FBC – Chapter 48 Old Matters

Mu Junyan slowly released her hand and took a step back, giving her space to breathe.

Gu Hua’s arm, which had been forced overhead, was stiff. When she finally lowered it, her shoulder blades felt like they were about to crack.

His eyes fell on the bruise left on her fair and delicate arm from his grip.

That night, when his calloused palm had gripped her slender waist, it had left a red mark.

This little girl really was too delicate.

Mu Junyan had been holding in frustration for most of the day, and somehow now felt even more stifled.

The flame in the double crane-patterned candle on the desk was about to burn out, flickering wildly. The two of them instinctively looked toward the desk.

The awkwardness instantly thickened.

Gu Hua wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.

Luckily, the candle soon burned out.

Darkness fell upon the room.

The moonlight was obscured by clouds. Gu Hua breathed a quiet sigh of relief—darkness could hide her embarrassment and fear.

Only the sounds of one heavy and one light breath could be heard in the room.

“What were you writing?” Mu Junyan changed the subject, easing the tension.

Because they couldn’t see each other, their sense of hearing became more sensitive. His voice softened, and he even referred to himself as “I.”

The tight knot in Gu Hua’s chest loosened a little.

In a soft, quiet voice, she replied, “I… was transcribing ancient texts.”

She didn’t dare lie.

“Why?”

His tone was gentler now.

“…Because I like reading them.”

“I’ll give them to you. No need to copy them.”

Gu Hua looked up, unable to see his face clearly, but she could sense he was serious.

Ancient manuscripts, and he was just giving them away?

She couldn’t afford to appear greedy.

“Thank you, Lord Duke, but they’re too valuable. I haven’t done anything to deserve them.”

He seemed to exhale sharply and said, “Consider it compensation for two nights of hardship.”

Gu Hua froze.

Mu Junyan: “…”

How could he say that?

It was far too hurtful.

Mu Junyan stepped toward the desk, inserted new candles into the crane lanterns, and lit them again.

He casually flipped through the manuscript she had been copying.

It turned out to be a unique original gifted to him by the Grand Tutor. In the eyes of scholars, it was priceless.

Such obscure text, and she actually liked it?

Right, she seemed to be copying books in exchange for silver.

Mu Junyan seemed to understand. He tapped the book lightly. “No other meaning. It would just sit here collecting dust. Having someone put it to good use is a good thing.”

Gu Hua couldn’t believe it—this was a one-of-a-kind manuscript!

It was like a golden rice bowl that could generate wealth on its own.

Even the most famous scholars in the land would kill to own it.

And he was really giving it to her?

Well, if it were for some other reason, she might be able to accept it.

Gu Hua bit her lip, the last shreds of her pride burning with anxiety.

She straightened her back stubbornly and gave him a respectful bow.

“My lord, that night… was purely an accident. A drunken mistake. You need not take it to heart. As for the second… time, it was because I sought your protection. That debt is mine to bear. Such a valuable gift, I dare not, and cannot, accept.”

With that, she said no more and turned to leave as if fleeing.

Mu Junyan: “…”

Why did he feel like he’d just bullied a little girl?

“Stop. I have something to ask you.”

Gu Hua had already stepped over the threshold, but halted, not turning back.

In a soft voice, she said, “Please ask, my lord.”

Mu Junyan came up behind her, staring at the top of her dark hair. “Twelve years ago, did you give a beggar half a steamed bun?”

Gu Hua was startled and turned around abruptly.

Why was he suddenly asking this?

That injured beggar had given her a jade pendant in return, telling her never to admit she’d seen him.

She had been young and naïve then. Trading half a bun for a jade pendant was something she naturally kept secret.

When she grew older, she realized the pendant was of extremely fine jade and suspected the beggar wasn’t ordinary. She never dared tell anyone.

Later, the pendant had mysteriously disappeared. She’d searched high and low, but never found it.

“I don’t remember.”

Gu Hua didn’t want to lie to him, but she had to keep her promise.

Mu Junyan stared at her, his keen eyes flickering.

She was lying.

But he didn’t press her further. The truth would come out eventually.

His gaze dropped to the faint green, translucent phoenix hairpin in her bun.

His sword-like brows drew together slightly as he thought for a moment. “What kind of flower do you like?”

Why this sudden question?

Gu Hua answered without thinking, “White magnolia.”

“Mm.”

Seeing the faint curve of Mu Junyan’s lips, like a smile yet not, sent a chill down her spine.

Her heart thudded as her trembling legs subtly shifted backward.

Finally, Mu Junyan turned and stepped over the threshold, tossing back a sentence: “Don’t stay up too late copying.”

Gu Hua keenly felt that the moment he turned away, the smile on his face vanished completely.

Even after he left, the heavy pressure he carried seemed to linger in the air.

Suddenly remembering something, Gu Hua rushed out after him. “Lord Duke, which volume of the late madam’s manuscripts would you like me to copy?”

“Choose one or two as you like.”

Gu Hua stared blankly at his tall figure as it disappeared.

Choose one or two as she liked?

Perhaps, to him, every volume of the late madam’s writings was a source of comfort.

After some thought, she returned to the desk. She looked at the rare manuscript, then decisively closed it and picked up Lady Jiang’s poetry collection instead.

Mu Junyan didn’t have many days left in the capital. She had to finish copying at least two volumes for him to take to the southern frontier—something that might bring him solace on lonely nights.

Unknowingly, she copied until midnight when the watch drums rang.

Dong Hua arrived with a lantern. “My dear lady, you’re still copying? We all thought you’d fallen asleep here!”

Gu Hua rotated her wrist, looking pleased at the half-finished manuscript.

“I should be able to finish one volume tomorrow.”

Dong Hua urged, “Go rest now.”

Gu Hua carefully stacked the copied pages, tidied the desk, and left with Dong Hua.

Dong Qing came in with a bowl of calming soup warmed over the brazier. “Miss Shen made this for you. She said to drink it before bed.”

Gu Hua drank it all in one go. Warmth flowed through her, and she instantly felt more at ease.

She slept soundly and woke to find the sun already high in the sky.

She leapt out of bed. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You didn’t have to greet anyone today. And you stayed up late copying. No one will blame you for sleeping in.”

Dong Hua giggled as she pulled back the bed curtains.

Dong Qing entered with a basin of warm water. The two maids helped her wash and dress.

While eating breakfast, Gu Hua said, “I want to make some pastries and deliver them personally to the old madam. I should greet her properly.”

She was living a life of ease under Mu Junyan’s protection. She ought to do something in return.

Everyone knew the Duke never planned to marry, but he was extremely filial. If she could win over the old madam, she’d have one more reason to stay in the Duke’s estate.

“Huh?” Dong Hua blinked.

Gu Hua turned to her. “I can’t go?”

“It’s not that… it’s just that the old madam has dementia. Sometimes she doesn’t recognize people—and sometimes, she hits them.”

“Hits people?” Gu Hua was shocked.

Dong Qing, finishing her hair, reassured her, “Usually she doesn’t. But the young madam got slapped the first time she visited.”

“What?” Gu Hua was even more surprised.

Her older sister had been slapped?

“Maybe that’s why the young madam never visited again. The servants in the estate all say she’s unfilial…” Dong Hua said, disgruntled. But remembering the young madam was Gu Hua’s elder sister, she quickly bit her tongue.

“Why did my sister get slapped?” Gu Hua quickly asked—she wanted to avoid the same fate.

Dong Hua tilted her head. “I think it was because her greeting wasn’t proper enough.”

Gu Hua sighed in relief.

She was well-practiced in proper etiquette. She wouldn’t get it wrong.

“I’ve made pastries for the old madam twice before. I just don’t know if she liked them,” Gu Hua said nervously.

The old madam had once been the first female general of Great Liang, personally titled by the former emperor. Even with dementia, her dignity remained. Gu Hua had to be careful.

She just wasn’t sure if she could win the old lady’s favor.

“Yiniang said the old madam likes them—especially anything sweet. She loves osmanthus fillings the most.”

“That’s good then. Come on, let’s head to the kitchen!”

Gu Hua brightened and led Dong Hua and Dong Qing straight toward the kitchen.