FBC – Chapter 346 Sacrificing One’s Charm

Gu Hua regretted it.

Once a man has tasted meat, after enjoying delicious dishes, it’s really hard to make him go back to eating only vegetables every day.

She had intended to let Mu Junyan “sacrifice” a bit of his charm so that Yin Tao would think she had succeeded. Who knew she herself would end up sacrificing her own charm for the entire night.

Exhausted like a wilted vegetable, she still had to actively soothe him as if his heart had been broken by a sudden abandonment.

That night, that dog of a man complained that, following Shen Li’s instructions to limit sexual activity, he had been “celibate” for almost ten months for her safety. He was practically bursting with frustration, and who would have thought that his wife would make him “act” with other women.

He felt so wronged!

Fortunately, the memory of her giving birth to twins had left him a bit wary. Still afraid of harming mother and children, he held back and didn’t go too far.

But even thinking about another woman touching his lower body made him feel sick.

That shameless little fox—how could she have the heart to “sell him out”? It made him furious.

Gu Hua felt helpless. She also pitied him for holding back for so long and not seeking another woman. But now she couldn’t let him release himself freely either, and at the same time, she was annoyed that he held grudges so easily.

They were both angry at each other, yet both cherished each other, entangled until late at night.

Mu Junyan was nearly going insane, but he also felt guilty for making his pregnant wife endure hardship and staying awake.

In the end, he bit her earlobe, whispered for her to sleep, and took care of himself.

Gu Hua couldn’t bear it, so she hugged him and kissed him back, finally satisfying him.

Because it was the middle of the night, Mu Junyan called for water to clean up but didn’t allow the maids to enter. The maids didn’t know who the water was for and assumed…

Shen Li arrived the next morning in a huff. After checking her pulse and seeing that everything was fine, she finally glared at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua looked innocent, blinking with her pitiful eyes.

Could she be blamed?

But even if she were asked to persuade the Marquis to “seek a woman for relief,” she couldn’t do it.

Moreover, Shen Li rushing over early in the morning—was she really trying to let everyone in the mansion know that the Marquis had been frustrated with his pregnant wife last night?

How embarrassing!

And she couldn’t explain, which made it even more frustrating and awkward.

To ease the tension, Gu Hua changed the subject teasingly: “Shen Li, you’re quite pretty. Why do you always act like an icy beauty? You scare off all the fine young men.”

Shen Li shot her a sharp glance and coldly instructed Su’er and Yun’er: “Help the Madam remove her pants.”

Gu Hua: “……”

Crazy.

Su’er and Yun’er froze.

Yun’er stammered: “Re-remove… pants? For what?”

Shen Li frowned: “To examine. What else did you think?”

Gu Hua hurried to explain: “Nothing happened last night, it’s just…”

Oh, how could she speak openly in front of three unmarried girls!

Grimacing, she said: “Nothing happened.”

Shen Li looked at her suspiciously, then at her hands, and then at the space between her thighs.

Gu Hua’s face flushed red. She instinctively squeezed her legs together and whispered cautiously: “You already checked the pulse, right? The baby is fine, so just let it go.”

Shen Li frowned: “I’m not convinced. Open your legs.”

Gu Hua couldn’t bear to see her emotionless, icy face, so she tried to change the topic.

“Sister Zhilan is married now. I’ll also personally see to all my maids’ marriages. When will you get married?”

Shen Li simply used her hands to hold Gu Hua’s knees and gently spread her thighs: “Not getting married.”

Gu Hua sighed, letting her check her belly and thoroughly examine her from top to bottom.

After confirming the baby was fine, Shen Li’s expression eased.

Coldly, she scolded her: “Only two months left. Can’t you endure a little?”

Gu Hua thought: she could endure, but the man couldn’t.

She couldn’t persuade him, but he was suffering too.

No wonder men in history had multiple wives, especially when their primary wife was pregnant—they always had concubines or courtesans to attend to them.

Thinking of this, her heart filled with sweetness.

Mu Junyan treated her so well.

Shen Li watched her ever-changing, mischievous expression and finally saw her face glowing with happiness.

“Are men really that great?”

Gu Hua covered her mouth, giggling: “You’ll see once you try.”

Shen Li looked disgusted, unable to stand Gu Hua acting like a lovesick fool.

She dropped the hand-wrap and said: “If you keep going, your hands will be ruined.”

Gu Hua: “…Oh.”

When Shen Li left, she heard Gu Hua’s soft voice calling: “Please tell the Marquis for me.”

Shen Li rolled her eyes. Men could make smart women act foolish; she wasn’t about to become one of them.

Gu Hua laughed endlessly, and while laughing, she asked Su’er and Yun’er: “Have you seen who Shen Li likes? Or who likes Shen Li?”

Su’er became bolder and laughed: “Madam is turning into a matchmaker. Dong Qing hasn’t even married yet, and now you’re thinking about Dr. Shen?”

Gu Hua smiled: “Yes, next it will be your turn. If you fancy any young men among the servants, guards, or Mu family army, come tell me. I love seeing lovers united.”

Su’er and Yun’er blushed deeply.

As maids, their marriages were arranged by their mistress, and having a caring and kind mistress like Gu Hua was truly a blessing.

Yun’er, lively like Dong Hua, spoke brightly: “Yesterday, I saw Mr. Min give a book to Sister Dong Qing, and she gave him a pouch in return.”

Gu Hua perked up: “Really? Did Mr. Min accept it?”

Yun’er nodded: “At first, he hesitated, but when he saw Sister Dong Qing looking a little sad, he accepted it.”

Gu Hua’s eyes lit up: “Dong Qing is smart. Mr. Min is such a good man. If she marries him, she’ll have a lifetime of happiness.”

Su’er and Yun’er were full of envy.

Someone like Mr. Min was a godlike figure to them—they wouldn’t dare dream of it.

But if Sister Dong Qing could marry Mr. Min, they felt they might also find such a good, outstanding man.

Gu Hua was chatting and joking with the two maids when Dong Qing arrived.

“Speak of the devil.”

Gu Hua cheerfully teased: “I heard you gave Mr. Min a pouch?”

Dong Qing just entered and turned bright red before she could speak.

“Madam!”

Gu Hua laughed heartily: “Why be shy? If you like a man, boldly say so. Sister Zhilan taught me this—otherwise, if he runs off, you’ll regret it.”

Dong Qing could only bow to her, red-faced: “Madam instructed me to send kesi skirts to the wives of other prefectures. The ladies of Luzhou, Tongzhou, and Jinzhou have returned the gifts, but Gongzhou and Xiangzhou returned the skirts.”

Gu Hua’s smile faded slightly, and she responded meaningfully: “Oh.”

This meant Gongzhou and Xiangzhou weren’t afraid of the Mu family army in Ju Zhou.

Li of Bazhou accepted the gift only to curry favor with her family, while Qian Junheng aimed to cling to the Crown Prince and become a new noble.

“Good. Noted.”

Gu Hua thought she could take this opportunity to deal with each prefecture one by one.

“Dong Qing, go ask Shopkeeper Pei to come by this afternoon.”

“Yes.”

Seeing her about to leave, Gu Hua smiled and asked: “Is the clothing ready?”

Dong Qing was momentarily stunned by the question, then realized what she meant: the clothing she was making.

Her face, already flushed, turned even redder: “It’s in progress.”

“Good. Be meticulous and thoughtful. Men are actually easy to win over; warming his heart through small details is enough. Especially Mr. Min, who has had no women to care for him for years. When he wears clothing carefully made by you, he’ll feel how wonderful a girl you are.”

Dong Qing, though embarrassed, was sincerely grateful and bowed: “I’ll follow your instructions and do my best.”

“Good. I’ll wait for your good news.”

Gu Hua felt so happy.

Such a good girl deserves a good husband.