FBC – Chapter 47 Interrogation

The oppressive aura pressing down on her made Gu Hua instinctively step back, her hand trembling as she clutched the teacup.

She kept retreating until her back hit the wall—there was no way back. Panic-stricken, she stared at the tall figure drawing closer and closer.

Mu Junyan loomed over her, lowering his head to glare down at her. His voice was low and grim: “Weren’t you fearless?”

Where had her bold and defiant attitude from two days ago gone?

Was she feeling guilty because she’d secretly met her cousin?

Gu Hua’s heart skipped a beat.

She could feel he was angry.

Her grip on the teacup tightened, trembling even harder. The entire cup of cold tea spilled onto her chest, soaking her clothes.

She let out a startled gasp. Desperately trying to stay composed, she placed the teacup on the windowsill, but it didn’t settle properly. With a crisp crack, the cup shattered beneath the window.

Startled, she almost leapt up. She wanted to flee, but her foot hadn’t even lifted when—

Mu Junyan took another step forward, nearly pressing against her, forcing Gu Hua flat against the wall.

Her petite figure was completely overshadowed by his looming presence.

Gu Hua dared not move a muscle and strained her ears to listen for any sound outside.

Luckily, no one was around.

The suffocating closeness made her instinctively push against his chest.

But his chest was as solid as a rock. Her soft strength was like a tickle—it didn’t budge him in the slightest.

Mu Junyan clearly didn’t appreciate her attempt to push him away. Suddenly, he grabbed both her tightly intertwined wrists, raised them above her head, and pinned them against the wall.

His other hand slid behind her slender waist and yanked her delicate, boneless body tightly into his arms.

They were already close to begin with. Now, Gu Hua was practically bent backward into his embrace, molded into his chest.

His tall and broad figure completely enveloped her, blocking out both candlelight and moonlight. She was plunged into complete darkness.

Gu Hua couldn’t see anything, but she could hear her own heartbeat loud and clear—thump, thump, thump.

Flustered, shy, and faintly delighted—all kinds of emotions swirled chaotically inside her.

She tried to turn her head away, wanting to escape the strong masculine scent invading her senses, but the moment she moved, her cheek brushed against his chest. Noticing the slight distance, he leaned in even closer.

Now her face was pressed tightly against his burning chest, the powerful thudding of his heart blending with her own frantic one.

Her breath quickened with panic, her chest heaving slightly—soft curves brushing against his firm chest.

Gu Hua was on the verge of tears.

The first time, she had been half-drunk and semi-conscious. The second time, she had shamelessly initiated for the sake of her goal. But now… she wished she could faint on the spot.

The tight grip on her wrists sent a jolt of pain. Her nose tingled with the urge to cry, and her heart swelled with grievance.

What had she done wrong?

She’d angered this devil of a man.

Yet this devil loomed over her, saying nothing. Even in the darkness, she could feel the predatory intensity in his gaze, as if a wild beast were eyeing its prey.

Her legs were starting to give out. She was turning into jelly. If this continued, she’d slide to the floor.

Helpless, she raised her head slightly, her tone pleading: “My lord…”

Mu Junyan’s voice was hoarse and low: “You’re not a slave of the Mu Residence. No need to call me that.”

Gu Hua: “…”

Is that the point right now?

If I’m not one of your household, then is it appropriate for you to pin down a girl from another family like this?

She could only change her address: “Duke Mu, please…”

Mu Junyan suddenly let out a low laugh. “Duke Mu? Or perhaps you’d prefer to follow your elder sister and call me father-in-law?”

Gu Hua froze.

What did he mean by that?

“I didn’t…”

Didn’t?

Right after meeting her, Pei Yi had bought a courtyard and even furnished a room like a bridal chamber—why?

Pei Yi had recently married the illegitimate daughter of Lord Qian of the Ministry of Revenue, Qian Peizhu. He had used an enormous dowry and even vowed not to take concubines to win her hand.

And now, as her supposed fiancé, where did that leave Gu Hua?

A separate residence? Was she to become a kept woman?

Did she really think being a concubine outside his home was better than staying with Mu Junyan?

Maybe so—after all, he was no honorable man.

His voice dragged slowly and coldly: “A fiancé outside, a brother-in-law within. Climbing into a senior’s bed just to elevate your status. Gu Hua, you truly impress me.”

“For your sister’s sake, I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Tell me: my son—your fiancé—or is there someone else you’d rather marry? Or perhaps you’ve set your sights even higher? I’ll grant your wish.”

“You don’t have to degrade yourself. There’s no need to seduce just anyone, ruining your reputation for nothing.”

The man who usually spoke in concise sentences suddenly let loose a lengthy tirade—

And every word struck her heart like a knife.

He was accusing her.

Gu Hua’s eyes widened in shock.

So that’s how he saw her?

Suddenly, the force pinning her waist loosened slightly. Mu Junyan stepped back half a step, as if truly intending to give her a choice—but he still didn’t release her hands.

The pale moonlight fell on her damp chest.

He raised his hand and brushed the wet patch—roughly rubbing the sensitive area back and forth. His hand got wet too.

Her heart was in complete chaos.

Mu Junyan didn’t even know why he was so angry.

Perhaps he was mad at himself for losing control—or maybe, he simply pitied her and resented her lack of self-respect.

Gu Hua’s eyes turned red.

“Duke Mu… I—I have no improper thoughts toward my brother-in-law…”

Her lips quivered as she spoke in soft, choking tones.

“I was forced to sign the slave contract by my concubine aunt. She said I was born lowly, meant to secure my elder sister’s favor. But I’ve been avoiding your son ever since I entered the household. Somehow, my sister believed I was trying to escape her control and, together withConcubine Pei, fabricated a fiancé for me…”

You deny it?

Mu Junyan grabbed her delicate chin with his wet hand, forcing her to lift her face to meet his gaze.

“Fabricated? You met a strange man in secret. Alone. Laughing and chatting. He pinned a flower in your hair. Do you treat every stranger like that, with no regard for propriety?”

Then again, he had been a stranger too—she had even slept with him.

Mu Junyan’s face darkened further.

His words were brutal—each one harsher than the last.

None of it made sense.

Suddenly, Gu Hua realized—flower pinning?

Could it be… he saw her meeting with Pei Yi?

Then… how was she supposed to explain?

She had approached Pei Yi on purpose—but that was all.

The flower pinning had indeed been inappropriate, but even then, she’d kept her distance when they were alone.

Her face turned deathly pale. Any attempt to explain would seem like a cover-up now.

She had fought so hard to survive—even sacrificing her reputation to climb into Mu Junyan’s bed. She’d be branded shameless in both lives just to get a moment to breathe.

Why was fate so cruel to her?

Choked with grievances, her tears finally fell—landing right on the back of Mu Junyan’s hand.

He stared at her. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and they began to fall one by one, each droplet stabbing him with pain.

Had he bullied her again?

“No crying!”

For the first time, Mu Junyan understood what it meant to be truly agitated.

The little girl looked up at him timidly, trying desperately to keep the tears from spilling.

Her voice was barely audible, trembling as she spoke: “I’m… not that shameless…”

But even she didn’t quite believe her own words.

The tea soaked through her chest and the chilly autumn night seeped into her skin, making her tremble from the cold.

Yet, with the burning heat of his chest so close, it was like ice and fire colliding.

She couldn’t hold on much longer.

Mu Junyan watched her struggling to maintain composure—delicate brows tightly furrowed, soft lips quivering.

The memory of her tender body beneath him that night—snowy skin, flushed cheeks—flashed vividly before his eyes.

Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through his entire body and rushed straight down—

Mu Junyan froze.

He was about to lose control again.