appears disheveled, wouldn’t that disgrace his wife’s honor?”

Gu Hua was stunned for a moment, then suddenly giggled.

She pushed him lightly off, stepping out of his embrace and glaring at him.

“I want to discuss a good marriage proposal with Mr. Min. If you help make it happen, I’ll naturally pay more attention to you.”

With that, she turned toward the Fulutang Hall.

Mu Junyan’s eyes lit up as he followed her. “Who do you want to matchmake for him?”

“Dong Qing. Didn’t I just say she made him some pastries?”

As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at him, silently saying, You’re really slow.

Mu Junyan touched his nose. Since when did his wife start thinking he was dumb?

“Would Min Dongsheng agree?”

“Isn’t it thanks to my lord? Dong Qing would naturally agree.”

The two of them walked together to Fulutang Hall.

Old Madam was smiling, watching Min Dongsheng chat with a pair of little children.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan knew Min Dongsheng was the most capable strategist serving their father and had also been teachers to their two young uncles.

So the little ones were serious and obedient, answering each of his questions promptly.

It looked exactly like a teacher’s class questioning session.

Seeing Gu Hua and Mu Junyan arrive, Old Madam asked in surprise, “Weren’t you discussing something important? Why are you back?”

Mu Junyan paused, and Gu Hua went in, calling out to her mother and smiling as she sat beside Old Madam.

Min Dongsheng looked up at Mu Junyan, thinking he had come to discuss business, and quickly stood.

“I’ll leave now, sir.”

“No.”

Mu Junyan extended his hand to stop him. “No rush. Wait here for Dong Qing to bring the pastries, have some, then leave.”

He then smiled at Old Madam. “My son had important matters, but forgot something even more important, so he came back to remind you. I’ll take my leave now.”

Old Madam stared at his hasty departure, puzzled. “What important thing did he remind me of? He didn’t say.”

“He did.”

Gu Hua smiled quietly and turned to look at Min Dongsheng.

Min Dongsheng was even more bewildered—Mu Junyan came back just to tell him to wait for Dong Qing to bring pastries?

Just then, Dong Qing arrived.

She personally carried a box of food in, and everyone in the room looked at her, expressions ranging across the spectrum.

Dong Qing froze, meeting Min Dongsheng’s eyes. Seeing his wary look, she quickly looked away, feeling nervous herself.

What was going on?

Gu Hua broke the awkward silence. “Come on, let’s see what delicious treats Dong Qing has made.”

Dong Qing carried the food box over, presenting five plates of pastries:

Ruyi Cake, Ruyi Cake, Jade Dew Balls, Rose Poria Cake, and finally, Begonia Pastries.

“That many?”

Dong Qing smiled. “Yuan Yuan likes Snowflake Pastries, Tuan Tuan likes Jade Dew Balls, Old Madam likes Ruyi Cake, and madam likes Rose Poria Cake.”

The two little ones clapped excitedly, but without their mother’s permission, they didn’t dare take any, only waiting eagerly.

Their mother said that as they grew, they needed to know manners.

Old Madam praised, “Dong Qing is such a good girl, remembering everyone’s preferences.”

“Of course I would.”

Dong Qing smiled faintly and carried the Begonia Pastries to Min Dongsheng. “Sir, do you like Begonia Pastries?”

Min Dongsheng stared at the pastries, lost in thought.

His late wife had been excellent at making Begonia Pastries, which he had loved most.

Even the palace chefs sometimes made them, and he would always eat a few extra.

Gu Hua tilted her head. “Sir?”

Min Dongsheng regained his senses, quickly standing and taking the plate. “Yes, yes, thank you, Miss Dong Qing. These are my favorite.”

Dong Qing blushed.

She had once noticed Min Dongsheng eating them and guessed his preference.

Gu Hua smiled. “Sir, your robe is torn. Dong Qing will mend it for you.”

This startled Min Dongsheng. “No need, really.”

Dong Qing’s eyes brightened. Looking down, she saw a small hole and some frayed edges.

“Sir, don’t be polite. I’m good at needlework. I’ll fix it so it’s invisible.”

Min Dongsheng seemed to understand Mu Junyan’s earlier hint, blushing as he shook his head.

“Really, no need.”

“There are no outsiders here. Mother and I are leaving. Dong Qing can repair your robe while you enjoy the pastries with Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan.”

Gu Hua said this, stood, and linked arms with Old Madam. “Mother, shall we go see the newly released Kesi silk?”

“Good.”

Old Madam smiled and stood, instructing, “Min Dongsheng, don’t leave in a hurry. My daughter’s pastries—you must help finish them. While you’re at it, Dong Qing can fix your robe.”

Min Dongsheng blushed furiously.

The grown man stood there, flustered and awkward.

Dong Qing also turned red, too shy to speak, quietly observing him with her almond-shaped eyes.

Once Gu Hua and Old Madam left, the maids, sharp as they were, immediately found an excuse to leave.

Otherwise, Min Dongsheng would feel embarrassed taking off his robe.

The two nannies, however, weren’t as shy as the young girl, since the children were still present.

“Sir, we aren’t shy. You’re wearing your inner clothes, so taking off your outer robe is fine.”

Min Dongsheng, already like being roasted on a spit, felt even redder.

Seeing this, Dong Qing quickly curtsied. “I’ll step out first. Please hand me the robe after it’s removed.”

The nanny loudly responded, “Yes, sir. Quickly, it will be done in no time by Miss Dong Qing’s skillful hands.”

Dong Qing, blushing, ran to the door and faced away.

Min Dongsheng wished he could dig a hole and hide.

Tuan Tuan tilted his head and said in a baby voice, “Sir, no need to be shy. I’m not shy either.”

Min Dongsheng: “…”

Yuan Yuan stomped over, hands on hips, in a mock fierce tone, “Sir, a real man shouldn’t dawdle. Take it off.”

If he didn’t, they couldn’t have the pastries.

Mother had said that while Dong Qing mended the robe, Min Dongsheng should eat the pastries with them.