FBC – Chapter 349 Smoothing His Fur

“Princess Consort, quickly apply this to your eyes. You rubbed them too hard—they’re almost swollen.”

Just after Yin Tao left, Sui’er hurried in carrying a warm towel.

Gu Hua accepted it and placed it over her eyes, smiling. “Acting is tiring. If I knew this earlier, I would’ve just cried for real. At least then my eyes wouldn’t hurt from rubbing.”

Sui’er’s heart ached. “That lowly maid isn’t worth the Princess Consort going to such lengths to put on an act.”

“It’s to protect Yiyun. As long as she isn’t suspected, it’s fine. Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.”

To complete the act thoroughly, Mu Junyan continued to sleep in the study that night—but Yin Tao could not enter.

She forced herself to be patient. “I made some snacks that His Highness likes. I’ll just bring them in and leave.”

Chiyu’s expression did not change. “If Madam insists on staying, this subordinate will have someone carry you out.”

Dong Qing, who was following Yin Tao, immediately stepped forward.

Yin Tao: “…”

This wretched girl wasn’t here to serve her—she was here to carry her away at any moment!

Yin Tao knew Chiyu was highly skilled, and had also learned that Dong Qing could fight too.

She didn’t dare make a fuss. She could only pick up the food box and leave.

Along the way, she was so furious she was grinding her teeth, her eyes darting everywhere searching for a place where she might “accidentally” bump into the prince.

The moment Yin Tao left, Mu Junyan hurried toward the small side gate.

Once past it, he dashed across the covered walkway, no longer able to hold back.

Gu Hua had already bathed and changed. She was sitting with Sui’er, Yun’er, and two young maids, laughing while they embroidered flowers.

“He came out in just half an hour? That’s not like our prince.”

Gu Hua listened to Yun’er recreate what happened last night, and found it hilarious.

“Exactly. We all said His Highness didn’t even fully commit to the act. Half an hour and he already couldn’t stand it, quickly throwing her out.”

When Mu Junyan arrived, he saw Gu Hua laughing so hard she was bent over—and heard her entire conversation with Yun’er.

A wave of grievance surged up inside him.

This heartless little thing! He’d forced himself to endure that woman’s presence in his study for a full half hour—he’d nearly chopped her into pieces!

Even though he knew it was acting, it was still his first time being alone with another woman for that long. Worried she might feel hurt, he spent the whole day restless and anxious. He ran all the way here just to comfort her.

But this little woman wasn’t distressed in the slightest—she still had the mood to talk and laugh, even making fun of what happened last night.

He was furious!

The young girls in the room all froze when the prince suddenly appeared with a stormy expression. They stood up at once, not daring to make a sound.

Gu Hua realized what she’d said earlier was inappropriate and quickly put down her things, trying to stand.

Seeing her belly protrude and her haste to get up—her body swaying—Mu Junyan rushed forward and held her steady.

Yun’er and Sui’er exchanged a look and quickly ushered the other maids away, vanishing instantly.

Sensing the heavy aura around him, Gu Hua gently placed her hand on his chest, stroking it softly, soothing him like a furious lion.

“Ziyuan, I was jealous.”

Her voice was soft, sugary, full of delicate curves.

Mu Junyan’s anger instantly melted.

He sat down, still keeping a stern face, staring at the innocent watery eyes of the little woman before him.

“You get jealous?”

Gu Hua said immediately, “Of course. Ever since we’ve been together, you’ve never spoken more than a few words to any woman, let alone stayed alone with one. And you never told me you were going to turn the trap back on her! Suddenly people came telling me you were alone with a woman who harbors ill intentions toward you. Then Mother suddenly went and accepted a concubine without warning. Tell me, shouldn’t I feel upset?”

Mu Junyan let out a cold laugh. “Yet you still sat here laughing and joking, saying I barely lasted half an hour—that it wasn’t like your prince? Hmm?”

“You wanted me to stay with her an entire hour? Hmm?”

“You don’t know how long your husband can endure? Hmm?”

The three consecutive “hmms” made Gu Hua shrink her neck.

She knew this bristling lion needed some careful smoothing.

She quickly climbed onto his lap, wrapped her delicate arms around his neck, and pecked his lips.

“I was wrong. I felt sad, so I was joking to chase away the gloom. That wretched woman—making my prince suffer—I’d rather suffer in your place.”

With her big pregnant belly, she still stretched her arms to hug him, making him feel she must be uncomfortable.

He scowled. “Be careful—you’re squishing the child.”

Gu Hua lowered her head to look at her belly, then looked up innocently. “The baby will understand its parents’ difficulties. A little squeeze is fine. After all, Daddy suffered such great injustice.”

Mu Junyan pinched her soft waist in frustration.

She let out a delicate cry and fell fully into his arms.

“Husband, can you carry your wife and baby to bed?”

Her voice curled around his ears like silk, soft and sweet enough to melt bones.

Mu Junyan groaned, then suddenly kissed her hard in punishment.

Only when she was gasping, and worried he might hurt the child, did he quickly stop.

He carefully scooped her up. Even with her eight-month belly, he carried her effortlessly.

He couldn’t help rubbing his cheek against the soft roundness—and suddenly felt a kick to the face.

Mu Junyan’s eyes widened as he stared at her belly.

“Daring to kick your father?”

Gu Hua burst into laughter, giggling nonstop. She gently rubbed her stomach. “Little one, don’t kick Daddy. When you come out he’ll spank your bottom.”

Mu Junyan snorted. “Daddy can’t bear to. Little one, don’t listen to your mother slandering me.”

They bickered sweetly until late into the night.

Finally Gu Hua pushed him. “Since we’re acting, act fully. Go back quickly.”

Mu Junyan sighed, stole another round of kisses, and reluctantly stood up.

As he dressed, he muttered, “I can’t take this anymore. I want you to give birth quickly—so this nonsense can finally end!”

Gu Hua felt distressed for him. “You don’t have to worry so much about me. I can handle it.”

Mu Junyan cupped her face. “Trust me—I’ll protect you for life.”

Gu Hua pressed her cheek into his palm. “And I’ll protect you, too.”

“Alright.”

Mu Junyan smiled—and his eyes turned warm and wet.

He never imagined that one day someone would tell him they wanted to protect him.

Two days later, Yiyun finally saw her father.

“Father!” Yiyun threw herself into his arms, gripping his hand while crying.

Her father was thin as a stick, trembling slightly. He looked at his daughter for a long time before he could speak.

The two spoke for quite a while. The kitchen sent them a simple meal of porridge and vegetables.

Yun’er delivered it personally and explained, “The Princess Consort said Lord Du has been starving for years. Eating greasy food suddenly will harm the body. Please have some light food first. After Dr. Shen examines Lord Du and prescribes medicine, he can rest for two days, then slowly begin nourishing his body.”

Yiyun cried again. “Sister Yun’er, thank the Princess Consort for me. I’ll personally kowtow to her later.”

Yun’er smiled. “The Princess Consort said Miss Du should focus on accompanying Lord Du and not worry about anything else. Also, don’t worry about that person—she’s being watched. She can’t escape.”

Yiyun nodded through her tears.

A while later, Dong Qing arrived to tell Yiyun that a guest room had been prepared for Lord Du, and a servant had been assigned specifically to attend to him.

Father and daughter described what had happened during their time apart. After eating, they finally calmed down.

“Father, shall we leave Great Liang? Wouldn’t that be best?”

Yiyun had thought long and hard and felt leaving was the safest option.

But her father shook his head. “If we want lasting peace, we must support a wise ruler.”

Yiyun froze. “Support a wise ruler? Who…? Don’t tell me…”

She looked around, ensuring no one was nearby, then lowered her voice. “Father, do you mean… Prince Yong?”

Her father paused. “That depends on Prince Yong’s intentions. But no matter what, we are willing to support him—and serve him.”

“We? Who do you mean?”

Her father didn’t answer. He only said, “His Highness said he will avenge us. Jiang Qifu does not deserve to be magistrate!”