FBC – Chapter 39 Concubine

Concubine Pei sobbed delicately, “This servant only did it for Eldest Miss’s sake. I feared that Hua’r would make a mistake and ruin her reputation, so I resorted to this desperate measure. It’s all my foolishness. I dare not ever again.”

Madam Wang trembled with rage upon hearing that Concubine Pei still dared to claim it was for her daughter’s benefit.

She disregarded her husband’s dislike and angrily rebuked, “You did this for Ru’er’s sake? If word of this spreads, the first one to be criticized would be Ru’er!

Ru’er is the legitimate daughter of the marquis’s household—gentle, virtuous, and always kind to others. She has always treated her younger sister well. How could she possibly disregard her sister’s life and forge a fake slave registration document?

You are the one with impure intentions! Either you instigated her or deceived her into doing something so outrageous. And you still dare to argue!”

Concubine Pei dabbed at her tears and stammered, “This servant knows she was wrong. I meant well but did something stupid. Madam, you never liked me getting close to Eldest Miss, but you always spoke coldly to her. She feared you, which is why she confided in me. Life in the Duke’s manor wasn’t easy for her—I felt sorry for her.”

Madam Wang was so infuriated that she choked on her own breath, coughing violently and unable to speak a word.

Granny Zhou gently patted her back, equally enraged.

Gu Hua burned with fury and heartbreak.

She and her mother had been bullied so much by Concubine Pei and Gu Wanru, yet she was powerless to do anything.

She couldn’t wait anymore—she had to set things right, and fast!

Gu Yuan grew impatient and snapped coldly, “Madam Wang, enough!”

Madam Wang was coughing so hard she could hardly straighten her back or catch her breath. Granny Zhou was on the verge of tears.

“My lord, Madam has been…”

Madam Wang quickly pressed her hand to signal her not to speak.

Suppressing her cough with difficulty, she panted and said, “My lord, this concubine is unwell. I shall take my leave.”

“Go.”

Gu Yuan didn’t bother to conceal the disgust in his eyes, waving his hand like he was swatting away a fly.

Gu Hua’s eyes were wide with suppressed fury.

Only by reclaiming her rightful status as a legitimate daughter and being entered into the family genealogy could she fight for justice for her mother.

Concubine Pei cooed sweetly, “My lord, please don’t blame Madam. May I take Sister Hua’r with me to fetch the silver notes given by the Pei family, then come back to kneel in punishment?”

The monthly stipend from the Pei family was Concubine Pei’s greatest leverage.

That was what truly concerned Gu Yuan.

The Ministry of Personnel’s year-end review was coming up, and he still needed to smooth things over with connections. How could he spare any time or energy for these inner-courtyard dramas?

Without thinking, Gu Yuan nodded.

“Fine.”

Gu Hua knelt and bowed. “Father, please give me the forged slave registration document.”

“You mustn’t give it to her!” Concubine Pei shouted in alarm.

Gu Yuan: “Burn it. That’s the end of it.”

Gu Hua watched as the document that had ruined her life turned to ashes.

Her lips trembled, a raging fire burning in her chest.

Her innocence—her very life—had turned into a pile of light ashes, worthless, unnoticed by anyone!

Gu Hua followed Concubine Pei to the main gates, where her exclusive carriage waited.

Concubine Pei cast her a sidelong glance. “The carriage is small and can’t fit so many. You come with me alone.”

Gu Hua didn’t argue.

“Sister Zhou, Miss Shen, you two return to the estate with Steward Zhou. Dong Hua can come with me.”

“I’ll go with you,” Zhou Zhilian said worriedly.

Gu Hua gave her a reassuring look and whispered, “The meeting with my cousin is in a busy teahouse downtown. She wouldn’t dare pull anything.”

Zhou Zhilian still looked uneasy. Shen Li slipped a small bottle into Gu Hua’s hand.

“Sprinkle this, and it’ll kill ten grown men.”

That gesture touched Gu Hua deeply.

She wanted to smile, but her nose tingled, and her eyes filled with red.

“Please prepare the antidote too.”

“Don’t worry.”

Gu Hua nodded at them both. “Once I’m done, I’ll return and copy scriptures for the late madam.”

“If anything happens, make a scene. There are patrols nearby,” Zhou Zhilian reminded her nervously.

“Mm.” Gu Hua nodded.

“Hurry up! If we miss the time, not only will your cousin be delayed, but your father won’t forgive you for failing to retrieve the silver notes,” Concubine Pei called irritably from the carriage.

Gu Hua got in. Dong Hua was about to follow, but Granny Lu yanked her back.

“How can a servant get into her mistress’s carriage? Have some manners.”

Dong Hua wanted to retort, but when she saw Gu Hua secretly shake her head, she bit her tongue and followed Granny Lu on foot.

The carriage quickly pulled ahead, leaving them behind. Dong Hua panicked and sprinted to keep it in sight.

Granny Lu couldn’t keep up, panting and cursing, “Damn girl runs faster than a rabbit.”

Inside the carriage.

Concubine Pei dropped her usual harsh tone and smiled like a kind mother. “Huar, you really misunderstand me.”

Gu Hua looked indifferent.

Seeing no reaction, Concubine Pei continued, “Before, I told you I’d found a good match for you. That was true—I wasn’t lying.”

Gu Hua stared at her calmly, waiting.

“I feel for you and wanted to secure your future. That’s why I begged Eldest Miss to take you into the estate. If the young master took a liking to you, wouldn’t you soar to success? The slave document was fake—just to trick Eldest Miss into accepting you.”

Gu Hua turned her eyes to the window to stop herself from slapping her.

Seeing her still unresponsive, Concubine Pei’s anger began to boil.

“If you don’t want to stay at the Duke’s estate, I won’t force you. You know your cousin has always liked you. Your aunt mentioned it too. If you marry into the Pei family, we’ll be even more closely related. The Peis will treat you well.”

So this was her real plan?

Gu Hua turned to her. “Before, you didn’t want me anywhere near my cousin.”

Concubine Pei rolled her eyes without shame.

Of course she hadn’t wanted the daughter of Madam Wang—who’d once stood above her—to become the wife of the Pei family’s future heir.

“I’m doing this for you. Since you don’t want to marry the Duke’s young master, your cousin is the best option. He likes you and will treat you well.”

Gu Hua sneered internally. Then she feigned surprise and asked, “Didn’t cousin just get married? I heard his wife came from a noble official family in Bianjing. When he married her, he swore never to take a concubine. There were drums and eighteen bridal sedan chairs—everyone in Bianjing heard about it.”

She’d never met this cousin’s wife, just heard Gu Wanru gossip about her once.

“That’s why you’ll be his mistress first. Once you’re pregnant, and the rice is cooked, his wife will have no choice but to accept it. I’ve already planned everything for you. Trust me.”

Ha.

All planned out, was it?

Gu Hua laughed.

If they couldn’t force her into servitude, now they wanted her to be an even lower mistress?

The Peis had schemed so hard to tie themselves to powerful families—to elevate their lineage. Pei shi’s legitimate daughter became a concubine to the Marquis of Wenchang, and her cousin married a noblewoman from Bianjing.

They had one goal: to strengthen their bloodline through these connections and preserve the glory of Jiangling’s Pei family.

Concubine Pei knew full well that cousin’s wife was ruthless. If she discovered a mistress, she’d torment her mercilessly.

Main wives didn’t tolerate concubines. Even if they were beaten to death, the authorities wouldn’t interfere.

Gu Hua suddenly looked serious. “Auntie, let me ask you one question. If you answer truthfully, I’ll listen to all your future arrangements.”

That wretched girl still dared to bargain? “Ask.”

As if she could escape Concubine Pei’s grasp.

“Brother Ji… where did you send him?”

The mention of that name still made Gu Hua’s heart ache.

It had been three years. No word, no trace. She had never seen the only boy in her past life who had ever treated her with kindness again.